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Belfast Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
‘We will remember Louise in everything we do': Tributes paid to former NI journalist and press officer (44)
Louise Scott-Gallagher passed away peacefully in New Zealand aged 44. Originally from Co Tyrone, she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2023 when she was 11 weeks pregnant. She died at her home in Lake Hayes, Queenstown, on New Zealand's South Island on May 20. Louise previously worked as a journalist with the Tyrone Constitution and Tyrone Courier newspapers. Later, she was a press officer for the UUP. She had moved to New Zealand about a decade ago with her partner Craig, who is originally from Manchester. They have a one-year-old daughter, Lily. Her siblings Andrea, Diane and Robert said: 'Without Louise, our family will never be the same again. 'We will never forget her and we will ensure that we remember Louise in everything we do and ensure that her husband Craig and daughter Lily remain a significant part of our lives. Louise will live on through Lily. This is our promise to Louise.' Louise had been diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023. A mastectomy and chemotherapy followed, and an ultrasound revealed the disease had spread to her liver. Louise's prognosis at that time shifted to stage four. Her daughter, Lily Lesley-Anne – named after her mum and her partner's mum, both of whom were lost to cancer – arrived that September. She was born two months early so Louise could start additional treatment. However, a year ago, a CT scan revealed her existing tumours had grown and new tumours had developed. Her sister Andrea set up a GoFundMe page to help Louise's family pay for further treatments, raising almost £60,000. Most of the money came from the Gillygooley community near Omagh, where Louise grew up with her family, including her dad Andrew, and mum Anne Scott, who died when Louise was three. At the time, Louise had said she 'can't help but grieve for a future that will be stolen from us'. 'My biggest driver is that I survive long enough for Lily to remember me,' she wrote. 'Not videos of me, not stories of me, but real memories. That's what I didn't have from my mum. 'I hope one day Lily can take her kids to Ballintoy Harbour and say, 'I came here with my mummy' or, when she's listening to music, say 'daddy, I remember mummy loved that song' or 'mummy used to make this dinner for me'. 'I want her and Craig to remember us as a family of three. To have memories to cherish forever.' News Catch Up - Tuesday 28th May Louise worked for the UUP for a number of years. Former Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA and MP Tom Elliott, who was leader during part of that time, knew her well. 'Louise was very affable, and very intelligent,' he said this week. 'She was always thinking ahead on things and her work ethic was immense. 'It didn't matter if it was 11pm or 7am, Louise was always there to ask questions or provide advice. Louise had a really good personality and a great attitude. 'She was very popular with everyone - even if they disagreed with Louise on some issues, it was impossible not to like her. 'From her time in journalism at the 'Con' to working for the party, all the other parties had a good relationship with Louise.' A death notice said Louise was the 'dearly beloved wife of Craig and devoted mum of Lily. Daughter of the late Andrew and Anne Scott. Sister to Andrea (Gordon), Diane (Graeme) and Robert (Celine). A special auntie to Charlotte, Emma, Hannah, Sarah, James, Callum, Daniel and Aaron.' It added: 'Lovingly remembered by the entire family circle.'
Belfast Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
‘We will remember Louise in everything we do': Tributes to former NI journalist and press officer (44) after death
The family of a former journalist and press officer who died after battling cancer have said her memory will live on. Louise Scott-Gallagher passed away peacefully in New Zealand aged 44. Originally from Co Tyrone, she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2023 when she was 11 weeks pregnant. She died at her home in Lake Hayes, Queenstown, on New Zealand's South Island on May 20. Louise previously worked as a journalist with the Tyrone Constitution and Tyrone Courier newspapers. Later, she was a press officer for the UUP. She had moved to New Zealand about a decade ago with her partner Craig, who is originally from Manchester. They have a one-year-old daughter, Lily. Her siblings Andrea, Diane and Robert said: 'Without Louise, our family will never be the same again. 'We will never forget her and we will ensure that we remember Louise in everything we do and ensure that her husband Craig and daughter Lily remain a significant part of our lives. Louise will live on through Lily. This is our promise to Louise.' Louise had been diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023. A mastectomy and chemotherapy followed, and an ultrasound revealed the disease had spread to her liver. Louise's prognosis at that time shifted to stage four. Her daughter, Lily Lesley-Anne – named after her mum and her partner's mum, both of whom were lost to cancer – arrived that September. She was born two months early so Louise could start additional treatment. However, a year ago, a CT scan revealed her existing tumours had grown and new tumours had developed. Her sister Andrea set up a GoFundMe page to help Louise's family pay for further treatments, raising almost £60,000. Most of the money came from the Gillygooley community near Omagh, where Louise grew up with her family, including her dad Andrew, and mum Anne Scott, who died when Louise was three. At the time, Louise had said she 'can't help but grieve for a future that will be stolen from us'. 'My biggest driver is that I survive long enough for Lily to remember me,' she wrote. 'Not videos of me, not stories of me, but real memories. That's what I didn't have from my mum. 'I hope one day Lily can take her kids to Ballintoy Harbour and say, 'I came here with my mummy' or, when she's listening to music, say 'daddy, I remember mummy loved that song' or 'mummy used to make this dinner for me'. 'I want her and Craig to remember us as a family of three. To have memories to cherish forever.' Louise worked for the UUP for a number of years. Former Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA and MP Tom Elliott, who was leader during part of that time, knew her well. 'Louise was very affable, and very intelligent,' he said this week. 'She was always thinking ahead on things and her work ethic was immense. 'It didn't matter if it was 11pm or 7am, Louise was always there to ask questions or provide advice. Louise had a really good personality and a great attitude. 'She was very popular with everyone - even if they disagreed with Louise on some issues, it was impossible not to like her. 'From her time in journalism at the 'Con' to working for the party, all the other parties had a good relationship with Louise.' A death notice said Louise was the 'dearly beloved wife of Craig and devoted mum of Lily. Daughter of the late Andrew and Anne Scott. Sister to Andrea (Gordon), Diane (Graeme) and Robert (Celine). A special auntie to Charlotte, Emma, Hannah, Sarah, James, Callum, Daniel and Aaron.' It added: 'Lovingly remembered by the entire family circle.'
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
NI NAP proposals labelled ‘challenge' to farmers' way of life
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician Lord Tom Elliott has said that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) approach through the Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) proposals to farmers appears an 'out and out challenge to their way of life and livelihood'. Earlier this month, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir launched a public consultation on the NAP for 2026 to 2029, which he said contains 'additional measures which have been developed based on scientific research'. The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms. Lord Tom Elliott said: 'We are aware that in many areas of life, including agriculture much action is required to improve the environment. 'I have always encouraged the minister to do that in cooperation with the farming sector, as opposed to direct confrontation. 'The farming community have already made significant progress towards reduction of nutrient and other positive environmental matters. However, they need the minister and DAERA to work with them as opposed to resistance of farmers. 'I agree with Dr. Sinclair Mayne, who is former CEO [chief executive] of the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute [AFBI] and former departmental scientific adviser for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that it is essential that proposed new measures are based on robust science, based on peer-reviewed scientific papers, rather than subjective assessment,' Lord Elliott added. The UUP chairperson stressed that this was the basis for the first action programme agreed with the European Commission in 2007 and subsequent reviews. Elliott claimed that Dr. Mayne has detailed a number of areas where DAERA has not presented the appropriate scientific evidence base for the proposals. 'DAERA [has] done little to even attempt to persuade farmers of the merits of these most recent proposals; they seem more intent on pushing the farming community beyond what it can achieve, with little cooperation or working together,' he continued. 'I repeat my earlier calls, before it's too late for the minister to work with the farming sector, as opposed to him being seen by many farmers as an enemy to their way of life and someone who seems to many as set on destruction of the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland. 'The farming sector has so much to offer the entire society, it is vital that the DAERA and the agricultural community work together.'
Sunday World
23-05-2025
- Sunday World
Ex-cop says fight against female violence is ‘bleak' as 25 killed in the last five years
SHOCKING | 'The battle to end violence against women and girls remains stagnant. The harsh reality for many victims remains bleak' Linzi McLaren, who was elected as a new UUP councillor two years ago, was a serving frontline PSNI officer and often witnessed the scale of the violence meted out to women and girls. She tells the Sunday World why she's so passionate about ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) and that despite progress at Stormont to legislate against it, 'the reality for many women remains bleak'. And the figures are truly shocking – from 2020 up to January this year 25 women had been violently killed – all but one by a man – with 42 confirmed femicides since 2017. Among them are high-profile cases like 21-year-old Katie Simpson who was raped, beaten and murdered by her sister's boyfriend in 2020, and 30-year-old mother-of-four Caoimhe Morgan who was beaten to death by her partner a few days before Christmas 2021. 'In Northern Ireland, the battle to end violence against women and girls remains frustratingly stagnant. Despite legislative progress and commitments from statutory bodies to prioritise this emergency, the reality for many women remains bleak,' Ms McLaran said. Katie Simpson 'As a former police officer and now a councillor in Ards and North Down council, I have encountered many women in dire circumstances, and whilst we are certainly talking about the subject more openly we are yet to make a dent in the harrowing statistics, particularly in the wake of numerous tragic deaths and the increasingly unregulated online hostility toward women,' she says. 'As a police officer, I witnessed first hand the impact of physical, sexual, mental and financial abuse towards women. I attended many cases where women were beaten so badly that they needed hospitalisation and were left with lifelong mental and physical scars. 'Whilst officers receive specific training in dealing with such cases, many women and advocacy groups would suggest that it simply isn't enough, leaving many victims feeling as violated and abused by the justice system as by their perpetrators. 'I'm heartened by the priority that is being given to this by our new Chief Constable who recognises that our police service is woefully underfunded and understaffed. 'It is so desperately disheartening to see a woman be let down by the system that strips them of their dignity and calls into question their story of abuse. 'Women often speak of their loneliness during this process and the subsequent family court process if there are children in the equation. 'In such instances, women are forced to sit around the mediation table with the very man who has previously sexually or physically assaulted her, and many women understandably cannot garner the courage to do so. 'Finally securing a conviction, it is again disheartening to see meagre sentences handed down that does nothing but give weight to the notion that violence against women is not taken as seriously as it should. And so, the cycle of violence with little to no repercussions continues. 'I want to delve into the origins of where I believe women's vulnerabilities lie and why they are so susceptible to harm. Why we as a society, as police and as legislators, must be more proactive in preventing such instances occurring, rather than the current response of firefighting our way through the increasing number of attacks against women.' Caoimhe Morgan. The mother of four, who represents the Holywood and Clandeboye district, says the Troubles gave cover to VAWG. 'Where once the story of the death of a mother, a sister, a daughter at the hands of men would be buried amongst similarly horrific Troubles-related deaths, women's deaths can now be seen in the isolation they deserve. 'Violence against women and girls is now being seen in the stark, cold light of day, but I fear that if we do not make headway in tackling these crimes now, the frequency and normalisation will leave us numb and immune to the horror. Just another headline, another woman, another young girl.' She says social media 'is generating an insidious threat to the minds of an emerging generation who have unrestricted access to harmful content and disturbing pornography. 'Young people, particularly boys, are consuming content that distorts their perception of relationships, consent and respect, forming the notion that intimacy is violent, humiliating, demeaning to women and inflicted on women by dominant men. 'As a police officer, I worked frequently alongside departments responsible for public protection, child abuse and online safety. As a search officer, I assisted in searching the homes of those accused of creating and distributing the most horrific, unimaginably evil, images of the abuse of children. 'These people continue to have the ability to hide on the dark web, despite an Online Safety Act which appears to have no impact on deterrent or punishment.' Linzi McLaren News in 90 Seconds - May 23rd And she slams tech companies for failing to take action against those behind internet threats – something she suffered first hand when she received death threats for expressing public support for the building of Casement Park. 'I have personally reported abusive behaviour, inappropriate sexual messages, intimidation and threats online, only to receive notification that the abusive words directed toward me did not meet the necessary threshold for action. 'I know that a majority of women in public office have experienced the same. I can only assume therefore that social media platforms have granted a free reign to intimidate and silence women, given the total abject nature of enforcing accountability.' She called on lawmakers to do more to hold tech companies to account but laments how US President Donald Trump has brought tech bosses like Elon Musk into his administration and so it is 'understandable why the influence of these men is apparently feared'. In September 2024, the Northern Ireland Executive Office launched The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls strategic framework. As part of a wider £3.2 million investment, this first step will see £2 million shared across all 11 councils to enable them to support action in their local areas. Linzi accepts social media is here to stay and that she too grapples with guiding her three daughters and son through its dangers but that she's a 'fierce advocate' for education in schools. Read more 'RSE (relationship and sex education) in schools is, in my opinion, a means of safeguarding our young women against harm in the future by arming them with a sense of self-worth, an understanding of consent, the ability to identify a healthy relationship and autonomy over their bodies,' she says. 'Similarly, young men get the opportunity to do the same and have the chance to gain confidence in mature decisions. They would also be made aware of how to identify toxic male role models who distort young men's attitudes to women. 'Such role models teach misogyny and sexist behaviour, showing wrongly that power and influence can shield men from accountability. 'And yet, RSE has become somewhat of a political ideological debate, detracting from the very essence of what it aims to achieve.' And she says it's important men are brought into the conversation. 'I am very conscious of the fact that when I attend events to highlight concerns, it's often a panel of women talking to an audience of women. It's absolutely essential that we involve our male counterparts in this discussion as their opinions and experience are so crucial to finding solutions. 'The world as we know it is changing. When men who are perpetrators of sexual crime and abuse toward women are catapulted to the most powerful offices in the world, instead of shunned and publicly shamed.'
Irish Post
22-05-2025
- Irish Post
Shock in Co. Down after body found on beach
THERE is shock in a Northern Irish village after a body was found on a local beach. PSNI officers were called to reports of a body on Millisle Beach in Co. Down yesterday afternoon. The body was discovered on Millisle Beach in Co. Down Reports claim a local dog walker spotted the body and alerted the authorities. Local UUP Councillor Pete Wray, who represents Ards and North Down, confirmed the finding in a statement on social media. 'Sadly, I can confirm that a body has been found on Millisle Beach,' he said. 'Initial reports indicate the body has been brought in from the sea.' He added: 'PSNI remain at the scene, and I would ask everyone to give them the time and space to conduct their investigation. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the family who will be impacted by this and the individual who found the body.' DUP MLA Peter Martin has also paid tribute following the shocking discovery. 'A police investigation is underway in Millisle following the discovery of a body on the beach,' he said in a statement. 'My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the individual at this difficult time.' He added: 'Emergency services are on the scene and a cordon is in place to allow a full investigation to take place. 'I would urge folks to avoid the Donaghadee Road area at present. 'We do not know further details at this time and speculation would not be helpful to potentially bereaved friends or family members.' In a statement, the PSNI confirmed an investigation is now underway. 'The body found on the beach in the Donaghadee Road area of Millisle on Wednesday, May 21 has been removed from the scene,' they said. "A postmortem examination and formal identification will be carried out. 'Will update in due course." See More: Body, Down, Millisle Beach, PSNI
