The sweet spot....
The best of UTV journalism, programmes and more from across Northern Ireland.
Hello and a warm welcome to another edition of the UTV newsletter. I’m UTV journalist Nathan Hylands. A warm welcome indeed, especially after the bright and sunny end to the week. Where better to enjoy the good weather, than in Ballycastle? The Co Antrim seaside town was named as the best place to live in Northern Ireland in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
They described Ballycastle as “a town with a beautiful setting and a big, beating heart, always on display in the meet-ups at the library, the Solas charity that provides mental health support, the thriving independent high street and the lively pub scene.
“The long sandy beach is the meeting point for dog walkers, birdwatchers and swimmers.”
Daniel Duffy got the call from the Glens and went to sample a little of Ballycastle life…
Who is ‘he’? - The Irish President?
Politicians and representatives from NI and the Republic travelled to the White House to take part in St Patrick’s Day celebrations throughout the week.
Secretary of State Hilary Benn said the relationship between the UK and US governments will continue, despite angry comments from President Donald Trump over the British response to the Middle East conflict.
The Taoiseach Micheal Martin then stepped in to defend the Prime Minister from criticism from Mr Trump during their joint press conference in the Oval Office.
Catherine Connolly criticised “deliberate assaults on international law” in the Middle East and “the normalisation of war”.
When asked for his reaction by UTV, Mr Trump said: “He’s lucky I exist, that’s all I can say."
Trump’s Irish ‘merger’ suggestion
Mr Trump had been welcoming some notable guests to the annual Speakers’ Friends of Ireland Luncheon, including the Taoiseach and deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, when he observed: “They get along so well.”
Looking towards the two, he added: “I saw that, you get along very well together, I don’t know if I should be promoting merger, I love mergers.”
Ulster Hospital introduce body-worn cameras to combat attacks on staff
Body-worn cameras are being introduced for staff working in the emergency department of the Ulster Hospital in an attempt to combat an increase in violent attacks and abuse.
The South Eastern Trust said there were 1,911 incidents of violence and aggression towards their staff between April and December last year.
’Emphatic end’ for Gerry Adams as three Provisional IRA victims discontinue damages against him
Gerry Adams has welcomed the “emphatic end” of a High Court damages claim against him by three victims of Provisional IRA bombings and said the case “should never have been brought”.
On Friday, the final day of a two-week trial, lawyers for the victims said the claim against the former Sinn Fein president had been “discontinued” with “no order as to costs”.
Bills, bills and more bills
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a £17 million package to help those in Northern Ireland who use home heating oil.
Prices have shot up in the wake of the war in the Middle East.
With half a million homes in NI using oil, it would work out at around £35 per household if everyone received a payment.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill described it as “a slap in the face”.
Meanwhile, the Executive is to cut electricity bills by £30 per household over next three years
An £81 million fund has been the focus of intense scrutiny over the last week.
Going the Extra Mile: The community fighting the menopause care crisis in Northern Ireland
For women in their 40s and 50s, life looks vastly different than it did for the generations before them. Yet, the conversation around peri-menopause and menopause is still lagging behind—and the consequences are severe.
“On a personal level, if I wasn’t taking HRT, I would not be able to work... there was a point where I thought I was going to have to leave.”
That is the stark reality faced by many women navigating the healthcare system in Northern Ireland right now.
On this week’s episode of the Going the Extra Mile podcast, Carol Jordan was joined by Roisin Hillman and Karen Pateman, the co-founders of one of NI’s first grassroots menopause support groups, Menopause Together.
They dive deep into the fear that a “two-tier” healthcare system is developing, where those who can afford to go private get the help they need, while others are left struggling to navigate the public system.
Watch the full episode here or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Buckley bags best actress at Oscars
Jessie Buckley won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film Hamnet, which also starred Irish actor Paul Mescal and was based on the book by Coleraine-born Maggie O’Farrell.
Hollywood dreams are now a reality for Buckley after she made history by becoming the first person from Ireland to win the Academy Award.
You can watch her Oscar’s glory on ITVX.
Stories you should be watching:
+Crowds gather in towns and cities across the island of Ireland to celebrate St Patrick’s Day
+Pól Deeds defends comments on language and Irish unity as ‘parody’
+Infrastructure Minister doesn’t rule out mandatory developer contributions to fund wastewater crisis
Our programmes
Violence against women and girls is at crisis levels in Northern Ireland. Since 2020, twenty nine women have been killed. How can this be eradicated?
Niall Donnelly explores the issue.
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