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16/09/2008
Brown Helped Raise 'Banner' For NI
While PM Gordon Brown (pictured) is in Belfast today for political talks at the Stormont Assembly, aiming at soothing 'trouble' between politicians, last week, his thoughts were on another kind of 'Troubles'.
He joined former PMs Tony Blair and Baroness Thatcher to attend a commemoration in London for people who served in Northern Ireland during the 'Troubles', lasted for almost 40 years.
The Prince of Wales, who later hosted a reception for the veterans, the Duchess of Cornwall and Conservative leader David Cameron were also among the guests at the service at St Paul's Cathedral.
Lady Thatcher, whose entire prime ministerial career was played out against the backdrop of the violence, was dressed in sombre tones.
The deployment, known as Operation Banner, was the Army's longest continuous campaign and saw more than 300,000 military personnel serve in Northern Ireland.
Troops were first sent in during 1969 as violent unrest escalated on the streets, and over the following decades 763 members of the armed forces were killed by paramilitaries.
In a short statement Prince Charles described how events in Northern Ireland had touched his own family.
He said: "The effects of the situation in the province have been felt by many people, both in the United Kingdom and beyond, and I can only too well imagine how shattering it has been for those who have lost loved ones during these difficult times, having myself experienced the loss of my great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, to a terrorist bomb in 1979."
Mountbatten was killed by a provisional IRA bomb detonated while he and his party were on a sailing boat off the coast of the Republic of Ireland.
At the service's conclusion, the Last Post was sounded and echoed around the cavernous interior of St Paul's and the Operation Banner memorial candle was lit by Mary Moreland, who lost her husband to a terrorist attack in Northern Ireland in 1988.
Private John Moreland was a part-time soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment and was killed while doing his civilian job as a coal merchant in Downpatrick, Co Down.
(BMcC)
He joined former PMs Tony Blair and Baroness Thatcher to attend a commemoration in London for people who served in Northern Ireland during the 'Troubles', lasted for almost 40 years.
The Prince of Wales, who later hosted a reception for the veterans, the Duchess of Cornwall and Conservative leader David Cameron were also among the guests at the service at St Paul's Cathedral.
Lady Thatcher, whose entire prime ministerial career was played out against the backdrop of the violence, was dressed in sombre tones.
The deployment, known as Operation Banner, was the Army's longest continuous campaign and saw more than 300,000 military personnel serve in Northern Ireland.
Troops were first sent in during 1969 as violent unrest escalated on the streets, and over the following decades 763 members of the armed forces were killed by paramilitaries.
In a short statement Prince Charles described how events in Northern Ireland had touched his own family.
He said: "The effects of the situation in the province have been felt by many people, both in the United Kingdom and beyond, and I can only too well imagine how shattering it has been for those who have lost loved ones during these difficult times, having myself experienced the loss of my great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, to a terrorist bomb in 1979."
Mountbatten was killed by a provisional IRA bomb detonated while he and his party were on a sailing boat off the coast of the Republic of Ireland.
At the service's conclusion, the Last Post was sounded and echoed around the cavernous interior of St Paul's and the Operation Banner memorial candle was lit by Mary Moreland, who lost her husband to a terrorist attack in Northern Ireland in 1988.
Private John Moreland was a part-time soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment and was killed while doing his civilian job as a coal merchant in Downpatrick, Co Down.
(BMcC)
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13 June 2005
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
03 January 2002
Number killed on Northern Ireland roads drops in 2001
Figures just released show that 147 people were killed on the roads of Northern Ireland in 2001. The figures, which show a slight drop on last year, have been welcomed by the Environment Minister Sam Foster. He said: “Last year 147 people were killed on the roads of Northern Ireland.
Number killed on Northern Ireland roads drops in 2001
Figures just released show that 147 people were killed on the roads of Northern Ireland in 2001. The figures, which show a slight drop on last year, have been welcomed by the Environment Minister Sam Foster. He said: “Last year 147 people were killed on the roads of Northern Ireland.
15 December 2005
Minister welcomes fall in Civil Service sickness levels
The Civil Service has published an analysis of sickness absence during 2004/2005, which shows a reduction on the previous year. The report for 2004/2005, the sixth annual report, analyses sickness absence statistics for non-industrial staff in Northern Ireland government departments.
Minister welcomes fall in Civil Service sickness levels
The Civil Service has published an analysis of sickness absence during 2004/2005, which shows a reduction on the previous year. The report for 2004/2005, the sixth annual report, analyses sickness absence statistics for non-industrial staff in Northern Ireland government departments.
16 August 2002
Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service named
The man who is to replace Gerry Loughran as the new head of Northern Ireland's 29,000-strong civil service has been named today. Nigel Hamilton, currently Permanent Secretary at the Department of Regional Development is expected to take over his new post on October 1, following the retirement of Mr Loughran.
Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service named
The man who is to replace Gerry Loughran as the new head of Northern Ireland's 29,000-strong civil service has been named today. Nigel Hamilton, currently Permanent Secretary at the Department of Regional Development is expected to take over his new post on October 1, following the retirement of Mr Loughran.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
