NI takes tentative steps out of lockdown as restrictions ease today

Despite Storey funeral fiasco, PSNI may stop ordinary people going for Easter beach walks

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Subscribe              Apr 1, 2021           Good morning By taking out a subscription to the News Letter you can help us to continue to provide trusted fact checked journalism investigating the issues that matter to people in Northern Ireland.  A Digital+ package starts from only £1 month and gives you unlimited access to the website, you'll see 70% fewer ads, you'll get full access to our online puzzles section and access to the newspaper edition app on mobile, desktop and tablet.            Orange Order responds to Bobby Storey funeral verdict - 'how can members of the public be expected to follow rules which do not apply to everyone?'           The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has expressed its deep concern at the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) decision not to bring charges against members of Sinn Fein and others who participated in the funeral of Bobby Storey last June.                 In the news today: * The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has expressed its deep concern at the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) decision not to bring charges against members of Sinn Fein and others who participated in the funeral of Bobby Storey last June. 'How can members of the public be expected to follow rules which do not apply to everyone?' * Northern Ireland will take some tentative steps out of lockdown today with the slight easing of restrictions on meeting outdoors. From today onwards, up to six people from no more than two households will be able to meet outdoors in a private garden. * The Stormont Assembly will convene for a recalled sitting later amid the escalating row over a decision not to prosecute Sinn Fein politicians who attended a huge republican funeral during the pandemic. MLAs are returning from Easter recess to debate an SDLP motion calling for the censure of Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Finance Minister Conor Murphy. * Pope Francis has written to a former Presbyterian moderator thanking him for his "thoughtful observations" after the pontiff read his views in the Irish News newspaper. It comes after Dr Norman Hamilton wrote about the Pope's latest encyclical, or important church teaching document, in the paper's faith matters section. And, on the first day of April we bring the news that... * Holywood, Co Down is to follow in the footsteps of its glitzy US namesake, Hollywood, Los Angeles, after planners gave the go-ahead for the erection of a £1.5 m giant sign. The News Letter can reveal the Holywood name will be spelled out in 40ft-tall white capital letters and will be some 300 ft long – similar proportions to the iconic American sign, which was created in 1923. Have a good day   Michael Cousins Deputy digital editor           Explainer: NI takes tentative steps out of lockdown as restrictions ease today   Northern Ireland will take some tentative steps out of lockdown today with the slight easing of restrictions on meeting outdoors.           Despite Storey funeral fiasco, PSNI may stop ordinary people going for Easter beach walks   After the revelation that police "negotiated" with Sinn Fein before public health advice was flouted at an IRA man's funeral, the PSNI last night would not rule out attempting to prevent members of the public travelling to walk over Easter.           More NI bonfire groups withdraw support for PSNI and 'won't be engaging with the PSNI in the lead up to the marching/bonfire season'   More loyalist bonfire groups have publicly withdrawn their support for the PSNI in public messages on social media.           Pope Francis writes to Presbyterian cleric thanking him for 'thoughtful' words   Pope Francis has written to a former Presbyterian moderator thanking him for his "thoughtful observations" after the pontiff read his views in the Irish News newspaper.               THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Details of first ships arrival at Botany Bay published   From the News Letter, April 1, 1789       THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of April 1901   Diocese receives thanks from new King                             Ulster's Dan McFarland expecting Harlequins to provide full-force challenge           Dan McFarland expects Harlequins to be fully loaded for the last 16 European Challenge Cup match with Ulster at The Stoop on Sunday night.                   Ian Baraclough rues missed chances as Northern Ireland see World Cup hopes fade   Ian Baraclough was left to wonder what more his Northern Ireland players could have done as their must-win World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria ended in a frustrating goalless draw.       Ian Stewart: Portsmouth destroyed me as a player - and nearly destroyed me as a person   Few playing careers have perished at Fratton Park quite so brutally as Ian Stewart's.       Blow for Northern Ireland in scoreless home draw with Bulgaria   Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup suffered a major setback as they were held to a goalless draw by Bulgaria at Windsor Park.                   View more news

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