Latest news with #Derry-based
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
How NI entrepreneur hopes to make a mint from lint: ‘I left my job civil service job after 20 years to follow my passion'
A Derry-based entrepreneur is hoping to make a mint from lint, as she turns discarded fluff into soundproofing and artistic materials, and has plans to use it for home and office interiors.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
How NI woman left civil service job after 20 years to follow her passion for fashion and textiles
A Derry-based entrepreneur is hoping to make a mint from lint, as she turns discarded fluff into soundproofing and artistic materials, and has plans to use it for home and office interiors.
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Home Office issues apology to NI construction firm over ‘erroneous and false' allegation about illegal workers
It relates to a press release issued by the Home Office last year stating that FP McCann had been fined up to £225,000 for illegally employing five contractors at a mill in north Wales. The case stemmed from an immigration raid on the mill on March 19 last year that saw 13 workers arrested. The Home Office said at the time that south Derry-based concrete firm FP McCann was one of two companies that had been fined in connection with the raid. It subsequently clarified that the two firms had been referred for civil penalty notices. In April of last year, it emerged that FP McCann had been cleared of any wrongdoing in the case and had been issued with a 'no-action notice'. FP McCann threatened to take a libel claim against the Home Office over the original press release. At the time, a spokesperson for the firm said its lawyers had worked with the Home Office to address the 'damage' caused by erroneous press coverage based on incorrect Home Office information. The Home Office subsequently accepted the release containing false and defamatory allegations and made an offer of amends. As part of that offer, the Home Office agreed to publish an apology, which was read out at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday. 'On March 26, 2024, the Home Office issued a press release which contained false and defamatory allegations concerning FP McCann Limited,' the apology said. 'The press release stated that FP McCann Limited had been fined up to £225,000 in civil penalties for illegally employing five contractors at a mill in north Wales. 'This allegation was erroneous and false. The Home Office accepts that FP McCann's contractors were lawfully entitled to work the site in north Wales. FP McCann has therefore not been fined by the Home Office. 'The Home Office apologises to FP McCann Limited and its directors for publishing the false and defamatory allegations, and has agreed to pay it substantial damages, and its reasonable legal costs, as a result of the publication of the erroneous press release. 'My client is grateful to the court for the opportunity to make this statement in open court, and this statement concludes this matter on the part of FP McCann Limited and its directors.' FP McCann said it is 'pleased to draw a line under this unsatisfactory matter following this morning's apology from the Home Office'. The concrete firm is one of Northern Ireland's most profitable construction companies. In the year to December 31, 2024, its profit after tax rose from £47.2m to £52.4m. Over the course of the year, FP McCann employed an average of 1,673 people. News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May In a statement accompanying its accounts filed with Companies House, the firm's directors said: 'We have continued to invest in our facilities and people. 'We are confident this strategy will ensure the company will be able to capitalise on the growing demand from the construction industry to provide modular solutions to meet its needs in an environment of a declining skilled labour market.'
Irish Post
11-05-2025
- Irish Post
Community 'devastated beyond words' as second teenager dies following Co. Donegal swimming tragedy
THE COMMUNITY in Buncrana is 'devastated beyond words' with news that a second teenager has died following a swimming tragedy in Co. Donegal yesterday. Emergency services responded at around 4pm to reports that three teenagers, aged between 16 and 19, had gotten into difficulty while swimming in Lough Swilly. Sadly, the Coast Guard recovered the body of one teenager from the water between Ned's Point and Fahan at around 9pm. Earlier, one of the group managed to swim ashore, while another was rescued from the water before being taken to Letterkenny General Hospital in a 'very serious' condition. It has since been revealed that he has passed away. A prayer vigil is due to be held at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana at 4pm today, overseen by Bishop of Derry Fr Donal McKeown. 'We will stand together' Buncrana-based Donegal County Councillor Joy Beard described the tragedy as an 'unimaginable loss'. "This morning we awoke to the devastating news that a second teenager involved in yesterday's tragic events has sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning," she posted on Facebook. "As a community, we are devastated beyond words to have lost two young lives so full of promise. "We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to their families, friends and all those affected by this unimaginable loss. "In the days ahead, we will stand together to support one another in grief and in love." 'Our hearts are broken' Derry-based Sinn Féin councillor Aisling Hutton described news of the second teen's death as 'devastating'. "My thoughts and prayers are with the young boys' families and friends," she added in a post on social media. "This unimaginable loss has shaken the entire community. We stand together in grief, offering our love, prayers and support to the families affected. "May their memories be a blessing, and may we hold our loved ones a little closer today." Meanwhile, the SDLP's Colum Eastwood posted: "Our hearts are broken for the families in Buncrana this morning. "There are just no words for how devastating a tragedy like this is. "Please keep them, and the brave emergency service workers who fought hard to rescue the boys, in your thoughts and prayers." See More: Buncrana, Donegal, Lough Swilly
Business Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Revenue growth of 20 per cent on cards for Derry-based HR Team
Making it Work Revenue growth of 20 per cent on cards for Derry-based HR Team The firm operates across the island of Ireland Emmet Ryan 05:00 Martina McAuley and Breda Cullen, founders, HR Team: 'Things have to be simple or people will just leave it'. Picture: Stephen Latimer
