SF Welcomes New Troubles Exhibition In West Belfast

Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has welcomed the opening of a powerful new exhibition, 'The Falls – Where the Troubles Began,' located at St Comgall's – Ionad Eileen Howell on Divis Street.

The visitor experience centre focuses on recounting the story of the outbreak of the conflict from 1969 to 1970.

Mr. Maskey paid tribute to the Falls Community Council and those involved in delivering the historical project, noting that the centre gives a voice to the local community who experienced traumatic events, including the Falls Curfew and the burning of homes by loyalist mobs.

The West Belfast MP highlighted the exhibition's importance in contributing to the area's "rich tourist offering," helping to create jobs and attract investment to local neighbourhoods, and building on the significant transformation the community has undergone in recent decades.

MLA Welcomes Pay Parity Confirmation But Criticises Handling Of Health Staff Awards

North Belfast Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister has welcomed the confirmation from the Health Minister that healthcare staff will finally receive their pay uplift, which is to be backdated to 1 April 2025. Ms. McAllister also praised the Minister's commitment to prioritizing future pay awards within his budget at the start of the financial year, a measure the Alliance Party has repeatedly emphasised as crucial for ensuring swift payment to staff. However, Ms. McAllister expressed disappointment with the process this year, stating that the "saga around pay" has again eroded the confidence of the healthcare workforce due to "false starts and a lack of clarity continuing for months on end." She is delighted that the workers have confirmation of the award but notes the lack of clarity has impacted staff confidence.

UUP Raises Serious Concerns Over Handling Of Convicted Murderer's Day Release

Ulster Unionist Party Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA has raised serious concerns regarding the day release of convicted murderer Thomas McEntee, who was sentenced for the 2017 murders of Marjorie and Michael Cawdery.

Mr. Beattie highlighted discrepancies between the Justice Minister's statements to the Assembly and the facts raised by the victims' family, stressing the distress caused and the potential risk to public safety.

The MLA noted that the family is challenging the Minister's assertion that the Prison Service notified the Victims Commissioner, claiming they had to pick up the pieces of this "catastrophic systems failure."

Mr. Beattie also questioned the pre-release testing criteria, citing a judge and doctor's assessment at sentencing that McEntee's future violence risk was "a significant one, which will require indefinite management and supervision."

Mr. Beattie went on to point out that the Minister was incorrect in stating McEntee's tariff had expired, as it is not due to expire until June 2027. He concluded that he will be writing to the Minister to seek urgent clarification on these factually inaccurate and misleading responses.