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Latest Fact Checks

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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

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Peace

Is Belfast City Council’s policy for dual language street signs “extremist and provocative”?

23 February 2024

A column in the News Letter examined changes in Belfast City Council’s processes for erecting dual language street signs. We take a look at how

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Law

Did online child grooming in Northern Ireland increase by 40% last year?

16 February 2024

CLAIM: The Derry Journal reported that cases of online sexual grooming of children in Northern Ireland rose by over 40% between 2022 and 2023.

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On 6 February in a post on social media, the Derry Journal claimed: “The mother of two children who were groomed by someone pretending to

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Europe

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Law

Can both UK and Irish citizens cross the border without showing ID?

9 February 2024

CLAIM: Citizens of both the UK and of Ireland are not required to carry or produce ID when moving between the two territories, thanks to the legal provisions of the Common Travel Area.

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On 11 January in posts on social media, campaign group End Deportations Belfast criticised the approach of An Garda Síochána officers carrying out checks on

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Elections

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Peace

Do the people of Northern Ireland want the Assembly to return?

30 January 2024

CLAIM: Recent polling data indicates that the Northern Irish public wants devolution restored.

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Professor Shirlow is the Director of the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool. On 29 January, he claimed in a post on

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We have written 160 fact-check reports on public statements since 2016.