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Pictured: DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and Ulster Unionist agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA, and the farmers protest earlier this week outside Stormont. Friday 14 August 2026 Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has rejected demands for his resignation and launched an extraordinary attack on the Ulster Farmers’ Union, declaring that its days of “dictating government policy are over”. His defiant response came after the UFU passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Muir,

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir The Ulster Farmers’ Union has declared that Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir and DAERA’s two most senior officials have lost the confidence of farmers—and demanded all three resign immediately. In a major escalation of the fallout from the Fivemiletown cattle operation, Northern Ireland’s largest farming organisation extended its vote of no confidence beyond the Department to Mr Muir, Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey and Chief Veterinary Of

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street. (Picture by Alecsandra Dragoi / No 10 Downing Street) Northern Ireland’s entire Executive has united to demand an urgent meeting with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, warning that mounting financial pressures are threatening the ability of departments to plan and deliver public services. In a joint intervention signed by all Executive Ministers, Stormont leaders argue Northern Ireland is not being funded on a comparable bas

The newly published terms of an independent review into DAERA’s controversial Fivemiletown cattle operation have come under immediate scrutiny over the reviewer’s powers, how the process was established and whether one reviewer is enough to command confidence. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir published the detailed remit on Wednesday, 12 August, appointing former Irish Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake to examine DAERA’s planning, decision-making and implementation of

Cattle that were shot by DAERA official lying in a County Fermanagh field; inset, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Former Irish Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake will independently examine DAERA’s planning, decision-making and handling of the controversial operation which saw 51 cattle destroyed near Fivemiletown in June. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has published the terms of reference for an independent external review into his department’s implementation of a court De

Emma’s daughter Mya sharing hugs with Jimmy A Cullybackey mum whose children have been left heartbroken after their beloved young cat was killed by a snare is calling for all snares to be banned in Northern Ireland — saying she was shocked to discover that the devices are not completely outlawed here. Jimmy was less than a year old when he was discovered caught in a snare and hanging helplessly from a tree on Saturday, 8 August. His family rushed him to a vet, but nothing cou

TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC, and UFU president John McLenaghan Pressure on DAERA over the euthanising of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown has intensified ahead of a special Stormont meeting, with farming representatives warning the Department cannot be seen to “investigate itself” while North Antrim MP Jim Allister has challenged its interpretation of the court order at the centre of the controversy. The Ulster Farmers’ Union is calling for an independent expert

The shocking sight of livestock shot by DAERA officials in a field near Fivemile town, County Fermanagh DAERA has defended its decision to euthanise 51 cattle near Fivemiletown, saying officials were left with “no reasonable alternative” after their owner failed to dispose of the herd following a lifetime court ban on keeping animals. However, farming representatives say major questions remain over whether every possible alternative was exhausted, why more cattle could not ha

DUP agriculture spokesperson, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart Pressure on DAERA over the controversial destruction of cattle near Fivemiletown has intensified after DUP agriculture spokesperson Carla Lockhart described the incident as “one of the biggest scandals the department has ever faced”, while calling for a full public inquiry rather than an external review. The Upper Bann MP said confidence in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) had been

Inset: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, and the scenes in a Fivemiletown field where dozens of cattle were shot by DAERA officials. Monday, August 3, 2026 An independent review will be carried out into the controversial DAERA enforcement operation near Fivemiletown that resulted in the euthanasia of dozens of cattle, after Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister announced the investigation will now be conducted by someone from outside his department. The decision marks a significa

Pictured at an event in the Great Hall, Parliament Buildings to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026were the Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA with dancer Laila Hendrick and musicians Riley McAuley and Michael McErlane; Labhrás Ó Murchú, Director General of Comhaltas Ceóltóirí Eireann and Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, President of Comhaltas Ceóltóirí Eireann. Traditional music and dance from across Northern Ireland took centre stage at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday as the Norther

Content warning: This article discusses child sexual abuse, trauma and suicide. A fully resourced statutory inquiry should investigate historical clerical child abuse across Northern Ireland after survivors described lifelong trauma, institutional silence and repeated failures to protect children. Three long-awaited reports published by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly examine the experiences of victims and survivors, records held

Inset: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Households in Northern Ireland are set to receive financial support with electricity costs this winter after the UK Government announced plans to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills across Great Britain from 1 October. Because of post-Brexit VAT arrangements, the tax change cannot automatically apply in Northern Ireland, meaning the Northern Ireland Executive will instead receive comparable funding to ensure local households benefi

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is to establish an independent confidential process for anyone with information or concerns relating to Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in the party to come forward, saying its initial internal review was only “a first step, not the end of the matter”. The move follows Donaldson’s conviction on 18 child sex abuse offences, including rape, and represents the party’s most significant organisational response since the verdicts. Independent route outside

The public is being invited to help shape proposed legislation that could change how flags and emblems are displayed on publicly owned infrastructure across Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Infrastructure has launched a Call for Evidence on the proposed Display of Flags and Emblems Bill, giving individuals, community groups and organisations the opportunity to comment before MLAs decide whether the legislation should progress to detailed scrutin

The new All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2026-2030 was launched on Thursday at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, by Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland and Ireland’s Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD. Pictured with Dr Úna FitzPatrick, Co-founder of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and Chief Scientific Officer, National Biodiversity Data Centre. Northern Ireland is backing an ambitious new

Former MP, convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson Anyone who directly experienced abuse or inappropriate behaviour by convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson while he was an MLA or a visitor to Parliament Buildings is being urged to come forward as Stormont launches a formal review into his conduct. The review, which opened today, Friday 10 July, follows Donaldson’s conviction for rape, indecent assault and gross indecency against two women when they were child

Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson A safeguarding and accountability row surrounding Jeffrey Donaldson has deepened after the DUP confirmed it is commissioning a specialised independent review into issues arising from the former party leader’s conviction. Donaldson, a former DUP leader and one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent political figures, has been convicted of 18 historical sexual offences against two women when they were children. He is await

Supporters outside Stormont calling for long-term investment in agri-environment schemes to support farmers and restore wildlife, joined by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir New polling commissioned by RSPB NI has revealed strong public support for increased investment in nature-friendly farming, as the organisation called on politicians to provide greater backing for farmers working to protect wildlife and tackle climate change. The survey found that 68 per cent of people support i

Inset: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has pledged tougher action against social housing fraud in Northern Ireland as a new public consultation launches on proposals to strengthen powers against those abusing the system. The move comes amid continuing pressure on social housing across Northern Ireland, with the Department estimating tenancy fraud and misuse costs the public purse around £9.9 million every year. Officials believe the true co