Michael Cousins Acting Managing Editor

Good afternoon

Welcome to your afternoon update from the News Letter

In Coronavirus news today:

The deaths of a further five patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland. The region’s department of health has also notified another 1,109 cases of the virus. On Monday morning there were 329 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 35 were in intensive care. To date 2,552,545 vaccines have been administered.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister has declined to say if all of his DUP party’s MLAs have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Paul Givan was challenged by SDLP MLA Pat Catney to introduce a mandatory Covid-19 vaccine certificate. Both Mr Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have expressed reservations about the move, stating last week that they would prefer public co-operation with health measures.

In other news:

* Up to 140 jobs lost as NI firm, JMC Mechanical and Construction Ltd, goes into liquidation

* A pan-unionist legal challenge to the Northern Ireland Protocol has been put on hold amid claims of a potential “change” in the UK government’s position.

* ‘If police could stop Al Capone a century ago, they can stop SEA UDA today’ – Sammy Wilson hits out as inquest reveals tragic last days of Carrick loyalist Mark Gourley

* A Belfast man has made an emotional trek from coast to coast in England carrying the ashes of his godson on a journey he never got to make.