Brendan Hughes

Newry billboard has been removed after political row The billboard has been at the centre of a lengthy political row having previously displayed Sinn Féin branding and slogans.

Billboard at centre of lengthy political row removed

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Gerry Adams: IRA bomb victims' civil court case begins in London The men are seeking a ruling that he is personally liable for decisions to plant car bombs in London and Manchester in 1973 and 1996.

A civil court case brought by three IRA bomb victims against former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is set to open in London.

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Stormont's Irish language commissioner should reflect on remarks that have "landed very badly with unionists", DFM Emma Little-Pengelly says.

It follows Pól Deeds saying hostility to the language could be seen as "another blow struck in the cause of Irish unification"

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First Minister Michelle O'Neill says a proposed £14,000 pay rise for MLAs is "quite excessive".

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly says "we understand and we've listened to the public".

A consultation on the proposals by an independent panel closes today.

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Newry billboard: New calls for removal after Lyra McKee-related graffiti The billboard near Newry has been at the centre of a lengthy political row.

A Stormont committee renews calls to remove an unauthorised billboard after graffiti was scrawled on it in support of a man jailed for storing a gun linked to the killing of Lyra McKee.

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Sinn Féin opposes BBC involvement in new Belfast attraction The £100m development, entitled Belfast Stories, is due to open by 2030.

Sinn Féin says it is opposed to the BBC becoming an 'anchor tenant' at a new visitor attraction in Belfast city centre.

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Pól Deeds: Hostility to Irish language 'does unionism no favours' Pól Deeds was appointed as Stormont's first ever Irish language commissioner last October.

Hostility towards the Irish language is not doing unionism "any favours", Stormont's Irish language commissioner has said.

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NI politics: Executive to get additional £380m for public services The NI Executive is to receive an additional £380m for public services over the next three years, the Treasury has said.

The Stormont executive is to receive an additional £380m for public services over the next three years, the UK Treasury has announced as part of the Chancellor's Spring Statement.

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Sorcha Eastwood: Middle East briefings give NI 'a seat at the table' says Alliance MP Eastwood was responding after Michelle O'Neill refused to join a second Cabinet Office briefing.

Middle East briefings give Northern Ireland 'a seat at the table' says Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood

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AS-Levels: Exams to be scrapped under major review The changes to GCSEs, AS and A-Level will not be fully introduced until September 2029.

AS-Levels to be scrapped in Northern Ireland under major review

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Michelle O'Neill criticises decision to let US use UK bases to strike Iran missile sites First Minister Michelle O'Neill says she fundamentally disagrees with the government's approach to join a

Stormont politicians have been reacting to the escalating Middle East conflict

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Wild Atlantic Way: Lack of plans to extend route to NI 'makes no sense' A Stormont committee heard Fáilte Ireland, who branded the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland's west coast, turned down the request.

There are "no plans" to extend the Wild Atlantic Way tourism brand to Northern Ireland, a Stormont committee has been told.

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PSNI admits illegally obtaining data from Belfast journalist's phone In September MI5 conceded it had breached Vincent Kearney's source protection and privacy rights by accessing his communications data.

Police admit illegally obtaining journalist's data and retaining family names

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Unionists suspicious of Stormont reform, says Foster The former DUP leader said any changes to Northern Ireland's power-sharing structures must

Unionists suspicious of Stormont reform, says Baroness Arlene Foster

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Parking 'grace period' costs Stormont quarter of revenue The

A parking 'grace period' scheme - giving drivers in Lisburn and Newry an extra hour for free - has cost Stormont more than a quarter of its revenue from fees.

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Another day done with the folks on the hill.

⬆️ MLAs are to receive a 27% increase in their salaries under proposals by a new Stormont panel set up to decide their pay.

🪙 Their annual wages will increase from £53,000 to £67,200 under the draft plans from the Independent Remuneration Board.

NI transport: Belfast's Glider delay 'hugely disappointing' Plans to extend the Glider service to the north and south of Belfast have been pushed back again.

Belfast's north-south Glider delay 'hugely disappointing' says SDLP

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Alcohol prices: Time running out to introduce minimum pricing, says minister The pricing structure is already in place in Scotland and Wales where alcohol cannot be sold for less than 65p per unit.

Time running out to introduce alcohol minimum pricing, says Health Minister

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⬆️ The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed a 5% rise in the regional rate for households and 3% for businesses for 2026/27.

🪙 It said this would add 63p per week to the average household bill (£32.76 for the year).

Most councils have yet to set their part of rates bills, the district rate.

Troubles bill debate is 'veterans vs victims', warns commissioner The commissioner also says the Executive Office is yet to respond to proposals for a bereavement payment scheme.

The debate on Troubles legacy legislation is becoming "veterans vs victims", Stormont's Commissioner for Victims and Survivors has warned.

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NI politics: Treasury to give Stormont £400m to balance budget NI Minister Matthew Patrick says the Treasury has granted a one-off reserve claim to protect public services.

The Treasury is to make £400m available to the Stormont executive this year to ensure departments can balance their budgets, the UK government has said.

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Gordon Lyons: Assembly passes no confidence motion Gordon Lyons insists there is no evidence that he breached Stormont's ministerial code.

Stormont assembly expresses 'no confidence' in communities minister

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Benefit fraud complaints rise after naming reintroduced The number of reports from the public have risen by more than 40% in nine months, according to figures obtained by BBC News NI.

Complaints of benefit fraud in Northern Ireland have significantly increased in the year since Stormont reintroduced the naming of people who have been convicted.

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Stormont: Police enquiry a 'deflection' says Michelle O'Neill The first minister clashes with MLAs as questions are asked over a complaint to police of misconduct in public office.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has clashed with members of a Stormont committee as questions were raised over a complaint to police of misconduct in public office.

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Irish President Catherine Connolly makes first official visit to NI The trip fulfils a commitment made in her inauguration address that her first official visit would be to Northern Ireland.

Irish president Catherine Connolly welcomed on her first official visit to Northern Ireland

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TUV MLA faces two-day suspension after comments deemed 'unreasonable' He made the remark at a Stormont committee during an exchange with an Alliance Party assembly member.

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston faces two-day suspension over 'breathe' remark

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UUP: New party leader Jon Burrows to be officially ratified Jon Burrows will become the fifth Ulster Unionist leader in a row to take the position without a challenge.

Jon Burrows is to call for a "line in the sand reset" as he officially becomes leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.

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Business rates revaluation paused after outcry Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he had

Stormont's finance minister halts business rates revaluation process

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NI Civil Service: Staffing challenges 'escalated' since 2020 report The Auditor General raised concerns about the

Staffing challenges in the Northern Ireland Civil Service have 'escalated' with high sickness absence and rising vacancies, an Audit Office report has found.

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