Latest news with #SouthTyrone
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Michelle Gildernew 'disappointed' at losing Sinn Féin job
The former Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has spoken of her "disappointment" at having her employment contract ended by the party last Gildernew, who was an elected representative for Fermanagh and South Tyrone at both Stormont and Westminster for more than two decades, said she was "ready to do something different".Speaking to BBC News NI she said she had "no complaints" about how the party handled her exit and that she remains a member."It was a proper meeting, all above board, it was handled very professionally... but yeah I was disappointed," she said. "None of us are owed anything, the party and the cause of Irish freedom and unity is bigger than any one individual."I'm still an activist and a member of Sinn Féin, I will always be an advocate for Irish unity."She said she was "very lucky" to have other opportunities to now look year, Gildernew stepped down from her role as an MP to run in the European Parliament, but she failed to win a seat. Relationship with O'Neill 'okay' At the time, Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said there would "absolutely have to be a role for Michelle going forward".Gildernew said she had not spoken to O'Neill since she had been informed her contract was being ended by Sinn Féin, but described her relationship with the first minister as "okay".In her last paid role for Sinn Féin Gildernew was part of the team conducting the internal governance review ordered in the aftermath of last year's safeguarding scandals on either side of the 55 year old said she had never seen herself as a politician, and said she had "served" the Sinn Féin leadership well."Nobody's journey in life always goes smoothly, I have to look at opportunities now and it'll give me the chance to do something different," added Gildernew."I have had the privilege of working with some extraordinary people north and south."The party has to get bigger and encourage more people to vote for Sinn Féin, we will never see the transition to Irish unity without a Sinn Féin government."I still want to see the achievement of the thing I've been working towards my entire life."Gildernew added that she had "probably" given up further aspirations of being an elected representative again, but said she did not "at this stage" see herself quitting membership of the party as she remained a committed republican.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'It is a killer' – MLA calls for action after nearly 300 serious road incidents
Nearly 300 people have been killed or seriously injured on Northern Ireland's roads due to speeding between 2019 and 2023, according to new figures. The stark statistics reveal that 297 lives were lost or significantly impacted over the four-year period due to speed-related collisions, prompting fresh appeals for action from policymakers and enforcement bodies. Deborah Erskine, DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and chair of the Stormont Infrastructure Committee, described the figures as 'sobering' She said: "Between 2019 and 2023, 297 people were either killed or seriously injured as a result of speeding on our roads. "Behind each of these figures is a family left grieving or a person living with life-altering injuries. "My thoughts are with all those who have suffered loss or trauma." Ms Erskine highlighted young drivers aged 16 to 24 as a group of particular concern, accounting for over two-fifths of serious casualties linked to speeding. Read more: First Minister to open 2025 Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School Males were found to be responsible for more than three-quarters of all such collisions resulting in death or serious injury. She said: "We must ask serious questions about driving culture, education, and enforcement, especially among younger drivers." The data also showed that 70 per cent of speeding-related incidents took place on rural roads, with nearly 40% occurring over the weekend, particularly between 4pm and 10pm. Ms Erskine is now calling for a strategic, cross-departmental response, involving not only law enforcement but also education and public health initiatives. She said: "As chair of the Infrastructure Committee, I am calling for greater urgency and coordination between the minister and all stakeholders, including the PSNI. "Tackling speeding must be a strategic priority, not just a policing issue, with a cross-departmental approach, involving education and enforcement. "One death on our roads is one too many. "There is a role for all of us. "Slowing down, staying alert, and respecting other road users are basic responsibilities that save lives. "We need to change attitudes, especially among those who see speed as a measure of confidence or skill. It isn't – it is a killer.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dozens of children in Fermanagh and South Tyrone miss out on pre-school choices
Thirty children in Fermanagh and South Tyrone have not secured a place in any of their first, second or third choice pre-schools for the upcoming academic year, according to new figures released by the Department of Education. The statistics, provided by Education Minister Paul Givan in response to a question from Ulster Unionist MLA Colin Crawford, show that 838 children across Northern Ireland were left without an offer for a place in one of their top three preferred pre-school settings as of April 3, 2025. Fermanagh and South Tyrone is among the affected constituencies, with 30 families facing disappointment at this critical stage of early years education. While 222 children across the region were offered places in their fourth or lower preference settings, others remained unplaced. The Education Authority (EA) has said that 2,316 pre-school places were still available across Northern Ireland at the time, though not necessarily in the areas or settings parents had hoped for. ADVERTISEMENT In total, 20,481 applications for pre-school places were received during Stage One of the admissions process. Of those, 19,861 children (97 per cent) were offered a funded place, but not all in their top choices. The Department has noted that further offers may have been made following the end of Stage One, but these figures were not included in the breakdown.
