Doug Beattie MC MLA

06/06/2026

D-Day 6th June 1944 saw the largest ever armada of ships & aircraft transport over 150,000 military personnel to the beaches, villages and countryside of Normandy.

The Royal Ulster Rifles(RUR) - my father’s old regiment - made history that day.

They were the only British Regiment to deploy both an airborne and seaborne battalion on D-Day.

1 RUR arrived in Ranville via Horsa gliders as part of Operation Mallard. 2 RUR landed on Sword Beach west of Ouistreham as part of Operation Neptune.

Both Battalions were heavily involved in the bitter battles to liberate towns and woods around Caen, such as Cambes-en-Plaine. Their legacy in France is still marked by the ‘Chemin des Royal Ulster Rifles’ (a road named in their honour near Cambes) and memorials in Ranville.

Over 4,000 allies died on that first day and up to 9,000 German forces as operation Overlord became a turning point in WW2 and changed Europe and the world forever.
remember

05/06/2026

Speaking to some of the residents in Central Craigavon about the sudden closure of 2 pedestrian bridges.

Safety is always the key driver in any decision but with just 24 hours notice some residents 5 minute walk to TESCO is now a 40 minute round trip.

For the vulnerable, elderly and those with mobility issues it is just not an option.

So far my call for an urgent meeting with has been ignored.

The question now is would & other retailers, along with put on a shuttle bus to assist those affected.

05/06/2026

I have raised serious concerns about the sudden closure of two key footbridges in Craigavon, announced with just 24 hours’ notice.

These bridges are vital links for local communities, and their closure is already causing real hardship, especially for elderly and vulnerable residents.

With limited safe alternatives, many people are being forced to use routes like the Parkmore underpass, which is widely considered unsafe, or risk crossing a busy dual carriageway.

While safety must come first, serious questions remain about how this situation has been handled and why residents were not given earlier warning. We are calling on the Department for Infrastructure to provide urgent answers and put immediate measures in place to support affected communities.

04/06/2026

Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie and Independent Councillor for Craigavon Kate Evans have raised serious concerns about the simultaneous closure of two key footbridges in Craigavon, which connect major residential areas to local shops, services, and amenities.

The sudden closure, announced with just 24 hours’ notice, will cause significant hardship for residents in Parkmore, Drumgor, Enniskeen, and the wider central Craigavon area. For many elderly and vulnerable residents, the alternative routes now suggested are simply not practical. One of the recommended alternatives, the Parkmore underpass, is widely regarded as unsafe and is routinely avoided by women at night.

Residents were informed that the bridges had been deemed structurally unsafe and had reached the end of their serviceable life.

However, this raises important questions. If the Department for Infrastructure was aware of the deteriorating condition of these bridges, why were residents not informed earlier? If inspections only took place on 3 June, and the bridges were immediately deemed unsafe, why were they not closed at once? There is growing suspicion that inspections were carried out some time ago and that the decision to close the bridges has only now been acted upon.

These are matters that must be addressed urgently by the Minister and the Department for Infrastructure. In the meantime, residents are being left isolated. Many will feel they have no choice but to use illegal crossing points to reach the Leisure Centre, Rushmere, and Tesco putting their lives at risk by attempting to cross a busy dual carriageway. The Department must set out what immediate measures it intends to take to support those affected.

No one disputes the need for action following structural inspections. The issue is how this situation has been handled and how long residents will be left without safe, accessible crossings.

04/06/2026

Dementia Bus Experience Coming to Portadown

ABC Community Network and the SHSCT Promoting Wellbeing Team is delighted to host the Dementia Bus, offering a powerful, immersive experience to help you better understand dementia.

03/06/2026

I have long argued against a weak criminal justice system and poor sentencing.

In this case I am glad to see a sentence that is fitting the crime but yet again we overlook a whole life sentence.

My thoughts are with Natalie and her whole family on what is a difficult day

Stephen McCullagh has today been sentenced to a minimum term of 31 years imprisonment for the brutal and senseless murder of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally. Our thoughts are with Natalie’s family and friends. You can read more here: https://orlo.uk/b0j04

02/06/2026

There was no orchestrated campaign against me🤔

Conspirators notes:

1. Leak to media Doug is facing deselection for AE27✅
2. Leak to media that Doug has a poor local association relationship✅
3. Leak to media that it’s Doug leaking to media for selfish purposes✅
4. Leak to media private staff employment issue effecting other party members✅
5. Leak lie to media that Doug has a party finance issue✅
6. Trawl social media & report a 2013 historic tweet that was dealt with 4 yrs previously✅
7. Report Doug for trying to do a good deed for the party & party Cllrs✅
8. Accuse Doug of being aggressive….. get association to repeat accusation✅
9. Tell Doug he is being reported to party disciplinary committee✅
10. Make a decision to remove the party whip and suspend Doug from the party✅
11. Stop Doug from putting his name forward for selection which closes 2 days later.✅

12. Doug resigns✅

No……. absolutely not orchestrated 🤷🏻‍♂️❌

02/06/2026

🎒 School Meals & Uniform Grants – Applications Open 🎒
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📅 Apply as soon as possible to ensure everything is in place for the new school term.

👉 Check your eligibility and apply here:
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If you know someone who could benefit, please share this post 💙

31/05/2026

Politics is never an easy game. But sometime integrity is more important than just belonging.

Therefore I have resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party with immediate effect.

I shall continue to represent the constituents of Upper Bann ensuring their best interests are foremost in all I do.