ONLY four of the six scheduled ClubSport Harry Clarke Cup games took place on Saturday with the games at Ballynahinch Olp II and Valley Rgs II not taking place. Newcastle II eased into round three of the competition with a home win over Drumaness Res at Donard park winning 3-1 with goals coming from... Read More

GP surgeries are being inundated with patients suffering from influenza and winter bugs, and doctors warn that the worst may yet be to come. In the first seven days of the new year, the number of influenza GP consultations in Northern Ireland had doubled on the previous week, according to the Health... Read More

CROSSMAGLEN Rangers won their 10th Ulster Senior Club Championship title with a convincing 3-09 to 1-09 win over Down champions Kilcoo. The Magpies staged a second half comeback but Cross possessed too much quality and class and were deserved victors. After the match the Ulster GAA Council... Read More

THE 'Rumble in the Jungle' and the 'Thriller in Manilla' it might not quite be, but this Saturday's clash between Banbridge Town and Rathfriland Rangers is guaranteed to be every bit as riveting. Not only are local derby bragging rights on the line in this Mid-Ulster Cup second round tie, but the... Read More

MAYOBRIDGE reserves team earned a share of the spoils with Kilcoo in the opening game of the Down Premier Reserve League at Kilcoo on Sunday. This was a well-contested game with some excellent football from both sides and the final score of 3-11 to 3-11 was probably a fair enough result as neither... Read More

SILENT Valley was the venue for the launch of a new funding programme which will benefit the rich and varied landscape of the Mournes. The Heritage Lottery Fund's Landscape Partnership programme supports partnerships to protect and manage some of the UK's most outstanding and treasured landscapes.... Read More

Whether you want to kick start the new year's resolution to lose weight, stop smoking or simply want to relax in a hot shower, your local Gordons Chemists has literally hundreds of your favourite top to toe brands to help you beat the blues in their January sale. If 2013 is the year you're... Read More

THE Carnbane League is set to investigate an allegation of racism. The League has confirmed to the Democrat that it is awaiting an official complaint in writing from Newry Hibernians, which will be fully investigated once received. The move follows a verbal complaint being lodged with the referee at... Read More

IT'S nearly time to deck the halls and dust down the jingle bells as Banbridge District once again prepare for a holly jolly Christmas. While a white Christmas may not be guaranteed, you can be sure of a hamper full of festive fun and seasonal cheer right across the district. It may still be six... Read More

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KILKEEL Residential Care Home Slieve Roe, is still unaware of its fate on whether they will be forced to close or not. The Southern Trust had previously announced that it would shut all of its NHS residential care homes, but Health Minister Edwin Poots has back-tracked on his decision following... Read More

COMEBACK specialists Down grabbed two late goals to win the Tesco Homegrown National League Division Three final and earn promotion to Division Two, breaking Armagh hearts in the process at Parnell Park on Saturday. This script might not have been quite as dramatic as their triumph in last month's... Read More

AS polling day in the Crossmaglen / Creggan Upper United Ireland mock referendum edges closer, a series of events have been taking place in the area to highlight the campaign. On Sunday around 60 people participated in a 10K run to highlight the event while another 30 took part in a 2K family walk.... Read More

TWO Rathfriland Rangers players have been selected in the Northern Amateur Football League (NAFL) squad for the Jack Britton Rosebowl clash in Scotland this Saturday (11 May). The club's top scorer Ally Wilson and centre-half Conor Larkin both received call-ups to represent Northern Ireland's... Read More

Valley Rangers 2. Ballymacash Rangers 2. VALLEY Rangers battled out a two all draw with the newly-crowned Intermediate B champions Ballymacash Rangers at Bingian Park on Saturday afternoon. There was a large crowd in the Ballinran venue, home to Valley Rangers, with a significant contingent... Read More

IN their first season playing Senior football in the Armagh league, Shane O'Neill's have recorded their first win in convincing style over the vastly experienced Dromintee team, albeit a team with a lot of young faces. O'Neill's ambitions this season are modest. "We drew our first match and lost... Read More

KILLEAVY United had one hand on the Premier Division Cup on Thusday evening when they defeated rivals Windmill Stars in a hard-fought encounter in Killeavy. The 1-0 victory put Killeavy in top spot for the first time this season and left them needing only one win from their two remaining games... Read More

DEFIANT residents at Cloughreagh House have been given a stay of execution after the Health Minister scrapped Southern Trust plans to close the facility. But the long-term future of the Bessbrook residential home remains uncertain as Edwin Poots said the closure policy had not changed, but rather... Read More

MOURNES Councillor Henry Reilly has called for a public inquiry into the Narrow Water Bridge project after a draft Order, which could see Carlingford Lough closed to maritime traffic, was published. The Department of Regional Development recently published a draft Bridge Order and a draft Diversion... Read More

What it cost: Policing costs Officers required Banbridge 11/01/13 £4,163.42 31 Moneyslane 20/12/12 £4,151.62 33 Kilkeel 11/01/13 £4,100.42 23 Banbridge 07/12/12 £1,900.38 17 Kilkeel 10/12/12 £1,579.85 15 Rathfriland 12/12/12 £1,526.65... Read More

THE hardship fund agreed by the Agriculture Minister must extend to include those farmers who weren't affected by the loss of animals in the recent snow storms, writes Caroline Mackin. This was the call made by councillors at a recent meeting of Newry and Mourne District Council, who stressed that... Read More

AFTER the recent cancellations Dromara travelled to Belfast to play strengthened East Belfast and Grove sides but came away with nothing to show for it, losing narrowly 2-1 to East Belfast and 4-1 to a strong Grove side. Saturday, 13 April saw them host second-placed East Belfast and with four... Read More

ON one Saturday six years ago, Rathfriland man Stewart Rowland was running around a football pitch in Kilkeel, his thoughts only on refereeing the game going on around him. But within moments, something occurred that would have a huge impact on the next 12 months of his life and beyond. Despite... Read More

A WAR of words has broken out between two former party colleagues over an event commemorating the Easter Rising. Ulster Unionist councillor David Taylor has said he is "surprised and disappointed" that South Down MLA and former UUP member John McCallister "sponsored" a Sinn Fein event at Stormont... Read More

DUP South Down MLA Jim Wells has strongly welcomed the decision of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive not to permit Trinity Housing Association to access its proposed social housing development on the old Mourne Hospital site through Ben Crom Place in Kilkeel. “I am delighted that the Housing... Read More

THE Swifts finally got a chance to play some competitive football again on Saturday past by entertaining high flying Annagh Utd at Ingram park. In only their fourth game since Christmas and first in six weeks it was sure to be a tough game for the locals especially given the fact that they were... Read More

TWO young women are planning to leave their luxuries behind to volunteer at a children's village in Uganda. In what is sure to be a life-affirming experience for them both, Aisling McConville (25) and 21-year-old Ella Gracey will spend two weeks living and working in the New Beginnings Children's... Read More

SHOPPERS in Newry are divided over the new carrier bag tax that came into effect yesterday. People are now being charged 5p per bag they use in an attempt by the Department of Environment to dramatically reduce the number of plastic bags used each year by 80 per cent. The tax is due to double next... Read More

DAISY Hill's infant intensive care provision has been branded "unacceptable" after the Southern Health and Social Care Trust confirmed the hospital's Neonatal service has no dedicated High Dependency infant cot. In all, the hospital has just six special care cots. Of those, only one operates as a... Read More

LEAGUE leaders Swifts Reserves travelled to Donacloney with the aim of pressing closer to silverware, a return to action after postponements would test both sides. A large pitch by the river Bann was the setting for what turned out to be an unexpected battle. The visitors started well, pressing the... Read More

NEWRY and Mourne District Council is pleased to announce the final completion of the Mourne Coastal Route. The project involved significant upgrades to five amenity areas. These were at Narrow Water, Ross Monument, Donaghaguy, Whitewater and Millbay. A total of £283k was spent across the five... Read More

Warrenpoint got their promotion push back on track after thumping Loughall away from home on Saturday. Dundela, who currently lie one point and one place above Warrenpoint in the Championship One table could only muster a draw with Larne while Institute went down to a solitary Bangor strike at the... Read More

DOWN looked like a Division Two outfit for the duration of the second-half against Dublin and the result at Croke Park on Saturday night means that's exactly where the Mourne men will be plying their trade next year in the National League. Not for the first time this year, Down failed to score for a... Read More

BANBRIDGE Seconds travelled to St Peter's GAA in Lurgan on Wednesday, 13 March to play against Clan Eireann for the final time in their B2 league. This would be a tough match as the previous two matches had seen both teams win one game each. Bann started strong with excellent defensive work from GD... Read More

A RATHFRILAND man who set fire to his own home, causing severe smoke damage to his neighbour's homes, has been sentenced. Dale McDowell appeared before Newry Crown Court last week in a wheelchair. The court heard that McDowell, by his own admission, lit the corner of a duvet with a lighter after... Read More

A LEISURELY stroll along the Newry Canal Towpath outside Gilford turned into a rescue mission after rising flood waters stranded a man for almost two hours. Keith Todd, who walks regularly on the towpath, had been out for a walk on Saturday afternoon. “I was walking along towards Portadown and... Read More

BOTH DOWN and Armagh look likely to be relegated. Down were comprehensively defeated by Dublin at Croke Park on Saturday night, meaning they are all but doomed to life in Division Two. Only a huge home win over Kildare coupled with heavy defeats for two of Donegal, Mayo or Kerry will see Down safe.... Read More

THE Mourne Highflyers and Mourne Liveswires travelled to Mossvale, Dromara, to participate in the final night of the Horseware Junior Showjumping League. Both of these teams have been consistent throughout the last five months with the Highflyers sitting in pole position with a two point lead and... Read More

BUDGETARY constraints continue to be the sticking point for a lack of progress on a 'one-stop-shop' health complex in Rathfriland. It had originally been hoped in 2011 that the completion of a new £4.5 million health complex would be reached by September of this year. However, that date has come... Read More

ST LOUIS lost their star man at the beginning of the second half and with it, their chances of winning the McLarnon Cup final. The Kilkeel side could still have won it when referee Cathal O'Hagan awarded a penalty to them on 59 minutes. James Reilly wrong-footed the goalkeeper but his effort... Read More

THE trial of a former scout leader accused of 70 counts of historical sex abuse against four boys has lost its second juror in two weeks. The trial - which has been hit by a series of setbacks, including the scrapping of the original hearing after its jury was dismissed for legal reasons - was once... Read More

CONCERNED parents have been left fearing for their children's safety after it was revealed that there will be one less crossing patrol in Rathfriland town centre from next month. As from Monday, 8 April, SELB transport has confirmed that the crossing patrol at the top of John Street will cease,... Read More

CROSSMAGLEN are searching for a new boss after their management team of Tony McEntee and Gareth O'Neill stepped down from senior duties last week. McEntee and O'Neill guided Crossmaglen to two All-Ireland club titles and three successive Ulster titles before being narrowly beaten by St Brigid's of... Read More

A NEWRY man is suspected of carrying out a violent sexual assault against a stranger he snatched from the street. Daniel Martin James Carroll, whose address is listed by the court as being Francis Hughes Park, Belleeks - which the Democrat understands is in fact an address he was previously bailed... Read More

ULSTER Unionist councillor Glenn Barr has remained coy about the prospect of challenging John McCallister for his seat in the next Stormont elections. Following Mr McCallister's formation of a new and as-yet-unnamed moderate pro-union party with fellow ex-UUP colleague Basil McCrea, speculation has... Read More

THE trial against a former scout leader from Bessbrook has reopened after being aborted earlier in the year when the jury was discharged for legal reasons. Colin Finnegan, who now has an address at Stonehill Mews, Lurgan, but spent most of his life in Bessbrook, is accused of 70 counts of sexual... Read More

FOLLOWING last week's meeting in the league, these two sides came together to contest for a place in the semi-final of the prestigious Alan Wilson Cup. Valley had won last week's game at a canter and there is no doubt that the home side were very determined not to let that happen in this cup game.... Read More

NURSERY provision at Drumadonnell Primary School will be catered for come September, despite planning permission for the new unit hitting a brick wall, just six months before it is due to open. The Department for Education approved a development proposal for the establishment of a 26 part-time... Read More

ONE of the greatest players to ever play gaelic football, Oisin McConville, has called time on his playing career and revealed that the only senior teams he would like to manage are Crossmaglen and Armagh - but not this year. The 37-year-old has been an inspiration on and off the pitch, playing a... Read More

BUSINESS owners across the district reacted with dismay when the council announced that rates would increase by 1.3 per cent earlier this month. However, the Citizens Advice Bureau has revealed that an article in the Northern Ireland Rates order (1977) allows for a discount in rates under certain... Read More

A HAT-TRICK from substitute Stevie Coulter spurred Rathfriland Rangers on to overcome relegation-threatened Bangor Rangers at Newforge, in what was undoubtedly a game of two very different halves. Coulter's three, along with a Decky Allister double and a glorious team goal finished off by Ally... Read More

MONEYSLANE First team travelled to their bogey team on Saturday, Lurgan Town who they had yet to beat in any competitive game and 'Slane put in a fine display and maybe one of their best performances of the season so far with a dazzling attacking display. ‘Slane started the game with two regulars... Read More

SOUTH Down MLA John McCallister has said his constituents "will not be left wanting" following his resignation from the Ulster Unionist Party. In a somewhat unsurprising move, Mr McCallister announced his resignation last Thursday night on a current affairs programme, closely followed by former... Read More

FORMER Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister will remain in politics and intends to contest the next Assembly elections in South Down following his shock resignation from the party. The former Deputy Leader quit on Thursday night following after the UUP and DUP endorsed a unionist unity candidate... Read More

NEWRY and Mourne Council is discriminating against Protestants. That's the view of Councillor Henry Reilly who was speaking at a special council meeting called to agree the rates tariff for 2013. During a series of outbursts the UKIP councillor described Sinn Fein and the SDLP as sectarian, refused... Read More

RATHFRILAND entertained fellow title contenders Sirocco at the Billy Neill Playing Fields and probably produced their best performance of the year to hammer Sirocco 8-2. A game that was very much in doubt right up to the whistle due to water on the pitch finally got the go ahead after excellent... Read More

THE striking of the new district rate provoked some disagreement between councillors. The rate impacting ratepayers living in Banbridge District Council was set at 2.2 per cent last Monday night (4 February). However, the decision-making did result in some disagreement. Rates bills are... Read More

FOR THE second week in succession Down's poor second-half showing meant that they lost a game they were winning at half-time. Their opposition may have been All-Ireland champions, Donegal on Saturday night but the fact that it took 28 minutes for Down to register a second-half score will doubtlessly... Read More

MOURNE Presbyterian Church has penned an open letter to South Down MP Margaret Ritchie urging her to vote against a government proposal to redefine marriage. Legislation to legalise gay marriage will be voted on in the House of Commons today (Tuesday), and is expected to spark intense debate between... Read More

A SECOND-HALF fight-back from Tyrone condemned Down to defeat in their opening Division One fixture of the National League. Down were completely dominant in the first half and were markedly better than their two point lead at the break indicated. However, in the second half, the Mourne men visibly... Read More

It was stressed in court that, while Fr Rafferty had pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault, his plea was made on the basis that, when the relationship began, the complainant was below the then age of consent, which was, at that time, 17. During the period in question - June 2001 until... Read More

RNLI lifeboats were launched 17 times from Kilkeel station last year, rescuing 14 people in the process. Annual statistics released by the charity also show that 18 people were assisted by RNLI lifeguards in Newry and Mourne. In 2012, the RNLI launched a total of 255 times to a variety of call-outs... Read More

COCAINE with a street value of up to £135,000 was being smuggled into Northern Ireland when police stopped a car outside Banbridge, a court heard on Wednesday. On January 11, a Mercedes car stopped on the A1 dual carriageway by detectives was found to contain a parcel of the drug hidden in the boot... Read More

DOWN boss James McCartan admitted that heavy defeats to Mayo and Donegal in last year's Championship inspired him to continue in the managerial hot-seat, writes Ciaran Daly. “I suppose if Donegal had beaten us by two points and Mayo had beaten us by three I probably would've walked away, to tell... Read More

CATHAL Jennings gave a magnificent performance to win an All-Ireland boxing Championship title - and has been tipped for Commonwealth glory. The Sacred Heart 17-year-old travelled to Dublin's National Stadium on Saturday and defeated Adam Caffrey, a high-class opponent from Rush, Dublin to win the... Read More

POLITICAL representatives from south Down have urged the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to approve funding for the Narrow Water Bridge and not risk jeopardising the project. More than €17m has already been secured from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) for the bridge with a further €4m being... Read More

BANBRIDGE suffered the second setback in their All-Ireland League campaign when Dublin side Terenure inflicted a four-try defeat in last Saturday's game played at a gloomy Lakelands Park. The sides had gone into the fixture with identical records, having each won six of their seven games played.... Read More

COULD Rathfriland be set for a special presidential visit this summer? It seems an appearance by the 44th President of the United States may just be on the cards, all thanks to Annaclone pioneer Catherine O'Hare. This June world leaders will meet in Enniskillen for the G8 Summit and while here,... Read More

INVESTMENT in Daisy Hill Hospital flies in the face of fears that it faces "terminal decline". That's the message from Southern Health and Social Care Trust Chief Executive, Mairead McAlinden. She has hit back at claims made by SDLP councillor Connaire McGreevy regarding the Transforming Your Care... Read More

CONCERNS about the possible implications of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) were discussed in Newry and Mourne Council. Kilkeel councillor Henry Reilly voiced his concerns that the review of the CFP could lead to huge quantities of commercially unviable fish being dumped on the... Read More

ARMAGH manager Paul Grimley has hit out at his predecessors for allowing the Orchard County to drift, ahead of the winner takes all clash against Down on Wednesday night. Despite losing to Cavan on Saturday evening, Armagh can qualify for the Dr McKenna Cup semi-final if they beat Down by four... Read More

AROUND 150 people participated in a white line picket in Newry on Saturday in support of Stephen Murney. The Newry man and local spokesperson for the socialist republican party éirígí has been held in Maghaberry prison since December following the discovery of two BB guns, three military style... Read More

THE Swifts Reserves began the New Year with a top of the table clash at Iveagh Park against second-placed Banbridge AFC Reserves, the points on offer playing a big part in the destination of the title. The home side were keen to start brightly and dictate the tempo of the game, attacks from wide... Read More

MOURNES councillor Henry Reilly has hit out at Roads Service for their "slow response" to repairing potholes and serious faults on rural roads. Councillor Reilly said he has been contacted by a number of residents about potholes and debris on roads in Kilkeel and Annalong. “I have been inundated... Read More

A RESIDENTS group opposed to plans for a car ferry service from Greencastle to Greenore have claimed that the £6m project could ruin the area's rich natural history. Earlier this month the Democrat reported that Carlingford Ferries were preparing to submit planning applications on both sides of the... Read More

SOUTH Down MLA Jim Wells is hoping to draw on the "excellent" Cuban health care model to improve Northern Ireland's system when he becomes health minister later this month. The DUP MLA was speaking to The Outlook after a recent visit to the Caribbean island country when he was part of a... Read More

POLICE investigating the murder of Michaela McAreavey are believed to have identified a suspect, five months after reopening the investigation. Mrs McAreavey was murdered in the Legends Hotel in Port Louis while on honeymoon in January 2011. The suspect was named in an interim report by the... Read More

CAMLOUGH Rovers' Mid-Ulster Premier Cup dream was shattered after they lost to an efficient Tandragee Rovers in Banbridge on Thursday. The south Armagh side squandered numerous chances and should have been at least 3-0 up at the break and Tandragee, who scored twice on the break from two... Read More

ON Saturday, 15th December Banbridge U16s travelled to Lisburn Racquets Club to play Kingsway in the NNI Junior league. With a strong starting seven taking the court, Banbridge still knew that they had to work hard against Kingsway who have always had a reputation of being a strong and skilful team.... Read More

SOUTHERN Regional College recently launched the all new Performance Coaching in Gaelic Games course at Armagh Campus, having partnered with the Ulster GAA Council to offer this nationally recognised qualification which is accredited through the Open College Network Northern Ireland. This course will... Read More

CONCERN has been raised over the future of the Trust's residential care homes in the area. Several consultations have been launched by the Department for Health and Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) in relation to a proposed change in health care which would see more and more people being... Read More

ABBEY CBS Newry and St Paul's High School Bessbrook were among the 2012-3 Danske Bank Ulster Colleges' Football All Stars announced last week. The two teams face each other in the MacRory Cup quarter-finals in February next year and Bosco's Aaron Beattie and Killeavy's Jamie Cosgrove impressed in... Read More

TWO men who ran a sandwich bar in a Newry shopping centre have been disqualified from directing a company for five years after running up debts of almost £700,000. Eric Annett from Ardaragh Road in Newry and Michael McLoughlin from Lisnagowan Road in Dungannon admitted allowing their company,... Read More

THE C.E. Stevenson Motors Christmas shoot took place at Ballyvea Gun Club on Saturday. Conditions were very good throughout the day and 36 lines were shot. This is the fifth year that CE Stevenson Motors have been the sponsors of the Christmas shoot and the club is grateful for their generous... Read More

A NEWRY priest will be sentenced in January on four counts of indecent assault on a female after his case was adjourned for pre-sentence report, writes Claire Treanor. Fr Terry Rafferty, a well-known and popular priest in the Dromore Diocese, was suspended from his duties in May last year after... Read More

CONFUSION remains over the ownership of a World War II 'pillbox' in Downpatrick Street, Rathfriland after concerns were raised by councillors over its condition and appearance. Knockiveagh UUP Councillor Elizabeth Ingram raised the issue after seeing the pillbox, which is beside the bus depot, in a... Read More

A NEW look Newry City won't be playing in the League of Ireland next year, as they plan to rebuild for next season. A public meeting will take place at the Showgrounds social club on Tuesday (December 18) at 7.30pm, to discuss the future of Newry City FC, however any hopes of playing summer football... Read More

HALF of all pensioners living in Newry and Mourne cannot afford to heat their homes adequately this winter, a new report has revealed, writes Brian Hyland. And the president of the St Joseph's Convent branch of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Newry has warned that many low income families and single... Read More

IN the space of four years, the number of sex offenders living in Banbridge District has almost doubled. As of last month, there were 22 on the Sex Offenders Register in the wider council area, an increase of 10 from 2008. The Outlook obtained the figures in a Freedom of Information enquiry to... Read More

IT COULD be a dark Christmas in Kilkeel after the town's Christmas tree lights were vandalised at the weekend, writes Louise McDowell. It is thought that between the hours of Saturday night and early Sunday morning, the lights and wiring on the tree were pulled off, leading to the lights being out... Read More

WARRENPOINT went so close. With just two minutes left at Armagh's Athletic Grounds in the Ulster Intermediate Final on Sunday the Seasiders led by a point - with rivals Cookstown down to 14 men. And indeed they had a good opportunity to double their advantage. But it wasn't to be. The... Read More

Rathfriland Rangers 5. Downshire YM 1. NAFL DIVISION 1B. RATHFRILAND Rangers hosted Downshire YM in a league fixture at Iveagh Park on Saturday and after a very complete performance ran out 5-1 winners against a determined Downshire YM side. Had it not been for the brilliance of the... Read More

A YEAR of centenary celebrations has drawn to a close for one of Newry's first scouting groups. But the memories will live on in a specially created book chronicling the anniversary activities that have taken place throughout 2012 and a museum dedicated to the 1st Newry Earl Kilmorey Scout Group.... Read More

A NEWRY woman whose home was targeted in a horrendous attack has blasted Newry Courthouse over the sentences handed down to those who smashed their way into her home and assaulted her, her 15-year-old son and his friend. In the early hours of Saturday, February 18 Nicholas Parkes, Patrick Ward and... Read More

A NEWRY woman, who lives in New York, is still without electricity or water a week after Superstorm Sandy hit the city. Speaking to The Outlook, 27-year-old Grace Smith said the aftermath of the storm has been much worse than the hurricane itself, as anger and frustration spreads across the city.... Read More

BURREN won a thrilling O'Neill's All County Division One League Final against Mayobridge at Pairc Esler on Friday evening. In a goal-crazy game, the St Mary's side deserved their win as they hit four net-busters and in truth they had quite a few other chances for three-pointers; although Mayobridge... Read More

In the programme, McCullough is referred to as "the original Jack Sparrow", as he sailed the West Indies where it is believed he captured ships and bounty which he would send back to ports in the US. In the episode which aired on American channel, PBS, on Sunday, 25 March, Gates Jr showed Harry a... Read More