Long praises essential staff and frontline responders
Date published:
Justice Minister Naomi Long commends staff and front-line workers for their commitment to keep people safe during Storm Éowyn.
Staff from across the Justice system have been involved in the frontline response and in providing essential services as Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc across Northern Ireland.
The Minister’s comments come as Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service prepare to reopen their buildings on Monday 27 January.
She said: “My sincere thanks go to all those who have put themselves at risk to ensure others are safe. The advice today was to stay home and stay safe if possible and yet staff and front-line workers across the Justice system including the NI Prison Service and the PSNI as response lead, continued to battle the elements to ensure the safety of others.
“I commend the PSNI for their leadership and coordination of the response to Storm Éowyn and praise all staff whose jobs cannot be done from home including those from the NI Prison service.
“There have been many challenges as a result of the storm, and it will take some days to establish the true impact on our estates. An assessment of all our buildings will now be carried out and it is anticipated that normal service may resume from Monday, including the reopening of courts.”
Further updates in relation to the opening of Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals (NICTS) buildings will be provided via NI Direct, the Department of Justice (DoJ) website and social media if required.
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