21/07/2025
Other News In Brief
Vandalism To Mary Ann McCracken Statue Condemned
Alliance Councillor Michael Long has condemned an act of vandalism targeting the statue of anti-slavery campaigner Mary Ann McCracken at Belfast City Hall. Councillor Long, who originally proposed the statue, expressed his disgust after a plaque containing Irish text was damaged.
Describing Mary Ann McCracken as representing "everything that is good about the shared history of our city," Councillor Long highlighted the statue's role in showcasing a diverse Belfast and honouring those who fought for freedoms enjoyed today. He expressed despair that anyone could damage a memorial dedicated to someone held in such high regard.
He concluded with an appeal for public assistance: "I appeal to anyone who has information on this incident to contact police with it immediately."
DAERA Urges Equine Establishment Registration Ahead of February 2026 Deadline
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir today stressed the importance of mandatory registration for all equine establishments in Northern Ireland, including those keeping horses, ponies, donkeys, and zebras. Owners and operators must obtain an Equine Establishment Number (EEN) from DAERA before 1 February 2026.
This legal requirement, introduced under EU Animal Health Law, is a crucial step towards enhancing equine identification, traceability, and welfare standards. From the deadline, a valid EEN will be necessary for all passport applications, updates, or duplicates, without which keepers may be unable to buy, sell, move, or export an equine.
Minister Muir highlighted the benefits of registration, including enhanced traceability, disease control, fraud prevention, and improved animal health and welfare. Registering is free and simple, and while establishment operators are responsible for registration, owners should ensure their equine's establishment is compliant.
Increase in Northern Ireland University Applications Welcomed
Sinn Féin MLA and Higher and Further Education spokesperson, Pádraig Delargy, has welcomed new UCAS figures for the 2025 admissions cycle, showing an overall increase in the number of students from Northern Ireland applying to university.
According to UCAS data, 17,440 applicants from Northern Ireland submitted applications by the 30 June deadline, a 1.5% increase on last year. Encouragingly, the number of applicants opting to study at local institutions also rose to 27,080, up 2% from 2024.
Mr Delargy particularly highlighted growth in applications from school leavers in the most disadvantaged areas, with a 1.6% rise from NIMDM Quintile 1, indicating positive impacts from widening participation efforts. He also noted the "roadmap to increase student numbers in Magee" following the recent graduation of 69 doctors from Magee Medical School.
Alliance Councillor Michael Long has condemned an act of vandalism targeting the statue of anti-slavery campaigner Mary Ann McCracken at Belfast City Hall. Councillor Long, who originally proposed the statue, expressed his disgust after a plaque containing Irish text was damaged.
Describing Mary Ann McCracken as representing "everything that is good about the shared history of our city," Councillor Long highlighted the statue's role in showcasing a diverse Belfast and honouring those who fought for freedoms enjoyed today. He expressed despair that anyone could damage a memorial dedicated to someone held in such high regard.
He concluded with an appeal for public assistance: "I appeal to anyone who has information on this incident to contact police with it immediately."
DAERA Urges Equine Establishment Registration Ahead of February 2026 Deadline
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir today stressed the importance of mandatory registration for all equine establishments in Northern Ireland, including those keeping horses, ponies, donkeys, and zebras. Owners and operators must obtain an Equine Establishment Number (EEN) from DAERA before 1 February 2026.
This legal requirement, introduced under EU Animal Health Law, is a crucial step towards enhancing equine identification, traceability, and welfare standards. From the deadline, a valid EEN will be necessary for all passport applications, updates, or duplicates, without which keepers may be unable to buy, sell, move, or export an equine.
Minister Muir highlighted the benefits of registration, including enhanced traceability, disease control, fraud prevention, and improved animal health and welfare. Registering is free and simple, and while establishment operators are responsible for registration, owners should ensure their equine's establishment is compliant.
Increase in Northern Ireland University Applications Welcomed
Sinn Féin MLA and Higher and Further Education spokesperson, Pádraig Delargy, has welcomed new UCAS figures for the 2025 admissions cycle, showing an overall increase in the number of students from Northern Ireland applying to university.
According to UCAS data, 17,440 applicants from Northern Ireland submitted applications by the 30 June deadline, a 1.5% increase on last year. Encouragingly, the number of applicants opting to study at local institutions also rose to 27,080, up 2% from 2024.
Mr Delargy particularly highlighted growth in applications from school leavers in the most disadvantaged areas, with a 1.6% rise from NIMDM Quintile 1, indicating positive impacts from widening participation efforts. He also noted the "roadmap to increase student numbers in Magee" following the recent graduation of 69 doctors from Magee Medical School.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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14 January 2014
Queen's To 'Revolutionise' Horse Doping Tests
Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast and the Irish Equine Centre are set to develop a new way to test for illegal drugs used in horses and cattle. The test will be the first to work by detecting the biological effects of a banned substance, rather than the presence of the substance itself.
Queen's To 'Revolutionise' Horse Doping Tests
Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast and the Irish Equine Centre are set to develop a new way to test for illegal drugs used in horses and cattle. The test will be the first to work by detecting the biological effects of a banned substance, rather than the presence of the substance itself.
13 November 2012
O'Neill In Chinese Equine Talks
Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has been meeting with representatives of the Chinese equine industry to discuss the potential for collaboration. The meeting came as she and Enterprise Minister Arlene foster join First and deputy First Minister Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness on a trade mission to Beijing.
O'Neill In Chinese Equine Talks
Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has been meeting with representatives of the Chinese equine industry to discuss the potential for collaboration. The meeting came as she and Enterprise Minister Arlene foster join First and deputy First Minister Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness on a trade mission to Beijing.
23 November 2010
Horse Charity Gets Veterinary Booster
A hard-working equine charity in Co Antrim has been given 'official' recognition for its work. Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary (C.L.A.S.) has recently been awarded the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) Award for Animal Welfare. During an awards ceremony held in Galgorm Manor NIVA President, Brian McAuley (pictured left) said: "C.L.A.
Horse Charity Gets Veterinary Booster
A hard-working equine charity in Co Antrim has been given 'official' recognition for its work. Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary (C.L.A.S.) has recently been awarded the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) Award for Animal Welfare. During an awards ceremony held in Galgorm Manor NIVA President, Brian McAuley (pictured left) said: "C.L.A.
15 August 2012
Northern Ireland Unemployment On The Increase
Unemployment figures have increased again in Northern Ireland. The percentage of unemployed people increased by nine percentage points to 7.6% here between April and June, but still stayed neatly below the UK-wide figure of 8% unemployment. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in July was 63,200, an increase of 400.
Northern Ireland Unemployment On The Increase
Unemployment figures have increased again in Northern Ireland. The percentage of unemployed people increased by nine percentage points to 7.6% here between April and June, but still stayed neatly below the UK-wide figure of 8% unemployment. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in July was 63,200, an increase of 400.
28 June 2007
Marriage increase in Northern Ireland
Latest figures have revealed that there has been an increase in the number of marriages in Northern Ireland. The number for 2006 was just 8,300, a small increase on the 8,100 marriages registered in 2005, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) said. This is a significant increase on the recent low of 7,300 registered in 2001.
Marriage increase in Northern Ireland
Latest figures have revealed that there has been an increase in the number of marriages in Northern Ireland. The number for 2006 was just 8,300, a small increase on the 8,100 marriages registered in 2005, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) said. This is a significant increase on the recent low of 7,300 registered in 2001.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.