Farmers urged to make wellbeing a real priority


A RURAL charity that provides support for farmers across the North is hosting a series of free workshops aimed at helping those involved with the agricultural industry deal with the mounting pressures they are facing. Veronica Morris, Rural Support chief executive, said, “The farming industry continues to face many stressful factors which are outside of their […]


Fermanagh farmers have their say at major protest


FERMANAGH farmers have called for “a complete U-turn” on the proposed APR inheritance tax changes after hundreds from the county made the journey to Lisburn on Monday night for a major protest. Thousands of farmers turned out to the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn for the rally which was organised by the Ulster Farmers’ Union, […]


Fermanagh farmers anger over inheritance tax charge


AS farmers continue to digest the inheritance tax announcement in last week’s budget, fears are growing for the entire future of the local industry. Indeed, many believe the introduction of a 20 per-cent tax on combined business and agricultural assets above £1million will spell the end of generational farming, particularly in rural parts of the North. Fermanagh and […]


Tax reforms could threaten Fermanagh cab industry


FERMANAGH taxi drivers have been left fearing for the future and their livelihoods after proposed reforms to taxes and VAT threaten to deeply hamper the local and national cab industry. Many households and residents are concerned over what financial changes will be implemented when UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, sets out her next budget plans on […]


Massive pre-tax profits for Dromore company


THE parent company of Dromore firm Euro Auctions recorded a pre-tax profit of £45 million. Gardrum Holdings, the parent company for Euro Auctions and property and machinery owned by director Derek Keys, has saw a sharp rise in its revenue, in a major boost for the local economy. Companies House recently revealed that the revenue […]


Concern for Fermanagh Lakeland Forum jobs


WHILE the Council has insisted it is committed to protecting jobs, staff at the Lakeland Forum are concerned for their futures as a result of the planned redevelopment of the Enniskillen leisure centre. Major union GMB has stated it previously received assurances from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council that all jobs at the Forum would […]


Huge demand for new homes in Fermanagh


FERMANAGH estate agents have said they’re experiencing ‘very high levels of demand’ for houses from first-time buyers. Fermanagh estate agent, Niall Smyth, has said that demand within the first-time buyer sector in the county is ‘very positive’. “The key issue for first time buyers is the ability to purchase. Co-ownership is a mechanism that increases […]


O’Dowd outlines new measures to cut MOT waiting times


INFRASTRUCTURE Minister John O’Dowd has outlined several measures to tackle MOT waiting lists across the North. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Mr O’Dowd said more than 50 newly recruited examiners would start working in test centres from June. “The DVA currently has 55 MOT examiner vacancies across its network of test centres,” the minister told MLAs. “It […]


Cracks found on 16 lifts at MOT centres


HAIRLINE cracks have been found in 16 vehicle test, or MOT, lifts in the North, DUP MLA Deborah Erskine has said. The Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA and new Chair of the Infrastructure Committee said the cracks had been found in MOT testing lifts a few weeks ago. She said a similar issue in […]