New Executive and new hope for four Co Armagh Schools 🤞🏻

Plus, McNulty faces chop from the SDLP; and Markethill councillor blasts DUP

The white smoke filtered into the late night (early morning) sky early last week when the DUP confirmed plans to re-enter the Executive after two years out. There was an air of optimism on Saturday as that Executive was formed but it wasn’t without the customary controversy. Of course it wasn’t.

Justin McNulty’s double-jobbing was a problem ever since he agreed to manage Laois for a second time; this time he took on the role while still a ‘working’ MLA. It was an issue for the SDLP when he accepted the role in October – much to the surprise of his party colleagues – but there was no functioning Executive, so the issue was more moot. But it was certainly a problem on Saturday when the former All-Ireland winner left Stormont “without seeking permission”.

Hopping on a helicopter in order to beat the traffic in time for a 6pm throw-in in Wexford raised further questions. There’ll be no shifting allegiances to the Greens in the near future! Mr McNulty’s future in the party of the late, great Seamus Mallon looks ropey at best. Opting to go it alone, as an Independent, is also a possibility. Who the SDLP would co-opt in if Mr McNulty was to accept the party proposal on the table – believed to include joining the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council chamber as a councillor – is another question. There are a couple of candidates but time will tell how this all plays out for the official opposition.

Speaking of opposition, Markethill TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe, echoed the sentiments of his party leader (Jim Allister) in blasting the DUP for falling “miserably short” in seven key areas. DUP’s Newry and Armagh MLA, William Irwin, responded by saying this is “not the time for unionist disunity or infighting” and that “substantial progress” had been made towards his party's seven tests.

Meanwhile, County Armagh has landed itself with two portfolio holders in Portadown’s John O’Dowd, who will look after Infrastructure, and Camlough’s Conor Murphy, who has been tasked with the economy.

In terms of Infrastructure, momentum has really swung in the favour of the Portadown to Armagh rail link re-opening, especially given the outcome of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review which includes it in its list of recommendations. A technical study suggests the same, prompting an £800,000 windfall to help carry out a feasibility study.

But it’s education that will matter to many in Co Armagh. In early 2022, the Department of Education announced a whopping £794m investment in the Northern Ireland’s schools estate. This included new builds for St Catherine’s College in Armagh, Portadown College, Killicomaine Junior High School in Portadown, and St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook.

S. Catherine’s College in Armagh is one of those school’s which could benefit..

However, those developments were ‘paused’ last year due to a lack of funding. UK government money could well signal the waving of a green flag to have these projects begin in earnest.

History may have taught us to be cautious there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic…

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Headlines

💨 Almac signs wind power agreement to cut carbon emissions from electricity by 95%

👑 King Charles III diagnosed with cancer

⚖️ Former nurse loses appeal against jail term for mistreating patients but has sentence reduced

🟢 Long overdue environmental improvement scheme to begin in Bessbrook

😔 Funeral details announced for popular Banbridge publican Adrian Higgins

😠 Frustration aired towards Trust over failure to deliver new build for day care facility

📸 In Pictures: Armagh cut through Meath to make it back to back wins in National League

👮 25 PSNI officers injured overnight across NI including policeman bitten in Banbridge

👨‍🍳 Cookery proves perfect recipe for new friendships and skills for bereaved men in Lurgan

💷 Huge multi-million pound business park – with own link road – to be built near Dungannon

⚖️ Odhrán Kelly: Lurgan murder accused denied bail due to ‘violent history’

⚖️ Former nurse loses appeal against jail term for mistreating patients but has sentence reduced

⚽ SDLP suspend MLA Justin McNulty after leaving Stormont to manage Laois GAA

🚑 Parking ticket issued in Portadown while driver was waiting on ambulance successfully appealed

👍 Armagh legend’s personal thank you letter from ‘fellow dog lover’ PM Rishi Sunak

🚘 Trian Car Park in Armagh re-opens to public – four years after closure

⚖️ Man who resisted police and attempted to steal car handed suspended sentence

🗞️ Staff recruitment problems in planning department ‘deterring investment’, council told

🥉 Daisy Hill dietitians ranked among top three in entire UK

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Armagh Jobs

We have more new job openings on armaghjobs.com. Check them out below.

🆕 Armagh Rural Transport require a Manager.

🆕 Portadown Locksmiths are recruiting Job Planners / Administrators.

🆕 Simon Community require an Accommodation and Community Support Worker.

🆕 Campbell Bulk Haulage require an HGV Mechanic.

🆕 Kestrel Foods (Forest Feast) require a Sales Developer.

✅ J G McNicoll Insurance require a Trainee Insurance Advisor.

✅ Azil Racking & Shelving require General Operatives.

✅ Trinity Support and Care Services are recruiting for various opportunities.

✅ Armagh City Hotel are recruiting for various opportunities.

✅ Maxxpresso require a Manager for their Armagh-based drive-thru.

✅ Linwoods require an Accounts / Administration Assistant

🆕 Armagh I are recruiting for a Digital Sales Executive.

🆕 Linwoods require Casual Sales Demonstrators.

✅ Mount Charles require a Cleaning Operative for Envision, Craigavon and a Catering Assistant for Moy Park, Craigavon.

✅ Mount Charles require an Assistant Chef for Hyster Yale Craigavon.

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Job Profile

Craig McGowan is in his dream job. When Armagh Jobs put the question to him of “If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?” he replied “I’m in it.”

Craig has worked his way through the ranks with Trinity Support and Care Services, starting out as a Team Leader and now preparing to move into an Area Manager’s role.