A fingerprint expert who made errors in at least a dozen historical enquiries cases from the Troubles was not subject to any quality checks, Belfast Coroner’s Court heard last week.

Dennis Thompson was the only fingerprint expert working in the police’s Historical Enquiries Team (HET) between 2006 and 2013 investigating evidence from “cold cases”.  Last year, an inquest into the Kingsmill massacre stalled after it was revealed that Mr Thompson had twice failed to match fingerprints connecting a suspect to an alleged getaway vehicle used in the murders.

The errors led to a random sample of his work being taken for quality testing, where it was discovered he made mistakes in at least 12 cases he worked on.

The Kingsmill atrocity saw ten Protestant textile workers shot dead after their minibus was stopped at Kingsmill near Whitecross in January in 1976. The only Catholic on board was ordered to flee while Alan Black was the sole survivor of the attack despite being shot 18 times.  No one has ever been prosecuted for the killings.

Mr Thompson was giving evidence into the Kingsmillsmurders last week when he revealed that there were no formal mechanisms in place at the HET to check the quality of his work.

He told the court that if you were an expert in status it was an unwritten rule that a query would be taken to someone else for a second opinion.  “It was up to the individual,” he added.

Mr Thompson said he did report to a line manager within the organisation, but that the manager was not an expert in fingerprint work. He added that the second opinion of other PSNI fingerprint experts within his building was on an informal basis only.

When given the number of cases he had made errors in, the fingerprint expert said the figure had come “as a surprise” to him and that it was the first time he had become aware of it.  Accepting that he had made a “catalogue errors”, he said,

“Yes. There’s no reason for it other than that I’ve made a terrible mistake.

“If there’s suspicion that it was deliberate, I can swear before this court and the scriptures that I’ve taken my oath on, that that’s not the case.”

Dromintee Primary School has been congratulated on its innovative anti-bullying initiative which has seen the formation of a Pastoral Care Ambassador team made up of primary 5 to primary 7 pupils who have been selected for the roles by their fellow students.

The nine-strong team have already introduced practices in school to help all pupils feel safe as well as measures to enhance pupil wellbeing. 

The scheme, which is usually only found in secondary schools, has been commended by

Stephen Begley, deputy Chairman of the Governors, who praised the pastoral care team for their innovative and enterprising work and thanked their teacher, Mrs Fiona Fearon, for coordinating the venture.

Speaking to The Examiner about the much-lauded scheme, the Mrs Fearon explained that pupils interested in becoming Pastoral Care Ambassadors had put their names forward in September as candidates for election.

“A total of 32 pupils stood for election.  They campaigned for the next few weeks, creating a poster and participating in a one-minute speech in front of their peers.  At the end of September P5-7 pupils voted for one candidate from their class. Three pupils were then selected from P5-7 to represent their class and to work for the whole school community,” she explained.

The elected candidates undertook an Anti-Bullying training day in Kilkeel High School, participating alongside seven other schools and are now been trained as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, working to help the pupils in Dromintee Primary School feel happy and safe.

“The Pastoral Care Team have been working hard since their election,” Mrs Fearon said.

“They participated in a whole school assembly for pupils, staff, Board of Governors and elected local representatives. During this time, they detailed their work to date and their aims for the year ahead. Pupils in Dromintee know that the Pastoral Care Team can help them if they have a problem, either by using the buddy stops in the playground or using the worry box in school.”

Past pupil Sinn Fein MLA Megan Fearon said she was “overjoyed” to return to her former school, along with colleague Mickey Larkin and members of the Board of Governors, to attend a special presentation event and learn of the outstanding work being done by the young students to combat bullying through their training and subsequent work as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. 

Presenting the members with their Pastoral Care Council badges, she said: “Dromintee Primary has now in place a support network for pupils which is normally only found at secondary level and above. This is an important advancement for the school and I was heartened at the enthusiasm shown by the Ambassadors for their project.”

Echoing his colleague’s sentiments, Councillor Mickey Larkin underlined the fact that the Dromintee PS Ambassador team were the only Primary School present for the recent training course in Kilkeel, which dealt with anti-bullying procedures and support structures for students.

“The children excelled at the course and this is a credit to themselves, their parents and the school,” he said.

During this Anti-Bullying Week (13th – 17th November), the Ambassadors have a number of events planned to promote this year’s message “all equal, all different, all together”, including hosting assemblies, a poster competition, a non-uniform day and activities for all classes.

Police are appealing for information on a hit-and-run incident in Newry in which a car was struck from behind, causing it to flip over onto its side. 

They are attempting to trace the offending driver who left the scene without checking the condition of the occupants who, police say, were fortunately not seriously injured.

The incident occurred around 12.30am on Saturday close to the Quays Shopping Centre, next to Newry Canal.

A police spokesperson said the offending driver “clipped the vehicle” from behind, causing it to strike the raised curb and overturn.

“The offending vehicle drove off without even stopping to check if the occupants were OK.  At the moment we are trying to identify the offending vehicle and are pursuing some lines of enquiry but we are also looking for anyone who may have any information in relation to this to contact us,” the spokesperson said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information in relation to it, is asked to contact police on 101 and quote reference 38 of 11/11/17.

Bessbrook girl Anita Dennison is one of three local people whose selfless actions and contributions to their community have led to a nomination for the SuperValu SuperStar Awards.  Anita joins charitable Newry man John Dalzell MBE and community campaigner Gavin Malone on the list of 36 finalists who will travel to the Titanic Hotel in Belfast this Wednesday (November 22nd) for the prestigious awards ceremony.

The former St.Paul’s student has been blazing a trail with her inspirational anti-bullying message. The 21 year old, who is embarking on a degree in Social Work next year,  has established herself as a leading anti-bullying crusader in the last number of years, spreading her empowering anti-bullying message which is borne from her own personal experiences at the hands of malicious bullies who targeted her from the age of 11 to 16.   Anita was severely bullied both online and off but she made the decision to fight back in a positive way and shared her experience to help other young people in the same situation.  Becoming a voice for the voiceless has helped her to turn her own life around, and also that of many others.

Pressing home the anti-bullying message online and reaching out to support young people and their families who are going through difficult times because of bullying and its related mental health issues, Anita has spoken at a number of national and international events.

Now training to be a Childline counsellor, the Bessbrook woman has been chosen as a UK #iWill ambassador, promoting positive social action by young people worldwide.

Speaking to The Examiner about her nomination Anita told us she is “delighted and privileged” to be shortlisted for the awards.

She said she was using her “negative past to help as many people as possible” and added,

“It shows that no matter what difficulties you may go through there is always a positive way out. This award highlights those individuals that have experienced the difficult times and are now trying to make them positive for somebody else.

“Hopefully my nomination will help to give other young people the confidence to speak out about bullying and recognise that they are not alone. 

Seventy five year old John Dalzell MBE has been raising money for Southern Area Hospice Services with his annual Christmas sit-out on Hill Street in Newry for over 25 years, raising over £1.5m for the much loved charity in that time.  At almost 76, John has retired from the sit-out but it continues in his name with the help of friends and family – who John says “all deserve a part of any award.

Community campaigner Gavin Malone has spearheaded various campaigns in his Barcroft neighbourhood in recent years, organising clean-up operations and safety patrols on the streets of the city centre estate to keep his local community “a safe and clean place for our children to grow up.”  Gavin says that “win or lose” he is delighted to have been considered for an award which he says he owes to the “community spirit of Newry and its people.”

All finalists will attend the SuperValu SuperStars’ awards ceremony at Belfast’s top-notch new Titanic Hotel this Wednesday, sponsored by Persil, Robinson’s, Dairylea and Ben & Jerry’s.

Judges will announce the deserving overall winner who will receive a five-star holiday with their loved ones. All finalists will be presented with SuperValu shopping vouchers.

Former infrastructure minister Chris Hazzard has refuted allegations that he discriminated against a female candidate in the final pool of applicants to the board of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA).

Geraldine Donaghy and Bob McCann were both replaced as non-executive directors on the WHA board in October last year, following a public appointment process run by the department for infrastructure, with the final choice made by the Sinn Féin minister.

Ms Donaghy was the only woman out of just five female applicants in a field of 37 to make it onto the final list of six names forwarded to the minister for consideration for the role. She is taking the employment tribunal case alleging discrimination after she failed to be selected, with the appointments given to Deep Sagar and Richard Johnston.  The decision not to appoint Ms Donaghy leaves just one woman on the WHA board.

The Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland carried out an investigation in June this year and said the outcome “in terms of Board diversity was very disappointing”.

The commission said that all decision makers involved in the public appointment process were aware that the then current Warrenpoint Harbour Authority suffered from a low level of representation of women and it held that there was an onus on those involved in the decision making process “to take vigorous legitimate action to improve the situation”.

Representing herself in the proceedings, Ms Donaghy told the tribunal on Monday last that she was “better qualified on the stated skill set” outlined in the application for the post and she alleged that additional criteria asking for knowledge of the Northern Ireland economy was introduced in their consideration of Mr Johnston – who is a leading economist – but was not listed in the published job specification.

She is also claiming that “three or four mistakes” were made in the marking and summation of applicant interviews which combined to discriminate against her candidacy.

Barrister for the department and Mr Hazzard, Aidan Sands, asked if taking Mr Johnston’s economic expertise into account was discriminatory against the other male candidates and added that “if there are very few women applying (you) expect that there are not going to be many female successful candidates. (They) have to give the best person the job and their sex is irrelevant.”

Mr Hazzard told the employment tribunal on Wednesday that Ms Donaghy hadn’t provided “one shred of evidence” to back her claim and he said he “totally refuted”  her allegation.  The Sinn Fein politician insisted he made the two appointments “based on the grounds of merit” and denied treating Ms Donaghy “less favourably because she was a woman.”

He said he had based his decision on the applicants with the “best skills to do the job” and added that, as a democratically elected minister, he “wanted to play a role in this appointment” to avoid it being just a “rubber-stamping process.”

The former minister, now an MP for South Down, said the applicant summary was the only piece of evidence he had before him, which he said he believed was “suffice to make my decision”.

Mr Hazzard added that he quickly identified three or four candidates he felt were “the stand-out candidates” and that he was particularly struck by the background of one of the applicants, in particular their career history and knowledge of economic issues.

When asked by Ms Donaghy if he believed a “diverse board” should be appointed, Mr Hazzard said it was “desirable” but added that employment law disallowed him from basing his decision on making the board diverse.

He also told the hearing that he had placed Ms Donaghy on a reserve list for the post, praising her “past experience in leadership and communication”.

“I was under no obligation to create a reserve list, by selecting you (Ms Donaghy) for the reserve list, I was acknowledging your skill set.”

Denying her claims of discrimination, he told Ms Donaghy she had provided him with “not one shred of evidence today of the serious accusation you have levelled against me”.

“I totally refute what has been alleged”.

     The hearing continues.

A 33-year-old man has been charged with a string of offences connected to the seizure of drugs and cash during a police search operation in Bessbrook on Tuesday last.

The accused appeared before Banbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday morning where he was charged with possession of a class A controlled drug, possession of a class B controlled drug, possessing a class A controlled drug with intent to supply, possessing a class B controlled drug with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.

The drugs, with an estimated street value of £160,000, along with a quantity of cash, were discovered when officers from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch carried out searches of two houses in the Bessbrook area on Tuesday evening.

Three people were arrested during the operation.  The 33-year-old man was charged while a second man and a woman, both aged 27, were released on police bail the following day pending further enquiries.

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said “lives have been saved” at the drugs seizure.

“It is essential that the PSNI is effective in removing drugs from our streets and also arresting those believed to be involved in the supply trade,” he said.  “These people have no regard for the people in their own communities, but instead are fuelled by a selfish desire to make money from others’ addictions.”

Echoing her colleague’s sentiments, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew added that she “shares the delight of the community that such a huge amount of drugs have been taken off our streets”.

Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor praised the PSNI, saying the news was “warmly received” by the community.

“I want to congratulate the police on this successful operation and indeed their continued work to remove the scourge of drugs from within society.  I have no doubt the public will be relieved that the quantity of drugs recovered will be no longer available for supply on our streets,” he said.

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has been called upon to refute claims that his party would willingly enter a Stormont Executive without an agreed resolution on the issues of rights that are governing the current political impasse.

Sinn Féin’s Megan Fearon claims the SDLP is “desperate” to return to an Executive “at any cost”, and says Mr McNulty should distance himself from the recent assertion made publicly by DUP MLA Nigel Dodds that “the SDLP would be prepared to enter an Executive tomorrow”.

Responding to what she termed “his latest attack on Sinn Fein”, Ms Fearon said: “Justin McNulty again ignores the facts.  Primarily, the fact that there was no agreed programme of government between the DUP and Sinn Féin, as negotiations were still ongoing when the Executive collapsed.  He also ignores the recent public comments from DUP MP Nigel Dodds in which he stated that the SDLP ‘would be prepared to enter an Executive tomorrow’.

“[Sinn Fein] have been concerned for some time that the SDLP are desperate to get back into an Executive at any cost, even if that means abandoning people’s rights.  Therefore, Justin should clarify now whether Nigel Dodds is correct in his assertion.  And, if so, which rights are the SDLP prepared to abandon in return for an Executive seat?  Is it the rights of Irish speakers? The rights of the LGBT community? Or the rights of victim’s families to proper inquests?  Or perhaps it’s the rights of all those people,” she added.

Used syringes, needles and other drugs paraphernalia found discarded by the roadside in Glassdrummond recently has evoked an angry response from local Councillors who are urging parents to warn their children of the dangers of coming across such items. 

The items were discovered by residents on the Glassdrummond Road in the village, close to their homes and the nearby primary school and nursery, prompting Sinn Fein’s Terry Hearty and SDLP Councillor Pete Byrne to voice disgust at the find.

Although keen to avoid causing panic or undue concern, Councillor Hearty says he is advising parents to be vigilant for harmful items that have been carelessly discarded and speak to their children about the dangers of going near such things.

Directing his anger to those responsible, he said: “To those who carelessly discarded these disgusting items close to homes, school bus stops, a primary school and a play school, I would plead with you just to stop for one minute and think about your actions.

“If you want to destroy your own life with this stuff that is one thing but you have absolutely no right to put the children of this area in danger.  If a child had fallen on or picked this stuff up, it’s unthinkable what could have befallen them.  Used needles can pass on any number of blood-borne viruses and infections. Is that really something you want on your conscience?”

Likewise, Councillor Pete Byrne voiced his disgust: “Use of illegal drugs is becoming a prevalent problem in south Armagh and this latest find is extremely worrying particularly due to its proximity to a school.  I would of course urge parents to be vigilant and to inform their children of the dangers of approaching such dangerous material.

“The PSNI are critical to the fight in ridding our communities of the scourge of drugs [and] we as public representatives have a job of work to do in raising awareness but without a strategic and resourced support from government we will be fighting a losing battle,” he added.

The sudden death of an elderly Camlough lady at the weekend that sparked a police investigation is not being treated as suspicious, the PSNI has said.

The body of Maeve Morgan, aged in her early 80s, was discovered on Saturday morning in the garden of her home on the Newry Road, close to Carrickcruppen GFC grounds.  The find prompted a police investigation into the circumstances of the pensioner’s unexpected passing and the main Newry to Camlough Road, between St. Paul’s High School and Camlough village, was closed to traffic for a number of hours while forensic officers carried out an examination of the property.  On Saturday evening, a spokesperson for the PSNI confirmed the death was deemed non-suspicious although the house remains under forensic protection pending results of a post mortem.

Mother-of-three Mrs Morgan lived alone and was pre-deceased by her husband Horace just three months ago.  A well-known and extremely popular lady, her sudden passing is a distressing blow to her son and daughters, so soon after the loss of their father who died in August.

The will of the people of Newry to transform the Albert Basin site in the city into a 15-acre community park has finally been realised with the passing of the Albert Basin Park motion at last Thursday’s meeting of the Council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources (SPR) Committee. 

There were scenes of elation as the result of the vote was announced, with all the political parties and groupings on the Council voting in favour of the motion.

Newry 2020 campaign group chairperson Brian Cleland described the result as an “historic moment for Newry” and said the “people’s vision” of a city park “is set to become a reality” now that the Council has unanimously backed the project.

“There is no doubt that the passing of the Albert Basin Park motion on Thursday evening was an historic moment for Newry. The positive response from the local community has been absolutely overwhelming,” Mr Cleland said.

Voicing the appreciation of the campaign group members, he added: “We’d like to thank all the elected representatives for their support on Thursday, and in particular the cross-party group who fought so hard to get this over the line.  The goal now should be to make the Albert Basin Park the best city park in Ireland – there is absolutely no reason why we should settle for anything less. We look forward to working with the Council to deliver on that promise in the coming months.”

The SDLP, Sinn Féin, UUP, DUP and Independent members all backed Thursday’s joint motion, which was initially proposed at October’s full Council meeting by Councillors Gary Stokes (SDLP), Patrick Brown (Alliance), David Taylor (UUP) and Jarlath Tinnelly (Independent). During that highly contentious and heated meeting, the motion was diverted to a sub-group of the SPR Committee after the DUP and Sinn Fein voted to block a debate on the issue and prompted concerns that it would be opposed at the subsequent SPR meeting.  Those fears were quickly eradicated, however, as it became clear that there was overall support for the project, with DUP Councillor William Walker the first to give his backing, adding that “protocol” had prevented him from doing so at the October meeting.

Welcoming Mr Walker’s support, Councillor Stokes outlined the health and wellbeing, tourism and economic benefits of the park and urged all councillors to show their commitment to the motion which he said will be “transformational for the people of Newry and the surrounding area”. 

Echoing those sentiments, Councillor Tinnelly said “No monetary value can be attached to the health and wellbeing of the people of Newry,” whilst Alliance Councillor Patrick Brown expressed his hope that all councillors and officials would work together “to make the park that the people of Newry deserve”.

With Independent Councillor Henry Reilly and SDLP Councillors Michael Savage and Declan McAteer all underlining their support for the motion, Independent Councillor Davy Hyland gave his backing and proposed the motion, which was seconded by SDLP Councillor Gareth Sharvin.

Sinn Fein’s Mickey Ruane said the party was clear in its support “for a park in Newry and a park in Albert Basin”, and added that the way forward was for the Council “to get down to work in the committee and deliver the park for the people of Newry”.

 Slieve Gullion SDLP Councillor, Pete Byrne, who has been vociferous in his support of the project, said after the “long and at times unnecessarily bumpy” journey, the victory belonged to the Newry 2020 group and other groups and activists for leading the campaign and “winning round the hearts of nearly 11,000 people” united in their call for a city park.

Stating that his party had listened to the call and sought to deliver the wishes of the people, he said the next few years will be exciting for this district.

“We already have Slieve Gullion Park in our area which is set to benefit from further development in the near future.  With the addition of a 15 acre Albert Basin Park we really are striving to set ourselves apart as an attractive tourist destination. Our Council Tourism Strategy 2017-2021 promises to deliver epic moments for visitors to the area, this historic vote which we have waited decades for can only be described as an epic moment for the people of Newry.”

The decision is expected to be ratified at next month’s full Council meeting on Monday 4th December.

A poignant song penned in honour of Silverbridge man, Brian ‘Bob’ Hearty who died in a tragic road accident last month, has been recorded to CD as tribute to the popular and much-missed young man.

Composed and performed by family friend Angela Reid from Omagh, ‘Truck Run To Heaven’ was sung at the conclusion of Bob’s funeral mass, its moving lyrics prompting an outpouring of emotion from the hundreds of mourners. 

A close friend of Bob’s mum Carmel, Angela penned the track as a personal tribute to offer comfort to his grieving family while commemorating his infectious zest for life and the deep affection in which he was held.  The song title is a reference to the charity Truck Run in Crossmaglen that Bob took part in just hours before his death.

The CD will go on sale this Friday 24th November and initially will be available from a number of local shops and businesses in the area.  A Facebook page ‘Truck Run to Heaven’ has been established to promote the recording and plans are in progress to set up a system through which the CD can be purchased via Facebook.  The entire proceeds from sales are in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT).

Details of where the CD can be purchased have yet to be finalized although, to date, confirmed locations include The Cross Square Hotel; McEntee’s Shop, Cross Cuts Barbers and Shorts Sports in Crossmaglen.

It will go on sale this Friday, coinciding with Bob’s Month’s Mind Mass, which will be celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Cullyhanna at 8pm.

The death of a young girl in a tragic road accident near Newry on Saturday has sent shockwaves across entire community. 

Twelve-year-old Nicole Fegan from Mayobridge was a passenger in a beach buggy-type vehicle that was involved in a collision with a black Toyota Hilux on the Flagstaff Road, Cloghogue.  Her 14-year-old friend sustained a broken leg and other injuries and is being treated in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, while the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.  The accident was reported shortly before 3.00pm and the road was closed as emergency services attended the scene. 

A first year pupil at Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry, Nicole was a valued member of Mayobridge GFC where she played camogie, football and handball. On Friday last the talented  singer and musician represented her club in Scór na nÓg and as a mark of respect the South Down final of the competition, which was scheduled for yesterday (Sunday), has been postponed until Sunday 26th November.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Sinn Fein councillor Liz Kimmins said news of the tragedy has left the entire area “reeling in deep shock”.

“Our deepest sympathy to the family of the young girl who has lost her life in this tragedy.  We also hope that the other young girl injured makes a full recovery,” she said.

Police investigating the fatal crash have appealed to anyone who may have been in the Flagstaff Road area around 2.50pm on Saturday and witnessed the collision to contact them on 101 quoting reference 77218/11/17.

A television advertising campaign detailing the services of Southern Area Hospice in Newry was broadcast for the first time last week.

The advertisement, which was sponsored by Gordons Chemists and filmed by Dara McCoy of DMC events, was first aired during the ad breaks of ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ on UTV on Sunday last (19th November) and was shown throughout the week.

The television media campaign highlights the services and support available to patients and families in Hospice care and marks the realisation of a long held aspiration of Southern Area Hospice Services to run this type of campaign. Local Hospice nursing staff and volunteers appeared in the advert, which it is hoped will garner increased financial support for the much-loved hospice service.

Speaking at the launch of the ad campaign, Public Relations and Events Officer at Southern Area Hospice, Grainne Mulgrew said,

“We are extremely grateful to receive this sponsorship from Gordons Chemists and are excited to have the opportunity to run this new media campaign, which in turn will help us to increase awareness of Hospice services and increase financial support.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gordons Chemists for their generous sponsorship and ongoing support in the community”.

Robert Gordon, Managing Director of Gordons Chemists expressed his pleasure at supporting such a “wonderful organisation” in assisting them with their first ever TV advertising campaign.  “Hospice services are vitally important to our local community and we are honoured to be able to help in any way we can,” he added.

Gordons Chemists have also supported the facilitation of health and beauty therapy workshops and treatments in the Hospice Dungannon Resource Centre and the Day Hospice in Newry, with Pharmacy Managers and their teams offering help and advice to patients through a range of talks from suppliers including Clarins Fragrance Group.

Commercial Training Manager for the Clarins Fragrance Group, Catriona Rafferty, recently provided a session on Thierry Mugler and their range of products for patients at the Newry Hospice, where patients were treated to hand massages using their favourite scents and took part in a perfumery workshop. All patients also received a generous goody bag from Clarins to enjoy.

Zara Thompson, Cosmetic and Fragrance Area Manager at Gordons Chemists said “We are delighted to take the opportunity to give something back to the local community by supporting such worthy cause as the Southern Area Hospice.  By hosting fragrance pamper mornings including Clarins, La Roche-Posay, Vichy and Thierry Mugler demo events, it is our sincere hope that in some small way we can make a difference in people’s lives”.

A police officer who had raced to the scene of a house robbery in Keady last Wednesday night was headbutted as he attempted to arrest one of two men accosted at the property.

PSNI in Armagh surrounded the property on Market Street after receiving a call shortly after midnight on Wednesday 22nd November that the house was being broken into.   Four police crews made their way to the scene cornering two suspects.  Both men were arrested – one for robbery, breach of court bail and criminal damage.

The second man was arrested for robbery, three counts of criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, disorderly behaviour and assault, after he headbutted one of the arresting officers.

It is understood, the suspect is also wanted for recall to prison after his licence was revoked.

Police confirmed that the property owner was hurt during the robbery but that his injuries were “not serious”.

Posting on the PSNI Armagh Facebook page, the officers and householders were praised for their quick response and a warning was issued for anyone considering such a crime.

“Robbery is a terrifying ordeal for anyone, and something we will not tolerate in our district,” posted the PSNI in Armagh.

“The victim and witnesses involved conducted themselves in a superb manner and were fit to give us all the details required to find these particularly nasty pieces of work and put them where they belong.

“With the breach and recall offences, the next stop for both will be court.

“This is a timely reminder of how vital timely and accurate information is. Phone us IMMEDIATELY if you think something like this is going on, and remember things like vehicle details; make, model, registration, as well as clothing descriptions, age, height, build, and direction of travel.”

The men , aged 24 and 28, appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 23 November.  As is normal procedure, the charges will be reviewed by the PPS. 

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a call from NIFRS Control relating to a gas explosion in the Barcroft Park area of Newry at 18:27 on Monday 20 November.

The nearest available crew was despatched from Armagh at 18:31 with further vehicles despatched as support from Armagh and Craigavon. One NIAS crew was at Daisy Hill Emergency Department with a patient to be handed over to ED staff.

By 18:38 the Control Officer in ambulance control contacted staff in the Emergency Department to request that the ambulance crew be made available to respond to the incident in Barcroft Park and were told that they should be available within five minutes, meaning that they would be on scene within another two or three minutes.

At 18:45 NIAS received a further call from NIFRS to inform us that one of their crew was a NIAS Paramedic and worked with NIFRS as a part-time firefighter. He made a call, in consultation with his officer, that, given the proximity of the hospital, it would be appropriate to transport the patients to the ED in a Fire Officer’s car and a fire tender. NIFRS then informed NIAS to stand our crews down. NIAS also despatched 3 Rapid Response Paramedics and 2 Ambulance Officers to the scene who were later stood down.

The crew at Daisy Hill assisted the fire personnel when they arrived at the ED and the original crew which had been despatched from Armagh continued to the scene of the incident to confirm that there were no other casualties requiring treatment. This crew arrived at the scene at 18:55.

NIAS is concerned at some of the reports circulating that we did not respond to this call for one hour when our evidence is to the contrary and in fact by collaborating with staff at Daisy Hill ED, we may have had a crew at the scene even sooner. Much of this was made redundant due to the decision made, in the best interests of the patient, by the Paramedic/part-time firefighter to move the patients prior to our arrival.

NIAS faces challenges in delivering our service in the context of more than 200,000 calls per year and will always seek to provide the quickest and most appropriate response to those who have need of our help.

A woman and four children are recovering from injuries they sustained in a gas explosion at their home in Barcroft Park, Newry on Monday evening last.

The incident occurred shortly before 6.30pm as the 34-year-old mother was preparing the evening meal when a fault with a gas cooker caused it to explode.  She sustained a burn to her hand while her children – three boys aged 12, 10 and 6 and an eight-year-old girl – were also injured.  All had suffered burns to the face but are not thought to be “deep-seated” injuries.

Two of the children received treatment in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children while their mother was admitted to the Ulster Hospital.  The remaining children were discharged from hospital later that night.

Two appliances and 11 firefighters were tasked to the scene and a spokesperson for the Fire Service said when fire crews arrived around five minutes after the initial call, those in the house had taken refuge in a neighbour’s home, describing them as “walking wounded”.

Group Commander Max Joyce revealed a faulty gas appliance is thought to have caused the explosion, adding that when fire crews arrived there was no fire but they found signs of a “small explosion” in the kitchen.

Regarding the situation, he said: “You can’t mess about with gas. There are cases of leaks causing whole buildings to be engulfed in flames and destroyed so it could have been quite serious and I think we were very lucky on this occasion.

Neighbour Darren Thompson, who is chairperson of the Barcroft Community Association, says the family is lucky to have escaped more serious injury.

Describing the incident, Mr Thompson said: “It appears there was a small explosion on a gas cooker which caused damage to the kitchen area.  A neighbour contacted the emergency services and the Fire Service were at the scene within minutes.  Whilst the young mother and her four children received burns, they were lucky to escape any life-threatening injuries.”

Praising the prompt actions of the Fire Service, he added: “The ambulance service was unable to get to the scene on time and the Fire Service took the injured to nearby Daisy Hill Hospital.

“The Fire Service deserve the highest praise for their speedy reaction and professionalism. The officers in attendance had the situation under control quickly,” he said, adding his best wishes to the family a speedy recovery.

Commenting on the incident, Newry Sinn Fein councillor Liz Kimmins claimed “nearly an hour” had passed before ambulance crews arrived, at which time the injured had already been transferred to hospital.

“This has caused great concern as delays can have serious consequences,” she said.

Responding to the claim, however, a spokesperson for NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) said ambulances were dispatched from Armagh and Craigavon as there was none available at Daisy Hill.  He revealed that a retained firefighter at the scene of the explosion was also a trained NIAS paramedic and, liaising with both emergency services, was tasked with transporting the patients to hospital in Fire Service vehicles.   This, the spokesperson said, was appropriate given the close proximity of Daisy Hill Hospital.

The details of the latest budget announced by the British government on Wednesday will lead to further cuts in the public services of health and education in the north as extra money is ploughed into funding the “Brexit calamity”, Sinn Fein MP Mickey Brady has claimed.

“This Tory budget represents a real term cut off between £100m and £200m in the money available for day-to-day spending in the North’s block grant next year. So there is no good news in this budget for our public services and for public sector workers who have already borne the brunt of years of Tory austerity cuts to the block grant. There is no extra money for health, no extra money for education, no extra money for our frontline services staff,” Mr Brady said.

“The reference to £650m additional firepower for the North is a bad joke. The bulk of that money, to be spread over four years, will be in Financial Transaction Capital – monies which have to be loaned to businesses and which traditionally we have been unable to use.”

Criticising the government’s pledge of extra money which he says is to fund the “Brexit calamity”, he added: “The British Government has now committed an additional £3bn on top of the £700m already set aside to fund their preparations for leaving the EU.  Not only are they trying to drag the North out of the EU against our will, they want to fund it by cutting our public services.

“By his own admission, the British Chancellor accepts this budget will usher in a further fall in economic growth, which is set to fall below one per cent in the North, while the South of Ireland GDP is growing at over 4 per cent.

“Once again, this budget shows the folly of the DUP’s decision to give a blank cheque to the Tories as part of their pact with Theresa May.  The DUP committed to supporting all finance and Brexit legislation as part of that arrangement so now they will find themselves supporting further cuts to our block grant and further pressure piled on our public services.”

Local politicians have voiced concern at the hazardous driving conditions experienced on some roads during the icy weather conditions on Thursday night and Friday morning last.

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty claims some roads were left untreated or were salted too early, resulting in “treacherous” conditions for motorists.

Revealing that “numerous accidents” occurred, he says the icy surface led to one such incident on the Crossmaglen to Culloville Road.

“The road was in such a poor condition that the Ambulance Service personnel could barely stand up on the road.  This was putting the safety of both the Ambulance Service personnel and the patients they were trying to treat at risk.  This is completely unacceptable,” Mr McNulty said.

“The cold temperatures should have come as no surprise so there is no reason why the roads were not gritted and gritted adequately.  I have sought assurances this will not happen again and that our roads are adequately gritted in periods of cold weather,” he added.

Sinn Féin Councillors Barra Ó Muirí and Terry Hearty have urged Roads Service to ensure that “roads remain safe” for users.

Mr Hearty says parents leaving children to school on the Carrickrovaddy and Ballymoyer Roads on Friday morning encountered icy conditions which resulted in “multiple accidents”.

“This is an ongoing problem which myself and both school communities have constantly been campaigning to be addressed,” he said. “Ultimately the only real solution is for the stretches of roads around these schools to be included in the local salting network. After speaking again to both Principals I have requested Roads Service in the short term to leave ‘salt piles’ in the vicinity of the schools.”

Referring to an accident on the Culloville Road, Councillor Hearty queried the salting schedule: “This road was salted the night before but wasn’t repeated the following morning.  The road was extremely hazardous.  Surely there is an onus on Roads Service to ensure that this road is adequately salted?”

Meanwhile Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor says he has contacted Transport NI officials to raise concerns about gritting services provided in Newtownhamilton.

“Particular concerns have been highlighted about the hazardous conditions experienced on Blaney Road and Armagh Road.  Both roads carry quite a volume of traffic and would be used on a regular basis by local school buses,” Mr Taylor said.

“I have taken the opportunity to discuss this issue with Transport NI officials and I impressed upon them the need for the Newtownhamilton area to be thoroughly gritted in future to guarantee safety for road users during periods of adverse weather.”

The appointment of a newly trained consultant at Daisy Hill’s beleaguered Emergency Department has been welcomed as a positive step forward in its sustainable long term future. 

The local Emergency Department had been on the brink of temporary closure earlier this year due to a lack of senior medical staff available to cover night shifts. The potential loss of a 24/7 emergency unit prompted public outcry and a slew of protest rallies and public meetings demanding the retention of round-the-clock services.

Confirming the long awaited appointment to The Examiner on Thursday last, a Southern Health and Social Care Trust spokesperson said the appointment process was supported as part of the regional approach to securing the ED at Daisy Hill, and described it as “an important first step in the long term plan for the service.”

The new consultant will take up the post in January and will be based in Daisy Hill Hospital, with one day per week working in Craigavon Area Hospital.

Offering “the warmest of welcomes” to the new doctor, a representative for the Save Our Emergency Department campaign group said confirmation of the appointment was “fantastic news and due in no small part to the community coming together so strongly to get behind Daisy Hill.”

“We hope that this helps build momentum to filling the other posts advertised,” said the campaign group representative adding,

“Progress is being made every day to secure a better future for Daisy Hill and the people who depend on it.”

SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh, Justin McNulty said the appointment was confirmed by Dr Anne Marie Telford who is leading the Daisy Hill Pathfinder Group.

Mr McNulty welcomed the news and thanked Dr Telford and her team for all their work to date in seeking to secure the long term future of the Daisy Hill Emergency Department.

“Dr Telford has been working closely with the Southern Trust, the Chamber of Commerce, the Save Daisy Hill Action Group and the local community to ensure we have a strategic plan in place and the recruitment of staff has been key element of that plan,” said the SDLP MLA.

“Daisy Hill is a very important acute hospital in our community and there has been significant investment in infrastructure over the last number of years. I am keen to see that investment continue and at the same time a sustained drive must continue to recruit the appropriately qualified staff for the services we need.”

Acknowledging the difficulties across the UK in recruiting Emergency Doctors and Consultants, Mr McNulty said,

“I firmly believe that Daisy Hill is one of the most appealing places to work with its position on the Eastern Economic Corridor and access to Belfast and Dublin and the AONBs of Gullion and Mourne.

“It is a small but busy hospital with its Emergency Department getting busier. Daisy Hill ED has very strong support from the local community with people power playing a big part in encouraging the Trust to act to recruit and appoint suitably qualified medics.” He gave “huge credit” to the Daisy Hill Action Group and The Newry Chamber of Commerce for their efforts to assist the Trust in the recruitment process, and he praised “the very positive role the local community have played in getting to this stage.”

“Their very strong support for Daisy Hill hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Southern Trust and I believe that their huge support for the Emergency Department played a significant role in Dr Telford and her team being appointed in the first place. Their continued support for Daisy Hill will be vital as this process moves forward.

Gardaí in Dundalk are investigating a report of false imprisonment of a 36 year old man who was abducted from a Dundalk housing estate before being attacked and dumped close to the village of Forkhill. The incident occurred on Thursday 16th November but details have only emerged in recent days.

It is alleged that a number of masked men confronted the man at a housing estate on Bellewsbridge Road in the Castletown area of Dundalk at approximately 5pm on the day in question, bundled him into the back of his van and physically assaulted him, causing injuries to his arm. He was later released near a yard close to Forkhill where the gang fled the scene in another vehicle.

Gardaí say the victim is “very shaken” by his ordeal and they have appealed for anyone with information on the incident to contact them on 00353 4293 88400 / 00353 9335577 or the Garda Confidential Line  on 1 800 666 111.