Covid restrictions to relax from tomorrow


THE Executive has today agreed an approach for relaxing the measures put in place to manage the Covid-19 Omicron variant. The Executive has agreed the following steps: From 21 January at 12 noon: In hospitality settings – the requirement to be seated whilst consuming food and/or drink and for table service in premises that provide […]

‘We need to stop violence against women and girls’


CALLS have been made to “tackle” and “stop” misogyny, sexism and violence against women and young girls across the local area following the murder of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy in Co Offaly. Hundreds attended a vigil in Clones on Friday evening in memory of the late school teacher, where a bench was also dedicated to local […]

SWAH ‘surplus capacity’ used for hip operations


PATIENTS are traveling from across the North to the SWAH for long-awaited hip replacements, as part of an arrangement to make use of the “surplus theatre capacity” at the Enniskillen hospital. It had been rumoured in the local area recently that an unused ward at SWAH had been taken over by a private health provider. […]

Fermanagh united in grief at killing of Ashling Murphy


THE PEOPLE of Fermanagh have joined in the outpouring of grief seen across Ireland in recent days following the murder of Tullamore teacher, Ashling Murphy. From Belleek to Tempo, Enniskillen to Roslea, vigils were held across the county at the weekend in memory of the talented and much loved 23-year-old who was murdered while out jogging […]

Council backs inquiry call into Covid handling in care homes


THE Council has backed by a majority vote a call by the Commissioner for Older People Eddie Lynch for a public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland care homes. He said it was time for answers and called on the Stormont Executive to instigate a public inquiry into why care home […]

Comments over Protocol challenged


CONVERSATIONS around the Protocol became a high talking point among local politicians this week after DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson warned that the North’s political and economic progress was being “fundamentally undermined” as a result of the Protocol. Speaking at the opening of a new constituency office for Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Deborah Erskine, in Enniskillen on Friday, Sir […]

Plans in the works for Necarne caravan park


PLANS are in motion to create a caravan park at the historic Necarne Estate in Irvinestown. Two years ago the Council approved a 99-year lease to Gardrum Holdings Ltd for the development of the 230-acre estate, home to Castle Irvine, as a potential holiday retreat. The plans put forward at the time centred on preserving and enhancing the […]