Dean Blackwood
@rdeanblackwood.bsky.social
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
My Freedom of Information request on the failed Hill Street pedestrianisation scheme sums up at a small level, the wider failure of this useless Stormont Executive.
Devolve transport and physical regeneration powers to council. Sinn Fein and the DUP have no interest in making this place work.
Devolve transport and physical regeneration powers to council. Sinn Fein and the DUP have no interest in making this place work.
January 29, 2026 at 3:49 PM
My Freedom of Information request on the failed Hill Street pedestrianisation scheme sums up at a small level, the wider failure of this useless Stormont Executive.
Devolve transport and physical regeneration powers to council. Sinn Fein and the DUP have no interest in making this place work.
Devolve transport and physical regeneration powers to council. Sinn Fein and the DUP have no interest in making this place work.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
More than a month after I asked NI Water for a copy of its whistleblowing policy, it has been unable to produce the document it has trumpeted. Amid concern at NI Water's treatment of whistleblowers, an Opposition MLA says it's "bizarre" behaviour.
More than a month after being asked for its whistleblowing policy, NI Water still can’t produce it
More than a month after being asked for a copy of its whistleblowing policy, NI Water has been unable to produce it – despite trumpeting the document to Stormont.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 7:28 AM
More than a month after I asked NI Water for a copy of its whistleblowing policy, it has been unable to produce the document it has trumpeted. Amid concern at NI Water's treatment of whistleblowers, an Opposition MLA says it's "bizarre" behaviour.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Polizei Berlin said in a statement it has reported the incident to its police watchdog, the Directorate for Police Offences, “to determine whether any aspects of the police response may be disproportionate or of criminal relevance” #Gaza
m.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
Irish woman ‘repeatedly punched in the face by police’ during Gaza protest in Berlin
Footage has emerged of an Irish woman being repeatedly punched in the face by police at a protest against “the deliberate killing of journalists in Gaza” in Germany’s capital.
m.independent.ie
August 29, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Polizei Berlin said in a statement it has reported the incident to its police watchdog, the Directorate for Police Offences, “to determine whether any aspects of the police response may be disproportionate or of criminal relevance” #Gaza
m.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
It's a decade since a critical meeting as RHI ran out of control. Now, hapless Stormont’s continued inability to shut RHI exposes how irreformable devolution has been - and some of the behaviour which led to RHI is being repeated under a Sinn Féin minister.
Some of the behaviour which led to RHI is being repeated under Sinn Féin minister
It’s the scandal everyone wants to die – but stubbornly refuses to expire.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
August 23, 2025 at 7:51 AM
It's a decade since a critical meeting as RHI ran out of control. Now, hapless Stormont’s continued inability to shut RHI exposes how irreformable devolution has been - and some of the behaviour which led to RHI is being repeated under a Sinn Féin minister.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
📣 Challenge launched 📣
Save Our Sperrins have applied to judicially review the Dept. for the Economy’s decision to grant several mineral prospecting licences.
✅️Papers signed
✅️Court fee paid
✅️ PILS acting as SOS' solicitor
Now, we wait for the Department’s response...
#PublicInterestLitigation
Save Our Sperrins have applied to judicially review the Dept. for the Economy’s decision to grant several mineral prospecting licences.
✅️Papers signed
✅️Court fee paid
✅️ PILS acting as SOS' solicitor
Now, we wait for the Department’s response...
#PublicInterestLitigation
August 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
📣 Challenge launched 📣
Save Our Sperrins have applied to judicially review the Dept. for the Economy’s decision to grant several mineral prospecting licences.
✅️Papers signed
✅️Court fee paid
✅️ PILS acting as SOS' solicitor
Now, we wait for the Department’s response...
#PublicInterestLitigation
Save Our Sperrins have applied to judicially review the Dept. for the Economy’s decision to grant several mineral prospecting licences.
✅️Papers signed
✅️Court fee paid
✅️ PILS acting as SOS' solicitor
Now, we wait for the Department’s response...
#PublicInterestLitigation
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Great news for Rostrevor and the future of the Mourne Mountains!
The Mourne Gateway/Gondola was always a deeply unsustainable, undemocratic and unwelcome project. Those who pocketed millions pursuing it against the will of the people must now be held accountable.
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
The Mourne Gateway/Gondola was always a deeply unsustainable, undemocratic and unwelcome project. Those who pocketed millions pursuing it against the will of the people must now be held accountable.
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Andrew Muir’s department vetoes council’s alternative Mournes’ gondola plan
Three months after the National Trust pulled the plug on the Slieve Donard gondola plan, Newry, Mourne & Down Council’s alternative proposal has suffered a setback
www.irishnews.com
July 30, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Great news for Rostrevor and the future of the Mourne Mountains!
The Mourne Gateway/Gondola was always a deeply unsustainable, undemocratic and unwelcome project. Those who pocketed millions pursuing it against the will of the people must now be held accountable.
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
The Mourne Gateway/Gondola was always a deeply unsustainable, undemocratic and unwelcome project. Those who pocketed millions pursuing it against the will of the people must now be held accountable.
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Sorry to burden you with another jaw-dropping scandal. But what the government intends to do to chemicals regulation in the UK is chilling. Its consultation was slipped out so quietly that most of us missed it. When I read it, I saw why.
This week's column:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Want to import toxic chemicals into Britain with scant scrutiny? Labour says: go right ahead | George Monbiot
Jacob Rees-Mogg’s Tory fantasy of a post-Brexit bonfire of regulations is coming true. Our bodies and ecosystems will pay the price, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Sorry to burden you with another jaw-dropping scandal. But what the government intends to do to chemicals regulation in the UK is chilling. Its consultation was slipped out so quietly that most of us missed it. When I read it, I saw why.
This week's column:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
🌈 🏳️⚧️ Belfast Pride kicks off this weekend and our pedigree on lgbtqia+ equality is unassailable. The 5 executive parties have gaslighted us with broken promises and refusal to use their power to make our lives better.
1/2
1/2
July 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
🌈 🏳️⚧️ Belfast Pride kicks off this weekend and our pedigree on lgbtqia+ equality is unassailable. The 5 executive parties have gaslighted us with broken promises and refusal to use their power to make our lives better.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
In the midst of challenging those who threaten nature around us, it’s also vital to make time to celebrate the wonders of nature. Please check out our annual collaboration with the Fiddler's Green International Festival for our In Tune with Nature programme starting next Sunday in Rostrevor!
July 7, 2025 at 7:35 AM
In the midst of challenging those who threaten nature around us, it’s also vital to make time to celebrate the wonders of nature. Please check out our annual collaboration with the Fiddler's Green International Festival for our In Tune with Nature programme starting next Sunday in Rostrevor!
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
The A5 debacle is classic Stormont: It wants to slash carbon emissions but emit more; it wants it to be compulsory to protect the environment but be allowed to damage the environment; it wants to cut road journeys while building bigger roads. This is insane - but it's not the judge who's mad.
A5 court outcome is insane, but it’s not the judge who’s mad - it’s just classic Stormont
Last week, Belfast High Court blocked the building of a major road on technical grounds, even though the judge accepted his decision would likely lead to people being killed and seriously maimed.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
June 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The A5 debacle is classic Stormont: It wants to slash carbon emissions but emit more; it wants it to be compulsory to protect the environment but be allowed to damage the environment; it wants to cut road journeys while building bigger roads. This is insane - but it's not the judge who's mad.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
The seemingly never ending tragic outcomes of violence against women in NI, shows clearly that thoughts & prayers aren’t enough—we must act.
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...
Man arrested on suspicion of murder of pregnant mum-of-two in Co Down
Police have launched a murder probe after the death of a young mother in a seaside town.
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
June 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The seemingly never ending tragic outcomes of violence against women in NI, shows clearly that thoughts & prayers aren’t enough—we must act.
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Red letters, bounced cheques and court action: How Ian Paisley Jr’s office failed to pay into public purse which lavishly funded him. The man who once got taxpayers to pay £950 (£1,800 today) for a single chair left politics with unpaid bills - which the DUP now won't pay.
Red letters, bounced cheques and court action: How Ian Paisley’s office failed to pay into public purse which lavishly funded him
For years, Ian Paisley Jr benefited handsomely from public funds. And for years, we can reveal, his office wasn’t paying what was due to the public purse.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
June 21, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Red letters, bounced cheques and court action: How Ian Paisley Jr’s office failed to pay into public purse which lavishly funded him. The man who once got taxpayers to pay £950 (£1,800 today) for a single chair left politics with unpaid bills - which the DUP now won't pay.
Government often claimed that the operators hid their criminality behind legitimate businesses. Untrue. Both companies were permitted to operate way beyond planning regulation and environmental laws. One received significant public money while causing serious harm #Systemfailni
Two businessmen have been jailed over an illegal Derry dump that could cost £700m to clean up - but did you know a 2013 report found there was a 'history of repeated non-compliances' at the officially regulated site
open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
Businessmen jailed over illegal Derry dump that could cost £700m to clean up
"This was an abhorrent environmental crime of unprecedented proportions"
open.substack.com
June 11, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Government often claimed that the operators hid their criminality behind legitimate businesses. Untrue. Both companies were permitted to operate way beyond planning regulation and environmental laws. One received significant public money while causing serious harm #Systemfailni
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
The two criminals responsible for the vast Mobuoy toxic dump polluting Londonderry’s drinking water repeatedly lied about their role — and then claimed when caught that the court process was hurting their own health.
Mobuoy criminals who polluted Derry drinking water told judge their health suffered from being taken to court
The two criminals responsible for a vast toxic dump polluting Londonderry’s drinking water repeatedly lied about their role — and then claimed when caught it was hurting their own health.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
June 10, 2025 at 7:15 AM
The two criminals responsible for the vast Mobuoy toxic dump polluting Londonderry’s drinking water repeatedly lied about their role — and then claimed when caught that the court process was hurting their own health.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Mobuoy’s polluters are finally behind bars, but the punishment doesn’t match the crime. Those who made millions dumping toxic waste beside our river should be forced to pay every penny back, not just serve time.
1/2 #environmentaljustice #climatejustice #cleanwater
1/2 #environmentaljustice #climatejustice #cleanwater
June 9, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Mobuoy’s polluters are finally behind bars, but the punishment doesn’t match the crime. Those who made millions dumping toxic waste beside our river should be forced to pay every penny back, not just serve time.
1/2 #environmentaljustice #climatejustice #cleanwater
1/2 #environmentaljustice #climatejustice #cleanwater
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Two businessmen have been jailed over an illegal Derry dump that could cost £700m to clean up - but did you know a 2013 report found there was a 'history of repeated non-compliances' at the officially regulated site
open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
Businessmen jailed over illegal Derry dump that could cost £700m to clean up
"This was an abhorrent environmental crime of unprecedented proportions"
open.substack.com
June 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Two businessmen have been jailed over an illegal Derry dump that could cost £700m to clean up - but did you know a 2013 report found there was a 'history of repeated non-compliances' at the officially regulated site
open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
“Who will champion the voices of the people, demand that projects align with community needs, and ensure that proper consultation and transparency guide the council's actions moving forward?"
An excellent letter from Jim Boylan. Public confidence in Newry, Mourne & Down Council has hit rock bottom.
An excellent letter from Jim Boylan. Public confidence in Newry, Mourne & Down Council has hit rock bottom.
June 6, 2025 at 10:34 AM
“Who will champion the voices of the people, demand that projects align with community needs, and ensure that proper consultation and transparency guide the council's actions moving forward?"
An excellent letter from Jim Boylan. Public confidence in Newry, Mourne & Down Council has hit rock bottom.
An excellent letter from Jim Boylan. Public confidence in Newry, Mourne & Down Council has hit rock bottom.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
📢Tell the government to stop stalling the urgent action needed and start to breathe life back into our precious waters by taking action! Please tell DAERA, by sharing the impacts you are aware of on the loughs, rivers, streams and sheughs you care about. Thanks
bit.ly/DAERAwater
bit.ly/DAERAwater
Water is Life: Help protect Northern Ireland's water
Another consultation and still no action to protect our water – can you help force change? Our rivers, lakes and loughs are in crisis. Pollution from animal and human waste is poisoning all our waters...
bit.ly
June 4, 2025 at 3:48 PM
📢Tell the government to stop stalling the urgent action needed and start to breathe life back into our precious waters by taking action! Please tell DAERA, by sharing the impacts you are aware of on the loughs, rivers, streams and sheughs you care about. Thanks
bit.ly/DAERAwater
bit.ly/DAERAwater
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
It's taken me a wee while - but I've decided to give #TheEarthsCorr a new home on substack.
In my first post you can read about Ireland's biggest climate risks, now and into the future, following a major new report from @epaireland.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
In my first post you can read about Ireland's biggest climate risks, now and into the future, following a major new report from @epaireland.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
Ireland's biggest climate risks laid bare in first national assessment
"We know Ireland is being impacted by climate change already"
open.substack.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
It's taken me a wee while - but I've decided to give #TheEarthsCorr a new home on substack.
In my first post you can read about Ireland's biggest climate risks, now and into the future, following a major new report from @epaireland.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
In my first post you can read about Ireland's biggest climate risks, now and into the future, following a major new report from @epaireland.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/theearth...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Cartoons to give people a lift. When council officials and their cheerleaders go into pantomime mode, they must prepare for the sound of very loud laughter in their ears.
Please sign the petition to say NO to the gondola in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor ⬇️
www.change.org/p/say-no-to-...
Please sign the petition to say NO to the gondola in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor ⬇️
www.change.org/p/say-no-to-...
June 1, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Cartoons to give people a lift. When council officials and their cheerleaders go into pantomime mode, they must prepare for the sound of very loud laughter in their ears.
Please sign the petition to say NO to the gondola in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor ⬇️
www.change.org/p/say-no-to-...
Please sign the petition to say NO to the gondola in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor ⬇️
www.change.org/p/say-no-to-...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Our response to BBC News on the story of attempts to move the failed Donard cable car project to Rostrevor. We sent the following comment with photograph (March 2025) of an “infrastructure” of crumbling barrels of concrete on the shore side of Mourne Coastal route between Rostrevor and Killowen.
May 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Our response to BBC News on the story of attempts to move the failed Donard cable car project to Rostrevor. We sent the following comment with photograph (March 2025) of an “infrastructure” of crumbling barrels of concrete on the shore side of Mourne Coastal route between Rostrevor and Killowen.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
🚨Bone fragments & muscle fibres found in calf meal produced by Northern Ireland animal feed firm. It’s been illegal to feed ruminants all forms of mammalian protein since Nov 1994 and to feed any farmed livestock, including fish&horses, with mammalian meat and bone meal since 1996
May 29, 2025 at 6:35 AM
🚨Bone fragments & muscle fibres found in calf meal produced by Northern Ireland animal feed firm. It’s been illegal to feed ruminants all forms of mammalian protein since Nov 1994 and to feed any farmed livestock, including fish&horses, with mammalian meat and bone meal since 1996
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Fresnillo is a goldminer worth £8bn, listed on the London Stock Exchange and majority-owned by the billionaire Baillères family. For years it has been locked in a bitter dispute with the Bajío agrarian community on whose land it encroached in the desert of Mexico's Sonora state.
May 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Fresnillo is a goldminer worth £8bn, listed on the London Stock Exchange and majority-owned by the billionaire Baillères family. For years it has been locked in a bitter dispute with the Bajío agrarian community on whose land it encroached in the desert of Mexico's Sonora state.
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
Earlier this year a court-appointed expert said Fresnillo owed $630m, reflecting the gold it mined on the community's land.
Fresnillo's shareholders had been told nothing of the expert report, until SourceMaterial and The Times began asking questions. www.source-material.org/fresnillo-so...
Fresnillo's shareholders had been told nothing of the expert report, until SourceMaterial and The Times began asking questions. www.source-material.org/fresnillo-so...
Fresnillo faces $630m demand to restore 'illegally-mined' gold – SourceMaterial
The goldmining giant lost access to a Mexican mine in 2013 — now a court-appointed review says it must return $630m of gold it mined there.
www.source-material.org
May 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Earlier this year a court-appointed expert said Fresnillo owed $630m, reflecting the gold it mined on the community's land.
Fresnillo's shareholders had been told nothing of the expert report, until SourceMaterial and The Times began asking questions. www.source-material.org/fresnillo-so...
Fresnillo's shareholders had been told nothing of the expert report, until SourceMaterial and The Times began asking questions. www.source-material.org/fresnillo-so...
Reposted by Dean Blackwood
‘Another record high’ as Northern Ireland’s homelessness crisis deepens - viewdigital.org/another-reco...
‘Another record high’ as Northern Ireland's homelessness crisis deepens - VIEWdigital
The Department for Communities today released the latest edition of its Housing Bulletin for January to March 2025. The statistics show that the number of households with homelessness status in Northe...
viewdigital.org
May 29, 2025 at 1:34 PM
‘Another record high’ as Northern Ireland’s homelessness crisis deepens - viewdigital.org/another-reco...