Katherine Newman is the Ulster Unionist Party’s new councillor for the Bangor West DEA. The move follows Linzi McLaren’s decision to resign from the council and from the UUP.
DUP MLA of almost 20 years, William Irwin, is set to retire from politics. ABC councillor Gareth Wilson is reportedly the favourite to replace him in Newry and Armagh, with DUP party officers conducting interviews for the role this week.
Following Caitlin Deeney’s announcement that she is stepping down from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Sinn Féin has selected her replacement to be co-opted to the Waterside seat.
Caitlin Deeney has announced she is stepping down as a councillor for the Waterside DEA on Derry City and Strabane District Council for personal reasons. She was first elected in 2023 for Sinn Féin.
Police have confirmed they are investigating criminal damage to Alliance Party headquarters on Farmley Road in Newtownabbey. Party leader Naomi Long has said attacks will “never deter Alliance.”
The motion submitted by People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll will be debated on Monday after it reached 30 signatures due to support from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance. However, it requires cross-community support from both nationalists and unionists to be passed.
Following the Education Minister’s trip to Israel, Sinn Fein have said they will support the motion of no confidence in him that was tabled by People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll. Paul Givan made the visit with a delegation of other unionist politicians.
Linzi McLaren has quit the Ulster Unionist Party, saying she has concerns about the lack of female representation in the party, and that the party has made “grave errors” with the Irish language. She is stepping down from the council to allow the UUP to co-opt a replacement.
For the first time in Northern Ireland, news outlets will be allowed to broadcast certain proceedings, including sentencing remarks in Crown Court and judgements in the Court of Appeal.