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188 releases
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DUP Representatives give backing to 'Mason's Law'
The DUP's Alderman Frank McCoubrey and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett back 'Mason's Law', after meeting Michelle Keilhauer, whose 11-year-old son died in a Shankill Area road traffic incident. They call for tougher bail conditions and sentencing for fatal dangerous driving, and Brett says he has…
Justice and policing Original release: DUP Representatives give backing to 'Mason's Law' (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes consultation on Jade's Law to better protect children
Alliance Spokesperson for Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Connie Egan MLA welcomes the new public consultation on Jade’s Law and related measures that would reshape parental responsibility for murder and other serious offences, calling it a vital step to improve child safeguarding and urging s
Justice and policing Issue: Family law reform consultation on parental responsibility after serious crimes Original release: Egan welcomes consultation on Jade's Law to better protect children (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Children must come first when the worst has happened - Middleton
DUP Foyle MLA Julie Middleton welcomes a consultation on family law reform that would automatically restrict parental responsibility for a parent convicted of killing the other parent. She urges Northern Ireland to keep pace with England, Wales and the Republic, and says delay in a Bill leaves…
Justice and policing Issue: Family law reform consultation on parental responsibility after serious crimes Original release: Children must come first when the worst has happened - Middleton (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -…
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says a Committee for Communities survey shows 93.55% of 1,379 respondents opposed the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, and calls on the Alliance Party to heed the public and halt the Bill. She argues prosecutors flagged vague harm thresholds and reach into family…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Alliance Conversion Practices Bill Original release: Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women
Alliance Justice Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Justice’s new bail‑support scheme for women in Belfast and Ballymena, saying it recognises complex needs, offers early help for women on remand and should improve outcomes for them, families and community safety.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Bail Support Pilot announcement Original release: Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Gillen appointment shows ministers are serious, says Burrows
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA welcomes Sir John Gillen’s appointment to head an independent review of unfitness to plead and trials of fact, a review he urged in July, and urges victims to contribute to the process.
Justice and policing Issue: Justice Minister confirms unfitness to plead review launch Original release: Gillen appointment shows ministers are serious, says Burrows (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows welcomes confirmation that unfitness to plead review launches tomorrow
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA welcomes the Justice Minister’s confirmation that a new independent inquiry into unfitness to plead and fact‑finding trials will begin tomorrow, with its terms of reference to be released then. He says the review must cover disposals, public protection and victim treatment
Justice and policing Issue: Justice Minister confirms unfitness to plead review launch Original release: Burrows welcomes confirmation that unfitness to plead review launches tomorrow (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 19 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Donaldson deserves every day of sentence
TUV leader Jim Allister says the sentencing of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was made possible by his victims' courage, and hopes it will encourage others who have suffered sexual abuse to speak out. He says it shows that powerful figures are not beyond the law.
Justice and policing Issue: Jeffrey Donaldson sentencing for sexual offences Original release: Donaldson deserves every day of sentence (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: Courage of Survivors Met With Full Weight of Justice
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA pays tribute to the survivors of Jeffrey Donaldson after his sentencing to 15 years for sexually abusing two children. He says the sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes and that the UUP's Independent Safeguarding Review, led by Anne Marks, will…
Justice and policing Issue: Jeffrey Donaldson sentencing for sexual offences Original release: Burrows: Courage of Survivors Met With Full Weight of Justice (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Budget does little for a justice system in crisis – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Matt Carthy TD, says Budget 2027 will do little to address crises across the justice system, criticising the Minister over the criminal legal aid dispute and the planned withdrawal of Gardaí from Dublin overtime.
Justice and policing Immigration Issue: Budget response on justice system and criminal legal aid dispute Original release: Budget does little for a justice system in crisis – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes consultation on use of good character references in certain criminal proceedings by Justice Minister
Alliance Justice spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the public consultation on restricting good character references in certain criminal proceedings, launched by Justice Minister Naomi Long. She says it is right to start with restrictions at sentencing and urges the public to take part.
Justice and policing Issue: Justice Minister public consultation on good character references in criminal proceedings Original release: Egan welcomes consultation on use of good character references in certain criminal proceedings by Justice Minister (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Campbell and Robinson challenge Long over Limavady Courthouse closure
DUP MP Gregory Campbell and MLA Alan Robinson criticise Justice Minister Naomi Long's decision to permanently close Limavady Courthouse, saying a Freedom of Information request on consultation responses remains unanswered. They say their consultation concerns about court services in Limavady town…
Justice and policing Issue: Limavady Courthouse permanent closure decision Original release: Campbell and Robinson challenge Long over Limavady Courthouse closure (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows asks Director of Public Prosecutions to refer unduly lenient rape sentences to Court of Appeal
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA urges the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron, to refer two rape sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient, arguing a three-year custodial term is inadequate. He also asks whether deportation notices have been issued against both men.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Unduly lenient rape sentences referral request to Director of Public Prosecutions Original release: Burrows asks Director of Public Prosecutions to refer unduly lenient rape sentences to Court of Appeal (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Lessons Must Be Learned Following Anderson Abscondment – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes the arrest of convicted murderer Gary Anderson in Donegal after he absconded from prison, citing PSNI and An Garda Síochána cooperation. She calls for lessons to be learned urgently from a review into how the escape occurred.
Justice and policing Issue: Anderson compassionate temporary release court overturn and absconding Original release: Lessons Must Be Learned Following Anderson Abscondment – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DUP representatives welcome arrest of Gary Anderson
DUP Justice Spokesperson Paul Frew welcomes the apprehension of Gary Anderson, a convicted killer, in the Republic of Ireland, but says serious questions remain for the Department of Justice over prisoner release management and the use of civilian chaperones.
Justice and policing Issue: Anderson compassionate temporary release court overturn and absconding Original release: DUP representatives welcome arrest of Gary Anderson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 27 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows welcomes arrest of Gary Anderson in Donegal
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA welcomes the capture in Donegal of Gary Anderson, a convicted murderer who absconded, and commends PSNI and Gardaí cooperation. He calls for his swift return to Northern Ireland custody, further charges, and a full examination of Prison Service and Departmental…
Justice and policing Issue: Gary Anderson arrest in Donegal after absconding Original release: Burrows welcomes arrest of Gary Anderson in Donegal (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Frew demands answers after convicted murderer absconds
North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew demands urgent answers from the Justice Minister and Prison Service after a convicted murderer, Gary Anderson, escaped his civilian chaperone during a compassionate release. He questions the risk assessment, the court information and whether a trip to the Republic…
Justice and policing Issue: Anderson compassionate temporary release court overturn and absconding Original release: Frew demands answers after convicted murderer absconds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Catastrophic senior decision-making at Maghaberry raises serious questions over Minister’s Assembly statement, says Burrows
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA says a High Court judgment found serious flaws in Maghaberry's senior decision-making, including incorrect risk information and a refusal to reconsider the release of Gary Anderson. He questions the Justice Minister's earlier Assembly assurances and asks why the court's…
Justice and policing Issue: Anderson compassionate temporary release court overturn and absconding Original release: Catastrophic senior decision-making at Maghaberry raises serious questions over Minister’s Assembly statement, says Burrows (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 27 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes review into Trials of the Facts
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Health and Justice Ministers' commissioning of an external review into the legal framework governing trials of the facts. She says it is appropriate to test whether the rules balance the rights of the accused with those of victims, and stresses that lessons…
Justice and policing Issue: Health and Justice Ministers external review of trials of the facts Original release: Sheerin welcomes review into Trials of the Facts (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows secures independent review of trials of the facts
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the Justice and Health Ministers have agreed to launch a joint independent review of Northern Ireland’s trials of the facts, beginning in autumn and reporting before the Assembly term ends, and he will push for broad terms of reference, victim consultation and a clear
Justice and policing Issue: Health and Justice Ministers external review of trials of the facts Original release: Burrows secures independent review of trials of the facts (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)