28/03/2025
Other News In Brief
SDLP Calls For New School Bus Safety Laws
The SDLP is advocating for the introduction of new road safety laws concerning school buses, aiming to reduce the risk of injury to children when they are boarding or getting off.
The call comes in the wake of the death of 11-year-old schoolgirl Caitlin-Rose McMullan, who tragically died earlier this month in Castledawson.
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn brought a motion before Mid Ulster District Council on Thursday evening, proposing that Northern Ireland adopt legislation similar to that in place in the United States, which prohibits drivers from overtaking a stopped school bus. The motion, seconded by SDLP councillor Denise Johnston, received support from other councillors who have agreed to write to both the Infrastructure and Education Ministers, urging them to bring about this legislative change.
ATM Stolen from Antrim Service Station
Detectives are investigating the theft of an ATM containing cash from a service station on the Ballymena Road area of Antrim. The incident is believed to have occurred around 2am on Friday, March 28th, and involved a white Ford Transit van. Police are appealing for anyone with information or dash-cam footage to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 223 of 28/03/25.
Alliance Councillor Criticises Sinn Féin And DUP Over Renter Rights U-Turn
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery has expressed confusion and disappointment after Sinn Féin and the DUP collaborated to remove key legislative calls aimed at strengthening the rights of private renters, including a ban on "no fault" evictions.
The motion, presented by Alliance at the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, sought to enhance protections for private renters. Councillor Lavery highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that over 38,000 people in the borough rely on the private rented sector, with average rents consuming a substantial portion of local incomes.
"Given these pressing difficulties, it was extremely disappointing that the DUP and Sinn Féin teamed up to dilute the motion," said Councillor Lavery. "We saw the removal of both a minimum requirement for social and affordable housing in new housing developments in the upcoming Local Development Plan, and a call for a ban on no fault evictions."
He specifically called out Sinn Féin's change in stance, stating, "This was particularly surprising with the latter being a policy that Sinn Féin's own Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, in the south has advocated for, and their Stormont team in the north voted in favour of when the Assembly debated Alliance’s New Deal for Renters last month."
The SDLP is advocating for the introduction of new road safety laws concerning school buses, aiming to reduce the risk of injury to children when they are boarding or getting off.
The call comes in the wake of the death of 11-year-old schoolgirl Caitlin-Rose McMullan, who tragically died earlier this month in Castledawson.
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn brought a motion before Mid Ulster District Council on Thursday evening, proposing that Northern Ireland adopt legislation similar to that in place in the United States, which prohibits drivers from overtaking a stopped school bus. The motion, seconded by SDLP councillor Denise Johnston, received support from other councillors who have agreed to write to both the Infrastructure and Education Ministers, urging them to bring about this legislative change.
ATM Stolen from Antrim Service Station
Detectives are investigating the theft of an ATM containing cash from a service station on the Ballymena Road area of Antrim. The incident is believed to have occurred around 2am on Friday, March 28th, and involved a white Ford Transit van. Police are appealing for anyone with information or dash-cam footage to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 223 of 28/03/25.
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery has expressed confusion and disappointment after Sinn Féin and the DUP collaborated to remove key legislative calls aimed at strengthening the rights of private renters, including a ban on "no fault" evictions.
The motion, presented by Alliance at the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, sought to enhance protections for private renters. Councillor Lavery highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that over 38,000 people in the borough rely on the private rented sector, with average rents consuming a substantial portion of local incomes.
"Given these pressing difficulties, it was extremely disappointing that the DUP and Sinn Féin teamed up to dilute the motion," said Councillor Lavery. "We saw the removal of both a minimum requirement for social and affordable housing in new housing developments in the upcoming Local Development Plan, and a call for a ban on no fault evictions."
He specifically called out Sinn Féin's change in stance, stating, "This was particularly surprising with the latter being a policy that Sinn Féin's own Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, in the south has advocated for, and their Stormont team in the north voted in favour of when the Assembly debated Alliance’s New Deal for Renters last month."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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29 September 2011
Chinese Bounce Into Lisburn For Olympics
China's artistic gymnastics team is to use Northern Ireland as a training base ahead of the London Olympics. They will be based at the Salto National Gymnastics Centre in Lisburn, Co Antrim which opened in 2007 at a cost of nearly £1.5m. China's decision to base its gymnasts in Northern Ireland follows that of the Australian boxing team last month.
Chinese Bounce Into Lisburn For Olympics
China's artistic gymnastics team is to use Northern Ireland as a training base ahead of the London Olympics. They will be based at the Salto National Gymnastics Centre in Lisburn, Co Antrim which opened in 2007 at a cost of nearly £1.5m. China's decision to base its gymnasts in Northern Ireland follows that of the Australian boxing team last month.
22 August 2007
McGinn Condemns Closure Of Addiction Clinic
Sinn Fein Councillor Pat McGinn has spoken out against the closure of the Cuan Mhuire addiction clinic in Newry. Staff at the clinic were informed last week that the unit would no longer admit new residents. The closure is due to the construction of a new motorway section.
McGinn Condemns Closure Of Addiction Clinic
Sinn Fein Councillor Pat McGinn has spoken out against the closure of the Cuan Mhuire addiction clinic in Newry. Staff at the clinic were informed last week that the unit would no longer admit new residents. The closure is due to the construction of a new motorway section.
18 July 2016
Two-Year-Old Boy Killed In L'Derry Collision
A toddler has died after being struck by a car in Co L'Derry. Ronan McGavigan, aged two, was killed in a collision which occurred on the Lone Moor Road at around 1.15pm on Sunday, 17 July. The driver of a silver coloured Citroen Picasso, which was involved in the incident, has spoken to the police.
Two-Year-Old Boy Killed In L'Derry Collision
A toddler has died after being struck by a car in Co L'Derry. Ronan McGavigan, aged two, was killed in a collision which occurred on the Lone Moor Road at around 1.15pm on Sunday, 17 July. The driver of a silver coloured Citroen Picasso, which was involved in the incident, has spoken to the police.
14 September 2007
Sinn Fein Members Sent Bullets
Bullets and a note threatening three members of Sinn Fein were attached to a brick thrown the window of the party's office in Lisnaskea, police have confirmed. The attack took place around 1:30pm on Thursday. It is believed that the note claims to be from the Loyalist group, the Red Hand Defenders.
Sinn Fein Members Sent Bullets
Bullets and a note threatening three members of Sinn Fein were attached to a brick thrown the window of the party's office in Lisnaskea, police have confirmed. The attack took place around 1:30pm on Thursday. It is believed that the note claims to be from the Loyalist group, the Red Hand Defenders.
15 January 2004
Sinn Fein members’ homes attacked in west Belfast
The homes of two Sinn Fein members have been attacked in West Belfast. The homes of Lisburn councillor, Paul Butler and MLA, Fra McCann, were both hit by ball bearings. No-one was hurt during the attacks, although a window was broken at McCann’s home.
Sinn Fein members’ homes attacked in west Belfast
The homes of two Sinn Fein members have been attacked in West Belfast. The homes of Lisburn councillor, Paul Butler and MLA, Fra McCann, were both hit by ball bearings. No-one was hurt during the attacks, although a window was broken at McCann’s home.
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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.
