Julie Flaherty BEM

Just me & Koogs 💕 R Jake + 3 who watch over us now 👼💔 UUP Cllr 🐞 First Female LM for ABC Council #BEM #childfuneralfund #toilets #bins #homegardener🌱

[Julie Flaherty BEM @flahertycom]

You never imagine that there will be a #LastPhoto
Our last family photo - Jake would have been 15 today...this was at his 2nd birthday party in 2013 in #PICU
He lived for 2 days after this photo taken by a darling nurse xxx
#TakeThePhoto
#AlwaysForHim 🐞

[Ulster Unionist Party @uuponline]

🎥 Breaking the law because you disagree with it is not a new road for Sinn Féin.

Jon Burrows MLA reminded the Assembly where the argument that there is "no alternative" has led before: town centres bombed, children orphaned, women widowed, and the murders of three year old Johnathan Ball and 12 year old Tim Parry in Warrington.

The rule of law applies to us all.

[Ulster Unionist Party @uuponline]

✍️Statement from Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA regarding Drumcree.

“Tonight a legal right was defeated by an unlawful blockade. That is a serious blow to the rule of law, and the precedent reaches far beyond parading. Whatever people across Northern Ireland think about Drumcree, and views differ widely, nobody should be comfortable with a lawful right being stopped because enough people were prepared to break the law.

“For twenty eight years, Portadown District stopped because the law told them to stop. This time, they secured permission, defended it in court and sought mediation. Their peaceful conduct deserves recognition. Respecting the law must count for something.

“Those who blocked that road broke the law in front of the cameras, were warned by police, and got exactly what they wanted. Their ministers will sit in government on Monday as if none of it happened.

“They have what they wanted. They should not also get away with it.

“The PSNI must pursue the evidence swiftly and impartially, including the conduct of Sinn Féin ministers and others involved in unlawfully blocking the road. From the First Minister down, political status must offer no protection from investigation or prosecution. The public deserve regular updates and visible progress.

“There must also be meaningful reform on two fronts.

“First, Stormont needs effective powers to exclude ministers who break the law. The current mechanisms are inadequate. No party should be able to shield its own ministers from accountability. Those entrusted with making the law have a particular responsibility to uphold it.

“Second, I have asked the Secretary of State for stronger public processions legislation and tougher sanctions for breaches of parading and protest laws. The penalties must provide a credible deterrent.

“I understand the policing bill has now reached around £5 million. That represents an enormous diversion of resources from protecting the public and investigating crime. Where an offender's conduct contributed to those costs and demands on policing, that should be treated as an aggravating factor at sentencing, reflecting their individual responsibility. The harm caused by lawbreaking does not end at the roadblock.

“This is a challenge for unionism. To prosper, we need leadership that is smart, principled and focused on the long term. It is not those who shout the loudest who prevail in the long run, but those who think the smartest.

“My message is clear: stay calm, respect the law and think strategically. Do not give anyone a reaction they can use to distract from their own conduct.

“We will pursue accountability through the justice system, demand meaningful reform and make our case at the ballot box. Our principles must hold, especially when they are tested.”

[Julie Flaherty BEM @flahertycom]

@linseygibson Seek, serve, follow.
It absolutely will @linseygibson - like @GBNI has done for so many of us 🪔

[ABC Council @abcb_council]

Watch out for your new bin collection calendar arriving through your letterbox from today.

Calendars will be delivered directly to your home between 5th -15th October

Find more information and check your bin day at: https://t.co/BfWgZaxZVK

#ABCBinChanges

[Jon Burrows MLA @JonBurrowsMLA]

I like Mark, a hardworking councillor. But I won’t let attacks like this on the PSNI by fellow unionists go unchallenged. The PSNI must urgently show lawbreakers are being investigated, especially politicians. But its men & women are not “pathetic” nor responsible for this mess.

[Cllr. Pete Wray @PeteWray11]

Free from sectarianism.... is that not the same lorry in which men were singing songs about the IRA the night before?
Illegal protests yet as a former police officer Linzi is all for it. "Here are my principles and policies. If they won't make me famous, I have more."

[Jon Burrows MLA @JonBurrowsMLA]

Leadership would be de-escalating the numbers and not encouraging more people to an un-notified protest. It adds nothing to resolving the dispute. This is pure electioneering.

[Julie Flaherty BEM @flahertycom]

@AlanStout19 I agree totally with you. This is not the time - nothing about any of this in my home town is funny.

[Jon Burrows MLA @JonBurrowsMLA]

Gareth is wrong. I want a peaceful resolution to Drumcree, however the law must take its course in relation to all offences committed on Sunday. We live in a democracy & we must all be equal under the law - politicans can never be shielded from laws that apply to eveyone else.

[The Irish News @irish_news]

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called for cool heads and calm words ahead of Sunday's parade, saying the Parades Commission determination should be respected.

He said the Orange Order had made a modest request and that the heavily restricted parade should be conducted lawfully and in a dignified way.

[Marcella @cellah26bsky]

@BelTel Funny when the DUP talk about "unity" in elections, they actually mean @uuponline @TUVonline should step aside to give the DUP a clear run..... 🤔

[Belfast News Letter @News_Letter]

New health minister 'wants to give NI nurses a pay rise but Executive hasn't signed it off' https://t.co/BUiCFd5WFi

[Julie Flaherty BEM @flahertycom]

@rgaillimhe This is beautiful 😍
Does she take orders!!!!

[FGAU @PurpleStandard]

Flute Band Church, Portadown entertaining crowds at the City Hall last night with a selection of Hymn music.

[Julie Flaherty BEM @flahertycom]

Proud of you for this luv 🐞

[Zoë Elliott @zcelliott_]

So proud of this ❤️

[Zoë Elliott @zcelliott_]

So proud of this ❤️

[ABC Council @abcb_council]

What is Youth Voice? And why do we need you?

Youth Voice gives YOU – our young people – a voice. It represents your views, enables you to speak on issues that matter and gives you the power to influence decision-makers.

Apply here: 👉 https://t.co/kj5ZiguERu

[Julie Flaherty BEM @flahertycom]

@robbeorn I still have grit in one of my knees 😳

[ABC Council @abcb_council]

📢 Reminder - Monday 25 May

🗑️ Bin collections are taking place as normal
♻️ Recycling centres are closed

View more information on holiday arrangements at 👉🏻 https://t.co/VYYnzCbyCe

Wishing everyone an enjoyable bank holiday weekend. ☀️