Latest releases
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88 releases
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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 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 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 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 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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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 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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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 Original release: Lessons Must Be Learned Following Anderson Abscondment – Ferguson (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 Original release: DUP representatives welcome arrest of Gary Anderson (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 Original release: Burrows welcomes arrest of Gary Anderson in Donegal (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 Original release: Sheerin welcomes review into Trials of the Facts (opens in a new tab)
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Serious questions over release of life prisoner who absconded
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA demands answers after a court overturned the Prison Service’s refusal to grant compassionate temporary release to life prisoner Anderson, who was released with a civilian chaperone and has now absconded, calling for an explanation of the decision, any‑tim
Justice and policing Original release: Serious questions over release of life prisoner who absconded (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson Writes to Irish Justice Minister Over Alarming Bail Decision
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP says he is writing to the Irish Justice Minister over the bail granted to a woman charged over transporting an explosive device near the border. He calls the decision alarming and asks for an explanation of the legal framework behind it.
Justice and policing Original release: Robinson Writes to Irish Justice Minister Over Alarming Bail Decision (opens in a new tab)
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John Finucane comments on the conclusion of Jeffrey Donaldson trial
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says victims and their loved ones deserve credit and continued support after the guilty verdict in the Jeffrey Donaldson trial. He says the verdict brings accountability but cannot erase the abuse suffered, and calls for the focus to stay on the victims.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Original release: John Finucane comments on the conclusion of Jeffrey Donaldson trial (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes Criminal Bar Association’s decision to return to full service
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Criminal Bar Association's vote to return to full service after months of strike action. She calls for a proper plan to tackle case backlogs and stresses the need for a properly funded legal aid system.
Justice and policing Original release: Sheerin welcomes Criminal Bar Association’s decision to return to full service (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes conclusion of Accelerated Review of Criminal Legal Aid
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Justice Minister's acceptance of every recommendation from the review of criminal legal aid and hopes it leads to a full return to service. She urges the minister to engage urgently with the Criminal Bar Association to end the strike affecting Crown Court…
Justice and policing Original release: Sheerin welcomes conclusion of Accelerated Review of Criminal Legal Aid (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Welcomes Natalie McNally Murder Sentence
DUP MP Carla Lockhart welcomes the sentence handed to Stephen McCullagh over the killing of Natalie McNally and her unborn child, paying tribute to the McNally family and commending the PSNI and Public Prosecution Service.
Justice and policing Original release: Lockhart Welcomes Natalie McNally Murder Sentence (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin welcomes postponement of firearms licence application cost hike
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Justice Minister's postponement of proposals to raise firearms licence application costs by 153%, calling the rise excessive and unfair to rural and agricultural communities. She urges the minister to engage with those affected and address licensing backlogs…
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Firearms licence application cost hike postponement Original release: Sheerin welcomes postponement of firearms licence application cost hike (opens in a new tab)
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Minister's U-turn on firearms fees the right course of action
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA welcomes the Justice Minister’s reversal on the firearms licensing fees consultation and banded system, calling it the right step after strong rural and sporting opposition and urging that any future proposals be fair, address service delays and protect ‑
Justice and policing Issue: Firearms licence application cost hike postponement Original release: Minister's U-turn on firearms fees the right course of action (opens in a new tab)
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Delays in justice system a “shocking indictment” – Cameron
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says the four-year delay before guilty pleas in the McCollum case is a shocking indictment of the justice system. She says she has raised the family's concerns with the PPS, the Justice Minister and the Criminal Bar, and calls for the June sentencing hearing to proceed without…
Justice and policing Issue: McCollum case guilty pleas entered after four-year delay Original release: Delays in justice system a “shocking indictment” – Cameron (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)