Alliance Justice Spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said people need to be aware of the existence of human trafficking and modern slavery in Northern Ireland. Stewart Dickson said: “The eyes of the world have been on Essex following the horrific discovery of the bodies of 39 people in a lorry. Investigations are currently underway in […]
Former Alliance Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed the publication by the Department of Justice of its review of sentencing policy in Northern Ireland. David Ford said: “Today’s publication has its origins in work done in the early days of the devolution of Justice. Both the Lord Chief Justice and officials in the Department have […]
Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has welcomed confirmation from the PSNI they are investigating the firing of shots over a coffin in West Belfast. Footage showed the volley of shots being fired over the coffin of Alec Murphy, who was convicted of the killing of two Army soldiers who were abducted during an IRA […]
Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said he will seek a meeting with the Department of Justice after a new report raised concerns about the failure to address the rising legal aid bill in Northern Ireland. Mr Dickson was speaking as the Northern Ireland Audit Office report into the 2018-19 accounts of Government Departments […]
There is a pressing need to clearly define hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland, Alliance representatives have told a senior judge carrying out a review of the issue. John Blair MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA were speaking after meeting with Judge Desmond Marrinan to discuss his independent review of hate crime, with the goal of […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA has welcomed a court judgement ruling two journalists acted lawfully by protecting their sources. Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were arrested in August 2018 over the alleged theft of documents relating to a police investigation into the Loughinisland massacre, which saw six men murdered in 1994. They were part […]
Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said reiterated the rule of law should be applied to everyone equally, after a Tory MP said he was withdrawing his support for the Government over the prosecution of some former soldiers. Conservative Johnny Mercer has said he will only vote with his party on Brexit legislation unless […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said developments in Scotland may offer a way for fast compensation for elderly or infirm victims of Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland, and called on the Secretary of State to act. The Scottish Government will fast track payments to victims and survivors of care homes there in […]
Former Justice Minister David Ford has congratulated the staff at Maghaberry Prison and the leadership of the Northern Ireland Prison Service on recent progress at the prison which was reported in the latest inspection report from CJINI and HMIP. David Ford said: “I set up the Prison Review Team shortly after I became Minister and […]
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has encouraged the public to respond to a consultation on the handling of trials involving rape and other serious sexual offences. Sir John Gillen’s series of recommendations in a preliminary report include banning members of the public from such trials and making the accused anonymous until they are charged with any […]