Northern Ireland News for December 2024

Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2024
Navantia UK To Acquire Harland & Wolff
The future of Belfast's historic Harland & Wolff shipyard has reportedly been secured in a newly agreed deal with Spain's state-owned shipbuilder, Navantia. The deal will see Navantia UK take control...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2024
Timely Hospital Discharges Urged To Ease Winter Pressure
The Department of Health has urged the public to support timely hospital discharges to alleviate pressure on the health service, especially during the winter months. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emph...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2024
HMRC App Sees Record Usage In 2024
The HMRC app has experienced its most successful year to date, with two million more people using it to access their tax information. Since its launch in 2017, over seven million people have download...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2024
PHA Urges Safe Sleep Practices For Babies Over Christmas
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding parents and carers to prioritise safe sleep practices for their babies, especially during the busy Christmas period. The PHA advises that the safest place ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2024
Green Party Slams Decision To Allow Taxis In Belfast Bus Lanes
Allowing taxis to use Belfast city centre bus lanes has been described as an "act of desperation with little regard for the wider consequences". Responding to the decision by the Infrastructure Minis...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2024
Truth, Love or Promise Takes Centre Stage At 4 Corners Festival
Belfast comedian Nuala McKeever's acclaimed one-woman show, Truth, Love or Promise is set to take centre stage at the 4 Corners Festival next year. Promising an evening of laughter, poignancy, and po...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Welcomes Harland & Wolff Deal The Alliance Party has welcomed the news that shipbuilder Navantia will take over Harland & Wolff shipyards, just in time for Christmas. It has been c...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2024
Public Reminded To 'Stay Safe' At NI Water Sites
The utility company has emphasised that these sites, which include treatment works, pumping stations, and reservoirs, are not playgrounds and are operational 24/7. NI Water said that while it doesn'...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2024
Public Urged To Help Ease Winter Pressure On Health Service
The public has been urged to take steps to help ease the pressure on Northern Ireland's health and social care services this winter. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt today outlined practical ways individ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2024
Finance Minister Demands Funding To Offset NI Contributions
The Finance Minister has called on the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to provide adequate funding to offset the impact of increased National Insurance contributions. Dr Caoimhe Archibald warned that...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2024
Deadline Looms for XL Bully Owners To Apply for Exemption
Owners of XL Bully dogs have less than two weeks to apply for an exemption certificate to avoid their pets being seized and facing potential legal action. The deadline for submitting online applicati...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2024
UUP Calls On Sinn Féin To 'Cooperate On Details' With ICLVR
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has called on Sinn Féin "cooperate on details" regarding the murder of Disappeared, Columba McVeigh. Describing the disappearance of victims remains as "one of the mos...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2024
New Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner Appointed
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, has appointed David Johnstone as the new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner. Johnstone, a former officer in the Royal Irish Regiment (Res...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2024
Other News In Brief
SDLP Calls For Urgent Action On Gender-Based Violence In NI The SDLP has called for urgent and decisive action in response to the findings of a report on violence against women and girls in ...
Feature News, Dec 18, 2024
Paying Fast In Belfast - Six Quickest Payment Options For 2025
The rise in fintech and, in particular, cryptocurrency, has seen remittance times slashed. And, even if you aren't a cryptocurrency user yourself, the competition it has brought, and the increased upt...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Two Men Charged With Murder Of Karen Cummings
Two men have been charged with the murder of Karen Cummings in Banbridge. The 32-year-old and 42-year-old men appeared before Newry Magistrates' Court today, Wednesday, 18 December. The 32-year-old ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Taxis Now Allowed To Use City Centre Bus Lanes
Taxis in Belfast can now use a number of the city's bus lanes over the festive period, in an effort to address significant congestion in the city centre. Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd announced...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Belfast Giants Join Forces To Promote Road Safety
The Belfast Giants have joined forces with other sports organisations to support the Share the Road to Zero campaign, which aims to reduce road deaths. Captain Mark Cooper has backed the initiative, ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Executive Publishes Latest VAWG Report
The Executive Office has welcomed the newly published 'Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Experiences and attitudes of adults in Northern Ireland in 2023' report. The report presents sta...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Young People Benefit From Sport-Based Community Programme
More than 200 young people in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a sports-based community programme aimed at creating positive social change. The 'Stay Onside Community Engagement Programme', r...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Pedestrian Injured In Newcastle Road Collision
Police are appealing for information following a road traffic collision in Newcastle on Tuesday, 17th December. A woman in her 70s was struck by a car on Donard Street at approximately 12.45pm. She w...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Somme Museum Receives £30,000 Funding Boost
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has visited the Somme Museum in Northern Ireland and announced a £30,000 funding boost. The funding will support the museum's ongoing educational and outreach work, ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Man Seriously Injured In Newry Burglary
Police are investigating a serious assault that occurred in Newry on Monday, 16th December. Two men, disguised with umbrellas and high-visibility vests, forced their way into a property on Patrick St...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Arts Care Brings Joy And Creativity To Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Arts in health charity Arts Care recently hosted its much-anticipated Christmas show at Knockbracken Healthcare Park, welcoming over 100 attendees, including service users and staff from day centres a...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 18, 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance 'Disappointed' Over Decision To Allow Taxis To Use Bus Lanes Allowing taxis to use Belfast city centre bus lanes will not address the city's congestion issues, Alliance Infrastructu...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2024
New CEO Is Making A Big Splash In The Gaming Industry
Gambling industry expert Grainne Hurst was recently appointed as the chief executive officer of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). Hurst is poised to guide the industry in the United Kingdom throu...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2024
NI Students Urged To Apply For Study USA Programme
Further Education (FE) students across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to take advantage of a life-changing opportunity by applying for Study USA, a prestigious US scholarship programme. Manage...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2024
New Programme Aims To Tackle Childhood Obesity
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a new programme to help tackle childhood obesity. The 8-week HENRY – 'Health, Exercise, Nutrition for the Really Young' – programme is designed to support ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2024
Traffic Warning Issued Ahead of Larne FC Match
Police have issued a warning to road users ahead of the Europa Conference League match between Larne FC and KAA Gent on Thursday, 19th December. With approximately 2,000 supporters expected to attend...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2024
Man Jailed for Killing Mother In Cookstown
A 47-year-old man has been jailed for six years for killing his mother in Cookstown. Barry Noone pleaded guilty to manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility for the death of his 77-year-old mo...