Latest releases
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15 releases
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Burrows calls for tougher laws and sentencing powers in care abuse cases
UUP Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows calls for tougher laws, a review of the maximum sentence and a power for the DPP to refer such cases to the Court of Appeal, after the non-custodial sentence in the Corvan care abuse case.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Ciara Corvan care abuse sentence and DPP Court of Appeal referral limits Original release: Burrows calls for tougher laws and sentencing powers in care abuse cases (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 19 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Vulnerable Patients Deserve Better Justice
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA writes to the Director of Public Prosecutions urging a review of Ciara Corvan’s sentence in the Bluestone abuse case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism, arguing that the offence warrants custodial punishment rather than community service.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Bluestone abuse case sentencing Original release: Vulnerable Patients Deserve Better Justice (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 15 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Safe access zones law working as intended
The Green Party welcomes a judgment upholding Northern Ireland's Safe Access Zones legislation, saying the courts have confirmed the law is lawful and proportionate and protects people accessing abortion services. Cllr Groogan says the law is working as intended.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court judgment on Safe Access Zones law Original release: Safe access zones law working as intended (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 May 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Death dealers must face harsher sentences
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan calls for harsher sentences for drug dealers who supply vulnerable people, ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion asking the Justice Minister to review sentencing frameworks. He backs the Jasmine's Law campaign on vulnerability as an aggravating factor.
Justice and policing Health Original release: Durkan: Death dealers must face harsher sentences (opens in a new tab)
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Sentencing Review means stronger protections for animals and natural environment, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair welcomes the launch of a Sentencing Review by Justice Minister Naomi Long, which will examine animal welfare offences and environmental crime. He says stronger penalties are needed for those who harm animals or damage the environment, and cites pollution incidents in South…
Justice and policing Environment and climate Issue: Justice Minister's Sentencing Review on animal welfare and environmental crime Original release: Sentencing Review means stronger protections for animals and natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin writes to David Lammy MP concerning hunger strikers’ health and wellbeing
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA says all Sinn Féin parliamentarians have signed a letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy urging him to resolve the hunger strike by eight prisoners in Britain, now at 47 days, and to engage directly with them and their legal representatives.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Eight pro-Palestinian prisoners' collective hunger strike in Britain Original release: Sinn Féin writes to David Lammy MP concerning hunger strikers’ health and wellbeing (opens in a new tab)
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The health and well-being of the hunger strikers is now entering an extremely alarming stage – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey warns that eight prisoners in Britain on collective hunger strike face grave risk, and urges Justice Secretary David Lammy to engage with their lawyers. He says Qesser Zuhrah's condition has rapidly worsened and calls for immediate clarity on her health.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Eight pro-Palestinian prisoners' collective hunger strike in Britain Original release: The health and well-being of the hunger strikers is now entering an extremely alarming stage – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Doug Beattie MC MLA Raises Concerns On Behalf Of The Cawdery Family Regarding Accuracy Of The Justice Minister’s Responses
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA raises concerns, on behalf of the Cawdery family, over the Justice Minister's Assembly answers on Thomas McEntee's day release from prison. He says the answers were inaccurate and misleading, and will write to the Minister seeking clarification.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Thomas McEntee day release and Justice Minister's Assembly answers Original release: Doug Beattie MC MLA Raises Concerns On Behalf Of The Cawdery Family Regarding Accuracy Of The Justice Minister’s Responses (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn calls for the Department of Justice and Justice Minister to commission a full review of fireworks laws after footage showed a family dog suffering a stroke and being put to sleep. He says the 2002 regulations are outdated and urges limits on private use, stricter…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Fireworks law review call after family dog's death Original release: Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows slams prison officers' exposure to second-hand smoke
UUP MLA Jon Burrows says prison officers in Northern Ireland should not have to endure second-hand smoke at work and calls on the Department of Justice and Prison Service to act now. He notes Northern Ireland lacks a prison smoking ban that applies elsewhere in the UK and says urgent questions…
Justice and policing Health Original release: Burrows slams prison officers' exposure to second-hand smoke (opens in a new tab)
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More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey calls for more support for jurors after trials, following a BBC interview in which a former juror described developing PTSD after a traumatic case. She urges the Justice and Health Ministers to work together on continuous support and asks the Justice Minister to review…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Juror PTSD claims after traumatic court case BBC interview Original release: More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Collaborative approach needed to tackling drugs in prisons: Bunting
DUP East Belfast MLA and Justice Committee Chair Joanne Bunting calls for a more collaborative approach to tackling illicit drug supply to prisons, responding to a CJI review of progress at Magilligan. She says the Health Trust and Prison Service must address communication gaps and that the…
Justice and policing Health Issue: CJI independent review of drugs progress at Magilligan Prison Original release: Collaborative approach needed to tackling drugs in prisons: Bunting (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes Supreme Court decision to uphold Safe Access Zones Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Supreme Court's ruling that Safe Access Zones legislation passed by the Assembly does not infringe the right to protest. She says patients and families should not face harassment or intimidation when seeking healthcare.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Sheerin welcomes Supreme Court decision to uphold Safe Access Zones Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court
Green Party MLA Clare Bailey welcomes the Supreme Court ruling that the Northern Ireland Assembly had legal competence to pass the Safe Access Zones Bill, which will now proceed to Royal Assent. She pays tribute to campaigners and says the ruling paves the way for similar legislation elsewhere.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Clare Bailey has welcomed today’s ruling from the Supreme Court (opens in a new tab)
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Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes a UK Supreme Court ruling that allows the Safe Access Zones Bill to become law in Northern Ireland, upholding the ban on protests outside abortion service facilities, and cites it as evidence of a functioning Stormont.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Safe Access Zones legislation Original release: Supreme Court ruling shows benefit of functioning Stormont, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)