Jobs boost as green light given to build new budget hotel in south Armagh

Good morning. It’s Micheal with you here. Yesterday, we brought you some big news surrounding the seemingly spontaneous axing of staff at the Americold haulage firm in Lurgan. We spoke first hand to a senior staff member who said he was just told to leave shortly after 9am – there was no prior warning. He likened it to the high profile removal of P&O staff a few months back.

Our understanding is that none of the staff are part of a union, which may largely be reflective of the silence from the company – or anybody else in a position of power for that matter.

It’s such a strange story. On the face of it, it appears a callous move, so we’d expect some blowback, but as of yet we’ve got nothing from anybody other than the workers on the ground. That must be hard for them, in particular. We will keep an eye on this story as we find out more. We’re surely going to hear something from someone soon. …you would think?

There are fears that this will be reflective of a trend as we start to see the cold winds of a much-larger recession looming.

As for the aforementioned P&O – don’t get me started on the rigmarole they’re putting me through this week! That’s for another time perhaps!

Anyway, on with the news…

We’ll begin with a wee newsletter exclusive as we like to do that from time to time..

This week the small village of Gilford was shocked by the murder of Eamonn O'Hanlon. The 36-year-old was stabbed to death outside a property in the Hill Street area of the County Down village during the early hours of Saturday morning.

On Monday, his alleged killer, appeared in court.

Armagh I was contacted this week by a woman, who wishes to be known by her first name, Bridie, who said that when she arrived at Craigavon Area hospital on Tuesday evening of last week, the only space available close to the children’s unit was a disabled space. Bridie who was using a stick was issued with a £40 fine. Read the full story here

The local community group in Mullacreevie were left “angry at the vandalising of their community house” according to a statement by West Armagh Consortium.

Plans by Total Batching Solutions to build a new factory at Edenaveys – part of a substantial investment which would bring much-needed jobs to Armagh – have been given the go-ahead.

Don’t forget the you can enjoy a wonderful day out for all the family at the Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre this Saturday, from 10.30am until 4pm

The Skip Car Tour are proud to be hosting a variety of events across this weekend in May, starting with the ever popular Truck Run and finishing with their Fun in the Park family fun day!