Latest Fact Checks

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Law

Does NI’s criminal justice system have the biggest backlog in the UK?

11 April 2024

CLAIM: Northern Ireland is the worst place in the UK for logjams in the justice system.

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On 14 November, an article in the Belfast Telegraph claimed that: “Northern Ireland’s Crown Court is now backlogged until the autumn of 2024, with no

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Education

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Health

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Law

Have 75% of 16-year-old girls in NI been harassed on the street?

4 April 2024

CLAIM: Three quarters of all 16-year-old girls in Northern Ireland have experienced on-street harassment.

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On 26 February, during a debate in the Assembly, Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin said: “One of the statistics that really shocked me was in

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Health

Did almost 1,500 people die in NI in one year because of long waits in A&E?

27 March 2024

CLAIM: There is strong evidence that in 2022, delays in Northern Ireland’s emergency departments led to the premature deaths of 1,434 people.

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In an interview published on 21 January in the Irish Times, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s (RCEM) Vice Chair in Northern Ireland Dr Russell

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Education

Does a child with a statement have to be placed in their parents’ preferred school?

21 March 2024

CLAIM: Parents/guardians of children with a statement of special educational needs can tell the Education Authority which school they want that child to attend, and that school is required to accept them.

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On 30 January in a post on social media, newspaper columnist Newton Emerson said: “Timely reminder: if your child has a statement, the EA is

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Health

Do 11% of Travellers die by suicide?

11 March 2024

CLAIM: Sinn Féin TD Mark Wark said that 11% of all Travellers will die by suicide – a rate which is seven times higher than the general population.

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On 5 December during a debate in the Dail, Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward said: “Some 11% of all Travellers will die by suicide. This

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Health

Are Northern Ireland’s child vaccination rates for measles too low?

5 March 2024

CLAIM: Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly claimed that almost 89% of children in NI have received their first MMR jab, but fewer return for the second dose – with only 85% fully vaccinated by the time they are five years old. The WHO recommends a 95% vaccination rate to prevent outbreaks.

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On 19 February during a plenary session in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said: “Almost 89% of children in Northern Ireland have