A disgraced Newry Mourne and Down Councillor who pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault last month could face new charges of burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.

Independent Councillor Patrick Clarke appeared at Downpatrick Court last Monday (12th October) accused of breaking into a neighbour’s apartment with a hammer on September 5th and damaging a mug. The case was adjourned however until October 29th when it was revealed that Mr Clarke’s neighbour had since made a withdrawal statement about the alleged burglary, which will now be examined by prosecutors.

The Councillor was also in court to be sentenced in relation to the sexual assault of a woman on December 23rd last year, but sentencing was adjourned to consider the imposition of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The sexual assault charge is the second conviction for the 41 year old councillor who is currently on probation after he admitted defrauding a local community group out of almost £2,000. The fraud occurred when he was chairman of Drumaroad Community Regeneration Ltd and centred around forged cheques.

The potential new charge could cast further doubt over the councillor’s future as a member of the Indy-Alliance group of councillors which was formed less than two months ago when six councillors amalgamated to make up the third largest grouping on the new super council behind Sinn Fein and the SDLP.

The group comprises of councillors Cadogan Enright from Downpatrick, Patrick Brown, an Alliance politician from Rowallane, Jarlath Tinnelly, who represents the Crotlieve electoral area and Kevin McAteer and Davy Hyland who represent Newry town.  No action has yet been taken against Councillor Clarke despite the matter having been discussed by the Indy-Alliance group earlier this month, when the group met got the full Council meeting.

Mr Clarke himself has indicated that he would not be resigning from his position as a councillor and under the Local Government Act 1972, the Council cannot disqualify him unless he is imprisoned for more than three months

The Newry man who shot dead a Garda and critically wounded his partner before killing himself, was cremated in a low key service attended by just a handful of mourners on Friday.

Adrian Mackin’s 21 year old partner, mother of two Siobhan Phillips, continues to fight for her life in a Dublin hospital after the horrific attack at their home in Mullach Alainn, Omeath last Sunday.

The body of 25 year old Mackin, who was originally from Hilltown, had lain unclaimed in the morgue of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda last week, shunned by his family and community following the horrific gun attack which left Garda Tony Golden dead and his own Jonesborough-born girlfriend in a critical condition.  Mackin, who it has emerged had a violent history tracing back to his youth, then turned his Glock handgun on himself.

Siobhan’s father Sean, who – on the advice of Garda Golden -  remained outside the house during the attack, has maintained a constant vigil at his daughter’s bedside in Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital.

Such was the revulsion felt at the murder-suicide horror which sent shockwaves throughout the entire country, that several Newry undertakers had refused to become involved in the killer’s funeral arrangements.  After one local undertaker finally agreed to carry out his funeral, Mackin’s body was discreetly driven to Roselawn Cemetery in Belfast for a no-fuss funeral service and cremation at 10.30am on Friday. His estranged parents, who have also been victims of his temper in the past, emigrated to Australia ten years ago and did not return home to bury their son.

As the background to the incident was unravelled last week, a picture emerged of an extremely violent individual who had been disowned by his family because of his spiralling brutality.

Mackin was well-known to police on both sides of the border and was on bail after being charged with membership of the IRA earlier this year when the horrific murder took place. In July 2012, he appeared in court in Newry charged with possessing sickening pornographic photographs involving animals. He was also jailed for attempted murder when he was just a teen after brutally beating another boy.

According to investigators, Mackin had a stash of ammunition, and a second Glock handgun hidden in his Omeath home and had been ordering deactivated weapons online from the US.

Siobhan Phillips family also revealed that the 21 year old woman lived in fear of Mackin who she met when she was just 15 and that she concealed much of the abuse she suffered at his hands in order to protect her family.  On the Friday before the fatal gun attack, Siobhan endured a prolonged overnight attack by Mackin where he threatened to kill her and her entire family.

After finally admitting to her family on Saturday that she was terrified of her violent partner, her father accompanied Siobhan to Omeath Garda station on Sunday 12th October where she made a formal complaint about Mackin to Garda Tony Golden.

When Garda Golden accompanied the woman to her home in Mullach Alainn to retrieve her belongings, Mackin’s car was parked outside it and the concerned Garda officer advised her father to remain outside the property.

Mackin lay in wait however and, after words were exchanged, Garda Golden and Siobhan Phillips were gunned down in a hail of bullets before Mackin turned the gun on himself. Sean Phillips has paid tribute to the actions of the courageous Garda officer who he said saved his daughter’s life and spared his.  In a statement released by Mr Phillips last Wednesday, he expressed his condolences to the family and colleagues of the Garda Golden..

“Garda Golden, in the service and protection of others, laid down his life for my daughter Siobhan, myself and my family,” he said.

“There are no words to express our gratitude for his bravery, we are forever in his debt.

“Our beautiful daughter Siobhan, a loving mother, sister and friend, is fighting for her life.

“For now, we pray for Siobhan’s recovery and for the family of Garda Golden as they face their immeasurable grief.

“We ask for privacy for our family and Siobhan’s small children at this time.”

In stark contrast to the killer’s low-key funeral, thousands of mourners from across Ireland thronged the streets of Blackrock in Dundalk to pay their respects to Garda Tony Golden on Thursday.

The state funeral witnessed a massive display of solidarity with up to 4,000 serving and retired Gardai attended the funeral, including an estimated 2,000 in uniform.

PSNI chief constable George Hamilton and Justice minister David Ford joined President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan, Dublin’s Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and several other government ministers and party and church leaders to remember the 36 year old father-of-three, who was described as “a happy man”, who was proud to serve his community.

Leading the mourners was Garda Golden’s heartbroken widow Nicola and their three young children, along with his grieving parents Breege and David.

The huge turnout for the state funeral led to screens being erected in the church grounds and the village of Blackrock to accommodate the overspill from the 300 capacity church.

Businesses shut down along the funeral route and roads around the village were sealed off for several hours as the funeral cortege wound its way through the streets of Blackrock to St. Oliver Plunkett Church where scores of Garda officers formed a guard of honour for their stricken colleague as his coffin arrived.

Parish Priest, Father Padraig Keenan, told the congregation that Garda Golden’s family and colleagues were “immensely proud of Garda Tony and his selfless nature” and described him as “a much-loved role model in our community.”

Mr Golden’s brother Patrick recalled the pair as children growing up together among their other siblings, Kenneth, David, Sean and Mary.  In a moving tribute to his brother, Patrick said he had “looked up to Tony in every way” and that his older brother had made him feel “secure and protected.” He added that it was his brother’s protective nature which led to his bravery as he “lost his life in an attempt to protect two others.”

As he bid his final farewell to a “brother, husband, father, son and hero,” the congregation inside the church along with the thousands lining the streets outside broke into sustained applause.

Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan said the hero Mr Golden had become in death “should not wipe from our memories of the man he was in life.”

She described as “achingly sad” the fact that the hopes and dreams of Garda Golden’s family could never be realised “Just as it is achingly sad to realise that Tony’s three beautiful children will need help to remember the best of what has been taken away from them.”

Sinn Fein Group Leader on Newry Mourne and Down Council, Terry Hearty, has welcomed the reimbursement of almost £300,000 from the Rate Support Grant to the Council.

The money had initially been cut by SDLP Environment Minister Mark H Durkan but, following pressure from Councilors, reversed his decision and has announced the return of a significant portion of the grant.

Welcoming the move, Councillor Hearty said: “This money should never have been cut.  At a time when local businesses are facing into an uncertain future, it was absolutely reckless of the Minister to cut such vital funding,” he said.

“A delegation of councillors from right across the north were due to meet the Minister next month to discuss this issue and thankfully, after coming under pressure from local councils, he has come to his senses and reversed this disastrous decision.”

The future of Cloughreagh House residential home in Bessbrook appears more secure after the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Board (SHSCT) recommended the facility remain open and recommence permanent admissions.

On Thursday the Trust announced the findings of an extensive public consultation process on five statutory residential homes within the Southern area, one of which was Cloughreagh House.

The local consultation process is part of a regional review of Statutory Residential Care, which is being carried out by the Health and Social Care Board.  In agreeing the recommendations on the way forward, Trust Board members stressed that all permanent residents currently living in any of the Trust’s residential homes would be supported to live in their home as long as they choose to do so or until their needs could no longer be met within a residential care setting.  This commitment was made by the Health Minister in 2013, and while the Trust has made recommendations on the long term future of residential care, it does not change the care arrangements for current permanent residents.

The Trust Board recommendations are to be forwarded to the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) for consideration although there will be no move to implement any part of them until such times as Ministerial approval has been given.

Paula Clarke, Trust Interim Chief Executive, said the recommendations set out a long term plan for statutory residential care in the Southern area.

“We know that residents are settled within our homes and that the quality of care is good.  However, the ways in which older people can be supported to remain at home has developed significantly in the last few years, and will continue to develop into the future. Our recommendations are looking at residential care in the long term, and how this would best be provided,” she said.

Acknowledging those who contributed to the consultation, she added: “We want to reassure all permanent residents that they can remain in their homes for as long as it is the best place for them. Our recommendations are very much focussed on the long term and we hope to work with local communities on further developing the care infrastructure and choices available to older people.”

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Dominic Bradley has announced that he is to retire from frontline politics at the end of this current term and will not stand for his party in next year’s Assembly election.

The popular Bessbrook politician, who has been a SDLP Assembly Member since 2003, says he believes now is the time to pass on the baton to other party representatives in the constituency.

Revealing that he hopes to focus his time on the development of the Irish language in the area, Mr Bradley said he is proud of the contribution that he and his team have made in improving the lives of the people of Newry and Armagh.

“I have given this decision much thought and I believe the time is right for a new generation of SDLP representatives to take on the challenges we face as a society. The party is in excellent health in Newry and Armagh and I believe the talent is there to build on the legacy that I, and Seamus Mallon before me, have created in this constituency,” he said.

“I will remain an active party member and will give my full support to the candidates the party puts forward at the next election. My work for the Irish Language is well known, and I intend to spend time in the future developing a new Irish language initiative.”

Ahead of next year’s elections, Mr Bradley said it will be “business as usual” in his Newry and Armagh offices where he will continue “to offer a first class service” for the remainder of his term.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Newry and Armagh for electing me and for all their support over the years. I would also like to thank my constituency office team, our local councillors and the local party members for the magnificent work they have done for me and for the people of this area. I would also like to thank the SDLP Parliamentary Assembly team and staff for their support throughout this mandate,” he added.

Paying tribute to Mr Bradley’s contribution to the SDLP, Hugh McShane, Chairman of Newry and Armagh SDLP Constituency Council said: “On behalf of the membership of the SDLP and our voters I would like to express our sincere thanks to Dominic for the immense contribution he has made in improving the lives of the people of Newry and Armagh.

“Dominic Bradley is a man of huge integrity. He created his own brand of compassionate, professional and honest politics in Newry and Armagh. He has worked tirelessly for the people and has made a major contribution to our society.

“Dominic conducted every brief he was given by the party at Stormont in a professional manner and has been a loyal servant of the SDLP and the people. He will go down in history as the first MLA to successfully introduce a Private Members Bill ‘The Autism Bill’ which seeks to improve the services for those young people with autism.  This Bill underlines Dominic’s understanding of the real problems facing ordinary families in our society and the need to address them.”

Stating that he leaves “a huge legacy” that the party will build upon, Mr McShane added: “The party locally is driving forward and we have a pool of talented people to choose from who will step up and build on the work that Dominic has done and continue the renewal of the SDLP across the North.”

A selection process, currently underway to choose two candidates who the party say are best placed to take two seats in the forthcoming Assembly Elections, is expected to conclude in the coming weeks, Mr McShane said.

Former Deputy First Minister and SDLP MP for Newry & Armagh Seamus Mallon also paid tribute to his former party colleague: “Dominic has been a valued and dedicated member of the SDLP in Armagh for many years. I remember the great contribution he made as my election director particularly at a time when it was not always safe to be a visible member of the SDLP and I was very proud when he continued to represent the people of Newry and Armagh after I stepped down from the Assembly. His steadfast dedication to the principles of the SDLP has been admirable. He has the gratitude of his constituents, his branch and his party.”

Party leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP also commended Mr Bradley for his years of dedication to the party and his constituents:  “I have had the honour of working alongside Dominic for many years here at the Assembly and seen at first hand his commitment to helping people. Dominic embodies the SDLP’s beliefs in equality, fairness and justice [and] is one of the most devoted students of the Irish language I have ever met, and his presence in the Assembly will be a loss to all but he will continue to be a valued and respected member of the party.”

A former pupil of the Sacred Heart Grammar School in Newry is one of two women to have made history in Northern Ireland by becoming the first females to be appointed High Court judges.

Siobhan Keegan QC, and her compatriot Denise McBride QC, were sworn into the positions by Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan on Friday.

The women have replaced Justice Reginald Weir and Justice Ronald Weatherup who were both elevated to Appeal Court judges earlier this year.

Mrs Keegan (née O’Hagan) was educated at St. Clare’s Primary School and the Sacred Heart Grammar before graduating with LLB Hons from Queens University in July 1993.  She was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in September 1994 and achieved her QC appointment in June 2006.  Her practice has mainly been in family law, also working in a range of other areas including criminal, judicial review, and other civil law.

Mrs Keegan has been a Bar member on the Children Order Advisory Committee, a long standing member of the Judicial Liaison Family Law Committee and was Chair of the Family Bar Association for two years from 2011-2013.  She was elected as Vice Chair of the Bar Council in 2014.

Sir Declan Morgan, who is chairman of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC), welcomed the appointments: “Ms Denise McBride QC and Mrs Siobhan Keegan QC are excellent lawyers and meritorious appointments and I am confident they will serve as members of the judiciary for the benefit of the community as a whole,” he said.

The councillors who wracked up an expenses bill of £2,200 on a council “junket” in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle earlier this month, have been named by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

The two day event, which took place on the 2nd and 3rd of October, included a tour of the new council area, aimed at familiarising councils with the new Super Council district and its councillors.

Unite the Union released a statement to The Examiner last week demanding an explanation from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council about the latest expenses debacle which came hot on the heels of startling revelations that the former Newry and Mourne District Council spent almost £45,000 on so-called “farewell events” before it merged into the new Super Council in April last year.

Figures revealed by the Detail Data website show that, while the majority of outgoing councils spent less than £15,000 on initiatives which included publicly funded receptions for councillors and staff, exhibitions, commemorative books, concerts and community carnivals, Newry and Mourne council spent a whopping £44,460.  The scale of the costs has infuriated constituents along with community groups, many of whom who were turned down for council funding this year.

It has now been revealed that seven local councillors enjoyed an overnight stay in the luxurious five star Slieve Donard Hotel at a cost of over two thousand pounds to ratepayers, with a further three councillors who had signed up to stay in the hotel, withdrawing at short notice resulting in the Council footing the bill for the pre-booked rooms. All of the councillors who took part live within a 40 minute drive of the seaside town.

Sinn Fein Councillors Charlie Casey, Sinead Ennis, Valerie Harte and Roisin Mulgrew along with DUP elected representatives Gareth Craig and Harry Harvey and Alliance Councillor Patrick Brown all stayed in the lavish hotel as part of the two day district tour.

In total, twelve councillors, five of whom did not stay at the hotel, availed of a hired bus to visit various community projects as part of the tour in Newry, Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Warrenpoint, Newcastle, Castlewellan, Killyleagh and Downpatrick.

The £2200 bill is understood to have included transport, catering, room hire and overnight accommodation in one of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious hotels where single room prices start at around £130 per night. The Council have confirmed that OFMDFM provided 75% of the overall cost of the tour with Council paying the remaining 25%..

Some of the councillors involved in the junket have defended their attendance at the junket with a Sinn Fein spokesperson outlining the nature of the event as an exercise to familiarise councillors with the new super council area and the benefit of meeting numerous community groups and projects that they will be working closely with in the future.

Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon has condemned a decision by the European Council to maintain “extortionate” roaming charges until 2017.

“People living on the border know all too well the annoyance, inconvenience and expense caused by these extortionate roaming charges.  As a proud south Armagh woman I know personally the hassle of mobile coverage issues and roaming charges on the border,” she said.

“Mobile phones are a fact of life today.  We need them for work, to keep in contact with friends and family and for emergencies.  It’s simply unacceptable that people are being punished for using what amounts to a basic necessity just because of where they live.”

Welcoming news that such charges are to be axed, Ms Fearon has criticized the decision not to introduce the move immediately.

“While I’m delighted to hear that these charges have finally been abolished by the EU, it was a bitter, needless and nasty parting shot to people living on the border for the European Council to overrule the democratic decision taken by the EU parliament and delay the scrapping of these charges until mid-2017,” she said.

“The Council is made up of heads of government for each of the member countries so it’s certainly illustrative of their attitudes to those living on the border that neither the southern or British governments voiced their concerns over this.  There is no justification for delaying the abolition of these charges and this decision was taken purely so that huge companies could continue to squeeze big fat profits out of hard pressed consumers.”

Meanwhile Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson, who voted for the abolition of the charges by the end of 2015, has expressed frustration at the postponement until June 2017.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Ms Anderson described the roaming charges as “a thorn in the side” of the thousands of individuals living along the border corridor and who commute across the border to work.

“The abolition of these charges is something Sinn Féin has been campaigning for for over ten years and we were hopeful that they would be finally eliminated this December,” she said.

“Whilst we welcome the commitment that the charges will be removed eventually, it is regrettable that they will continue until June 2017.  For those commuting regularly across the border, this results in a further penalty of an increased phone bill. It is also places a barrier for start-ups and cross border co-operation.

“I, along with my Sinn Féin colleagues will continue to work by whatever means possible to secure the earliest possible abolition of roaming charges and ensure border areas are no longer penalized.”

Newry Mourne and Down District Council have released a statement relating to a recent council “junket” to the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle which saw seven councillors wrack up a hefty expenses bill and prompted public outcry at taxpayers’ money being used for what was seen as a frivolous event.

The two day event, which took place on the 2nd and 3rd of October, included a tour of the new council area, aimed at familiarising councils with the new Super Council district and its councillors.  The Council originally confirmed the cost of the trip as £2,200 – 75% of which was paid for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMdFM), but has since revealed that it does not in fact  hold the information as to the cost of the tour as no invoices had been received.

In a statement provided to The Examiner by the Council, the tour – referred to as an “Elected Members Study Visit” – is hailed as one of numerous initiatives aimed at generating discussion and interaction between elected members and community projects under the Good Relations Action Plan which encourages and supports “community participation, civic leadership, co-operation and understanding and partnership working across the religious, political and cultural divide.”

The Council insist that a “value for money assessment was undertaken by obtaining quotes from two suppliers.”

“A total of fifteen elected members registered to attend the event, with ten indicating they would avail of overnight accommodation,” the statement continues,

“Three elected members were subsequently unable to avail of the overnight accommodation booked for them and cancellation of these rooms was not possible due to insufficient notice.

“This is just one of numerous initiatives aimed at generating discussion and interaction between elected members and community projects which have good relations focus.  It is important for Council and the community to develop and maintain relationships, especially in this transition period of the new Council, given the geographical scope of the area to be engaged.

“It is important to note that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has a statutory duty to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between people of different religious belief , political opinion and racial group, and projects such as this are vital in fulfilling this duty.

“All participants including those elected members who were unable to attend the study visit, have endorsed the positive outcomes of the project, particularly for the community projects.”

Development work being carried out at the Quays Shopping Centre in Newry has been suspended until legal action brought by two of the complex’s biggest tenants is concluded next year.  The High Court ordered the suspension of works after Sainsburys and Debenhams took legal action against Parker Green International, the owners of the Quays complex, claiming the removal of customer parking spaces due to the works has resulted in loss of trade.

Both tenants had sought an injunction against Parker Green to reinstate a substantial number of parking spaces and for further works to be suspended.  They also issued a writ for damages after alleging the lack of car parking spaces resulted in loss of trade.

Last week, a High Court judge ruled that Parker Green could not carry out any further development works while the claim was being heard and also referred the claim to a full hearing in the High court in early 2016.

A spokesperson for Debenhams and Sainsburys welcomed the decision saying the companies were “pleased that the court recognises the seriousness of the landlord’s conduct in removing parking spaces.”

According to the spokesperson, Parker Green removed the spaces earlier this year, “without any consultation.” He added that the effects of the fewer spaces would be particularly felt during the Christmas period and said both tenants looked forward to a full hearing next year where they are confident their claim will be upheld.

A Warrenpoint man, who was allegedly recorded by undercover Garda officers in a covert operation against suspected dissident republicans, was released on £25,000 bail by the High Court on Thursday.

Prosecutors claim Paul Crawford (40) was at a meeting in the Carrickdale Hotel near Dundalk, where his co-accused Carl Reilly discussed attempted murders and bombings.

Crawford, of Carrickree Mews is charged with membership of Oglaigh na hEireann between January 2014 and October 17th this year.

Reilly (39) from Belfast, is accused of membership of the same group and of directing terrorism.

Prosecution in the case claimed CCTV footage showed the two men entering the hotel in February this year.  In secret recordings made by Gardaí, Reilly is allegedly heard plotting dissident republican attacks.  Even though Reilly is alleged to have made the comments, the prosecution claimed Crawford was part of the conversation.

However the defence has questioned the quality of the CCTV images, while transcripts of the audio recordings have yet to be calibrated.

Following his arrest last month, Crawford denied that he has ever belonged to any illegal organisation and said he was a member of the Republican Network for Unity (RNU).

Granting bail, Mr Justice Mark Horner noted that it could be months before expert voice analysis is completed and stressed his decision was based on Crawford facing a membership charge which is “notoriously difficult to prove”.

As Northern Ireland prepares to deal with the arrival of the first groups of Syrian refugees in the coming months, local councils are seeking clarification on the logistics of the distribution of those arriving and the numbers each council will be responsible for.

Stormont have confirmed that up to 100 refugees will arrive in Northern Ireland by Christmas.

An Operational Planning Group has been set up by the UK government and strategies have been put in place to deal with the numbers coming in. Stormont officials have also provided some detail regarding an induction period for refugees, which will involve them receiving any necessary medical attention before the process of National Insurance numbers and medical cards allocation begins. Refugees will then be eligible to apply for benefits and will receive some general information on life in Northern Ireland.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council says it has agreed to offer sanctuary to at least 100 refugees in the coming months “or the number allocated by the government.”

According to a Council spokesperson, two working groups: a strategic planning group headed by OFMDFM, and an operational group chaired by the Department for Social Development and which is meeting weekly, have been established to deal with the issue.

“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s representative sits on the Operational Planning Group and co-ordinates the work of all the councils outside Belfast,” added the spokesperson,

“The Operational Planning Group is continuing to work on the planning arrangements, including an analysis of possible settlement locations. At this stage in the analysis, all council areas are being considered. Factors such as the availability of housing and capacity in other key public services are taken into account. Given current demand on the social housing sector, other options, including the private rented sector, are being explored. Both the immediate and longer term needs of those who arrive in Northern Ireland are being considered.”

Chair of the Operational Planning Group, Ian Snowden, said it is expected that 10 to 15 refugee households will be initially brought to an area. He said these numbers would be large enough to allow the refugees to form informal support networks with people who share a cultural background and language but not so large that local communities feel overwhelmed.

“The assistance of councils in building a tolerant and welcoming environment for refugees will be essential,” he added.

Daisy Hill hospital has become the first hospital in Northern Ireland to trial a new heart screening test for babies is being pioneered at Daisy Hill.

The pioneering test – a routine oxygen saturation test called pulse oximetry – will be carried out on all new babies before they are discharged home. The test aims to pick up congenital heart defects that would not be found with the current routine tests. Readings lower than 95% will prompt doctors to carry out further investigations.

The non-invasive test involves a sensor being attached to a baby’s hand or foot for a few minutes to reveal the oxygen saturation level.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect in Northern Ireland and while there are currently some antenatal screening for heart issues, many babies are discharged with problems that can remain undetected for weeks or months.

As  Dr Bassam Aljarad, Consultant Paediatrician, who has introduced the new screening programme, explains: “Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal workings of the heart.

“It is one of the most common types of birth defect, affecting up to nine in every 1,000 babies born in the UK.

“Nearly 50% of babies born with a CHD appear healthy at first without any noticeable symptoms and may be discharged, for their health to deteriorate months or sometimes a few years later.

“A more timely detection will help us to identify more babies with cyanotic CHD at a much earlier stage, ensuring that we can keep them monitored and give them the treatment they need to prevent greater health  consequences, disability or in the worse cases premature death.

“Only 32% with life threatening CHD can be diagnosed by clinical examination alone, whilst more than double this number can be diagnosed through this additional screening test.”

Irwyn McKibbin, Chairman of Heartbeat NI, which has funded the screening equipment, welcomed the fact that the Paediatric Team at Daisy Hill are introducing the pilot study.

“Already undertaken by many hospitals across England and mandatory in many states across the USA, we at Heartbeat NI have been advocating for this screening across Northern Ireland for a number of years.

“This very simple and uninvasive test which takes just a matter of minutes can detect up to 76% of heart defects.

“This can have a crucial impact on the health and wellbeing of a child with a congenital heart condition, as well as relieving the stress of parents who in many cases can take as they believe to be a normal healthy child home from hospital, only to find at a later date a deterioration in their health and in the worst cases may require emergency surgery.”

The team at Daisy Hill plan to run the screening as a pilot for a year before making recommendations on whether it should be extended.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has faced heavy criticism for its decision to treat staff to a £5,000 Christmas party.  The festive celebration, scheduled to take place in Bellini’s bar and nightclub in Newry this Friday night, has come under fire from furious ratepayers who view the party budget as an unnecessary extravagance.

It is understood that some council workers who disagree with the cost are boycotting the event.

Local councillors have also voiced their concerns, with SDLP councillor Colin McGrath revealing that he has taken his misgivings to the council chief executive.

“I can understand why members of the public have raised complaints,” said Mr McGrath.

TUV councillor Henry Reilly added: “If it is an excuse for a drinking session, then the council shouldn’t be paying with ratepayers’ money.”

A spokeswoman for the council confirmed it was holding a “staff recognition event” to “acknowledge the many excellent achievements by the new council since its creation on April 1″.

“Elected members unanimously agreed to this event to express their deep appreciation for the staff who played a vital role in the creation of the new council, ensuring that everyday services and operations ran smoothly and seamlessly for all of the citizens of the new district of Newry, Mourne and Down.

“The event will recognise the commitments and endeavours of individuals and teams who have displayed high levels of commitment set against a background of change.”

The spokesperson added that the Council was proud o the number of global events which had been hosted in the first six months of the creation of the new council, all of which  all of which had “attracted national and international coverage for our district.”

Police investigating a serious crash on the Burren Road near Warrenpoint on Friday last have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

An 18-year-old man was airlifted to hospital in Belfast with serious injuries following the two-vehicle collision involving a grey BMW and a white van, which occurred around 2.20pm.  A passenger of the BMW was reportedly seen fleeing from the scene across nearby fields while the driver of the car remained trapped in the vehicle.

The van driver was not seriously injured.

Police have appealed to the passenger of the BMW who made off from the scene, or anyone with any information about the collision, to contact police in Newry on 101. Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The tragic death of a former Newry-based firefighter in a car accident on Tuesday has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from his former colleagues, politicians and the wider public.

Eugene McNally (57) died when his car was involved in a two-vehicle collision on the A1 between Newry and Loughbrickland around 5.30pm.  Two other men, aged in their 30s, were taken to hospital with non life threatening injures.

Mr McNally, a married father-of-three, had just recently retired from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) after 32 years of service and had held the prestigious post of Watch Commander at the Newry Fire Station.

Described as “kind-hearted” and “selfless”, he had dedicated his working life to saving lives as a committed firefighter.

Leading the tributes to his colleague and close friend, NIFRS Southern Area Commander John Denvir said it was “a very sad day” for the Newry station and NIFRS as a whole.

Offering his sympathy to Eugene’s family, Commander Denvir said: “Eugene was a well-respected colleague who was greatly admired for his dedication to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.  Our thoughts are with Eugene’s family at this very sad time. We were all deeply saddened about his death. Eugene was well known within the local area, so his death will be greatly felt across the community,” he said.

Commenting on the tragedy, SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley said the community has been “stunned and deeply saddened”.

Offering his sympathy, he said: “Eugene was a man who served this community faithfully over many years as a member of the Fire and Rescue Service.  On many occasions he put his own life on the line to save the lives of others and that only serves to underline the tragedy of his death in a road accident.

“He has been involved in many charitable and community events and gave of his time selflessly in order that others be remembered and respected.  On behalf of the community here in Newry I want to express my deep sorrow to his immediate family and wide circle of friends.”

Former colleagues and members of NIFRS formed a guard of honour as Mr McNally was laid to rest following requiem mass in St. Colman’s Church, Laurencetown on Saturday.  He is survived by his wife Christine, children Linzi, Laura and Paul, grandchildren and wider family circle.

Police investigating the crash have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

PSNI Inspector Stephen Humphries said: “A silver Mazda 3 and blue Volkswagen Caddy were involved in the collision.  I would ask anyone who witnessed those vehicles in the area before the road traffic collision to contact Ardmore police station or the collision investigation unit at Sprucefield on non emergency number 101.”

UNITE spokesperson and Independent Newry City Councillor Kevin McAteer has criticised the council for its recent spending behaviour branding it “reckless and insensitive.”

Referring to recent junkets such as the highly publicised Slieve Donard “Elected Members Study Visit”,  the Council’s £5k Christmas party, which took place in Bellini’s last Friday night, and the installation of the “big screen” on Hill Street,  Mr McAteer told The Examiner he believed such expenditure is “at the rate payers’ expense and, in times of austerity, it is extremely insensitive.”

“Despite the formation of the new Council and with it a fresh start, it seems we are back to the same old reckless spending story from our Council,” said the Independent councillor,  who went on to question the usefulness of the digital screen which he said the Council had installed at a cost of £37,000.

The disgruntled councillor believes the Council’s intention to screen football matches next year is a non-starter due to our inclement weather and said any advertising of events or local businesses or screening of news is unnecessary due to the accessibility of smartphones and tablets.

“If I want info on Council events or current affairs I, like many others, will do so on my smart phone. Its quick, easy and effective. Why would I want to head down to Hill Street for that when I can do it on my phone. Perhaps the Council should develop an app?” he suggested.

He described the screen as a “monstrosity” and said it had become offensive to church-goers and the clergy due to its proximity to Newry Cathedral.

“What concerns me now is that it seems that there was no consultation with some businesses and those who did object were not listened to. For me the screen is a waste of money. Considering how many community groups were refused Council funding this year, it seems this whole time there was £37,000 available in the kitty to install this monstrosity on Hill Street” he added.

With regards to October’s council “junket” to the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, which saw seven councillors wrack up a hefty expenses bill and prompted public outcry at taxpayers’ money being used for what was seen as a frivolous event, the Independent councillor deemed it a “perfect example of reckless spending.”

Whilst he commends Council staff for their hard work throughout the year, Mr McAteer believes the budget of £5,000 for last week’s Christmas party was excessive and questioned what it was used for.

“£5,000 is a lot of money that could be used to serve our community through a project of some sort. Food and alcohol for a Christmas party does not cost £5,000, maybe a few hundred at the most.

“However, as far as I am aware the food at the event is a buffet and the staff have to pay for their own alcohol. Also why is it in Bellini’s when it could have been in a council building? The Town Hall was always used in the past. My question is what is the £5,000 being used for?”

The Independent councillor also took the opportunity to address the funding of legacy Council events that totalled £44,460 as well as a total of £1.8million he claimed was being spent on “golden handshakes for Councillors in the north of Ireland as a part of the amalgamation of the new Councils.”

McAteer – who announced in October that he planned to donate his monthly expenses to charity, added,

“It would be interesting to know how much was spent on these golden handshakes in Newry and Mourne Council this year. This along with £1.2million worth of expenses being claimed by our local MLAs and MPs in the last 15 months shows us the real money culture that exists within our local political scene.

“In times of austerity it is very disheartening to see such extravagant payouts for retiring councillors, Christmas parties, legacy events, big screens and expenses claims. A lot of this money could have been used for more community based projects such as those organisations that were turned down Council funding or even the development of a 4G pitch that would really benefit the community and promote local football.

“I don’t see why the Council should spend all this money……….while our public services and welfare are being cut and people such as our nurses, who are real heroes, don’t even get a proper pay increase.”

Local first time author Pat Murphy, from Forkhill, debuts his first novel this month, just in time for the Christmas wish lists.  Pat began writing the book, “The Boy Who Played in a Band” four years ago after years of dabbling in writing poetry and plays.  A spell looking after his wife during a period of ill health provided the Forkhill man with time on his hands to finally put together the novel he had always dreamed of writing.

The compelling tale of a young man’s journey growing up in south Armagh through the Troubles tells of the suffering and hardships endured under British rule and, as the main character becomes embroiled in the struggle, how it affects those around him and his closest relationships.

Speaking to The Examiner about the launch of the book, Pat says the fictional story is one he felt “needed to be told.” The everyday life of Conor Quinn, and his role in the Troubles reflects that of many young men growing up in Ireland at the time and, Pat believes, it is a perspective that has not always been accurately portrayed by some writers. Drawing from his own experiences, people he knew and stories recounted to him over the years, the novel is sure to strike a chord with those who grew up during the dark days of the conflict in the north as well as readers interested in gaining a first hand perspective of what life was like for the resistance spirited men and women who fought back against “the enemy”.

“Conor plays in a republican band and gets thrown into the struggle through that,” explains Pat.

“The story follows the path his life takes after becoming embroiled in the Troubles and how it affects his family and friends. I definitely got inspiration from living in south Armagh during such a turbulent time and drew from stories I heard, people I knew and significant events and incidents that took place and I just felt Conor’s story is one that needed to be told,” he adds.

Expressing his hope that the book resonates with people young and old, the debut author says he has had very positive feedback from those who have read it so far.

“I actually gave the book to a 75 year old man I know who told me he cried when he read it,” says Pat.

“I’m pleased that people are moved by the story. I had another avid reader advise me to write a follow up as the story does lend itself to that.  I don’t know if that’s the plan yet though as it took me four years to write this one!”

With the first 300 copies of “The Boy Who Played in a Band” hot off the press, the debut novelist has a number of book signing events coming up, the first of which takes place in the Welcome Inn in Forkhill on Wednesday night at 8pm.

This is followed by a further book signing in Ti Culainn cultural centre Mullaghbawn this Friday 18th Dec at 8pm.

Copies of the novel will be available to buy at the book signing events  or by contacting Pat himself via his Facebook page.  The book is priced at  £10/€15 and will soon also be available in bookshops nationwide.

The current SDLP MLA for South Down Karen McKevitt has been selected along with SDLP party colleague Justin McNulty to contest the Newry and Armagh Assembly election next year. The pair were chosen at an SDLP convention held in Newry’s Canal Court Hotel last Sunday night.

The move has come as a surprise as Mrs McKevitt had announced in October that she would not be seeking her party’s nomination to contest her South Down Assembly seat and that she was exploring a number of options that may take her away from the world of politics.

Mrs McKevitt has been an MLA since 2011 and her u-turn has been seen as an attempt by the SDLP to win two seats for the party in the Newry and Armagh constituency, at the expense of Sinn Fein.

Newly elected SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood, who was in Newry for the convention, said he was delighted that the party have “two strong candidates in Newry and Armagh like Justin and Karen. As a team they’re a formidable pair and I’m confident that we’ll make gains here that will build on the substantial progress made at the Westminster election.”

Mr Eastwood also paid tribute to the service of Dominic Bradley both to the SDLP and to the people of Newry and Armagh.

“Dominic had to fill the shoes of political giant Seamus Mallon and there’s no doubt that he’s done us all proud during his time in the Assembly.” The SDLP leader said Mr Bradley’s  work on the Autism Act and on the development and promotion of the Irish Language in particular had distinguished him as a respected and senior member of the SDLP.

“But looking ahead, I’m confident that our local Newry and Armagh team is going from strength to strength,” he added.

“Justin and Karen have the passion and the vision to shape a future for people here that’s better than what has been delivered by other parties. More and more, the SDLP is the alternative to stagnation at Stormont and to callous Tory diktats.

“Where we lead, others are following. Justin and Karen will lead that alternative for local people, they’ll have an important place in our Assembly team and I look forward to supporting them both in the time ahead.

Speaking about her nomination, Karen McKevitt said she was  “honoured and delighted” to have been selected by the SDLP members in Newry and Armagh to fight next year’s election and said the party had never been more relevant.

“The people, our society, need a strong party that is willing to stand up for the vulnerable, for the working man and woman, for children, for the sick, for absolutely everyone across Newry and Armagh and they are aghast at the recent deal between Stormont’s big two parties and their new cronies in the Tories.

“We’ll be taking the message loud and clear to the doorsteps of Newry and Armagh, when Justin and I are in Stormont we won’t sell out our people.”

Justin McNulty added that he was honoured to follow in the footsteps of Seamus Mallon and Dominic Bradley, who he described as “two giants of Irish politics.”

“They are big boots to fill, but it’s a challenge I will relish. I want to build on their good work and with Karen, I believe we will make a formidable team.’

The Jonesborough woman who was left fighting for her life after being shot by her former partner at their Omeath home two months ago has reportedly regained consciousness, her relieved family have revealed.

Mother-of-two, Siobhan Phillips (21), had planned to leave her physically abusive partner, Adrian Crevan Mackin, and had returned to their Mullach Alainn home in the village of Omeath on the evening of October 11th to collect her belongings.  Mackin lay in wait however and opened fire on Siobhan and Garda Tony Golden, who had accompanied her to the house, before turning the gun on himself.  Garda Golden was killed in the horrific attack, which sent shockwaves throughout the country, while the young mother was shot in the head, sustaining life-threatening injuries.

After weeks of intensive care in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ms Phillip’s family have revealed that she has regained consciousness although admits she faces a “long road ahead” in her recovery.

Garda Golden was killed in the horrific attack which sent shockwaves throughout the country, while the young mother of two sustained life threatening injuries.

After weeks of intensive care in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, her family have revealed that she has regained consciousness but admit she faces a “long road ahead” in her recovery.

The young mum underwent surgery to remove a bullet that had lodged in her head after Mackin shot her.  It is understood the bullet ricocheted off her skull and, as a result of this injury, tragically she has lost her right eye.  Siobhan has also had pins inserted into both arms to repair gunshot and shrapnel wounds.

Her family say it is “a miracle” that she survived her injuries and have thanked the many people who have supported them throughout their ordeal. Paying tribute to those who have helped and to the family of Garda Golden, Siobhan’s mother Bronagh said,

“I would like to thank the parish priests and the curates in Omeath and Carlingford Parish as well as Bishop Eamon Martin.  The Bishop went to visit Siobhan in hospital and he said Mass for her two weeks ago.”

“We would love to see her out of hospital in time for Christmas.  She is loved by all her family and we are looking towards the future now.”

“We think about the family of Garda Golden every day.  His family have been in contact and his brother came to see Siobhan in hospital; that meant so much to us,” her mum added.

Her aunt Lorraine confirmed that Siobhan has begun to speak but said the full extent of her brain injury is not yet known.

She revealed that Siobhan is unaware what has happened to her, with doctors telling her she has been involved in an accident.  The family believe she has no memory of the events at all and is not asking questions.

“She is smiling and knows everything you are saying but she is not asking any questions. She does know everybody that comes into her,” she said.

Lorraine also thanked the people of Omeath, who she said “have been outstandingly good to us.”

“We have had messages from people we don’t even know and letters have been written to Siobhan from people we never heard of.”

“It has been amazing, we have been overwhelmed by the support from the public for Siobhan.”

The 21 year old had two young children with Macken and was training to be a hair-dresser in Newry.

She had been with Mackin for 5 years but, Lorraine says, the violence had begun after he was released on bail last January, after being charged before the Special Criminal Court. She added that having suffered a prolonged and brutal beating by Mackin two days before the shooting, she had made up her mind to leave him and had made a statement to Gardai about the violence.

“The only person who knows what happened in the house is Siobhan,” she added.

“The doctors said her memory might come back and then again it might not.”