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3,215 releases
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"Drug testing at festivals and large scale events is a no brainer" - Cllr Smyth
Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth criticises the Public Health Agency for poor communication after a Republic of Ireland health warning about high-dose MDMA ahead of the Electric Picnic festival. He calls for drug testing facilities at large events, an overdose prevention centre in Belfast and…
Health Issue: Republic of Ireland high-dose MDMA warning ahead of Electric Picnic Original release: "Drug testing at festivals and large scale events is a no brainer" - Cllr Smyth (opens in a new tab)
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Remembering Narrow Water 46 Years On
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says he joined a TUV delegation at the Narrow Water roadside memorial to mark 46 years since the 1979 IRA attacks that killed 18 soldiers, and commends those who organised the commemoration. He also criticises the First Minister's stance on IRA violence.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Narrow Water 1979 attack 46th anniversary commemoration Original release: Remembering Narrow Water 46 Years On (opens in a new tab)
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From Bombs to Ballots: Sinn Fein Uses IRA Event to Push Border Poll
TUV legacy spokesperson Sammy Morrison criticises Sinn Fein for using the Falls Road Hunger Strike commemoration to push for a border poll, saying honouring IRA members undermines calls for unity. He argues most people in Northern Ireland favour staying in the UK and blames unionist concessions on…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Sinn Fein Hunger Strike commemoration border poll call Original release: From Bombs to Ballots: Sinn Fein Uses IRA Event to Push Border Poll (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald addresses National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Belfast
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald addresses the National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Belfast, saying the 1981 hunger strikers' legacy calls for republicans to stay true to their vision and the dream they gave everything for. She calls for work toward a united Ireland and an Ireland where…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Original release: Mary Lou McDonald addresses National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Police must robustly investigate criminal damage to dual language signs – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls on police to robustly investigate recent damage to bilingual road signs in Dungannon and Cookstown, which officers are treating as sectarian hate crimes.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Dungannon and Cookstown bilingual sign damage investigation Original release: Police must robustly investigate criminal damage to dual language signs – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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TUV commend organisers of event to mark International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
TUV Legacy Spokesman Sammy Morrison commends the South East Fermanagh Foundation for marking the UN day for victims of terrorism at Lisburn's Lagan Valley Island Centre. He calls on the UK and Irish governments to deliver justice and accountability for victims, and says Dublin must address its…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism event in Lisburn Original release: TUV commend organisers of event to mark International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín encourages Hunger Strike Commemoration attendance
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín urges supporters from across the island to join this weekend's hunger strike commemoration events in Belfast, including the Sunday main parade ending at Milltown Cemetery with Mary Lou McDonald speaking. She says the 1981 sacrifice helped bring about change and that…
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: National Hunger Strike Commemoration Belfast August 2025 Original release: Ní Chuilín encourages Hunger Strike Commemoration attendance (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew praises Cricket Ireland for sports camp initiative
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew visited a Cricket Ireland sports camp involving several clubs and community organisations, thanking the body for the initiative and saying it showed sport's power to bring children together. He called for continued support for sport.
Community relations and legacy Original release: Gildernew praises Cricket Ireland for sports camp initiative (opens in a new tab)
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Time to bulldoze the problem at the Maze – get rid of the prison buildings
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls for the Maze prison buildings to be bulldozed, arguing the site can be unlocked for redevelopment once they are removed, after a BBC story on visits to the buildings. He cites a 2007 Jim Allister statement challenging the buildings' listing.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: BBC report on visits to Maze prison buildings Original release: Time to bulldoze the problem at the Maze – get rid of the prison buildings (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Executive must play its part in assisting sick and injured children from Gaza – Kearney
Sinn Féin chairperson and South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney calls on the Northern Executive to help evacuate sick and injured children from Gaza who need urgent medical treatment. He also calls for the blockade to end and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the Strip.
International affairs Health Issue: Executive assistance for sick and injured children from Gaza Original release: Northern Executive must play its part in assisting sick and injured children from Gaza – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor expresses dismay at republican slogans shouted during a VJ Remembrance event
UUP Councillor Trevor Wilson expresses dismay at people shouting IRA slogans to disrupt a VJ Remembrance service in Cookstown, calling it disgraceful and urging those responsible to reflect on the hurt caused. UUP representative Jay Basra adds that chanting "Up the RA" has become dangerously…
Community relations and legacy Issue: IRA slogans shouted at VJ Remembrance service in Cookstown Original release: Councillor expresses dismay at republican slogans shouted during a VJ Remembrance event (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes movement on allowing Palestinian children medical treatment in NI
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes progress on plans to permit injured Palestinian children to travel to Northern Ireland for urgent medical treatment.
Health International affairs Issue: Allowing injured Palestinian children medical treatment in Northern Ireland Original release: Bradshaw welcomes movement on allowing Palestinian children medical treatment in NI (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister failing people on Universal Credit, says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says the Health Minister has not yet amended the 'Help with Health and Travel Costs' legislation so Universal Credit claimants receive automatic entitlement, as already applies elsewhere in the UK. She urges the Minister to make the change.
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Help with Health and Travel Costs Universal Credit automatic entitlement legislation Original release: Health Minister failing people on Universal Credit, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy praises positive work of Féile Derry
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy praises Féile Derry for its fortnight of events across several Derry neighbourhoods, citing history of the civil rights movement and Free Derry, and forward-looking sessions on Irish unity. He congratulates the festival and wants it to keep growing.
Community relations and legacy Original release: Delargy praises positive work of Féile Derry (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blasts anti-unionist campaign in Ballyclare and Newtownabbey
TUV North Belfast spokesman John Hunter says a summer campaign of flag theft and vandalism targets the loyalist community in Ballyclare and Newtownabbey, citing a flag stolen and a flagpole damaged at Mossley Orange Hall. He calls for these attacks to be treated more seriously by police and media.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Mossley Orange Hall flag theft and flagpole damage Original release: TUV blasts anti-unionist campaign in Ballyclare and Newtownabbey (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Deputy Leader condemns those behind sectarian bonfires
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA condemns people who placed poppy wreaths and flags on bonfires in Derry ahead of lighting in the Bogside and Creggan. He calls on the First and deputy First Ministers to introduce regulation of such displays, citing the Commission on Flags, Identity…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Derry bonfires featuring poppy wreaths and flags ahead of 15 August lighting Original release: Alliance Deputy Leader condemns those behind sectarian bonfires (opens in a new tab)
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Feile tribute to sectarian killer condemned
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett condemns a tribute to Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane at Féile an Phobail, calling it deeply offensive to victims and their families. He says McFarlane was a convicted terrorist linked to the Bayardo Bar bombing and criticises parts of the media for overlooking the event.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Féile an Phobail tribute to Brendan McFarlane Original release: Feile tribute to sectarian killer condemned (opens in a new tab)
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Féile an Phobail highlights the best of our city – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey commends Féile an Phobail on its 2025 festival, citing an estimated 130,000 attendees, over 600 events at 50 venues and a record 12,000-strong Dance Night crowd in Falls Park.
Community relations and legacy Original release: Féile an Phobail highlights the best of our city – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Fountain bonfire a ‘naked display of sectarianism’ – Delargy
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy condemns a weekend bonfire in the Fountain area where Irish and Palestinian flags were burned, calling it sectarian and urging unionist politicians to publicly denounce it and back regulation of all bonfires.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Fountain area bonfire flag burning in Derry Original release: Fountain bonfire a ‘naked display of sectarianism’ – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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West Belfast Festival Closes with Tribute to Sectarian Killer – Where’s the Outrage?
TUV Deputy Leader Ron McDowell condemns the West Belfast Festival's closing night, which showed an image of Brendan McFarlane and performed a song he wrote for Bobby Sands. He accuses the festival and the SDLP, Alliance and BBC of double standards in their responses to loyalist events.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Féile an Phobail tribute to Brendan McFarlane Original release: West Belfast Festival Closes with Tribute to Sectarian Killer – Where’s the Outrage? (opens in a new tab)