to serve first terms as Non-Executive Members on the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and operating Warrenpoint Port to the highest standards of efficiency and security to the benefit of all stakeholders.  “I am pleased to announce these important appointments.  I am confident that Joanne Jane and Alistair will use their combined significant skills and experience to aid the Executive team and enhance the Board in the task of operating maintaining and improving the harbour in the years ahead.”   Jane Chambers has had a long career in contracting Chartered Environmentalist and Chartered Water and Environmental Manager with a Masters’ Degree in Civil Engineering she has been a Belfast Harbour Commissioner with remuneration of £25,900.  This tenure will end before Jane takes up her new position.  She holds no other public appointments Alistair spent his career in the Irish Sea Ferry industry as part of the small team that founded Seatruck Ferries in 1996 He stepped down from his role as Managing Director in 2024 Alistair has an in-depth knowledge of the shipping ports and logistics industry.  Alistair is also a (pro Bono) Trustee of the Morecambe Bay Partnership   He holds no other public appointments Ms Joanne Jennings is a highly experienced economic development and strategy management consultant with a “Big Four” background from Deloitte.  She has longstanding experience working on boards on a voluntary basis including East Belfast and Townsend Enterprise centres Helm Housing and the Association of Town Centre Management She has held Chief Executive roles in Liverpool ONE and Belfast City Centre Management Company and has also served as Chair of the NI region of the Association of Town Centre Management.  She holds no other public appointments at present This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page A Warrenpoint property has been damaged after what is believed to have been an accelerant was ignited at the front door in the early hours of yesterday Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a fire at the property in the Forth Avenue area of Warrenpoint along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received and responded to the report just before 3.20am we believe an accelerant was poured at the front door of the property before being set alight Damage was caused to the door and the inside of the property  who were inside the property at the time were taken to hospital for treatment there have been no reports of any serious injuries at this stage." Police are appealing to anyone who may have any information You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org Crotlieve District Electoral Area Forum (DEA) in partnership with County Down Rural Community Network (CDRCN) and Warrenpoint Women’s Group was delighted to host a visit of the Action Cancer Big Bus to Warrenpoint on Thursday 6 March.  The Big Bus offers two comprehensive health services designed to help individuals better understand their health risks and take proactive steps toward a healthier future The services offered include Breast Screening and Health Checks both critical for early detection and preventive care The demand for these essential services has been overwhelming with 21 Breast Screening slots and 11 Health Check appointments fully booked in record time This strong response highlights the significant need for accessible health services and demonstrates how crucial early intervention and regular health assessments are for the community “I am delighted to welcome the Action Cancer Big Bus to Warrenpoint and Saval People in the area had the opportunity to visit the Big Bus and get help and information to assist them in making improved lifestyle choices I am grateful that in association with Action Cancer and CDRCN Crotlieve DEA has been able to offer what could be a life changing appointment to residents in both areas.” provides mammograms—an x-ray procedure that detects very small cancers before they cause symptoms or can be felt Action Cancer is the only charity in the UK and Ireland to offer breast screening to women aged 40 – 49 and 70 plus who fall outside the NHS age range They have been screening women in Northern Ireland for breast cancer since 1978 offering services that have saved countless lives The second service offers a 20-minute health check This convenient and accessible appointment includes four key tests that provide important insights into an individual’s overall health and potential risks The Blood Pressure test measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries it can strain both the arteries and the heart increasing the likelihood of heart attacks as high cholesterol can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries raising the risk of serious cardiovascular issues High glucose levels can indicate an increased risk of developing diabetes the health check includes a Body Composition analysis carried out through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) basal metabolic rate and visceral fat—fat that surrounds internal organs and is associated with increased health risks The Big Bus also provides a lifestyle review and cancer awareness information offering guidance on how to improve overall health and reduce the risk of various diseases The Big Bus continues to play a vital role in delivering high-quality health care to individuals helping to ensure that they stay informed and take necessary steps to protect their long-term wellbeing Dr Gerard O’Hare has been appointed as Chair on the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority for a second term The appointment took effect on 1 February 2025 for a maximum of four years and security to the benefit of all stakeholders “I welcome this important appointment.  I am certain that Gerard will continue in his valuable leadership role maximising the potential of the Port as a driver for economic development and providing opportunities for growth.”  The appointment was made by the former Infrastructure Minister before he took on the role of Minister of Finance is currently Managing Director of The Parker Green Group He is also a Director of The Garrison Group which is leading on a major FDI OMF project for UK and Ireland Gerard is also a Founding Trustee and Board Member of  the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (ANNI) Charity and immediate past Chair for which he received no remuneration Dr O’Hare was also deputy Chair of Invest NI from 2012 – 2020 and a Board Member at Belfast Harbour Commissioners from 2012 – 2021 Gerard was first appointed Chair of WHA in February 2021 and has extensive relevant experience to the operation of the Harbour Authority including leadership and working in partnership and governance oversight.  He holds no other public appointments A total of four cruise ships are set for Warrenpoint this summer bringing more than 1,500 passengers to the picturesque seaside town One of the ships will call three times over the season making a total of six visits to the port will bring almost 700 passengers when it docks at Warrenpoint 27 August as part of its 'Intensive Ireland' voyage around the coast of Ireland French liner Le Boreal will call at Warrenpoint 20 May followed by visits from Island Sky The Port’s schedule marks the first cruise ships to dock in Warrenpoint since 2023 with Le Bellot on course to visit on three occasions taking the total cruise calls this year to six In advance of the Cruise Liner visits getting underway Warrenpoint Harbour Authority is working with Excursions Ireland Mourne and Down Council and the Warrenpoint Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce to prepare for the mostly American cruise passengers and help create opportunities for local businesses to benefit from the increased footfall to the town Speaking about the exciting season ahead David Holmes Chief Executive of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority said: “We look forward to welcoming six cruise calls this year which presents an exciting opportunity to showcase Warrenpoint as a memorable destination for cruise ships and maritime tourism creating opportunities for local businesses.” “Many of these vessels including Le Boreal and Azamara are returning visitors to the Port and we are working collaboratively with our partners in the Council and local Chamber as well as engaging with the Warrenpoint Harbour Community Forum to maximise opportunities for businesses in the town and ensure a warm Warrenpoint welcome to all passengers and crew in the months ahead." Residents and the wider community will have plenty of chances to see the ships sailing in and out of the Port Each cruise call is facilitated by long-time Port tenants Armagh Logistics Mourne and Down Council Pete Byrne added: "The arrival of these cruise liners to Warrenpoint this year bringing over 1,500 passengers to our shores marks a significant milestone for the district This not only showcases our region as a premier maritime destination but also provides a substantial boost to our local economy We eagerly welcome these visitors to the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark and look forward to sharing our rich heritage said: “Excursions Ireland is thrilled to announce our continued commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our clients visiting Warrenpoint Thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Development team in the region we are delighted to extend our offerings with new exciting tours within the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark “We are especially excited to collaborate with Warrenpoint Port and all the key partners involved in bringing these magnificent ships to our shores I am personally enthusiastic about the growing relationship between Warrenpoint Port and the cruise industry.” “Excursions Ireland is dedicated to delivering unforgettable journeys that showcase the natural beauty and rich heritage of this stunning area and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors to experience the wonders of Warrenpoint and beyond.” For details on arrival and departure times for each cruise call, visit www.warrenpointport.com has announced a recruitment campaign to appoint a Chair and Three Non-Executive Members to the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) Warrenpoint Harbour is one of North’s main commercial ports Its geographic position constitutes a major strategic advantage located halfway on the main strategic network of the Belfast to Dublin economic corridor “These are key positions and I would encourage anyone who considers that they meet the criteria for the posts and feel that they want to make a positive contribution to the work of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority to apply.” The current remuneration is approximately £24,225 per annum (under review) for the Chair based on anticipated attendance of four business days per month and approximately £8,275 per annum for Members based on anticipated attendance of two business days per month The Members/Chair will be expected to attend Board meetings and other ad hoc meetings as required This may involve a commitment both inside and outside of normal working hours including representing WHA at occasional evening engagements The appointments will be effective from 1 February 2025 for a four-year term Applications will be welcomed from all sections of the community people with disabilities and people from ethnic minority communities are currently under-represented on DfI Boards Applications from members of these groups would be particularly welcome You can access the application pack at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/public-appointment-vacancies or at www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/dfi-public-appointments under current opportunities Alternatively contact the DfI Public Appointments Unit: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced the switching on of a new £40,000 pedestrian PUFFIN crossings on the A2 Seaview Another system was also put in place in Dundrum “The locations are popular crossing points on the A2 road These crossings will improve road safety for pedestrians and in particular vulnerable road users such as children The decision to provide PUFFIN Crossings is based upon criteria relating to the number of pedestrians crossing the road and the volume of vehicles using it to ensure that crossings are located where there is the greatest demand and where they will provide the most road safety benefit The major differences between PUFFINS and Pelican crossings are that PUFFINS have the red/green man on the push button unit beside the pedestrian; there is no flashing amber signal to drivers – they are held on a red signal until pedestrians have completed their crossing and the time for pedestrians to cross the road can be extended by sensors which detect people still on the crossing Drivers also benefit from PUFFINS when a pedestrian pushes the push button and then moves away the demand for the green man is cancelled so drivers do not experience an unnecessary delay Treanor (Warrenpoint and formerly Drumalane Newry) died 20th April 2025 peacefully at Daisy Hill Hospital Loving husband of Kathleen and much loved father of James Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul His remains will repose in Charles Digney & Sons Funeral Home  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10.30am in St Telephone: 028 3025 1220 England) and (Warrenpoint) who passed away on 6th December in England and following his funeral service which took place on 18th December a Memorial Mass and Celebration of his life will take place in St Peters Church followed by refreshments in The Whistledown Hotel The service will be live streamed for those that cannot attend in person Please visit https://churchmedia.tv/st-peters-church-1/ to watch on the day loyalty and kindness touched everyone who knew him Dr O’Hare was first appointed Chair of WHA in February 2021 and has extensive relevant experience to the operation of the Harbour Authority three Councillor Non-Executive Members and two Executive Members The Members of the WHA Board currently receive remuneration of £8,275 per annum and the Chair £24,225 per annum Dr O'Hare is currently Managing Director of The Parker Green Group Gerard is also a Founding Trustee and Board Member of the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (ANNI) Charity and immediate past Chair for which he received no remuneration He was also deputy Chair of Invest NI from 2012 – 2020 and a Board Member at Belfast Harbour Commissioners from 2012 – 2021 Gerard  He holds no other public appointments The appointment made by former Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd took effect on 1 February 2025 for a maximum of four years Minister Liz Kimmins said: “I welcome this important appointment I am certain that Gerard will continue in his valuable leadership role maximising the potential of the Port as a driver for economic development and providing opportunities for growth.” A new coffee shop is opening in Warrenpoint next week courtesy of mother and daughter duo Nuala and Aisling King located on Duke Street in the seaside town will open next Thursday 20 March The pair are no strangers to the hospitality business having run Sweet Pea Café for 12 years in the town "We’re so excited to share our passion for fresh food and coffee with the community,” says Nuala “This coffee shop represents not just our love for quality ingredients and homemade offerings but also our understanding of how important it is to take time out of our busy lives to enjoy the simple things.” Whether you're in the mood for a specialty coffee Sweet Pea will be the perfect place to unwind Sweet Pea’s indoor seating and covered terrace at the back offer the ideal spot to chill in the peaceful surroundings From matcha drinks to homemade gluten-free desserts Sweet Pea Coffee shop is located at 8 Duke Street WARRENPOINT Town defeated Portstewart by two first half goals at Milltown to secure the Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League title and promotion back to the Championship It is a massive achievement for the south Down club who have had to bounce back from hard times in recent years but under the management of Gary Boyle they have given the area a great boost with football in the championship WARRENPOINT Town defeated Portstewart by two first half goals at Milltown to secure the Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League title and promotion back to the Championship Neighbours Newry City look to be going the other direction and dropping from the Championship into the Intermediate League following the weekends defeat in must win game against Newington with manager Darren Mullen stating that he will step down at the end of season which he can hold his head up after taking the City side over 400 games But back to the Seasiders to who played at Milltown on Saturday and Declan Loye opened the scoring for ‘Point on 18 minutes with a header past keeper Paul Wells after Diarmuid O’Hanlon had sent the ball over from the wing a superb run from Eoghan Byrne brought him into the box to send a powerful finish into the bottom corner Share your opinions on Alpha Newspaper Group The stage is set for what will be the largest ever sporting event held in Northern Ireland Stay connected to us to get the latest news and updates Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has appointed Joanne Jennings Jane Chambers and Alistair Eagles to serve first terms as Non-Executive Members on the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Speaking on the appointments Minister Kimmins said: “I am pleased to announce these important appointments maintaining and improving the harbour in the years ahead.” Warrenpoint Harbour Authority currently have a membership of a Chair The Authority is responsible for developing Jane Chambers is a Chartered Civil Engineer Chartered Environmentalist and Chartered Water and Environmental Manager with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering she has been a Belfast Harbour Commissioner with remuneration of £25,900  This tenure will end before Jane takes up her new position  Alistair is also a (pro Bono) Trustee of the Morecambe Bay Partnership Ms Joanne Jennings is a highly experienced economic development and strategy management consultant with a “Big Four” background from Deloitte  She has longstanding experience working on boards on a voluntary basis She has held Chief Executive roles in Liverpool ONE and Belfast City Centre Management Company and has also served as Chair of the NI region of the Association of Town Centre Management  She holds no other public appointments at present Local Warrenpoint company Oceanauts Diving has won the Newry Mourne and Down District Council local heat of Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch earning a place in the grand final next month who was awarded £1,000 for the local heat win will now be in with a chance of taking home a further £5,000 in investment for their business idea in the competition organised by Go Succeed After 15 years of professionally diving around the world Dain decided to start a diving centre in his native Warrenpoint Situated on the shores of Carlingford Lough Dain wants to help people to discover the beauty beneath the surface of Ireland’s eastern coastline Dain made the ‘Ultimate Pitch’ to a panel of judges from across the business and civic communities whose business Thredmark was chosen for the Impact Award who won the Rising Star Award and David Barr of Mindful Movement for Health who won the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award Regeneration and Tourism Committee Chairperson who attended on behalf of Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne said "We are immensely proud to see local businesses like Oceanauts Diving excel in initiatives like Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch This competition highlights the innovation and determination of entrepreneurs in our district and we wish Dain ongoing success as he moves forward to the regional final in November” we are dedicated to creating an environment where businesses of all sizes and industries can thrive We remain committed to supporting our pitchers and other local entrepreneurs on their paths to growth." Local heats are taking place in each of Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas every week throughout October and November The local winners will progress to the final with an overall winner announced at a special event in November coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week as the 11 Ultimate Pitch finalists will also be in the running to win the ‘People’s Choice Award’ which gives them the chance to vote for their favourite pitch via Go Succeed’s social media channels In addition to an overall winner who will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award special category prizes will include the Go Succeed Impact Award the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award and the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16–25-year-old entrepreneur winners will receive a package of support including marketing and other business support services The final will take place in Innovation Factory Go Succeed (www.go-succeed.com) is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils with easy-to-access advice and support including mentoring access to grant funding and a business plan Campaign group Rostrevor Action Respecting the Environment (RARE) have written a letter to local political figures Government departments and Council officials along well as the Audit Office to highlight what they say are "multiple examples of “Fraud Risks/Red Flags" in regards to the in-progress Defra Inspection Facility near Warrenpoint The Designated Point of Entry facility at Warrenpoint Port is being built for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks required for imports into Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit The footprint of the building is one of the largest in the area In the letter a RARE spokesperson said "This gigantic building totally out of character with the surrounding area in terms of scale rises near the proposed landing point of the Narrow Water Bridge in clear view of the Mourne Coastal Route but Explaining the letter the RARE spokesperson said "Our letter is informed and guided by two NIAO publications “Good Practice Guide” and “ Planning Fraud Risks Guide - the latter with the stated aim to “to raise awareness across local government about what planning fraud might look like” "The purpose of our letter is to reveal and illustrate our discovery of multiple examples of “Fraud Risks/Red Flags”  warnings of “what planning fraud might look like”  in a Report which was authored by DAERA for a Defra Inspection Facility near Warrenpoint." this report was completed 'based on the best available information of the potential for a likely significant effect on European sites from the construction and operation of the proposed development as required by Regulation 43 (1) of the Habitats Regulations.' Unfortunately it would appear that the 'best available information' did not include the benefits of a site visit - nor RARE point out the reports states “The site is located within an area of industrial land adjacent to the Newry canal” something they say betrays an alarming denial of the fact that the site is bordered on three sides by a scenic coastal route the Council granted “permitted development” to Defra for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Facilities Shed." The letter states "The monster shed is currently under construction without the benefit of planning permission leased or occupied by Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) adjacent to highly protected areas of rich and vulnerable habitat with a stated mission “to restore and improve the environment for future generations leaving it in a better state than it was found” and DAERA upon examination of the evidence provided in this letter call for an immediate cessation of work on the Defra site" NMDDC (already conducting a live enforcement case on the site for breach of planning conditions by Defra) and the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) should move swiftly to call in any decision supported by what is demonstrably misleading and/or potentially fraudulent information." The letter was written to: Minister O’Dowd (DfI) representatives of Defra’s “SPS Facilities Project” and representatives of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) St Dallan's Primary School in Warrenpoint have received signage from the PSNI South Down Neighbourhood which it's hoped will help alleviate careless and inconsiderate parking Alongside the local Policing and Community Safety Partnership two new road safety signs were provided to St Dallan’s  following recent issues and complaints from residents during the morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups regarding parking concerns These signage will be on display during the problem times to help encourage more responsible behaviour when parking near the school Dallan’s Primary School in Warrenpoint said: “We are aware of the concerns around parking at busy times at the school and we continue to work closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s South Down Neighbourhood Team to resolve these issues.” The Official website of Glentoran Football Club / Pride of East Belfast  Glentoran Football Club has announced that promising young defender Callan Farley has joined NIFL Premier Intermediate side Warrenpoint Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season The 18-year-old makes the move to Milltown to gain invaluable first-team experience having spent the first half of the season as a regular member of Glentoran’s senior squad Farley made his competitive debut in an emphatic 4-0 victory over Crusaders and featured in the European Play-off semi-final against Coleraine at the end of last season Farley has been with the club since the age of 12 progressing through the ranks to captain the Seconds He also captained the Northern Ireland Under-18 Schoolboys to victory in the prestigious Centenary Shield in 2024 Glentoran Manager said: “Callan is a very talented young player and this loan move to Warrenpoint Town provides the perfect platform for him to gain invaluable first-team experience “I have every confidence that he will make a significant impact at Milltown Playing week in and week out at a competitive level will allow him to develop all aspects of his game “We’ll be closely monitoring his progress throughout the loan and we’re confident this move will benefit both Callan and Glentoran in the long term.” Site funded by the Glentoran 'Our Club, Our Community' programme and developed by Avec Solutions The property was targeted in a deliberate arson attack A man and woman have escaped serious injury after their Co Down home was targeted in a deliberate arson while they were inside Police confirmed the pair inside the house were taken to hospital after accelerant was poured through the front door of the property in the Forth Avenue area of Warrenpoint in the early hours of the morning PSNI Detective Sergeant Lewis said: "Officers who were inside the property at the time were taken to hospital for treatment there have been no reports of any serious injuries at this stage "Our enquiries are ongoing and at this stage I would appeal to anyone who may have any information Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening Please check your inbox to verify your details County Down on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August to watch Fionn mac Cumhaill Mourne and Down’s Wake the Giant Festival This year's event was even more remarkable with the introduction of two new giants whose appearances throughout the town during the weekend's festivities added to the festival's vibrant atmosphere The towering giants wowed the crowds as they roamed the streets of Warrenpoint creating awe-inspiring moments and unforgettable photo opportunities for the excited visitors and residents who came to watch this extraordinary spectacle Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson “Everything about this year’s festival was giant the real wow factor was of course the introduction of our two new giants as they made their debut visit entertaining visitors all weekend “Crowds were also delighted with two days of spectacular entertainment at The Land of Giants which featured Giant Family Garden Games Some of the incredible music from The New Leaves No Oil Paintings and NI Soul Troop got people up on their feet singing along and dancing to the beats at the beautiful bandstand in the Municipal park Local businesses added to the event’s resounding success joining in on the weekend’s fun with incredible offers to treat the many visitors that came to town We are especially proud this year that the landscape underpinning our Giant Adventures is part of the recently designated Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Geopark our trio of giants’ lasting legacy will be felt for years Ever since the development of Warrenpoint as a seaside town the town has always strived to provide several sources of entertainment the Warrenpoint Municipal Park and the bandstand that resides within as well as the local feis and amateur dramatics and that is where the funfair offers its service The establishment of funfairs can be dated back to the 18th century where rides were powered using staff pulling ropes before the introduction of steamed powered attractions in the late 19th century elevated the experience and popularity of the funfairs Toft and Turnball originally occupied the square in Warrenpoint with their gondolas ride and paid the urban council £2 a week rent in 1904 the council proposed a resolution prohibiting amusements on the Square despite a petition signed by 126 ratepayers asking for the decision to be reversed It was reported in 1921 that J McGivern argued for having the amusements put back in the square by means of inviting Mr Lyons from Omeath to perform with his show Thomas McGivern (who founded McGivern’s Amusements in 1920) would be asking permission to use the Square for his own amusements During the summer months McGivern’s would travel to many counties in Ireland offering the funfair as a form of entertainment They also took advantage of the lack of cinemas and held picture shows in the winter Their main form of transportation was the stem engine their most famous one being the Fowler engine known as the ‘Carry on’ which was bought in 1943 The engine was last used in the 1959 St Patrick's Day celebrations in Dublin (the last time it was in used at a funfair was in 1954 in Belfast.) The ‘Carry on’ tours at rallies and still has ‘McGivern’s Amusements on Tour’ written on it The McGivern family suffered some setbacks in their business when a fire broke out in the stores in Warrenpoint destroying their horse machine and the fairground organ  After the purchase of new attractions such as dodgems the business began to thrive and eventually became permanently based in the Warrenpoint square from May until September McGivern’s Funfair finished in 1981 and was succeeded by the Bell family who had been operating on a smaller scale The amusements eventually came under the name of Dizzylands Funfair the Newry Democrat ran an article on the Bell family’s return to Warrenpoint after closing for two years during the Covid lockdowns This marked the first time there was no funfair in Warrenpoint in a hundred years The article made a point to highlight the head of the family who at the time of the article and at 95 years of age was still working in the dodgems The Dizzyland funfair is still in operation to this day providing entertainment for the many that visit Warrenpoint The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422 Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk A Co Down councillor has raised concerns over bad smells after a local recycling firm won a contract to process thousands of tonnes of waste from English councils Cambridgeshire City Council has signed off on a deal with Newry recycling firm Re-Gen in a contract that includes the City Council and District Council under the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service (GCSWS) The contract could potentially lead to a further multi-council deal involving the recycling of around 80,000 tonnes of ‘dry mixed recycling’ However some concerns have emerged that Re-Gen shipping non-recyclable waste from Warrenpoint Harbour could add to perceived odour issues in the south Down town While the bulk of waste the firm receives is recycling at its Newry plant anything that cannot be processed there is often shipped overseas via Warrenpoint Complaints about smells said to emanate from the harbour have been raised previously In a report published by the harbour in February of last year they said they would “implement the recommendations of a new Environmental Audit Report The Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) listed a series of measures on its website including “fortnightly independent monitoring” It also says “the length of time Re-Gen’s bales can be held at WHA will be reduced from the statutory three months to a target of six weeks” and the appointment of a new Environmental Officer WHA chairman Dr Gerard O’Hare said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to apologise for the odour and fly issue that arose last year and I want to assure the whole community that we will be implementing the recommendations of the Environmental Audit Report “While measures that have been put in place have helped we recognise that there is much more that we need to do “That is why we have engaged with Re-Gen to ensure that all the recommendations which exceed the statutory requirements set out by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency Crotlieve independent councillor Mark Gibbons said he is “totally against this move by Re-Gen” He added: “Why on Earth would they contemplate adding to the problem at Warrenpoint Harbour with residents fed up with the stench “The odour issues at Warrenpoint Harbour have been an absolute PR disaster for Re-Gen.” the firm has said that a “multi-agency review” carried out last August “found no issues with odour nor identified any other concerns” Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) held a special meeting in 2024 when reports on the Warrenpoint stink were reviewed It was then claimed by Mr Gibbons that bales of waste from Re-Gen which were being transported out of Warrenpoint Harbour to Scandinavia Dr O’Hare said the authority had “held its hands up” over the odour and that councillors who sat on the board of the harbour would be provided with regular updates of its practices going forward Mr Gibbons added: “The local people of Warrenpoint have not been consulted on this as they should have been as it is the people who have to put up with the stench when were those on Warrenpoint Harbour Authority going to inform residents The fact that they haven’t already tells you all you need to know in my opinion.” Peterborough City Council (PCC) entered a contract with Re-Gen with a potential value of £9m over seven years Peterborough is part of the ‘RECAP’ Waste Partnership made up of several English councils that “determines the lowest price to appoint suppliers to undertake dry mixed recycling” The RECAP collective states it requires 82,000 tonnes of dry mixed recycling to be managed Re-Gen was asked if it could list all UK councils where it provides recycling services RECAP member Cambridgeshire City Council chamber heard from Labour councillor Rosy Moore that 400 tonnes of the English council’s waste would now be recycled in Newry every month beginning in March Green Party councillor Elliot Tong said: “There is a shocking lack of consideration of the environmental impacts particularly when it comes to carbon footprint there is really nothing we can see from it.” An amendment asking for the contract to be deferred did not gain enough support to pass on January 16 which currently employs 350 people in Newry said it is now projected to “invest a further £100m including a new site in Great Britain” A spokesperson said: “The recycling material that will come from the Greater Cambridge contract when it commences on 2nd March 2025 is recyclable waste which is currently recycled at our Newry plant to feed the circular economy so only the much lesser non-recyclable part will pass through our Warrenpoint facility “We have been operating from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority for over 10 years Warrenpoint Harbour is a critical cog in the maintenance and development of a sustainable waste system for Northern Ireland “At all times we adhere to the highest standard of operational excellence at Warrenpoint Harbour a multi-agency review was conducted including the Northern Ireland Environment Agency they visited our facility and found no issues with odour nor identified any other concerns.” The company has also addressed the carbon footprint concerns raised in Cambridgeshire A spokesperson added: “Re-Gen operates their own haulage fleet which travels daily from Newry taking recycled materials and products to England “They will transport the Cambridge mixed dry recycling as back loads ensuring our HGVs do not return to Newry empty and minimising carbon impact where a number of our HGVs are part of a Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) trial which will allow us to part use going forward thus creating future carbon emission reductions from April 2025 we will have a GB operational MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) which will process the recyclables from Greater Cambridge and negate the need to transport the material to Northern Ireland.” Newry City have dropped into intermediate football after suffering back-to-back relegations Darren Mullen’s men will play in the Premier Intermediate League next season after losing 3-2 to Newington in a Playr-Fit Championship relegation battle just 12 months after they dropped out of the Premiership A Warrenpoint campaign group have collected over 2500 signatures in a Petition calling for the removal of the Re-Gen Waste waste operation from Warrenpoint Port 'Rotten to the Point'  want the operation removed due to what they claim is "an ongoing foul smell nuisance/health hazard which hangs over so many lives in Warrenpoint" The group say they have asked for a meeting with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir but that he has refused to meet them The group are now organising a 'Solidarity Walk and Peaceful Protest' on Thursday 15 August outside the facility. They also have an online petition up at my.uplift.ie the members of The Rotten to the Point Campaign Group who have been highlighting “The Evil Smell” case in Warrenpoint for almost a year and have now collected over 2500 signatures on our petition calling for the removal of the Re-Gen Waste Ltd waste operation from Warrenpoint Port have written to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir today to explain why we feel badly let down by his refusal in a letter of 25/7/24 to accept our request for a meeting to solve the ongoing foul smell nuisance/health hazard which hangs over so many lives in Warrenpoint and has been extensively documented in public meetings as well as print broadcast and social media since last summer." The spokesperson continued "In our message to Minister Muir we state that NIEA officials apparently continue to tolerate a stench which has been at its strongest over the last few days unfortunately coinciding with two upcoming major festivals coming to our town of Warrenpoint We have made it clear that this intolerable foul smell and plague of flies rising from the open-air storage of odorous waste is harming our town and the Carlingford Lough area generally The group believe that the stench and storage issue of waste is an example of ongoing non-compliances of the condition in Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s  2023 licence The spokesperson said "the terms state that odorous wastes are only permitted "if stored in buildings providing containment of aerial emissions.”  Countless recordings of witness statements from residents MLA’s and an MP combined with hours of time-stamped drone footage provide ample evidence that these waste piles in Warrenpoint Port are most definitely odorous and are clearly and very visibly stacked in the open-air Minister Muir met with local elected representatives in July but not with members of the group "We have also asked Minister Muir to explain 'precisely which factors made it more appropriate to meet them' (the elected representatives) than to meet us particularly as his meeting included representatives of Sinn Fein a party represented on the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority - the body which hosts the Re-Gen waste operation in Warrenpoint Port." the spokesperson added Rotten to the Point also explained to the Minister that the issue of Re-Gen non-compliance is not their invention "his NIEA officials have been documenting Re-Gen non-compliances of the NIEA licence since last summer - a matter which NIEA clearly noted with concern in writing as far back as September 2023 in an email to Sinn Fein’s Sinead Ennis." the group state "The Minister’s letter of  25/7/24  to us states that: "My officials have considered those concerns and will take appropriate and proportionate action to ensure that Ren Gen comply with the conditions of their waste management licence…”) Almost a year later the group think nothing has changed "We have asked him to explain the reason for the delay particularly given that NIEA was already expressing concern at non-compliance last September.We acknowledge that the best brains and efforts of NIEA NMDDC and Re-Gen Waste have been applied to finding a solution to their combined creation and implanting of the stench debacle in Warrenpoint we have respected their combined requests for patience in solving the problem but our patience and respect we can provide the Minister with a solution to the problem which has been proposed and agreed by representatives of the three political parties attending the sole South Down General Election hustings which was held in Warrenpoint on the 26th of June 2024 to end the Re-Gen Waste open-air waste storage operation in Warrenpoint has also been underwritten by the multiple signatures which we propose to present to the Minister if he is prepared to meet us during or before our Solidarity Walk and Peaceful Protest when people who feel that the democratic process has now been exhausted take to the streets in Warrenpoint on August 15th meeting outside WHA Headquarters at 6:30pm for a walk to the entrance of Warrenpoint Port." Newry.ie contacted both Re-Gen Waste and DAERA for comment An NIEA spokesperson said: “Minister Muir met with elected representatives from the area on 9 July 2024 to hear concerns received from their local constituents Several actions were agreed and are being taken forward by the NIEA The Minister also committed to ensuring that elected representatives were kept updated on progress.“Further correspondence has been received from the ‘Rotten to the Point’ group concerning its meeting request which is being considered and a response will be issued in due course.“The NIEA monitors compliance of the ReGen Waste Limited (ReGen) facility through a scheduled monitoring programme  The agency most recently inspected the Regen facility on 23 July 2024 and its assessment was that ReGen was in compliance with its waste management licence conditions NIEA wants to reassure the local community that its monitoring will continue and that the agency will not hesitate to take necessary enforcement action if there is evidence of failure to comply with the licence conditions Re-Gen didn’t want to comment at this stage Warrenpoint campaign group Rotten to the Point are demanding the resignation of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Board citing a lack of confidence and what they call "multiple failures in their management of Warrenpoint Port"