Swann welcomes military assistance for health service


THE Department of Health has confirmed that its latest request for military assistance for the Northern Ireland health service has been approved. The Health Minister said: “Our health service has been battling Covid and its numerous obstacles for two years. Whilst the recent surge in Omicron cases did not translate into the possible worst case scenario […]


Stormont has powers to set social security rates


CORRESPONDENCE received in response to concerns raised by the local Council over the cessation of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit during Covid, has shown Stormont has the powers” to set its own Social Security rates. Previously a member tried to raise this point but was prevented by what he described as “misinformation”. The Chief Executive Alison […]


Local mother withdraws Covid legal challenge


CAMPAIGNING mother and son, Lee Martin and Caroline Wheeler from Enniskillen, have decided to withdraw their legal challenge with the Department of Health as they don’t want to “damage public confidence” in the Covid booster vaccination programme, they said. Their decision to withdraw their judicial review into the delay in Lee receiving his Covid jab […]


It’s time to return the railway to Fermanagh


WITH the Department of Infrastructure now considering the submissions to the All-Island Rail Review Strategy, campaigners have been making the case for the return of the railways to Fermanagh. As reported in last week’s Herald, the deadline for submissions to the public consultation to the review was last Friday, and locals were strongly encouraged by […]


Teens with mental health issues ‘cruelly’ left behind


“INEFFECTIVE, inconsistent and inadequate” are the words used by one Enniskillen mother to describe child mental health services across the Fermanagh area. The mother, who did not want to be identified told this paper that her 15-year-old child was transferred to the Western Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) three years ago but […]


School boy’s generosity helps those less fortunate


AN 11-year-old Fermanagh lad with a heart of gold has certainly went the extra mile for those who need it most, after he raised £800 for homeless charity RUTH (Raising Up The Hurting). Matthew Jacks from Brookeborough always wanted to raise money for the homeless, according to his mum Ruth. “Matthew first heard about the […]


Barton speaks out in Stormont Assembly on gender-based violence


SPEAKING at Stormont, a Fermanagh MLA has called for “a zero tolerance approach” to dealing with gender-based violence and for the introduction of an education programme to raise awareness of the issue among young people. Rosemary Barton MLA, a former teacher, was speaking after in the wake of the shock and grief and the murder or 23-year-old […]


No need for motivation in all-Ulster cup final


WHILE the Clogher Rugby fans can enjoy the build up to the All Ireland Junior Cup Final and reminisce about old memories and teams gone by, coach Stephen Bothwell has the toughest job of all on Saturday. The Clogher Valley manager has to ensure that his players ‘play the game and not the occasion’ but […]