Workers Party Newry

29/08/2026

Nicola Grant Workers Party Representative for Newry and Armagh was delighted to lead a delegation of Workers Party activists to the Pride Parade in Newry.

18/08/2026

Rathore School Expansion

Newry Workers Party are absolutely delighted to welcome the expansion of Rathore School in Newry.
This is fantastic news for children and families in our area, with 9 new classrooms, new outdoor play areas, additional parking and improved access all being delivered.
For so many parents of children with additional needs, finding the right educational provision can be incredibly difficult. There has been a real need for more specialist places in our area, so seeing this investment in Rathore is something we can only welcome.
Every child deserves the opportunity to access an education that meets their needs, and parents should not have to face the stress and worry of trying to find a suitable place for their child.
This expansion will make a huge difference to children and families in Newry and the surrounding areas, and we are absolutely delighted to see it happening.

The Workers Party welcomes this much needed investment in our local children and our local community. ❤️

18/08/2026

"PUT STAFF AND PATIENTS FIRST": NICOLA GRANT DEMANDS IMMEDIATE HEALTH PAY INCREASE

Nicola Grant Workers Party Representative for Newry and Armagh in response to the Health Ministers statement that the health service is heading to a bad place because of the failure to set a budget for this fiscal year said the service is already in a very bad way and has been for well over a decade.

"It is outrageous that staff are once again forced to take industrial action to get the pay increase, they are entitled to. The Executive has once again let public sector workers down and I have no doubt that many of them will be brazen enough to visit picket lines to show support, after all there is an election coming up."

Grant said there was no question of affordability when it came to the gigantic pay rise those same politicians voted to award themselves not so long ago, over £14,000 despite the lack of productivity on their part. The health service is being run on the good will of the staff on the ground who are stretched to breaking point trying to deliver even the most basic standards of care. Hearing the news that senior officials and managers within the service who are involved in decision making that result in so called efficiencies, which is cuts and changes to services, and have managed to waste millions of taxpayers' money and lower the quality of care, are amongst the highest earners in the healthcare sector.

Grant ended by saying it is time politicians put staff and service users and patients first and stopped listening to those vested interests instead and outside of the national health service.

Dedicated staff from all sections off the service deserve to be treated with respect and dignity they should not have to visit food banks they should be paid their long overdue increases.

18/07/2026

Translink wants to cut bus and train services and fare discounts. I've signed this petition calling on Infrastructure Minister to stop these proposed cuts today - will you sign too? .bsky.social

18/07/2026

29/06/2026

Tonight, members of my family had what should have been a simple trip into Newry turn into a deeply upsetting experience.
They stopped to visit a newly opened shop. My relative went inside while his wife stayed in the car with their two young children. As he came out, a group of young girls began shouting racist abuse at him. One then came towards him as though she was going to assault him. When his wife got out of the car to intervene, they asked him, "Are you a Muslim?" He replied that he wasn't, but the truth is, it shouldn't matter. Nobody should be targeted because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or simply because someone makes assumptions about them.
The children witnessed this whole ordeal. They saw their father being abused simply because of the colour of his skin.
To make matters worse, another man became involved without understanding what had happened and began shouting aggressively, adding to an already frightening situation.
This man is originally from Brazil. He works in Newry, contributes to our community, and his children attend local primary schools. He is a husband, a father and a hardworking member of society. But even if he were from anywhere else in the world, or of any faith, this behaviour would still be completely unacceptable.
We cannot shrug incidents like this off as "kids being kids." If young people are using racist language and intimidating strangers, we all need to ask where those attitudes are coming from. Parents, schools, community leaders and all of us have a role in teaching respect and challenging prejudice.
Newry is a diverse town, and it should be a welcoming place for everyone who lives, works or visits here. Racism has no place on our streets.
I hope those responsible reflect on the harm they caused tonight, not only to the man they targeted, but also to the two young children who had to witness it.

If anyone experiences or witnesses racist abuse, I would encourage them to report it. Silence only allows this behaviour to continue.

Nicola Grant
Workers Party Newry

22/06/2026

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of this little girl 💔

FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL DIES FOLLOWING COLLISION IN NEWRY

The Police Service of Northern Ireland can sadly confirm a five-year-old girl has died following a road traffic collision in Newry.

Detective Inspector Stewart from the Police Service’s Collision Investigation Unit said: “We received a report at approximately 9.25pm on Sunday, 21st June of a collision involving a black Ford Tourneo van and child in the Springfarm Heights area.

“The young girl was taken to hospital where she tragically later died from her injuries. Officers attended, and the driver of the van, a 40-year-old woman, was arrested at the scene.

“She remains in custody at this time as enquiries continue into the circumstances of the collision. The Carnagat Road also remains closed at its junctions with Springfarm Heights and Stony Hill.

“Police would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage of what happened, which could assist with our enquiries.”

“Please call us on 101, quoting reference 1552 21/06/26, or submit information online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

20/06/2026

GRANT EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER RELOCATION OF DAISY HILL MATERNITY SERVICES

​Nicola Grant, Workers Party representative for Newry and Armagh, has responded to the announcement that maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital will be temporarily relocated to Craigavon Area Hospital due to staffing shortages over the weekend.

While Grant acknowledges the necessity of safe medical care, she argues that shifting services is an unnecessarily cumbersome response to a short-term issue. She questions why the health trust is not prioritising the deployment of additional staff to Daisy Hill to maintain local coverage, rather than requiring patients to travel.

​The Workers Party expresses deep concern that this temporary measure may serve as a precursor to a permanent closure. Grant highlights that there are numerous documented instances across Northern Ireland where temporary service relocations have become permanent.

She emphasises the vital importance of pregnant women remaining close to their families and support networks during what is often an anxious and stressful time. Furthermore, she points out that rural transport links are infrequent and present a significant financial burden for families attempting to visit.

​Grant stresses that the persistent staffing challenges in obstetrics and gynaecology must be addressed with urgency. She asserts that the medical system must prioritise patients rather than forcing them to follow staffing availability.

Recalling previous guarantees regarding the retention of maternity services at Daisy Hill, Grant demands that these commitments be upheld. The residents of Newry and Armagh deserve the fulfillment of pledges to maintain continuity at the local maternity unit.

Pictured: Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry and inset Nicola Grant, Workers Party representative for Newry and Armagh.

19/06/2026

15/06/2026

As a representative of the Workers Party in Newry, I want to acknowledge and thank Sr Consilio for her immense contribution to our community. Regardless of background or circumstance, she has always placed people at the heart of her work. Her dedication to supporting those in need and helping families through difficult times is a legacy that deserves recognition and respect.er dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others has touched countless lives, not only in Newry but right across Ireland.
Through Cuan Mhuire, she has provided hope, support and a second chance to so many individuals and families facing addiction and hardship. The impact of her work on our community over the decades cannot be overstated.
Thank you, Sr Consilio, for everything you have done and continue to do. Your life's work has made a real difference to thousands of people and families, and Newry is all the better for it.
Wishing you every blessing as you celebrate this remarkable milestone. 💙