",{"_163":9494,"_165":9495},"All departments said they work to ensure all expenditure follows guidance and represents value for money.",[],{"_163":9497,"_165":9498},"Figures obtained by the TUV’s Timothy Gaston via a series of Assembly questions reveal the scale of this spending among the various Stormont departments, with the total between 2021 to 2025 coming out at £28,421.",[],"159450225",{"_163":9501,"_165":9502},"External experts are often brought in by public-facing bodies, political parties and private entities to train staff on how to be media-savvy.",[],{"_163":9504,"_165":9505},"Media training involves preparing staff to communicate effectively with journalists and news outlets, and ensuring they don’t say the “wrong” thing and fail to toe the relevant minister’s line.",[],{"_163":9507,"_165":9508},"Stormont departments have forked out almost £30,000 on “media training” for staff in recent years, it can be revealed, with the biggest spenders being those often attracting the most criticism. ",[],"Image: Belfast Telegraph graphics",{"_81":9511,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9512,"_213":9509,"_223":9513,"_106":9514,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9515,"_218":88,"_232":9514,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3uhqr6-stormont-departments.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/stormont_departments.jpg",[9516],"stormont_departments.jpg","160107846","All Stormont departments have paid external experts to media train staff. © PA RadarImage: Belfast Telegraph graphics",{"_235":8055,"_237":8056,"_239":8055,"_240":8057},{"_163":9368,"_165":9518},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":760,"_106":761,"_253":10,"_254":762},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":9524,"_237":9525,"_240":9526},"andrew.madden@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Madden","Andrew",{"_81":9528,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9529,"_213":9509,"_223":9513,"_106":9514,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9515,"_218":88,"_232":9514,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3uhqr6-stormont-departments.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/stormont_departments.jpg",[9530],{"_235":8055,"_237":8056,"_239":8055,"_240":8057},{"_250":9558,"_106":9559,"_275":9560,"_276":280},{"_250":9555,"_106":9556,"_275":9557,"_276":280},{"_250":9552,"_106":9553,"_275":9554,"_276":280},{"_250":9549,"_106":9550,"_275":9551,"_276":280},{"_250":9183,"_106":9184,"_275":9185,"_276":280},{"_250":1678,"_106":1679,"_275":1680,"_276":280},{"_250":9546,"_106":9547,"_275":9548,"_276":280},{"_250":9360,"_106":9361,"_275":9362,"_276":280},{"_250":9544,"_106":9545,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":9541,"_106":9542,"_275":9543,"_276":280},"Northern Ireland Assembly","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:northern-ireland-assembly","Devolved legislature of Northern Ireland.","Timothy Gaston","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:timothy-gaston","Department for Infrastructure","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:department-for-infrastructure","Department for Infrastructure – Responsibility for all aspects of infrastructure in Northern Ireland","Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs - (DAERA)","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:department-of-agriculture-environment-rural-affairs-daera","Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs - (DAERA) has responsibility for food, farming, environmental, fisheries, forestry and sustainability policy and the development of the rural sector in Northern Ireland.","Department for the Economy","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:department-for-the-economy","Responsibility for all aspects of economic policy in Northern Ireland","Department of Justice","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:department-of-justice","Department of Justice – The Department is responsible for the resourcing, legislative and policy framework of the justice system.","Department of Finance (DoF)","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:department-of-finance","Department of Finance - DoF helps the Northern Ireland Executive secure the most appropriate and effective use of resources and services.",195287022,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/heather-humphreys-still-bruised-over-questions-about-orange-order-during-irish-presidential-campaign/a/160084936.html",[9702,9703],"Heather Humphreys ‘still bruised’ over questions about Orange Order during Irish presidential campaign",{"_264":9698,"_266":9689,"_267":9566},[9697],[9693,9694,9695,9696],"160084936",{},[],"2026-08-16T11:00:00Z","2026-08-16T11:04:49Z",[9579,9580,9581,9582,9583,9584,9585,9586,9587,9588,9589,9590,9591,9592,9593,9594,9595,9596,9597,9598,9599,9600,9601,9602,9603],{"_140":10,"_141":9578,"_143":10},"Reporter","691bdea5-9955-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":9691,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":9688,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":7522,"_213":9679,"_215":9680,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":9676,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":9673,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":9670,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":9667,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":9664,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":9661,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":9658,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":9655,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":167,"_586":9646,"_588":9647,"_590":-5,"_592":9648,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":9643,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":9640,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":9637,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":9634,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":9631,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":9625,"_215":9626,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":9622,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":9619,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":9616,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":9613,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":9606,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":650,"_106":9605,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9605,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":9604,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9604,"_233":92},"159393168","159841702",{"_163":9607,"_165":9608},"Tickets for the two-day D’Arcy McGee summer school event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Carlingford are available here. ",[9609],{"_85":192,"_157":9610,"_194":206,"_196":9611},112,{"_198":9612,"_155":200,"_201":8},"https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/15th-annual-darcy-mcgee-summer-school-culture-identity-and-inclusion-tickets-1994608448563?aff=oddtdtcreator",{"_163":9614,"_165":9615},"Catherine Connolly won the election with 63pc of the vote. Ms Humphreys polled in second place with 29pc of the vote. ",[],{"_163":9617,"_165":9618},"Ms Humphreys previously served as a TD for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency from 2011 to 2024 and had several roles in cabinet, including Minister for Justice. ",[],{"_163":9620,"_165":9621},"Ms Humphreys put her name into the presidential race after securing the support of all 55 Fine Gael TDs, stepping in for Mairead McGuinness who withdrew from the election due to health concerns. ",[],{"_163":9623,"_165":9624},"Unionist fears over identify and inclusion in a united Ireland will be a discussion point at the conference, as well as issues like immigration and racism. ",[],"Wallace Thompson speaks during a pro-unity group Ireland’s Future event at the SSE Arena, Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)",{"_81":9627,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9628,"_213":9625,"_223":9629,"_106":9630,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9625,"_218":88,"_232":9630,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/trdz8-wallace-thompson-speaks-during-a-pro-unity-group-irelands-future-event-at-the-sse-arena-belfast-b/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/226674948%2F3773ac0b012422f280b7eb48e1f8de4fe0fde523bb5cd3ee2dac18ca17007ad1.jpg",[],"226674948%2F3773ac0b012422f280b7eb48e1f8de4fe0fde523bb5cd3ee2dac18ca17007ad1.jpg","108806430",{"_163":9632,"_165":9633},"“The momentum for it may have gone away a little but it’s still there and it won’t go away.”",[],{"_163":9635,"_165":9636},"“I do think there will be some form of a united Ireland in my grandchildren’s lifetime, and I’d like to think I can contribute in some way to breaking down barriers. ",[],{"_163":9638,"_165":9639},"“It wasn’t her Presbyterian faith but her link to what’s perceived as a sectarian organisation – you can see how that would cause annoyance, but it’s also scary for northerners who see their identity rights under threat,” he said.",[],{"_163":9641,"_165":9642},"Mr Thompson (73), who recently revealed that he had suffered from a stroke, said that Ms Humphreys was “singled out over her links to the Orange Order”.",[],{"_163":9644,"_165":9645},"As part of the event, DUP founder Wallace Thompson will share the stage with former UUP councillor Linzi McLaren - both of whom have called for unionists to be more open minded towards discussions of Irish reunification. ",[],{"_163":9653,"_165":9654},{"_163":9651,"_165":9652},{"_163":9649,"_165":9650},"DUP Founding Member",[],"Wallace Thompson",[],"It wasn’t her Presbyterian faith but her link to what’s perceived as a sectarian organisation – you can see how that would cause annoyance, but it’s also scary for northerners who see their identity rights under threat. ",[],{"_163":9656,"_165":9657},"Heather Humphreys is expected to speak at the first day of the conference which will feature panel discussions from several perspectives on “culture, identity and inclusion in a turbulent world.”",[],{"_163":9659,"_165":9660},"Throughout the campaign, Ms Humphreys said that her experiences as an Ulster Presbyterian alongside a former Cabinet member in the Dail would make her a candidate that would represent everyone. ",[],{"_163":9662,"_165":9663},"This included her husband’s past membership of the Orange Order, as well as criticism of her attendance of Orange demonstrations as a child in the 1960s prior to the outbreak of the Troubles. ",[],{"_163":9665,"_165":9666},"Ms Humphreys, who was a Credit Union manager before entering frontline politics, faced questions throughout the campaign over her family’s links to the Orange Order in Co Monaghan.",[],{"_163":9668,"_165":9669},"Meanwhile, a source close to Heather Humphreys told the Belfast Telegraph that she remains hurt by what was described as “a vitriolic response from some quarters to her standing as president.”",[],{"_163":9671,"_165":9672},"Ms Humphreys said she is “looking forward to engaging with the theme of the conference” as well as “sharing some insights as a former Minister and presidential campaign.”",[],{"_163":9674,"_165":9675},"It comes as she is expected to make her first public appearance since the campaign at the D’Arcy McGee two-day panel event in Carlingford, Co Louth later in August. ",[],{"_163":9677,"_165":9678},"Former Irish presidential hopeful Heather Humphreys has been described by an insider as “still bruised”, following her defeat in the 2025 election. ",[],"Heather Humphreys makes her concession speech after Catherine Connolly was named as the new President of Ireland in October 2025 ",{"_81":9681,"_212":7522,"_220":395,"_97":9682,"_213":9679,"_223":9683,"_106":9684,"_226":227,"_228":9685,"_230":9686,"_218":88,"_232":9684,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nsism5-01k8eaq3y61pdnvge4gs7evfb7.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/01K8EAQ3Y61PDNVGE4GS7EVFB7.jpg",[9687],"01K8EAQ3Y61PDNVGE4GS7EVFB7.jpg","160086114","Niall Carson/PA Wire","Heather Humphreys makes her concession speech after Catherine Connolly was named as the new President of Ireland at St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle to replace Michael D Higgins, who has served the maximum two seven-year terms. Picture date: Saturday October 25, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire ",{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_163":9689,"_165":9690},"Ms Humpheys lost out on the race in October 2025 to Catherine Connolly",[],{"_163":9566,"_165":9692},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":10,"_254":1657},{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_240":7509},{"_81":9699,"_212":7522,"_220":395,"_97":9700,"_213":9679,"_223":9683,"_106":9684,"_226":227,"_228":9685,"_230":9686,"_218":88,"_232":9684,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nsism5-01k8eaq3y61pdnvge4gs7evfb7.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/01K8EAQ3Y61PDNVGE4GS7EVFB7.jpg",[9701],{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_250":9704,"_106":9705,"_275":9706,"_276":280},{"_250":2181,"_106":2182,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Fine Gael","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:fine-gael","Fine Gael is an Irish political party.",195278422,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/former-irish-president-mary-mcaleese-says-queen-elizabeth-abhorred-ian-paisley-and-his-politics/a/160066521.html",[9875,9876,9877],"Former Irish President Mary McAleese says Queen Elizabeth ‘abhorred’ Ian Paisley and his politics",{"_264":9871,"_266":9857,"_267":9712},[9870],[9867,9868,9869],"160066521",{},[],"2026-08-15T10:20:00Z","2026-08-15T10:23:05Z",[9724,9725,9726,9727,9728,9729,9730,9731,9732,9733,9734,9735,9736,9737,9738,9739,9740,9741,9742,9743,9744,9745,9746,9747,9748,9749,9750,9751,9752,9753,9754],{"_140":10,"_141":9723,"_143":10},"d5388313-988c-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":9865,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":9859,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":9856,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":9853,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":9850,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":9849,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9849,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":9846,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":9843,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":9840,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":9837,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":9828,"_213":9829,"_215":9830,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":9825,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":9822,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":9819,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":9816,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":-5,"_213":9805,"_215":9806,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":9802,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":9799,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":9796,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":9793,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":9790,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":657,"_212":1611,"_213":8803,"_215":9784,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":9781,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":9778,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":9775,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":9772,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":633,"_212":-5,"_213":9765,"_215":9766,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":9762,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":9759,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":9756,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":618,"_106":9755,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9755,"_233":92},"120618672",{"_163":9757,"_165":9758},"“That is even more the case where both the supposed subject of the conversation and the other person involved are no longer alive. Mrs McAleese’s motivations for making such claims three decades later are a matter for herself.”",[],{"_163":9760,"_165":9761},"A DUP spokesperson said: “Her late Majesty would undoubtedly have taken the dignified position of maintaining the confidence of a private conversation. ",[],{"_163":9763,"_165":9764},"She also spoke a few words in Irish at a state dinner in Dublin Castle, the former seat of British power in Ireland.",[],"The Queen’s 2011 visit to the Republic impressed many nationalists",{"_81":9767,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9768,"_213":9765,"_223":9769,"_106":9770,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9771,"_218":88,"_232":9770,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/atgyj9-royal-praise-the-queens-visit-to-the-republic-impressed-many-nationalists/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1363136553%2F5323d48e-92a9-11ed-a7ca-0210609a3fe2.jpg",[],"1363136553%2F5323d48e-92a9-11ed-a7ca-0210609a3fe2.jpg","117904105","Royal praise: the Queen’s visit to the Republic impressed many nationalists",{"_163":9773,"_165":9774},"During the visit, the Queen laid a wreath in Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance - a park dedicated to Irish people who fought against British rule.",[],{"_163":9776,"_165":9777},"“And of course, it ended up being a four-day visit.”",[],{"_163":9779,"_165":9780},"“So I said, you know, we have to believe in that. And I believe in it. I believe her. So that’s what she did. ",[],{"_163":9782,"_165":9783},"Ms McAleese added: “This would be an historic act of reconciliation. She would not be coming to act as lady of the manor. I knew by then she would be coming as a Christian pilgrim on a pilgrimage of reconciliation, of sorrow, of genuine sorrow for the past.",[],{"_81":9785,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":9786,"_213":8803,"_223":9787,"_106":9788,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":8803,"_218":88,"_232":9788,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/entertainment/news/3hnzev-platinum-jubilee/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/8c2b7d6c-cf34-4e72-a715-6835a451f235",[9789],"8c2b7d6c-cf34-4e72-a715-6835a451f235","160066592",{"_235":9524,"_237":9525,"_239":9524,"_240":9526},{"_163":9791,"_165":9792},"The former Irish President said a diplomat had suggested that the Queen should perhaps visit for just half a day, but Ms McAleese refused.",[],{"_163":9794,"_165":9795},"“Fair dues to her, the minute that my government said, ‘yes, we can do this’, she absolutely cleared her diary and came and it was a great visit.” ",[],{"_163":9797,"_165":9798},"“And we did, but it took 14 years to get to the point where it became feasible and I was almost ready to leave office after two terms.",[],{"_163":9800,"_165":9801},"“Then of course, when I became President, she said, ‘Remember, you made a promise.’ And I said I did and we’ll keep it,” Ms McAleese recalled.",[],{"_163":9803,"_165":9804},"Ms McAleese also spoke of how the Queen told her, before she became president, that it was one of her “great sorrows” that she had never visited the Republic at the time and she felt that, because of this, “her contribution to peace was, in a sense, incomplete”.",[],"Mary McAleese at Queen's University Belfast in 2019.",{"_81":9807,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9808,"_213":9805,"_223":9809,"_106":9810,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9811,"_218":88,"_232":9810,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/z01xs0-7-mary-mcaleese-at-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/7_Mary_McAleese_at_.jpg",[9812],"7_Mary_McAleese_at_.jpg","145515760","Mary McAleese at Queen's University Belfast in 2019.\n",{"_235":9813,"_237":9814,"_239":9813,"_240":9815},"niamh.campbell@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Campbell","Niamh",{"_163":9817,"_165":9818},"“But so we were talking about him, and Queen Paola said to us, ‘Who is this man Paisley you were talking about? I don’t know him.’ And the Queen looked at her and said, ‘Oh, lucky you!’”",[],{"_163":9820,"_165":9821},"“She abhorred him and his politics, and he had never been very nice to her anyway. He was quite scathing about her, [he] said some terrible things when she went and saw the Pope and that sort of thing.",[],{"_163":9823,"_165":9824},"“And she was really… she had no time for him whatsoever.",[],{"_163":9826,"_165":9827},"Ms McAleese said: “We also mentioned Paisley, of course, because he, of course, was not in. This was 1998, November, and he had stayed out of the Good Friday Agreement, stayed out for seven years, incidentally. ",[],"Brian Little/PA","The late Ian Paisley ",{"_81":9831,"_212":9828,"_220":395,"_97":9832,"_213":9829,"_223":9833,"_106":9834,"_226":227,"_228":9828,"_230":9835,"_218":88,"_232":9834,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/pzhujh-ian-paisley/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/GettyImages-830322860.jpg",[9836],"GettyImages-830322860.jpg","145202198","The late Ian Paisley (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)",{"_235":2166,"_237":2167,"_239":2166,"_240":2168},{"_163":9838,"_165":9839},"The conversation then turned to Ian Paisley, who at the time was still railing against the Good Friday Agreement, which had been signed and endorsed just a few months earlier.",[],{"_163":9841,"_165":9842},"“She loved shinty and she loved hurling, she knew a lot about both of them,” the former Irish President said.",[],{"_163":9844,"_165":9845},"Ms McAleese, who was Irish President from 1997 to 2011, said she and Queen Elizabeth had a wide-ranging conversation in which she “started talking about shinty and hurling”.",[],{"_163":9847,"_165":9848},"Also travelling in the car were then King of Belgium, Albert II, and his wife Queen Paola.",[],"157319289",{"_163":9851,"_165":9852},"Ms McAleese, who is from Belfast, told The Ireland Podcast of sitting next to the Queen during a car journey in November 1998 in Belgium for the opening of the Island of Ireland Peace Park, a memorial to Irish soldiers who died during the First World War.",[],{"_163":9854,"_165":9855},"In a new interview, Ms McAleese also spoke of the late monarch’s love of hurling and her historic state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011.",[],{"_163":9857,"_165":9858},"Former Irish President Mary McAleese has said Queen Elizabeth II “abhorred” the late DUP leader Ian Paisley and his politics.",[],{"_81":9860,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9861,"_213":88,"_223":9862,"_106":9863,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":9863,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/89oot7-inset-template-32-77.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Inset%20template%2032%20(77).jpg",[9864],"Inset%20template%2032%20(77).jpg","160067359",{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_163":9712,"_165":9866},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":10,"_254":1657},{"_235":9524,"_237":9525,"_240":9526},{"_81":9872,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9873,"_213":88,"_223":9862,"_106":9863,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":9863,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/89oot7-inset-template-32-77.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Inset%20template%2032%20(77).jpg",[9874],{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_250":8803,"_106":8804,"_275":8805,"_276":280},{"_250":9878,"_106":9879,"_275":9880,"_276":280},{"_250":7315,"_106":7316,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Ian Paisley Senior","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:ian-paisley-senior","Ian Paisley Senior was leader of the DUP from 1971 to 2008, and First Minister of Northern Ireland in 2007 and 2008. He also co-founded the Free Presbyterian Church and was its leader until 2008. He died in September 2014.",195212697,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/uup-leader-insists-causeway-hospital-surgery-removal-does-not-have-my-support/a/160045908.html",[10060],"UUP leader insists Causeway Hospital surgery removal ‘does not have my support’",{"_264":10056,"_266":10039,"_267":9886},[10055],[10051,10052,10053,10054],{},[],"2026-08-15T06:30:00Z","2026-08-14T15:30:12Z",[9897,9898,9899,9900,9901,9902,9903,9904,9905,9906,9907,9908,9909,9910,9911,9912,9913,9914,9915,9916,9917,9918,9919,9920,9921,9922,9923,9924,9925,9926,9927,9928,9929,9930,9931,9932],{"_140":10,"_141":9896,"_143":10},"5f76bd72-97e8-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":10049,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":10041,"_215":10042,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":10038,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":10035,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":10032,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":10031,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10031,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":10028,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":10025,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":10022,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":10019,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":1611,"_213":10013,"_215":10014,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":10010,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":10007,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":10004,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":10001,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":9998,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":9995,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":-5,"_213":9989,"_215":9990,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":9986,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":9983,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":9980,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":657,"_586":9971,"_588":9972,"_590":-5,"_592":9973,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":9968,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":9965,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":9962,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":9959,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":633,"_106":9958,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9958,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":9955,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":9952,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":9949,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":9946,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":9943,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":9940,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":9937,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":9934,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":580,"_106":9933,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9933,"_233":92},"112249846",{"_163":9935,"_165":9936},"“In considering the future model for general surgery across the Northern Trust, the Trust is required to follow the Guidance on the Change and Withdrawal of Services.”",[],{"_163":9938,"_165":9939},"They noted that any decision made will be backed up by “relevant data”. ",[],{"_163":9941,"_165":9942},"“We recognise that the health needs of our population are constantly evolving and need to consider a dynamic approach to maintaining our health and social care services.",[],{"_163":9944,"_165":9945},"A Department of Health spokesperson added: “Every hospital is needed and Causeway Hospital continues to have a crucial role in providing appropriate care to our population. ",[],{"_163":9947,"_165":9948},"“Our ambition is to further develop Causeway Hospital as an elective and diagnostic hub for the entire north-west area.”",[],{"_163":9950,"_165":9951},"“Our recommendation to centralise emergency general surgery and complex colorectal surgery at Antrim Area Hospital, with elective general surgery being delivered at Causeway Hospital, is aimed at ensuring our Trust can continue to deliver a safe, stable and sustainable service, and followed a 14-week public consultation on our proposals.",[],{"_163":9953,"_165":9954}," “Causeway Hospital’s status as an acute hospital will not change and it will continue to be an important part of the region’s Trauma Network. It will also continue to operate a 24/7 consultant-led Emergency Department,” they said. ",[],{"_163":9956,"_165":9957},"A spokesperson for the Northern Trust said it is understood there is a “strength of feeling around proposals”, but the operation of two EGS services on both Causeway and Antrim would be unsustainable in the long run.",[],"158992995",{"_163":9960,"_165":9961},"“We would also love to see births come back to Causeway to support, we have heard so many horrific stories which have come from staff and patients. We were told that Antrim can cope, we now see that they can’t.”",[],{"_163":9963,"_165":9964},"“We would absolutely love to see this decision dropped. We want to see emergency surgery maintained.",[],{"_163":9966,"_165":9967},"“What we need now is those politicians who were here to go back and lobby the Health Minister, lobby the Northern Trust to work and look out further than the Northern Trust to help solve the problems in Antrim Hospital and stop stripping them away from Causeway to support Antrim.",[],{"_163":9969,"_165":9970},"“The Northern Trust made the decision they approved it, even in the face of over 1,400 consultation responses who asked them not to do this.",[],{"_163":9978,"_165":9979},{"_163":9976,"_165":9977},{"_163":9974,"_165":9975},"SOS Causeway chairperson",[],"Gemma Brolly",[],"The Northern Trust made the decision they approved it, even in the face of over 1,400 consultation responses who asked them not to do this.",[],{"_163":9981,"_165":9982},"“This has actually grown so much bigger than the words that are coming from the Northern Trust board. The writing is on the wall so we have lots of hope that we can overturn this.",[],{"_163":9984,"_165":9985},"“We do believe in people power, people have the power to do anything, especially in the upcoming months. We refer to the people who know best, the medics, we are also hearing from the staff.",[],{"_163":9987,"_165":9988},"“We have to have hope that the services will remain, if we don’t, we’re done for. I think it is clear today that there is hope by the numbers in the room,” she said.",[],"SOS Causeway chairperson Gemma Brolly",{"_81":9991,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":9992,"_213":9989,"_223":9993,"_106":9994,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9989,"_218":88,"_232":9994,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/j2an3g-sos-causeway-chairperson-gemma-brolly/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/15cca6cc-f3da-4943-881c-69640e116131",[],"15cca6cc-f3da-4943-881c-69640e116131","117319774",{"_163":9996,"_165":9997},"Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph Ms Brolly said the numbers who attended “show that there is hope” the services will remain.",[],{"_163":9999,"_165":10000},"The public meeting on Thursday saw attendees in the low hundreds. It was chaired by both the trade union, Unison, as well as SoS Causeway Hospital, which is chaired by Gemma Brolly.",[],{"_163":10002,"_165":10003},"The board at the Northern Trust backed the move in a public meeting in Ballymena last year. This followed a 14-week consultation and requires the approval of the Health Minister and DoH before it can be implemented.",[],{"_163":10005,"_165":10006},"“The recommendation of the Trust to close the emergency surgery in Causeway Hospital does not have my support. I do not agree with it and I will never agree with it, I can’t be any clearer than that.”",[],{"_163":10008,"_165":10009},"“We learn by the experts by experience, that is where we learn, not in Stormont, but listening to people like you and listening to the medics and the experts.",[],{"_163":10011,"_165":10012},"“I think we sometimes listen to all the wrong people. We need to listen to those who are experts by experience, not the quangos or the bureaucrats.",[],"UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA ",{"_81":10015,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":10016,"_213":10013,"_223":10017,"_106":10018,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":7204,"_218":88,"_232":10018,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/republic-of-ireland/f2ok7d-sir-jeffrey-donaldson-court-case/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/32401575-caf0-4244-ba1b-cfda8fd1e0e6",[],"32401575-caf0-4244-ba1b-cfda8fd1e0e6","159338022",{"_163":10020,"_165":10021},"“That is the lens through which I look at this proposal from the Trust to remove the emergency surgery from this wonderful hospital.",[],{"_163":10023,"_165":10024},"“I was in public service for many years before I entered politics. I believe that the duty of everyone in public service is to protect the public,” he said.",[],{"_163":10026,"_165":10027},"Jon Burrows, whose Ulster Unionist Party holds the health ministry, told those gathered that the importance of close-at-hand emergency surgery services are important, given his previous experience as a senior officer in the PSNI.",[],{"_163":10029,"_165":10030},"If successful, the only surgery taking place at Causeway would be diagnostic and elective.",[],"159883832",{"_163":10033,"_165":10034},"Attendees raised their concerns over the transfer of emergency general surgery (EGS) from the local hospital to Antrim Area Hospital. The proposal may also see the relocation of the 20-bed Ross Thomson Unit, which focuses on mental health care provision.",[],{"_163":10036,"_165":10037},"The meeting took place on Thursday evening at the town hall. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was invited to attend, though could not due to being at a constituency election meeting in Strangford.",[],{"_163":10039,"_165":10040},"The leader of the UUP has attended a public meeting over Causeway Hospital in Coleraine where he said the removal of emergency general surgery “does not have my support”. ",[],"The meeting about the removal of Causeway Hospital services took place on Thursday evening. ",{"_81":10043,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":10044,"_213":10041,"_223":10045,"_106":10046,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":10047,"_218":88,"_232":10046,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/21ppke-causeway-hospital-in-coleraine.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Causeway%20Hospital%20in%20Coleraine.jpg",[10048],"Causeway%20Hospital%20in%20Coleraine.jpg","158715780","The man was a patient at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine",{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_163":9886,"_165":10050},[],{"_250":7297,"_106":7298,"_253":8,"_254":7299},{"_250":7300,"_106":7301,"_253":10,"_254":7302},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":3273,"_237":3274,"_240":3275},{"_81":10057,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":10058,"_213":10041,"_223":10045,"_106":10046,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":10047,"_218":88,"_232":10046,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/21ppke-causeway-hospital-in-coleraine.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Causeway%20Hospital%20in%20Coleraine.jpg",[10059],{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_250":9360,"_106":9361,"_275":9362,"_276":280},195178178,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/news-analysis/savage-stormont-showdown-could-produce-some-big-casualties-heres-how-nis-political-map-may-change/a/160016823.html",[10401,10402,10403,10404,10405,10406,10407,10408,10409,10410,10411,10412,10413,10414,10415,10416,10417,10418,10419,10420,10421,10422,10423,10424,10425,10426,10427,10428,10429,10430,10431,10432,10433,10434,10435,10436,10437,10438,10439,10440],"Savage Stormont showdown could produce some big casualties – here’s how NI’s political map may change",{"_264":10397,"_266":10385,"_267":10066},[10393],[10389,10390,10391,10392],{},[],"2026-08-15T06:00:00Z","2026-08-14T12:53:18Z",[10077,10078,10079,10080,10081,10082,10083,10084,10085,10086,10087,10088,10089,10090,10091,10092,10093,10094,10095,10096,10097,10098,10099,10100,10101,10102,10103,10104,10105,10106,10107,10108,10109,10110,10111,10112,10113,10114,10115,10116,10117,10118,10119,10120,10121,10122,10123,10124,10125,10126,10127,10128,10129,10130,10131,10132,10133,10134,10135,10136,10137,10138,10139,10140,10141,10142,10143,10144,10145,10146],{"_140":10,"_141":10076,"_143":10},"7467f117-979b-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":10387,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":10384,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":10377,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":10374,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":10371,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":10368,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":10367,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10367,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":10364,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":10361,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":10358,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":-5,"_213":10352,"_215":10353,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":10349,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":10346,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":10343,"_161":162},{"_155":876,"_157":694,"_356":10337,"_161":878},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":10334,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":10331,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":10328,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":10325,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":669,"_163":10324,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":10321,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":10318,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":10315,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":10312,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":10309,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":10306,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":10303,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":633,"_212":10295,"_213":10296,"_215":10297,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":10292,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":10289,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":10286,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":10283,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":10280,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":10277,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":10274,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":10271,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":580,"_212":1611,"_213":10264,"_215":10265,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":10261,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":10258,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":10255,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":10252,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":10249,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":10246,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":548,"_212":-5,"_213":9068,"_215":10240,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":10237,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":540,"_159":10234,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":193,"_159":10231,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":10228,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":529,"_159":10225,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":525,"_212":2434,"_213":10217,"_215":10218,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":513,"_159":10214,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":509,"_159":10211,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":505,"_159":10208,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":501,"_159":10205,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":497,"_159":10202,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":493,"_212":7497,"_213":10193,"_215":10194,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":489,"_159":10190,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":485,"_159":10187,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":481,"_159":10184,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":479,"_159":10181,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1251,"_159":10178,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1249,"_159":10175,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":8420,"_159":10172,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":8416,"_159":10169,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":8414,"_212":1611,"_213":10162,"_215":10163,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":8412,"_159":10159,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":10155,"_159":10156,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":10151,"_159":10152,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":10149,"_106":10150,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10150,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":10147,"_106":10148,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10148,"_233":92},70,"159229797",69,"159202538",68,{"_163":10153,"_165":10154},"The latest polling figures indicate that voters are frustrated and volatile. Elections in Northern Ireland can be brutal, but expect next year’s Assembly campaign to be particularly cutthroat, with no shortage of surprises in a savage Stormont showdown.",[],67,{"_163":10157,"_165":10158},"The SDLP believes Sinn Féin’s third seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone could be vulnerable to Adam Gannon. That constituency has historically seen some long Westminster counts with exceptionally slim margins of victory.",[],{"_163":10160,"_165":10161},"Sinn Féin’s Deirdre Hargey topped the poll in the last Assembly election, and it’s unclear whether the party will run one or two candidates in May.",[],"Deirdre Hargey ",{"_81":10164,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":10165,"_213":10162,"_223":10166,"_106":10167,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":10168,"_218":88,"_232":10167,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/6pyo7c-5050-policing-policy/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/760131cd-c828-409f-9457-5aa1a4e3a8ee",[],"760131cd-c828-409f-9457-5aa1a4e3a8ee","136388452","Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey speaking to the media at Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Belfast ahead of a meeting with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher regarding the 50:50 policing policy, a process which was introduced as part of the Patten policing reforms to increase the number of Catholic officers. Picture date: Monday February 23, 2026.",{"_163":10170,"_165":10171},"It is understood that the leadership is behind a female candidate joining O’Toole on the ticket. The SDLP’s chances will be enhanced if the UUP selects a strong candidate who could take support from Alliance.",[],{"_163":10173,"_165":10174},"The SDLP isn’t talking up its chances of a second seat in South Belfast, but this is the constituency where it should be best poised to challenge. It’s the home turf of Hanna — the most popular party leader in Northern Ireland — and of its Assembly leader Matthew O’Toole who enjoys a massively high profile.",[],{"_163":10176,"_165":10177},"North Belfast joins Strangford and Lagan Valley as one of the SDLP’s main target seats. Councillor Carl Whyte is expected to be the candidate. The party believes Alliance’s Nuala McAllister is vulnerable, although she significantly outpolled Whyte in the 2024 Westminster election.",[],{"_163":10179,"_165":10180},"On paper, they will have an uphill battle but, with the party on a historic 5pc high in the last LucidTalk poll due to the Zack Polanski effect and disillusionment with Naomi Long’s party, nothing can be ruled out.",[],{"_163":10182,"_165":10183},"The Greens are gunning for Alliance’s second seats in East Belfast and South Belfast where Brian Smyth and Aine Groogan will run. ",[],{"_163":10185,"_165":10186},"Sinn Féin has got out of the traps early by announcing its candidate first. The party is already putting considerable effort into Declan Lynch’s campaign. SDLP veteran Pat Catney wants to stand again, but it is understood that the party leadership is keen to run a new candidate.",[],{"_163":10188,"_165":10189},"A nationalist quota now exists in Lagan Valley due to boundary changes with the expectation that votes lent to Sorcha Eastwood in 2024 will return.",[],{"_163":10191,"_165":10192},"The Greens hope to regain the Assembly seat they lost last time with Belfast councillor Anthony Flynn selected as the candidate. ",[],"Anthony Flynn of the Green Party",{"_81":10195,"_212":7497,"_220":395,"_97":10196,"_213":10193,"_223":10197,"_106":10198,"_226":227,"_228":10199,"_230":10200,"_218":88,"_232":10198,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/lh9g02-gettyimages-1256563784.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/GettyImages-1256563784.jpg",[10201],"GettyImages-1256563784.jpg","159724872","PA Images via Getty Images","Anthony Flynn from the Green Party giving an acceptance speech at Belfast City Hall during the Northern Ireland council elections. Picture date: Saturday May 20, 2023. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)",{"_235":6191,"_237":6192,"_239":6191,"_240":6193},{"_163":10203,"_165":10204},"Alliance will be under massive pressure in North Down. Stephen Farry’s vote in the last Westminster election would be enough to see both Andrew Muir and Connie Egan elected, but the party’s popularity has fallen significantly since then.",[],{"_163":10206,"_165":10207},"Neither party has announced who they are running, and their candidate choices will be key. Strangford is a target seat for both Claire Hanna’s and Michelle O’Neill’s parties.",[],{"_163":10209,"_165":10210},"Alliance second seats are under threat in Strangford, North Down, East Antrim, Lagan Valley, South Belfast and even East Belfast. Kellie Armstrong is a big loss in Strangford. Boundary changes bringing in a chunk of Downpatrick mean that a nationalist seat is on the cards. It seems only a question of whether it goes to Sinn Féin or the SDLP.",[],{"_163":10212,"_165":10213},"If Sinn Féin takes a second seat here, it will likely be at his expense. But Tennyson’s profile is markedly higher now than last time, and his party is well organised in this constituency.",[],{"_163":10215,"_165":10216},"Alliance deputy leader Eoin Tennyson faces a big battle in Upper Bann where he was the final candidate elected in 2022. ",[],"Alliance leader Naomi Long and deputy leader Eoin Tennyson",{"_81":10219,"_212":2434,"_220":395,"_97":10220,"_213":10217,"_223":10221,"_106":10222,"_226":227,"_228":2434,"_230":10223,"_218":88,"_232":10222,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/i7wk0o-696d5458-aa40-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/696d5458-aa40-.jpg",[10224],"696d5458-aa40-.jpg","151227522","Alliance Party deputy leader Eoin Tennyson (left) and Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long during a press conference at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, after meeting Taoiseach Micheal Martin during the Taoiseach's two-day visit to Northern Ireland. Picture date: Thursday May 7, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":10226,"_165":10227},"However, the controversial culling of 51 cows in Co Tyrone and opposition from the farming community will hardly help Mulholland in this heavily rural constituency.",[],{"_163":10229,"_165":10230},"Naomi Long’s party was more confident of holding North Antrim. Boundary changes moving the staunchly unionist Braid area into East Antrim assist Alliance. It has been argued that Sinn Féin’s surplus and transfers from the eliminated SDLP candidate will assist bringing Sian Mulholland home.",[],{"_163":10232,"_165":10233},"Despite the DUP’s difficulties, Alliance seems at an even greater risk of seat loss across Northern Ireland. It’s almost impossible to see it holding onto South Down. Sinn Féin could have had three MLAs returned last time but ran only two candidates. It won’t make the same mistake in May.",[],{"_163":10235,"_165":10236},"In Upper Bann, Cat Nelson will join John O’Dowd on the Sinn Féin ticket. She’s a strong candidate, but the party is disadvantaged by boundary changes which moved Aghagallon into Lagan Valley.",[],{"_163":10238,"_165":10239},"She has a high social media presence, and party headquarters has put resources into supporting her over the past two years. ",[],{"_81":10241,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":10242,"_213":9068,"_223":10243,"_106":10244,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":10245,"_218":88,"_232":10244,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/f4807e-sdlp-mla-cara-hunter/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/8362fd1f-f25c-4e36-8205-59af72810c7f",[],"8362fd1f-f25c-4e36-8205-59af72810c7f","128711393","SDLP MLA Cara Hunter",{"_163":10247,"_165":10248},"Michelle O’Neill’s party will be targeting gains in Upper Bann and East Londonderry. Kathleen McGurk went very close in the latter last time. However, current polling suggests that the SDLP’s Cara Hunter should keep her seat.",[],{"_163":10250,"_165":10251},"People Before Profit’s Gerry Carroll was elected on the final count last time so, technically, he’s most at risk. However, his strong stance on Gaza and opposition to MLA pay could mean that a DUP win will be at Sinn Féin’s expense.",[],{"_163":10253,"_165":10254},"On the other side of the political divide, the greatest threat to Sinn Féin is in West Belfast. Bringing four MLAs across the line will be challenging given those boundary changes that make a unionist seat more likely. ",[],{"_163":10256,"_165":10257},"Former Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly was expected to run with Poots to maximise support for him by bringing out the working-class loyalist vote, but sources suggest that plan may be revisited.",[],{"_163":10259,"_165":10260},"The party is hampered by not having a strong grassroots organisation: it hasn’t a single councillor in the Belfast part of the constituency. The chances of success depend on a big ‘Burrows bounce’ and an appealing candidate.",[],{"_163":10262,"_165":10263},"The DUP’s Edwin Poots is the sole unionist MLA in South Belfast and Mid Down. He won twice as many votes as his UUP rival last time. Burrows will be looking for a professional female candidate to challenge here.",[],"Edwin Poots",{"_81":10266,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":10267,"_213":10264,"_223":10268,"_106":10269,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":10270,"_218":88,"_232":10269,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/518knm-pope-francis-death/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/940b00f3-8f12-4b47-98f9-a10bfd7bbe77",[],"940b00f3-8f12-4b47-98f9-a10bfd7bbe77","157656930","Assembly Speaker and former DUP leader Edwin Poots.",{"_163":10272,"_165":10273},"Councillor Kyle Savage will be the UUP’s sole candidate in that constituency, and he should hold the seat Doug Beattie won for the party last time. ",[],{"_163":10275,"_165":10276},"TUV sources think they can go close in Newry and Armagh where Keith Ratcliffe will go head-to-head with the DUP’s Gareth Wilson for the sole unionist seat. Insiders are also talking up their chances in Upper Bann, although a candidate has not been announced yet.",[],{"_163":10278,"_165":10279},"If Jackson succeeds, it could be at the expense of one of the DUP’s two MLAs or the UUP’s Richard Smart, who replaces Mike Nesbitt. Expect Jon Burrows to spend considerable time canvassing for his man in this constituency.",[],{"_163":10281,"_165":10282},"Despite a 13pc first-preference vote last time, the party failed to win a seat due to a lack of transfers. However, the TUV no longer seems to be transfer-toxic as it was.",[],{"_163":10284,"_165":10285},"One of TUV’s best chances is in Strangford where young Trinity College Dublin graduate Jonathan Jackson, who works for his party leader at Westminster, is running.",[],{"_163":10287,"_165":10288},"The DUP’s biggest enemy will be voter apathy so it will aim to create as much noise as possible here to regain the seat it lost two decades ago. The party will also be trying to regain the second seat it lost last time in North Antrim, where it may be battling with Alliance and TUV at the end.",[],{"_163":10290,"_165":10291},"West Belfast is the DUP’s best hope of a gain in 2027 with boundary changes increasing unionist numbers. It declared Frank McCoubrey as its candidate early. His roots in the Shankill run deep, and he has an appeal beyond his party.",[],{"_163":10293,"_165":10294},"TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell is in with a real chance of taking the DUP’s second seat in North Belfast if he runs there. Phillip Brett is as safe as houses, with Brian Kingston at risk.",[],"Liam McBurney/PA","Ron McDowell of TUV",{"_81":10298,"_212":10295,"_220":395,"_97":10299,"_213":10296,"_223":10300,"_106":10301,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":10302,"_218":88,"_232":10301,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/yaynb4-ron-mcdowell-from-the-traditional-unionist-voice-condemned-the-shooting-liam-mcburneypa/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/b2a447a3-83e9-47be-b2fa-aadef47e29c0",[],"b2a447a3-83e9-47be-b2fa-aadef47e29c0","116741354","Ron McDowell from the Traditional Unionist Voice condemned the shooting (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_163":10304,"_165":10305},"The UUP has still to pick a second candidate to run with John Stewart, and dividing the constituency evenly will be key if it’s to have two MLAs elected. The TUV polls well in East Antrim — one of its main targets — although a skeletal local organisation is a weakness.",[],{"_163":10307,"_165":10308},"The Ulster Unionists believe the DUP’s second seat in East Antrim is vulnerable. Sammy Wilson lost 5,000 votes in the last Westminster election. However, the DUP believes that a Gordon Lyons-Cheryl Brownlee ticket will have stronger appeal than Wilson.",[],{"_163":10310,"_165":10311},"East Londonderry is another target seat for the UUP which hasn’t had a seat there for 15 years.",[],{"_163":10313,"_165":10314},"Independent unionist Claire Sugden is also vulnerable. Her vote fell from 12pc to 9pc last time, and she has a considerably lower profile now. Signing Gerry Carroll’s motion of no confidence in Education Minister Paul Givan following his trip to Israel could cost her votes.",[],{"_163":10316,"_165":10317},"This constituency is one of the TUV’s best bets with party chairman Allister Kyle. He secured 11pc in the Westminster election — no mean feat given the DUP’s Gregory Campbell was engaged in a close battle with Sinn Féin for the seat.",[],{"_163":10319,"_165":10320},"The DUP’s second seat in East Londonderry is at risk from the TUV. Maurice Bradley seems safer than Alan Robinson who was 1,500 votes behind him last time.",[],{"_163":10322,"_165":10323},"Unionism will be stretched to maintain representation in Foyle, and People Before Profit’s Shaun Harkin could be in the running for that fifth seat.",[],"

",{"_163":10326,"_165":10327},"Its candidate in May will be councillor Darren Guy. He’s well thought of locally, although it’s a tough ask for him to pull off what Ryan McCready — who has since left politics — almost managed four years ago in a first-class campaign.",[],{"_163":10329,"_165":10330},"This is a UUP target constituency. It came within fewer than 100 votes of taking the seat from the DUP last time. ",[],{"_163":10332,"_165":10333},"The DUP’s seat in Foyle is at risk due to boundary changes which have seen the number of unionist voters fall as Eglinton moves into East Londonderry. Gary Middleton resigned as an MLA due to mental health issues, with his wife Julie replacing him. ",[],{"_163":10335,"_165":10336},"The TUV’s Mel Lucas will fancy his chances of a seat. Just 600 first preference votes behind Clarke in 2022, he’s well positioned to cross the line this time.",[],{"_85":878,"_359":10338,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":10339,"_106":10340,"_368":369,"_370":10341,"_232":10342,"_233":92},"UIRFDpnCAn6E","00:39:12","1957639","39:12","159353852",{"_163":10344,"_165":10345},"It’s yet to select a running-mate for Steve Aiken. Jon Burrows would have loved for last year’s young Antrim and Newtownabbey mayor Leah Kirkpatrick to be on the ticket, but she has ruled out Stormont until her children are older. ",[],{"_163":10347,"_165":10348},"Both the Ulster Unionists and TUV hope for a gain here. Robin Swann stormed to victory in the 2024 Westminster election, and the UUP will be aiming to retain as many votes lent to it as possible.",[],{"_163":10350,"_165":10351},"The DUP is most vulnerable in South Antrim where it’s currently hard to see both Pam Cameron and Trevor Clarke being re-elected. The latter would appear to be more at risk.",[],"Pam Cameron",{"_81":10354,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":10355,"_213":10352,"_223":10356,"_106":10357,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":10352,"_218":88,"_232":10357,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3kzx1v-pam-cameron/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/f5756d27-943a-47e7-be3c-9e92f17638cc",[],"f5756d27-943a-47e7-be3c-9e92f17638cc","111109596",{"_163":10359,"_165":10360},"There are numerous big battlegrounds for the DUP, with threats looming from both the UUP and TUV. In some constituencies, it’s impossible to tell which of those parties is the greatest danger to Gavin Robinson’s.",[],{"_163":10362,"_165":10363},"A poll is a snapshot in time, and the election is eight months away. But if these trends broadly hold then we are looking at a cull of sitting MLAs where multiple seats are no longer safe, and the political map of Northern Ireland is redrawn.",[],{"_163":10365,"_165":10366},"Resurgent under Jon Burrows on 16pc, the UUP is now the most popular unionist party, while the SDLP at 13pc is on the rise, and the TUV on 12pc is eyeing up seats that have so long eluded it.",[],"159202536",{"_163":10369,"_165":10370},"The DUP has crashed to 15pc in the wake of the Jeffrey Donaldson scandal. At 10pc, Alliance is heading back to territory Naomi Long’s leadership had once taken it from.",[],{"_163":10372,"_165":10373},"The headline numbers are harsh for the main Executive players. Sinn Féin may comfortably remain Northern Ireland’s largest party, but it has slumped to a five-year low of 22pc.",[],{"_163":10375,"_165":10376},"Our politicians better buckle up. If the latest LucidTalk poll is replicated at the ballot box next May, then some Executive parties are facing serious casualties. ",[],{"_81":10378,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":10379,"_213":88,"_223":10380,"_106":10381,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":10382,"_218":88,"_232":10381,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/e2o034-image-2026-08-15t072047.868.png/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/image%20-%202026-08-15T072047.868.png",[10383],"image%20-%202026-08-15T072047.868.png","160064021","The election is eight months away, and the political map of Northern Ireland could be redrawn.",{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_163":10385,"_165":10386},"Latest LucidTalk poll suggests our political scene is facing a major shake-up in next May’s Assembly election",[],{"_163":10066,"_165":10388},[],{"_250":2474,"_106":2475,"_253":8,"_254":2476},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":10394,"_237":10395,"_240":10396},"suzanne.breen@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Breen","Suzanne",{"_81":10398,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":10399,"_213":88,"_223":10380,"_106":10381,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":10382,"_218":88,"_232":10381,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/e2o034-image-2026-08-15t072047.868.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/image%20-%202026-08-15T072047.868.png",[10400],{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":10508,"_106":10509,"_275":10510,"_276":280},{"_250":10505,"_106":10506,"_275":10507,"_276":280},{"_250":9354,"_106":9355,"_275":9356,"_276":280},{"_250":2001,"_106":2002,"_275":2003,"_276":280},{"_250":10502,"_106":10503,"_275":10504,"_276":280},{"_250":10499,"_106":10500,"_275":10501,"_276":280},{"_250":10496,"_106":10497,"_275":10498,"_276":280},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},{"_250":10493,"_106":10494,"_275":10495,"_276":280},{"_250":1684,"_106":1685,"_275":1686,"_276":280},{"_250":7320,"_106":7321,"_275":7322,"_276":280},{"_250":1995,"_106":1996,"_275":1997,"_276":280},{"_250":10490,"_106":10491,"_275":10492,"_276":280},{"_250":10487,"_106":10488,"_275":10489,"_276":280},{"_250":10485,"_106":10486,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10482,"_106":10483,"_275":10484,"_276":280},{"_250":10352,"_106":10481,"_275":10480,"_276":280},{"_250":10478,"_106":10479,"_275":10480,"_276":280},{"_250":10475,"_106":10476,"_275":10477,"_276":280},{"_250":10472,"_106":10473,"_275":10474,"_276":280},{"_250":10470,"_106":10471,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10467,"_106":10468,"_275":10469,"_276":280},{"_250":10464,"_106":10465,"_275":10466,"_276":280},{"_250":10461,"_106":10462,"_275":10463,"_276":280},{"_250":9177,"_106":9178,"_275":9179,"_276":280},{"_250":1681,"_106":1682,"_275":1683,"_276":280},{"_250":10459,"_106":10460,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10456,"_106":10457,"_275":10458,"_276":280},{"_250":6232,"_106":6233,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10454,"_106":10455,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10452,"_106":10453,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10450,"_106":10451,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10447,"_106":10448,"_275":10449,"_276":280},{"_250":7323,"_106":7324,"_275":7325,"_276":280},{"_250":10264,"_106":10445,"_275":10446,"_276":280},{"_250":10442,"_106":10443,"_275":10444,"_276":280},{"_250":8316,"_106":8317,"_275":10441,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"The 2027 Northern Ireland Stormont Assembly Election to vote in 90 MLAs will be held on May 6","John O'Dowd","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:john-odowd","John O'Dowd is a Sinn Fein politiican in Northern Ireland","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:edwin-poots","Edwin Poots is a Northern Irish politician and member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).","Eoin Tennyson","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:eoin-tennyson","Eoin Tennyson is an Alliance Party politician who has served as an MLA for Upper Bann since the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election.","Nuala McAllister","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:nuala-mcallister","Sorcha Eastwood","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:sorcha-eastwood","Brian Kingston","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:brian-kingston","John Stewart","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:john-stewart","UUP MLA for East Antrim","Cheryl Brownlee","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:cheryl-brownlee","Gregory Campbell","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:gregory-campbell","DUP MP for East Londonderry","Gerry Carroll","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:gerry-carroll","People Before Profit Alliance MLA for Belfast West","Claire Sugden","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:claire-sugden","Independent Unionist MLA for East Londonderry","Gary Middleton","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:gary-middleton","Robin Swann","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:robin-swann","Robin Swann is a UUP politician in Northern Ireland","Steve Aiken","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:steve-aiken","UUP MLA for South Antrim","Trevor Clarke","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:trevor-clarke","DUP MLA for South Antrim.","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:pam-cameron","Doug Beattie","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:doug-beattie","Doug Beattie is a UUP politician in Northern Ireland","Jeffrey Donaldson","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:jeffrey-donaldson","Sammy Wilson","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:sammy-wilson","Sammy Wilson is a politician in Northern Ireland and is the current DUP MP for East Antrim.","Jim Allister","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:jim-allister","Jim Allister is a TUV politician in Northern Ireland","Claire Hanna","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:claire-hanna","SDLP MP for Belfast South","LucidTalk poll","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:lucidtalk-poll","The LucidTalk Northern Ireland tracker polls are published by the Belfast Telegraph on a quarterly basis.","People Before Profit","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:people-before-profit","People Before Profit is an Irish political party.","Green Party","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:green-party","The Green Party is an Irish political party.","Traditional Unionist Voice","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:traditional-unionist-voice","The Traditional Unionist Voice is a Northern Ireland political party","UUP","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:ulster-unionist-party","The Ulster Unionist Party",195170635,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/opinion/piddingtons-independence-vote-shows-that-posh-postcodes-can-fight-back-too/a/160032101.html",[10674,10675,10676,10677,10678,10679],"Piddington’s independence vote shows that posh postcodes can fight back too",{"_264":10670,"_266":10655,"_267":10516},[10667],[10659,10660,10661,10662,10663],"160032101",{},[],"2026-08-15T16:00:00Z","2026-08-14T12:24:26Z",[10528,10529,10530,10531,10532,10533,10534,10535,10536,10537,10538,10539,10540,10541,10542,10543,10544,10545,10546,10547,10548,10549,10550,10551,10552,10553,10554,10555,10556,10557,10558],{"_140":10,"_141":10527,"_143":10},"8e097444-97cd-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":10657,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":10654,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":10648,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":10645,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":10642,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":10639,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":10636,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":10633,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":10630,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":10627,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":10622,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":167,"_106":10621,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10621,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":10618,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":10615,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":10612,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":10609,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":10606,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":10603,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":10600,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":669,"_106":10599,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10599,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":10596,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":10593,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":10590,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":650,"_212":1611,"_213":10583,"_215":10584,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":646,"_1772":-5,"_159":10580,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":10577,"_161":162},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":633,"_1772":-5,"_159":10574,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":10571,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":622,"_356":10565,"_161":358},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":1007,"_1772":-5,"_159":10562,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":10559,"_161":162},{"_163":10560,"_165":10561},"In Northern Ireland, this week’s magical “once-in-a-generation” solar eclipse was shrouded in cloud. It’ll be over 60 years before we get to see another total eclipse (well, you might., I won’t). Let’s hope the weather forecast for September 2090 is more auspicious. Despite warnings to those skywatchers who were able to see Wednesday’s eclipse not to stare directly at the sun, a trending online search the next day was “eyes sore”. Millions of the recommended cardboard and polymer glasses had been sold — some traded to last-minute panickers for mad money. So, will they be recycled? Or will those who paid through the nose hold on to them for the next six decades?",[],{"_163":10563,"_165":10564},"Excitement eclipsed by the clouds",[],{"_85":358,"_359":10566,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":10567,"_106":10568,"_368":369,"_370":10569,"_232":10570,"_233":92},"xQZAD_3TNWaw","02:56:00","1999057","2:56","159959444",{"_163":10572,"_165":10573},"While we’re on the topic of Trump, sadly, both he and his Reformer mate, Nigel Farage, deprived the world of two unmatchable memes this week. A pic of Donald himself, hiding in the catering truck which ferried him between planes as a security measure, would have been priceless. But we’ve been spared the sight of the president hunkering down amid the meal deals just as we also have missed out on an official photo of victorious Mr Farage lining up with the 30-plus other contenders in the Clacton by-election, many of them dressed as bonkers as Binface. Still, the internet has been doing its best to pick up the slack. Not since Boris Johnson hid out in a fridge have the meme makers been so prolific.",[],{"_163":10575,"_165":10576},"Meme madness for Don and Nigel",[],{"_163":10578,"_165":10579},"Karoline Leavitt, the White House’s brilliant but shouty press secretary, is standing down from her role as Donald Trump’s spokesperson to spend more time with her family. She was only 27 when she was appointed — becoming the youngest ever in the role. She has two young children and, given the pressures of the day job, it’s understandable that she might feel she wants to scale back and devote more time to the babies. Her work with Trump and co. will have provided some invaluable experience there. But will she be the only White House staffer to rethink their future? An intriguing aspect of the story of how President Trump, fearing an Iranian assassination attempt, switched planes at the last minute, is that apparently certain aides and the press corps were left to travel on it oblivious to the danger. That’s maybe not the reason Leavitt is leaving, but wouldn’t you also think it was time to jump ship?",[],{"_163":10581,"_165":10582},"Leavitt presses the exit button",[],"White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt",{"_81":10585,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":10586,"_213":10583,"_223":10587,"_106":10588,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":10589,"_218":88,"_232":10588,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/uk/3r4epe-trump/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3b0f034d-2c20-4229-a805-d43001ae7a76",[],"3b0f034d-2c20-4229-a805-d43001ae7a76","158844102","White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)",{"_163":10591,"_165":10592},"Like the Piddington Popular Front, Andy needs to start at the borders to tackle the migrant crisis. Repurposing Number 10 as an HMO isn’t the answer.",[],{"_163":10594,"_165":10595},"Can you just imagine the general backlash there will be if it’s discovered that someone undocumented, who came over yesterday, is being accommodated in, say, swish Kensington and Chelsea where you can’t buy a shoebox for less than three-quarters of a mil?",[],{"_163":10597,"_165":10598},"The middle class have more clout than their poorer counterparts. And even if Andy does manage to relocate a number of newly arrived migrants to more upscale addresses? ",[],"159730684",{"_163":10601,"_165":10602},"So this is primarily about bolstering Burnham’s man-of-the-people image. However, as Piddington shows, not only are middle-class voters just as likely to feel aggrieved if there’s a sudden, large-scale surge of new arrivals into their own backyard, but they have the resources and the follow-on capacity to mount headline-catching counter campaigns.",[],{"_163":10604,"_165":10605},"Seemingly, he thinks this will be worth it, if it demonstrates to the working-class electorate — previously Labour, but now swinging towards Reform — that he understands how they feel unfairly put upon.",[],{"_163":10607,"_165":10608},"And it should not be verboten to be able to say that out loud without being dismissed as a racist bigot.\nOne major, obvious problem with Andy’s plan to spread the load into posh postcodes is that the PM, scrabbling to pay for just about anything these days (he can’t even afford to keep killers behind bars), has conceded that it will cost more to source migrant accommodation in upmarket areas.",[],{"_163":10610,"_165":10611},"But that savagery is not representative of the majority of people in working-class communities whose anger is not targeted at the migrants per se, but at the impact an unprecedented increase in newcomers to their area has had on local services, housing, health and education.",[],{"_163":10613,"_165":10614},"It’s easier to throw open your arms in welcome when the actual welcome mat is on somebody else’s doorstep. Yes, there are some racists in a number of areas where migrants have been housed; the horrific, mindless violence we’ve seen locally is testament to that.",[],{"_163":10616,"_165":10617},"The well-heeled, he argues, need to take their “fair share” of the influx. But will they? The middle class, and those even further up the food chain, not only have hitherto been spared their “fair share” of pressure on neighbourhood services, but are also often the most vocal in decrying what they see as “racism” in less advantaged localities.",[],{"_163":10619,"_165":10620},"The local MP is Lib Dem. This is not a Reform stronghold. And it’s also the sort of affluent area in which Prime Minister Andy Burnham now says he wants to house more migrants in order to take some of the pressure off working-class areas.",[],"159449475",{"_163":10623,"_165":10624},"You don’t have to have been to the village to get the picture. That very name “Piddington” says it all. Basically it’s Midsomer Murders without the murders.",[10625],{"_85":2073,"_157":10626,"_194":685,"_196":-5},119,{"_163":10628,"_165":10629},"Piddington is described in media reports as “charming”, “quaint” and a place where “everybody knows everybody”.",[],{"_163":10631,"_165":10632},"Donald, I think it’s fair to say, already has that particular armament and has used it frequently. Even if there may be a whole lot of tongue-in-cheekiness involved in tiny Piddington’s campaign, it is certainly doing the business in drawing attention to the case villagers have been making against a migrant camp which would house three times the current number of local residents.",[],{"_163":10634,"_165":10635},"“I want to give Donald Trump the armament of saying: ‘What are you doing to your people?’” he declared.",[],{"_163":10637,"_165":10638},"Elon Musk has saluted the Piddington resistance movement on X. And Tim McNally, the chair of the parish council (he sees himself as a bit of a George Washington figure), says Piddingtonians intend to present a declaration of independence to the US embassy.",[],{"_163":10640,"_165":10641},"Unfortunately, for the unlikely revolutionaries of Piddington parish council, that’s about as far as it goes. They can’t legally break away, and their ballot box gesture will be just that — a PR stunt, albeit an exceptionally clever one that has already garnered interest and support across the globe.",[],{"_163":10643,"_165":10644},"The independent republic of Piddington, a little village in leafy Oxfordshire, population circa 400, is set to vote to secede from the UK in protest at plans to house over 1,250 asylum seekers in a nearby disused army barracks.",[],{"_163":10646,"_165":10647},"As Western countries grapple with the greatest political challenge of the age — how to respond to increasing illegal migration and the knock-on pressure on taxpayer-funded services — the smallest, newest, wannabe state has proclaimed it’s had enough and is closing down its borders.",[],{"_81":10649,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":10650,"_213":88,"_223":10651,"_106":10652,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":10652,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/siriw1-mcdowell-lindy-13.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/McDowell%2C%20Lindy%20(13).jpg",[10653],"McDowell%2C%20Lindy%20(13).jpg","160066526",{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_163":10655,"_165":10656},"PM says wealthy areas of Britain must play a part in housing asylum seekers — but one Oxfordshire village has said ‘sod that’ and staged a bid for independence",[],{"_163":10516,"_165":10658},[],{"_250":1970,"_106":1971,"_253":8,"_254":1700},{"_250":8066,"_106":8067,"_253":10,"_254":8068},{"_250":10664,"_106":10665,"_253":10,"_254":10666},{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},"life","4331","Life",{"_235":-5,"_237":10668,"_240":10669},"McDowell","Lindy",{"_81":10671,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":10672,"_213":88,"_223":10651,"_106":10652,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":10652,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/siriw1-mcdowell-lindy-13.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/McDowell%2C%20Lindy%20(13).jpg",[10673],{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_250":10685,"_106":10686,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10682,"_106":10683,"_275":10684,"_276":280},{"_250":1504,"_106":1505,"_275":1506,"_276":280},{"_250":1502,"_106":1503,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10680,"_106":10681,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Nigel Farage","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:nigel-farage","Labour Party","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:labour-party","The Labour Party is a political party","Lindy McDowell","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:lindy-mcdowell",195124650,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":10862,"_283":10,"_275":10863,"_285":10,"_286":10864,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/news-analysis/cia-no-longer-believes-israeli-intel-where-does-that-leave-trumps-fragile-relationship-with-netanyahu/a/160025074.html",[10850,10851,10852,10853],"CIA no longer believes Israeli intel – where does that leave Trump’s fragile relationship with Netanyahu?",{"_264":10844,"_266":10838,"_267":10692},[],[10842,10843],"160025074",{},[],"2026-08-14T09:21:11Z","2026-08-14T09:22:02Z",[10705,10706,10707,10708,10709,10710,10711,10712,10713,10714,10715,10716,10717,10718,10719,10720,10721,10722,10723,10724,10725,10726,10727,10728,10729,10730,10731,10732,10733,10734,10735],"Maira Butt",{"_140":10,"_141":10704,"_143":10},"a57c67b2-97be-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":10840,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":10837,"_161":374},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":10831,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":10828,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":10825,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":10822,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":10819,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":10816,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":179,"_106":10815,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10815,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":10810,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":10806,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":167,"_586":10797,"_588":10798,"_590":-5,"_592":10799,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":10794,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":10791,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":10788,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":10783,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":681,"_106":10782,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10782,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":10779,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":10776,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":10773,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":665,"_212":10762,"_213":10763,"_215":10764,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":10759,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":10756,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":10753,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":10750,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":10747,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":10744,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":10741,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":10738,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":622,"_106":10737,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10737,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":1007,"_106":10736,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10736,"_233":92},"159909795","159323370",{"_163":10739,"_165":10740},"“It may have been done to reassure the public that there was no threat, but also indicates that confidence in Israeli intelligence is not as unquestioned as it once was – a recurring theme since the October 7 attacks which Israeli intelligence failed to predict.” He added: “I don’t think we’ll see Trump pull back from Israel, but the relationship is becoming less predictable.”",[],{"_163":10742,"_165":10743},"“Moving the president was a precaution they simply couldn’t ignore given the potentially catastrophic consequences, but publicly questioning the assessment is a bold move.",[],{"_163":10745,"_165":10746},"“Israeli intelligence has long been viewed as the gold standard, so it’s notable that US officials reportedly acted on the warning whilst simultaneously signalling they didn’t believe it was credible,” Prof Moran said.",[],{"_163":10748,"_165":10749},"This came after Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said his country would not withdraw from Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms.",[],{"_163":10751,"_165":10752},"Earlier this week, a US state department official said a permanent Israeli military presence in south Lebanon was not consistent with commitments set out in Israel’s US-backed deal with Lebanon’s government. ",[],{"_163":10754,"_165":10755},"Nevertheless, a shift is underway on a broader level, said Professor Andrew Moran, head of politics and international relations at London Metropolitan University.",[],{"_163":10757,"_165":10758},"However, with Trump facing a set of mid-term elections likely to deliver bruising results for the Republicans and Netanyahu battling for his survival at a crunch election in October, experts say their relationship will inevitably come under further strain.",[],{"_163":10760,"_165":10761},"Prof Mekelberg points to Trump’s silence on Netanyahu’s public rejection of his peace plan for Gaza and his assertion that there will never be a Palestinian state as evidence of the strength of their relationship.",[],"Anadolu via Getty Images","US President Donald Trump meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at White House in Washington DC",{"_81":10765,"_212":10762,"_220":395,"_97":10766,"_213":10763,"_223":10767,"_106":10768,"_226":227,"_228":10762,"_230":10769,"_218":88,"_232":10768,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/431968-gettyimages-2287382140.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/GettyImages_2287382140.jpg",[10770],"GettyImages_2287382140.jpg","159806719","WASHINGTON DC, USA - JULY 28: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY â\" MANDATORY CREDIT - 'MA'AYAN TOAF / GPO / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) U.S. President Donald Trump meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at White House in Washington DC, United States on July 28, 2026. (Photo by Maâayan Toaf (GPO)/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)",{"_235":10771,"_237":10772,"_239":10771,"_240":10396},"suzanne.byrne@independent.ie","Byrne",{"_163":10774,"_165":10775},"Last month, Netanyahu made an eighth state visit to the US, demonstrating that the relationship remains strong despite tensions over Israel’s continued bombing campaign in Lebanon, which they have maintained is aimed at defeating Hezbollah.",[],{"_163":10777,"_165":10778},"He said it is also important to note that Trump retains a “soft spot” for Netanyahu, despite details being leaked to the press about furious phone calls between the pair.",[],{"_163":10780,"_165":10781},"“The CIA may be feeling it is sidelined and trying to regain influence,” he said. “There have been so many failures in intelligence, analysis and decision-making,” in the war so far, he added, referring to the Minab school attack that killed over 170 children in Iran which is currently being investigated by the US government.",[],"159735476",{"_163":10784,"_165":10785},"Professor Yossi Mekelberg, an expert on US-Israeli relations at the Chatham House think-tank, told The Independent that intelligence reported in the media may not be as credible as they first appear.",[10786],{"_85":2073,"_157":10787,"_194":694,"_196":-5},99,{"_163":10789,"_165":10790},"“At the same time given previous attempts on Trump’s life and at least one previous uncovered IRGC plot in November 2024 to kill Trump, there was no way the Secret Service was going to take any chances, whatever CIA doubts about Israeli intelligence.”",[],{"_163":10792,"_165":10793},"“Netanyahu often plays fast and loose with intelligence assessments to further his agenda especially when it comes to bad actors like Iran and Hamas,” he said.",[],{"_163":10795,"_165":10796},"Aaron David Miller, an American diplomat who served as an advisor on the Middle East to six US secretaries of state between 1978 and 2003, said Israel’s “extreme confidence” in February that a US-Israeli bombing campaign would pave the way for regime change in Iran will have triggered scepticism in the CIA about the reliability of their intelligence.",[],{"_163":10804,"_165":10805},{"_163":10802,"_165":10803},{"_163":10800,"_165":10801},"US diplomat",[],"Aaron David Miller",[],"Netanyahu often plays fast and loose with intelligence assessments to further his agenda especially when it comes to bad actors like Iran and Hamas",[],{"_163":10807,"_165":10808},"Experts told The Independent that the strong bond between Trump and Netanyahu has been put under immense strain by domestic politics. Both leaders have failed to meet their military and political targets in Iran, whilst struggling to manage internal divisions.",[10809],{"_85":2073,"_157":158,"_194":685,"_196":-5},{"_163":10811,"_165":10812},"Trump’s own intelligence agencies were unconvinced by the tip-off. On Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that the CIA had “low confidence” in the intel – but US officials decided to act on them anyway.",[10813],{"_85":2073,"_157":10814,"_194":673,"_196":-5},81,"159865211",{"_163":10817,"_165":10818},"The extraordinary operation involved the US president being moved between aircraft in a catering truck, to safely leave the Nato summit in Ankara for Britain.",[],{"_163":10820,"_165":10821},"Earlier this week, it emerged that Trump took a secret military flight from Turkey to flee an Iranian assassination threat based on Israeli intelligence. ",[],{"_163":10823,"_165":10824},"Cracks in the relationship between Trump and his long-time friend Benjamin Netanyahu have emerged in the past three months, with the US president privately lashing out at the Israeli prime minister for attacks on Lebanon and jeopardising a peace deal with Iran.",[],{"_163":10826,"_165":10827},"But six months into the conflict, he is struggling to find an exit strategy from a war that has upended the global economy and shrunk his domestic popularity. Israel, who once urged him to act, is no longer striking Iranian targets.",[],{"_163":10829,"_165":10830},"Donald Trump launched his war on Iran after receiving an intelligence briefing from ally Israel that Iran was on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":10832,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":10833,"_106":10834,"_368":369,"_370":10835,"_232":10836,"_233":92},"ywQE8LlSIrey","00:42:00","1995010","0:42","159900511",{"_163":10838,"_165":10839},"Two leaders were good friends – but relationship under pressure as Iran war continues",[],{"_163":10692,"_165":10841},[],{"_250":2474,"_106":2475,"_253":8,"_254":2476},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_81":10845,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":10846,"_213":88,"_223":10847,"_106":10848,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":10848,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/7an92z-maira-butt.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Maira%20Butt.jpg",[10849],"Maira%20Butt.jpg","160026351",{"_235":2889,"_237":2890,"_239":2889,"_240":2891},{"_250":1504,"_106":1505,"_275":1506,"_276":280},{"_250":10859,"_106":10860,"_275":10861,"_276":280},{"_250":10857,"_106":10858,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10854,"_106":10855,"_275":10856,"_276":280},"Israel","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:israel","Israel is a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea.","Iran","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:iran","Benjamin Netanyahu","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:benjamin-netanyahu","Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician.","Maira Butt: CIA no longer believes Israeli intel – where does that leave Trump’s fragile relationship with Netanyahu?","Trump’s war on Iran strains his bond with Benjamin Netanyahu and trust in Israeli intelligence","https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/trump-us-israel-intelligence-netanyahu-assassination-iran-b3032400.html",194918652,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/executive-writes-to-burnham-seeking-meeting-to-discuss-fair-funding-for-stormont/a/159992860.html",[10984,10985,10986,10987,10988,10989,10990],"Executive writes to Burnham seeking meeting to discuss fair funding for Stormont",{"_264":10980,"_266":10971,"_267":10870},[10979],[10975,10976,10977,10978],"159992860",{},[],"2026-08-13T18:00:00Z","2026-08-13T18:11:41Z",[10882,10883,10884,10885,10886,10887,10888,10889,10890,10891,10892,10893,10894,10895,10896,10897,10898,10899,10900,10901,10902,10903],{"_140":10,"_141":10881,"_143":10},"33b096e6-971e-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":10973,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":10970,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":10962,"_213":10963,"_215":10964,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":10959,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":10956,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":10953,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":10950,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":10947,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":10944,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":10941,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":10938,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":167,"_586":10930,"_588":10931,"_590":-5,"_592":10932,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":10927,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":10924,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":10921,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":10918,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":10915,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":10912,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":10909,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":10906,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":10905,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10905,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":661,"_106":10904,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10904,"_233":92},"159946247","159992972",{"_163":10907,"_165":10908},"“The Prime Minister has again talked about devolution and I would hope that he would want to fund that on the same basis as everywhere else. What we are asking for is fairness.",[],{"_163":10910,"_165":10911},"He added: “Wales and Scotland are funded much better than Northern Ireland, and if we were treated equally we wouldn’t be in the budgetary position that we are in. ",[],{"_163":10913,"_165":10914},"“However, there are not many things that are truly game changers in politics, but this is one of them. This would allow us to make a real difference to the Housing Executive.”",[],{"_163":10916,"_165":10917},"“I have come up with a plan that will help us achieve our targets. I’m doing everything I can on that to stretch the money we do have to make it go further and build more homes. ",[],{"_163":10919,"_165":10920},"“I’m trying to make it easier, simpler and more affordable to build homes across all tenures. ",[],{"_163":10922,"_165":10923},"“If the Prime Minister is serious about that, then my message is the same as what it has been for the last two years: allow the Housing Executive to borrow so that it can build.",[],{"_163":10925,"_165":10926},"“What we’re saying is that if you want to do something, and you care about devolution and housing, allow us to borrow. Give us that role and clarification from the Treasury that we can go ahead and do that because then we can invest in our stock. ",[],{"_163":10928,"_165":10929},"“It’s something that comes at no additional cost to the government and that housing associations and local government authorities in the rest of the UK can do. ",[],{"_163":10936,"_165":10937},{"_163":1681,"_165":10935},{"_163":10933,"_165":10934},"Communities Minister",[],[],"There are not many things that are truly game changers in politics, but this is one of them. This would allow us to make a real difference to the Housing Executive. ",[],{"_163":10939,"_165":10940},"Mr Lyons said: “Additional borrowing powers is my single biggest ask of the UK Government.",[],{"_163":10942,"_165":10943},"Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “Transforming our public services and delivering real change for the people of Northern Ireland is our priority, but we cannot do this alone.”",[],{"_163":10945,"_165":10946},"“People here deserve high-quality public services, but we cannot deliver the transformation they need without the necessary investment.”",[],{"_163":10948,"_165":10949},"First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “We have repeatedly made the case to the British Government for a fair and sustainable funding package, but our calls have consistently not been met.",[],{"_163":10951,"_165":10952},"It also calls for funding parity with the other devolved nations. ",[],{"_163":10954,"_165":10955},"The letter says the Executive is “committed to achieving a budget position that is balanced and sustainable”, but “a fair funding envelope” is needed to “enable transformation and support the delivery of the high-quality public services that our citizens rightly expect and deserve”.",[],{"_163":10957,"_165":10958},"Communities Minister Gordon Lyons was speaking as a joint letter signed by all Executive ministers was sent to Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling on him to meet with them to “address mounting financial pressures”.",[],{"_163":10960,"_165":10961},"Whitehall has been urged to give the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland new borrowing powers so more homes can be built.",[],"Kyle Frazer","Gordon Lyons ",{"_81":10965,"_212":10962,"_220":395,"_97":10966,"_213":10963,"_223":10967,"_106":10968,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":10968,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/4xbl3u-photo-13-08-2026-12-37-31.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Photo%2013-08-2026%2C%2012%2037%2031.jpg",[10969],"Photo%2013-08-2026%2C%2012%2037%2031.jpg","160004542",{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_163":10971,"_165":10972},"Communities Minister says his ‘biggest ask’ is new borrowing powers for Housing Executive so it can build more social homes ",[],{"_163":10870,"_165":10974},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_240":7509},{"_81":10981,"_212":10962,"_220":395,"_97":10982,"_213":10963,"_223":10967,"_106":10968,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":10968,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/4xbl3u-photo-13-08-2026-12-37-31.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Photo%2013-08-2026%2C%2012%2037%2031.jpg",[10983],{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":9541,"_106":9542,"_275":9543,"_276":280},{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},{"_250":8087,"_106":8088,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1681,"_106":1682,"_275":1683,"_276":280},{"_250":8319,"_106":8320,"_275":8321,"_276":280},194915943,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":11132,"_283":8,"_275":11133,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/lyons-welcomes-no-intention-of-executive-collapse-but-accuses-sinn-fein-of-mixed-messaging-theyre-blaming-everyone-but-themselves/a/159992972.html",[11125,11126,11127,11128,11129,11130,11131],"Lyons welcomes ‘no intention’ of Executive collapse but accuses Sinn Féin of mixed messaging: ‘They’re blaming everyone but themselves’ ",{"_264":11121,"_266":11113,"_267":10996},[11120],[11117,11118,11119],{},[],"2026-08-14T06:42:00Z","2026-08-13T17:59:26Z",[11007,11008,11009,11010,11011,11012,11013,11014,11015,11016,11017,11018,11019,11020,11021,11022,11023,11024,11025,11026,11027,11028,11029,11030,11031,11032],{"_140":10,"_141":11006,"_143":10},"594d7f09-971e-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":11115,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":11112,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":11105,"_215":11106,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":11102,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":11099,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":11096,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":1611,"_213":11089,"_215":11090,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":11086,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":11083,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":11080,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":11077,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":11074,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":158,"_586":11067,"_588":11068,"_590":-5,"_592":11069,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":11064,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":11061,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":11058,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":11055,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":11052,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":673,"_106":11051,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11051,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":11048,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":11045,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":11042,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":11039,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":11036,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":11033,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":10904,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10904,"_233":92},{"_163":11034,"_165":11035},"“But our party is seeing out the end of this mandate and getting as much as we can for people, because that is what this job should be all about. ",[],{"_163":11037,"_165":11038},"“There will be time for the election and for debate around that. My focus right now is getting things done. If others want to start the election campaign early, that’s up to them. ",[],{"_163":11040,"_165":11041},"“Now is the time for getting as much out of this mandate as we can. How about we work together to get things done? I am more than happy for people to look at what has happened in Education and Communities, where you can see delivery. ",[],{"_163":11043,"_165":11044},"He said the party was too distracted with the prospect of next May’s election.",[],{"_163":11046,"_165":11047},"Mr Lyons accused Sinn Féin of blocking several of his plans as Communities Minister, including ringfencing cash to tackle antisocial behaviour in social housing and clamping down on benefit fraud. ",[],{"_163":11049,"_165":11050},"“All of those issues are under their own control, and they haven’t been able to deliver. So there is no point in coming and blaming other people.” ",[],"159944579",{"_163":11053,"_165":11054},"“The A5 isn’t down to the Ulster Plantation. It’s down to Sinn Féin not being able to compromise with the DUP on climate legislation that would allow that to go ahead. ",[],{"_163":11056,"_165":11057},"“Nobody has caused the Economy Minister to take the decisions she has made and the potential loss of 1,700 student places in Magee. ",[],{"_163":11059,"_165":11060},"“Nobody forced John O’Dowd to go ahead with the plans for pubs and restaurants around their ratings that would cause so many problems,” Mr Lyons said. ",[],{"_163":11062,"_165":11063},"East Derry MLA Dr Caoimhe Archibald is the Economy Minister, Upper Bann MLA John O’Dowd is the Finance Minister and Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins is the Infrastructure Minister. ",[],{"_163":11065,"_165":11066},"Sinn Féin have four Executive seats, including the First Minister. ",[],{"_163":11072,"_165":11073},{"_163":1681,"_165":11071},{"_163":10933,"_165":11070},[],[],"Sinn Féin have been found out, and they are trying to blame other people [for] it",[],{"_163":11075,"_165":11076},"“The reality is that the public are seeing through this, and they see that Sinn Féin haven’t been able to deliver.",[],{"_163":11078,"_165":11079},"“They have blamed the courts, the Deputy First Minister, the Education Minister, the Communities Minister. It seems as if they are blaming everyone but themselves. ",[],{"_163":11081,"_165":11082},"“Sinn Féin has blamed Labour governments, Tory governments, the Treasury, austerity, the DUP, the Ulster Plantation it seems now as well. ",[],{"_163":11084,"_165":11085},"“They have been found out, and they are trying to blame other people [for] it. ",[],{"_163":11087,"_165":11088},"“There has been a real lack of delivery in Sinn Féin-led departments, and they have not been able to make a tangible difference to people’s lives here. ",[],"First Minister Michelle O’Neill speaks to the media in Londonderry, where she said that she has ‘no intention’ of bringing down powersharing institutions in Northern Ireland after concerns were raised about the state of relations in the Executive",{"_81":11091,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":11092,"_213":11089,"_223":11093,"_106":11094,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":11095,"_218":88,"_232":11094,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/g6kgo2-michelle-oneill-comments/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/18379a3d-8b34-49cf-afa9-8dcc7b2e05ce",[],"18379a3d-8b34-49cf-afa9-8dcc7b2e05ce","159987825","First Minister Michelle O’Neill speaks to the media in Co Londonderry, where she said that she has ’no intention’ of bringing down powersharing institutions in Northern Ireland after concerns were raised about the state of relations in the Executive. Picture date: Wednesday August 12, 2026.",{"_163":11097,"_165":11098},"Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Lyons said that whilst he welcomes the commitments from Michelle O’Neill and John O’Dowd, he accused Sinn Féin of being inconsistent with their messaging, adding: “They are blaming other people for their problems.”",[],{"_163":11100,"_165":11101},"Gordon Lyons made the comments amid speculation that Sinn Féin would pull out of the Executive after former minister and MLA Conor Murphy said “the institutions were in a precarious position”.",[],{"_163":11103,"_165":11104},"The Communities Minister has said he is pleased to hear commitments from both the First Minister and Finance Minister that Sinn Féin will not collapse the institutions before the next election. ",[],"Communities Minister Gordon Lyons",{"_81":11107,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":11108,"_213":11105,"_223":11109,"_106":11110,"_226":227,"_228":4195,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":11110,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5cquki-file8714ja2f34n1mhp8rg92/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/d5d1a199-9b25-4c77-934c-7c72ce82f5e7_mhie-beltel-online_urn_newsml_pressassociation_io_1a6b3ac8-7855-41f6-929c-4d9ea889d509-featureimage.jpg",[11111],"d5d1a199-9b25-4c77-934c-7c72ce82f5e7_mhie-beltel-online_urn_newsml_pressassociation_io_1a6b3ac8-7855-41f6-929c-4d9ea889d509-featureimage.jpg","159996295",{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_163":11113,"_165":11114},"Communities Minister takes aim at ‘a real lack of delivery in Sinn Féin-led departments’",[],{"_163":10996,"_165":11116},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_240":7509},{"_81":11122,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":11123,"_213":11105,"_223":11109,"_106":11110,"_226":227,"_228":4195,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":11110,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5cquki-file8714ja2f34n1mhp8rg92/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/d5d1a199-9b25-4c77-934c-7c72ce82f5e7_mhie-beltel-online_urn_newsml_pressassociation_io_1a6b3ac8-7855-41f6-929c-4d9ea889d509-featureimage.jpg",[11124],{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_250":1681,"_106":1682,"_275":1683,"_276":280},{"_250":1678,"_106":1679,"_275":1680,"_276":280},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},{"_250":10442,"_106":10443,"_275":10444,"_276":280},{"_250":8319,"_106":8320,"_275":8321,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},"Sinn Féin delivery under fire: Communities Minister attacks party","Gordon Lyons blasts Sinn Féin over stalled delivery, Executive tensions and blocked Communities plans",194879532,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":11317,"_283":8,"_275":11318,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/if-the-wheels-are-coming-off-anything-its-sinn-fein-says-dup-minister-amid-stormont-collapse-fears/a/159994663.html",[11306,11307,11308,11309,11310,11311,11312,11313],"If the wheels are coming off anything, it’s Sinn Féin, says DUP Minister amid Stormont collapse fears",{"_264":11298,"_266":11290,"_267":11139},[],[11294,11295,11296,11297],"159994663",{},[],"2026-08-13T15:02:22Z","2026-08-13T15:04:11Z",[11152,11153,11154,11155,11156,11157,11158,11159,11160,11161,11162,11163,11164,11165,11166,11167,11168,11169,11170,11171,11172,11173,11174,11175,11176,11177,11178,11179,11180,11181,11182,11183,11184,11185,11186,11187],"Mark Bain and Kyle Frazer",{"_140":10,"_141":11151,"_143":10},"78a51c08-9720-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":11292,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":11289,"_161":374},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":11288,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":11285,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":11282,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":11279,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":11276,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":4195,"_213":11269,"_215":11270,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":11266,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":11263,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":11260,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":11257,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":11254,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":11251,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":694,"_106":11250,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11250,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":11247,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":11244,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":11241,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":11238,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":11235,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":11234,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11234,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":11231,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":11228,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":11225,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":650,"_212":11216,"_213":11217,"_215":11218,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":11213,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":11210,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":11207,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":11204,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":11202,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":11199,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":11196,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":11193,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":11190,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":606,"_106":11189,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11189,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":585,"_106":11188,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11188,"_233":92},"159927507","159966429",{"_163":11191,"_165":11192},"“I have no intention of trying to bring Stormont down, I am determined to try and make it work,” she said, adding that the DUP’s “approach to everything is to delay and frustrate progress” and calling the DUP “anti-Irish and anti-equality”.",[],{"_163":11194,"_165":11195},"Speaking in Derry on Tuesday, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said that comments from the DUP that her party was “inserting instability” at Stormont “reflect the DUP’s tactics of distraction from internal issues”.",[],{"_163":11197,"_165":11198},"“The reality is that the public are seeing through this, and they see that Sinn Féin haven’t been able to deliver.”",[],{"_163":11200,"_165":11201},"“They have blamed the courts, the deputy first minister, the education minister, the communities minister. It seems as if they are blaming everyone but themselves. ",[],{"_163":11081,"_165":11203},[],{"_163":11205,"_165":11206},"“They have been found out, and they are trying to blame other people on it. ",[],{"_163":11208,"_165":11209},"“There has been a real lack of delivery in Sinn Féin led departments, and they have not been able to make a tangible difference to people’s lives here. ",[],{"_163":11211,"_165":11212},"Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Lyons accused Sinn Féin of being inconsistent and said “they are blaming other people for their problems.”",[],{"_163":11214,"_165":11215},"Minister Givan’s comments were echoed by Minister for Communities and party colleague Gordon Lyons.",[],"Claudia Savage","First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaks to the media to deny Sinn Féin are planning to collapse Stormont",{"_81":11219,"_212":11216,"_220":395,"_97":11220,"_213":11217,"_223":11221,"_106":11222,"_226":227,"_228":11216,"_230":11223,"_218":88,"_232":11222,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2649tb-michelle-oneill-comments/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Michelle_ONeill_comments.jpg",[11224],"Michelle_ONeill_comments.jpg","159995771","First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaks to the media in Co Londonderry, where she said that she has \"no intention\" of bringing down powersharing institutions in Northern Ireland after concerns were raised about the state of relations in the Executive. Picture date: Wednesday August 12, 2026.",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":11226,"_165":11227},"“Sinn Féin are blocking that. They are frustrating these institutions. They are politicking around these things. If that’s the message that they are going to take with them into the election I don’t think that’s a positive one. I want to take positive messages forward.",[],{"_163":11229,"_165":11230},"“I have legislation to try and improve our controlled schools so they can have a managing authority similar to CCMS and how it is managing the maintained sector.",[],{"_163":11232,"_165":11233},"“I have legislation that they have been blocking when it comes to young people being in formal education up to the age of 18. That legislation is ready to be introduced into the Assembly. Sinn Féin haven’t let it out of the Executive.",[],"159701269",{"_163":11236,"_165":11237},"“I think it would be unforgivable if they were to bring down the institutions. But they are frustrating the work of the Executive.",[],{"_163":11239,"_165":11240},"“But I can only commit, as my party leader already has, that the DUP is committed to devolution and we are committed to making sure we support the people in the departments that we are responsible for by better public services.",[],{"_163":11242,"_165":11243},"“We can show what we’ve done,” said Mr Givan. “But because they are struggling to demonstrate what they have been trying to do they embark upon distraction, they embark upon grievance politics. I don’t think that’s good for the institutions and the people of Northern Ireland deserve better.",[],{"_163":11245,"_165":11246},"“We look at the challenges around the A5, they made over-commitments when it came to Casement Park, built up huge expectations despite all of the different challenges that they were aware of in the background, and what do they have to take to their electorate?",[],{"_163":11248,"_165":11249},"“Sinn Féin have been inconsistent on their messaging, the wheels are coming off that public messaging, and that’s not helpful because that can bleed into confidence around the institutions,” he said.",[],"159914484",{"_163":11252,"_165":11253},"“When it comes to their messaging, is it Michelle O’Neill, is it John O’Dowd or is Conor Murphy that’s speaking for them? I think that’s a sign that Sinn Féin are struggling to demonstrate what they’ve actually done in government",[],{"_163":11255,"_165":11256},"“When I look at the failings happening in infrastructure, the challenges in Translink, the challenges over Magee university and in the economy ministerial portfolio and when I listen to the Sinn Féin messaging of ‘the wheels coming off’ at Stormont, it’s not that the wheels are coming off the institutions, it’s that the wheels are coming off Sinn Féin.",[],{"_163":11258,"_165":11259},"“Sinn Féin ministers certainly aren’t.",[],{"_163":11261,"_165":11262},"“I am a DUP minister delivering in a devolved institution, but not all ministers are as effective as the DUP.",[],{"_163":11264,"_165":11265},"“When you look at what I’ve been able to do as education minister, no direct rule minister would have embarked on the transformation I have been able to do,” Mr Givan said as he visited Friends’ School Lisburn on A-level results day.",[],{"_163":11267,"_165":11268},"While both Finance Minister John O’Dowd and First Minister Michelle O’Neill have since denied their party is preparing to collapse Stormont, Mr Givan said the fact Sinn Féin is now engaging in a policy of distraction from the real issues shows they are struggling to stand over their record in government.",[],"DUP Education Minister Paul Givan",{"_81":11271,"_212":4195,"_220":395,"_97":11272,"_213":11269,"_223":11273,"_106":11274,"_226":227,"_228":4195,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":11274,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/hel0n-file8754daw6m071cabg889z/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/e3bbec01-6fb6-46d1-bd60-b881e8b17395_mhie-beltel-online_urn_newsml_pressassociation_io_97de8708-b349-454e-b479-0533c60d5fda-featureimage.jpeg",[11275],"e3bbec01-6fb6-46d1-bd60-b881e8b17395_mhie-beltel-online_urn_newsml_pressassociation_io_97de8708-b349-454e-b479-0533c60d5fda-featureimage.jpeg","159995588",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":11277,"_165":11278},"Mr Murphy said power-sharing at Stormont is in a “precarious place”, stating that the DUP “don’t have the political will to make it work”.",[],{"_163":11280,"_165":11281},"It comes two weeks after Sinn Féin’s former Economy Minister Conor Murphy warned “there is a danger that the wheels could come off” Stormont if institutions are not reformed.",[],{"_163":11283,"_165":11284},"Education Minister Paul Givan said it would be “unforgivable” if Northern Ireland’s largest political party brought down the institutions at Stormont as the row between the two main parties over who is blocking progress intensified.",[],{"_163":11286,"_165":11287},"A DUP Stormont Minister has said Sinn Féin should look to its own record in government if it believes the ‘wheels are coming off’ anything.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":7215,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":748,"_106":7216,"_368":369,"_370":750,"_232":7217,"_233":92},{"_163":11290,"_165":11291},"Paul Givan: ‘Unforgivable’ if party collapses Stormont",[],{"_163":11139,"_165":11293},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":3169,"_106":3170,"_253":10,"_254":3171},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_81":11299,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":11300,"_213":88,"_223":11301,"_106":11302,"_226":227,"_228":11303,"_230":11304,"_218":88,"_232":11302,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tryper-file87540r909nan9zmv8hr/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/14fe9745-acca-4722-a12b-a3fb8b252d03.jpg",[11305],"14fe9745-acca-4722-a12b-a3fb8b252d03.jpg","159996128","Claudia Savage/PA Wire","DUP Education Minister Paul Givan speaks to the media, stating that the 'wheels are coming off' Sinn Féin's public messaging regarding Stormont. Picture date: Thursday August 13, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Claudia Savage/PA Wire ",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_250":9177,"_106":9178,"_275":9179,"_276":280},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},{"_250":10442,"_106":10443,"_275":10444,"_276":280},{"_250":11314,"_106":11315,"_275":11316,"_276":280},{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":8319,"_106":8320,"_275":8321,"_276":280},{"_250":8322,"_106":8323,"_275":8324,"_276":280},"Conor Murray","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:conor-murray","Conor Murray is an Irish rugby union player.","Stormont collapse risk? Paul Givan attacks Sinn Féin tactics","Stormont faces fresh DUP–Sinn Féin clash as Paul Givan warns collapse would be 'unforgivable' and accuses rivals of blocking reforms. Read the full story.",194642052,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":11417,"_283":8,"_275":11418,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/andy-allen-reselected-to-run-for-uup-in-east-belfast/a/159950864.html",[11407,11408,11409,11410,11411,11412],"Andy Allen reselected to run for UUP in East Belfast",{"_264":11403,"_266":11388,"_267":11324},[11402],[11399,11400,11401],"159950864",{},[],"2026-08-12T18:38:19Z","2026-08-12T18:11:12Z",[11336,11337,11338,11339,11340,11341,11342,11343,11344,11345,11346,11347,11348,11349,11350,11351],{"_140":10,"_141":11335,"_143":10},"145f0fc4-966a-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":11397,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":11390,"_215":11391,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":11387,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":11384,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":11381,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":11378,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":183,"_356":11372,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":11369,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":11366,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":171,"_106":10367,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10367,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":11363,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":11360,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":11357,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":11354,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":11353,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11353,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":681,"_106":11352,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11352,"_233":92},"159135238","159588703",{"_163":11355,"_165":11356},"On 22pc, Sinn Féin remains the largest party in Northern Ireland. The SDLP is in fourth spot on 13pc with the TUV on 12pc and Alliance in sixth place on 10pc.",[],{"_163":11358,"_165":11359},"In last month’s LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph, the UUP was on 16pc — up three points from April — with the DUP down three points to 15pc.",[],{"_163":11361,"_165":11362},"The UUP has enjoyed a considerable bounce under Mr Burrows. It has overtaken the DUP — which is under pressure in the wake of the Jeffrey Donaldson scandal — to become the most popular unionist party in Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":11364,"_165":11365},"He is a known champion of veterans, housing and social welfare issues.",[],{"_163":11367,"_165":11368},"A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, he was left a double above-knee amputee and partially blind as a result of a Taliban attack in Helmand using an improvised explosive device.",[],{"_163":11370,"_165":11371},"The UUP MLA was co-opted into Stormont in 2015 to replace Michael Copeland, who had resigned on health grounds. Mr Allen previously served in the Royal Irish Regiment for six years.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":11373,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":11374,"_106":11375,"_368":369,"_370":11376,"_232":11377,"_233":92},"syYIjJ3Da-SU","00:53:00","1996061","0:53","159912855",{"_163":11379,"_165":11380},"The party’s second candidate in 2022 gained 1,300 votes and was eliminated on the eighth count. It isn’t known whether Mr Allen will be the party’s sole candidate this time, or if he will have a co-runner.",[],{"_163":11382,"_165":11383},"However, he beat two contenders on Tuesday to stand in the May 2027 poll. He has represented the constituency at Stormont for 11 years, securing 5,300 votes in the last Assembly election.",[],{"_163":11385,"_165":11386},"There had been intense speculation that Mr Allen, who has at times had a stormy relationship with party leader Jon Burrows, was at risk of deselection.",[],{"_163":11388,"_165":11389},"Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen has been reselected as his party’s East Belfast candidate for next year’s Assembly election.",[],"Andy Allen",{"_81":11392,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":11393,"_213":11390,"_223":11394,"_106":11395,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":11395,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/eamjqb-rs--liam-mcburneypa.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/rs__Liam_McBurneyPA.jpg",[11396],"rs__Liam_McBurneyPA.jpg","159954547",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":11324,"_165":11398},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":2291,"_106":2292,"_253":10,"_254":2293},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_235":10394,"_237":10395,"_240":10396},{"_81":11404,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":11405,"_213":11390,"_223":11394,"_106":11395,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":11395,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/eamjqb-rs--liam-mcburneypa.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/rs__Liam_McBurneyPA.jpg",[11406],{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_250":10508,"_106":10509,"_275":10510,"_276":280},{"_250":11390,"_106":11415,"_275":11416,"_276":280},{"_250":7320,"_106":7321,"_275":7322,"_276":280},{"_250":11413,"_106":11414,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":8316,"_106":8317,"_275":10441,"_276":280},"Suzanne Breen","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:suzanne-breen","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:andy-allen","UUP MLA for Belfast East","Andy Allen reselected as UUP East Belfast Assembly candidate","Reselection drama in East Belfast as Andy Allen defeats rivals amid UUP surge and DUP turmoil. Explore what this means for the 2027 Assembly race.",194636269,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/michelle-oneill-sorry-for-every-loss-of-life-but-insists-everyone-has-a-right-to-remember-their-dead/a/159914484.html",[11610,11611,11612],"Michelle O’Neill ‘sorry for every loss of life’ but insists ‘everyone has a right to remember their dead’ ",{"_264":11606,"_266":11588,"_267":11424},[11605],[11600,11601,11602,11603,11604],{},[],"2026-08-13T05:00:00Z","2026-08-12T17:45:32Z",[11435,11436,11437,11438,11439,11440,11441,11442,11443,11444,11445,11446,11447,11448,11449,11450,11451,11452,11453,11454,11455,11456,11457,11458,11459,11460,11461,11462,11463,11464,11465,11466,11467,11468,11469,11470,11471],{"_140":10,"_141":11434,"_143":10},"5f07d0d3-9625-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":11598,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":3321,"_213":11590,"_215":11591,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":11587,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":11584,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":11581,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":11580,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11580,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":11577,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":11574,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":11571,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":11568,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":-5,"_213":11560,"_215":11561,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":11557,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":11554,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":11551,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":11548,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":11545,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":11542,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":673,"_586":11534,"_588":11535,"_590":-5,"_592":11536,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":11531,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":11524,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":11521,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":11518,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":11515,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":646,"_356":11509,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":11506,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":11503,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":11500,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":11497,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":11494,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":11491,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":11488,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":11487,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11487,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":11484,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":11481,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":11478,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":11475,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":11472,"_161":162},{"_163":11473,"_165":11474},"On the potential for US President Donald Trump to visit Northern Ireland as part of his trip to the Republic next month, Ms O’Neill said there are no plans and she has made her position clear in terms of engaging with the Trump administration because of its role “in the genocide in Gaza”.",[],{"_163":11476,"_165":11477},"“And I think that it was right and proper that this material was removed.”",[],{"_163":11479,"_165":11480},"“None of us want to see these anti-social bonfires,” she said, “we need to find ways to celebrate our culture and mark occasions, but don’t do so in a way that endangers your community, that endangers homes around you.",[],{"_163":11482,"_165":11483},"She also commended Department for Infrastructure workers who removed bonfire material, with the PSNI present.",[],{"_163":11485,"_165":11486},"Ms O’Neill pointed to the welcoming nature of the Fleadh in Belfast, saying “that is how we should celebrate culture” and the party will follow through on complaints.",[],"159815416",{"_163":11489,"_165":11490},"Other matters were also raised, including Sinn Féin saying it would report alleged incidents that occurred at the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade to the PSNI and Parades Commission, as well as the removal of material from a bonfire linked to dissident republicans in the Bogside.",[],{"_163":11492,"_165":11493},"She said the DUP’s “approach to everything is to delay and frustrate progress” and they are “anti-Irish and anti-equality”.",[],{"_163":11495,"_165":11496},"Ms O’Neill said those comments “reflect the DUP’s tactics of distraction from internal issues” and gave an assurance that “I have no intention of trying to bring Stormont down, I am determined to try and make it work”.",[],{"_163":11498,"_165":11499},"DUP claims that Sinn Féin is “inserting instability” at Stormont by saying the “wheels could come off” were put to the First Minister.",[],{"_163":11501,"_165":11502},"She said the party recognises it isn’t enough and it “needs to do more” and where there is opposition they “will try to find ways around it” as she “believes the north west needs its fair share”.",[],{"_163":11504,"_165":11505},"On whether there is opposition to Magee expansion within the Executive itself, Ms O’Neill said: “I think there has been down through the years and that has come from unionist quarters, which is documented and evident”.",[],{"_163":11507,"_165":11508},"The Sinn Féin Vice President said she intends to put those points to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, adding if he really cares about “taking money out of London” to support the regions, then he should “put his money where his mouth is”.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":11510,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":11511,"_106":11512,"_368":369,"_370":11513,"_232":11514,"_233":92},"JwJMo9jIU_ay","01:19:00","1977540","1:19","159644906",{"_163":11516,"_165":11517},"She said she is committed to “building” on that positivity, but pointed to the budget and need for “fair funding” from Westminster to allow Stormont to invest in universities and public services.",[],{"_163":11519,"_165":11520},"Ms O’Neill spoke of “record investment” at the campus under a Sinn Féin economy minister in the past two years.",[],{"_163":11522,"_165":11523},"UU has made it clear that the absence of an Executive budget has put projects in doubt and the First Minister was pressed on whether she can give “certainty” that money is in place to facilitate the promised expansion to 10,000 students by 2032.",[],{"_163":11525,"_165":11526},"However, the announcement of 450 jobs being cut at Ulster University (UU) has been quickly followed by news that a planned sports dome will be scrapped and both the UU and the Department for the Economy have admitted that the scale and scope of a long-awaited medical school is now under review.",[11527],{"_85":192,"_157":11528,"_194":513,"_196":11529},100,{"_198":11530,"_155":200,"_201":8},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ulster-university-told-plan-to-scrap-sports-dome-a-kick-in-the-teeth-for-people-in-north-west/a/159815416.html",{"_163":11532,"_165":11533},"As she was visiting the North West, Ms O’Neill was challenged on the expansion of Ulster University’s Magee campus, which her party has hailed as a game-changer for the city.",[],{"_163":11540,"_165":11541},{"_163":11538,"_165":11539},{"_163":88,"_165":11537},[],"Michelle O’Neill",[],"I’m very aware there have been many tragedies and injustices in our past and I’m sorry for every single loss of life",[],{"_163":11543,"_165":11544},"“I am consistent in my position and I think it is others who are trying to take political potshots who are not being (consistent).”",[],{"_163":11546,"_165":11547},"“I have always said this, this is not something new, this is my consistent position.",[],{"_163":11549,"_165":11550},"“And that’s what I did on Sunday, whenever I was speaking with the McElwee family.",[],{"_163":11552,"_165":11553},"“We should create space to allow people to do so in a respectful way.",[],{"_163":11555,"_165":11556},"“I’m very, very mindful of all those people. I’m equally mindful that everyone has the right to remember their dead.",[],{"_163":11558,"_165":11559},"The First Minister said: “I’m very aware there have been many tragedies and injustices in our past and I’m sorry for every single loss of life, any family who lost a loved one, who has been hurt, who has been grieving all these years and had to carry that every day.",[],"Michelle O’Neill took part in an event commemorating Thomas McElwee in Mid Ulster.",{"_81":11562,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":11563,"_213":11560,"_223":11564,"_106":11565,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":11566,"_218":88,"_232":11565,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2vt80b-file873kilzb0r5dsea921ve/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_6496.JPG",[11567],"bt_kscott_2025_6496.JPG","159842727","Michelle O’Neill took part in an event commemorating Thomas McElwee in Mid Ulster.\n\n",{"_235":4388,"_237":4389,"_239":4388,"_240":4390},{"_163":11569,"_165":11570},"While attending Feile Derry on Wednesday, Ms O’Neill was asked about victims who would be “desperately hurt” by her actions.",[],{"_163":11572,"_165":11573},"Emma Little-Pengelly — who heads the Executive with Ms O’Neill — said her presence could not be justified and called on her to apologise.",[],{"_163":11575,"_165":11576},"Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, the victim’s son Geoffrey said he was disappointed in Sinn Féin and First Minister Michelle O’Neill for attending the commemoration on Sunday in Bellaghy.",[],{"_163":11578,"_165":11579},"McElwee was arrested with two other IRA men when a bomb they were transporting exploded prematurely.",[],"159868329",{"_163":11582,"_165":11583},"Thomas McElwee from Bellaghy was sentenced to 20 years for possession of explosives and manslaughter.",[],{"_163":11585,"_165":11586},"Yvonne Dunlop (27) was killed when an incendiary device exploded in the shop where she worked in Ballymena on October 9, 1976.",[],{"_163":11588,"_165":11589},"The First Minister said “everyone has a right to remember their dead” as she addressed criticism that the family of an IRA victim would be “desperately hurt” by her attendance at a commemoration for a hunger striker.",[],"First Minister Michelle O’Neill who was in Derry at the “Women’s Voices Hopes for a New Ireland”, event in Cultúlann Uí Chanáin as part of the annual Gasyard Féile",{"_81":11592,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":11593,"_213":11590,"_223":11594,"_106":11595,"_226":227,"_228":3321,"_230":11596,"_218":88,"_232":11595,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/g8pi8z-file874mew2i8ki14pyjsi2c/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/MichelleONeillDerry12082613.jpg",[11597],"MichelleONeillDerry12082613.jpg","159949390","First Minister Michelle O’Neill who was in Derry at the, “Women’s Voices Hopes for a New Ireland”, event in Cultúlann Uí Chanáin as part of the annual Gasyard Féile. Picture Martin McKeown. 12.08.26",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":11424,"_165":11599},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":256,"_106":257,"_253":10,"_254":258},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_240":1664},{"_81":11607,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":11608,"_213":11590,"_223":11594,"_106":11595,"_226":227,"_228":3321,"_230":11596,"_218":88,"_232":11595,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/g8pi8z-file874mew2i8ki14pyjsi2c/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/MichelleONeillDerry12082613.jpg",[11609],{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":7315,"_106":7316,"_275":-5,"_276":280},194622093,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":11841,"_283":8,"_275":11842,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/francie-molloy-does-not-represent-sinn-fein-says-party-after-former-mp-blames-a5-failure-on-plantation-of-ulster/a/159944579.html",[11828,11829,11830,11831,11832,11833,11834],"‘Francie Molloy does not represent Sinn Féin’ says party after former MP blames A5 failure on Plantation of Ulster",{"_264":11824,"_266":11805,"_267":11618},[11823],[11811,11812,11813,11814,11815,11816],{},[11809,11810],"2026-08-12T18:58:05Z","2026-08-12T16:43:18Z",[11629,11630,11631,11632,11633,11634,11635,11636,11637,11638,11639,11640,11641,11642,11643,11644,11645,11646,11647,11648,11649,11650,11651,11652,11653,11654,11655,11656,11657,11658,11659,11660,11661,11662,11663,11664,11665,11666,11667,11668,11669,11670],{"_140":10,"_141":11628,"_143":10},"bb8226fb-965d-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":11807,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":11804,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":8622,"_213":11796,"_215":11797,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":11793,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":11790,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":11787,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":1611,"_213":11784,"_215":11785,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":11780,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":11777,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":11774,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":11771,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":11768,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":11765,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":698,"_212":3321,"_213":11757,"_215":11758,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":11754,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":11751,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":11748,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":677,"_356":11742,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":11739,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":11736,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":11733,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":11730,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":11727,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":11724,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":11721,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":11718,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":642,"_212":11708,"_213":11709,"_215":11710,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":11705,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":11702,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":11699,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":11696,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":618,"_106":11353,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11353,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":11693,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":11690,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":11687,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":11684,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":11681,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":11678,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":11675,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":11672,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":564,"_106":11671,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11671,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":556,"_106":11328,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11328,"_233":92},"159917604",{"_163":11673,"_165":11674},"Since the upgrading project was first announced in 2007, almost 60 people have lost their lives as a result of collisions along the 58-mile route.",[],{"_163":11676,"_165":11677},"Running from the outskirts of Londonderry to Aughnacloy, most of it remains a single carriageway and has been unchanged since the 1960s.",[],{"_163":11679,"_165":11680},"The A5 has been labelled Northern Ireland’s most dangerous road.",[],{"_163":11682,"_165":11683},"“Given the sectarian campaign of the IRA against Protestant farmers along the border, there is a deeply troubling element to what Francie Molloy came out with.”",[],{"_163":11685,"_165":11686},"“They seek to lecture others, yet here we have someone who held a senior position in republicanism for decades applying the old ‘Brits out’ logic to farmers because of their religion.",[],{"_163":11688,"_165":11689},"“Sinn Féin are a party which is currently seeking to stir up controversy around the entirely peaceful Apprentice Boys parade in Londonderry at the weekend. ",[],{"_163":11691,"_165":11692},"“Once again Sinn Féin’s sectarian mask slipped,” he said.",[],{"_163":11694,"_165":11695},"TUV leader Jim Allister MP said the remarks were “deeply troubling”.",[],{"_163":11697,"_165":11698},"“This is about competence, not the Plantation. Sinn Féin should stop blaming everyone else and take responsibility for its own record.”",[],{"_163":11700,"_165":11701},"“People in West Tyrone want the A5 delivered, not another Sinn Féin excuse.",[],{"_163":11703,"_165":11704},"“The Department’s approach to compulsory purchase and vesting has been appallingly poor. Landowners are entitled to exercise their legal rights without being attacked or having their ownership linked to events four centuries ago.",[],{"_163":11706,"_165":11707},"“Unattainable net-zero targets, which Sinn Féin supported and continues to defend, has blocked the scheme. There have also been serious failures in the treatment of landowners,” he added.",[],"Kelvin Boyes / Press E","West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan",{"_81":11711,"_212":11708,"_220":395,"_97":11712,"_213":11709,"_223":11713,"_106":11714,"_226":227,"_228":11715,"_230":11716,"_218":88,"_232":11714,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/au292o-103621678.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/103621678.JPG",[11717],"103621678.JPG","159946460","Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E","West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan\nPhoto by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":11719,"_165":11720},"“The reasons for the delays are multifaceted, but the Plantation is not one of them.",[],{"_163":11722,"_165":11723},"“Reaching back more than 400 years to explain Sinn Féin’s inability to deliver a road in 2026 is the hallmark of a party that is increasingly divorced from reality and becoming ever more ridiculous in its attempts to blame others. ",[],{"_163":11725,"_165":11726},"“We should be told whether the First Minister agrees with these extraordinary comments.",[],{"_163":11728,"_165":11729},"“Until two years ago, Francie Molloy was a Sinn Féin MP and constituency colleague of Michelle O’Neill,” he added.",[],{"_163":11731,"_165":11732},"West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan said the comments from Mr Molloy were “a desperate attempt to avoid responsibility for its own failures.",[],{"_163":11734,"_165":11735},"“It’s not a sectarian statement at all. It’s a statement that actually was given to me by a DUP member at one stage”.",[],{"_163":11737,"_165":11738},"“Remember, this all goes back to the Plantation of Ulster. You’ve got it back to the history of it.",[],{"_163":11740,"_165":11741},"“On the A5, you have an obstruction from the landowners, the people who got this land originally under strange circumstances in some cases — they are the people who are now blocking.”",[],{"_85":358,"_359":11743,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":11744,"_106":11745,"_368":369,"_370":11746,"_232":11747,"_233":92},"dwRAq9VD63-w","02:37:00","1995255","2:37","159928368",{"_163":11749,"_165":11750},"“And I think the responsibility again is not just on the British Government, but on the other parties to ensure that those structures are put in place.",[],{"_163":11752,"_165":11753},"Discussing his former party’s inability to deliver either the A5 project, or the building of a new stadium at Casement Park, Mr Molloy added: “Yeah, it hasn’t, and that’s a regrettable situation.",[],{"_163":11755,"_165":11756},"Mr Molloy said Sinn Féin hadn’t delivered the A5 “because the courts have come in the way, and people are using the courts to obstruct the political process”.",[],"The A5 outside Derry-Londonderry",{"_81":11759,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":11760,"_213":11757,"_223":11761,"_106":11762,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":11763,"_218":88,"_232":11762,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/a8mx10-108274057.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/108274057.JPG",[11764],"108274057.JPG","159946893","The A5 outside Derry-Londonderry. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 07.08.17",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":11766,"_165":11767},"Objections had been brought forward by the Alternative A5 Alliance, a group of campaigners, farmers, and landowners, marking last year’s decision the third time in 18 years that approval for the road has been overturned in court",[],{"_163":11769,"_165":11770},"In June 2025, the High Court quashed the Department for Infrastructure’s decision to proceed with the £1.7bn A5 dual-carriageway upgrade, ruling that the approval breached the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and citing an inadequacy of information regarding greenhouse gas emissions and human rights.",[],{"_163":11772,"_165":11773},"He rejected the claim that his comments were sectarian, and added that he believed the courts had been used to obstruct the political process in delivering the upgrades to the road.",[],{"_163":11775,"_165":11776},"Mr Molloy also blamed some of the landowners along the proposed route, claiming some had obtained the land “under strange circumstances. This all goes back to the Plantation of Ulster”.",[],{"_163":11778,"_165":11779},"Former First Minister Baroness Arlene Foster was also quick to slam the comments, saying: “Sinn Féin likes to blame the DUP, the Brits, securocrats, the institutions, etc etc for their own failures, but this is a new one.”",[],{"_163":11781,"_165":11782},"Speaking on the BBC’s Nolan Show yesterdayWednesday, Mr Molloy, who guided First Minister Michelle O’Neill through her early political career, cited the 17th century arrival of protestants in Ulster as among the reasons why his former party has not delivered a major road project.",[11783],{"_85":1065,"_157":556,"_194":179,"_196":-5},"UUP leader Jon Burrows",{"_81":7200,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":11786,"_213":11784,"_223":7202,"_106":7203,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":7204,"_218":88,"_232":7203,"_233":92},[],{"_163":11788,"_165":11789},"Sinn Féin has now distanced itself from the comments, stating: “Francie Molloy does not represent Sinn Féin.”",[],{"_163":11791,"_165":11792},"Jon Burrows MLA said the comment made by former Mid Ulster MP Francie Molloy on the 1609 arrival of protestants in Ulster was “beyond parody”.",[],{"_163":11794,"_165":11795},"The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party said he “nearly choked on my cornflakes” after a former Sinn Féin MP blamed delays in upgrading the A5 on the Plantation of Ulster.",[],"Former Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy at the constituency office of Michelle O’Neill MLA in Cookstown",{"_81":11798,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":11799,"_213":11796,"_223":11800,"_106":11801,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":11802,"_218":88,"_232":11801,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bizuuf-101199169.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/101199169.JPG",[11803],"101199169.JPG","159946690","Former SInn Feinn MP Francie Molloy at the the Constituency office of Michelle O Neill MLA in Cookstown. Picture by Peter Morrison",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":11805,"_165":11806},"Unionists slam former Mid Ulster MP for citing 1609 arrival of protestants in Ulster as a reason why A5 scheme has not been delivered",[],{"_163":11618,"_165":11808},[],"BT47","BT70",{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":11820,"_106":11821,"_253":10,"_254":11822},{"_250":921,"_106":922,"_253":10,"_254":923},{"_250":11817,"_106":11818,"_253":10,"_254":11819},{"_250":3172,"_106":3173,"_253":10,"_254":3174},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},"regional_tyrone","4414","County Tyrone","regional_derry-londonderry","4408","County Londonderry/Derry",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_240":2406},{"_81":11825,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":11826,"_213":11796,"_223":11800,"_106":11801,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":11802,"_218":88,"_232":11801,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bizuuf-101199169.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/101199169.JPG",[11827],{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_250":7320,"_106":7321,"_275":7322,"_276":280},{"_250":5174,"_106":5175,"_275":5176,"_276":280},{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":10505,"_106":10506,"_275":10507,"_276":280},{"_250":11838,"_106":11839,"_275":11840,"_276":280},{"_250":11835,"_106":11836,"_275":11837,"_276":280},"Francie Molloy","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:francie-molloy","Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster","Ulster Unionist Party","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:uup","The Ulster Unionist Party is a Northern Ireland political party","A5 Northern Ireland dangerous road delays: Unionists attack Francie Molloy over Plantation comments","Unionist leaders condemn Francie Molloy’s Plantation of Ulster remarks amid A5 upgrade delays, court battles and safety fears on Northern Ireland’s deadliest road",194275921,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":12044,"_283":8,"_275":12045,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/an-apology-is-required-deputy-first-minister-slams-michelle-oneill-for-attending-ira-hunger-striker-commemoration/a/159868329.html",[12032,12033,12034,12035,12036,12037,12038,12039,12040],"‘An apology is required’: Deputy First Minister slams Michelle O’Neill for attending IRA hunger striker commemoration",{"_264":12028,"_266":12011,"_267":11848},[12027],[12023,12024,12025,12026],{},[],"2026-08-12T10:03:00Z","2026-08-11T14:40:19Z",[11859,11860,11861,11862,11863,11864,11865,11866,11867,11868,11869,11870,11871,11872,11873,11874,11875,11876,11877,11878,11879,11880,11881,11882,11883,11884,11885,11886,11887,11888,11889,11890,11891,11892,11893,11894,11895,11896,11897,11898],{"_140":10,"_141":11858,"_143":10},"6ab2e3d7-9565-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":12021,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":12013,"_215":12014,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":12010,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":12007,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":12004,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":12001,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":-5,"_213":11994,"_215":11995,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":11991,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":11988,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":11985,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":11982,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":11979,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":11978,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11978,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":11975,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":11972,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":11970,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":11967,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":11964,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":669,"_356":11963,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":11960,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":11957,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":11954,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":11951,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":11948,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":11945,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":11942,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":11939,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":629,"_106":11938,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11938,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":11935,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":11932,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":11929,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":11926,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":11923,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":606,"_586":11915,"_588":11916,"_590":-5,"_592":11917,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":11912,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":11909,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":11906,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":11903,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":11900,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":564,"_106":11899,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11899,"_233":92},"159879404",{"_163":11901,"_165":11902},"The Executive Office has been contacted for comment. ",[],{"_163":11904,"_165":11905},"A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Everyone has a right to remember their dead with dignity and respect.” ",[],{"_163":11907,"_165":11908},"“Michelle O’Neill cannot credibly present herself as a First Minister for all while participating in commemorations which cause such understandable hurt to innocent victims and their families,” Ms Forsythe added. ",[],{"_163":11910,"_165":11911},"She believes many people have been left frustrated by Sinn Féin’s attendance at the event. ",[],{"_163":11913,"_165":11914},"“It simply does not stack up. You cannot ride both horses. Either violence against women is wrong, terrorism is wrong and there is always an alternative to violence, or there are circumstances in which Sinn Féin still believes such violence can be excused or justified.” ",[],{"_163":11921,"_165":11922},{"_163":11919,"_165":11920},{"_163":88,"_165":11918},[],"Sinn Fein",[],"Everyone has a right to remember their dead with dignity and respect",[],{"_163":11924,"_165":11925},"“Michelle O’Neill jointly leads an Executive, which has made tackling violence against women and girls a priority, yet she attends a commemoration for Thomas McElwee, who was convicted of the manslaughter of Yvonne Dunlop,” she said.",[],{"_163":11927,"_165":11928},"South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe also condemned Ms O’Neill’s appearance at the event. ",[],{"_163":11930,"_165":11931},"“We should honour the victims, not the victim makers. My thoughts are with the family of Yvonne Dunlop.”",[],{"_163":11933,"_165":11934},"“Sinn Féin cannot credibly claim to represent everyone while continuing to honour those responsible for murder.",[],{"_163":11936,"_165":11937},"“Looking forward does not mean excusing terrorism, glorifying its perpetrators or disregarding the lifelong suffering of innocent victims and their families.",[],"159722257",{"_163":11940,"_165":11941},"Mr Burrows said Sinn Féin’s appearance has caused pain to the Dunlop family and other victims’ families. ",[],{"_163":11943,"_165":11944},"“This is atrocious conduct from a First Minister who asks to be judged as a First Minister for all. Standing at a commemoration that honours Thomas McElwee is not the conduct of a First Minister for all, and it has inflicted fresh hurt on a family who have already lost everything,” he said.",[],{"_163":11946,"_165":11947},"Mr Burrows also condemned Ms O’Neill’s appearance at the commemoration.",[],{"_163":11949,"_165":11950},"“People are rightly sick of hypocrisy and those who talk from both sides of their mouth. An apology is required.”",[],{"_163":11952,"_165":11953},"“Lots of talk of our ‘ending violence against women and girls’ strategy - how on earth can anyone, never mind the First Minister, justify turning up to commemorate a man who took the life of a woman so brutally and terribly. ",[],{"_163":11955,"_165":11956},"“The First Minister should absolutely not have been at a commemoration of one of the men convicted of causing her death. ",[],{"_163":11958,"_165":11959},"Ms Little-Pengelly said: “Yvonne Dunlop was a wee mummy, just 27 years old. Her life brutally taken by IRA terrorism at the age of 27. ",[],{"_163":11961,"_165":11962},"He died on August 8 that year at the age of 23 after 62 days without food.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":11510,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":11511,"_106":11512,"_368":369,"_370":11513,"_232":11514,"_233":92},{"_163":11965,"_165":11966},"McElwee joined the IRA’s blanket protest in the Maze before taking part in the 1981 hunger strike.",[],{"_163":11968,"_165":11969},"The three men were thrown from the car in the blast, with McElwee losing an eye and another man losing part of his leg.",[],{"_163":11578,"_165":11971},[],{"_163":11973,"_165":11974},"“They claim one of their core policies is (ending) violence against women and girls. What about our mummy’s life?”",[],{"_163":11976,"_165":11977},"He added: “We just can’t understand why Sinn Féin continue to think it is okay to hurt our family.",[],"159831232",{"_163":11980,"_165":11981},"Earlier this week, another son, Geoffrey, said he was disappointed in Sinn Féin and Ms O’Neill for attending the gathering on Sunday in Bellaghy.",[],{"_163":11983,"_165":11984},"Her nine-year-old son escaped, but Ms Dunlop burned to death.",[],{"_163":11986,"_165":11987},"The 26-year-old mother of three was checking a shopping bag left by two women when the device went off.",[],{"_163":11989,"_165":11990},"Ms Dunlop was killed when an incendiary device exploded in the Ballymena shop where she worked on October 9, 1976.",[],{"_163":11992,"_165":11993},"McElwee was sentenced to 20 years for possession of explosives and the manslaughter of Yvonne Dunlop. ",[],"Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly",{"_81":11996,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":11997,"_213":11994,"_223":11998,"_106":11999,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":12000,"_218":88,"_232":11999,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/entertainment/news/m68yd4-fleadh-cheoil-na-heireann-2026-belfast/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/38b41f3f-fdee-44c5-aa5b-91cc55f23598",[],"38b41f3f-fdee-44c5-aa5b-91cc55f23598","159512106","Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly speaking at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, which has officially opened in Belfast kicking off a week of song, dance and culture as part of the world’s largest celebration of traditional Irish music. Picture date: Sunday August 2, 2026.",{"_163":12002,"_165":12003},"Ms O’Neill and senior members of Sinn Féin were photographed at Thomas McElwee’s annual commemoration at the weekend.",[],{"_163":12005,"_165":12006},"It came as UUP leader Jon Burrows branded the First Minister’s appearance at the event as “atrocious”.",[],{"_163":12008,"_165":12009},"Emma Little-Pengelly - who heads the Executive with Ms O’Neill - said her attendance could not be justified and called on her to apologise.",[],{"_163":12011,"_165":12012},"The Deputy First Minister has criticised Michelle O’Neill over her presence at a commemoration for an IRA hunger striker who killed a young mother.",[],"First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin at the commemoration for Thomas McElwee, who was sentenced for the manslaughter of Yvonne Dunlop (inset)",{"_81":12015,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12016,"_213":12013,"_223":12017,"_106":12018,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":12019,"_218":88,"_232":12018,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/85d6b2-inset-template-32-15.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Inset%20template%2032%20(15).jpg",[12020],"Inset%20template%2032%20(15).jpg","159856759","Michelle O’Neill and Emma Sheerin attended the commemoration for Thomas McElwee, who was sentenced for the manslaughter of Yvonne Dunlop (inset)",{"_235":5153,"_237":5154,"_239":5153,"_240":5155},{"_163":11848,"_165":12022},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":1158,"_106":1159,"_253":10,"_254":1160},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":4388,"_237":4389,"_240":4390},{"_81":12029,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12030,"_213":12013,"_223":12017,"_106":12018,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":12019,"_218":88,"_232":12018,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/85d6b2-inset-template-32-15.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Inset%20template%2032%20(15).jpg",[12031],{"_235":5153,"_237":5154,"_239":5153,"_240":5155},{"_250":8098,"_106":8099,"_275":1173,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":10508,"_106":10509,"_275":10510,"_276":280},{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},{"_250":8800,"_106":8801,"_275":8802,"_276":280},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},{"_250":12041,"_106":12042,"_275":12043,"_276":280},{"_250":7320,"_106":7321,"_275":7322,"_276":280},{"_250":8319,"_106":8320,"_275":8321,"_276":280},"Diane Forsythe","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:diane-forsythe","Diane Forsythe is a Democratic Unionist Party MLA. She was elected in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election for South Down. She is the first female unionist to represent the area.","Michelle O’Neill IRA commemoration: Anger from victims’ families","Michelle O’Neill faces fierce backlash over attending Thomas McElwee IRA commemoration and hurt to Yvonne Dunlop’s family",194270856,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":12175,"_283":8,"_275":12176,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dup-mp-praises-fleadhs-cross-community-spirit-but-warns-against-political-exploitation-by-republicans/a/159886795.html",[12165,12166,12167,12168,12169,12170,12171],"DUP MP praises Fleadh’s cross-community spirit but warns against political exploitation by republicans",{"_264":12161,"_266":12147,"_267":12051},[],[12158,12159,12160],"159886795",{},[3148],"2026-08-11T14:16:00Z","2026-08-11T14:17:13Z",[12064,12065,12066,12067,12068,12069,12070,12071,12072,12073,12074,12075,12076,12077,12078,12079,12080,12081,12082,12083,12084,12085,12086,12087],"Teddy 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the sounds, the music, the culture and the parading that many have done for generations as we don’t forget or rewrite the past, while building a better future for all our people in Northern Ireland.”",[],{"_163":12092,"_165":12093},"“Ulster British and Irish culture are enjoyed by many here in Northern Ireland,” he said.",[],{"_163":12095,"_165":12096},"Mr Campbell, who attracted criticism in 2014 for mocking the Irish language with his “curry my yoghurt” jibe, said he supported opportunities to showcase “Ulster British culture and music” alongside Irish culture.",[],{"_163":12098,"_165":12099},"The comments represent a notable acknowledgement from a senior DUP figure of the Fleadh’s potential to bring different traditions together ahead of next year’s festival and other cultural events.",[],{"_163":12101,"_165":12102},"Mr Campbell’s praise comes months after Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the DUP as “anti-Irish”.",[],{"_163":12104,"_165":12105},"His comments come after the DUP took an active role in this year’s Fleadh, with Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly addressing the opening ceremony and DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley playing a Lambeg drum in Belfast city centre.",[],{"_163":12107,"_165":12108},"Mr Campbell argued that positive loyalist participation in Irish cultural events, funding for projects in unionist areas and efforts to resolve contentious parades should not be used as “political negotiating tools”.",[],{"_163":12110,"_165":12111},"“Irish republicans then use such participation as tangible tokens of how unionists would be treated in the future as they toil towards their never-never land of an ‘agreed/shared/united Ireland’,” he said.",[],{"_163":12113,"_165":12114},"He contrasted the Fleadh with events at Féile an Phobail, claiming that Sinn Féin representatives had been “lauding an expression of Irish culture and seeking to weaponise it politically”.",[],{"_163":12116,"_165":12117},"In a letter to the Belfast Telegraph, he said that while he supported loyalist participation in the Fleadh, “the participation itself should not prove problematic”, and warned that it could become divisive if people sought to “make political capital out of the nature of the event for the future”.",[],{"_163":12119,"_165":12120},"However, Mr Campbell criticised what he described as attempts by republicans to use such participation for political purposes.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":12122,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":12123,"_106":12124,"_368":369,"_370":12125,"_232":12126,"_233":92},"p4RE2NjDJf-S","01:04:00","1991572","1:04","159852911",{"_163":12128,"_165":12129},"“Those efforts are important because genuinely shared cultural events do not happen simply by putting the word ‘shared’ on a poster. They require respect and a willingness to ensure that different traditions have a meaningful place,” he said.",[],{"_163":12131,"_165":12132},"He named former Belfast Lord Mayor and DUP councillor Tracy Kelly, the Belfast Bands Forum, and the DUP group on Belfast City Council, led by Sarah Bunting, for helping to maximise the “shared element” of the festival.",[],{"_163":12134,"_165":12135},"“The Fleadh demonstrated how culture can be shared across traditional boundaries,” he said.",[],{"_163":12137,"_165":12138},"Mr Campbell, the DUP MP for East Londonderry, welcomed the “shared element” of the Fleadh and praised those who had worked to make the Belfast event more inclusive.",[],"159815762",{"_163":12141,"_165":12142},"Throughout the week, traditional uilleann pipes could be heard alongside Scottish bagpipes, while Ulster-Scots featured in promotional campaigns for the festival.",[],{"_163":12144,"_165":12145},"Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann included performances from loyalist bands, Highland dancing groups and members of the South Asian community, in a landmark display of cross-community participation.",[],{"_163":12147,"_165":12148},"DUP MP Gregory Campbell has praised the Fleadh for demonstrating how “culture can be shared across traditional boundaries”, while warning that participation by unionists must not be used as a “political weapon” in future constitutional debates. ",[],{"_81":12150,"_212":9685,"_220":395,"_97":12151,"_213":10461,"_223":12152,"_106":12153,"_226":227,"_228":9685,"_230":12154,"_218":88,"_232":12153,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/l88re6-gregory-campbell/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/GettyImages-1188141403.jpg",[12155],"GettyImages-1188141403.jpg","145202207","DUP East Londonderry Gregory Campbell at Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt Co Londonderry as counting begins Westminster election. (Photo by Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images)",{"_235":2166,"_237":2167,"_239":2166,"_240":2168},{"_163":12051,"_165":12157},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":3181,"_106":3182,"_253":10,"_254":3183},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_81":12162,"_212":9685,"_220":395,"_97":12163,"_213":10461,"_223":12152,"_106":12153,"_226":227,"_228":9685,"_230":12154,"_218":88,"_232":12153,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/l88re6-gregory-campbell/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/GettyImages-1188141403.jpg",[12164],{"_235":2166,"_237":2167,"_239":2166,"_240":2168},{"_250":780,"_106":781,"_275":782,"_276":280},{"_250":10461,"_106":10462,"_275":10463,"_276":280},{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":8087,"_106":8088,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":12172,"_106":12173,"_275":12174,"_276":280},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},"Jonathan Buckley","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:jonathan-buckley","DUP MLA for Upper Bann.","DUP MP Gregory Campbell warns Fleadh Irish culture not used as political weapon","DUP MP Gregory Campbell backs a more inclusive Belfast Fleadh but warns against politicising unionist participation",194238831,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":12328,"_283":8,"_275":12329,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sinn-fein-to-lodge-formal-complaints-with-psni-and-parades-commission-over-alleged-incidents-at-apprentice-boys-parade/a/159840613.html",[12321,12322,12323,12324],"Sinn Féin to lodge ‘formal complaints’ with PSNI and Parades Commission over alleged incidents at Apprentice Boys parade",{"_264":12317,"_266":12301,"_267":12182},[12316],[12312,12313,12314,12315],"159840613",{},[],"2026-08-11T11:48:00Z","2026-08-11T11:48:40Z",[12194,12195,12196,12197,12198,12199,12200,12201,12202,12203,12204,12205,12206,12207,12208,12209,12210,12211,12212,12213,12214,12215,12216,12217,12218,12219,12220,12221,12222],{"_140":10,"_141":12193,"_143":10},"3a89f10b-94c6-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":12310,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":12303,"_215":12304,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":12300,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":12297,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":12294,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":12291,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":183,"_356":12290,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":12287,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":175,"_212":3321,"_213":12279,"_215":12280,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":12276,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":12273,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":12270,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":12267,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":12264,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":12261,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":12258,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":12255,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":12252,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":12249,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":12246,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":12243,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":12240,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":12237,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":12234,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":12231,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":12228,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":12225,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":629,"_106":12224,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12224,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":622,"_106":12223,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12223,"_233":92},"159683888","159802394",{"_163":12226,"_165":12227},"The Apprentice Boys of Derry has been contacted.",[],{"_163":12229,"_165":12230},"“In the event that any information regarding the Associated Clubs General Committee parade (PAR\\109015) held in Derry/Londonderry on 8 August 2026 is received by the Commission, it will be given due consideration in respect of any future notifications.”",[],{"_163":12232,"_165":12233},"“Suspected breaches of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 are subject to investigation by the PSNI. ",[],{"_163":12235,"_165":12236},"The Parades Commission said: “The Parades Commission takes all information available to it into account when deciding whether to exercise any of its statutory functions in relation to a notified public procession.",[],{"_163":12238,"_165":12239},"They include a 47-year-old man arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 who was charged with the offence of wearing clothing or having article[s] as member or supporter of proscribed organisation.",[],{"_163":12241,"_165":12242},"The PSNI also pointed to a statement from the weekend where it noted that a number of men have been charged to court following their arrests during Saturday’s policing operation. ",[],{"_163":12244,"_165":12245},"Addressing bands marching under the bridge in an area that was not part of the parade route, the PSNI said: “For safety reasons, while the main parade was ongoing, the area around the Craigavon Bridge was used for a short time to facilitate egress and return to buses on Victoria Road.”",[],{"_163":12247,"_165":12248},"Police said they are aware of the bannerette in honour of Mr Lynch being carried at the parade, but, “after consideration, it has been determined at this stage that no criminal offence has been committed”.",[],{"_163":12250,"_165":12251},"The PSNI said it has not yet received reports about offensive songs being played.",[],{"_163":12253,"_165":12254},"“Derry has long been an example of how events like this can take place in a respectful way, and it would be very disappointing to see that undermined by the actions of a small number of people.”",[],{"_163":12256,"_165":12257},"“The SDLP has engaged directly with the Apprentice Boys to try to address these issues, and we welcome their ongoing efforts to resolve them. ",[],{"_163":12259,"_165":12260},"“However, respect is a two-way street, and it is disappointing that over the past few years a small minority have caused issues, whether through singing songs, making comments or showing a lack of regard for local businesses and the public.",[],{"_163":12262,"_165":12263},"SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: “Every year Derry welcomes the Apprentice Boys and other similar parades in a spirit of respect and tolerance, recognising that while we may have different cultures and traditions, there is room for everyone in our city and on this island.",[],{"_163":12265,"_165":12266},"“We will be engaging with both the Parades Commission and the PSNI, outlining formal complaints in relation to these incidents.”",[],{"_163":12268,"_165":12269},"Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson said: “We are aware of several incidents that occurred in both Derry and Rasharkin during parades by Apprentice Boys last Saturday.",[],{"_163":12271,"_165":12272},"Police officers were situated a short distance away as they managed traffic under the bridge on the day.",[],{"_163":12274,"_165":12275},"A video shows one band playing No Pope of Rome in the middle of the road under the bridge.",[],{"_163":12277,"_165":12278},"Bands also went off the designated parade route by walking under the Craigavon Bridge where motorists had been diverted to accommodate marchers on top of the bridge.",[],"The annual Apprentice Boys’ Relief of Derry parade in Londonderry marking the end of the Siege of the city which began in 1688 and ended in 1689. ",{"_81":12281,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":12282,"_213":12279,"_223":12283,"_106":12284,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":12285,"_218":88,"_232":12284,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/dd3uo4-derryrelief08082622.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/DerryRelief08082622.jpg",[12286],"DerryRelief08082622.jpg","159802893","The annual Apprentice Boys' Relief of Derry parade in Londonderry marking the end of the Siege of the city which began in 1688 and ended in 1689. The parade brings 10,000 members of the organisation to the city. The event begins in the morning with a parade round the city’s walls followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in The Diamond and a church service. The afternoon begins with a pageant at he Craigavon Bridge before the main parade makes its way from the Waterside to the city centre returning to the Waterside. Picture Martin McKeown. 08.08.26",{"_235":6701,"_237":6702,"_239":6701,"_240":6703},{"_163":12288,"_165":12289},"Mooney was a member of the UDA who died when a bomb that he was transporting to Kirk’s Bar in Lifford, Co Donegal — which was packed with St Patrick’s Day revellers in 1973 — exploded prematurely.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":12122,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":12123,"_106":12124,"_368":369,"_370":12125,"_232":12126,"_233":92},{"_163":12292,"_165":12293},"Videos also emerged of the Sgt Lindsay Mooney Memorial Flute Band marching through the city.",[],{"_163":12295,"_165":12296},"The East Bank Protestant Boys also carried a banner with the image of UDA man Gary Lynch around the city. ",[],{"_163":12298,"_165":12299},"Videos shared online showed bands playing anti-Catholic songs No Pope of Rome and the Billy Boys, which contains the lyrics, “We’re up to our knees in Fenian blood, surrender or you’ll die”, with spectators heard singing along.",[],{"_163":12301,"_165":12302},"A Sinn Féin councillor has said the party will be making formal complaints to the PSNI and Parades Commission about incidents that occurred at the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in the city at the weekend.",[],"Image of a band playing in the middle of the road under the Craigavon Bridge, which was not part of the parade route. There were traffic jams under the bridge as the top deck was closed to accommodate the march.",{"_81":12305,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12306,"_213":12303,"_223":12307,"_106":12308,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":12308,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/c6m5oq-point-blur-aug102026-173635.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Point%20Blur_Aug102026_173635.jpg",[12309],"Point%20Blur_Aug102026_173635.jpg","159850760",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":12182,"_165":12311},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":256,"_106":257,"_253":10,"_254":258},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_240":1664},{"_81":12318,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12319,"_213":12303,"_223":12307,"_106":12308,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":12308,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/c6m5oq-point-blur-aug102026-173635.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Point%20Blur_Aug102026_173635.jpg",[12320],{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_250":12325,"_106":12326,"_275":12327,"_276":280},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":9354,"_106":9355,"_275":9356,"_276":280},"Apprentice Boys of Derry","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:apprentice-boys-of-derry","The Apprentice Boys of Derry are a Protestant loyal order and fraternal society based in Derry / Londonderry","Apprentice Boys Derry parade complaints: PSNI and bands under fire","Controversial Apprentice Boys of Derry parade sparks sectarian song row and PSNI scrutiny in Derry and Rasharkin. Read the full story.",194188195,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":-5,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":-5,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/article159862271.ece",[],"HtmlBlock","Politics Unplugged Newsletter Signup box",[12348],"unknown",[12347],"159862271",{},[],"2026-08-11T07:38:13Z",[12345],{"_155":3079,"_157":880,"_163":12346,"_161":3081},"

",{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_235":12349,"_237":12350,"_240":12351},"damian.young@mediahuis.ie","Young","Damian",194179122,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":12519,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/i-could-feel-my-blood-pressure-rising-dup-founding-member-says-online-trolls-taking-aim-at-linzi-mclaren-triggered-stroke/a/159841702.html",[12512,12513,12514,12515,12516,12517,12518],"‘I could feel my blood pressure rising’: DUP founding member says online trolls taking aim at Linzi McLaren triggered stroke",{"_264":12510,"_266":12503,"_267":12357},[],[12507,12508,12509],{},[],"2026-08-11T05:00:00Z","2026-08-10T16:12:50Z",[12369,12370,12371,12372,12373,12374,12375,12376,12377,12378,12379,12380,12381,12382,12383,12384,12385,12386,12387,12388,12389,12390,12391,12392,12393,12394,12395,12396,12397,12398,12399,12400,12401],"Una Brankin",{"_140":10,"_141":12368,"_143":10},"ca26a939-94c7-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":12505,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":12502,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":12498,"_213":9651,"_215":12499,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":12495,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":12492,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":12489,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":12486,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":12483,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":179,"_212":12472,"_213":12473,"_215":12474,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":12469,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":12466,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":12463,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":12460,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":9604,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9604,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":12457,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":12454,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":12451,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":12448,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":12445,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":12442,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":12439,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":661,"_212":-5,"_213":2181,"_215":12433,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":12430,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":12427,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":12424,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":12423,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12423,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":12420,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":12417,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":12414,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":12411,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":12408,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":12403,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":614,"_106":12402,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12402,"_233":92},"159483299",{"_163":12404,"_165":12405},"Tickets for the 15th D’Arcy Magee Summer School, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday August 26-27 at the Four Seasons hotel, Carlingford, can be purchased via www.darcymcgeesummerschool.com or the Eventbrite ticket page (https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/15th-annual-darcy-mcgee-summer-school-culture-identity-and-inclusion-tickets-1994608448563).",[12406],{"_85":2073,"_157":880,"_194":12407,"_196":-5},344,{"_163":12409,"_165":12410},"“I was so pleased to be invited by the chair, Bronagh Hinds from DemocraShe, and I’m hoping to stay overnight and make a wee break of it.”",[],{"_163":12412,"_165":12413},"“It’s hard enough juggling life as a busy mother with all this pressure. It has been a difficult and challenging few weeks, but I’m looking forward to the summer school in Carlingford.",[],{"_163":12415,"_165":12416},"“I can’t begin to tell you how mad my life has been since then,” said the former Ards councillor. ",[],{"_163":12418,"_165":12419},"Ms McLaren resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party last autumn over the party’s direction on the Irish language, the redevelopment of Casement Park and women’s representation.",[],{"_163":12421,"_165":12422},"Meanwhile, Linzi McLaren has described the response to her comments in the Belfast Telegraph on being open to joining the SDLP, under Claire Hanna’s leadership, as “challenging”.",[],"159770807",{"_163":12425,"_165":12426},"“I do think there will be some form of a united Ireland in my grandchildren’s lifetime, and I’d like to think I can contribute in some way to breaking down barriers. The momentum for it may have gone away a little, but it’s still there and it won’t go away.” ",[],{"_163":12428,"_165":12429},"“The Order needs to [consider]: ‘What are we marching for?’ I grew up in the Orange tradition and you can sort of understand why it would cause annoyance. But it’s also scary for northerners who see their identity rights under threat. The problem of the anti-Catholic songs and the attitude of the hangers-on also needs to be addressed to help break down barriers.",[],{"_163":12431,"_165":12432},"“It felt like Heather Humphreys has been singled out over her links to the Orange Order, which is a concern for unionists. But all sides, including the Order, need to look at how they present themselves. It wasn’t her Presbyterian faith but her link to what’s perceived as a sectarian organisation. You can see how that would cause problems,” he continued.",[],{"_81":12434,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":12435,"_213":2181,"_223":12436,"_106":12437,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":12438,"_218":88,"_232":12437,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1teuoq-heather-humphries/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1637321185%2F9085697e-9528-11ed-9516-0210609a3fe2.png",[],"1637321185%2F9085697e-9528-11ed-9516-0210609a3fe2.png","116079495","Heather Humphries",{"_163":12440,"_165":12441},"Mr Thompson said he was looking forward to talking to the former TD about her experience of running for Áras an Uachtaráin last year, which saw her subjected to online trolling due to her background.",[],{"_163":12443,"_165":12444},"The ticketed gathering will be addressed by SDLP leader Claire Hanna and former Fine Gael Irish presidential candidate Heather Humphreys, from Monaghan.",[],{"_163":12446,"_165":12447},"Now retired, the grandfather-of-10 will be part of a discussion panel at the D’Arcy Magee Summer School, which will include Linzi McLaren, peace negotiator David Adams and commentator Sarah Creighton. The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride will moderate.",[],{"_163":12449,"_165":12450},"“Linzi handles the name-calling well; she calls herself a ‘Happy Lundy’. Although when I saw kids setting fire to a ‘Lundy’ in Banbridge at the weekend, I thought that was sinister. They were keen to see it burn. Wrong time of year, too, so it was even out of context.”",[],{"_163":12452,"_165":12453},"“My left side is still affected, and I can’t write very well — I’m left-handed — but it’s manageable. I have to be careful not to get too caught up in things. Those trolls online have no mercy.",[],{"_163":12455,"_165":12456},"“My son’s a doctor and he said I was high-risk and have to avoid stress,” he said. ",[],{"_163":12458,"_165":12459},"A lifelong civil servant and political advisor to the DUP from 2007 to 2009, Mr Thompson was prescribed medication to help keep his blood pressure levels down.",[],{"_163":12461,"_165":12462},"“And that night, I had an awful headache, like you’d get in a thunderstorm, then my leg cramped and I could feel my left side going. Miriam, my wife, got me to the Ulster Hospital and they diagnosed a bleed on the brain.”",[],{"_163":12464,"_165":12465},"“I’ve been called names too, and I was advising her not to follow up on any of it. But it was spreading like wildfire, and I was online with it all day, stressed out. I could feel my blood pressure rising. ",[],{"_163":12467,"_165":12468},"“It was appalling. This is a lovely girl who served on the police force, and the abuse she was suffering on Twitter, or X, which is a cesspit, was dreadful,” he said. ",[],{"_163":12470,"_165":12471},"Mr Thompson, who has urged unionists to discuss the “inevitability” of future Irish unity, said he felt his blood pressure rising sharply as he read some of the vitriolic abuse directed towards Ms McLaren last October on X.",[],"Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX","Former UUP Ards and North Down councillor Linzi McLaren at her home in Bangor",{"_81":12475,"_212":12472,"_220":395,"_97":12476,"_213":12473,"_223":12477,"_106":12478,"_226":227,"_228":12472,"_230":12473,"_218":88,"_232":12478,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/qy8wx8-mb-20260131-05a-006.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/MB_20260131_05A_006.jpg",[12479],"MB_20260131_05A_006.jpg","131041399",{"_235":12480,"_237":12481,"_239":12480,"_240":12482},"maxie.swain@sundaylife.co.uk","Swain","Maxie",{"_163":12484,"_165":12485},"The Ballymoney-born evangelist revealed his diagnosis as he prepares to join Ms McLaren and other high-profile commentators in Carlingford on August 26-27 to discuss unionist and immigrant identity and inclusion within “a new Ireland”, as part of the town’s annual D’Arcy Magee Summer School.",[],{"_163":12487,"_165":12488},"The 73-year-old was hospitalised with a bleed on the brain but was released following treatment. Almost a year later, he still suffers weakness on his left side.",[],{"_163":12490,"_165":12491},"Mr Thompson says he believes the high stress levels he experienced while online sparked the life-threatening episode.",[],{"_163":12493,"_165":12494},"Wallace Thompson said he started experiencing symptoms while defending former North Down councillor Linzi McLaren’s decision to leave the UUP on social media.",[],{"_163":12496,"_165":12497},"A founding member of the DUP has blamed online trolls for causing him to suffer a debilitating stroke.",[]," Brian Lawless/PA",{"_81":12500,"_212":12498,"_220":395,"_97":12501,"_213":9651,"_223":9629,"_106":9630,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9625,"_218":88,"_232":9630,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/trdz8-wallace-thompson-speaks-during-a-pro-unity-group-irelands-future-event-at-the-sse-arena-belfast-b/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/226674948%2F3773ac0b012422f280b7eb48e1f8de4fe0fde523bb5cd3ee2dac18ca17007ad1.jpg",[],{"_163":12503,"_165":12504},"‘Stressed’ Wallace Thompson had been defending the former North Down councillor’s decision to leave UUP when he started to experience symptoms ",[],{"_163":12357,"_165":12506},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_81":9627,"_212":12498,"_220":395,"_97":12511,"_213":9651,"_223":9629,"_106":9630,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":9625,"_218":88,"_232":9630,"_233":92},[],{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},{"_250":10508,"_106":10509,"_275":10510,"_276":280},{"_250":9354,"_106":9355,"_275":9356,"_276":280},{"_250":2181,"_106":2182,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":9704,"_106":9705,"_275":9706,"_276":280},{"_250":401,"_106":402,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Wallace Thompson: DUP founding member says online trolls taking aim at Linzi McLaren triggered stroke",194109568,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":12724,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/stormont-minister-reveals-threat-to-shoot-him-following-culling-of-51-cows/a/159828291.html",[12723],"Stormont minister reveals threat to shoot him following culling of 51 cows","wires-pa-radar",{"_264":12720,"_266":12707,"_267":12525},[],[12717,12718,12719],"159828291",{},[],"2026-08-10T11:38:52Z","2026-08-10T11:42:40Z",[12539,12540,12541,12542,12543,12544,12545,12546,12547,12548,12549,12550,12551,12552,12553,12554,12555,12556,12557,12558,12559,12560,12561,12562,12563,12564,12565,12566,12567,12568,12569,12570,12571,12572,12573,12574,12575,12576,12577,12578,12579,12580],"By Jonathan McCambridge, Press 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attended the emergency meeting on Monday (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_81":12586,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12587,"_213":12584,"_223":12588,"_106":12589,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":12590,"_218":88,"_232":12589,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/ndaz4m-stormont/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/a21f1a79-493b-48ed-9242-246610dac75e",[],"a21f1a79-493b-48ed-9242-246610dac75e","159828300","Stock image of Parliament Buildings at Stormont Estate, in Northern Ireland.","DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen appeared at the committee on Monday (Brian Lawless/PA)",{"_81":12593,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12594,"_213":12591,"_223":12595,"_106":12596,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":12597,"_218":88,"_232":12596,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/a70jxn-a-level-results/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/c61a3c3e-27f2-4819-834e-a84ebd9e4734",[],"c61a3c3e-27f2-4819-834e-a84ebd9e4734","159828298","Education Minister Michelle McIlveen speaking to the media at Strathearn Grammar School in east Belfast where she met with some of the past pupils receiving their A-level results. Picture date: Thursday August 18, 2022.",{"_163":12599,"_165":12600},"“So, we just need to lower the tone in this. We have a responsibility in our language.”",[],{"_163":12602,"_165":12603},"Mr Muir said: “I would urge calm and people to temper their language around this, because I’ve received threats and that someone wants me shot.",[],{"_163":12605,"_165":12606},"Ms McIlveen said: “From the public’s view, the primary focus didn’t appear to be about the welfare of animals; that it seemed to be rather than a nurture approach, that it was basically a shoot-to-kill approach.”",[],{"_163":12608,"_165":12609},"“People were very distressed in terms of having to go there in regard to this, and also very distressing some of the commentaries subsequent to it.”",[],{"_163":12611,"_165":12612},"“I want to reassure everyone that the professional judgement of officials in my department was very much that this was a last resort.",[],{"_163":12614,"_165":12615},"“We had carcasses piled up in the farm. We had animal bones lying around. We had emaciated animals.",[],{"_163":12617,"_165":12618},"“I want to be really, really clear that this case has been really, really difficult, both for me and for officials in the department, because the animal welfare prosecution that led to the deprivation order were grotesque scenes.",[],{"_163":12620,"_165":12621},"He said: “I think we all have a role in political life for leadership, in facts and understanding that we need to give time and space for the review to do its work, and for that review to be full and thorough, and for them to then fully examine the findings and recommendations arising from this.",[],{"_163":12623,"_165":12624},"Mr Muir said he recognised it was a “sensitive and a deeply distressing case” and said concerns raised would be examined in the independent review.",[],{"_163":12626,"_165":12627},"Ms McIlveen asked the minister how he would “retain and renew” confidence in his department.",[],"

\n \n",{"_163":12630,"_165":12631},"“What happened appears to be brutal, appears to be inhumane, and ironically, what was meant to be an animal welfare intervention has become an animal welfare scandal at the hands of the department, and that’s totally regrettable.”",[],{"_163":12633,"_165":12634},"“There is anger right across the farming community, and the anger is coming from decent, hardworking farmers who are just trying to make a living from the land.",[],{"_163":12636,"_165":12637},"DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen said: “As a consequence of this operation, your department has lost all credibility in the eyes of the public where animal welfare is concerned, and that is really concerning to me and should be concerning to you.",[],{"_163":12639,"_165":12640},"“The misogynistic, sectarian and homophobic abuse does not reflect the majority of farmers who are respectful and kind.”",[],{"_163":12642,"_165":12643},"He added: “The fact that I have had to discuss this with the police and also officials are having to consider security measures and personal safety is unacceptable and seriously troubling.",[],{"_163":12645,"_165":12646},"“The fact that I have now received a death threat is nothing short of a disgrace.”",[],{"_163":12648,"_165":12649},"“The wave of misogynistic, sectarian and homophobic hate, threats and intimidation against both officials and myself is despicable and deeply concerning.",[],{"_163":12651,"_165":12652},"He added: “I must address the very real impact of some of the misleading and inaccurate reporting and commentary that has surrounded this case.",[],"

\n \n",{"_163":12655,"_165":12656},"The minister said he appreciated “genuine and legitimate” concerns expressed by members of the public over the operation to cull the cows.",[],{"_163":12658,"_165":12659},"“The individual was rightly disqualified for life from keeping, owning and participating in the keeping of animals.”",[],{"_163":12661,"_165":12662},"“Approximately 33 animal carcasses and animal bones were found.",[],{"_163":12664,"_165":12665},"He added: “A large number of animals were caused unnecessary suffering.",[],{"_163":12667,"_165":12668},"The minister said limited animal feed on the site was “contaminated with urine and dung”.",[],{"_163":12670,"_165":12671},"“The situation on this farm that led to the prosecutions was, frankly, grotesque.”",[],{"_163":12673,"_165":12674},"“The photos published included that of emaciated animals (and) shall never leave my mind.",[],{"_163":12676,"_165":12677},"“During these inspections, conditions on the farm were very poor.",[],{"_163":12679,"_165":12680},"He told MLAs: “The case arose from numerous welfare inspections carried out by Daera staff between January 20 2022 and January 30 2024.",[],{"_163":12682,"_165":12683},"Mr Muir told the committee that animals had been “essentially starving to death” on the farm.",[],"

\n \n",{"_163":12686,"_165":12687},"The minister has previously said there was “no reasonable alternative” but to comply with the court order by culling the animals on the site.",[],{"_163":12689,"_165":12690},"The cull took place following a court order requiring the department to act after a man was convicted of a number of offences and disqualified for life from keeping animals.",[],{"_163":12692,"_165":12693},"While he appeared before the committee, scores of farmers held a protest outside Parliament Buildings in Stormont.",[],{"_163":12695,"_165":12696},"Concerns have been raised by some political representatives and farmers about the public nature of the incident and Mr Muir has ordered an external review of the circumstances.",[],{"_163":12698,"_165":12699},"The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (Daera) Humane Slaughter Team carried out the cull of the cattle on land near Fivemiletown in June.",[],{"_163":12701,"_165":12702},"The minister urged MLAs to temper their language after the committee heard a claim that the public believes that there had been a “shoot to kill” approach over the animals.",[],{"_163":12704,"_165":12705},"During an emergency meeting of Stormont’s Agriculture Committee on Monday, the minister was told that he had “lost all credibility” and that his department had presided over an “animal welfare scandal” after the cows were shot in fields.",[],{"_163":12707,"_165":12708},"Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said he has received a threat that he will be shot following controversy over the culling of 51 cows in Co Tyrone.",[],"Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has reportedly received a death threat after 51 cows were culled (Niall Carson/PA)",{"_81":12711,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12712,"_213":12709,"_223":12713,"_106":12714,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":12714,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/gco2xj-3f980f4d-5ad7-405d-8caa-8237d4af14b4-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-05e7a8dd-1ce1-43e5-bf23-5360797c1d9c-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/0c5c435e-cfa7-497f-b48a-3571345f399d",[],"0c5c435e-cfa7-497f-b48a-3571345f399d","159828296",{"_163":12525,"_165":12716},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_81":12721,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12722,"_213":12709,"_223":12713,"_106":12714,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":12714,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/gco2xj-3f980f4d-5ad7-405d-8caa-8237d4af14b4-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-05e7a8dd-1ce1-43e5-bf23-5360797c1d9c-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0c5c435e-cfa7-497f-b48a-3571345f399d",[],{"_250":2001,"_106":2002,"_275":2003,"_276":280},"Andrew Muir: Alliance Stormont minister reveals threat to shoot him following culling of 51 cows",194099360,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":12823,"_283":8,"_275":12824,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/derry-londonderry-city/totally-unacceptable-feile-derry-condemns-vile-misogynistic-and-sectarian-abuse-targeting-martina-anderson/a/159819057.html",[12821,12822],"‘Totally unacceptable’: Féile Derry condemns ‘vile’ misogynistic and sectarian abuse targeting Martina Anderson",{"_264":12819,"_266":12805,"_267":12730},[12818],[12810,12811,12812,12813,12814],"159819057",{},[12809],"2026-08-10T11:09:34Z","2026-08-10T11:09:44Z",[12742,12743,12744,12745,12746,12747,12748,12749,12750,12751,12752,12753,12754,12755,12756,12757,12758,12759],{"_140":10,"_141":12741,"_143":10},"7f514f0a-949c-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":12807,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":12804,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":12800,"_215":12801,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":12797,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":12794,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":12790,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":7989,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":7989,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":12787,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":12784,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":12781,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":171,"_106":12780,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12780,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":12777,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":12774,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":12771,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":12768,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":12765,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":12760,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":677,"_106":7990,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":7990,"_233":92},{"_163":12761,"_165":12762},"This article was updated on August 10 2026 to provide further context of Martina Anderson’s imprisonment.",[12763],{"_85":2073,"_157":880,"_194":12764,"_196":-5},105,{"_163":12766,"_165":12767},"She went on to hold senior roles in public life, first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2007, representing Foyle, and later serving as a Junior Minister assisting the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. \n\nShe became an MEP for Northern Ireland in 2012, a role she held for almost eight years, before returning to the Assembly as an MLA for Foyle between 2020 and 2021.",[],{"_163":12769,"_165":12770},"“No person, in public life or otherwise, should have to put up with this. There must be zero tolerance for this type of behaviour.”\n\nMs Anderson, from Derry’s Bogside, was in the IRA and spent 13 years in prison, including time in Brixton, Durham and Armagh after she was convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions. She was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.",[],{"_163":12772,"_165":12773},"“Féile stands against all forms of hatred and intolerance, and we stand firmly against misogyny directed at anyone in our society.",[],{"_163":12775,"_165":12776},"The spokesperson said: “Over recent days, we have seen misogynistic and sectarian abuse targeting Martina Anderson across ours, and various other social media platforms.",[],{"_163":12778,"_165":12779},"The spokesperson said Féile stood against all forms of hatred and intolerance, and firmly against misogyny directed at anyone in society. ",[],"159744462",{"_163":12782,"_165":12783},"A Féile spokesperson said the festival had received hundreds of hateful and abusive comments directed at Ms Anderson since Wednesday, branding the abuse “totally unacceptable.” ",[],{"_163":12785,"_165":12786},"In the same year, she was arrested and convicted of conspiring to cause explosions and sentenced to life in prison.",[],{"_163":12788,"_165":12789},"The book charts her journey from growing up in the Bogside to becoming a republican activist and IRA prisoner, before going on to hold senior political roles, including as an MEP in European Parliament. \n\nThe memoir has already generated significant coverage after Ms Anderson detailed her decision to have an abortion in 1985, during her early twenties, at a time when she was due to take part in “a planned IRA mission to England” before realising she was pregnant — later deciding to terminate her pregnancy.",[],{"_163":12791,"_165":12792},"It followed the launch of Ms Anderson’s memoir, Choosing the Struggle, at the opening event of Féile 2026 in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin in Derry on August 5. ",[12793],{"_85":2073,"_157":533,"_194":665,"_196":-5},{"_163":12795,"_165":12796},"The abuse has been aimed at Ms Anderson - a former IRA bomber - since last week, on comments under Féile Derry’s own social media channels and various other platforms.",[],{"_163":12798,"_165":12799},"A wave of misogynistic and sectarian abuse directed at former Sinn Féin politician Martina Anderson on social media has been condemned.",[],"Former Sinn Fein MEP and MLA Martina Anderson",{"_81":12802,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12803,"_213":12800,"_223":8001,"_106":8002,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":8003,"_218":88,"_232":8002,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/80ojxr-former-sinn-fein-mla-martina-anderson/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/518096241%2Fa027e418-aee5-4d33-ac9f-4d2770b0cc75.jpg",[],{"_163":12805,"_165":12806},"Former Sinn Féin politician receives hundreds of abusive comments after launch of memoir",[],{"_163":12730,"_165":12808},[],"BT48",{"_250":12815,"_106":12816,"_253":8,"_254":12817},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},"regional_derry-londonderry-city","5774","Derry ~ Londonderry (City)",{"_235":4960,"_237":4961,"_240":4962},{"_81":7999,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12820,"_213":12800,"_223":8001,"_106":8002,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":8003,"_218":88,"_232":8002,"_233":92},[],{"_250":8092,"_106":8093,"_275":8094,"_276":280},{"_250":7901,"_106":7902,"_275":7903,"_276":280},"Martina Anderson memoir abuse: Féile Derry condemns misogynistic and sectarian attacks","Misogynistic abuse targets Martina Anderson after her memoir on the Bogside, IRA and prison years sparks controversy. Read how Féile Derry responds.",194079557,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":12956,"_283":8,"_275":12957,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/east-belfast/news/the-dup-and-alliance-have-overseen-managed-decline-green-party-confirm-brian-smyth-as-assembly-candidate-for-east-belfast/a/159819536.html",[12953,12954,12955],"‘The DUP and Alliance have overseen managed decline’: Green Party confirm Brian Smyth as Assembly candidate for East Belfast",{"_264":12949,"_266":12938,"_267":12830},[12948],[12942,12943,12944,12945,12946,12947],"159819536",{},[3970],"2026-08-10T10:05:00Z","2026-08-10T10:05:32Z",[12842,12843,12844,12845,12846,12847,12848,12849,12850,12851,12852,12853,12854,12855,12856,12857,12858,12859,12860,12861,12862,12863,12864,12865],{"_140":10,"_141":12841,"_143":10},"968a7a9f-949d-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":12940,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":12937,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":12930,"_215":12931,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":12927,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":12924,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":12921,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":342,"_586":12912,"_588":12913,"_590":-5,"_592":12914,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":12909,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":12906,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":12903,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":12900,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":12897,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":12894,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":12893,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12893,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":12890,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":12887,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":12884,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":12881,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":12878,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":12875,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":12872,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":12869,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":12866,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":195,"_106":8413,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":8413,"_233":92},{"_163":12867,"_165":12868},"The election is scheduled to take place on or before Thursday 6 May 2027 when voters will also select new councillors.",[],{"_163":12870,"_165":12871},"He came sixth place, securing 2,302 votes with the final seat in the constituency being filled by the Ulster Unionist Party’s Andy Allen.",[],{"_163":12873,"_165":12874},"Brian Smyth was the Green Party’s candidate for East Belfast in the last Assembly election in May 2022.",[],{"_163":12876,"_165":12877},"“East Belfast has enormous potential, and Brian will offer voters a positive alternative and a strong Green voice at Stormont,” the leader added.",[],{"_163":12879,"_165":12880},"The Green Party’s leader in Northern Ireland is Mal O’Hara who said that councillor Smyth is a “dedicated voice for the community” and that “he understands the pressures facing families in east Belfast because he sees them every day.”",[],{"_163":12882,"_165":12883},"“Stormont needs to back local businesses and put money back in people’s pockets.”",[],{"_163":12885,"_165":12886},"“From traders on the Cregagh, Ballyhackamore and Belmont to families feeling the squeeze across east Belfast, I hear every day about rising costs and falling footfall.",[],{"_163":12888,"_165":12889},"“Investing in health and social care, tackling the cost of living and building a modern economy that works for everyone,” he said.",[],{"_163":12891,"_165":12892},"The politician also pledged to focus on health and social care investment and the cost of living and said that “everything needs to be done differently”.",[],"158464067",{"_163":12895,"_165":12896},"“My plan will be practical: a large scale retrofit and insulation programme across east Belfast, paired with new green apprenticeships so local young people can train and walk straight into secure, well paid work.”",[],{"_163":12898,"_165":12899},"“East Belfast helped build the world once. We can do it again, by leading the way in green industry, creating secure, skilled jobs and giving the next generation a future here at home.",[],{"_163":12901,"_165":12902},"“I’ve spent years on the ground as a councillor, and working with young people in the care system, seeing first hand the pressures families are under and the lack of opportunity for many of our young people,” he added.",[],{"_163":12904,"_165":12905},"Councillor Smyth said tackling the pressures facing young people and families would be a key priority, drawing on his experience working with young people in the care system.",[],{"_163":12907,"_165":12908},"“Instead of fixing the problems, they’ve spent too much time fighting each other while people struggle to get by,” he said.",[],{"_163":12910,"_165":12911},"Mr Smyth was critical of the DUP and the Alliance Party and claimed that they have “overseen managed decline.” Both parties have two MLAs each in the Assembly representing East Belfast.",[],{"_163":12919,"_165":12920},{"_163":12917,"_165":12918},{"_163":12915,"_165":12916},"Green Party Assembly Candidate, East Belfast",[],"Cllr Brian Smyth",[],"From traders on the Cregagh, Ballyhackamore and Belmont to families feeling the squeeze across East Belfast, I hear every day about rising costs and falling footfall",[],{"_163":12922,"_165":12923},"The party have said that they will build a campaign on rebuilding local industry, addressing solutions to help residents with the cost of living and investing in young people.",[],{"_163":12925,"_165":12926},"Mr Smyth is currently a councillor for the Lisnasharragh ward, covering large parts of the East Belfast and South Belfast parliamentary constituencies, and has been elected since 2019.",[],{"_163":12928,"_165":12929},"The Green Party has announced that Belfast City Council member Brian Smyth will be the party’s candidate for East Belfast in next May’s Assembly election.",[],"Brian Smyth has been confirmed as an Assembly candidate for the Green Party",{"_81":12932,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12933,"_213":12930,"_223":12934,"_106":12935,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":12935,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/h6837b-brian-smyth.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Brian%20Smyth.jpg",[12936],"Brian%20Smyth.jpg","159821286",{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_163":12938,"_165":12939},"It’s the second candidate announcement that the party have confirmed ahead of next year’s elections",[],{"_163":12830,"_165":12941},[],{"_250":2291,"_106":2292,"_253":8,"_254":2293},{"_250":3976,"_106":3977,"_253":10,"_254":3978},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_240":7509},{"_81":12950,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":12951,"_213":12930,"_223":12934,"_106":12935,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":12935,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/h6837b-brian-smyth.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Brian%20Smyth.jpg",[12952],{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_250":10502,"_106":10503,"_275":10504,"_276":280},{"_250":9541,"_106":9542,"_275":9543,"_276":280},{"_250":8316,"_106":8317,"_275":10441,"_276":280},"East Belfast election: Green Party backs Brian Smyth","Brian Smyth launches a bold Green Party bid for East Belfast with plans on jobs, cost of living and care services",194069525,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":13051,"_283":8,"_275":13052,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ex-policeman-to-run-in-local-elections-as-potential-successor-to-long-standing-figure-my-goal-is-to-build-on-his-fantastic-work/a/159817789.html",[13049,13050],"Ex-policeman to run in local elections as potential successor to long-standing figure: ‘My goal is to build on his fantastic work’",{"_264":13045,"_266":13028,"_267":12963},[13044],[13038,13039,13040,13041,13042,13043],"159817789",{},[],"2026-08-10T09:32:00Z","2026-08-10T09:33:13Z",[12975,12976,12977,12978,12979,12980,12981,12982,12983,12984,12985,12986,12987,12988,12989],{"_140":10,"_141":12974,"_143":10},"a0e64a54-9499-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":13036,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":13030,"_215":13031,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":13027,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":13024,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":13021,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":13018,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":13015,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":13012,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":13009,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":171,"_356":13003,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":13000,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":12997,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":12994,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":12991,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":12990,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12990,"_233":92},"159814921",{"_163":12992,"_165":12993},"“My goal is to build on his fantastic work and provide a strong, positive voice for everyone across our community. Over the next few months, I will be out on the doors meeting as many of you as possible to discuss how we can make Glengormley an even better safer place to live, work, and raise a family.”",[],{"_163":12995,"_165":12996},"“Of course I will be working closely with Mark during the remainder of this mandate until I seek your trust at next year’s election. ",[],{"_163":12998,"_165":12999},"“Mark has given more than 15 years of dedicated, first-class elected representive service to Glengormley. His friendship, leadership, advice, and support mean a great deal to me as I take on this exciting challenge. ",[],{"_163":13001,"_165":13002},"He continued: “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my long time family friend Alderman Mark Cosgrove, who decided not to seek reselection for next year’s election, and has promoted me as his potential successor, to provide me this opportunity.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":13004,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":13005,"_106":13006,"_368":369,"_370":13007,"_232":13008,"_233":92},"QqINXbDB572U","00:54:00","1988862","0:54","159806632",{"_163":13010,"_165":13011},"Mr Audley also thanked Alderman Mark Cosgrove for asking him to continue in his place.",[],{"_163":13013,"_165":13014},"“I’m a qualified trainer and have delivered training on ‘Domestic Abuse Awareness’ and ‘Dealing With Conflict Management’ across Northern Ireland . I also have over 10 years of property management experience.”",[],{"_163":13016,"_165":13017},"“I grew up in Glengormley and Carnmoney having attended Glengormley High School. I bring an exceptional track record of public service to the ballot paper, having served in the police service for 28 years. ",[],{"_163":13019,"_165":13020},"Posting the announcement on Facebook, Mr Audley said: “I am proud to announce that I will be running as the Ulster Unionist Party candidate for Glengormley Urban DEA in the May 2027 local elections. ",[],{"_163":13022,"_165":13023},"Local council elections are set to take place in May 2027. The Northern Ireland Assembly election is also set for a similar date.",[],{"_163":13025,"_165":13026},"UUP man Colin Audley is hoping to take over from long-standing Antrim and Newtownabbey Alderman Mark Cosgrove, who has announced he is stepping down after 15 years.",[],{"_163":13028,"_165":13029},"A former policeman has announced he will run in the 2027 election for the Glengormley Urban DEA.",[],"Colin 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to run for Glengormley Urban DEA in 2027 election","Former policeman Colin Audley seeks to succeed Alderman Mark Cosgrove in Glengormley Urban DEA",193759003,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/legacy-debate-must-be-removed-from-cauldron-of-ni-politics-urges-former-head-of-army-here/a/159741486.html",[13329,13330],"Legacy debate must be removed from ‘cauldron’ of NI politics, urges former head of Army here",{"_264":13325,"_266":13313,"_267":13058},[13321],[13317,13318,13319,13320],"159741486",{},[],"2026-08-10T05:00:00Z","2026-08-09T16:48:32Z",[13070,13071,13072,13073,13074,13075,13076,13077,13078,13079,13080,13081,13082,13083,13084,13085,13086,13087,13088,13089,13090,13091,13092,13093,13094,13095,13096,13097,13098,13099,13100,13101,13102,13103,13104,13105,13106,13107,13108,13109,13110,13111,13112,13113,13114,13115,13116,13117,13118,13119,13120,13121,13122,13123,13124,13125,13126,13127,13128],{"_140":10,"_141":13069,"_143":10},"041add01-9259-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":13315,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":13312,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":13305,"_215":13306,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":13302,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":13299,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":13296,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":13295,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13295,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":13292,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":13289,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":13286,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":13283,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":13280,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":13277,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":13276,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13276,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":13273,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":13270,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":13267,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":13264,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":-5,"_213":13257,"_215":13258,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":13254,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":13251,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":13248,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":13245,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":13242,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":13239,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":13236,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":13233,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":633,"_586":13226,"_588":13227,"_590":-5,"_592":13228,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":13223,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":13220,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":13217,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":13214,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":13211,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":13208,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":13205,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":585,"_212":-5,"_213":13198,"_215":13199,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":13195,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":13192,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":13189,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":13186,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":13183,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":556,"_212":-5,"_213":13176,"_215":13177,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":13173,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":13170,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":13167,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":540,"_159":13164,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":193,"_106":13163,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13163,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":13160,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":529,"_159":13157,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":525,"_159":13154,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":513,"_159":13151,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":509,"_159":13148,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":505,"_159":13145,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":501,"_159":13142,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":497,"_159":13139,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":493,"_159":13136,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":489,"_159":13133,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":485,"_159":13130,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":481,"_106":13129,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13129,"_233":92},"112125632",{"_163":13131,"_165":13132},"To find out more, go to shouldertoshoulder.uk",[],{"_163":13134,"_165":13135},"“I don’t want to offend you, but it needs to be taken out of that cauldron that exists in Northern Ireland. It is as simple as that.”",[],{"_163":13137,"_165":13138},"“Therefore, you have to empower the Legacy Commission, or whatever you’re calling it, to recognise that only genuinely new and compelling evidence that has been scrutinised by an independent body (should be used).",[],{"_163":13140,"_165":13141},"“It is that relationship which is fundamental, if this bill breaks that relationship, it will do a huge disservice to those who need to serve for the state and their families in the future.",[],{"_163":13143,"_165":13144},"“I went to many services for those killed from Afghanistan and Iraq, where their families were massively proud of what their loved ones had done because they had been serving their country.",[],{"_163":13146,"_165":13147},"“It is a disservice to say to any veteran that they’re a victim.",[],{"_163":13149,"_165":13150},"“You are a soldier, you have written a contract, and you have an unlimited liability that your life may be taken by the state’s enemies. But the state is going to stand up for you and your family.",[],{"_163":13152,"_165":13153},"“No soldier, in my view, is a victim. We serve the state.",[],{"_163":13155,"_165":13156},"When asked what his campaign group would like to see in the new legislation, Sir Nick replied: “If you can produce genuinely new and compelling evidence that somebody has done something that was outside the law of the time, they should be held to account.",[],{"_163":13158,"_165":13159},"“My God, compared to 1969, compared to the time that I was there in 1974, Northern Ireland is the most fantastic place to live.”",[],{"_163":13161,"_165":13162},"“And it does concern me that the lack of really strategic leadership that acknowledges the pain and the anguish of victims, but recognises that the really important thing you have to do is to move on… so that we can get on and benefit from the economic and social aspects.",[],"151471774",{"_163":13165,"_165":13166},"“But it doesn’t mean that the people who are governing the United Kingdom must lose sight of what is enshrined in our constitutional objective, which is to keep the Union together.",[],{"_163":13168,"_165":13169},"“That is their stated political objective, and it’s fantastic that they’re doing it by political and not military means — that is the success of the Good Friday Agreement. ",[],{"_163":13171,"_165":13172},"“The problem — and I think this is something that people are afraid to say — is that we have a party in power involved in politics in Northern Ireland, whose objective is to separate the North from the United Kingdom.",[],{"_163":13174,"_165":13175},"“It’s easy for me to say that, I haven’t had family killed, I haven’t been wounded by a terrorist,” he acknowledged.",[],"Army helicopters work at the last remaining watch tower at Jonesborough in south Armagh in April 2006",{"_81":13178,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13179,"_213":13176,"_223":13180,"_106":13181,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":13182,"_218":88,"_232":13181,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/e8rxaq-army-helicopters-work-at-the-last-remaining-watch-tower-at-jonesborough-in-south-armagh-in-april-200/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1590534489%2F8a608f64-77fd-4ab7-8d80-f0d88fbb5d58.jpg",[],"1590534489%2F8a608f64-77fd-4ab7-8d80-f0d88fbb5d58.jpg","108560561","Army helicopters work at the last remaining watch tower at Jonesborough in south Armagh in April 2006. Photo: Paul Faith/PA",{"_163":13184,"_165":13185},"Sir Nick says that 28 years on from the peace deal, there is a need to settle the legacy issue once and for all.",[],{"_163":13187,"_165":13188},"“And it was quite clear at the time that the stability and the peace was going to have to evolve from this clever, ambiguous, but imperfect agreement”.",[],{"_163":13190,"_165":13191},"“Because this is no longer your business. Somebody has brought this to a conclusion, and we’ve now got to suck up all of our fears, all of the risks, we’ve got to suck them up in order to allow an enduring peace to evolve.",[],{"_163":13193,"_165":13194},"“Our directive, the directive that we gave to everybody in the Army at the time, was get back into your barracks and shut up.",[],{"_163":13196,"_165":13197},"Speaking about his time in Northern Ireland at the end of the Troubles, he added: “For me, the baseline is the Good Friday Agreement … lots of people can pick holes in it, it didn’t satisfy everybody, but it brought an end to the conflict.",[],"Legacy issues continue to dominate politics here",{"_81":13200,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13201,"_213":13198,"_223":13202,"_106":13203,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":13204,"_218":88,"_232":13203,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/20u0rr-families-of-bloody-sunday-victims-at-court-last-year-rebecca-blackpa/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/768bceb1-d62c-44f9-ba09-b8052a2ddeba",[],"768bceb1-d62c-44f9-ba09-b8052a2ddeba","127183747","Families of Bloody Sunday victims at court last year (Rebecca Black/PA)",{"_163":13206,"_165":13207},"“But I do think you also need to hold to account the state that put you there, and the chain of command that’s in charge of you.”",[],{"_163":13209,"_165":13210},"“If somebody does something that is outside the law of the conflict that you’re operating in, they need to be held to account,” he added.",[],{"_163":13212,"_165":13213},"He said that “at no point” are they calling for immunity from prosecution.",[],{"_163":13215,"_165":13216},"“And that’s what then drove me and Peter Wall to feel that we needed to make an intervention on behalf of the chain of command and the senior leadership that recognised the context in which people act in these really complicated environments.”",[],{"_163":13218,"_165":13219},"“I mean, I completely accept that they had a manifesto commitment to it, but I was very surprised. There was absolutely no reference to veterans anywhere in the first draft that I saw of the bill, and they then produced these six protections, which just struck me as being inadequate.",[],{"_163":13221,"_165":13222},"“I was very surprised when the new government came in with their new bill,” Sir Nick continued.",[],{"_163":13224,"_165":13225},"During the last election campaign, Labour promised to repeal the Bill and make changes to the legislation.",[],{"_163":13231,"_165":13232},{"_163":88,"_165":13230},{"_163":88,"_165":13229},[],[],"When the law attends to something that’s happened in conflict, it fixes its gaze on the guys on the frontline and it doesn’t take into account the people who gave the orders, the chain of command, and the state strategy that’s put you in a place",[],{"_163":13234,"_165":13235},"“There was no point in continuing this rolling persecution of people.”",[],{"_163":13237,"_165":13238},"“I was very pleased when the Legacy Act 2023 came in, perfect or not, because it felt as if it was recognising that.",[],{"_163":13240,"_165":13241},"“The guy at the top of that triangle has real responsibility for what his subordinates or her subordinates are doing.",[],{"_163":13243,"_165":13244},"“In the Army, we operate unlike the police, in sort of little triangles, hierarchies, with people at the top of each of those little triangles.",[],{"_163":13246,"_165":13247},"Sir Nick added: “What makes me very concerned is that when the law attends to something that’s happened in conflict, it fixes its gaze on the guys on the frontline and it doesn’t take into account the people who gave the orders, the chain of command, and the state strategy that’s put you in a place, and yet those things are incredibly important. They set the context for the way people are behaving.",[],{"_163":13249,"_165":13250},"What they are asking for also sounds very different from the amnesty promised to backbench MPs by the former administration during Boris Johnson’s journey to Downing Street.",[],{"_163":13252,"_165":13253},"Sir Nick and Sir Peter, a retired commander in chief of the Army land forces, bring serious military pedigree that will make them difficult for Whitehall to ignore.",[],{"_163":13255,"_165":13256},"Shoulder to Shoulder, while with a similar aim to protect veterans, has come to the issue from a different angle.",[],"Dennis Hutchings",{"_81":13259,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":13260,"_213":13257,"_223":13261,"_106":13262,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":13263,"_218":88,"_232":13262,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wonyv0-dennis-hutchings-expressed-fears-his-is-a-test-case-to-pursue-more-soldiers/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/561912161%2F20d9ea66-93fa-11ed-b315-0210609a3fe2.png",[],"561912161%2F20d9ea66-93fa-11ed-b315-0210609a3fe2.png","115036060","Dennis Hutchings expressed fears his is a test case to pursue more soldiers",{"_163":13265,"_165":13266},"Families of those killed by state forces viewed the first draft of the Legacy Bill as an attempt to whitewash the Army’s actions and to prevent proper human rights compliant investigations.",[],{"_163":13268,"_165":13269},"The victim, the court was told, had a severe learning difficulty. Hutchings, who was 80, died after contracting Covid midway through the trial.",[],{"_163":13271,"_165":13272},"Mercer travelled to Northern Ireland to publicly support those charged with historical offences. He stood alongside Dennis Hutchings, who was charged with the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham, who was shot in the back as he ran from an Army patrol near Benburb, Co Tyrone, in 1974.",[],{"_163":13274,"_165":13275},"The campaign to prevent the prosecution of former soldiers for alleged offences during Operation Banner was previously led by people like Johnny Mercer, the former Tory MP who lost his seat in the 2024 election.",[],"159464869",{"_163":13278,"_165":13279},"“I don’t have as much experience as some, there are some people for whom their whole military life was going backwards and forwards during Operation Banner, but I have served at all the various levels.”",[],{"_163":13281,"_165":13282},"“I also commanded a battalion in east Belfast in 1995,” he explained.",[],{"_163":13284,"_165":13285},"In 1978, he returned to Northern Ireland, this time as a captain stationed at Ebrington Barracks in Derry. The Army base closed in 2003.",[],{"_163":13287,"_165":13288},"“So I have a connection with Northern Ireland, which dates back to my first tour in the Army in 1974, when I was serving with the Green Jackets in west Belfast.”",[],{"_163":13290,"_165":13291},"“I was in the Army for 40 years. I ended up as the last GOC in Northern Ireland at the end of Operation Banner, before then moving on to other jobs in Afghanistan,” he said.",[],{"_163":13293,"_165":13294},"Sitting down with the Belfast Telegraph for a lengthy interview, Sir Nick speaks about his time serving in Northern Ireland and explains why he feels the legislation is the last chance to find a solution to the legacy issue.",[],"156026142",{"_163":13297,"_165":13298},"The contested piece of legislation, introduced by the Conservative government, has gone through several different amendments and been subject to High Court challenges by the families of some Troubles murder victims.",[],{"_163":13300,"_165":13301},"He has now returned, setting up Shoulder to Shoulder, along with Sir Peter Wall, another senior Army veteran, to lobby for amendments to the Government’s controversial Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.",[],{"_163":13303,"_165":13304},"Sir Nick Parker arrived in Northern Ireland as a 20-year-old member of the Army in the early 1970s and left as the last General Officer Commanding (GOC) when Operation Banner ended in July 2007.",[],"General Sir Nick Parker",{"_81":13307,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13308,"_213":13305,"_223":13309,"_106":13310,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":13305,"_218":88,"_232":13310,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/l144vy-nickparker.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/NickParker.jpg",[13311],"NickParker.jpg","156026432",{"_235":9524,"_237":9525,"_239":9524,"_240":9526},{"_163":13313,"_165":13314},"Sitting down with the Belfast Telegraph, the General Officer Commanding at the time Operation Banner ended explains why he has set up a group to lobby for changes government’s Troubles Bill",[],{"_163":13058,"_165":13316},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":13322,"_237":13323,"_240":13324},"Allison.Morris@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Morris","Allison",{"_81":13326,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13327,"_213":13305,"_223":13309,"_106":13310,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":13305,"_218":88,"_232":13310,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/l144vy-nickparker.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/NickParker.jpg",[13328],{"_235":9524,"_237":9525,"_239":9524,"_240":9526},{"_250":13331,"_106":13332,"_275":13333,"_276":280},{"_250":8800,"_106":8801,"_275":8802,"_276":280},"Legacy Commission","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:legacy-commission","The Legacy Commission is an investigative body set up by the Government to examine Troubles attacks",193683768,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ni-centenary-stone-delayed-again-as-unionist-leaders-hold-urgent-talks-over-council-ruling/a/159792292.html",[13454,13455,13456,13457,13458,13459,13460,13461,13462,13463,13464,13465],"NI centenary stone delayed again as unionist leaders hold urgent talks over council ruling",{"_264":13450,"_266":13435,"_267":13339},[],[13447,13448,13449],"159792292",{},[],"2026-08-09T12:41:08Z",[13350,13351,13352,13353,13354,13355,13356,13357,13358,13359,13360,13361,13362,13363,13364,13365,13366,13367,13368,13369,13370,13371,13372,13373,13374],{"_140":10,"_141":13349,"_143":10},"31734b4f-93e1-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":13445,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":13437,"_215":13438,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":13434,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":13431,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":13428,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":13425,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":13424,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13424,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":13421,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":13418,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":13415,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":13412,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":13409,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":13406,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":13403,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":13400,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":13397,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":13394,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":13391,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":13388,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":13385,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":13382,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":13379,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":13376,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":650,"_106":13375,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13375,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":10599,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":10599,"_233":92},"159796999",{"_163":13377,"_165":13378},"The Belfast Telegraph then revealed that the monument would require planning permission. ",[],{"_163":13380,"_165":13381},"The go-ahead was then given when Sinn Féin lost its representation temporarily on the Commission, but there was a row because the unionist parties had not expected to also have to pay for the installation.",[],{"_163":13383,"_165":13384},"It is now more than five years since the stone was created, which Sinn Féin opposed when the party had a veto on the commission, on the grounds that Stormont already had many symbols of the Union.",[],{"_163":13386,"_165":13387},"In 2023, an equality screening published by the Assembly Commission said it meant the stone would likely only be visited by those with a political interest in unionism or history. ",[],{"_163":13389,"_165":13390},"“These are being considered by officials alongside other considerations such as respecting the dignity of the tomb and the presence of root systems before engaging further with HED.”",[],{"_163":13392,"_165":13393},"“The original proposals and the suggestions made by HED are all consistent with the Assembly Commission’s original decision,” the spokesperson added.",[],{"_163":13395,"_165":13396},"The commission agreed the stone would be located within the environs of the site of the tomb of former Northern Ireland prime minister Lord Craigavon.",[],{"_163":13398,"_165":13399},"“Officials engaged with HED before the original planning application in relation to the centenary stone was submitted. 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Thank you everyone.”",[],{"_163":13592,"_165":13593},"“Again I would like to thank you all for all the support and kindness that you have shown us all as a family. I will keep you all updated when Stephen gets moved.",[],{"_163":13595,"_165":13596},"They added: “We are waiting for Stephen to be discharged from hospital and go to rehab, hopefully this will be within the next week or so. ",[],{"_163":13598,"_165":13599},"Posting an update on the GoFundMe, they said: “This is where all the hard work starts”.",[],{"_85":878,"_359":13601,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":13602,"_106":13603,"_368":369,"_370":13604,"_232":13605,"_233":92},"7QRForgC4rSg","00:20:34","1806471","20:34","156615630",{"_163":13607,"_165":13608},"The victim’s parents confirmed in an update that he is set for a period in rehab as he continues to recover from his injuries.",[],"157363108",{"_163":13611,"_165":13612},"An online fundraiser started to support Mr Ogilvie has since raised over £40,000 - with a £10,000 donation from ‘hurl hero’ Maitiu Mag Tighearnan, who came to his assistance during the attack.",[],{"_163":13614,"_165":13615},"The rioting saw masked mobs set fire to homes, cars and a bus, with people targeted based on their race.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":13617,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":13618,"_106":13619,"_368":369,"_370":13620,"_232":13621,"_233":92},"-JAgxfnD8O6G","01:49:00","1895495","1:49","158449864",{"_163":13623,"_165":13624},"Mr Ogilvie was seriously injured in a knife attack in June on Kinniard Avenue, with the incident sparking disorder across Northern Ireland. ",[],{"_163":13626,"_165":13627},"The parents of north Belfast knife attack victim Stephen Ogilvie have confirmed he is set to leave hospital to continue his recovery, as they gave an update on his condition.",[],"North Belfast knife attack victim Stephen Ogilvie ",{"_81":13630,"_212":88,"_220":3960,"_97":13631,"_213":13628,"_223":13632,"_106":13633,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":13633,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/xc9fjx-104854661-1781133654213562-r.webp/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/104854661_1781133654213562_r.webp",[13634],"104854661_1781133654213562_r.webp","160165579",{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_163":13511,"_165":13636},[],{"_250":2899,"_106":2900,"_253":8,"_254":2901},{"_250":1158,"_106":1159,"_253":10,"_254":1160},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_240":2297},{"_81":13644,"_212":88,"_220":3960,"_97":13645,"_213":13628,"_223":13632,"_106":13633,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":13633,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/xc9fjx-104854661-1781133654213562-r.webp/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/104854661_1781133654213562_r.webp",[13646],{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1163,"_106":2911,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":13651,"_106":13652,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"NI Protests","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:ni-protests"," Stephen Ogilvie: North Belfast knife attack victim to leave hospital for rehab",195550247,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/popular-the-rest-is-history-podcast-to-tackle-the-troubles-in-new-four-part-series/a/160126737.html",[13753,13754,13755,13756,13757,13758,13759],"Popular The Rest Is History podcast to tackle the Troubles in new four-part series",{"_264":13750,"_266":13733,"_267":13659},[],[13743,13744,13745,13746],"160126737",{},[],"2026-08-17T20:15:00Z","2026-08-17T20:17:23Z",[13671,13672,13673,13674,13675,13676,13677,13678,13679,13680,13681,13682,13683,13684,13685,13686,13687,13688],{"_140":10,"_141":13670,"_143":10},"b16fb18c-9a34-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":13741,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":13735,"_215":13736,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":13732,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":13729,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":13726,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":13725,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13725,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":13722,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":13719,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":13716,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":13713,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":13710,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":13707,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":13704,"_161":162},{"_155":876,"_157":694,"_356":13698,"_161":878},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":13695,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":13692,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":13689,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":673,"_106":9716,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":9716,"_233":92},{"_163":13690,"_165":13691},"Episodes of The Rest Is History’s four-part series will be released each week on podcast streaming services.",[],{"_163":13693,"_165":13694},"They emphasise the role of key people choosing violence to advance their political aims, and “the sense is that there is nothing inevitable about the Troubles. People choose it; they will it into existence”.",[],{"_163":13696,"_165":13697},"Discussing some of the famous characters and stories that have come to define the period, they argue that “there’s a romantic history of outlaw, violence, and adventure”.",[],{"_85":878,"_359":13699,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":13700,"_106":13701,"_368":369,"_370":13702,"_232":13703,"_233":92},"5oIIOdhBHPWy","00:29:06","2004568","29:06","160030157",{"_163":13705,"_165":13706},"The pair also recount the emergence of the UVF in the late 1960s, alongside the rise of Paisley, whom they describe as one of a number of figures who “stoked the flames”.",[],{"_163":13708,"_165":13709},"They note the continued existence of republican paramilitarism, saying: “The IRA never went away… at any given point there’s still a few hundred IRA men.”",[],{"_163":13711,"_165":13712},"They move on to examine Northern Ireland in the 1950s and mid-1960s.",[],{"_163":13714,"_165":13715},"They then chart the origins of the Troubles, beginning with the Home Rule crisis and the partition of Ireland after the War of Independence.",[],{"_163":13717,"_165":13718},"Murder in Belfast, the first episode of the new series released today, begins with Holland launching into an Ian Paisley impersonation.",[],{"_163":13720,"_165":13721},"They typically offer their own historical accounts in a conversational format, regularly inviting specialists to contribute.",[],{"_163":13723,"_165":13724},"The pair have covered aspects of Irish history before in a four-part series spanning the 19th century to the Easter Rising, and the sinking of the Titanic over six episodes. They also took their live show to Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.",[],"159944401",{"_163":13727,"_165":13728},"The hosts say they want to “give a balanced account” of the conflict, with Sandbrook taking to X to describe it as “a major and surely uncontroversial series”.",[],{"_163":13730,"_165":13731},"The Rest Is History, which has 45,000 paying subscribers and racks up 15-20 million downloads a month, sees historians Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss periods and incidents in history over multiple episodes.",[],{"_163":13733,"_165":13734},"The world’s most popular history podcast has started a four-part series on the Troubles.",[],"Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook (Goalhanger/PA)",{"_81":13737,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13738,"_213":13735,"_223":13739,"_106":13740,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":13735,"_218":88,"_232":13740,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1meldu-tom-holland-and-dominic-sandbrook-goalhangerpa/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/552667451%2Fedae337d-bb5a-4c45-8fd6-652eb5fd8544.jpg",[],"552667451%2Fedae337d-bb5a-4c45-8fd6-652eb5fd8544.jpg","109725711",{"_163":13659,"_165":13742},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":13747,"_106":13748,"_253":10,"_254":13749},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},"entertainment","4346","Entertainment",{"_81":13751,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13752,"_213":13735,"_223":13739,"_106":13740,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":13735,"_218":88,"_232":13740,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1meldu-tom-holland-and-dominic-sandbrook-goalhangerpa/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/552667451%2Fedae337d-bb5a-4c45-8fd6-652eb5fd8544.jpg",[],{"_250":8800,"_106":8801,"_275":8802,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":9878,"_106":9879,"_275":9880,"_276":280},{"_250":8098,"_106":8099,"_275":1173,"_276":280},{"_250":13766,"_106":13767,"_275":1173,"_276":280},{"_250":13763,"_106":13764,"_275":13765,"_276":280},{"_250":13760,"_106":13761,"_275":13762,"_276":280},"Easter Rising","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:easter-rising","The Easter Rising was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916.","UCD","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:ucd","University College Dublin is a research university in Dublin, Ireland.","UVF","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:uvf",195548331,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":13917,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/flute-band-frontman-savagely-stamped-on-womans-head-outside-pub/a/160113033.html",[13915,13916],"Flute band frontman savagely stamped on woman’s head outside pub",{"_264":13911,"_266":13900,"_267":13773},[13907],[13904,13905,13906],"160113033",{},[],"2026-08-18T06:00:00Z","2026-08-17T19:15:08Z",[13785,13786,13787,13788,13789,13790,13791,13792,13793,13794,13795,13796,13797,13798,13799,13800,13801,13802,13803,13804,13805,13806,13807,13808,13809,13810,13811],{"_140":10,"_141":13784,"_143":10},"0bf0aa40-9a18-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":13902,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":13899,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":13892,"_215":13893,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":13889,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":13886,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":13883,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":13880,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":13877,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":13874,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":13871,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":13868,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":-5,"_213":13858,"_215":13859,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":13855,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":13852,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":13849,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":13846,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":13843,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":13840,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":13837,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":13834,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":13831,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":13828,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":13825,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":13822,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":13818,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":13815,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":13812,"_161":162},{"_163":13813,"_165":13814}," ",[],{"_163":13816,"_165":13817},"Following his guilty plea the case was adjourned and Butler and his co-accused will return for sentencing later this month following pre-sentence reports.",[],{"_163":13819,"_165":13820},"CrimeWorld has asked The band has been asked if Butler will continue in his leading role. It has not responded.",[13821],{"_85":1065,"_157":880,"_194":665,"_196":-5},{"_163":13823,"_165":13824},"The tall and bearded bandsman was among those who were honoured by Downshire Guiding Star for years of service, and is one of the longest serving members of the Banbridge band, which has the motto ‘join the tradition, be part of the future’. ",[],{"_163":13826,"_165":13827},"He runs the colour party for the band and is among those who walk at its head, carrying banners including the Union flag in marches with the local Orange lodge of the same name.",[],{"_163":13829,"_165":13830},"He’s a familiar sight in Banbridge at the head of the Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band, of which he’s been a member since childhood.",[],{"_163":13832,"_165":13833},"The revelation that Butler is a violent thug whose attacked was aggravated by reason of domestic abuse will dent his image as a respected band member.",[],{"_163":13835,"_165":13836},"The defendant, an engineer with a local company, had been due to contest the case against him at his court appearance but changed his plea to guilty.",[],{"_163":13838,"_165":13839},"He then made off, leaving his victim with obvious head injuries, and his co-accused behind.",[],{"_163":13841,"_165":13842},"After several minutes Butler’s vicious assault only stopped when police arrived. ",[],{"_163":13844,"_165":13845},"Witnesses feared she would be seriously injured because the attack carried on for so long.",[],{"_163":13847,"_165":13848},"Onlookers say he continued to kick his female victim in the head and torso when she was on the ground.",[],{"_163":13850,"_165":13851},"The assault took place outside a pub in Portadown when witnesses were horrified as they watched Butler stamp on his female victim’s head. The vicious and prolonged attack was captured on CCTV.",[],{"_163":13853,"_165":13854},"Both defendants are due back in court after pre-sentence reports have been prepared.",[],{"_163":13856,"_165":13857},"He’s also banned from contacting the injured party, and from entering an address in Armagh.",[],"Robin Butler, far right, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm",{"_81":13860,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13861,"_213":13858,"_223":13862,"_106":13863,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":13863,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/s14y8t-robin-butler.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Robin%20Butler.jpg",[13864],"Robin%20Butler.jpg","160066965",{"_235":13865,"_237":13866,"_239":13865,"_240":13867},"brian.farrell@sundayworld.com","Farrell","Brian",{"_163":13869,"_165":13870},"As part of his bail conditions Butler has been banned from entering licensed premises, consuming or being under the influence of alcohol in a public place, and must submit to a preliminary breath test on the request of police.",[],{"_163":13872,"_165":13873},"His co-accused, Victoria Martin, 44, of the same address pleaded guilty to a count of assault causing ABH at an earlier hearing in relation to the same incident.",[],{"_163":13875,"_165":13876},"The 40-year-old, of Hillhead Walk in Banbridge, admitted the offence, which related to an incident in Portadown on May 17 2026.",[],{"_163":13878,"_165":13879},"In Craigavon Magistrates Court this week he pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm aggravated by involving domestic abuse.",[],{"_163":13881,"_165":13882},"But he’s now facing sentencing for a sustained assault outside a pub when horrified witnesses saw him stamp on a woman’s head.",[],{"_163":13884,"_165":13885},"He was even given a 30-year service award by the Banbridge band in 2021.",[],{"_163":13887,"_165":13888},"Robin Butler holds the respected position of running the colour party which bears the flags for Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band.",[],{"_163":13890,"_165":13891},"This is the band hero who has been exposed as a thug after pleading guilty to an horrific assault on a woman.",[],"Robin Butler, far right, was involved on an horrific attack on a woman outside a pub",{"_81":13894,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13895,"_213":13892,"_223":13896,"_106":13897,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":13897,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/g5y0vr-robin-butler-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Robin%20Butler%201.jpg",[13898],"Robin%20Butler%201.jpg","160066960",{"_235":13865,"_237":13866,"_239":13865,"_240":13867},{"_163":13900,"_165":13901},"Robin Butler pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm aggravated by involving domestic abuse.",[],{"_163":13773,"_165":13903},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":2740,"_106":2741,"_253":10,"_254":2742},{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":10,"_254":261},{"_235":13908,"_237":13909,"_240":13910},"roisin.gorman@sundayworld.com","Gorman","Roisin",{"_81":13912,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":13913,"_213":13892,"_223":13896,"_106":13897,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":13897,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/g5y0vr-robin-butler-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Robin%20Butler%201.jpg",[13914],{"_235":13865,"_237":13866,"_239":13865,"_240":13867},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":401,"_106":402,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Robin Butler: Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band frontman savagely stamped on woman’s head outside pub",195547581,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":14046,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/down/news/town-aghast-as-spate-of-racist-graffiti-continues-while-councillor-appeals-to-psni/a/160120557.html",[14045],"Town ‘aghast’ as spate of racist graffiti continues while councillor appeals to PSNI",{"_264":14041,"_266":14032,"_267":13923},[14040],[14036,14037,14038,14039],"160120557",{},[],"2026-08-17T18:50:00Z","2026-08-17T18:56:03Z",[13935,13936,13937,13938,13939,13940,13941,13942,13943,13944,13945,13946,13947,13948,13949,13950,13951,13952,13953,13954,13955,13956,13957,13958],{"_140":10,"_141":13934,"_143":10},"b5854cf3-9a27-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":14034,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":14031,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":14024,"_215":14025,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":14021,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":14018,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14015,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14012,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":14009,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14006,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":175,"_212":-5,"_213":13998,"_215":13999,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":13995,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":13992,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":158,"_163":13991,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":13988,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":13985,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":13982,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":13979,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":13976,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":13973,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":13970,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":665,"_356":13966,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":13963,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":13960,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":195,"_106":13959,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":13959,"_233":92},"160140585",{"_163":13961,"_165":13962},"“There is no place in our society for this type of behaviour and police would ask anyone with any information to contact them on 101.” ",[],{"_163":13964,"_165":13965},"The PSNI said: “Police are aware of offensive graffiti which has appeared in recent weeks in the Holywood area. There are currently additional patrols taking place in the area as enquiries continue.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":13967,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":13005,"_106":13968,"_368":369,"_370":13007,"_232":13969,"_233":92},"AgQpNdQIzGWg","1729527","151628940",{"_163":13971,"_165":13972},"“Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome and accepted where they live. There is no place for hatred, racism, intimidation or bigotry in the society we live in.” ",[],{"_163":13974,"_165":13975},"“I think most people living in Holywood would be aghast that this sort of thing is happening — and happening again and again.",[],{"_163":13977,"_165":13978},"He added: “Whoever is doing this speaks to an incredibly small minority.",[],{"_163":13980,"_165":13981},"“I hope it ends soon, and I would like to express to the PSNI the need to stop this soon.” ",[],{"_163":13983,"_165":13984},"“This is not what the community of Holywood supports. People in Holywood cherish living in a mixed, diverse and welcoming society.",[],{"_163":13986,"_165":13987},"He said: “It’s very concerning, this is the third incident of vile and disgusting graffiti in a five-week period.",[],{"_163":13989,"_165":13990},"Mr McRandal praised those who quickly removed the graffiti.",[],"\n",{"_163":13993,"_165":13994},"“She told me she had a mixed race daughter so she was distressed at seeing such an overt and threatening message in a place like Seapark, such a public place where people go to enjoy themselves.” ",[],{"_163":13996,"_165":13997},"Local Alliance councillor Martin McRandal said: “The first person that pointed it out to me was a lady that seemed visibly distressed at seeing it. ",[],"Sectarian and racist graffiti at a Holywood subway",{"_81":14000,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14001,"_213":13998,"_223":14002,"_106":14003,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":14004,"_218":88,"_232":14003,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/fh1rcg-file870zunllc5j1me1eleom/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_6122.JPG",[14005],"bt_kscott_2025_6122.JPG","159640664","sectarian and racist graffiti that has appeared at a Holywood subway linking Strand Avenue with the coastal path",{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_163":14007,"_165":14008},"The most recent graffiti was discovered by a group of volunteers doing a beach clean-up on Sunday. ",[],{"_163":14010,"_165":14011},"The month before slogans including ‘White Power’, ‘N**s Out’ and ‘Enoch was Right’ were sprayed at Seapark Promenade.",[],{"_163":14013,"_165":14014},"On August 5, sectarian, anti-Semitic and anti-migration messages were sprayed at Strand Avenue subway in the town.",[],{"_163":14016,"_165":14017},"It comes as police continue to investigate two other incidents of offensive graffiti in the area. ",[],{"_163":14019,"_165":14020},"‘Blacks Out’ was sprayed on a pathway in Seapark over the weekend. The PSNI is treating it as a hate crime. ",[],{"_163":14022,"_165":14023},"Police are operating additional patrols after a third incident of racist graffiti in Holywood, Co Down, in five weeks. ",[],"Racist graffiti in Seapark",{"_81":14026,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14027,"_213":14024,"_223":14028,"_106":14029,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14029,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/7qy8yo-3e1e61e4-320e-4f30-ac29-81797103e5d5.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/3e1e61e4-320e-4f30-ac29-81797103e5d5.jpg",[14030],"3e1e61e4-320e-4f30-ac29-81797103e5d5.jpg","160144961",{"_235":4388,"_237":4389,"_239":4388,"_240":4390},{"_163":14032,"_165":14033},"Police operating additional patrols with investigation ongoing",[],{"_163":13923,"_165":14035},[],{"_250":2740,"_106":2741,"_253":8,"_254":2742},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":4388,"_237":4389,"_240":4390},{"_81":14042,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14043,"_213":14024,"_223":14028,"_106":14029,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14029,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/7qy8yo-3e1e61e4-320e-4f30-ac29-81797103e5d5.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3e1e61e4-320e-4f30-ac29-81797103e5d5.jpg",[14044],{"_235":4388,"_237":4389,"_239":4388,"_240":4390},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Holywood: Co Down town ‘aghast’ as spate of racist graffiti continues while councillor appeals to PSNI",195531918,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":14224,"_283":8,"_275":14225,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/the-bigger-the-job-i-had-the-more-i-liked-it-because-i-was-having-more-of-an-impact/a/160111662.html",[14220,14221,14222,14223],"‘The bigger the job I had, the more I liked it because I was having more of an impact’",{"_264":14217,"_266":14203,"_267":14052},[14213],[14207,14208,14209],"160111662",{},[],"2026-08-18T05:12:00Z","2026-08-17T16:28:56Z",[14064,14065,14066,14067,14068,14069,14070,14071,14072,14073,14074,14075,14076,14077,14078,14079,14080,14081,14082,14083,14084,14085,14086,14087,14088,14089,14090,14091,14092,14093,14094],{"_140":10,"_141":14063,"_143":10},"7e8ab940-9a14-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":14205,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":14202,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":14196,"_215":14197,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":14193,"_161":162},{"_155":876,"_157":202,"_356":14187,"_161":878},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14184,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14181,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":14178,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14175,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":14172,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":14169,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":14166,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":14163,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":698,"_356":14157,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":14154,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":14151,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":14148,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":14145,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":14142,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":14139,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":14136,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":14133,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":14130,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":14127,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":14124,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":14121,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":14118,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":14115,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":14107,"_161":162},{"_155":876,"_157":1007,"_356":14101,"_161":878},{"_155":876,"_157":618,"_356":14095,"_161":878},{"_85":878,"_359":14096,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":14097,"_106":14098,"_368":369,"_370":14099,"_232":14100,"_233":92},"XDANmrzAf_6m","00:36:23","1960482","36:23","159402127",{"_85":878,"_359":14102,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":14103,"_106":14104,"_368":369,"_370":14105,"_232":14106,"_233":92},"AJBN87TA6maG","00:42:54","1959896","42:54","159386230",{"_163":14108,"_165":14109},"To help Suzanne’s fundraising efforts, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/suzanne-wylie-3",[14110,14111],{"_85":2073,"_157":880,"_194":14114,"_196":-5},{"_85":192,"_157":544,"_194":193,"_196":14112},{"_198":14113,"_155":200,"_201":8},"https://www.justgiving.com/page/suzanne-wylie-3",92,{"_163":14116,"_165":14117},"Each participant is required to raise £50,000, with Suzanne now at £38,000, with four weeks until the walk starts on September 12. “The business community have been fantastic in supporting that,” she said.",[],{"_163":14119,"_165":14120},"Ms Wylie is also one of a team of businesspeople who are joining a hike from Londonderry, all around the island of Ireland to Mayo, to raise money for the Cancer Fund for Children. There are 25 people taking part in Rory’s Miles to Mayo, with the walk led by former Ireland rugby captain Rory Best. ",[],{"_163":14122,"_165":14123},"“In the hundreds of years that we’ve been in existence, we’d only had two women who were the presidents of NI Chamber — and now we’ve had three in the last five years.”",[],{"_163":14125,"_165":14126},"Her career has spanned a welcome period of growing prominence for women in business and public life. “I’ve personally seen a change, but the statistics tell me that there is still a long way to go. ",[],{"_163":14128,"_165":14129},"She spent 19 months as Jersey chief executive. “It was a really, really fascinating role but difficult as well as one day I could’ve been dealing with a problem in the hospital or with GPs, the next day I could’ve been dealing with a problem with social services and maybe young children, for example. The next day I could’ve been dealing with a problem with the prison.”",[],{"_163":14131,"_165":14132},"“The MTV Europe Awards were absolutely phenomenal but I didn’t get to the actual event in the Odyssey. I was the person who was liaising with the police and MTV themselves, so that if anything went wrong, we were the ones to make the call on what to do. I was sitting at home on a phone most of the time, making sure everything was running smoothly.”",[],{"_163":14134,"_165":14135},"And she was in a senior role at the City Council at pivotal moments, including the opening of Titanic Belfast in 2012, and 2011, when Belfast hosted the MTV Europe Awards. The city’s successful hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann earlier this month echoed those years, she said.",[],{"_163":14137,"_165":14138},"But she told Cathy she had not set out to net the top job from those early days. “The bigger the jobs that I took on at the time, the more I really liked that because I could see that it was really having more impact.”",[],{"_163":14140,"_165":14141},"“We had to work in the abattoir for a while inspecting all the animals and we had to clear out hoarders’ homes. In those days, you had to tuck your trousers into your socks to make sure you didn’t get bites from fleas and those kind of things.” ",[],{"_163":14143,"_165":14144},"Working as an EHO meant immersion in many aspects of city life, she said. “It was the middle of the Troubles and I had to go into all parts of the city and got used to being asked who I was, and very soon my car got known because I was going into all parts of Belfast.",[],{"_163":14146,"_165":14147},"Before becoming Chamber chief in 2023, Ms Wylie worked for 19 months as chief executive of the government of Jersey. Between 2014 and 2022, she was chief executive of Belfast City Council, after joining the local authority as an environmental health officer (EHO) in 1988.",[],{"_163":14149,"_165":14150},"“They’re not just in it for themselves, so we need government policies to be aligned with that.” ",[],{"_163":14152,"_165":14153},"She said businesses in Northern Ireland were hungry to succeed. “If you sit in a room with our businesses, our members have always been so resilient and are very positive about the future. And they’re really hungry to make this place and their businesses so successful. ",[],{"_163":14155,"_165":14156},"That included bringing companies in the Northern Ireland aerospace supply chain to North Carolina, where there is a “huge” aerospace industry.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":14158,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":14159,"_106":14160,"_368":369,"_370":14161,"_232":14162,"_233":92},"I6Fp_dJSu6cQ","01:21:00","1635982","1:21","145673333",{"_163":14164,"_165":14165},"“We have North Carolina Chamber coming to visit us with businesses in a few weeks’ time. We picked North Carolina because their growth sectors absolutely match our growth sectors. And some of our companies have formed strategic alliances with some of the bigger companies in the state of North Carolina.”",[],{"_163":14167,"_165":14168},"But she added that the Chamber also helped members embrace opportunities, including selling overseas. To that end, it has forged a partnership with the Chamber in North Carolina in the US.",[],{"_163":14170,"_165":14171},"She said businesses in Northern Ireland were struggling with high costs, including the high costs of labour following an increase in national insurance rates for employers announced in 2024.”",[],{"_163":14173,"_165":14174},"“When you think about Andy Burnham’s government and you think about what he said about “growth in every postcode”, we’re asking him, ‘what about the BT postcode?’",[],{"_163":14176,"_165":14177},"“We want the UK government to see the opportunities that are here, and what we actually stand out for in Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":14179,"_165":14180},"She said it played an important role in voicing the concerns of business at local and national government levels, and would be attending the Labour Party conference in September.",[],{"_163":14182,"_165":14183},"Speaking to Cathy Martin in this week’s episode of podcast In Good Company, Suzanne talked about her career before becoming Chamber chief executive in 2023, and about its role in representing around 1,200 firms of all sizes all over Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":14185,"_165":14186},"The former Manchester mayor promised to deliver “good growth in every postcode” when he became Prime Minister in June.",[],{"_85":878,"_359":14188,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":14189,"_106":14190,"_368":369,"_370":14191,"_232":14192,"_233":92},"2oRlQdWbTu0m","00:37:13","2012862","37:13","160124355",{"_163":14194,"_165":14195},"NI Chamber of Commerce chief Suzanne Wylie has said she will be urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to boost growth “in the BT postcode”.",[],"Suzanne Wylie, chief executive of NI Chamber",{"_81":14198,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14199,"_213":14196,"_223":14200,"_106":14201,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":14196,"_218":88,"_232":14201,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6hmt7n-suzanne-wylie-chief-executive-of-ni-chamber/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/57b0e7d7-466b-4c79-a0a4-5f1f70ccfad2",[],"57b0e7d7-466b-4c79-a0a4-5f1f70ccfad2","130442519",{"_163":14203,"_165":14204},"Suzanne Wylie, NI Chamber chief executive, talks to Cathy Martin about her career and her work with business",[],{"_163":14052,"_165":14206},[],{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":8,"_254":14212},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":10,"_254":32},"business","4262","Business",{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_240":14216},"margaret.canning@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Canning","Margaret",{"_81":14218,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14219,"_213":14196,"_223":14200,"_106":14201,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":14196,"_218":88,"_232":14201,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6hmt7n-suzanne-wylie-chief-executive-of-ni-chamber/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/57b0e7d7-466b-4c79-a0a4-5f1f70ccfad2",[],{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1502,"_106":1503,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":780,"_106":781,"_275":782,"_276":280},"Suzanne Wylie urges Andy Burnham on BT postcode growth in latest In Good Company podcast","NI Chamber's Suzanne Wylie pushes Andy Burnham on BT postcode growth and backs NI firms with US links and charity work. Explore her story and priorities here.",195530096,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/robinson-welcomes-sinn-fein-step-back-from-powersharing-warnings/a/160147103.html",[],"Robinson welcomes Sinn Féin ‘step back’ from powersharing warnings",{"_264":14322,"_266":-5,"_267":14231},[],[14316,14317,14318],"160147103",{},[],"2026-08-17T15:53:18Z","2026-08-17T16:23:28Z",[14244,14245,14246,14247,14248,14249,14250,14251,14252,14253,14254,14255,14256,14257,14258,14259,14260],"By Rebecca Black, Press Association",{"_140":10,"_141":14243,"_143":10},"fab2cc77-9a57-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":14314,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":14312,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":14306,"_215":14307,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":14303,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14300,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14297,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":14294,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14291,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":14288,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":14285,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":14282,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":14279,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":14276,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":14273,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":14270,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":14267,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":14261,"_215":14262,"_161":516,"_218":-5},"First Minister Michelle O’Neill speaking to the media earlier in August (Claudia Savage/PA)",{"_81":14263,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14264,"_213":14261,"_223":14265,"_106":14266,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":11095,"_218":88,"_232":14266,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/uiq04g-michelle-oneill-comments/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/f48b25a8-00bb-4829-adae-bf346e3f09ef",[],"f48b25a8-00bb-4829-adae-bf346e3f09ef","160147105",{"_163":14268,"_165":14269},"“But the answer to that isn’t to walk away, threaten to walk away or throw the dummies out of the pram – it’s to sit down and work, and work hard in everyone’s collective interest.”",[],{"_163":14271,"_165":14272},"“We do want to see good delivery of public services no matter how challenging that is, and that is challenging at times in a multi-party Executive.",[],{"_163":14274,"_165":14275},"“We want to see devolution work. There have been challenges around delivering good government in Northern Ireland. That doesn’t mean that our aspiration for the people of Northern Ireland doesn’t continue.",[],{"_163":14277,"_165":14278},"“That’s positive because nobody across Northern Ireland seemed to think it was beneficial that they were apparently threatening the institutions, were threatening devolution,” he said.",[],{"_163":14280,"_165":14281},"Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Robinson said he welcomed that Sinn Féin “seemed to have stepped back somewhat” from comments made by Mr Murphy outside Hillsborough Castle in July.",[],{"_163":14283,"_165":14284},"The current Assembly was restored in 2020 following a two-year suspension, the latest in a number of occasions that the powersharing institutions have been collapsed.",[],{"_163":14286,"_165":14287},"Fresh Assembly elections are due to take place next year.",[],{"_163":14289,"_165":14290},"The Stormont Executive has yet to agree a budget for the current financial year, with parties around the table calling for further funding from the UK Government.",[],{"_163":14292,"_165":14293},"Since then First Minister Michelle O’Neill has stated that she has “no intention” of bringing down powersharing institutions.",[],{"_163":14295,"_165":14296},"The DUP at the time accused Sinn Féin of “inserting instability” into the situation.",[],{"_163":14298,"_165":14299},"He also stated that the DUP “don’t have the political will to make it work”.",[],{"_163":14301,"_165":14302},"There was fresh speculation round the stability of the devolved institutions following comments by Sinn Féin senator Conor Murphy at the end of July that powersharing was in a “precarious place”.",[],{"_163":14304,"_165":14305},"DUP leader Gavin Robinson has welcomed a “step back” from Sinn Féin over warnings on the state of powersharing government.",[],"DUP leader Gavin Robinson has welcomed an apparent change in Sinn Fein’s position on powersharing (Rebecca 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drive-in cinema experiences get the go-ahead for Belfast’s Boucher Road",{"_264":14456,"_266":14437,"_267":14330},[],[14449,14450,14451,14452],"160142717",{},[],"2026-08-17T16:05:00Z","2026-08-17T16:08:47Z",[14344,14345,14346,14347,14348,14349,14350,14351,14352,14353,14354,14355,14356,14357,14358,14359,14360,14361,14362,14363,14364,14365,14366,14367,14368,14369],"Michael Kenwood",{"_140":10,"_141":14343,"_143":10},"Local Democracy 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report added: “The council will collect a fee for the hire of Boucher Road Playing fields. The promoter shall further pay to the council a social contribution fee which shall equate to 10pc of the overall site fee received. The council will use this by way of investment back into the local community.”",[],{"_163":14376,"_165":14377},"“Whilst the work to develop the site is ongoing, all decisions around current use of the playing fields will be taken on a case-by-case basis.”",[],{"_163":14379,"_165":14380},"“Members are aware of the (committee) decision to return Boucher Road Playing Fields to full playing pitch provision. ",[],{"_163":14382,"_165":14383},"“Officers have already carried out checks with Companies House and early meetings and site visits with the organisers have been very constructive. ",[],{"_163":14385,"_165":14386},"The council report said: “This proposed event will be the first time that CinePark Limited has held an event with Belfast City Council, so council officers will carry out additional due diligence when planning and regulating this event. ",[],{"_163":14388,"_165":14389},"The primary regular drive-in cinema near Belfast is at Let’s Go Hydro in Carryduff.",[],{"_163":14391,"_165":14392},"A drive-in cinema event was last held at Boucher Road Playing Fields in December 2020, featuring screenings of The Grinch and Elf as part of a Belfast City Council Peace IV initiative.",[],{"_163":14394,"_165":14395},"Belfast’s most recent temporary drive-in cinema was hosted at the Titanic Slipways by the Belfast Film Festival. ",[],"159902932",{"_163":14398,"_165":14399},"The playing fields are well known as a concert venue — singer Lewis Capaldi will play at the venue this Thursday. It has also hosted Belsonic and Tennent’s Vital festivals.",[],{"_163":14401,"_165":14402},"“The platform ensures quick installation and removal as no structure has to be built. An FM radio transmitter will be used to broadcast the audio for the movies directly to each car radio.”",[],{"_163":14404,"_165":14405},"“The event organiser will be using a 7×4 metre LED screen that comes on a trailer platform with a hydraulic system to raise the screen. ",[],{"_163":14407,"_165":14408},"“CinePark Limited will be solely responsible for acquiring and maintaining all appropriate movie licences, rights, etc for all the titles that will be shown.",[],{"_163":14410,"_165":14411},"“It’s likely to be themed very much around Christmas and the festive time of year and will give families something very different to do. ",[],{"_163":14413,"_165":14414},"“The event organiser has scheduled a variety of movies to accommodate a wide audience demographic ranging from families with young children and teenagers, young couples through to a maturer audience.",[],{"_163":14416,"_165":14417},"The council report for the people and communities committee said: “The event organiser expects between 150 and 250 cars to attend the event per day split across different showings at different times of the day. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":14419,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":14420,"_106":14421,"_368":369,"_370":14422,"_232":14423,"_233":92},"JQZt-vELbqcm","02:07:00","2011147","2:07","160102850",{"_163":14425,"_165":14426},"All tickets will be sold via the CinePark website, but the council said it will also take payment on site if required. There will be food vendors and stalls at the event, selling popcorn, confectionery, drinks and slushies. ",[],{"_163":14428,"_165":14429},"CinePark will run a ticketing system where one car will buy only one ticket regardless of the number of people in the vehicle. Standard tickets will cost £20, with premium £25.",[],{"_163":14431,"_165":14432},"The film programme was not announced during the meeting.",[],{"_163":14434,"_165":14435},"A Belfast City Council committee has approved a request from CinePark Limited to host the movies. ",[],{"_163":14437,"_165":14438},"A series of outdoor drive-in cinema experiences has been approved for Boucher Road Playing Fields this December.",[],"A Belfast City Council committee has approved a request from CinePark Limited to host the movies at the playing fields",{"_81":14441,"_212":4788,"_220":395,"_97":14442,"_213":14439,"_223":14443,"_106":14444,"_226":227,"_228":4788,"_230":14445,"_218":88,"_232":14444,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/i98awy-121272159.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/121272159.JPG",[14446],"121272159.JPG","132695131","Scenes like this at Boucher Road Playing Fields may be coming to an end.",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":14330,"_165":14448},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":14453,"_106":14454,"_253":10,"_254":14455},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":383,"_106":384,"_253":10,"_254":385},"entertainment_film-tv","4348","Film and 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site",195516906,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/man-takes-court-action-over-silence-on-prosecution-of-ex-ruc-officer-for-wifes-attempted-murder/a/160140585.html",[14574],"Man takes court action over ‘silence’ on prosecution of ex-RUC officer for wife’s attempted murder",{"_264":14570,"_266":14554,"_267":14474},[],[14566,14567,14568,14569],{},[],"2026-08-17T15:45:00Z","2026-08-17T15:43:40Z",[14486,14487,14488,14489,14490,14491,14492,14493,14494,14495,14496,14497,14498,14499,14500,14501,14502,14503,14504],"Alan Erwin",{"_140":10,"_141":14485,"_143":10},"20955bd1-9a4b-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":14564,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":14556,"_213":14557,"_215":14558,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":14553,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":14550,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14547,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14544,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":14541,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14538,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":14535,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":14532,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":14529,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":14526,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":14523,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":14520,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":14517,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":14514,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":14511,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":14508,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":14505,"_161":162},{"_163":14506,"_165":14507},"Mr Winters added: “That silence offends the rights of conflict-bereaved to be kept up to date on what’s happening with a Troubles investigation.” ",[],{"_163":14509,"_165":14510},"“The McShane family deserves better than to be left in the dark like this.”",[],{"_163":14512,"_165":14513},"Mr McShane’s solicitor, Kevin Winters, stated: “It is unacceptable that the Police Ombudsman announced the prosecution of an ex-RUC officer, only to be followed by 18 months of silence from the PPS.",[],{"_163":14515,"_165":14516},"The challenge is expected to proceed to a full hearing in November.",[],{"_163":14518,"_165":14519},"In an affidavit provided as part of the case, he claimed there has been a lack of engagement with family members during the process.",[],{"_163":14521,"_165":14522},"Mr McShane now alleges an ongoing delay in providing reasonable information about any prosecutorial decisions related to the attempted murder of his late wife has breached his legitimate expectation and a charter for victims.",[],{"_163":14524,"_165":14525},"Although specific incidents related to the charges were not disclosed, one newspaper report named a suspect and referred to the Step Inn bombing.",[],{"_163":14527,"_165":14528},"In March last year it emerged that an ex-policeman is to be prosecuted for offences including murder and conspiracy to murder in connection with the probe into the Glenanne Gang.",[],{"_163":14530,"_165":14531},"They claim subsequent requests for the authority to provide more information on any decision to bring charges against the suspect were declined for legal reasons.",[],{"_163":14533,"_165":14534},"Lawyers for Mr McShane contend the watchdog body sent a file to the PPS back in 2022, recommending that a former RUC officer should be prosecuted for offences relating to the Step Inn attack.",[],{"_163":14536,"_165":14537},"Proceedings centre on decisions taken since the Police Ombudsman completed an investigation into the activities of the Glenanne Gang, a notorious UVF unit responsible for more than 100 murders across mid Ulster and south Armagh during the 1970s.",[],{"_163":14539,"_165":14540},"Papers lodged at the High Court in Belfast allege the authority has acted irrationality and in breach of his human rights.",[],{"_163":14542,"_165":14543},"Her husband, Matthew McShane, has now issued judicial review proceedings against the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) claiming an unlawful failure to provide information about the status of any charges against the ex-RUC officer.",[],{"_163":14545,"_165":14546},"Mrs McShane, who also suffered other injuries, including having a piece of metal shrapnel lodged in her brain, died in 2022.",[],{"_163":14548,"_165":14549},"Two Catholic civilians, Elizabeth McDonald (38) and Gerard McGleenan (22) were killed during the no-warning blast in August 1976.",[],{"_163":14551,"_165":14552},"Maria McShane lost an eye after being caught up in the attack on the Step Inn bar in Keady, Co Armagh, exactly 50 years ago.",[],{"_163":14554,"_165":14555},"A man whose wife was seriously wounded in a loyalist pub bombing has launched High Court action over the alleged silence surrounding any decision to prosecute a former RUC officer for her attempted murder. ",[],"mhie-beltel-online Administrator","Stock image of the Royal Courts of Justice where the High Court and the Court of Appeal sit in Belfast, Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_81":14559,"_212":14556,"_220":395,"_97":14560,"_213":14557,"_223":14561,"_106":14562,"_226":227,"_228":14556,"_230":14557,"_218":88,"_232":14562,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/a6ev31-file85txdpx5xvpblt50eo7/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Stock_image_of_the_Royal_Courts_of_Justice_where_the_High_Court_and_the_Court_of_Appeal_sit_in_Belfa.jpg",[14563],"Stock_image_of_the_Royal_Courts_of_Justice_where_the_High_Court_and_the_Court_of_Appeal_sit_in_Belfa.jpg","152128745",{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_163":14474,"_165":14565},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":3178,"_106":3179,"_253":10,"_254":3180},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_81":14571,"_212":14556,"_220":395,"_97":14572,"_213":14557,"_223":14561,"_106":14562,"_226":227,"_228":14556,"_230":14557,"_218":88,"_232":14562,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/a6ev31-file85txdpx5xvpblt50eo7/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Stock_image_of_the_Royal_Courts_of_Justice_where_the_High_Court_and_the_Court_of_Appeal_sit_in_Belfa.jpg",[14573],{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_250":8800,"_106":8801,"_275":8802,"_276":280},195514178,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/trainee-teachers-unfairly-excluded-from-new-bursary-scheme-call-for-it-to-be-extended/a/159862130.html",[14721,14722,14723],"Trainee teachers ‘unfairly’ excluded from new bursary scheme call for it to be extended",{"_264":14717,"_266":14708,"_267":14580},[14716],[14712,14713,14714,14715],"159862130",{},[],"2026-08-17T15:30:00Z","2026-08-17T15:35:20Z",[14592,14593,14594,14595,14596,14597,14598,14599,14600,14601,14602,14603,14604,14605,14606,14607,14608,14609,14610,14611,14612,14613,14614,14615,14616,14617,14618,14619],{"_140":10,"_141":14591,"_143":10},"233e134c-9557-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":14710,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":14707,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":1436,"_213":14698,"_215":14699,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":14695,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":14692,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14689,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14686,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":183,"_586":14678,"_588":14679,"_590":-5,"_592":14680,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14675,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":14672,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":14669,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":14666,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":14663,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":698,"_356":14657,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":14654,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":14651,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":14648,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":14645,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":14642,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":14639,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":14638,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":14638,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":14635,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":14632,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":14629,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":650,"_106":11487,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11487,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":14626,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":14623,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":14620,"_161":162},{"_163":14621,"_165":14622},"“Funding is not available to extend the scheme to current undergraduate students and doing so would not increase the number of new entrants to teacher education.”",[],{"_163":14624,"_165":14625},"The Department of Education said: “We face significant financial challenges. The bursary scheme is designed specifically to attract more student teachers into subjects with the greatest teacher shortages.",[],{"_163":14627,"_165":14628},"Under the scheme, PGCE students in the selected subjects receive a combined bursary of £17,000 per annum, which includes £1,000 per month for living costs and full coverage of tuition fees. Bachelor of Education (BEd) undergraduate students will receive a tuition fee bursary covering the full cost of fees for each of the four years of study.",[],{"_163":14630,"_165":14631},"“The additional support for initial teacher education is another step in the right direction and one that I hope will bring about positive, impactful change for schools. By investing in our teachers, we are investing in the future of our children and young people.”",[],{"_163":14633,"_165":14634},"Education Minister Paul Givan added: “By supporting teacher recruitment in these vital subjects, we are safeguarding the future in STEM education and ensuring our young people have access to the full breadth of learning opportunities, regardless of the school they attend.",[],{"_163":14636,"_165":14637},"Announcing the bursary scheme last September, the Department said “it will be introduced to incentivise high-calibre undergraduates and postgraduates to pursue teaching careers in subjects where recruitment challenges are most acute in Northern Ireland. These subjects are mathematics, chemistry, physics, computing, technology & design and Irish-medium education”.",[],"159899272",{"_163":14640,"_165":14641},"“Our proposed solution... has secured formal endorsement across the political spectrum... alongside the INTO teaching union and both college principals.”",[],{"_163":14643,"_165":14644},"“Taxpayers have already invested up to £5.76m (£48,000 per student) training this specific cohort. Forcing trainees to drop out or emigrate over a tuition billing hold during an acute STEM shortage represents an extraordinary waste of public capital.",[],{"_163":14646,"_165":14647},"“We have formally requested that college finance departments place a temporary administrative hold on tuition fee collection while Stormont budget discussions continue. ",[],{"_163":14649,"_165":14650},"“We’re now calling on the minister to reconsider the scheme. If the bursary is intended to support Northern Ireland’s future teachers, it should also benefit those who have already made the decision to enter the profession.",[],{"_163":14652,"_165":14653},"“While one in five secondary schools is currently forced to drop or restrict STEM subjects due to catastrophic recruitment shortages, our cohort — the immediate, qualified pipeline to fill those classrooms — is facing exclusion from the Department of Education’s Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Bursary framework.",[],{"_163":14655,"_165":14656},"“Postgraduate teacher training routes already attract bursaries, potentially encouraging some students to leave undergraduate teaching programmes in favour of qualifying through postgraduate study instead.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":14658,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":14659,"_106":14660,"_368":369,"_370":14661,"_232":14662,"_233":92},"vIIIC9FAS-WQ","02:44:00","2000638","2:44","159983994",{"_163":14664,"_165":14665},"“Many affected students say the decision leaves them feeling undervalued. It creates an unfair divide between future and current teacher trainees. ",[],{"_163":14667,"_165":14668},"“We are not seeking backdated payments for years they already completed, but are asking for the bursary to be extended to cover the years remaining on courses.",[],{"_163":14670,"_165":14671},"A spokesperson said: “We estimate it would cost around £1.2m to include those already enrolled, a relatively small figure compared with the Department of Education’s recent £10.7m investment in AI licences for teachers.",[],{"_163":14673,"_165":14674},"While the bursary will support new students in priority subjects such as mathematics and technology, around 120 current students in both colleges will receive no financial support despite studying the same courses and entering the same profession.",[],{"_163":14676,"_165":14677},"They argued the bursary was causing many current student teachers to consider their career choice.",[],{"_163":14684,"_165":14685},{"_163":14682,"_165":14683},{"_163":88,"_165":14681},[],"Student spokesperson",[],"Many affected students say the decision leaves them feeling undervalued — it creates an unfair divide between future and current teacher trainees",[],{"_163":14687,"_165":14688},"A joint delegation representing around 120 post-primary mathematics and technology trainees approached the department with a plan which would see current students benefit also — but this has been rejected.",[],{"_163":14690,"_165":14691},"But students who have already started their courses will not be eligible for the financial support.",[],{"_163":14693,"_165":14694},"New trainees at Stranmillis and St Mary’s Colleges are to benefit from a bursary scheme aimed at encouraging more young people into the profession.",[],{"_163":14696,"_165":14697},"Students at our two main teaching colleges are to write to the Department of Education over what they believe is an unfair advantage being given to those just about to start their courses.",[],"College students in classroom",{"_81":14700,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":14701,"_213":14698,"_223":14702,"_106":14703,"_226":227,"_228":14704,"_230":14705,"_218":88,"_232":14703,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/t9xsrq-123345094.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/123345094.JPG",[14706],"123345094.JPG","159948629","Getty Images/iStockphoto","Group of college students with teacher in a classroom.",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":14708,"_165":14709},"Undergraduates at Stranmillis and St Mary’s Colleges unite to urge rethink over financial incentive",[],{"_163":14580,"_165":14711},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":9167,"_106":9168,"_253":10,"_254":9169},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_240":2406},{"_81":14718,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":14719,"_213":14698,"_223":14702,"_106":14703,"_226":227,"_228":14704,"_230":14705,"_218":88,"_232":14703,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/t9xsrq-123345094.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/123345094.JPG",[14720],{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_250":9177,"_106":9178,"_275":9179,"_276":280},{"_250":9183,"_106":9184,"_275":9185,"_276":280},{"_250":9552,"_106":9553,"_275":9554,"_276":280},195511547,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dup-mp-jim-shannon-to-face-criminal-proceedings-over-assault-on-woman/a/160143411.html",[],"DUP MP Jim Shannon to face criminal proceedings over assault on woman",{"_264":14800,"_266":-5,"_267":14729},[],[14798,14799],"160143411",{},[],"2026-08-17T15:22:01Z","2026-08-17T15:27:29Z",[14742,14743,14744,14745,14746,14747,14748,14749,14750,14751,14752,14753,14754],"By Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association",{"_140":10,"_141":14741,"_143":10},"28b2befe-9a50-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":14796,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":14794,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":14788,"_215":14789,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":14785,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14782,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14779,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":14776,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14773,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":14770,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":14767,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":14764,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":14761,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":698,"_212":-5,"_213":14755,"_215":14756,"_161":516,"_218":-5},"DUP leader Gavin Robinson speaks to media at Belfast City Hall on Monday afternoon, after it emerged that Strangford MP Jim Shannon is set to face criminal proceedings over the alleged assault of a woman. (Rebecca Black/PA)",{"_81":14757,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14758,"_213":14755,"_223":14759,"_106":14760,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14760,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/f40buv-3e79d385-b62e-4298-8a41-5a2d76870e29-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-c5cc655e-8e01-4bf8-9a37-658feef0533f-embedded12285081.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/54143d64-cc5a-448e-9c95-6edffd16a033",[],"54143d64-cc5a-448e-9c95-6edffd16a033","160143415",{"_163":14762,"_165":14763},"Shannon has been the party’s MP for Strangford since 2010.",[],{"_163":14765,"_165":14766},"“It is a matter that is going to have to be determined by the courts, and from that perspective I am not going to either prejudge or add any further detail at the moment.”",[],{"_163":14768,"_165":14769},"“From a party perspective, whilst we commenced internal proceedings, we suspended them once we were aware that the courts were now involved,” he said.",[],{"_163":14771,"_165":14772},"Speaking to the media in Belfast, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said his party “became aware of this issue over two years ago”, describing a “private dispute” within a family.",[],{"_163":14774,"_165":14775},"The case was adjourned until September 1.",[],{"_163":14777,"_165":14778},"Strangford MP Shannon, 71, with an address at the DUP office in Frances Street in the town, did not attend the hearing.",[],{"_163":14780,"_165":14781},"The case was mentioned on Monday at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court.",[],{"_163":14783,"_165":14784},"The offence is alleged to have occurred on October 1 2023.",[],{"_163":14786,"_165":14787},"DUP MP Jim Shannon is facing court proceedings over a charge of assaulting a woman.",[],"Strangford MP Jim Shannon (House of Commons/PA)",{"_81":14790,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14791,"_213":14788,"_223":14792,"_106":14793,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14793,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/kvahw1-3e79d385-b62e-4298-8a41-5a2d76870e29-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-c5cc655e-8e01-4bf8-9a37-658feef0533f-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/83716ca5-e2e9-42b3-a975-55a9c69d26ac",[],"83716ca5-e2e9-42b3-a975-55a9c69d26ac","160143414",{"_163":88,"_165":14795},[],{"_163":14729,"_165":14797},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":14319,"_106":14320,"_253":10,"_254":14321},{"_81":14801,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14802,"_213":14788,"_223":14792,"_106":14793,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14793,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/kvahw1-3e79d385-b62e-4298-8a41-5a2d76870e29-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-c5cc655e-8e01-4bf8-9a37-658feef0533f-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/83716ca5-e2e9-42b3-a975-55a9c69d26ac",[],195509819,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":14927,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/east-belfast/news/new-fitness-and-padel-hub-to-open-in-east-belfast-following-1.5m-investment/a/160138931.html",[14926],"New fitness and padel hub to open in east Belfast following £1.5m investment",{"_264":14922,"_266":14911,"_267":14808},[14921],[14915,14916,14917,14918,14919,14920],"160138931",{},[],"2026-08-17T15:20:00Z","2026-08-17T15:22:24Z",[14820,14821,14822,14823,14824,14825,14826,14827,14828,14829,14830,14831,14832,14833,14834,14835,14836,14837,14838,14839,14840,14841],{"_140":10,"_141":14819,"_143":10},"8ab3d54e-9a48-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":14913,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":14910,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":14903,"_215":14904,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":14900,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":14897,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14894,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14891,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":14888,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14885,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":14882,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":-5,"_213":14875,"_215":14876,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":14872,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":14869,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":14866,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":14863,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":685,"_356":14856,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":14853,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":14850,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":14847,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":14844,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":14843,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":14843,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":661,"_106":14842,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":14842,"_233":92},"160131784","150266528",{"_163":14845,"_165":14846},"“That’s exactly the kind of atmosphere we want to build in Belfast, and we can’t wait to welcome people through the doors.”",[],{"_163":14848,"_165":14849},"“We’ve seen first-hand how quickly communities grow around the sport. People come to play once, then bring friends, colleagues and family members back with them. ",[],{"_163":14851,"_165":14852},"Mr McGlade continued: “What makes padel so special is that it removes many of the barriers people associate with racket sports. You don’t need years of coaching to enjoy it, and within a short time, complete beginners can have long, competitive rallies and a brilliant social experience.",[],{"_163":14854,"_165":14855},"A number of planning applications are currently underway as part of a rapid expansion of the sport.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":14857,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":14858,"_365":14859,"_106":14860,"_368":369,"_370":14861,"_232":14862,"_233":92},"oQsMy9yJIaAW","Watch: Cast of Blue Lights try Padel Tennis at Belfast Boat Club","00:00:39","566314","00:39","112139191",{"_163":14864,"_165":14865},"Padel has seen a meteoric rise since Covid and has resulted in at least 20 courts being introduced to Northern Ireland since 2023.",[],{"_163":14867,"_165":14868},"“While padel remains at the heart of the club, we’ve created a destination where people can train, take a Pilates or yoga class, enjoy a workout, recover in the wellness facilities, catch up with friends over coffee and make a visit part of their daily routine rather than simply coming for a game and heading home.”",[],{"_163":14870,"_165":14871},"“From the outset, we’ve wanted to build somewhere people genuinely enjoy spending time. ",[],{"_163":14873,"_165":14874},"“Bringing House of Padel to Belfast is a huge milestone for us and the next step in our ambition to create premium sports, wellness and social clubs that bring people together through movement, community and great experiences,” he said.",[],"Will McGlade",{"_81":14877,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14878,"_213":14875,"_223":14879,"_106":14880,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14880,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6as4v4-house-of-padel-2.jpeg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/House%20of%20padel%202.jpeg",[14881],"House%20of%20padel%202.jpeg","160139125",{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_239":3195,"_240":3197},{"_163":14883,"_165":14884},"Founder of the Irish company, Will McGlade, said that the east Belfast “felt like the perfect location” for their newest centre.",[],{"_163":14886,"_165":14887},"House of Padel launched its first facility in the summer of 2024 in Dublin.",[],{"_163":14889,"_165":14890},"The 33,000 sq ft site was devised by Belfast-based designer Lara Wood and will create 15 new jobs.",[],{"_163":14892,"_165":14893},"Based off the Woodstock Road, health and fitness amenities at the new club will also include a weights room, sauna, food bar and yoga studio. ",[],{"_163":14895,"_165":14896},"It will feature six double padel courts, three pickleball courts and two single padel courts.",[],{"_163":14898,"_165":14899},"House of Padel, named after the racket game which is regarded as one of the world’s fastest growing sports, will open its doors at the end of September. ",[],{"_163":14901,"_165":14902},"A new sports and wellness club is set to open in east Belfast following a £1.5m investment.",[],"Will McGlade, founder and managing director of House of Padel, in the new site",{"_81":14905,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14906,"_213":14903,"_223":14907,"_106":14908,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14908,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2ebj2o-house-of-padel-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/House%20of%20padel%201.jpg",[14909],"House%20of%20padel%201.jpg","160139164",{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_239":3195,"_240":3197},{"_163":14911,"_165":14912},"15 new jobs will be created at the site",[],{"_163":14808,"_165":14914},[],{"_250":2291,"_106":2292,"_253":8,"_254":2293},{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":10,"_254":14212},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_240":3197},{"_81":14923,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":14924,"_213":14903,"_223":14907,"_106":14908,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":14908,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2ebj2o-house-of-padel-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/House%20of%20padel%201.jpg",[14925],{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_239":3195,"_240":3197},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"House of Padel: New fitness and padel hub to open in east Belfast following £1.5m investment",195482223,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/man-arrested-after-alleged-assault-on-israeli-tv-crew-in-belfast/a/160135620.html",[],"Man arrested after alleged assault on Israeli TV crew in Belfast",{"_264":15008,"_266":-5,"_267":14933},[],[15007],"160135620",{},[],"2026-08-17T13:50:20Z","2026-08-17T13:56:58Z",[14946,14947,14948,14949,14950,14951,14952,14953,14954,14955,14956,14957,14958,14959,14960],"By Claudia Savage, Press Association",{"_140":10,"_141":14945,"_143":10},"835cf6ab-9a43-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15005,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":15003,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":14997,"_215":14998,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":14994,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":14991,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":14988,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":14985,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":14982,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":14979,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":14976,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":14973,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":14970,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":14967,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":14964,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":14961,"_161":162},{"_163":14962,"_165":14963},"All charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.",[],{"_163":14965,"_165":14966},"The PSNI said a man had been charged with a number of offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, assault on police and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.",[],{"_163":14968,"_165":14969},"“There must be no place for antisemitism or any form of intimidation on our streets.”",[],{"_163":14971,"_165":14972},"“If this attack was motivated by antisemitism, it must be recognised and condemned unequivocally.",[],{"_163":14974,"_165":14975},"“Belfast should be a city where journalists from anywhere in the world can work without fear of assault because of who they are or where they come from.",[],{"_163":14977,"_165":14978},"“Northern Ireland knows only too well where hatred based on identity can lead.",[],{"_163":14980,"_165":14981},"“People are entitled to hold strong views about the Middle East but that can never become a licence for hatred or violence against Israeli or Jewish people.",[],{"_163":14983,"_165":14984},"“The circumstances of this incident, including its motivation, must be fully investigated by the PSNI. I will be drawing this matter to the attention of the police.",[],{"_163":14986,"_165":14987},"“There can be absolutely no justification for violence or intimidation directed towards journalists because they are Israeli or Jewish.",[],{"_163":14989,"_165":14990},"In a statement, Mr Robinson said: “A cameraman was reportedly struck on the head with a glass after the crew’s nationality became known.",[],{"_163":14992,"_165":14993},"DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the allegations are “deeply concerning” and the motive behind the incident must be investigated by the PSNI.",[],{"_163":14995,"_165":14996},"A 30-year-old man has been arrested amid reports an Israeli TV crew was assaulted in Belfast.",[],"Police have said a man was charged with a number of offences (Niall Carson/PA)",{"_81":14999,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15000,"_213":14997,"_223":15001,"_106":15002,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15002,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/e3taok-1a65ef5e-8c0c-4f00-bb1f-c5a5d1c2d792-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-d83b2931-6970-4d9c-8e30-3903ccbbe01b-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/8b8ec9f5-4ea6-4992-b104-7f6c532f303c",[],"8b8ec9f5-4ea6-4992-b104-7f6c532f303c","160135621",{"_163":88,"_165":15004},[],{"_163":14933,"_165":15006},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_81":15009,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15010,"_213":14997,"_223":15001,"_106":15002,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15002,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/e3taok-1a65ef5e-8c0c-4f00-bb1f-c5a5d1c2d792-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-d83b2931-6970-4d9c-8e30-3903ccbbe01b-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/8b8ec9f5-4ea6-4992-b104-7f6c532f303c",[],195481405,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":15141,"_283":8,"_275":15142,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/dobbies-to-close-antrim-store-with-43-jobs-hit-as-centres-new-owner-starts-revamp/a/160131784.html",[15140],"Dobbies to close Antrim store with 43 jobs hit as centre’s new owner starts revamp",{"_264":15136,"_266":15119,"_267":15016},[15135],[15130,15131,15132,15133,15134],{},[],"2026-08-17T14:00:00Z","2026-08-17T13:54:01Z",[15027,15028,15029,15030,15031,15032,15033,15034,15035,15036,15037,15038,15039,15040,15041,15042,15043,15044,15045,15046,15047,15048,15049,15050,15051,15052,15053],{"_140":10,"_141":15026,"_143":10},"754f26dd-9a3d-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15128,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":15121,"_215":15122,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":15118,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15115,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15112,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":15111,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":15111,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":15108,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15105,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15102,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15099,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":167,"_106":15098,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":15098,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":15095,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":15092,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":15089,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":15086,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":15082,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":15079,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":673,"_356":15078,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":15074,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":15071,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":15068,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":15065,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":15062,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":15059,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":15056,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":15055,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":15055,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":633,"_106":15054,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":15054,"_233":92},"157574071","160022319",{"_163":15057,"_165":15058},"“Northern Ireland remains important to Dobbies, and we are committed to serving customers in the region. We will be investing significantly in our Lisburn garden centre over the coming months, with improvements planned for the restaurant, store facilities, product range and overall customer experience.”",[],{"_163":15060,"_165":15061},"“Over the past year, we have invested around £6m across our store estate, and we continue to invest in our centres as part of our growth strategy, which is delivering positive results.",[],{"_163":15063,"_165":15064},"The spokesperson said the decision related just to the Antrim site “and does not reflect Dobbies’ wider business performance”. ",[],{"_163":15066,"_165":15067},"“We recognise this will be difficult news for our Antrim colleagues. Our immediate priority is supporting everyone affected by this change, and we will explore redeployment opportunities and individual support options for colleagues.”",[],{"_163":15069,"_165":15070},"“We are grateful for the support of The Junction, Lotus Property and Frasers Group throughout our time at the outlet and wish them every success with the redevelopment. We would also like to thank our customers and the local community for their support over the past three years.",[],{"_163":15072,"_165":15073},"“Since opening in 2023, Dobbies has worked closely with The Junction to establish a garden centre in a unique destination better known for outlet retail. The store has built a loyal customer base, and we are proud of what has been achieved.",[],{"_163":15075,"_165":15076},"A spokesperson for Dobbies said: “Dobbies will close its Antrim garden centre at the end of October following the decision by its new landlord, Frasers Group, to redevelop the site for new retail and leisure uses.",[15077],{"_85":6843,"_157":618,"_194":242,"_196":-5},{"_85":358,"_359":8722,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":8723,"_106":8724,"_368":369,"_370":8725,"_232":8726,"_233":92},{"_163":15080,"_165":15081},"“This decision reflects the exciting next phase for The Junction, as new plans are developed to enhance the scheme for the benefit of shoppers, businesses and the wider community. We look forward to sharing more on this in due course and seeing The Junction continue to thrive as a retail and leisure destination.”",[],{"_163":15083,"_165":15084},"Alastair Coulson, managing director at Lotus Property, said: “Over the past three years, Dobbies has been a hugely valued presence at The Junction, and we are grateful for everything they have brought to the scheme and to the Antrim community.",[15085],{"_85":6843,"_157":479,"_194":242,"_196":-5},{"_163":15087,"_165":15088},"The scheme has also welcomed new operators including Murdock Builders Merchants, chicken chain Popeyes, Blether & Brew café and cafe chain Greggs.",[],{"_163":15090,"_165":15091},"It had also re-signed long-standing tenant Next, with other major names like Nike, Asics, Mountain Warehouse, Tresspass, Starbucks and Omniplex Cinema continuing their businesses on site.",[],{"_163":15093,"_165":15094},"It said the retail park was continuing to performing strongly, and had ended 2025 with an 11pc increase in turnover.",[],{"_163":15096,"_165":15097},"A spokesperson said Lotus Property was focused on ensuring The Junction continues “as one of Northern Ireland’s leading retail and leisure destinations”.",[],"154997801",{"_163":15100,"_165":15101},"However, Lotus Property continues to work on The Junction as asset managers.",[],{"_163":15103,"_165":15104},"The Junction, along with The Boulevard in Co Down, were acquired by Frasers Group from Lotus Property in a deal announced in June.",[],{"_163":15106,"_165":15107},"They said 43 people were employed at the store, with jobs being “affected” rather than lost. They added: “We are engaging with those affected and our priority is to support them, including exploring redeployment opportunities with Dobbies and The Junction where possible.”",[],{"_163":15109,"_165":15110},"A spokesperson for The Junction said the new owner was proceeding with plans to develop the retail and leisure offering at the site.",[],"159689042",{"_163":15113,"_165":15114},"It was described as Dobbies’ biggest store in the UK when it opened at The Junction in October 2023.",[],{"_163":15116,"_165":15117},"Dobbies said it will close its store at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim at the end of October after it was given notice by Frasers Group.",[],{"_163":15119,"_165":15120},"More than 40 jobs have been hit after Frasers Group terminated the tenancy of garden centre chain Dobbies at a Co Antrim retail park.",[],"Dobbies is shutting its store at The Junction in Antrim after being served with notice by landlord Frasers Group",{"_81":15123,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15124,"_213":15121,"_223":15125,"_106":15126,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15126,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ya2lhn-dobbies.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/dobbies.jpg",[15127],"dobbies.jpg","160132773",{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_239":14214,"_240":14216},{"_163":15016,"_165":15129},[],{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":8,"_254":14212},{"_250":1158,"_106":1159,"_253":10,"_254":1160},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_240":14216},{"_81":15137,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15138,"_213":15121,"_223":15125,"_106":15126,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15126,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ya2lhn-dobbies.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/dobbies.jpg",[15139],{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_239":14214,"_240":14216},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"The Junction: Dobbies to close Antrim retail park store as centre’s new owner starts revamp","Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has terminated the tenancy of garden centre chain Dobbies at a Co Antrim retail park.",195471161,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ni-health-trusts-accelerate-drive-to-cut-agency-staff-use/a/160132136.html",[],"NI health trusts accelerate drive to cut agency staff use",{"_264":15234,"_266":-5,"_267":15148},[],[15233],"160132136",{},[],"2026-08-17T13:03:28Z","2026-08-17T13:17:54Z",[15160,15161,15162,15163,15164,15165,15166,15167,15168,15169,15170,15171,15172,15173,15174,15175,15176],{"_140":10,"_141":15159,"_143":10},"0e7674f6-9a3e-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15231,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":15229,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":15223,"_215":15224,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15220,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15217,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":15214,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":15211,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15208,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15205,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15202,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":15199,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":15196,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":15193,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":15190,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":15187,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":15184,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":15177,"_215":15178,"_161":516,"_218":-5},"Northern Ireland’s health and social care trusts are aiming to accelerate plans to tackle the ‘unsustainable’ use of agency staff (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_81":15179,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15180,"_213":15177,"_223":15181,"_106":15182,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":15183,"_218":88,"_232":15182,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/3o38hc-coronavirus-mon-nov-16-2020/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/24ddfca3-1203-4a39-9fa7-ffc510df6301",[],"24ddfca3-1203-4a39-9fa7-ffc510df6301","160132141","Sign for the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care (HSC) building on Linenhall Street in Belfast.",{"_163":15185,"_165":15186},"Trusts are aiming to stabilise the workforce through recruitment, retention and workforce planning initiatives and strengthening internal staff bank arrangements.",[],{"_163":15188,"_165":15189},"“It is about building a stronger, more stable and sustainable HSC workforce for the long term, while continuing to provide safe, high-quality care for our patients.”",[],{"_163":15191,"_165":15192},"“This is about more than reducing expenditure.",[],{"_163":15194,"_165":15195},"“As chief executives, we have taken the decision to accelerate this work because we need to make the best possible use of every pound available to us and protect the resources that support frontline services.",[],{"_163":15197,"_165":15198},"“Our focus now is to go further by significantly reducing agency use and eliminating it wherever safe and sustainable alternatives can be put in place, recognising that some workforce groups and specialties face more complex staffing challenges than others.",[],{"_163":15200,"_165":15201},"“This work builds on several years of progress across the HSC to strengthen controls on agency staffing, reduce off-contract usage and ensure that agency staff are used appropriately and consistently across the system.",[],{"_163":15203,"_165":15204},"“We have already seen the benefits of the work undertaken across the HSC to reduce agency reliance, with use significantly reduced and, in some areas, eliminated altogether.",[],{"_163":15206,"_165":15207},"“Stable, substantive teams provide greater continuity for patients, stronger working relationships and a better environment for our staff.",[],{"_163":15209,"_165":15210},"“There will continue to be circumstances where temporary staffing is needed, however, the current level of agency use is simply not sustainable, financially or from a workforce perspective,” she said.",[],{"_163":15212,"_165":15213},"Speaking on behalf of Trust chief executives, Karen Hargan, from the Western Trust, said agency staff “have played an important role in helping the HSC maintain services, particularly at times of significant pressure”.",[],{"_163":15215,"_165":15216},"This next phase will see health trusts accelerate current plans to progressively eliminate reliance on agency staffing during 2026/27 and beyond, with the expectation that temporary staffing requirements will increasingly be met through substantive employment.",[],{"_163":15218,"_165":15219},"HSC chief executives will introduce new measures from 2026 to further support the agency reduction programme, aiming to strengthen continuity of care, support permanent staffing teams and enhance patient safety.",[],{"_163":15221,"_165":15222},"Northern Ireland’s health and social care trusts are aiming to accelerate plans to tackle the “unsustainable” use of agency staff.",[],"Northern Ireland’s health and social care trusts are aiming to accelerate plans to tackle the ‘unsustainable’ use of agency staff (PA)",{"_81":15225,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15226,"_213":15223,"_223":15227,"_106":15228,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15228,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/6p82b0-e91b387b-1626-4d84-9d97-aba57bbb647a-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-66f83f13-1924-41a4-b9b4-43f79d343c9b-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/ddebf2c9-48a4-4a89-af73-4e44c6990602",[],"ddebf2c9-48a4-4a89-af73-4e44c6990602","160132140",{"_163":88,"_165":15230},[],{"_163":15148,"_165":15232},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_81":15235,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15236,"_213":15223,"_223":15227,"_106":15228,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15228,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/6p82b0-e91b387b-1626-4d84-9d97-aba57bbb647a-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-66f83f13-1924-41a4-b9b4-43f79d343c9b-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/ddebf2c9-48a4-4a89-af73-4e44c6990602",[],195464462,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":15379,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/books/the-response-has-been-brilliant-portadown-man-on-how-his-wifes-bee-doodle-inspired-his-first-childrens-book/a/159570026.html",[15377,15378],"‘The response has been brilliant’: Portadown man on how his wife’s bee doodle inspired his first children’s book",{"_264":15373,"_266":15352,"_267":15242},[15372],[15363,15364,15365,15366,15367,15368],"159570026",{},[],"2026-08-17T09:00:00Z","2026-08-17T12:53:05Z",[15254,15255,15256,15257,15258,15259,15260,15261,15262,15263,15264,15265,15266,15267,15268,15269,15270,15271,15272,15273,15274,15275,15276,15277,15278],{"_140":10,"_141":15253,"_143":10},"700c1f8d-8fd3-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15361,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":15354,"_215":15355,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":15351,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15348,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15345,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":15342,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":183,"_356":15341,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15338,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15335,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15332,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":15329,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":15326,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":15323,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":694,"_212":-5,"_213":15316,"_215":15317,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":15313,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":15310,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":15307,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":-5,"_213":15300,"_215":15301,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":15297,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":15294,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":661,"_212":-5,"_213":15287,"_215":15288,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":15284,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":15281,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":650,"_106":15280,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":15280,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":15279,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":15279,"_233":92},"160096168","159996265",{"_163":15282,"_165":15283},"He also hopes to publish more of his short stories.",[],{"_163":15285,"_165":15286},"Mervyn was at St George’s Market in Belfast last week for a book signing and hopes to sell some books when visiting friends in Portugal later this year. ",[],"Another of Mervyn’s wife’s illustrations featured in the book",{"_81":15289,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15290,"_213":15287,"_223":15291,"_106":15292,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":1016,"_218":88,"_232":15292,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/dxfmre-heddgehog.jfif/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/heddgehog.jfif",[15293],"heddgehog.jfif","159672722",{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_239":1862,"_240":1864},{"_163":15295,"_165":15296},"“I asked them how long they keep the book for, and they told me it’s forever. My book is now in among WB Yeats and Oscar Wilde. It’s a form of immortality.”",[],{"_163":15298,"_165":15299},"Another success came when he was asked to send a copy of his book to the British Library in London. ",[],"Mervyn’s wife’s drawing, which inspired the book",{"_81":15302,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15303,"_213":15300,"_223":15304,"_106":15305,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":1016,"_218":88,"_232":15305,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/mrzs3q-bee.jfif/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bee.jfif",[15306],"bee.jfif","159672684",{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_239":1862,"_240":1864},{"_163":15308,"_165":15309},"“That’s what this is all about for me. The response from people has really been brilliant.”",[],{"_163":15311,"_165":15312},"Mervyn said: “There were about 15-20 children there and they were engrossed. They took in every word and that gave me so much joy.",[],{"_163":15314,"_165":15315},"One of the biggest rewards of publishing his book came when he was asked to read and give a talk at a local nursery school.",[],"A sign advertising Mervyn’s recent book signing at St George’s Market ",{"_81":15318,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15319,"_213":15316,"_223":15320,"_106":15321,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15321,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/jo3v9d-sign.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/sign.jpg",[15322],"sign.jpg","159633472",{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_239":1862,"_240":1864},{"_163":15324,"_165":15325},"“I saw the front cover nd knew it was exactly what I had wanted.”",[],{"_163":15327,"_165":15328},"Mervyn said that, despite all the hard work, he was “shocked” to see his book in physical form.",[],{"_163":15330,"_165":15331},"He added: “Everybody can come up with great ideas, but not everybody follows them through, and I didn’t want to be like that.”",[],{"_163":15333,"_165":15334},"Mervyn wasn’t deterred after being rejected by several publishing companies, eventually collaborating with illustrator Paul Nugent in Dublin to help get his book across the line.",[],{"_163":15336,"_165":15337},"“Jonny has a mischievous side, but he always helps his friends out when they are in trouble. I wasn’t aiming it at adults, but it’s nice for everyone to read. It has a simple message about kindness.”",[],{"_163":15339,"_165":15340},"Within a few days, Mervyn had also written 20 short stories following main character Jonny through different life adventures, with Jonny practising kindness towards others along the way. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":8722,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":8723,"_106":8724,"_368":369,"_370":8725,"_232":8726,"_233":92},{"_163":15343,"_165":15344},"“The drawing that inspired the book was done about 22 years ago when she was waiting in the dentist reception. The start of writing this book came about a couple of years ago when I was sitting on a veranda and just started writing poetry. I was thinking about her drawing of the bee and the poetry just flowed out of me.”",[],{"_163":15346,"_165":15347},"He said: “My wife Kathy has always done drawings and paintings. She doesn’t do any of it for money, but is very dedicated to her work.",[],{"_163":15349,"_165":15350},"Mervyn Vennard (73) started writing his children’s book Jonny Bee Good several years ago when thinking about a drawing of a bee that his wife sketched while she waited in a dentist reception. ",[],{"_163":15352,"_165":15353},"A retired Portadown man who took up writing after being inspired by one of his wife’s drawings says he has embarked on his new venture “for the love of it”.",[],"Mervyn Vennard ",{"_81":15356,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15357,"_213":15354,"_223":15358,"_106":15359,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15359,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/22imlh-mervyn.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Mervyn.jpg",[15360],"Mervyn.jpg","159633417",{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_239":1862,"_240":1864},{"_163":15242,"_165":15362},[],{"_250":15369,"_106":15370,"_253":8,"_254":15371},{"_250":3178,"_106":3179,"_253":10,"_254":3180},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":10664,"_106":10665,"_253":10,"_254":10666},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},"life_books","4332","Books",{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_240":1864},{"_81":15374,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15375,"_213":15354,"_223":15358,"_106":15359,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15359,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/22imlh-mervyn.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Mervyn.jpg",[15376],{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_239":1862,"_240":1864},{"_250":3897,"_106":3898,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Jonny Bee Good by Mervyn Vennard: Portadown man on how his wife’s bee doodle inspired his first children’s book",195460980,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":15493,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/parents-doorbell-camera-caught-man-stalking-ex-partner-while-home-alone/a/160124058.html",[15492],"Parents’ doorbell camera caught man stalking ex-partner while home alone",{"_264":15488,"_266":15469,"_267":15385},[],[15484,15485,15486,15487],"160124058",{},[],"2026-08-17T12:39:00Z","2026-08-17T12:40:10Z",[15397,15398,15399,15400,15401,15402,15403,15404,15405,15406,15407,15408,15409,15410,15411,15412,15413,15414,15415,15416],{"_140":10,"_141":15396,"_143":10},"d5868882-9a2f-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15482,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":1436,"_213":15471,"_215":15472,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":15468,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15465,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15462,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":15459,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":15456,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15453,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15450,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15447,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":15444,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":15441,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":15438,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":15435,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":15432,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":15429,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":15426,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":15423,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":15420,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":15417,"_161":162},{"_163":15418,"_165":15419},"The defendant was further banned from possessing any internet-enabled mobile phone, and he must supply to police the make, model and phone number of any mobile phone he possesses. ",[],{"_163":15421,"_165":15422},"He was also ordered to observe a 10pm-to-7am curfew and will be electronically monitored. ",[],{"_163":15424,"_165":15425},"As part of his bail conditions, the defendant must move to an agreed address in Carnhill; stay out of the Waterside area of the city; and not have any direct or indirect contact with the injured party. ",[],{"_163":15427,"_165":15428},"The district judge released the defendant on his own bail of £350 and adjourned the case until September 14.",[],{"_163":15430,"_165":15431},"A prosecution solicitor said that, in 2023, the defendant was charged with non-fatal strangulation of the same injured party but the charge was dismissed when she said she did not want to give evidence.",[],{"_163":15433,"_165":15434},"“The defendant now realises that whatever his feelings about her, those feelings, as far as she is concerned, are now redundant.”",[],{"_163":15436,"_165":15437},"“He did not know she was alone in the house. He knocked on the front door and tried the door. He did not try to force entry. He did not shout and roar. The injured party only became aware he was there when her parents phoned her to say he was in the front garden. She then called the police. ",[],{"_163":15439,"_165":15440},"“He says he was at home last Friday night and in the early hours of last Saturday morning and he felt lonely. He said he missed the injured party and decided to call at her home.",[],{"_163":15442,"_165":15443},"“The background is that these two young people were in a relationship for about two years, and that ended last December. Since then there has been sporadic contact between them and they are trying to remain friends,” Mr Quigley said.",[],{"_163":15445,"_165":15446},"Applying for bail, solicitor Seamus Quigley said the defendant appreciated the seriousness of the position in which he now found himself.",[],{"_163":15448,"_165":15449},"The officer said he opposed bail being granted for fear of the defendant re-offending and of him posing a risk to the injured party.",[],{"_163":15451,"_165":15452},"“He seems to have a fixation with the injured party and hopes to rekindle their relationship. But the injured party says that will not happen,” the police witness said.",[],{"_163":15454,"_165":15455},"“During a previous incident at her home, the defendant arrived and pushed past her parents and tried to get into her bedroom and made explicit comments to her and to her parents. As a result of that, the injured party has had to adjust her routines. ",[],{"_163":15457,"_165":15458},"At Derry Magistrates’ Court, a police officer told District Judge Suzanne Rice: “During his police interview, the defendant told the officers that he was lonely and that his friends all had girlfriends except him.",[],{"_163":15460,"_165":15461},"The 21-year-old man, from Strabane Old Road in the Waterside area of the city, told police who had called to the property and arrested him that he was dropping off car keys. ",[],{"_163":15463,"_165":15464},"Her parents said they could see their daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Oisin McLaughlin, lurking in the front garden, pushing the front door and looking through windows. ",[],{"_163":15466,"_165":15467},"The woman was at home alone at her parents’ house in Strathfoyle, Co Londonderry, in the early hours of last Saturday morning, when her parents, who were on holiday at the time, contacted her after receiving a motion-detection alert to their mobile phone. ",[],{"_163":15469,"_165":15470},"A man was caught stalking his ex-girlfriend via her parents’ doorbell camera, a court has heard. ",[],"Motion was detected on the doorbell camera ",{"_81":15473,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":15474,"_213":15471,"_223":15475,"_106":15476,"_226":227,"_228":1436,"_230":15477,"_218":88,"_232":15476,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/7poiq0-doorbell-cam.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/doorbell%20cam.jpg",[15478],"doorbell%20cam.jpg","159698991","Video doorbell stock",{"_235":15479,"_237":15480,"_239":15479,"_240":15481},"Padraic.Grant@sundayworld.com","Grant","Pádraic",{"_163":15385,"_165":15483},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":256,"_106":257,"_253":10,"_254":258},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_81":15489,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":15490,"_213":15471,"_223":15475,"_106":15476,"_226":227,"_228":1436,"_230":15477,"_218":88,"_232":15476,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/7poiq0-doorbell-cam.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/doorbell%20cam.jpg",[15491],{"_235":15479,"_237":15480,"_239":15479,"_240":15481},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Oisin McLaughlin: Parents’ doorbell camera caught man stalking ex-partner while home alone",195460884,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/attacks-on-property-being-treated-as-racially-motivated-hate-crimes/a/160128802.html",[],"Attacks on property being treated as racially motivated hate crimes",{"_264":15557,"_266":-5,"_267":15499},[],[15556],"160128802",{},[],"2026-08-17T12:32:48Z","2026-08-17T12:36:59Z",[15511,15512,15513,15514,15515,15516,15517,15518,15519,15520,15521],{"_140":10,"_141":15510,"_143":10},"572e6438-9a38-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15554,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":15552,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":15546,"_215":15547,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15543,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15540,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":15537,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":15534,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15531,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15528,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15525,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":15522,"_161":162},{"_163":15523,"_165":15524},"Police have appealed for information about the incidents.",[],{"_163":15526,"_165":15527},"“Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, both incidents are being treated as racially motivated hate crimes.”",[],{"_163":15529,"_165":15530},"“It was reported that a male wearing a black coloured hooded top and riding a black bicycle left the scene following the incident.",[],{"_163":15532,"_165":15533},"“At around 00:45am on Monday 17th August, police received a report that a living room window of the property was smashed.",[],{"_163":15535,"_165":15536},"“It was reported that a front door window pane of the property was damaged during the incident.",[],{"_163":15538,"_165":15539},"A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received a report shortly before 7:40am on Sunday 16th August that graffiti had been sprayed on a house in the area sometime between 10pm on Saturday 15th August and 7am on Sunday 16th August.",[],{"_163":15541,"_165":15542},"Detectives are appealing for information about the attacks on the property in the Forthriver Road area.",[],{"_163":15544,"_165":15545},"Two incidents of criminal damage at a house in north Belfast are being treated by police as racially motivated hate crimes.",[],"Police are treating incidents of criminal damage at a property as a racially motivated hate crime (Niall Carson/PA)",{"_81":15548,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15549,"_213":15546,"_223":15550,"_106":15551,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15551,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/9zu977-6d3542f0-91b9-4f22-ad3f-067fcdec15d9-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-ded85188-c7f1-4af1-b25d-bf15a8da0c11-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/3b7b7eca-665c-428e-b711-e400f1c8832c",[],"3b7b7eca-665c-428e-b711-e400f1c8832c","160128803",{"_163":88,"_165":15553},[],{"_163":15499,"_165":15555},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_81":15558,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15559,"_213":15546,"_223":15550,"_106":15551,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":15551,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/9zu977-6d3542f0-91b9-4f22-ad3f-067fcdec15d9-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-ded85188-c7f1-4af1-b25d-bf15a8da0c11-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3b7b7eca-665c-428e-b711-e400f1c8832c",[],195460819,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":15663,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/co-tyrone-man-jailed-after-police-uncover-drug-dealing-during-domestic-incident-call/a/160126989.html",[15662],"Co Tyrone man jailed after police uncover drug dealing during domestic incident call",{"_264":15658,"_266":15642,"_267":15565},[],[15654,15655,15656,15657],"160126989",{},[],"2026-08-17T12:35:00Z","2026-08-17T12:36:00Z",[15578,15579,15580,15581,15582,15583,15584,15585,15586,15587,15588,15589,15590,15591,15592,15593,15594,15595],"John Cassidy",{"_140":10,"_141":15577,"_143":10},"349acbdd-9a35-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15652,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":7522,"_213":15644,"_215":15645,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":15641,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15638,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15635,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":15632,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":15629,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15626,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15623,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15620,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":15617,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":15614,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":15611,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":15608,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":15605,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":15602,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":15599,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":15596,"_161":162},{"_163":15597,"_165":15598},"The court granted a prosecution application for the destruction of the seized drugs and McGlinchey’s mobile phone.",[],{"_163":15600,"_165":15601},"“You are a young man and the hope is that as time moves on you will realise that there is only one potential route here and that is death, should you continue to use drugs in the way that you have been using them,’’ added the judge.",[],{"_163":15603,"_165":15604},"Judge Sherrard said McGlinchey had relapsed while in prison.",[],{"_163":15606,"_165":15607},"“You have been using drugs since the age of 15. I also bear in the mind there have been considerable efforts on your part to combat your drug use, but that has not been successful thus far.’’",[],{"_163":15609,"_165":15610},"He noted that the defendant had a previous conviction on his criminal record which was for the simple possession of drugs.",[],{"_163":15612,"_165":15613},"“They mark you out as someone who is relatively sophisticated, well-known and connected in regard to the sale of these drugs,’’ he told McGlinchey, who appeared via video-link from custody.",[],{"_163":15615,"_165":15616},"Judge Brian Sherrard said he had read all of the text messages extracted from the phone by police which showed McGlinchey was in contact with another person also involved in the sale of illegal drugs.",[],{"_163":15618,"_165":15619},"A defence barrister said McGlinchey was still a relatively young man and is currently serving a ‘’very lengthy prison sentence’’ for an offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, which was imposed on him at the start of this year.",[],{"_163":15621,"_165":15622},"McGlinchey was arrested but his interview with police was described as “not particularly helpful’’.",[],{"_163":15624,"_165":15625},"His mobile telephone was analysed which revealed that he had been “actively sourcing and selling class C drugs’’.",[],{"_163":15627,"_165":15628},"A prosecution lawyer submitted that police “fetched the defendant’s bag from the property and found drugs in it’’, while further drugs were found on his person.",[],{"_163":15630,"_165":15631},"Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that in the early hours of Sunday, May 27, 2024, police attended a domestic incident at a property in the Ballycolman estate in Strabane.",[],{"_163":15633,"_165":15634},"The four offences were committed on dates between May 25 and May 27, 2024.",[],{"_163":15636,"_165":15637},"He further admitted possessing a class B cannabinoid and the class C sedation drug Bromazolam.",[],{"_163":15639,"_165":15640},"Cormac McGlinchey (23), whose address was given as Steps Together Rehab, The Chestnuts, St Peter’s Road, Arnseby, Leicester, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class C drugs, namely Alprazolam, or Xanax and Pregabalin.",[],{"_163":15642,"_165":15643},"A Co Tyrone man has been jailed for six months after his drug dealing operation was uncovered when police called to a house over a report of a domestic incident.",[],"The case was heard at Dungannon Crown Court, sitting at Laganside Courts in Belfast",{"_81":15646,"_212":7522,"_220":395,"_97":15647,"_213":15644,"_223":15648,"_106":15649,"_226":227,"_228":7522,"_230":15650,"_218":88,"_232":15649,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oikfsj-belfast-courts-stock/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Belfast_courts_stock.jpg",[15651],"Belfast_courts_stock.jpg","158118352","General view of Belfast Crown Court also known as Laganside Courts.",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":15565,"_165":15653},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":3172,"_106":3173,"_253":10,"_254":3174},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_81":15659,"_212":7522,"_220":395,"_97":15660,"_213":15644,"_223":15648,"_106":15649,"_226":227,"_228":7522,"_230":15650,"_218":88,"_232":15649,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oikfsj-belfast-courts-stock/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Belfast_courts_stock.jpg",[15661],{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Cormac McGlinchey: Co Tyrone man jailed after police uncover drug dealing during domestic incident call",195458849,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":15780,"_283":8,"_275":15781,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/suspected-feud-may-be-behind-coalisland-petrol-bomb-attack-court-hears/a/160123007.html",[15779],"Suspected feud may be behind Coalisland petrol bomb attack, court hears",{"_264":15776,"_266":15762,"_267":15669},[],[15772,15773,15774,15775],"160123007",{},[],"2026-08-17T12:15:43Z","2026-08-17T12:15:54Z",[15682,15683,15684,15685,15686,15687,15688,15689,15690,15691,15692,15693,15694,15695,15696,15697,15698,15699,15700,15701,15702,15703],"Tanya Fowles ",{"_140":10,"_141":15681,"_143":10},"a6e6b7b8-9a2d-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15770,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":15764,"_215":15765,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":15761,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15758,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15755,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":15752,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":15749,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15746,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15743,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15740,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":15737,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":15734,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":15731,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":15728,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":15725,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":15722,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":15719,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":15716,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":15713,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":15710,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":15707,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":15704,"_161":162},{"_163":15705,"_165":15706},"McElkenny will appear again by video-link at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on September 2.",[],{"_163":15708,"_165":15709},"But Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy stated, “The defendant has an appalling record and is on bail for possessing shotgun cartridges. There is a suggestion of feuding in the area. My concern is if released on bail he will continue to reoffend and accordingly bail is refused.”",[],{"_163":15711,"_165":15712},"Urging bail to be granted the defence said, “If this case continues, it will go to Crown Court and that will take some time for a file to be prepared. Then there’ll be requests for further information which will take months to be answered because police will be on long-term sick or not working. Then will come the submissions on outstanding forensic reports and more delay and so on.”",[],{"_163":15714,"_165":15715},"The officer clarified that the witness saw a male setting a light to an object and throwing it.",[],{"_163":15717,"_165":15718},"He added that at the moment nobody, including the owner of the apartment or other residents, have made a statement, and it was the next day a member of the public contacted police with a description of someone seen in the area and nothing else.",[],{"_163":15720,"_165":15721},"A defence barrister pointed out McElkenny and his partner were stopped, “A short distance and a short time after the incident and following a search both were released to go about their business. There is no forensic link to the defendant and this case.”",[],{"_163":15723,"_165":15724},"“There are concerns about reprisals in the area and the investigation is still at an early stage with more enquiries to be carried out, There is a risk of further offending particularly as the defendant is currently on bail for existing matters.”",[],{"_163":15726,"_165":15727},"He continued, “Police have concerns of ongoing feuding in the area between the defendant and another person. There was also an alleged incident in another part of Coalisland just two days before this matter for which he was released on bail. ",[],{"_163":15729,"_165":15730},"“He was previously on bail for an incident of fighting in the Coalisland area, when he was arrested and found in possession of two shotgun cartridges and is currently on bail for that.”",[],{"_163":15732,"_165":15733},"Objecting to bail, the officer said, “The defendant has 106 previous convictions, including eight for criminal damage, a firearms offence and possessing offensive weapons and numerous breaches of court orders and bail conditions. ",[],{"_163":15735,"_165":15736},"The area was searched and a black hoodie was recovered, which has been sent for forensic analysis to test for accelerants.",[],{"_163":15738,"_165":15739},"He was arrested and during interview provided ‘no comment’ replies to all questions.",[],{"_163":15741,"_165":15742},"Police located McElkenny and a woman close by and he was found to have a lighter in his pocket.",[],{"_163":15744,"_165":15745},"The male walked along a pathway, lit an object and threw it on the ground in front of the apartment window.",[],{"_163":15747,"_165":15748},"A witness had observed a man and woman who appeared to have been standing in a rear car park.",[],{"_163":15750,"_165":15751},"On arrival, officers observed a small fire on the footpath outside a ground-floor apartment, which was also noted to have a damaged window and glass was smashed on the ground.",[],{"_163":15753,"_165":15754},"He explained on the night in question, police were informed that a property had been petrol-bombed.",[],{"_163":15756,"_165":15757},"A police officer aware of the facts of the case told Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court the charge could be connected.",[],{"_163":15759,"_165":15760},"Eamon McElkenny (35) from Maplebrook Court, Coalisland, is charged with arson endangering life by damaging a property by petrol bomb on August 13.",[],{"_163":15762,"_165":15763},"A police officer has set out how a suspected feud may be behind a petrol bomb attack in the Platters Hill area of Coalisland.",[],"Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court (PA)",{"_81":15766,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15767,"_213":15764,"_223":15768,"_106":15769,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":15764,"_218":88,"_232":15769,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/kk7rv5-enniskillen-magistrates-court-pa/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/2762ca2b-1f8f-4355-9dc1-6de7ad515797",[],"2762ca2b-1f8f-4355-9dc1-6de7ad515797","125161229",{"_163":15669,"_165":15771},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":3172,"_106":3173,"_253":10,"_254":3174},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_81":15777,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15778,"_213":15764,"_223":15768,"_106":15769,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":15764,"_218":88,"_232":15769,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/kk7rv5-enniskillen-magistrates-court-pa/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/2762ca2b-1f8f-4355-9dc1-6de7ad515797",[],{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Platters Hill area of Coalisland: Suspected feud may be behind Coalisland petrol bomb attack, court hears","Platters Hill area of Coalisland: Eamon McElkenny is charged with arson endangering life by damaging a property by petrol bomb",195449969,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":15840,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/nursing-regulator-fails-to-apologise-to-ni-professional-whose-reputation-was-shredded-by-botched-tribunal/a/160111743.html",[15838,15839],"Nursing regulator fails to apologise to NI professional whose reputation was ‘shredded’ by botched tribunal \n ",{"_264":15834,"_266":15826,"_267":15787},[],[15830,15831,15832,15833],"160111743",{},[],"2026-08-18T05:02:00Z","2026-08-17T11:22:33Z",[15800,15801,15802,15803,15804,15805],"Stephen Gordon ",{"_140":10,"_141":15799,"_143":10},"b373cc70-9a14-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":15828,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":15825,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":15818,"_215":15819,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":15815,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":202,"_106":15814,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":15814,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15806,"_161":162},{"_163":15807,"_165":15808}," \nThe NMC panel’s 2024 findings were quashed at the High Court in Belfast recently by Justice Sir John O’Hara, who highlighted a string of serious irregularities in the case. \n \nIn his judgment, he also strongly criticised the case presenter and the panel’s legal assessor.\n \nSir John expressed concerns that irregularities over disclosure issues “may be representative of the NMC more widely”. \n \nFollowing his judgment, Mrs Wylie said: “I hope the NMC will learn from their mistakes and value our nurses.” \n \nLast week, The Belfast Telegraph posed a series of questions to the NMC in light of Sir John’s published judgment. \n \nWe asked if the NMC had reviewed Sir John O’Hara’s criticisms of the panel’s decisions and the guidance it received from its legal assessor and case presenter. \n \nWe also asked whether the NMC will apologise to Mrs Wylie for the numerous failings in the case as identified by the judge in June this year.\n \nOur questions also included whether the NMC believed there were lessons its fitness to practise investigators, case presenters, panels and legal assessors could learn from the High Court decision on the case? And has any guidance been issued in light of Sir John’s criticisms? \n \nAn NMC spokesman replied 48 hours later, stating: “We note the judgment handed down by Sir John O’Hara and are considering it carefully. \n \n“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.” \n \nWe reported last week how Mildred Wylie welcomed the judge’s criticism of the NMC’s case against her, in which she was accused of overcharging vulnerable patients at two care homes that she ran with her husband. \n \n“At last, after 14 years, my innocence has been proved beyond all doubt,” she said. \n \n“I have been a nurse since 1975 and have always placed others first. My reputation means a lot and to have that torn to shreds in the way it happened was devastating.” \n \nIn its decision to strike off Mrs Wylie, the panel described her alleged financial misconduct as “deplorable” and said she had not apologised.\n \nSir John found the committee wrongly failed to disclose documents to Mrs Wylie, and unnecessarily allowed prejudicial evidence in the case against her. \n \nHe found a number of “serious irregularities” in the NMC case in which the panel found 14 of 15 charges against Mrs Wylie proven. \n \n“It is simply not safe to let any of them stand when I have found that there were serious irregularities with the disclosure process, with the reference to prejudicial evidence about the conclusions reached after investigation by other bodies, and with the advice which the committee was given on the application of the test for dishonesty.” \n \nHe concluded: “I therefore allow the appeal and quash the findings. It follows from this that the sanction of removal from the register must also fall.” \n \nThe charges against Mrs Wylie included that on various dates between January 2005 and December 2011, she failed to meet the costs of meals at day care centres for one or more residents. \n \nThe tribunal also found her actions were dishonest, in that she sought to obtain financial advantage by allowing residents to pay for their own meals at the day care centres. \n \nBut in his judgment, Sir John O’Hara said the NMC committee had been misled on the test for dishonesty in such cases as the case presenter equated ‘must have known’ with ‘ought to have known’. \n \n“This is important because it was (Mrs Wylie‘s) case that her husband took responsibility for financial issues. That was not accepted by the NMC who submitted that she did know. \n \n“In the alternative, however, it was submitted by the case presenter that if the appellant did not know because she was wilfully blind about financial issues, such wilfulness could amount to dishonesty. In making that submission, the case presenter led the Committee astray. He equated ‘must have known’ with ‘ought to have known’.” \n \nHe added that the legal assessor, whose job was to advise the panel on legal matters, did not correct the error. \n \nThe judge concluded: “I cannot possibly assume that this Committee, no matter how diligently and faithfully they were applying themselves in what clearly became a fractious and disrupted hearing, was not misled. Its findings on dishonesty simply cannot stand.” \n \nOn the issue of disclosure, Sir John said: “In short, the Committee was taken down the wrong path entirely by both the case presenter and the legal assessor. \n \n“It got the test for disclosure wrong in multiple respects. Not only does this represent a serious irregularity in the present case, but it is a real cause for concern if this attitude is one which is representative of the approach of the NMC generally.” \n ",[15809,15810],{"_85":192,"_157":103,"_194":556,"_196":15812},{"_85":2073,"_157":15811,"_194":242,"_196":-5},1420,{"_198":15813,"_155":200,"_201":8},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/nurse-accused-of-deplorable-overcharging-of-vulnerable-care-home-patients-struck-off/a/112154596.html","159835983",{"_163":15816,"_165":15817},"The nursing profession’s watchdog says it is “considering carefully” a senior judge’s scathing criticism of a tribunal, which devastated the reputation of a veteran Northern Ireland nurse. \n \nBut the regulator has declined to say if it will apologise to the retired Co Armagh nurse Mildred Wylie over “serious irregularities” in its botched long-running case against her. \n \nMrs Wylie, now in her 70s, says her reputation was “torn to shreds” by a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness to practise tribunal, which struck her off over alleged financial misconduct at two nursing homes she ran with her husband. ",[],"Mildred Wylie",{"_81":15820,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15821,"_213":15818,"_223":15822,"_106":15823,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":15818,"_218":88,"_232":15823,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/gow7ld-mildred-wylie.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Mildred_Wylie.jpg",[15824],"Mildred_Wylie.jpg","159838011",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":15826,"_165":15827},"But NMC says it is ‘considering’ Belfast judge’s scathing criticisms of its case against retired nurse Mildred Wylie ",[],{"_163":15787,"_165":15829},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":10,"_254":261},{"_250":7297,"_106":7298,"_253":10,"_254":7299},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_81":15835,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15836,"_213":15818,"_223":15822,"_106":15823,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":15818,"_218":88,"_232":15823,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/gow7ld-mildred-wylie.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Mildred_Wylie.jpg",[15837],{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Mildred Wylie: Nursing regulator fails to apologise to NI professional whose reputation was ‘shredded’ by botched tribunal ",195437262,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/jon-burrows-urges-police-intervention-to-reduce-scale-of-unsafe-bonfires/a/160120815.html",[],"Jon Burrows urges police intervention to ‘reduce scale’ of unsafe bonfires",{"_264":16006,"_266":-5,"_267":15846},[],[16005],"160120815",{},[],"2026-08-17T10:37:54Z","2026-08-17T10:42:37Z",[15859,15860,15861,15862,15863,15864,15865,15866,15867,15868,15869,15870,15871,15872,15873,15874,15875,15876,15877,15878,15879,15880,15881,15882,15883,15884,15885,15886,15887,15888,15889],"By Claudia Savage, Rebecca Black, Press Association",{"_140":10,"_141":15858,"_143":10},"5d3cc8f0-9a28-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":16003,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":16001,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":15995,"_215":15996,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":15992,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":15989,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":15986,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":15983,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":15980,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":15977,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":15974,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":15971,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":15968,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":15965,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":15962,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":15959,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":15956,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":15953,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":15950,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":15947,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":15944,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":15941,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":15938,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":15935,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":15932,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":15929,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":15926,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":15923,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":15920,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":15917,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":15914,"_161":162},{"_155":3486,"_157":618,"_161":3487,"_3488":15890,"_232":-5,"_233":-5},[15891,15892,15893],{"_157":614,"_212":-5,"_213":15907,"_215":15908,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_157":610,"_212":-5,"_213":15900,"_215":15901,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_157":606,"_212":-5,"_213":15894,"_215":15895,"_161":516,"_218":-5},"First Minister Michelle O’Neill (Claudia Savage/PA)",{"_81":15896,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15897,"_213":15894,"_223":15898,"_106":15899,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":11095,"_218":88,"_232":15899,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/5scqo8-michelle-oneill-comments/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/d249f3d3-c71b-4abd-8364-e8fc9cfc7152",[],"d249f3d3-c71b-4abd-8364-e8fc9cfc7152","160142295","DUP leader Gavin Robinson (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_81":15902,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15903,"_213":15900,"_223":15904,"_106":15905,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":15906,"_218":88,"_232":15905,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/5kh1b5-andy-burnham-becomes-new-pm/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/f5e193e9-4a31-4241-a284-4390043243a3",[],"f5e193e9-4a31-4241-a284-4390043243a3","160142294","DUP leader Gavin Robinson speaking to the media at CS Lewis Square in Belfast, after Sir Chris Bryant was appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday July 21, 2026.","An unlit bonfire in the Bogside area of Derry (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_81":15909,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15910,"_213":15907,"_223":15911,"_106":15912,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":15913,"_218":88,"_232":15912,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/tiveue-londonderry-bonfires/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/79851234-95f0-4249-b8b4-11c8c6a93630",[],"79851234-95f0-4249-b8b4-11c8c6a93630","160120819","Unlit Bonfire in Meenan Square, in the bogside area of Derry City, Co. Londonderry, with flags with images of the King Charles III, Union flags, poppy wreaths, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli flags, loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), and parachute regiment flag. The bonfire is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. Picture date: Friday August 15, 2025.",{"_163":15915,"_165":15916},"“If the police were prepared to enforce the law then you wouldn’t need this constant suggestion that we need to create new laws and new regulation to do what is right.”",[],{"_163":15918,"_165":15919},"“Do they think that a PCSP is going to have the ability to change the hearts and minds of those who want to intimidate? Because I don’t think it’ll work.",[],{"_163":15921,"_165":15922},"He added: “When I heard a suggestion today that the PCSP district and community safety partnerships should be brought in to regulate bonfires, I thought, has anyone who makes that suggestion ever attended a PCSP?",[],{"_163":15924,"_165":15925},"“And when you’re consistent about these things, it is easier to make the point that it is hard to encourage violent, dissident Republicans not to engage in such activity when, just previously, a week or two before, the First Minister was eulogising people who engaged in violence a generation ago, I condemn it all.”",[],{"_163":15927,"_165":15928},"“There is no call for intimidation in our society, whether that is attacks or whether that is the display of provocative emblems or, of course, a display of a picture of the First Minister,” he told reporters on Belfast.",[],{"_163":15930,"_165":15931},"DUP leader Gavin Robinson condemned the image of Ms O’Neill on the bonfire as well as poppy wreaths and other “emblems that were clearly designed to provoke a reaction”.",[],{"_163":15933,"_165":15934},"“It just needs early engagement.”",[],{"_163":15936,"_165":15937},"“‘Here are the rules and regulations that we’re going to ask you to do, don’t have the following on it’, and that gets political support, and then we start holding people to account for that.”",[],{"_163":15939,"_165":15940},"“They should say, ‘right, if you want to put it there, the height of it would have to be a maximum of this, the width of it would have to be a maximum of this’, and the fire service can provide expertise to make it safe,” he said.",[],{"_163":15942,"_165":15943},"Mr Burrows said police should work with policing and community safety partnerships (PCSPs) to establish “bonfire committees” facilitating engagement with the community “really early in the year”.",[],{"_163":15945,"_165":15946},"“There should be no aversion to going in, taking action to reduce them in scale.”",[],{"_163":15948,"_165":15949},"“The police service, the fire service, there should be no excuse for people’s houses being damaged by bonfires.",[],{"_163":15951,"_165":15952},"“Clearly, there should be an intervention if there is a bonfire that is going to put life or property at risk, and I think that’s where the authorities need to be particularly robust next year.",[],{"_163":15954,"_165":15955},"“You certainly don’t want to see a police officer lose his or her life or there to be serious disorder for taking down the material, far better actually to bring people to justice and that has to be the first priority.",[],{"_163":15957,"_165":15958},"“There’s all kinds of issues for the police to deal with there, particularly when you’re in an area that has been created by those who are sympathetic to dissident Republicans,” he said.",[],{"_163":15960,"_165":15961},"Mr Burrows also said the PSNI needs to “bring some consequences to the doors of those who do this”.",[],{"_163":15963,"_165":15964},"“They should be safe, they should be respectful and lawful, there should be no bonfires that risk burning people’s homes down, we shouldn’t have anything on them like flags and nothing on them like posters.”",[],{"_163":15966,"_165":15967},"“I don’t care whether it’s a bonfire within the PUL community or one, as this was, a completely different bonfire, dissident Republicans.",[],{"_163":15969,"_165":15970},"“And I think all bonfires should be safe, respectful, and lawful and I think all of us have to show political leadership on that.",[],{"_163":15972,"_165":15973},"He told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster: “I think all our politicians should be singing off the same hymn sheet around bonfires, no matter which bonfires they are.",[],{"_163":15975,"_165":15976},"Mr Burrows condemned the bonfires as “absolutely disgraceful” and a “pyre of sectarian hatred”.",[],{"_163":15978,"_165":15979},"Department for Infrastructure staff had previously removed pallets and poppy wreaths from a bonfire in the Bogside area.",[],{"_163":15981,"_165":15982},"The fires are associated with the August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles, and also coincide with the Catholic Feast of the Assumption.",[],{"_163":15984,"_165":15985},"Bonfires are traditionally lit in nationalist areas of Derry on August 15.",[],{"_163":15987,"_165":15988},"One of the fires burned images of Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill.",[],{"_163":15990,"_165":15991},"Mr Burrows, a former PSNI officer, said police should be “taking action” after several incidents where items such as flags, poppy wreaths, banners and political material were placed on bonfires in Londonderry.",[],{"_163":15993,"_165":15994},"Police should intervene in bonfires where there is potential to “put life or property at risk”, UUP leader Jon Burrows has said.",[],"Police should intervene in bonfires where there is potential to ‘put life or property at risk’, UUP leader Jon Burrows has said (PA)",{"_81":15997,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":15998,"_213":15995,"_223":15999,"_106":16000,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16000,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/913368-1339a0d8-1430-493e-97fc-fdbabd4eab14-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-27592bd3-cab2-41a1-9ff3-2e6a2fba856f-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/cf26091c-bdcb-4601-9228-b35eee7b0fe8",[],"cf26091c-bdcb-4601-9228-b35eee7b0fe8","160120818",{"_163":88,"_165":16002},[],{"_163":15846,"_165":16004},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_81":16007,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16008,"_213":15995,"_223":15999,"_106":16000,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16000,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/913368-1339a0d8-1430-493e-97fc-fdbabd4eab14-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-27592bd3-cab2-41a1-9ff3-2e6a2fba856f-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/cf26091c-bdcb-4601-9228-b35eee7b0fe8",[],195436170,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/derry-londonderry-city/news/derry-city-lions-club-launches-with-call-for-locals-to-make-a-difference/a/160113074.html",[16122],"Derry City Lions Club launches with call for locals to ‘make a difference’",{"_264":16118,"_266":16098,"_267":16014},[16117],[16113,16114,16115,16116],"160113074",{},[],"2026-08-17T10:38:00Z","2026-08-17T10:38:14Z",[16026,16027,16028,16029,16030,16031,16032,16033,16034,16035,16036,16037,16038,16039,16040,16041,16042,16043,16044,16045,16046,16047,16048],{"_140":10,"_141":16025,"_143":10},"29db0c46-9a18-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":16111,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":16100,"_213":16101,"_215":16102,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":16097,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":16094,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":16091,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":16088,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":16085,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":179,"_106":16084,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16084,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":16081,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":171,"_356":16080,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":16077,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":16074,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":16071,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":16068,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":16067,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16067,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":16064,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":16061,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":16058,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":16055,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":16052,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":16049,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":657,"_106":7134,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":7134,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":195,"_106":14371,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":14371,"_233":92},{"_163":16050,"_165":16051},"Those unable to attend but interested in getting involved can also contact Simon Amerjit Singh Nagra on 07771 892345 or by email at onlynagra@yahoo.co.uk.",[],{"_163":16053,"_165":16054},"Anyone interested in finding out more about Derry City Lions Club can attend the open meeting at Foyle Arena on August 25.",[],{"_163":16056,"_165":16057},"Mr Nagra said: “Happiness is helping others – come get your share.”",[],{"_163":16059,"_165":16060},"They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours each month and would like to make a positive contribution locally.",[],{"_163":16062,"_165":16063},"Organisers say joining the club offers people an opportunity to support those in need, meet new friends and become part of an international network of volunteers.",[],{"_163":16065,"_165":16066},"All members are volunteers and money raised by the club is intended for charitable purposes. The club’s administration costs will be covered by themselves.",[],"160025061",{"_163":16069,"_165":16070},"Organisers stressed that the organisation operates on a non-sectarian and non-political basis, with religion and divisive politics not discussed at club meetings.",[],{"_163":16072,"_165":16073},"Members of the new club will decide which local causes to support before developing a fundraising programme aimed at helping address those needs.",[],{"_163":16075,"_165":16076},"“Each Lions club is independent and has its own service focus, ensuring it is meeting the needs of their own community,” the club said.",[],{"_163":16078,"_165":16079},"Derry City Lions Club president Simon Amerjit Singh Nagra said the new club will have a strong local focus while remaining part of the wider international organisation.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":8722,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":8723,"_106":8724,"_368":369,"_370":8725,"_232":8726,"_233":92},{"_163":16082,"_165":16083},"Its motto is ‘We Serve’, with members supporting a wide range of causes including sight, childhood cancer, diabetes, hunger, youth, disaster relief, environmental projects and humanitarian aid.",[],"160082995",{"_163":16086,"_165":16087},"Members of established Lions Clubs from across the island of Ireland will attend the event to explain how the organisation operates and answer questions from anyone considering becoming involved.",[],{"_163":16089,"_165":16090},"The club is inviting potential volunteers to attend an open meeting at Foyle Arena on Tuesday, August 25, at 7.30pm.",[],{"_163":16092,"_165":16093},"Lions is a global network of volunteers, with around 1.4 million members across more than 49,000 clubs in almost 200 countries.",[],{"_163":16095,"_165":16096},"Derry City Lions Club is the latest addition to the international Lions network and will spend its first year identifying some of the most pressing needs facing people across the city.",[],{"_163":16098,"_165":16099},"A new Lions Club has been launched, with organisers calling on local people to get involved and help make a difference in their community.",[],"Derry City Lions Club","Marian McGreevy, District Governor Lions Ireland, Simon Amerjit Nagra, President Derry City Lions Club and Ravinder Sandhu, Lions Area Leader.",{"_81":16103,"_212":16100,"_220":395,"_97":16104,"_213":16101,"_223":16105,"_106":16106,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16106,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/r0v5ws-marian-simon-raj.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Marian%2C%20Simon%20%26%20Raj.jpg",[16107],"Marian%2C%20Simon%20%26%20Raj.jpg","160116165",{"_235":16108,"_237":16109,"_239":16108,"_240":16110},"Louise.Doyle@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Doyle","Louise",{"_163":16014,"_165":16112},[],{"_250":256,"_106":257,"_253":8,"_254":258},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":16108,"_237":16109,"_240":16110},{"_81":16119,"_212":16100,"_220":395,"_97":16120,"_213":16101,"_223":16105,"_106":16106,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16106,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/r0v5ws-marian-simon-raj.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Marian%2C%20Simon%20%26%20Raj.jpg",[16121],{"_235":16108,"_237":16109,"_239":16108,"_240":16110},{"_250":16123,"_106":16124,"_275":16125,"_276":280},"Charity","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:charity","Stories related to charities",195415481,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":16273,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/north-belfast-man-accused-of-sending-abusive-emails-to-no-10-denies-targeting-andy-burnham/a/160042502.html",[16270,16271,16272],"North Belfast man accused of sending abusive emails to No 10 denies targeting Andy Burnham",{"_264":16266,"_266":16255,"_267":16131},[16265],[16259,16260,16261,16262,16263,16264],"160042502",{},[],"2026-08-17T18:00:00Z","2026-08-17T09:30:50Z",[16143,16144,16145,16146,16147,16148,16149,16150,16151,16152,16153,16154,16155,16156,16157,16158,16159,16160,16161,16162,16163,16164,16165,16166,16167,16168,16169],{"_140":10,"_141":16142,"_143":10},"8008818b-97e2-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":16257,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":16254,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":16244,"_215":16245,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":16241,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":16238,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":16235,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":16232,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":16229,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":16226,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":16223,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":1611,"_213":16216,"_215":16217,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":16213,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":16210,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":16207,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":16204,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":16201,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":16198,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":16195,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":16192,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":16189,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":16186,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":661,"_106":16185,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16185,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":16182,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":16179,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":16176,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":16173,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":16170,"_161":162},{"_163":16171,"_165":16172},"The case is due to be mentioned again at Belfast Magistrates Court this week.",[],{"_163":16174,"_165":16175},"A small amount of cannabis was found by officers when they arrived at Miskimmon’s flat.",[],{"_163":16177,"_165":16178},"His barrister told the court there were no statements from Burnham, Starmer or anyone from No 10 to connect him to the offence of harassment he was originally charged with.",[],{"_163":16180,"_165":16181},"When he first appeared in court, a police officer told the hearing Miskimmon said in interview that “plenty of people” had access to his email account.",[],{"_163":16183,"_165":16184},"Freeing Miskimmon on his own bail of £500, Mr Justice Smyth ordered him not to access any internet-enabled device. He also must engage with mental health service providers and follow all their directions and guidance.",[],"159978881",{"_163":16187,"_165":16188},"The judge asked: “The bottom line is this man is sick, and how do we manage him in the community?”",[],{"_163":16190,"_165":16191},"The barrister insisted Miskimmon had not gone off medication for what was described as a significant underlying mental health issue.",[],{"_163":16193,"_165":16194},"“These were just emails going into an inbox for Downing Street… and there was no statement from the prime minister to say he felt harassed,” he said.",[],{"_163":16196,"_165":16197},"Miskimmon’s barrister told Mrs Justice Smyth the emails he was accused of sending were never seen by Burnham.",[],{"_163":16199,"_165":16200},"“As a result, his behaviour is unpredictable,” added the lawyer.",[],{"_163":16202,"_165":16203},"He said police concerns about releasing the defendant centred on suspicions that he may have stopped taking treatment for possible schizophrenia.",[],{"_163":16205,"_165":16206},"The lawyer also disclosed a separate criminal case may be brought in connection to 3,500 emails Miskimmon allegedly sent to Sinn Féin offices in November 2022.",[],{"_163":16208,"_165":16209},"During his High Court bail application, a prosecution barrister told the court the emails appeared to “relate very much to the prime minister, Mr Burnham, and also reference the government”.",[],{"_163":16211,"_165":16212},"Miskimmon is facing charges of improper use of a public electronic communications network and possession of cannabis.",[],{"_163":16214,"_165":16215},"“There was no mention of Andy Burnham. I’m simply accused of (sending) emails to Downing Street,” he said.",[],"Prime Minister Andy Burnham ",{"_81":16218,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":16219,"_213":16216,"_223":16220,"_106":16221,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":16222,"_218":88,"_232":16221,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/uk/jvrdw9-cobra-committee-on-uk-heatwave/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/e4b75e1d-e8d0-443d-a732-31556bb766ba",[],"e4b75e1d-e8d0-443d-a732-31556bb766ba","159953114","Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to the media after chairing an emergency Cobra committee on the UK’s ongoing response to extreme heat, wildfires and drought. Nearly three quarters of England and the whole of Wales are in drought, after a record dry July and very dry start to August has combined with high temperatures to put pressure on water resources. Picture date: Wednesday August 12, 2026.",{"_163":16224,"_165":16225},"When Sunday Life approached Miskimmon for comment at his home on the New Lodge Road in north Belfast, he denied the emails were directed at the prime minister.",[],{"_163":16227,"_165":16228},"The 40-year-old included his name and address on the correspondence.",[],{"_163":16230,"_165":16231},"During last week’s hearing, a prosecution lawyer told the court the emails were “aggressive in tone, racist and homophobic”.",[],{"_163":16233,"_165":16234},"Miskimmon was granted High Court bail last week after spending 10 days in custody following his arrest at the start of the month.",[],{"_163":16236,"_165":16237},"They were sent just over a week after Burnham succeeded Sir Keir Stramer as prime minister.",[],{"_163":16239,"_165":16240},"Christopher Miskimmon is facing charges relating to correspondence to a Downing Street email address over three days last month.",[],{"_163":16242,"_165":16243},"A north Belfast man accused of sending 50 abusive emails to the prime minister has said he sent them to No 10, not Andy Burnham.",[],"Christopher Miskimmon ",{"_81":16246,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16247,"_213":16244,"_223":16248,"_106":16249,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":16250,"_218":88,"_232":16249,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/9d5gwh-ristopher-miskimmon.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/ristopher%20Miskimmon.jpg",[16251],"ristopher%20Miskimmon.jpg","160049707","***For Chris Woodhouse Sunday Life***\n\nChristopher MIskimmon at his North Belfast Property, Friday, August 14, 2026 ",{"_235":16252,"_237":16253,"_239":16252,"_240":6193},"christopher.woodhouse@sundaylife.co.uk","Woodhouse",{"_163":16255,"_165":16256},"Court told the emails were ‘aggressive in tone, racist and homophobic’",[],{"_163":16131,"_165":16258},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":3166,"_106":3167,"_253":10,"_254":3168},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},{"_235":16252,"_237":16253,"_240":6193},{"_81":16267,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16268,"_213":16244,"_223":16248,"_106":16249,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":16250,"_218":88,"_232":16249,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/9d5gwh-ristopher-miskimmon.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/ristopher%20Miskimmon.jpg",[16269],{"_235":16252,"_237":16253,"_239":16252,"_240":6193},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Christopher Miskimmon: Belfast man accused of sending abusive emails to No 10 denies targeting Prime Minister Andy 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president John McLenaghan said agriculture minister Andrew Muir’s comments about the organisation were ‘unfair’ and ‘somewhat disingenuous’ (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_81":16336,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16337,"_213":16334,"_223":16338,"_106":16339,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":16340,"_218":88,"_232":16339,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/gfjc0m-mourne-mountains-wildfire/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/4fd9808e-6e3f-41a7-870d-6418559e088f",[],"4fd9808e-6e3f-41a7-870d-6418559e088f","160115672","Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) Minister Andrew Muir speaks with local residents about the gorse fire, at Donard Park in Newcastle, Co. Down. Firefighters have tackled almost 150 wildfires in Northern Ireland across three days, a commander has said. Group commander Danny Ard from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said a ’significant majority’ of the fires were started deliberately. Picture date: Monday April 7, 2025.",{"_163":16342,"_165":16343},"“I don’t think Andrew Muir deserves to be personally attacked for that through death threat or intimidation, but I do believe there are questions that need to be answered.”",[],{"_163":16345,"_165":16346},"“But there’s also widespread anger on an animal welfare ground too, and that goes far beyond the rural community of Northern Ireland, people who just do not understand how a department thinks it’s a good idea – in broad daylight, beside a main road, when people are pulling up cars to see the carnage that’s occurring in the fields – that was in any way responsible or appropriate.",[],{"_163":16348,"_165":16349},"“So there is anger within the rural community, the agriculture community, those who engage in farming in Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":16351,"_165":16352},"“They could have fed the cattle, they could have sold the cattle, they could have passed the cattle into the care of somebody else who was prepared to look after them.",[],{"_163":16354,"_165":16355},"“But there should be concern for a department that came out and engaged in that cull unnecessarily, suggested that it was required by court order when it was not required by court order, tried to fool us all into believing that there was no alternative.",[],{"_163":16357,"_165":16358},"“I do not believe that that inquiry is satisfactory because it is not as truly independent as it should be, nor do I believe that a singular individual conducting it is going to satisfy those who are interested in it.",[],{"_163":16360,"_165":16361},"“Andrew Muir did not conduct the slaughter of 51 cattle in Tyrone, but he is responsible for a department, and I know that he has commenced an inquiry,” Mr Robinson said.",[],{"_163":16363,"_165":16364},"DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Mr Muir should “not be subject to death threats”, which the minister has reported amid anger surrounding the cull.",[],{"_163":16366,"_165":16367},"“So are many other factors that are under the control of the minister, and this is not personal at all.”",[],{"_163":16369,"_165":16370},"“And there are many other issues which the minister has the opportunity to address, such as direct discharge of sewage into Loch Neagh, which he is not addressing, such as the zebra mussels in Loch Neagh, which he’s made no effort to control.",[],{"_163":16372,"_165":16373},"“Because unfortunately, you can point towards failings in both, but it is not at the door of the Ulster Farmers’ Union or the agricultural or the farming industry because we are in good faith doing what we can.",[],{"_163":16375,"_165":16376},"“This is not about personalities, this is about getting policies which can deliver for our industry and also for our environment,” he said.",[],{"_163":16378,"_165":16379},"He also denied that the union’s decision was a “stunt” related to grievances some members had with Mr Muir’s environmental policies, particularly in relation to Lough Neagh.",[],{"_163":16381,"_165":16382},"“And whenever we found out the terms of reference and the fact that it was going to be an individual, that made it clear to us that there was going to be no attempt for this to be fair and take into consideration those legal aspects and those also those animal cruelty and farmer welfare aspects, and that is not unreasonable to all to expect.”",[],{"_163":16384,"_165":16385},"“We were prepared to give this panel the opportunity to investigate this thoroughly, but we needed to know that it could be used thoroughly,” he said.",[],{"_163":16387,"_165":16388},"Mr McLenaghan said the review into the cull being conducted by a single person rather than a panel was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” in calling the vote of no confidence against the minister.",[],{"_163":16390,"_165":16391},"“We will sit down with any government, any government minister from whatever party, wherever they come, and with anybody for that matter, to do what we believe is in the best interests of our farming members and the farming industry generally, that’s what we do, and we will never stop doing that,” he said.",[],{"_163":16393,"_165":16394},"He added that the days of the organisation dictating policy “never started”.",[],"

\n \n",{"_163":16397,"_165":16398},"“So, somewhat disingenuous to all of them, and that whole process, which has been going on for years.”",[],{"_163":16400,"_165":16401},"“And that includes stakeholders from environmental agencies, from industry representatives.",[],{"_163":16403,"_165":16404},"“So recognising that Daera does not have perhaps enough resources themselves to design future policy, they invite organisations like ourselves, but others as well, to sit down with them and look at how do we design policy in the future.",[],{"_163":16406,"_165":16407},"“What we do at Daera’s request, often, is participate in what’s known as co-design.",[],{"_163":16409,"_165":16410},"“We’ve worked with them to help them to help our farmers, to help our industry, and to describe that as dictating is not only unfair on the Ulster Farmers’ Union it’s also actually somewhat disingenuous.",[],{"_163":16412,"_165":16413},"Mr McLenaghan told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme: “(Mr Muir) said UFU dictating was over, I mean, this organisation’s 120 years’ history has worked with every government there has been, every competent authority there’s been, whether it’s Westminster or Stormont, any political party that has held the ministry.",[],{"_163":16415,"_165":16416},"The minister insisted there was “no reasonable alternative” but to comply with the court order by culling the animals on the site and appointed Dr Martin Blake, former chief veterinary officer for Ireland, to carry out an independent review into the cull.",[],{"_163":16418,"_165":16419},"Concerns have been raised by some political representatives and farmers about the public nature of the incident and questions have been posed about whether all options were exhausted before the cows were shot.",[],{"_163":16421,"_165":16422},"Daera’s Humane Slaughter Team carried out the cull of 51 cattle on land near Fivemiletown in June, following a court order which disqualified the herd owner from keeping animals.",[],{"_163":16424,"_165":16425},"Last week Mr Muir said “no single interest” group will “dictate government policy” after the union called on him to resign in relation to controversy over the shooting of 51 cows in Co Tyrone.",[],{"_163":16427,"_165":16428},"John McLenaghan said minister Andrew Muir’s comments about the organisation were “unfair” and “somewhat disingenuous”.",[],{"_163":16430,"_165":16431},"The president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has denied it is “dictating” government policy amid a row with Stormont’s agriculture minister.",[],"Ulster Farmers’ Union President John McLenaghan said the issue was not about personalities (PA)",{"_81":16434,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16435,"_213":16432,"_223":16436,"_106":16437,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16437,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/nvk3jb-08ebb701-50b3-4fce-b672-f106ee561ddd-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-b4e1622e-9e4f-4153-a310-93d043d732bb-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/82e495a7-958f-4507-a779-5cd1f53c62c1",[],"82e495a7-958f-4507-a779-5cd1f53c62c1","160115671",{"_163":88,"_165":16439},[],{"_163":16279,"_165":16441},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_81":16444,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16445,"_213":16432,"_223":16436,"_106":16437,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16437,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/nvk3jb-08ebb701-50b3-4fce-b672-f106ee561ddd-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-b4e1622e-9e4f-4153-a310-93d043d732bb-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/82e495a7-958f-4507-a779-5cd1f53c62c1",[],195408799,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":16516,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/antrim/news/emergency-services-at-the-scene-of-serious-crash-involving-motorbike-and-van-in-co-antrim/a/160112872.html",[16515],"Emergency services at the scene of serious crash involving motorbike and van in Co Antrim",{"_264":16512,"_266":16499,"_267":16451},[16511],[16507,16508,16509,16510],"160112872",{},[],"2026-08-17T09:10:00Z","Breaking","2026-08-17T09:09:44Z",[16464,16465,16466,16467,16468,16469,16470,16471,16472,16473,16474],{"_140":10,"_141":16463,"_143":10},"a7c3ad0f-9a17-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":16505,"_161":244},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":16501,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":16498,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":16495,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":187,"_212":-5,"_213":16488,"_215":16489,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":16485,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":16482,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":16479,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":16476,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":171,"_106":16475,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16475,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":167,"_106":8162,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":8162,"_233":92},"160113143",{"_163":16477,"_165":16478},"“Road users are advised that the road is closed close to the Upper Killyglen Road, and to seek an alternative route where possible.”",[],{"_163":16480,"_165":16481},"A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Police are currently at the scene of a road traffic collision on the Mullaghsandall Road, Larne.”",[],{"_163":16483,"_165":16484},"The Belfast Telegraph understands the collision involved a motorbike and a van.",[],{"_163":16486,"_165":16487},"The road has been closed in both directions. ",[],"Police are responding to a 2 vehicle RTC involving a van and a motorbike on the Mullaghsandall Road in Larne on August 17th 2026 (Photo by Stiofán Bruce / Belfast Telegraph) ",{"_81":16490,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16491,"_213":16488,"_223":16492,"_106":16493,"_226":227,"_228":6880,"_230":16488,"_218":88,"_232":16493,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/xy44kx-the-scene-on-mullaghsandall-road./alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A8762.jpg",[16494],"0R9A8762.jpg","160117153",{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":16496,"_165":16497},"Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to reports of a two-vehicle collision on the Mullaghsandall Road on the outskirts of Larne shortly before 9am. ",[],{"_163":16499,"_165":16500},"Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash in Co Antrim. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":16502,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":7726,"_106":16503,"_368":369,"_370":7728,"_232":16504,"_233":92},"-xYkbZ2JvKwG","2012407","160115789",{"_163":16451,"_165":16506},[],{"_250":1158,"_106":1159,"_253":8,"_254":1160},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_240":3187},{"_81":16490,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16513,"_213":88,"_223":16492,"_106":16493,"_226":227,"_228":6880,"_230":16488,"_218":88,"_232":16493,"_233":92},[16514],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Mullaghsandall Road, Larne: Emergency services at the scene of serious crash involving motorbike and van in Co Antrim",195407358,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":16635,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/derry-londonderry/news/a-real-sense-of-shock-and-sadness-woman-50s-dies-after-one-vehicle-crash-in-limavady/a/160113143.html",[16634],"‘A real sense of shock and sadness’: Woman (50s) dies after one-vehicle crash in Limavady",{"_264":16630,"_266":16614,"_267":16522},[16629],[16625,16626,16627,16628],{},[],"2026-08-17T08:47:00Z","2026-08-17T09:05:08Z",[16533,16534,16535,16536,16537,16538,16539,16540,16541,16542,16543,16544,16545,16546,16547,16548,16549,16550,16551,16552,16553,16554],{"_140":10,"_141":16532,"_143":10},"4e48ead9-9a18-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":16623,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":6944,"_213":16616,"_215":16617,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":16613,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":16610,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":16607,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":16604,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":16601,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":16598,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":16595,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":16592,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":16589,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":16586,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":16583,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":16580,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":16577,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":16574,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":677,"_356":16568,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":16565,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":16562,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":16559,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":16556,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":657,"_106":16555,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16555,"_233":92},"160113091",{"_163":16557,"_165":16558},"“Our enquiries are continuing”.",[],{"_163":16560,"_165":16561},"“The Drumrane Road, which was closed for a time, has since reopened.",[],{"_163":16563,"_165":16564},"“Officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended and medical treatment was provided at the scene. However, sadly, the woman passed away from her injuries a short time later,” the officer said.",[],{"_163":16566,"_165":16567},"PSNI Inspector Stewart from the Collision Investigation Unit appealed for the public for additional information.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":16569,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":16570,"_106":16571,"_368":369,"_370":16572,"_232":16573,"_233":92},"SLAA07BQJ6S2","01:27:00","2006605","1:27","160055142",{"_163":16575,"_165":16576},"His DUP party colleague, councillor Aaron Callan added: “After an event like this takes place, there is a real sense and feeling of sadness that comes over the community. I would like to share my condolences to the family at this very difficult time.”",[],{"_163":16578,"_165":16579},"“It is another unfortunate road death in the province. My condolences go out to the family,” he said.",[],{"_163":16581,"_165":16582},"Limavady DUP representative Steven Callaghan offered his well-wishes to the family.",[],{"_163":16584,"_165":16585},"“I also want to acknowledge the emergency services who responded on Sunday and thank them for their work in what will have been very difficult circumstances.”",[],{"_163":16587,"_165":16588},"“Above all, there is a family grieving the loss of someone they loved, and I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to them at this tragic time.",[],{"_163":16590,"_165":16591},"“There will be a real sense of shock and sadness in Limavady following what happened on Sunday,” she said.",[],{"_163":16593,"_165":16594},"SDLP MLA Cara Hunter thanked emergency services for their response to the tragedy and offered her condolences. ",[],{"_163":16596,"_165":16597},"“I want to thank the emergency services who responded and worked in very difficult circumstances.”",[],{"_163":16599,"_165":16600},"“I send my sincerest condolences to her family and friends. My thoughts are also with everyone affected by the collision and those who attended the scene.",[],{"_163":16602,"_165":16603},"“A woman has lost her life and a family is now having to come to terms with her sudden death,” she said.",[],{"_163":16605,"_165":16606},"East Londonderry MLA Claire Sugden said it was “devastating news”. ",[],{"_163":16608,"_165":16609},"It involved a pedestrian and a car in the Drumrane Road.",[],{"_163":16611,"_165":16612},"The one vehicle collision took place before 2.50pm on Sunday.",[],{"_163":16614,"_165":16615},"A woman in her 50s has died following a crash in Limavady over the weekend.",[],"Stock Image: Police attended the scene of the RTC ",{"_81":16618,"_212":6944,"_220":395,"_97":16619,"_213":16616,"_223":16620,"_106":16621,"_226":227,"_228":6944,"_230":16616,"_218":88,"_232":16621,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ik84zo-stock-images/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/bt_kscott_2025_2812.JPG",[16622],"bt_kscott_2025_2812.JPG","131546434",{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_239":3195,"_240":3197},{"_163":16522,"_165":16624},[],{"_250":921,"_106":922,"_253":8,"_254":923},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":3273,"_237":3274,"_240":3275},{"_81":16631,"_212":6944,"_220":395,"_97":16632,"_213":16616,"_223":16620,"_106":16621,"_226":227,"_228":6944,"_230":16616,"_218":88,"_232":16621,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ik84zo-stock-images/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_2812.JPG",[16633],{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_239":3195,"_240":3197},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Drumrane Road: Woman (50s) dies after one-vehicle crash in Limavady",195391112,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-seizures-of-menace-e-bikes-leap-83-in-a-year/a/160111233.html",[],"Police seizures of ‘menace’ e-bikes leap 83% in a year",{"_264":16839,"_266":-5,"_267":16641},[],[16837,16838],"160111233",{},[],"2026-08-17T08:07:30Z","2026-08-17T08:12:02Z",[16654,16655,16656,16657,16658,16659,16660,16661,16662,16663,16664,16665,16666,16667,16668,16669,16670,16671,16672,16673,16674,16675,16676,16677,16678,16679,16680,16681,16682,16683,16684,16685,16686,16687,16688,16689,16690,16691],"By Neil Lancefield and Flora Thompson, Press 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officers in London seize e-bikes to be tested (Ben Whitley/PA)",{"_81":16699,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16700,"_213":16697,"_223":16701,"_106":16702,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":16703,"_218":88,"_232":16702,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/aosvih-met-e-bike-operation/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/c337da10-27fb-4d82-b986-64e1711f9cbd",[],"c337da10-27fb-4d82-b986-64e1711f9cbd","160111246","Policer officers at the junction between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street in London, seize e-bikes to be tested with ???rolling road??? technology to check their speed at the roadside. Picture date: Friday July 24, 2026.","Calls have been made for changes in the law to crack down on illegal e-bikes (Ben Whitley/PA)",{"_81":16706,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16707,"_213":16704,"_223":16708,"_106":16709,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":16710,"_218":88,"_232":16709,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/cj1lwa-met-e-bike-operation/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/0ce3a105-b2bb-4b6b-89dd-51a57f1521fe",[],"0ce3a105-b2bb-4b6b-89dd-51a57f1521fe","160111244","EMBARGOED TO 0001 SATURDAY JULY 25 Policer officers at the junction between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street in London, seize e-bikes to be tested with `rolling road´ technology to check their speed at the roadside. Picture date: Friday July 24, 2026.","‘Rolling road’ technology tests the speed of e-bikes (Ben Whiteley/PA)",{"_81":16713,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16714,"_213":16711,"_223":16715,"_106":16716,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":16717,"_218":88,"_232":16716,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/e6yx4u-met-e-bike-operation/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/94500c0d-67d0-4aa2-81e2-95b64f7b74a0",[],"94500c0d-67d0-4aa2-81e2-95b64f7b74a0","160111241","EMBARGOED TO 0001 SATURDAY JULY 25 Policer officers at the junction between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street in London, use `rolling road´ technology to test the speed of e-bikes at the roadside. Picture date: Friday July 24, 2026.","Pedestrian Gloria Stephenson, 86, was knocked down and killed by an illegal e-bike on a zebra crossing (Northumberland Police/PA)",{"_81":16720,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16721,"_213":16718,"_223":16722,"_106":16723,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":16724,"_218":88,"_232":16723,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/cy67f2-gloria-stephenson-death/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/e70a0611-62b9-443a-892f-c3a24e10a654",[],"e70a0611-62b9-443a-892f-c3a24e10a654","160111238","Undated handout photo issued by Northumbria Police of Gloria Stephenson, who died after she was allegedly hit by an electric motorbike while she used a pedestrian crossing in Sunderland on May 16. A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Issue date: Thursday May 29, 2025.",{"_163":16726,"_165":16727},"These tougher powers came into force on June 29 under the Crime and Policing Act 2026.",[],{"_163":16729,"_165":16730},"“That’s why we have strengthened police powers, changing the law so that officers no longer need to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles where they are used anti-socially.”",[],{"_163":16732,"_165":16733},"A Government spokeswoman said: “Illegal e-bikes that can reach dangerous speeds have no place on our roads and pavements, and the rise in seizures shows the scale of the problem police are dealing with.",[],{"_163":16735,"_165":16736},"– A record 432 e-bike fires were reported in the UK last year, with brigades raising concerns about faulty batteries igniting while being charged.",[],{"_163":16738,"_165":16739},"– A pregnant woman in her 30s struck by an e-bike while crossing a road in Poole, Dorset on January 26 was taken to hospital where she prematurely gave birth to a seriously ill baby.",[],{"_163":16741,"_165":16742},"– A 10-year-old child was seriously injured after being hit by an e-bike on a pavement in Grimsby on April 9.",[],{"_163":16744,"_165":16745},"– Pedestrian Gloria Stephenson, 86, was knocked down and killed by an illegal e-bike on a zebra crossing in Sunderland in May last year.",[],{"_163":16747,"_165":16748},"E-bikes have been behind a string of serious incidents:",[],{"_163":16750,"_165":16751},"Pedestrian safety charity Living Streets warned “the rise in e-bike use must not come at the expense of people walking” while the Royal National Institute of Blind People said e-bikes are “heavy, fast-moving, silent vehicles” that present a danger when “ridden carelessly”.",[],{"_163":16753,"_165":16754},"Calling for new legislation to deal with illegal e-bike users, he added: “I would like to see specific laws around e-bikes brought in.”",[],{"_163":16756,"_165":16757},"“If that was to hit a small child, it can cause serious injuries,” he warned.",[],{"_163":16759,"_165":16760},"Mr Ford said some illegal e-bikes are three times heavier than a conventional bike.",[],{"_163":16762,"_165":16763},"City of London Police seized four of the machines in just half an hour last month.",[],{"_163":16765,"_165":16766},"The force has started using portable rolling road devices so officers can test an e-bike’s maximum speed using its motor to help them spot illegal machines.",[],{"_163":16768,"_165":16769},"Speaking to PA at the scene, Commander Neerav Patel said Londonders were “fed-up of the criminal and antisocial use of e-bikes”.",[],{"_163":16771,"_165":16772},"Last month, the Met carried out an operation to catch illegal e-bike users near Tottenham Court Road station in London’s West End – a hotspot for phone theft and other street crime.",[],{"_163":16774,"_165":16775},"Wiltshire Police said half of its seizures were recorded in Swindon, the town which Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s constituency covers.",[],{"_163":16777,"_165":16778},"The 11 forces where seizures more than doubled year on year were Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Northumbria, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Thames Valley and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":16780,"_165":16781},"That was ahead of Leicestershire Police (661), Police Scotland (585) and Thames Valley Police (425).",[],{"_163":16783,"_165":16784},"The Metropolitan Police was the force which seized the most e-bikes in the year to May 19, with 2,367.",[],{"_163":16786,"_165":16787},"Thirty-one police forces out of 45 across the UK provided comparable data after PA’s freedom-of-information requests.",[],{"_163":16789,"_165":16790},"As well as being used for crime, illegal e-bikes are also often used for legitimate journeys such as food deliveries and commuting.",[],{"_163":16792,"_165":16793},"Kits which add an electronic motor to a conventional bike are available online for under £300.",[],{"_163":16795,"_165":16796},"While major retailers sell thousands of legal e-bikes every year, many illegal machines are bought on the internet.",[],{"_163":16798,"_165":16799},"Non-compliant machines are effectively electric mopeds or motorbikes, which must be registered, taxed and insured.",[],{"_163":16801,"_165":16802},"Many illegal e-bikes confiscated by police have been modified to travel much faster, with some exceeding 70mph.",[],{"_163":16804,"_165":16805},"Under UK law, legal e-bikes are known as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) and must meet certain safety regulations such as their electric motor having a maximum power output of 250 watts and cutting out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached.",[],{"_163":16807,"_165":16808},"During a recent e-bike crackdown in Cardiff, South Wales Police arrested four riders on suspicion of drug offences after a man in his 20s was found with 33 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin worth about £1,000.",[],{"_163":16810,"_165":16811},"Labour MP for Carlisle Julie Minns, who has been campaigning for a ban on sales of illegal e-bikes and conversion kits, said they were the “perfect accessory to phone theft, mugging and drug dealing” as well as a danger to motorists and pedestrians as she called on Andy Burnham’s Government to brand them an “unsafe product”.",[],{"_163":16813,"_165":16814},"Sergeant Stuart Ford, who leads the cycle team at City of London Police, described illegal e-bikes as “a menace”.",[],{"_163":16816,"_165":16817},"The figures prompted police, politicians and charities to call for new laws to clamp down on the dangerous vehicles which have caused deaths and serious injuries in some cases.",[],{"_163":16819,"_165":16820},"That is compared with 3,858 during the previous year.",[],{"_163":16822,"_165":16823},"Some 7,049 of the machines were confiscated across the UK in the 12 months to May 19, according to data obtained by the Press Association under freedom-of-information laws.",[],{"_163":16825,"_165":16826},"Police seizures of e-bikes soared by 83% in a year, an investigation has found, as forces crack down on dangerous models.",[],"Police officers pictured on a recent operation in London seizing illegal e-bikes (Ben Whitley/PA)",{"_81":16829,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16830,"_213":16827,"_223":16831,"_106":16832,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16832,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/qd12zx-28225dd8-2837-4405-b432-c28d43e77af9-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-953cdfa5-6b36-4745-bdef-e8299eaf33dd-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/2e292c07-79e8-4604-bc11-d1cf06c52422",[],"2e292c07-79e8-4604-bc11-d1cf06c52422","160111237",{"_163":88,"_165":16834},[],{"_163":16641,"_165":16836},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":14319,"_106":14320,"_253":10,"_254":14321},{"_81":16840,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16841,"_213":16827,"_223":16831,"_106":16832,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":16832,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/qd12zx-28225dd8-2837-4405-b432-c28d43e77af9-mhie-beltel-online-urn-newsml-pressassociation-io-953cdfa5-6b36-4745-bdef-e8299eaf33dd-featureimage.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/2e292c07-79e8-4604-bc11-d1cf06c52422",[],195358519,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":16952,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/it-is-easy-to-mourn-tragedy-of-jason-arday-after-the-event...-it-is-much-harder-to-recognise-your-own-part-in-a-pile-on/a/160085831.html",[16951],"It is easy to mourn tragedy of Jason Arday after the event... it is much harder to recognise your own part in a pile-on",{"_264":16947,"_266":16939,"_267":16847},[],[16943,16944,16945,16946],"160085831",{},[],"2026-08-17T05:52:00Z","2026-08-17T05:53:25Z",[16860,16861,16862,16863,16864,16865,16866,16867,16868,16869,16870,16871,16872,16873,16874,16875,16876,16877,16878,16879,16880],"Jim Gamble",{"_140":10,"_141":16859,"_143":10},"1e43c515-995a-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":16941,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":16938,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":16933,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":16930,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":202,"_212":1611,"_213":16923,"_215":16924,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":16920,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":16917,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":16914,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":16911,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":175,"_356":16910,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":16907,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":16904,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":16901,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":16898,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":16895,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":16892,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":16889,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":16886,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":16883,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":669,"_106":16882,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16882,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":16881,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16881,"_233":92},"160105712","160089473",{"_163":16884,"_165":16885},"Until all of us, online and inside our institutions, are willing to look in the mirror, these failures, and the tragic cost that comes with them, will continue.",[],{"_163":16887,"_165":16888},"Safeguarding isn’t a fair-weather policy. It means protecting people when they are overwhelmed and caught in the eye of the storm. ",[],{"_163":16890,"_165":16891},"Would the margin of error, or the sheer speed and ferocity of this takedown, have been the same for a white academic? For Black professionals, that margin is too often close to non-existent, and the backlash swifter and more brutal.",[],{"_163":16893,"_165":16894},"We also can’t dodge the question of racial bias, conscious or otherwise. The glee with which some seized on the case to attack the DEI agenda said more about them than it ever did about him. ",[],{"_163":16896,"_165":16897},"You do not get to abandon an employee to the wolves just because they have transitioned from a celebrated PR asset to what you now see as a reputational liability.",[],{"_163":16899,"_165":16900},"They ran for the hills the moment it got difficult. Universities in this country operate as exempt charities, a status that carries serious governance responsibilities and a non-negotiable duty of care. ",[],{"_163":16902,"_165":16903},"Where were the institutions that championed his success when it suited their corporate narrative? ",[],{"_163":16905,"_165":16906},"When you strip away the noise, what we are looking at is a catastrophic failure in duty of care. No one is built to withstand the full force of a modern media takedown. When your identity is dismantled in public, the isolation is total, online and off, and the psychological toll is devastating.",[],{"_163":16908,"_165":16909},"It is easy to mourn a tragedy after the event; it is much harder to recognise your own part in a pile-on. Looking in the mirror is always harder than pointing the finger.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":8257,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":8258,"_106":8259,"_368":369,"_370":8260,"_232":8261,"_233":92},{"_163":16912,"_165":16913},"There are hard lessons to be learned all round. Yet some of those now pontificating about the outcome are the same people who tear into others online without a second thought for the human cost of their words. ",[],{"_163":16915,"_165":16916},"But precisely because that media storm was predictable, his desperate need for support should have been too.",[],{"_163":16918,"_165":16919},"Who didn’t raise an eyebrow at the initial allegations? And who now, me included, doesn’t wish they had looked harder at the person behind the headlines?",[],{"_163":16921,"_165":16922},"Given the narrative built around his career and early life, public interest was inevitable and the ferocity of the coverage entirely predictable. ",[],"Jason Arday carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Sutton (London Borough) and Merton (London Borough) ",{"_81":16925,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":16926,"_213":16923,"_223":16927,"_106":16928,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":16929,"_218":88,"_232":16928,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/uk/z2mo0g-jason-arday-death/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/b35e4e27-aa1d-4430-8f38-956c1f5ac03c",[],"b35e4e27-aa1d-4430-8f38-956c1f5ac03c","160067866","File photo dated 23/7/12 of Torchbearer 132 Jason Arday carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Sutton (London Borough) and Merton (London Borough). University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said she was “desperately saddened” by the death of former professor Jason Arday, adding: “Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.” Issue date: Friday August 14, 2026.",{"_163":16931,"_165":16932},"A lot of people have suddenly found the moral high ground on the Jason Arday case. He was a vulnerable man living on the edge and, when the questions came, he was plainly overwhelmed. ",[],{"_81":16934,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16935,"_213":88,"_223":10847,"_106":16936,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":16929,"_218":88,"_232":16936,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/hqk9tp-maira-butt.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Maira%20Butt.jpg",[16937],"160107183",{"_235":8055,"_237":8056,"_239":8055,"_240":8057},{"_163":16939,"_165":16940},"Former Cambridge academic resigned from his post as the professor of sociology of education last week after allegations of plagiarism were made against him. On Friday, he was found dead after emergency services were called to an address in Battersea, south London.",[],{"_163":16847,"_165":16942},[],{"_250":2163,"_106":2164,"_253":8,"_254":1977},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":14319,"_106":14320,"_253":10,"_254":14321},{"_81":16948,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":16949,"_213":88,"_223":10847,"_106":16936,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":16929,"_218":88,"_232":16936,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/hqk9tp-maira-butt.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Maira%20Butt.jpg",[16950],{"_235":8055,"_237":8056,"_239":8055,"_240":8057},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"\nJim Gamble: It is easy to mourn tragedy of Jason Arday after the event... it is much harder to recognise your own part in a pile-on",195310107,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":17104,"_283":8,"_275":17105,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/canadians-crowned-winners-at-world-pipe-band-championships-beating-lisburns-field-marshal-montgomery-into-second-place/a/160096273.html",[17103],"Canadians crowned winners at World Pipe Band Championships, beating Lisburn’s Field Marshal Montgomery into second place",{"_264":17099,"_266":17083,"_267":16958},[],[17096,17097,17098],"160096273",{},[],"2026-08-16T17:44:00Z","2026-08-16T17:44:25Z",[16970,16971,16972,16973,16974,16975,16976,16977,16978,16979,16980,16981,16982,16983,16984,16985,16986,16987,16988,16989,16990,16991,16992,16993,16994,16995,16996],{"_140":10,"_141":16969,"_143":10},"1b603d6e-9988-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":17094,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":17085,"_213":17086,"_215":17087,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17082,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":17079,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":17076,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":-5,"_213":17069,"_215":17070,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":17066,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":17063,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":17060,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":17017,"_213":17053,"_215":17054,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":17050,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":17047,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":17044,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":694,"_356":17038,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":17035,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":17032,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":17029,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":17026,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":669,"_212":17017,"_213":17018,"_215":17019,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":17014,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":17011,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":17008,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":17005,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":17002,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":16999,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":16998,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16998,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":633,"_106":16997,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16997,"_233":92},"159936968","160019050",{"_163":17000,"_165":17001},"“Every band that took part can be immensely proud of their performances. They delivered a fantastic competition and demonstrated the dedication, commitment, skill and talent that continue to make the world of pipe band competition so special.”",[],{"_163":17003,"_165":17004},"“This year’s World Championships provided a truly thrilling and fiercely contested competition. Huge congratulations go to the 2026 World Pipe Band Champions, Simon Fraser University, on securing the Grade 1 global title.",[],{"_163":17006,"_165":17007},"Colin Mulhern, chief executive of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the competing bands, supporters and spectators who joined us throughout our 2026 World Pipe Band Championships.",[],{"_163":17009,"_165":17010},"Saturday’s contest, which focused on the senior bands, saw band members compete across the Grade 1, Grade 2, Grades 3A and 3B, and Grades 4A and 4B categories.",[],{"_163":17012,"_165":17013},"The grade winners were Juvenile — George Watson’s College who also won the title in 2025; Novice Juvenile A — North Lanarkshire Schools; Novice Juvenile B — St Thomas Episcopal School from the USA. ",[],{"_163":17015,"_165":17016},"Following its successful introduction in 2025, the dedicated juvenile competition returned for a second year on Friday 14 August. More than 1,500 under-18s competed in this hugely popular highlight of the ‘Worlds’, celebrating the next generation of piping and drumming talent.",[],"SNS Group"," Simon Fraser of University Pipe Band react to winning the World Pipe Band Championships",{"_81":17020,"_212":17017,"_220":395,"_97":17021,"_213":17018,"_223":17022,"_106":17023,"_226":227,"_228":17017,"_230":17024,"_218":88,"_232":17023,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/sytrnu-or-glasgow-life-2.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/or_Glasgow_Life%20(2).jpg",[17025],"or_Glasgow_Life%20(2).jpg","160096505","GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 15: Simon Fraser University Pipe Band celebrate their win during the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green, on August 15, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":17027,"_165":17028},"This year, 23 of the bands competing at the Championships did so for the first time.",[],{"_163":17030,"_165":17031},"Many musicians travelled thousands of miles to be part of an extraordinary two days, representing bands from Australia, New Zealand, Oman, Canada and France. Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany were also represented, with one band from each country taking to the field.",[],{"_163":17033,"_165":17034},"Northern Ireland had the second-largest contingent, with 26 bands, followed by the USA with 19 — up from 14 last year.",[],{"_163":17036,"_165":17037},"Scottish bands led the way, with 125 representing communities from across the country and delivering standout performances that wowed crowds on Friday and Saturday. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":17039,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":17040,"_106":17041,"_368":369,"_370":17042,"_232":17043,"_233":92},"LgBJD7lYFW20","02:04:00","1983230","2:04","159733635",{"_163":17045,"_165":17046},"Audiences all over the world were also able to watch live coverage from the championships on both days via online streaming.",[],{"_163":17048,"_165":17049},"Thousands of talented performers travelled to Glasgow Green representing 14 countries, entertaining 35,000 spectators and supporters across two memorable days filled with music, tradition and spectacle.",[],{"_163":17051,"_165":17052},"The ‘Worlds’ — renowned as the pinnacle of the global piping calendar — bring together the best pipers and drummers on the planet to compete, with 211 bands taking part this time around.",[],"Simon Fraser University Pipe Band celebrate their win during the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green",{"_81":17055,"_212":17017,"_220":395,"_97":17056,"_213":17053,"_223":17057,"_106":17058,"_226":227,"_228":17017,"_230":17024,"_218":88,"_232":17058,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/9z64qr-or-glasgow-life-3.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/or_Glasgow_Life%20(3).jpg",[17059],"or_Glasgow_Life%20(3).jpg","160096492",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":17061,"_165":17062},"Simon Fraser University delivered a top-class performance, with Field Marshal Montgomery runners-up ahead of Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia who finished in third place.",[],{"_163":17064,"_165":17065},"It is the first time in 17 years that the Canadian band has won the coveted title of World Pipe Band Champions, having last lifted the title in 2009. It is also the first time since 2010 that a band from outside the UK has won the World Championship.",[],{"_163":17067,"_165":17068},"But this year, Simon Fraser University from Canada were crowned World Champions following a spectacular finale to the contest in Glasgow on Saturday evening.",[],"The Field Marshal Montgomery pipe band",{"_81":17071,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17072,"_213":17069,"_223":17073,"_106":17074,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17074,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1dpq6w-fm-montgomery-band.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/FM_Montgomery_band.jpg",[17075],"FM_Montgomery_band.jpg","160096468",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":17077,"_165":17078},"The band has won the World Pipe Band Championships 13 times, making it the third most successful competing pipe band in history.",[],{"_163":17080,"_165":17081},"It is the fourth year in a row the Lisburn band, who last won the contest in 2012, has finished runner-up.",[],{"_163":17083,"_165":17084},"The Field Marshal Montgomery pipe band has been pipped at the post to finish runners-up at the 2026 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.\t",[],"Ross MacDonald/SNS Group/PA Wire","The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band celebrating their win during the World Pipe Band Championships",{"_81":17088,"_212":17085,"_220":395,"_97":17089,"_213":17086,"_223":17090,"_106":17091,"_226":227,"_228":17085,"_230":17092,"_218":88,"_232":17091,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/x8jbdb-2acee2c5-cc42-.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/2acee2c5-cc42-.jpg",[17093],"2acee2c5-cc42-.jpg","160096450","ONE TIME USE ONLY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY\n\nHandout photo issued by Glasgow Life of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band celebrating their win during the World Pipe Band Championships (WPBC) at Glasgow Green. The WPBC, known as “The Worlds”, is the pinnacle event in competitive piping, bringing together the finest pipe bands from across the globe to compete for the title of World Champions. This year, more than 8,500 pipers and drummers from 211 bands across 14 countries gather for the world’s largest pipe band competition. Picture date: Saturday August 15, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group/PA Wire \n\nNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. ",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":16958,"_165":17095},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":5499,"_106":5500,"_253":10,"_254":5501},{"_250":763,"_106":764,"_253":10,"_254":765},{"_81":17100,"_212":17085,"_220":395,"_97":17101,"_213":17086,"_223":17090,"_106":17091,"_226":227,"_228":17085,"_230":17092,"_218":88,"_232":17091,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/x8jbdb-2acee2c5-cc42-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/2acee2c5-cc42-.jpg",[17102],{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"World Pipe Band Championships 2026: Results and highlights from Glasgow","World Pipe Band Championships 2026 in Glasgow deliver a dramatic upset, record crowds and rising youth talent in every grade",195306756,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":17178,"_283":8,"_275":17179,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/serious-collision-closes-drumrane-road-in-limavady-as-emergency-services-attend-scene/a/160099531.html",[17174,17175],"Serious collision closes Drumrane Road in Limavady as emergency services attend scene",{"_264":17170,"_266":17163,"_267":17111},[17169],[17167,17168],"160099531",{},[],"2026-08-16T17:29:00Z","2026-08-16T17:30:02Z",[17123,17124,17125,17126,17127,17128,17129,17130,17131,17132,17133],{"_140":10,"_141":17122,"_143":10},"87806a6e-9996-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":17165,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":17162,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":17154,"_215":17155,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17151,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":17148,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":17145,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":342,"_356":17144,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":17141,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":17138,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":17134,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":171,"_106":8702,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":8702,"_233":92},{"_163":17135,"_165":17136},"More to follow.",[17137],{"_85":2073,"_157":880,"_194":694,"_196":-5},{"_163":17139,"_165":17140},"The NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) has also been approached for comment.",[],{"_163":17142,"_165":17143},"“Diversions are in place and drivers should avoid the area at this time.”",[],{"_85":358,"_359":8899,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":8900,"_106":8901,"_368":369,"_370":8902,"_232":8903,"_233":92},{"_163":17146,"_165":17147},"A PSNI spokesperson said: “The Drumrane Road in Limavady is currently closed in both directions due to a serious road traffic collision. ",[],{"_163":17149,"_165":17150},"Emergency services are currently at the scene on the Drumrane Road, Limavady.",[],{"_163":17152,"_165":17153},"A Co Londonderry Road has been closed following a serious collision.",[],"Police are appealing for information",{"_81":17156,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17157,"_213":17154,"_223":17158,"_106":17159,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17160,"_218":88,"_232":17159,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/x5lxch-stock-images-badge-psni.jfif/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/STOCK%20IMAGES%20BADGE%20PSNI.jfif",[17161],"STOCK%20IMAGES%20BADGE%20PSNI.jfif","160072418","Police have closed a road at the scene",{"_235":3965,"_237":3966,"_239":3965,"_240":3967},{"_163":17163,"_165":17164},"Emergency services are attending the scene",[],{"_163":17111,"_165":17166},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":921,"_106":922,"_253":10,"_254":923},{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_240":524},{"_81":17171,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17172,"_213":17154,"_223":17158,"_106":17159,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17160,"_218":88,"_232":17159,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/x5lxch-stock-images-badge-psni.jfif/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/STOCK%20IMAGES%20BADGE%20PSNI.jfif",[17173],{"_235":3965,"_237":3966,"_239":3965,"_240":3967},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":17176,"_106":17177,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Northern Ireland Ambulance Service","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:northern-ireland-ambulance-service","Serious crash Limavady: Drumrane Road closed, avoid area","Serious road collision closes Drumrane Road in Limavady as PSNI enforces diversions and NI Ambulance Service responds",195289541,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":17314,"_283":8,"_275":17315,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/derry-londonderry-city/news/feile-derry-hails-biggest-year-yet-as-150-plus-cultural-events-brighten-local-neighbourhoods/a/160092081.html",[17310,17311],"Féile Derry hails ‘biggest year yet’ as 150-plus cultural events brighten local neighbourhoods",{"_264":17306,"_266":17291,"_267":17185},[17305],[17302,17303,17304],{},[],"2026-08-16T14:42:00Z","2026-08-16T14:43:01Z",[17196,17197,17198,17199,17200,17201,17202,17203,17204,17205,17206,17207,17208,17209,17210,17211,17212,17213,17214,17215,17216,17217,17218,17219,17220],{"_140":10,"_141":17195,"_143":10},"ffe20101-9979-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":17300,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":17237,"_213":17293,"_215":17294,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17290,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":17287,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":17284,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":17281,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":17280,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17280,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":179,"_106":17279,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17279,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":17276,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":17273,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":17237,"_213":17266,"_215":17267,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":17263,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":17260,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":694,"_356":17254,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":17251,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":17248,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":17245,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":17237,"_213":17238,"_215":17239,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":17234,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":17231,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":17228,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":17225,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":17222,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":650,"_106":17221,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17221,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":11487,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11487,"_233":92},"159854703",{"_163":17223,"_165":17224},"“Féile would not be possible without the support of our funders, community partners and volunteers, and we are hugely grateful to everyone who helps make the festival such a success, including Derry City & Strabane District Council, The Executive Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs.”",[],{"_163":17226,"_165":17227},"“Féile 2026 also featured our biggest-ever exhibition programme, with photography, visual art and painting on display in local youth clubs, community centres, parks, streets and public spaces.",[],{"_163":17229,"_165":17230},"“We screened award-winning films and hosted important debates and discussions on the issues impacting people today, including constitutional change in Ireland, ending violence against women and girls, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.",[],{"_163":17232,"_165":17233},"“I’m sure everyone who was there will agree it was one of those unforgettable nights in Derry’s live music history.",[],{"_163":17235,"_165":17236},"He added: “Féile 2026 also brought an exciting live music programme, including one of Ireland’s hottest bands, Madra Salach, who made their Derry debut with a sold-out show at the Nerve Centre.”",[],"Féile Derry","Dublin band Madra Salach who performed to a sold-out crowd at the Nerve Centre.",{"_81":17240,"_212":17237,"_220":395,"_97":17241,"_213":17238,"_223":17242,"_106":17243,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17243,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tv30u-madra-salach.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/madra%20salach.jpg",[17244],"madra%20salach.jpg","160092485",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":17246,"_165":17247},"“We were delighted to see the return of our much-loved ‘The Greatest Show’ series in local parks and green spaces, alongside a packed programme of free family celebrations across the neighbourhood.”",[],{"_163":17249,"_165":17250},"“This was followed by Field Day, a huge community gathering at Bishop’s Field in Creggan, featuring music, sport and fun activities for all ages.",[],{"_163":17252,"_165":17253},"“Féile 2026 came to a close yesterday with a massive carnival parade, Our People-Our Place, through the streets of the Bogside, Bishop Street and Brandywell neighbourhoods. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":17255,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":17256,"_106":17257,"_368":369,"_370":17258,"_232":17259,"_233":92},"z7ItN5QZYW4k","02:58:00","2008818","2:58","160078839",{"_163":17261,"_165":17262},"“Over the last 11 days, we have hosted more than 150 events across the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan and Fountain areas and the city centre, with a key focus on bringing joy and fun to people of all ages on their doorstep.",[],{"_163":17264,"_165":17265},"A Féile Derry spokesperson said: “Féile is a positive celebration of everything that makes our neighbourhood the greatest place on earth, and we’re delighted that 2026 has been our biggest year yet, with more people than ever taking part.",[],"The Our People, Our Place carnival parade passing Free Derry Corner.",{"_81":17268,"_212":17237,"_220":395,"_97":17269,"_213":17266,"_223":17270,"_106":17271,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17271,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/rlkzgp-feile-derry-2.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Feile%20Derry%202.jpg",[17272],"Feile%20Derry%202.jpg","160092436",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":17274,"_165":17275},"Participants took a journey through the city’s history - from St Colmcille, to the factory girls, to the Civil Rights movement, its sporting heritage and the people who make the community so special, including Ryan McBride and Sister Clare Crockett.",[],{"_163":17277,"_165":17278},"On Saturday local streets were filled with colour, music and dance with an Our Place, Our People carnival parade.",[],"159759912","159913571",{"_163":17282,"_165":17283},"One of the island’s most exciting bands, Madra Salach, played a sold-out performance at the Nerve Centre which captivated the audience.",[],{"_163":17285,"_165":17286},"There were circus performances, comedy shows, sporting events including an open training session where young fans met their Derry City FC heroes and family fun days.",[],{"_163":17288,"_165":17289},"A packed programme of events took place this year including discussions on topics of local, national and international significance.",[],{"_163":17291,"_165":17292},"Féile Derry has rounded off 11 days of successful events with a parade that celebrated “everything that makes our neighbourhood the greatest place on earth”.",[],"Children taking part in the Our People, Our Place parade.",{"_81":17295,"_212":17237,"_220":395,"_97":17296,"_213":17293,"_223":17297,"_106":17298,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17298,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/vu0co0-feile-derry.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Feile%20Derry.jpg",[17299],"Feile%20Derry.jpg","160092422",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":17185,"_165":17301},[],{"_250":256,"_106":257,"_253":8,"_254":258},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_240":1664},{"_81":17307,"_212":17237,"_220":395,"_97":17308,"_213":17293,"_223":17297,"_106":17298,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17298,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/vu0co0-feile-derry.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Feile%20Derry.jpg",[17309],{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_250":17312,"_106":17313,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":8319,"_106":8320,"_275":8321,"_276":280},"Derry City and Strabane District Council","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:derry-city-and-strabane-district-council","Feile Derry 2026 carnival parade: Community festival highlights","Féile Derry 2026 fills Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan and Fountain with carnival, music, debate and art",195289205,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/pamela-ballantine-on-camino-walk-youve-all-day-thats-not-a-race...-nobodys-out-to-beat-a-world-record/a/159972933.html",[17519],"Pamela Ballantine on Camino walk: ‘You’ve all day; that’s not a race... nobody’s out to beat a world record’",{"_264":17515,"_266":17502,"_267":17321},[17514],[17506,17507,17508,17509,17510],"Interview",{},[],"2026-08-17T05:20:00Z","2026-08-16T14:20:08Z",[17333,17334,17335,17336,17337,17338,17339,17340,17341,17342,17343,17344,17345,17346,17347,17348,17349,17350,17351,17352,17353,17354,17355,17356,17357,17358,17359,17360,17361,17362,17363,17364,17365,17366,17367,17368,17369],{"_140":10,"_141":17332,"_143":10},"989dec7e-96fb-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":17504,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":17501,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":8622,"_213":17494,"_215":17495,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17491,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":17488,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":187,"_106":17487,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17487,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":17484,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":17481,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":17478,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":175,"_356":17472,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":17469,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":17466,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":-5,"_213":17455,"_215":17456,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":17452,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":17449,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":685,"_212":8622,"_213":17442,"_215":17443,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":17439,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":17436,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":17433,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":17430,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":17427,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":17424,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":657,"_106":17423,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17423,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":17420,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":17417,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":17414,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":17411,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":633,"_212":8622,"_213":17401,"_215":17402,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":17398,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":17395,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":17392,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":17389,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":17386,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":17383,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":17372,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":576,"_106":17371,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17371,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":572,"_106":17370,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17370,"_233":92},"159841769","160069329",{"_163":17373,"_165":17374},"Pamela’s friend Lynne has created a GoFundMe pages ahead of the work. For more information, see youthaction.enthuse.com/pf/lynne-crowther. For more on YouthAction NI, see www.youthaction.org",[17375,17376],{"_85":192,"_157":17380,"_194":564,"_196":17381},{"_85":192,"_157":17377,"_194":673,"_196":17378},171,{"_198":17379,"_155":200,"_201":8},"https://www.youthaction.org/",96,{"_198":17382,"_155":200,"_201":8},"https://youthaction.enthuse.com/pf/lynne-crowther/",{"_163":17384,"_165":17385},"“A challenge is what I need to keep sort of going and getting fit and doing things. It’s nice to have that, but also, to meet people and do something that I want to do.”",[],{"_163":17387,"_165":17388},"“I think I love challenges. I always find everything I’ve done that has been a daft idea, has always come from a challenge or somebody saying, ‘You’ll never do that’.",[],{"_163":17390,"_165":17391},"“The number of people I’ve met who have done bits of the Camino, even sitting in the hairdresser’s the other day, there was a lady talking about just having come back from doing the Camino.",[],{"_163":17393,"_165":17394},"“I suppose. I mean, I may come back being a complete and utter begrudger. I might just be a curmudgeonly elderly woman in her late 60s,” she laughs. ",[],{"_163":17396,"_165":17397},"Some Camino pilgrims experience lasting transformation. Does Pamela think she’ll enjoy a similar effect?",[],{"_163":17399,"_165":17400},"“One thing I’ve been doing, not just so much walking, it’s when I wake up in the morning. I’m getting up, I’m throwing on me, and I’m going out to do a walk. It may not even be a big walk; it’s just going through the motions of getting up out of bed and going and doing it.”",[],"Pamela Ballantine",{"_81":17403,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":17404,"_213":17401,"_223":17405,"_106":17406,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17407,"_218":88,"_232":17406,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bsr9cf-4z5a8853.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/4Z5A8853.jpg",[17408],"4Z5A8853.jpg","160010143","TV Presenter Pamela Ballantine wearing the TrekkingThe Way In A Brighter Future T-Shift. Picture by Peter Morrison",{"_235":17409,"_237":6395,"_239":17409,"_240":17410},"aine.toner@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Áine",{"_163":17412,"_165":17413},"“If there’s a good opportunity for me just to lie on in bed, I’ll be doing that,” she laughs.",[],{"_163":17415,"_165":17416},"“The toughest thing for me will be getting to the flight to get there, because I’m hosting the Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards on September 18, and I have to be at the airport at 3.30am on the 19th.",[],{"_163":17418,"_165":17419},"“I actually said to one of my mates, she said, how much training have you done? I went, well, I’ve done a fair wee bit, but basically, it’s a long walk between beer stops,” she jokes. ",[],{"_163":17421,"_165":17422},"“And you’ve all day; that’s not a race. You can stop for a coffee or a beer or lunch and fill up your water bottles. Nobody’s out to beat a world record.",[],"144071226",{"_163":17425,"_165":17426},"The longest day during her Camino walk will be 25km: ‘that’s 15 miles, that’s doable,’ says the UTV Life host who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.",[],{"_163":17428,"_165":17429},"“They basically stood beside me or walked beside me like outriders and talked at me that I didn’t have to; they just had a conversation until I got out of that wee funky headspace that I was in.”",[],{"_163":17431,"_165":17432},"“The same thing happened during Ben Nevis many years ago. I was struggling and there were two guys on the walk who were both exceptionally fit and they twigged that I was struggling and that people were chatting away to me and expecting conversations. ",[],{"_163":17434,"_165":17435},"“It’s just basically talk at me till I get my mind out of where my mind is at the moment; that will just get me going again.",[],{"_163":17437,"_165":17438},"“I mean, if somebody says to me, ‘oh, come on, you can do it’, I’ll turn around and punch them. That is not what’s required,” she laughs. ",[],{"_163":17440,"_165":17441},"The broadcaster acknowledges that a natural lull in pilgrim conversation is to be expected — but let her work it out in her own time. ",[],"Pamela Ballantine who will be walking 100km of the Camino in September",{"_81":17444,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":17445,"_213":17442,"_223":17446,"_106":17447,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17407,"_218":88,"_232":17447,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ipx3lr-4z5a8751.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/4Z5A8751.jpg",[17448],"4Z5A8751.jpg","160010093",{"_235":17409,"_237":6395,"_239":17409,"_240":17410},{"_163":17450,"_165":17451},"“I haven’t looked at any YouTube videos of it yet because it’s a bit like looking up Dr Google. I prefer things just to come along and not frighten the bejesus out of me,” says Pamela of the walk. ",[],{"_163":17453,"_165":17454},"The youth work and youth arts charity aims to improve lives, tackle inequalities and transform lives through life-changing opportunities. In 2025, it celebrated 80 years of making such significant differences across Northern Ireland. ",[],"Pamela Ballantine ",{"_81":17457,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17458,"_213":17455,"_223":17459,"_106":17460,"_226":227,"_228":17461,"_230":17462,"_218":88,"_232":17460,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/b78d3a-pamela-ballantine/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/112519174.JPG",[17463],"112519174.JPG","143333286","\"","Pamela Ballantine Pamela Ballantine",{"_235":17464,"_237":9814,"_239":17464,"_240":17465},"brett.campbell@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Brett",{"_163":17467,"_165":17468},"Team YouthAction NI will walk from Vigo to Santiago, believed to be one of the most picturesque routes along the Spanish west coast. ",[],{"_163":17470,"_165":17471},"The Camino is a famous network of ancient walking and pilgrimage routes across Europe, all leading to the shrine of apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":17473,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":17474,"_106":17475,"_368":369,"_370":17476,"_232":17477,"_233":92},"kpYsYr2a1O8g","01:11:00","2010156","1:11","160090989",{"_163":17479,"_165":17480},"“I did the Moonwalk many, many years ago, which is walking 26 miles starting at midnight in Edinburgh in your bra. It was huge fun.”",[],{"_163":17482,"_165":17483},"“I mentioned it to a few of my mates and I think there are six or seven of us out of the 20 who are mates of mine, and that includes one from Scotland and one from Dublin. All different levels of fitness and capability… it’s a nice way for people to get together,” explains Pamela.",[],{"_163":17485,"_165":17486},"The charity relies on grant funding and, like many, is always looking for different revenue streams, which led to its first-ever Camino Challenge.",[],"157214484",{"_163":17489,"_165":17490},"Alongside several friends, Pamela, who is chair of YouthAction NI, will be walking 100km of the Camino de Santiago to help raise vital funds. ",[],{"_163":17492,"_165":17493},"Broadcaster Pamela Ballantine will be putting her best foot forward next month as she prepares to step up for charity.",[],"Pamela Ballantine wearing the Trekking The Way In A Brighter Future T-shirt",{"_81":17496,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":17497,"_213":17494,"_223":17498,"_106":17499,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17407,"_218":88,"_232":17499,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3fmdec-4z5a8921.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/4Z5A8921.jpg",[17500],"4Z5A8921.jpg","160009838",{"_235":17409,"_237":6395,"_239":17409,"_240":17410},{"_163":17502,"_165":17503},"Broadcaster is seizing opportunity to walk 100km in honour of NI charity ",[],{"_163":17321,"_165":17505},[],{"_250":17511,"_106":17512,"_253":8,"_254":17513},{"_250":13747,"_106":13748,"_253":10,"_254":13749},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":10664,"_106":10665,"_253":10,"_254":10666},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},"life_features","4341","Features",{"_235":17409,"_237":6395,"_240":17410},{"_81":17516,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":17517,"_213":17494,"_223":17498,"_106":17499,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17407,"_218":88,"_232":17499,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3fmdec-4z5a8921.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/4Z5A8921.jpg",[17518],{"_235":17409,"_237":6395,"_239":17409,"_240":17410},{"_250":17401,"_106":17520,"_275":17521,"_276":280},"tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:pamela-ballantine","Broadcaster from Northern Ireland.",195288292,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/north-belfast-newtownabbey/news/ni-mum-hails-rear-facing-car-seat-after-motorway-crash-leaves-young-son-with-just-a-fingernail-sized-scratch/a/159963722.html",[17705,17706],"NI mum hails rear-facing car seat after motorway crash leaves young son with just a ‘fingernail-sized scratch’",{"_264":17702,"_266":17692,"_267":17527},[17701],[17697,17698,17699,17700],{},[],"2026-08-17T05:17:00Z","2026-08-16T13:13:02Z",[17538,17539,17540,17541,17542,17543,17544,17545,17546,17547,17548,17549,17550,17551,17552,17553,17554,17555,17556,17557,17558,17559,17560,17561,17562,17563,17564,17565,17566,17567,17568,17569,17570,17571,17572,17573,17574],{"_140":10,"_141":17537,"_143":10},"1e42616c-96e5-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":17695,"_161":244},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":17694,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17691,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":17688,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":187,"_212":17680,"_213":17681,"_215":17682,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":17677,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":17674,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":17671,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":17668,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":-5,"_213":17661,"_215":17662,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":17658,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":17655,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":17652,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":17649,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":17646,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":8622,"_213":17639,"_215":17640,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":17636,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":17633,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":17630,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":17627,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":17624,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":17621,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":17618,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":17615,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":17612,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":642,"_212":8622,"_213":17604,"_215":17605,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":17601,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":17598,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":17595,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":17592,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":17589,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":17586,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":17583,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":17580,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":17577,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":580,"_106":17576,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17576,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":576,"_106":17575,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17575,"_233":92},"160041262","160094863",{"_163":17578,"_165":17579},"“I would rather my child be safe than comfortable.”",[],{"_163":17581,"_165":17582},"“Anywhere from the ages of zero to four. Their bodies are still developing at that point, and are still so fragile,” she added.",[],{"_163":17584,"_165":17585},"Scarlett believes that children up until nursery age would benefit from their usage. ",[],{"_163":17587,"_165":17588},"The NHS says that parents should “use a rear-facing car seat for as long as your child fits into it, as these offer better protection in the event of a car accident.”",[],{"_163":17590,"_165":17591},"“I just felt safer knowing he wasn’t facing the road, especially with all the stories you hear about child fatalities in crashes. They terrify parents.”",[],{"_163":17593,"_165":17594},"“I knew about the 15-month rule, but when Kyson grew older than that, I didn’t feel comfortable about changing it.",[],{"_163":17596,"_165":17597},"“I always look at what experts say with these things, and every time I did my research, it would say it is five times safer to have your child facing away from the car. ",[],{"_163":17599,"_165":17600},"The Newtownabbey mum believes this should be recommended until an older age, with Kyson being 18 months old at the time of the crash. ",[],{"_163":17602,"_165":17603},"In Northern Ireland, the law requires that children must use a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 15 months old.",[],"Scarlett McConnell and Kyson",{"_81":17606,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":17607,"_213":17604,"_223":17608,"_106":17609,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17610,"_218":88,"_232":17609,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/d1he8k-file8755bx9iiyopkiwrbog/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Kyson_4.JPG",[17611],"Kyson_4.JPG","160004463","Scarlett McConnell who was involved in a car crash with her infant son Kyson, is now advocating for rear facing seats as her child who was 18 months at the time would have died if they didn’t have it. Picture by Peter Morrison",{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_163":17613,"_165":17614},"Now Scarlett is advocating for parents to keep their infant children in rear-facing seating for longer. ",[],{"_163":17616,"_165":17617},"“If I had him looking forward, he probably wouldn’t have remained in his seat after the crash. He probably would have had neck and spine injuries, but instead the seat took all of the impact.”",[],{"_163":17619,"_165":17620},"“I believe the seat reduced the impact massively. When car seats are rear-facing, they take on most of the impact compared to when they’re forward-facing. ",[],{"_163":17622,"_165":17623},"The 21-year-old added: “He left with a fingernail-size cut. It was almost like he wasn’t in the car at all when it happened. The cut was absolutely tiny. ",[],{"_163":17625,"_165":17626},"She said it’s hard to believe he got away from the crash with as little damage as possible.",[],{"_163":17628,"_165":17629},"Scarlett left the crash with a torn rotator cuff and bruises and now believes the rear-facing seat saved her son’s life.",[],{"_163":17631,"_165":17632},"“I thought, ‘this can’t be real’. The moments leading up to it [in my head] made me think that we were going to be alright, that he was going to be alright, that the car was only going to hit it and not flip and that was it.”",[],{"_163":17634,"_165":17635},"“After I had got out, the bystanders were still holding on to Kyson. I just stood and stared at the car, almost like it was a bad dream and that it never actually happened, and that me and him hadn’t walked out [of it]. ",[],{"_163":17637,"_165":17638},"“The car had started to smoke up, which was only caused by the airbag, but it had still sent everybody into a panic. ",[],"Scarlett McConnell who was involved in a car crash with her infant son Kyson, is now advocating for rear facing seats as her child who was 18 months at the time would have died if they didn’t have it",{"_81":17641,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":17642,"_213":17639,"_223":17643,"_106":17644,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17610,"_218":88,"_232":17644,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/gab6lo-file8755c1jacbq1djxwi8rg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Kyson_9.JPG",[17645],"Kyson_9.JPG","160001885",{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_163":17647,"_165":17648},"“We got him passed out the window, but I was still trapped inside. My legs were still stuck in the car because of the way the airbag had blown out. ",[],{"_163":17650,"_165":17651},"She continued: “I tried telling Kyson calmly, ‘mummy’s going to get you out’. And then he stopped crying, which made me feel like he was safe and everything was okay with him. ",[],{"_163":17653,"_165":17654},"Scarlett admitted to the aftermath of the crash being “so scary”, as she initially feared for the safety of her son. ",[],{"_163":17656,"_165":17657},"“A few bystanders came, as well as my partner and brother, but they couldn’t get the door open or his seatbelt off of him.”",[],{"_163":17659,"_165":17660},"“I shot up and took my seat belt off. He was on the side closest to the ground, and I was up in the air, so I couldn’t get him out of the seat.",[],"The aftermath of the crash",{"_81":17663,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17664,"_213":17661,"_223":17665,"_106":17666,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17666,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nkev9i-20260813-141343000-ios-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/20260813_141343000_iOS%201.jpg",[17667],"20260813_141343000_iOS%201.jpg","160004485",{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_163":17669,"_165":17670},"“I heard my son crying, which is when my eyes shot open because I knew he was OK since he wasn’t silent. I didn’t know before if he was going to be alright or not.",[],{"_163":17672,"_165":17673},"Recalling the crash, Scarlett said: “There was a certain bend of the road where my wheel had gone stiff. I yanked it, thinking it would be fixed and fine, but the car went into a bit of a snake and the next thing I knew, I was hitting the crash barrier.",[],{"_163":17675,"_165":17676},"Toddler Kyson was left with a ‘miracle finger-nail scratch’, which Scarlett believes is all down to the way his seat was facing. ",[],{"_163":17678,"_165":17679},"The vehicle veered into a crash barrier on the A8 motorway, which caused it to flip four times.",[]," Peter Morrison","Scarlett McConnell with her infant son Kyson",{"_81":17683,"_212":17680,"_220":395,"_97":17684,"_213":17681,"_223":17685,"_106":17686,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17610,"_218":88,"_232":17686,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2efpik-file8755c12c9ll1iy2pvoic/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Kyson_8.JPG",[17687],"Kyson_8.JPG","160001879",{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_163":17689,"_165":17690},"Scarlett McConnell was driving home from her brother’s baby shower with her 18-month-old son Kyson when her wheel went stiff and she lost control of the car.",[],{"_163":17692,"_165":17693},"A Newtownabbey mum is advocating for more parents to use rear-facing seating in cars after she believes they saved her infant boy following a crash.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":17473,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":17474,"_106":17475,"_368":369,"_370":17476,"_232":17477,"_233":92},{"_163":17527,"_165":17696},[],{"_250":2899,"_106":2900,"_253":8,"_254":2901},{"_250":1158,"_106":1159,"_253":10,"_254":1160},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_240":2297},{"_81":17606,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17703,"_213":88,"_223":17608,"_106":17609,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":17610,"_218":88,"_232":17609,"_233":92},[17704],{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},195288128,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/down/news/im-so-proud-to-continue-with-what-my-parents-built-inside-jewellery-store-where-brides-bereaved-families-and-tv-winner-rachel-duffy-mark-lifes-big-moments/a/157574071.html",[17885],"‘I’m so proud to continue with what my parents built’: Inside jewellery store where brides, bereaved families and TV winner Rachel Duffy mark life’s big moments",{"_264":17881,"_266":17865,"_267":17712},[],[17869,17870,17871,17872,17873,17874,17875,17876,17877],{},[],"2026-08-17T05:02:00Z","2026-08-16T12:53:40Z",[17724,17725,17726,17727,17728,17729,17730,17731,17732,17733,17734,17735,17736,17737,17738,17739,17740,17741,17742,17743,17744,17745,17746,17747,17748,17749,17750,17751,17752,17753,17754,17755,17756,17757],"As told to Claire Dickson",{"_140":10,"_141":17723,"_143":10},"3cc4652e-6e0d-11f1-99c5-1dd198a3379c",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":17867,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":17864,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":17857,"_215":17858,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17854,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":17851,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":17848,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":17845,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":17842,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":17839,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":17836,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":17833,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":167,"_586":17825,"_588":17826,"_590":-5,"_592":17827,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":17822,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":698,"_356":17816,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":17813,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":17810,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":17807,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":17804,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":17801,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":17798,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":17795,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":661,"_106":17794,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17794,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":17791,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":17788,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":17785,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":646,"_212":17777,"_213":17778,"_215":17779,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":17774,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":17771,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":17768,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":17765,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":17762,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":17759,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":614,"_106":17758,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17758,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":480,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":480,"_233":92},"159870139",{"_163":17760,"_165":17761},"The support you get from other people here and the sense of community is hard to put into words. If you drown out the buzz of negative press, it’s a brilliant place.",[],{"_163":17763,"_165":17764},"Newry is somewhere I feel gets a bad press — that’s its biggest problem. We’re blessed to be surrounded by great scenery and some of the best entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland have come out of Newry. If you actually come to Newry and see what its about, you’ll see that people travel from far and wide to visit.",[],{"_163":17766,"_165":17767},"She has given us shoutouts and advocated for us, I don’t really think she knows what she’s done for Newry. We’re so proud of her for that.",[],{"_163":17769,"_165":17770},"Rachel has been an incredible ambassador for Newry and has supported so many independent local businesses.",[],{"_163":17772,"_165":17773},"She was going to a gala ball and we gave her a loan of a 50 carat necklace.",[],{"_163":17775,"_165":17776},"She also ordered a Claddagh ring from us to showcase a bit of Ireland when she’s doing media appearances now. We could see her wearing it at the BAFTAs.",[],"Ian West/PA Wire","Rachel Duffy attending the BAFTA TV Awards 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall in London. ",{"_81":17780,"_212":17777,"_220":395,"_97":17781,"_213":17778,"_223":17782,"_106":17783,"_226":227,"_228":17777,"_230":17778,"_218":88,"_232":17783,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/p5o3he-rachel-duffy-attending-the-bafta-tv-awards-2026-at-the-royal-festival-hall-in-london./alternates/BASE_WIDTH/292d4533-efe7-.jpg",[17784],"292d4533-efe7-.jpg","151354118",{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_163":17786,"_165":17787},"The day after it was announced that she was on Traitors she came in with her family to get welded bracelets. It was very exciting because we’d all just watched her on TV.",[],{"_163":17789,"_165":17790},"Rachel Duffy, last year’s winner of hit TV series The Traitors has been a long-standing customer of the business. ",[],{"_163":17792,"_165":17793},"It’s a privilege to be part of people’s special moments. We’ve had everything from brides surprising their bridesmaids with welded bracelets to someone with a terminal diagnosis getting matching jewellery with some of their family members. Giving people that experience is a big focus of what we do.",[],"158647117",{"_163":17796,"_165":17797},"People travel from all over Ireland to come to the shop and it’s something that makes me so proud.",[],{"_163":17799,"_165":17800},"But I can’t complain. It’s because we’re so busy all the time and we’re very blessed by that.",[],{"_163":17802,"_165":17803},"You’re never really off. I’m always in the shop on my day off. I find at night when the children go to bed at about ten o’clock I would lift my laptop out and try and get a bit of admin done.",[],{"_163":17805,"_165":17806}," Working for yourself presents its challenges at the same time. ",[],{"_163":17808,"_165":17809},"I have two daughters and one of them has complex special needs. I could get a phonecall at any time to say that my daughter needs to be collected or I could have had no sleep and the team will just tell me they’ve got me, and tell me not to worry.",[],{"_163":17811,"_165":17812},"My work-life balance is massively improved by the team I have around me. ",[],{"_163":17814,"_165":17815},"I would also give credit to the business community in Newry for taking me under their wing. I was only 24 when I came in here and had no business experience. Everyone in the business community in Newry wants to see you succeed.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":17817,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":17818,"_106":17819,"_368":369,"_370":17820,"_232":17821,"_233":92},"m6RJ8pTC2C-S","00:10:00","2005998","0:10","160048593",{"_163":17823,"_165":17824},"You can’t buy reputation. The customer base, the community, the team, you can’t replicate that. You can’t just make that happen. It was their years of hard work went into it. I was so proud to carry the torch on.",[],{"_163":17831,"_165":17832},{"_163":17829,"_165":17830},{"_163":88,"_165":17828},[],"Gemma Murphy ",[],"We’re blessed to be surrounded by great scenery and some of the best entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland have come out of Newry.",[],{"_163":17834,"_165":17835},"Seeing what my parents had built in Newry encouraged me. ",[],{"_163":17837,"_165":17838},"I definitely haven’t looked back and I’m very happy here.",[],{"_163":17840,"_165":17841},"I think a degree in social work was very helpful for my job now because you’re dealing with all sorts of emotions. People associate a jeweller’s with engagement rings and weddings but you’re also dealing with a lot of loss and a lot of bereavement, it can be about helping people through difficult times. Jewellery means a lot to people.",[],{"_163":17843,"_165":17844},"I came in to help with things temporarily in 2010 and have never looked back. I worked with people with learning disabilities and did a lot of caring roles before this and always thought I was destined to be a social worker.",[],{"_163":17846,"_165":17847},"I was a social worker before I became involved with the shop and took a career break during the recession to come and help my parents out.",[],{"_163":17849,"_165":17850},"My parents opened this store in Newry in 1972. We’ve been here for nearly 55 years in the heart of Newry. I’m the youngest of four children and am the only one that took on the family business.",[],{"_163":17852,"_165":17853},"My father Jack started in the jewellery trade at the age of 14, after leaving school and training as a watchmaker. He’s now approaching his 84th birthday and is still actively involved in the family’s business in Newry. ",[],{"_163":17855,"_165":17856},"I’m a second-generation owner of Jack Murphy Jewellers in Newry and am proud to be running the family business. ",[],"Gemma Murphy",{"_81":17859,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17860,"_213":17857,"_223":17861,"_106":17862,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17862,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/57yf8s-gemma-murphy.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Gemma%20Murphy.jpg",[17863],"Gemma%20Murphy.jpg","157593483",{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_239":1862,"_240":1864},{"_163":17865,"_165":17866},"In This Working Life, the second generation owner of Jack Murphy Jewellers Gemma Murphy chats to Claire Dickson about switching from social work to owning her own business, the challenges of working as a parent to a daughter with complex needs, and her celebrity customer ",[],{"_163":17712,"_165":17868},[],{"_250":2740,"_106":2741,"_253":8,"_254":2742},{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":10,"_254":14212},{"_250":17878,"_106":17879,"_253":10,"_254":17880},{"_250":17511,"_106":17512,"_253":10,"_254":17513},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":10664,"_106":10665,"_253":10,"_254":10666},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":10,"_254":32},"life_fashion-beauty","4334","Fashion and Beauty",{"_81":17882,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17883,"_213":17857,"_223":17861,"_106":17862,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17862,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/57yf8s-gemma-murphy.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Gemma%20Murphy.jpg",[17884],{"_235":1862,"_237":1863,"_239":1862,"_240":1864},{"_250":5931,"_106":5932,"_275":-5,"_276":280},195287928,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/down/news/two-rescued-by-rnli-after-getting-into-difficulty-near-strangford-lough/a/160089015.html",[17968],"Two rescued by RNLI after getting into difficulty near Strangford Lough ",{"_264":17964,"_266":17955,"_267":17891},[17963],[17959,17960,17961,17962],"160089015",{},[2731],"2026-08-16T12:30:00Z","2026-08-16T12:36:12Z",[17903,17904,17905,17906,17907,17908,17909,17910,17911,17912,17913,17914,17915,17916,17917],{"_140":10,"_141":17902,"_143":10},"92f86ab2-996b-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":17957,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":17954,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":17947,"_215":17948,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17944,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":17941,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":17938,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":17935,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":183,"_356":17934,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":17931,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":17928,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":17925,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":17922,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":17919,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":17371,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17371,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":694,"_106":17918,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17918,"_233":92},"160053091",{"_163":17920,"_165":17921},"“If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”",[],{"_163":17923,"_165":17924},"“We urge anyone heading out on the water to check weather and tide times before setting off. Wear a suitable flotation device for your activity and always carry a means of calling for help.",[],{"_163":17926,"_165":17927},"“The waters at the mouth of Strangford Lough are fast moving and unpredictable and once we knew the crew were no longer in immediate danger, we could take our time and make safe passage to where we could get both casualties onto the lifeboat.",[],{"_163":17929,"_165":17930},"“A mayday call is the most serious distress call used at sea and indicates a sailor in imminent danger,” he said.",[],{"_163":17932,"_165":17933},"Oliver Rogers is a Portaferry RNLI volunteer who attended the call out and praised the two passengers for raising the alarm. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":8899,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":8900,"_106":8901,"_368":369,"_370":8902,"_232":8903,"_233":92},{"_163":17936,"_165":17937},"The yacht in distress ran aground on rocks but both passengers were safely taken aboard the lifeboat and returned to Portaferry Marina with no injuries sustained from the incident. ",[],{"_163":17939,"_165":17940},"A spokesperson for the RNLI said the weather was breezy and cloudy but with good visibility and the sea conditions were smooth. ",[],{"_163":17942,"_165":17943},"Four crew members attended the callout after a mayday alarm was raised with the Belfast Coastguard just after 4pm on Saturday afternoon. ",[],{"_163":17945,"_165":17946},"Two people have been rescued on the shores of Strangford Lough after running aground on Rock Angus. ",[],"RNLI rescue boat",{"_81":17949,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17950,"_213":17947,"_223":17951,"_106":17952,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17952,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/w1q0nu-cise-2024-09-28-143.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/cise_2024-09-28_143.jpg",[17953],"cise_2024-09-28_143.jpg","160089150",{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_163":17955,"_165":17956},"Four crew members attended the call out after a may day alarm was raised",[],{"_163":17891,"_165":17958},[],{"_250":2740,"_106":2741,"_253":8,"_254":2742},{"_250":2737,"_106":2738,"_253":10,"_254":2739},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_240":7509},{"_81":17965,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17966,"_213":17947,"_223":17951,"_106":17952,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":17952,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/w1q0nu-cise-2024-09-28-143.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/cise_2024-09-28_143.jpg",[17967],{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_239":7507,"_240":7509},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},48869044,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":18020,"_283":8,"_275":18021,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ni-traffic-alerts-drumrane-road-in-limavady-closed-in-both-directions-due-to-serious-road-traffic-collision/a/112266087.html",[18014,18015],"NI traffic alerts: Drumrane Road in Limavady closed in both directions due to serious road traffic collision","kiosk-belfasttelegraph.co.uk",{"_264":18011,"_266":17995,"_267":17974},[],[18009,18010],"112266087",{"_18005":18006,"_18007":18008},[],"2026-08-16T15:23:00Z","2025-12-11T03:04:35Z",[17987,17988,17989,17990,17991,17992],{"_140":10,"_141":17986,"_143":10},"28799bf6-d63e-11f0-bbd6-3f94cfb4b726",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":18003,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":17997,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":17994,"_161":162},{"_155":5201,"_157":202,"_5202":5203,"_5204":5205,"_5206":17993,"_161":5208},{"_155":328,"_157":187,"_106":16998,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":16998,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":8702,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":8702,"_233":92},"6a08183d46bce24cd7c10228",{"_163":17995,"_165":17996},"Here’s the latest traffic and travel news from around Northern Ireland.",[],{"_81":17998,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":17999,"_213":88,"_223":18000,"_106":18001,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":18002,"_218":88,"_232":18001,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/republic-of-ireland/d966uq-road-traffic-collision-in-belfast/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/c89b991c-2a40-4799-898b-21abe5a5ecff",[],"c89b991c-2a40-4799-898b-21abe5a5ecff","158844208","Police officers at the scene of a serious road traffic collision in the York Street area of north Belfast. 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With the Premier League set to return this weekend, so will the 3.00pm broadcast blackout rule.",[],{"_163":18133,"_165":18134},"I don’t subscribe to the theory that streaming matches will stop people from attending. Irish League fans — by their nature — will attend if they can attend. Streaming is a nice fall back when life and work gets in the way.",[],{"_163":18136,"_165":18137},"If anyone is expecting NIFL TV to be a major money-spinner for clubs, they will probably be disappointed, but it’s a nice option for those of us who can’t always get to games.",[],{"_163":18139,"_165":18140},"By contrast, Mark Strange and Jonny Frazer did a professional job on Saturday’s Big Two game.",[],{"_163":18142,"_165":18143},"I prefer the northern set-up to the more established League of Ireland version. The commentary on LOI TV is provided by volunteers from the home club — its partisan nature can grate.",[],{"_163":18145,"_165":18146},"It’s a little rough around the edges, but I enjoyed skipping between the games.",[],{"_163":18148,"_165":18149},"With all six Premiership games available to stream live on NIFL TV, Saturday provided a glimpse into the future of sports broadcasting in Northern Ireland.",[],"David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press","The Big Two clash between Linfield and Glentoran was one of six games available for streaming ",{"_81":18153,"_212":18150,"_220":395,"_97":18154,"_213":18151,"_223":18155,"_106":18156,"_226":227,"_228":18150,"_230":18157,"_218":88,"_232":18156,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5gnodq-ld-v-glentoran-0060.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/ld%20v%20Glentoran%200060.jpg",[18158],"ld%20v%20Glentoran%200060.jpg","160147252","Pacemaker Press 15826\nLinfield v Glentoran Boyle Sports Premiership\n/Glentoran's Marcus Kane battles with Linfield's Ethan McGee during today's game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},"colm.heaney@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Heaney","Colm",{"_163":18163,"_165":18164},"Saturday’s six-game stream a look into the Irish League’s future",[],{"_163":18166,"_165":18167},"But if anyone from Europe has the mentality to break that stranglehold, it’s Hunt.",[],{"_163":18169,"_165":18170},"It will be difficult for Hunt, however, to translate her European golden streak into title success at world level. Sprinting is still dominated by the Americans and Jamaicans.",[],{"_163":18172,"_165":18173},"Some see Hunt as arrogant, but I enjoyed her ‘are you not entertained?’ bravado. I’d rather have a sports star with an ‘iconic’ attitude than another dull, media-trained cliché merchant.",[],"Amy Hunt captured four gold medals at the European Championships",{"_81":18176,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":18177,"_213":18174,"_223":18178,"_106":18179,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":18180,"_218":88,"_232":18179,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wetca7-european-athletics-championships-2026-day-seven-sunday-august-16th/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/119ad34e-2de7-4ffd-9ded-8d3e632cdb53",[],"119ad34e-2de7-4ffd-9ded-8d3e632cdb53","160138272","Great Britain’s Amy Hunt of Great Britain celebrates winning their Mixed 4x100m Relay final on day seven of the 2026 European Athletics Championship at Perry Barr’s Alexander Stadium, Birmingham. Picture date: Sunday August 16, 2026.",{"_163":18182,"_165":18183},"The star of the show in Birmingham was Great Britain’s Amy Hunt, who won four sprint golds.",[],{"_163":18185,"_165":18186},"Both aged 25, the two women are set to form a titanic rivalry that will straddle next year’s Worlds in China and the LA Olympica in 2028.",[],{"_163":18188,"_165":18189},"The Dundalk-based athlete certainly has everything it takes to reach the pinnacle of her sport, although she faces a tough challenge from American Anna Hall, who is ranked No.1 and won the world title in Tokyo last year.",[],{"_163":18191,"_165":18192},"O’Connor’s father Michael believes there is more to come, and that a world or Olympic title is not out of his daughter’s reach.",[],{"_163":18194,"_165":18195},"The Newry-born athlete completed her golden summer by adding the European heptathlon title in Birmingham on Saturday to the Commonwealth title she won in Glasgow earlier this month.",[],{"_163":18197,"_165":18198},"Kate O’Connor is surely a shoo-in for all major end-of-year Northern Irish and Irish sports awards, which is some achievement when you consider Rory McIlroy won The Masters this year.",[],"Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire","Kate O'Connor added European Championship gold to her Commonwealth Games title earlier in the summer",{"_81":18202,"_212":18199,"_220":395,"_97":18203,"_213":18200,"_223":18204,"_106":18205,"_226":227,"_228":18199,"_230":18206,"_218":88,"_232":18205,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tw6dlp-eeed203e-9a82-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/eeed203e-9a82-.jpg",[18207],"eeed203e-9a82-.jpg","160076635","Kate O'Connor of Ireland reacts after finishing third in the Women's Heptathlon 200m Heat 2 on day five of the 2026 European Athletics Championship at Perry Barr's Alexander Stadium, Birmingham. \n\nPicture date: Friday August 14, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire.\n\nRESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.",{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_239":18208,"_240":18210},"keith.bailie@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Bailie","Keith",{"_163":18212,"_165":18213},"Kate O’Connor and Amy Hunt stole the show in Birmingham... but massive tests await",[],{"_163":18215,"_165":18216},"As David Healy said, we all need to be ‘careful with our words and with our tone’.",[],{"_163":18218,"_165":18219},"Somewhere along the line, we have lost the ability to criticise someone’s work without becoming personally abusive. That can have horrendous consequences, as recent events across the water have underlined.",[],{"_163":18221,"_165":18222},"In fairness, it’s a societal issue rather than strictly a football matter.",[],{"_163":18224,"_165":18225},"Healy deserves credit for tackling this topic head-on.",[],{"_163":18227,"_165":18228},"There is a strange dichotomy within modern football where we publicly talk about the importance of men’s mental health one day, and then privately turn a blind eye to vicious personal abuse the next.",[],{"_163":18234,"_165":18235},{"_163":88,"_165":18233},{"_163":88,"_165":18232},[],[],"There is a strange dichotomy within modern football where we publicly talk about the importance of men’s mental health one day, and then privately turn a blind eye to vicious personal abuse the next",[],{"_163":18237,"_165":18238},"But we shouldn’t expect those on the field of play to just shrug off abuse without reply when it does come their way.",[],{"_163":18240,"_165":18241},"Incidents like the ones above are increasingly rare and do not reflect the vast majority of football fans.",[],{"_163":18243,"_165":18244},"And players. I witnessed one spectator vault a small fence at a Championship game last season, in an ill-advised attempt to physically confront a footballer following a particularly turbulent match.",[],{"_163":18246,"_165":18247},"It’s not just managers. Referees get some dreadful abuse. Just last year, Ian McNabb reported that he and a colleague were ‘in fear of immediate violence’ after they were confronted by fans in a car park following a top-flight fixture.",[],{"_163":18249,"_165":18250},"There are even managers who have heard the tragic death of a loved one mocked from the terraces.",[],{"_163":18252,"_165":18253},"Some have had to sneak out of grounds with angry fans waiting for them outside. Others have had their cars vandalised while they’ve watched their children play football.",[],{"_163":18255,"_165":18256},"Some managers will recall occasions when family members have been subjected to nasty comments. Others have been confronted in the street while going about their daily business.",[],{"_163":18258,"_165":18259},"Most experienced Irish League bosses will have a horror story or two up their sleeve.",[],{"_163":18261,"_165":18262},"Managers often bear the brunt of it. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen an Irish League coach being guldered at from close quarters by a furious spectator.",[],{"_163":18264,"_165":18265},"But it’s also true that there is a minority of supporters who take it too far and become deeply personal or overly aggressive.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":17255,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":17256,"_106":17257,"_368":369,"_370":17258,"_232":17259,"_233":92},{"_163":18268,"_165":18269},"And I think most within football accept that a bit of criticism from the stands, the press and on social media is part of the game.",[],{"_163":18271,"_165":18272},"We all do it. In fact, dishing out a bit of qualified and (hopefully) well-reasoned criticism is part of my job.",[],{"_163":18274,"_165":18275},"There’s nothing wrong with occasionally criticising a referee’s decision, a striker’s miss or a manager’s substitutions.",[],{"_163":18277,"_165":18278},"And one of Irish League football’s selling points is its raw passion. No one wants to see that diluted.",[],{"_163":18280,"_165":18281},"Let’s get it straight from the outset. The vast majority of Irish League fans are brilliant. They actively choose to support a community club when it is so much easier to spend your Saturday afternoon in front of the television.",[],{"_163":18283,"_165":18284},"But I think the Linfield manager has opened up an important discussion about supporter behaviour that others are often scared to tackle for fear of further blowback.",[],{"_163":18286,"_165":18287},"I know some Blues supporters feel that Healy spoiled a good day with his explosive interview, which entirely overshadowed their hard-earned 2-1 victory over Glentoran.",[],"

",{"_163":18290,"_165":18291},"It was a raw and emotionally devastating response from Healy, who labelled the actions of some Linfield supporters as ‘nothing short of disgraceful’.",[],{"_163":18293,"_165":18294},"With a prepared script in hand, Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer lambasted Linfield supporters for the ‘hate that was vented’ in his and his players’ direction following the opening-day loss to Ballymena United.",[],{"_163":18296,"_165":18297},"David Healy delivered one of the most acerbic press conferences in Irish League history on Saturday evening.",[],"Linfield manager David Healy",{"_81":18300,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":18301,"_213":18298,"_223":18302,"_106":18303,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":18303,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/jtxrzq-bailie--keith.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Bailie__Keith.jpg",[18304],"Bailie__Keith.jpg","160152128",{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_239":18208,"_240":18210},{"_163":18064,"_165":18306},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":18320,"_106":18321,"_253":10,"_254":18322},{"_250":18318,"_106":18319,"_253":10,"_254":8068},{"_250":18315,"_106":18316,"_253":10,"_254":18317},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},"sport","4290","Sport","regional_south-belfast_sport","4392","South Belfast Sport","sport_columnists","4330","sport_athletics","4291","Athletics","sport_football_irish-league","4297","Irish League",{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_240":18210},{"_81":18328,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":18329,"_213":18298,"_223":18302,"_106":18303,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":18303,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/jtxrzq-bailie--keith.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Bailie__Keith.jpg",[18330],{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_239":18208,"_240":18210},{"_250":18340,"_106":18341,"_275":18342,"_276":280},{"_250":1998,"_106":1999,"_275":2000,"_276":280},{"_250":18338,"_106":18339,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":18335,"_106":18336,"_275":18337,"_276":280},"Kate O'Connor","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:kate-oconnor","Kate O'Connor is a Newry-born athletics star","David Healy","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:david-healy","Boyle Sports Premiership","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:boyle-sports-premiership","The Boyle Sports Premiership is the top tier of the Northern Ireland Football League, which was created in 2013 to assume management of the top divisions from the Irish FA.","Irish League: David Healy's Linfield press conference","David Healy’s explosive Linfield rant sparks a wider debate on abusive fan behaviour, mental health and NIFL TV’s future in Irish League football. Read more.",195066665,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/whether-james-mcclean-ever-plays-for-derry-city-again-will-depend-on-a-number-of-factors/a/160017102.html",[18559],"Whether James McClean ever plays for Derry City again will depend on a number of factors",{"_264":18555,"_266":18525,"_267":18350},[18551],[18548],"160017102",{},[],"2026-08-14T08:00:00Z","2026-08-14T05:16:18Z",[18362,18363,18364,18365,18366,18367,18368,18369,18370,18371,18372,18373,18374,18375,18376,18377,18378,18379,18380,18381,18382,18383,18384,18385,18386,18387,18388,18389,18390,18391,18392,18393,18394,18395,18396],{"_140":10,"_141":18361,"_143":10},"d5bcc0d4-979e-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":18546,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18475,"_213":18535,"_215":18536,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":18524,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":18521,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":18518,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":342,"_586":18511,"_588":18512,"_590":-5,"_592":18513,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":18508,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":18501,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":18498,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":18494,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":18491,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":18488,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":18484,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":694,"_212":18475,"_213":18476,"_215":18477,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":18472,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":18469,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":18466,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":18463,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":18460,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":18457,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":18454,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":18451,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":18448,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":650,"_212":18435,"_213":18436,"_215":18437,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":18432,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":18426,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":18422,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":18419,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":18416,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":18413,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":18410,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":18407,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":18403,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":18400,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":18397,"_161":162},{"_163":18398,"_165":18399},"But whether McClean is part of the future or in their past, Derry City FC have bigger and deeper matters to deal with before thinking that a trophy win can heal all ills.",[],{"_163":18401,"_165":18402},"Getting past UCD and onto the FAI Cup final would temporarily lift the clouds and ease the pressure. ",[],{"_163":18404,"_165":18405},"Even the job spec for the head of player recruitment job, on a salary of £60,000 advertised in May, was confusing, even derided.",[18406],{"_85":1065,"_157":1356,"_194":698,"_196":-5},{"_163":18408,"_165":18409},"Derry have so much potential and access to unlimited funds from their billionaire owner Philip O’Doherty but have nowhere near the structures in place at the likes of Shamrock Rovers. ",[],{"_163":18411,"_165":18412},"The saga has exposed deeper issues at Derry. Player recruitment for the last two years had been shoddy, no real pattern or plan: only four of the XI who started the season with a win over Sligo Rovers played in last week’s win over the same opposition.",[],{"_163":18414,"_165":18415},"He also has his pride and if Derry push for divorce, he may not want to hang up the boots but prove a point elsewhere.",[],{"_163":18417,"_165":18418},"James has told confidants that he wants to play for the club again and does not want to line out for another club, so the separation is fixable. ",[],{"_163":18420,"_165":18421},"Decisions beyond the field of play will dictate what happens next, to Derry City FC and McClean. With his brother Patrick in the City team there’s an even bigger need to calm the storm and heal the rift that surely has affected the dressing room. ",[],{"_163":18423,"_165":18424},"That would reduce the need for speed in hiring a manager/head coach to replace Lynch.",[18425],{"_85":1065,"_157":493,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_163":18427,"_165":18428},"But lose in Belfield — and that’s very possible as UCD’s Donegal-born boss Willie O’Connor has a young side who are high on confidence and capable of scoring wonder goals as they showed in ahaving recently dismissed Cork City 5-2 — and the season’s over. ",[18429,18430],{"_85":1065,"_157":493,"_194":568,"_196":-5},{"_85":1065,"_157":18431,"_194":497,"_196":-5},135,{"_163":18433,"_165":18434},"If Derry get past UCD, an FAI Cup without the already-dismissed Shelbourne and one of St Pat’s or Shamrock Rovers ousted, is winnable. And with it comes a lucrative return to the Europa League where Derry disappointed this season. ",[],"Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile","Derry City’s James McClean arrives for the UEFA Conference League qualifier with HNK Rijeka at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium ",{"_81":18438,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":18439,"_213":18436,"_223":18440,"_106":18441,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":18443,"_218":88,"_232":18441,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/do4p56-3527291.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3527291.jpg",[18444],"3527291.jpg","159999398","SPORTSFILE","30 July 2026; James McClean of Derry City arrives for the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round second leg match between Derry City and HNK Rijeka at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile",{"_235":18445,"_237":18446,"_239":18445,"_240":18447},"barry.lennon@independent.ie","Lennon","Barry",{"_163":18449,"_165":18450},"The recruitment process is in train but should Derry lose to UCD in the Cup on Friday, things could slow down, as a defeat would end their season by effectively closing off the last route to Europe. ",[],{"_163":18452,"_165":18453},"In the background is the fact that Derry City do not have a manager. ",[],{"_163":18455,"_165":18456},"But given that McClean played for City less than a month ago and has this week flooded his social media feed with videos of himself going through intense work in the gym, it’s hard to see that being the outcome.",[],{"_163":18458,"_165":18459},"If the medical expert deems that he is incapable of playing they can report that back. ",[],{"_163":18461,"_165":18462},"That call will be made next week when McClean is assessed by a doctor independent of both parties. ",[],{"_163":18464,"_165":18465},"The club — who have yet to comment on the McClean saga — remain of the belief that the 37-year-old is not physically fit to fulfil his duties, hence their move to sack him on that basis, a view that McClean disputes. ",[],{"_163":18467,"_165":18468},"Whether McClean plays for the club again depends on a number of factors. ",[],{"_163":18470,"_165":18471},"We’ve come to know the notion of burying bad news and Derry certainly tried to bury the McClean saga as the week dragged on. Plonked in the middle of their standard team bulletin ahead of the UCD, with team news that mentioned seven players was the brief line that “James McClean has been managing a chronic hip injury since his return which has limited his game time”.",[],{"_163":18473,"_165":18474},"We know he claims to be available for Friday’s FAI Cup tie away to UCD. We just don’t know if he will be in the squad selected by caretaker manager Mark Connolly (taking on the interim role as well as his director of football role which he only began in June) or even on the bus to Dublin.",[],"Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile","James McClean, left, signs the shirt of brother Patrick, during a Derry City open training session ",{"_81":18478,"_212":18475,"_220":395,"_97":18479,"_213":18476,"_223":18480,"_106":18481,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":18482,"_218":88,"_232":18481,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/tc069n-sports3536069.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3536069.jpg",[18483],"Sports3536069.jpg","159999026","11 August 2026; James McClean, left, signs the shirt of brother Patrick, during a Derry City open training session at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile",{"_235":18445,"_237":18446,"_239":18445,"_240":18447},{"_163":18485,"_165":18486},"By Wednesday, after that frenzy of media attention on Derry’s training, the Irish Independent also revealed that the club had withdrawn their letter of contract termination so McClean was in the clear, for now at least. ",[18487],{"_85":2073,"_157":2418,"_194":681,"_196":-5},{"_163":18489,"_165":18490},"McClean’s presence, demeanour and his comments about his club while on punditry duty during the World Cup did no favours to anyone: Derry City, then manager Tiernan Lynch or McClean himself.",[],{"_163":18492,"_165":18493},"Not, we learned, because of McClean’s social media posts and RTÉ TV appearance which were misjudged, as even his defenders will concede. ",[],{"_163":18495,"_165":18496},"That came after it was revealed in the Irish Independent on Monday that McClean’s club had made a move to terminate his contract — sack him, in other words — with two years left to run on that deal. ",[18497],{"_85":2073,"_157":572,"_194":681,"_196":-5},{"_163":18499,"_165":18500},"Talking heads, some of whom have never been to Derry or even watched Derry City play, never mind having seen McClean play for the club this season, couldn’t resist the draw of a microphone and took to podcasts to give their (lack of) insight.",[],{"_163":18502,"_165":18503},"It was a media frenzy rarely seen in theoften-ignored League of Ireland as cameras from the BBC and UTV, stations who haven’t shown a Derry game live in years, scrambled for footageusually attached the likes of Premier League players storming out of training. ",[18504,18505],{"_85":1065,"_157":568,"_194":158,"_196":-5},{"_85":1065,"_157":18506,"_194":18507,"_196":-5},181,77,{"_163":18509,"_165":18510},"Camera crews, photographers and reporters gathered at the Brandywell on Tuesday morning, as James McClean — who has clearly replaced Damien Duff as the most talked-about figure in the League of Ireland — drove his jeep into training.",[],{"_163":18516,"_165":18517},{"_163":88,"_165":18515},{"_163":88,"_165":18514},[],[],"‘That call will be made next week when McClean is assessed by a doctor independent of both parties.’",[],{"_163":18519,"_165":18520},"But the country poked its nose into the business of Derry City FC for a few days this week. ",[],{"_163":18522,"_165":18523},"Some say that Derry is a village masquerading as a city, given that everyone knows everyone’s business. ",[],{"_163":18525,"_165":18526},"The noise of the bus door closing and the driver indicating to pull out of the car park to head south onto the A5/N2 will be welcome sounds to the ears of a brittle Derry City camp on Friday when they travel plot a course to Dublin to play an FAI Cup tie after an eventful week. that is laced with potential and peril in equal measures",[18527,18528,18529,18530],{"_85":1065,"_157":18534,"_194":694,"_196":-5},{"_85":1065,"_157":18533,"_194":167,"_196":-5},{"_85":1065,"_157":18532,"_194":158,"_196":-5},{"_85":1065,"_157":18531,"_194":493,"_196":-5},279,208,143,102,"James McClean leaves after a Derry City open training session at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry on Tuesday. ",{"_81":18537,"_212":18475,"_220":395,"_97":18538,"_213":18535,"_223":18539,"_106":18540,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":18541,"_218":88,"_232":18540,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/fvs0wv-sports3536083.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Sports3536083.jpg",[18542],"Sports3536083.jpg","159983348","11 August 2026; James McClean leaves after a Derry City open training session at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile",{"_235":18543,"_237":18544,"_239":18543,"_240":18545},"joe.davitt@independent.ie","Davitt","Joe",{"_163":18350,"_165":18547},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},"sport_football_league-of-ireland","4298",{"_235":18552,"_237":18553,"_240":18554},"aidan.fitzmaurice@independent.ie","Fitzmaurice","Aidan",{"_81":18556,"_212":18475,"_220":395,"_97":18557,"_213":18535,"_223":18539,"_106":18540,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":18541,"_218":88,"_232":18540,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/fvs0wv-sports3536083.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3536083.jpg",[18558],{"_235":18543,"_237":18544,"_239":18543,"_240":18545},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},"Derry City FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:derry-city-fc","Derry City Football Club is based at the Brandywell and plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division",194609599,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/james-mcclean-claims-victory-in-derry-city-dispute-as-club-withdraws-letter-sacking-republic-of-ireland-veteran/a/159948623.html",[18655,18656],"James McClean claims victory in Derry City dispute as club withdraws letter sacking Republic of Ireland veteran",{"_264":18651,"_266":18620,"_267":18568},[18650],[18635,18636,18637,18638,18639,18640],"159948623",{},[],"2026-08-12T15:45:00Z","2026-08-12T15:49:11Z",[18580,18581,18582,18583,18584,18585,18586,18587,18588,18589,18590,18591,18592],{"_140":10,"_141":18579,"_143":10},"dafb8ad5-9664-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":18633,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18475,"_213":18622,"_215":18623,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":18619,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":18616,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":187,"_106":17221,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17221,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":18613,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":18610,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":18606,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":18603,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":18600,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":18597,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":18594,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":18593,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":18593,"_233":92},"159865541",{"_163":18595,"_165":18596},"Derry have backtracked on their plan to essentially sack McClean and have since agreed to abide by a process where McClean will be assessed by a doctor, independent of both parties, to determine his fitness.",[],{"_163":18598,"_165":18599},"Derry could make a move to offer McClean a pay-off to finish his contract and walk away, but clear-the-air talks with a new manager could open the door to a first-team return.",[],{"_163":18601,"_165":18602},"The long-term manager who succeeds Tiernan Lynch, who is yet to be appointed, may ultimately have the final say on McClean’s club future.",[],{"_163":18604,"_165":18605},"It’s understood that McClean insists he’s fit to play and is available for their next game, an FAI Cup tie away to UCD on Friday, but it remains to be seen if caretaker manager Mark Connolly will add McClean to the squad for that test. ",[],{"_163":18607,"_165":18608},"Today, the Belfast Telegraph learned that the club have has withdrawn the notice of contract termination issued to McClean, while the veteran took a full part in a training session with his teammates, including brother Patrick, on Wednesday.",[18609],{"_85":1065,"_157":513,"_194":202,"_196":-5},{"_163":18611,"_165":18612},"Apart from a one-word reply by McClean to a question from a camera crew as to whether he was still a Derry City player, neither party has made a comment.",[],{"_163":18614,"_165":18615},"The former Republic of Ireland international attended an open training session at the club’s Brandywell home on Tuesday morning, the day after the news broke, with a backdrop of huge media interest as McClean posed for photos with fans.",[],{"_163":18617,"_165":18618},"McClean (37) and Derry City FC became the subject of intense focus when it emerged on Monday that the club informed the player it would end his contract, which still had two years to run, due to what the League of Ireland Premier Division club claimed was McClean’s physical state and inability to play or train.",[],{"_163":18620,"_165":18621},"James McClean has won the first round of his battle with Derry City after the club today withdrew its threat to terminate his contract.",[],"James McClean during yesterday’s Derry City open training session at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium",{"_81":18624,"_212":18475,"_220":395,"_97":18625,"_213":18622,"_223":18626,"_106":18627,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":18628,"_218":88,"_232":18627,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/hrekwz-3536068.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/3536068.jpg",[18629],"3536068.jpg","159946338","11 August 2026; James McClean during a Derry City open training session at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile",{"_235":18630,"_237":18631,"_239":18630,"_240":18632},"stephen.bennett@independent.ie","Bennett","Stephen",{"_163":18568,"_165":18634},[],{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":8,"_254":18649},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":386,"_106":387,"_253":10,"_254":388},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},"regional_derry-londonderry-city_sport","5776","Derry ~ Londonderry (City) Sport","regional_derry-londonderry_sport","4410","County Londonderry/Derry Sport","sport_football","4295","Football",{"_235":18552,"_237":18553,"_240":18554},{"_81":18652,"_212":18475,"_220":395,"_97":18653,"_213":18622,"_223":18626,"_106":18627,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":18628,"_218":88,"_232":18627,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/hrekwz-3536068.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3536068.jpg",[18654],{"_235":18630,"_237":18631,"_239":18630,"_240":18632},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":18657,"_106":18658,"_275":18659,"_276":280},"James McClean","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:james-mcclean","Footballer James McClean won over 100 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland. He played for Sunderland and West Brom in the Premier League, and also his hometown club Derry City.",194346473,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/step-aside-derry-girls-as-derry-city-boys-provide-slapstick-worthy-of-lisa-mcgees-classic-comedy/a/159908141.html",[18948,18949],"Step aside Derry Girls as Derry City boys provide slapstick worthy of Lisa McGee’s classic comedy",{"_264":18944,"_266":18924,"_267":18665},[18941],[18937,18938,18939,18940],"159908141",{},[],"2026-08-11T20:07:14Z","2026-08-11T20:09:19Z",[18677,18678,18679,18680,18681,18682,18683,18684,18685,18686,18687,18688,18689,18690,18691,18692,18693,18694,18695,18696,18697,18698,18699,18700,18701,18702,18703,18704,18705,18706,18707,18708,18709,18710,18711,18712,18713,18714,18715,18716,18717,18718,18719,18720,18721,18722,18723,18724,18725,18726,18727,18728,18729,18730,18731,18732],{"_140":10,"_141":18676,"_143":10},"d3fd96e7-95bf-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":18934,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":18926,"_215":18927,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":18923,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":18919,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":18915,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":18912,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":17221,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":17221,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":18908,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":18905,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":18902,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":18896,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":18893,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":18890,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":18887,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":18884,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":18880,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":18475,"_213":18873,"_215":18874,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":18870,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":18867,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":18862,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":18859,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":18856,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":18853,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":18850,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":18845,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":18593,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":18593,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":18838,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":18835,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":18832,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":18829,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":18826,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":18823,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":18818,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":18815,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":18812,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":18809,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":18806,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":18801,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":18798,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":18795,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":18792,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":18789,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":548,"_212":18777,"_213":18778,"_215":18779,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":18774,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":540,"_159":18771,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":193,"_159":18768,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":18765,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":529,"_212":18435,"_213":18755,"_215":18756,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":525,"_159":18752,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":513,"_159":18749,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":509,"_159":18746,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":505,"_159":18743,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":501,"_159":18740,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":497,"_159":18737,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":493,"_159":18734,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":489,"_106":18733,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":18733,"_233":92},"159763333",{"_163":18735,"_165":18736},"Tragedy as farce.",[],{"_163":18738,"_165":18739},"The mutual adoration of a town loved so well now turning toxic in a Derry City FC where there seems there is no love left at all.",[],{"_163":18741,"_165":18742},"Ultimately, it is a sorrowful tale whatever one’s allegiance. ",[],{"_163":18744,"_165":18745},"One that is continuing to be told as farce. ",[],{"_163":18747,"_165":18748},"From the scene of a remarkable football story catalysed by screen legends known for their romantic comedies, it sparked a poignant image of a slowly unfurling sporting tragedy.",[],{"_163":18750,"_165":18751},"And so, as Derry beat Sligo last weekend, McClean, breaking one of multiple self-imposed social media bans, posted an image of himself watching his previous club, Wrexham, on TV.",[],{"_163":18753,"_165":18754},"When Lynch belatedly paid for poor results with his job, McClean was also deemed surplus to immediate playing requirements by the hastily installed temporary successor, Connolly.",[],"James McClean wearing his ‘Joker’ cap before the recent Uefa Conference League clash ",{"_81":18757,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":18758,"_213":18755,"_223":18440,"_106":18759,"_226":227,"_228":18760,"_230":18443,"_218":88,"_232":18759,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/vgavm1-derry-city-v-hnk-rijeka-uefa-conference-league-second-qualifying-round-2nd-leg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3527291.jpg",[18761],"159463660","Sportsfile",{"_235":18762,"_237":18763,"_239":18762,"_240":18764},"sean.oconnor@independent.ie","O'Connor","Sean",{"_163":18766,"_165":18767},"“If you don’t like it, then you’ll excuse me for not caring about your opinion, given that 99.9% that have a lot to say have never played a professional game in their lives.”",[],{"_163":18769,"_165":18770},"“Given [I] am around it every day and have the CV to give my opinion, I think I’ll give it whether anyone likes it or not.",[],{"_163":18772,"_165":18773},"“If you watch the games,” he declared via Instagram, “the lads aren’t losing these games based on lack of effort. So clearly there is an issue somewhere.",[],{"_163":18775,"_165":18776},"Later, he was left out of the squad for a European tie but posed for pictures wearing a cap that simply said, “Joker.” ",[],"Getty Images for BAFTA","The Derry Girls team and writer Lisa McGee ahead of the 2023 Bafta Television Awards in London ",{"_81":18780,"_212":18777,"_220":395,"_97":18781,"_213":18778,"_223":18782,"_106":18783,"_226":227,"_228":18777,"_230":18784,"_218":88,"_232":18783,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/yp6vk8-gettyimages-1490134510.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/GettyImages_1490134510.jpg",[18785],"GettyImages_1490134510.jpg","159900334","LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Jamie Lee O’Donnell, Kathy Kiera Clarke and Art Campion, Lisa McGee with the award for Scripted Comedy Award for 'Derry Girls' and Siobhan McSweeney with her award for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme Award for \"Derry Girls\" during the 2023 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at The Royal Festival Hall on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)",{"_235":18786,"_237":18787,"_239":18786,"_240":18788},"noel.twomey@independent.ie","Twomey","Noel",{"_163":18790,"_165":18791},"In tune with his city’s musical lineage, the man who first got his teenage kicks with the club back in 2008 blasted blistering Undertones on one RTÉ appearance when he intimated that his expectations on re-signing were far from what he was experiencing at the time.",[],{"_163":18793,"_165":18794},"Incredibly, for a club of their historic stature and contemporary financial backing, they have not managed to do so since Peter Hutton lifted the trophy in 1997. ",[],{"_163":18796,"_165":18797},"After years of spectacularly finding different ways of falling short in the title race, the portents seemed promising until they somehow navigated another way of falling short of the title race.",[],{"_163":18799,"_165":18800},"It had all started so well with a key contribution to Derry’s President’s Cup win against Shamrock Rovers in a pre-season joust.",[],{"_163":18802,"_165":18803},"And, for those who may have missed his decision to quit Ryan Reynolds’ Hollywood love story in Wrexham for a return to Derry – a Rom-Com without the Rom we now presume – hundreds of thousands of TV viewers were suddenly enraptured by the prodigal son’s prodigious reversal of fortunes.",[18804],{"_85":1065,"_157":18805,"_194":171,"_196":-5},253,{"_163":18807,"_165":18808},"Regardless of one’s opinions on McClean the footballer or, indeed, his stout defiance of England’s maniacal insistence that every one of their residents pin a poppy to their lapel, he remains one of Irish sport’s most compelling figures.",[],{"_163":18810,"_165":18811},"For although this may seem like a merely off-Broadway spat in an oft-neglected corner of Irish sport, RTÉ’s World Cup coverage this summer propelled the provincial squabbles into the national consciousness.",[],{"_163":18813,"_165":18814},"As for material, the possibilities are endless for they have been publicly aired all summer.",[],{"_163":18816,"_165":18817},"Collins would be perfectly played by Ian McElhinney’s wonderfully caustic cynic, Grandpa Joe.",[],{"_163":18819,"_165":18820},"He said to himself – and many thousands more on a podcast – that this affair would never really go so well and really got under McClean’s skin, labelling a player with “no football IQ” the “worst signing” the club ever made.",[18821],{"_85":1065,"_157":18822,"_194":342,"_196":-5},89,{"_163":18824,"_165":18825},"The larger-than-life former League of Ireland manager, and brother of former world middleweight champ Steve, has played a striking cameo.",[],{"_163":18827,"_165":18828},"And not forgetting Roddy Collins.",[],{"_163":18830,"_165":18831},"Or, perhaps, McClean’s own brother Patrick might be a better fit – he is after all related to the principal character.",[],{"_163":18833,"_165":18834},"The outsider James – “the wee English fella” – could be played by any of Derry’s clutch of imported players, mostly embedded in the group but occasionally wondering quite how they got here.",[],{"_163":18836,"_165":18837},"Nicola Coughlan’s role as Claire might match that of accidentally accelerated interim boss Mark Connolly in the loyal efforts to inject serious levity into a situation that is cartwheeling circus-like out of control.",[],{"_163":18839,"_165":18840},"Perhaps there is something of Louisa Harland’s Orla in now-departed boss Tiernan Lynch in the delusional conviction that there would be absolutely no unforeseen difficulties with managing the return repatriation of a homecoming hero.",[18841,18842],{"_85":1065,"_157":18844,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_85":1065,"_157":18843,"_194":158,"_196":-5},199,94,{"_163":18846,"_165":18847},"Who else could we have mirroring Jamie-Lee O’Donnell’s Michelle other than James McClean himself? Scabrously witty, non-conforming and ebulliently confident in their own ability and skilled at putting in with an ability to put in a crunching tackle.",[18848],{"_85":1065,"_157":18849,"_194":646,"_196":-5},204,{"_163":18851,"_165":18852},"Megabucks owner Philip O’Doherty, for starters, seems akin to Siobhán McSweeney’s Sister Michael, desperately trying to place some order on an increasingly anarchic institution.",[],{"_163":18854,"_165":18855},"Indeed, some of them eerily echo her most famous creations.",[],{"_163":18857,"_165":18858},"After all, she will have a ready-made cast of characters supplied before she attempts to develop a script already laden down with laugh-a-minute material.",[],{"_163":18860,"_165":18861},"Perhaps McGee might be minded to pen a sporting sequel? ",[],{"_163":18863,"_165":18864},"Funnily enough, the character’s name was also called James, who was being asked rather promptly to move along rather hurriedly in that particular scene.",[18865],{"_85":1065,"_157":18866,"_194":694,"_196":-5},80,{"_163":18868,"_165":18869},"You couldn’t write it. Well, McGee might be able to. After all, she had briefly linked the club to her award-winning series when decking out one of her characters with the famous Candystriped shirt.",[],{"_163":18871,"_165":18872},"It was as if Banquo’s ghost had turned up at the feast and asked Macbeth to be a good man and pass the salt. ",[],"James McClean was the centre of attention during a Derry City open training session earlier today",{"_81":18875,"_212":18475,"_220":395,"_97":18876,"_213":18873,"_223":18877,"_106":18878,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":18628,"_218":88,"_232":18878,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/p42s3r-sports3536079.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3536079.jpg",[18879],"Sports3536079.jpg","159899923",{"_235":18786,"_237":18787,"_239":18786,"_240":18788},{"_163":18881,"_165":18882},"So there he was today yesterday at a long-planned open training session among the bosom of autograph-hunting youngsters as if there wasn’t a care in anyone’s world.",[18883],{"_85":1065,"_157":661,"_194":175,"_196":-5},{"_163":18885,"_165":18886},"McClean has revealed before that he had been given advice to retire due to a persistent injury but he subsequently shared a positive update following an appointment with a specialist.",[],{"_163":18888,"_165":18889},"However, this is contingent upon an independent evaluation by a doctor approved by both club and the player, of which there has been none provided as yet.",[],{"_163":18891,"_165":18892},"A clause in a League of Ireland contract does permit a club to terminate a player’s contract with six months’ pay if the player “suffers permanent incapacity”. ",[],{"_163":18894,"_165":18895},"They are allegedly claiming he has been incapacitated by a hip injury but the 37-year-old former international, who has a contract until 2028, disputes this. ",[],{"_163":18897,"_165":18898},"As reported here this week, the Irish Independent understands the club informed McClean, who rejoined his hometown club at the start of the season after a long spell in BritainEngland, that they were ending his contract which had two years left to run.",[18899,18900],{"_85":2073,"_157":618,"_194":677,"_196":-5},{"_85":1065,"_157":18901,"_194":342,"_196":-5},176,{"_163":18903,"_165":18904},"And the drama – or comedy – may have a few more chapters to be added.",[],{"_163":18906,"_165":18907},"The entire episode has cast this proud institution as a laughing stock and at the same time is also very sad. ",[],{"_163":18909,"_165":18910},"As Con Houlihan once memorably opined from a Mulligan’s bar stool as a supposedly departing Irish Press man strode up to the counter, “Forgotten, but not gone.”",[18911],{"_85":2073,"_157":14114,"_194":167,"_196":-5},{"_163":18913,"_165":18914},"James McClean’s social media depiction as the sporting equivalent of Enoch Burke – turning up at a workplace when it has been made clear by your bosses that you’re not wanted – has spawned multiple memes.",[],{"_163":18916,"_165":18917},"While the creator of Derry Girls is currently developing her next project Stateside, the comedy fires in her home city are burning brightly thanks to the Derry Boys.",[18918],{"_85":2073,"_157":665,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_163":18920,"_165":18921},"Derry’s City’s comedy legacy remains in safe hands even if those running Derry City FC have a less-than-certain grip on a soap opera that has developed into slapstick sitcom.",[18922],{"_85":1065,"_157":183,"_194":342,"_196":-5},{"_163":18924,"_165":18925},"Step aside Lisa McGee. ",[],"Derry City’s James McClean signs autographs for fans at the Brandywell on Tuesday during an open training session as part of the Gasyard Feile",{"_81":18928,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":18929,"_213":18926,"_223":18930,"_106":18931,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":18932,"_218":88,"_232":18931,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/fsukyv-jamesmcclean1108268.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/JamesMcClean1108268.jpg",[18933],"JamesMcClean1108268.jpg","159908180","Derry City’s James McClean signs autographs for fans at the Brandywell on Tuesday during an open training session as part of the Gasyard Feile. Picture Martin McKeown. 11.08.26",{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_239":18208,"_240":18210},{"_163":18665,"_165":18935},[18936],{"_85":2073,"_157":171,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":8,"_254":18649},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":386,"_106":387,"_253":10,"_254":388},{"_235":18942,"_237":18943,"_240":6763},"david.kelly@independent.ie","Kelly",{"_81":18945,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":18946,"_213":18926,"_223":18930,"_106":18931,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":18932,"_218":88,"_232":18931,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/fsukyv-jamesmcclean1108268.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/JamesMcClean1108268.jpg",[18947],{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_239":18208,"_240":18210},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":18657,"_106":18658,"_275":18659,"_276":280},194308224,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":19128,"_283":8,"_275":19129,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/james-mcclean-still-the-star-attraction-for-young-fans-as-speculation-swirls-over-his-future-at-derry-city/a/159865541.html",[19126,19127],"James McClean still the star attraction for young fans as speculation swirls over his future at Derry City",{"_264":19121,"_266":19109,"_267":18955},[19120],[19114,19115,19116,19117,19118,19119],{},[],"2026-08-11T17:09:00Z","2026-08-11T17:09:47Z",[18966,18967,18968,18969,18970,18971,18972,18973,18974,18975,18976,18977,18978,18979,18980,18981,18982,18983,18984,18985,18986,18987,18988,18989,18990,18991,18992,18993,18994,18995,18996,18997,18998],{"_140":10,"_141":18965,"_143":10},"d463d553-955f-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":19112,"_161":244},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":19111,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":19108,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":19105,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":19102,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":19099,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":19096,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":19093,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":175,"_212":3321,"_213":19087,"_215":19088,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":19084,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":19081,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":19078,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":698,"_356":19072,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":19069,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":19066,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":19063,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":3321,"_213":19055,"_215":19056,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":19052,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":19049,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":19046,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":19043,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":657,"_212":3321,"_213":19035,"_215":19036,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":19032,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":19029,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":19026,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":19023,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":633,"_212":3321,"_213":19015,"_215":19016,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":19012,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":19009,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":19006,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":19003,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":19000,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":18999,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":18999,"_233":92},"159803143",{"_163":19001,"_165":19002},"“He has come all the way home. I don’t know what he did to annoy everybody. He’s going to sit up there, just keep it private and sort it out. It doesn’t need to be very public. It’s not fair on anybody. He was the golden boy of Derry for a long time and now he’s not.”",[],{"_163":19004,"_165":19005},"“I feel a bit bad for him,” Karen added.",[],{"_163":19007,"_165":19008},"She said Rory would be the man to say whether he wanted McClean to remain at the club. In response, Rory said: “Not really.”",[],{"_163":19010,"_165":19011},"Karen said she had read this morning that his contract might be terminated, but as he turned up today, she thought, “what drama am I walking into?”",[],{"_163":19013,"_165":19014},"Karen McEvoy took young football fan Rory Meenan to the training session.",[],"Karen McEvoy and Rory Meenan",{"_81":19017,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":19018,"_213":19015,"_223":19019,"_106":19020,"_226":227,"_228":3321,"_230":19021,"_218":88,"_232":19020,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/9hfy4w-file874342057ua12tkmgbtf/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/McCleanVox5.jpg",[19022],"McCleanVox5.jpg","159892146","With story by Garrett Hargan James McClean Vox. 11.08.26\nKaren McEvoy and Rory Meehan",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":19024,"_165":19025},"Ava, who plays football, said she would like McClean to stay at the club because “if it’s his last year playing, I think I would like to see him play his last year at his home club”.",[],{"_163":19027,"_165":19028},"“But I don’t understand why it was made public; it should have been done behind closed doors and it should have been argued out there. Because everybody has a little bit of an argument at times.”",[],{"_163":19030,"_165":19031},"She said: “I don’t understand it. I know there was controversy between the manager and James McClean. There was stuff said on Facebook. Then there was a row and the next thing the manager has left.",[],{"_163":19033,"_165":19034},"Ann McFadden was taking young family members to the training session.",[],"Ann McFadden with Gracie, Luke and Ava ",{"_81":19037,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":19038,"_213":19035,"_223":19039,"_106":19040,"_226":227,"_228":3321,"_230":19041,"_218":88,"_232":19040,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ns9pms-file8743440orls1h9ot0gz3/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/McCleanVox3.jpg",[19042],"McCleanVox3.jpg","159892040","With story by Garrett Hargan James McClean Vox. 11.08.26\n\nAnn McFadden wit Gracie, Luke and Ava\n\nKaren McEvoy\n\nRory Meehan ",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":19044,"_165":19045},"“But McClean deserves a chance to see out his contract.”",[],{"_163":19047,"_165":19048},"On whether he has a future with the Candystripes, John added: “He’s still good enough. In terms of the left side, Michael Duffy plays there too.",[],{"_163":19050,"_165":19051},"“He has always spoken up for Derry. I think he’s been harshly treated. Firstly, he’s been played out of position. He shouldn’t be playing in the midfield, he never played there. He was a left back and wing back.”",[],{"_163":19053,"_165":19054},"John Doherty said McClean “deserves more respect”.",[],"John Doherty",{"_81":19057,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":19058,"_213":19055,"_223":19059,"_106":19060,"_226":227,"_228":3321,"_230":19061,"_218":88,"_232":19060,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/lzdtxw-file874342joax31frv1ccco/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/McCleanVox2.jpg",[19062],"McCleanVox2.jpg","159891991","With story by Garrett Hargan James McClean Vox. 11.08.26\nJohn Doherty\n",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":19064,"_165":19065},"The Belfast Telegraph asked some fans for their views about McClean’s future.",[],{"_163":19067,"_165":19068},"Standing on Derry City’s new carpet-like surface, interim manager Mark Connolly greeted supporters, many of them young families, stressing the importance of such events to build bonds between club and community.",[],{"_163":19070,"_165":19071},"Derry City sacked manager Tiernan Lynch last week.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":19073,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":19074,"_106":19075,"_368":369,"_370":19076,"_232":19077,"_233":92},"p5YN2JDAP7SW","00:22:00","1993739","0:22","159878886",{"_163":19079,"_165":19080},"Inside, McClean was the star attraction among hundreds of young fans who had gathered for a special open training session as part of Féile Derry.",[],{"_163":19082,"_165":19083},"After a long wait outside, members of the press were told they could enter the grounds, but were not allowed to interview players.",[],{"_163":19085,"_165":19086},"As it happened, McClean arrived at the ground just before 10am. When asked by a journalist if he was still a Derry City player, McClean responded, “Clearly”, as he held his boots aloft.",[],"Derry City’s James McClean signs autographs for fans on August 11",{"_81":19089,"_212":3321,"_220":395,"_97":19090,"_213":19087,"_223":18930,"_106":19091,"_226":227,"_228":3321,"_230":18932,"_218":88,"_232":19091,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/13yzz1-file8742bwwyhja18pd301xsl/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/JamesMcClean1108268.jpg",[19092],"159892428",{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_239":1662,"_240":1664},{"_163":19094,"_165":19095},"On a sunny day at the Brandywell, speculation was rife about whether he would turn up for training, or perhaps be sent home.",[],{"_163":19097,"_165":19098},"McClean (37) has disputed that claim and said he intends to train this week ahead of a weekend FAI Cup tie away to UCD.",[],{"_163":19100,"_165":19101},"This was related to a claim that McClean, who has started just 12 league games this season, lacked the “physical capacity” to fulfil the terms of his contract and was essentially not fit to play or train.",[],{"_163":19103,"_165":19104},"The Belfast Telegraph understands Derry City informed McClean, who rejoined his hometown club at the start of the season after a long spell in England, that they were ending his contract, which had two years left to run.",[],{"_163":19106,"_165":19107},"He arrived at training, insisting he was “clearly” still a player with the club.",[],{"_163":19109,"_165":19110},"James McClean signed autographs and posed for photos with young fans at the Brandywell Stadium on Tuesday amid uncertainty about his future at Derry City.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":19073,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":19074,"_106":19075,"_368":369,"_370":19076,"_232":19077,"_233":92},{"_163":18955,"_165":19113},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":256,"_106":257,"_253":10,"_254":258},{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":10,"_254":18649},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":10,"_254":30},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":1662,"_237":1663,"_240":1664},{"_81":19122,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":19123,"_213":88,"_223":19124,"_106":19125,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":19125,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ol9w9j-131.jpeg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/ab13a08e-e5fd-4eb4-9407-4447a4027a2e",[],"ab13a08e-e5fd-4eb4-9407-4447a4027a2e","159878876",{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":18657,"_106":18658,"_275":18659,"_276":280},"James McClean Derry City contract row: Fans react to future","James McClean’s disputed Derry City contract sparks fan backlash and dressing-room drama at Brandywell",193855336,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":19250,"_283":8,"_275":19251,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/bangor-boss-expresses-his-delight-after-trio-sign-new-deals-it-shows-were-not-looking-to-stand-still/a/159808119.html",[19245,19246],"Bangor boss expresses his delight after trio sign new deals: ‘It shows we’re not looking to stand still’",{"_264":19241,"_266":19217,"_267":19135},[19238],[19231,19232,19233,19234],"159808119",{},[],"2026-08-10T08:00:00Z","2026-08-09T22:11:37Z",[19147,19148,19149,19150,19151,19152,19153,19154,19155,19156,19157,19158,19159,19160,19161,19162,19163,19164,19165],{"_140":10,"_141":19146,"_143":10},"737e4c41-942a-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":19229,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":19219,"_213":19220,"_215":19221,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":19216,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":19213,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":19210,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":19207,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":19204,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":19201,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":19198,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":19195,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":19192,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":19189,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":694,"_212":18150,"_213":19179,"_215":19180,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":19176,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":19173,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":19170,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":19167,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":669,"_106":19166,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":19166,"_233":92},"159801024",{"_163":19168,"_165":19169},"“He’s had a really good pre-season there and his mentality’s as good as any seasoned pro, he’s mature and he showed he’s got what it takes to play at the top level, and I think he’ll only get better the more he plays.” ",[],{"_163":19171,"_165":19172},"“And young Alfie, for me, there’s no one better at his age – he’s brilliant to work with, he’s got a really good attitude. ",[],{"_163":19174,"_165":19175},"“He’s a top pro, top attitude, and football’s been his life – he loves playing the game and he gives us a lot of quality down the right-hand side. ",[],{"_163":19177,"_165":19178},"“Hughesy has been a fantastic signing – he’s got real pedigree, he spent 10 years at Manchester United and came up through their Academy and he was at Leicester City as well, and you can see that with what he gives us on the pitch. ",[],"Bangor captain Lewis Harrison has agreed a new deal to remain at the club",{"_81":19181,"_212":18150,"_220":395,"_97":19182,"_213":19179,"_223":19183,"_106":19184,"_226":227,"_228":18150,"_230":19185,"_218":88,"_232":19184,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6m7wh7-119201154.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/119201154.JPG",[19186],"119201154.JPG","159808393","Pacemaker Press 15-11-25\nPortadown v Bangor - Sports Direct Premiership\nPortadown's James Teelan and Bangor's Lewis Harrison during today's game at Shamrock Park, Portadown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},"lewis.bennett@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Lewis",{"_163":19190,"_165":19191},"“He’s been a part of it since we were lower down the Leagues, he’s helped the club move up to where we are now and he’s been an important part of what we’ve been building, and I’m delighted that he’s agreed to stay on. ",[],{"_163":19193,"_165":19194},"“I’m delighted for Lewis – I think him and Ben Arthurs are the only two players left now who were signed before I came in, and I think it’s a reward for him for what he’s given to the club over the years. ",[],{"_163":19196,"_165":19197},"“It’s great for the players as well that they’re enjoying it here and they’re willing to commit. It’s great that they’re enjoying their football and that they want to be a part of it. ",[],{"_163":19199,"_165":19200},"“These new contracts show the direction the club is going in – it shows we’re not looking to stand still, we want to keep progressing,” Feeney told the club. ",[],{"_163":19202,"_165":19203},"Bangor native Mitchell linked up with his home town club at the start of last season and, at the age of just 17, rose in prominence to become a popular performer in the defensive line. ",[],{"_163":19205,"_165":19206},"Right-sided defender Hughes arrived during the January transfer window following a spell at Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland First Division and impressed during the second half of the campaign. ",[],{"_163":19208,"_165":19209},"Club captain Harrison has been a mainstay in the middle of the park since he was brought to Bangor by Hugh Sinclair from H&W Welders in January 2020. ",[],{"_163":19211,"_165":19212},"Midfielder Harrison and full-back Hughes have penned two-year deals, while teenage centre-back Mitchell has signed a three-year contract. ",[],{"_163":19214,"_165":19215},"The Seasiders trio have all agreed to extend their stay at Clandeboye Park. ",[],{"_163":19217,"_165":19218},"Bangor boss Lee Feeney has welcomed new deals for Lewis Harrison, Iestyn Hughes and Alfie Mitchell. ",[],"INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter","Bangor manager Lee Feeney has welcomed contract extensions for Lewis Harrison, Iestyn Hughes and Alfie Mitchell",{"_81":19222,"_212":19219,"_220":395,"_97":19223,"_213":19220,"_223":19224,"_106":19225,"_226":227,"_228":19226,"_230":19227,"_218":88,"_232":19225,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tzgo6n-122900630.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/122900630.JPG",[19228],"122900630.JPG","159808327","�INPHO/Presseye/JonathanPorter","Sports Direct Premiership, Clandeboye Park, Bangor, Co. Down 10/8/2025 \nBangor FC Vs Cliftonville FC\nBangor manager Lee Feeney\nMandatory Credit �JonathanPorter/INPHO/Presseye",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":19135,"_165":19230},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":19235,"_106":19236,"_253":10,"_254":19237},{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":10,"_254":18649},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},"regional_down_sport","4407","County Down Sport",{"_235":19239,"_237":19240,"_240":6762},"graham.luney@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Luney",{"_81":19242,"_212":19219,"_220":395,"_97":19243,"_213":19220,"_223":19224,"_106":19225,"_226":227,"_228":19226,"_230":19227,"_218":88,"_232":19225,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tzgo6n-122900630.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/122900630.JPG",[19244],{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_250":18340,"_106":18341,"_275":18342,"_276":280},{"_250":19247,"_106":19248,"_275":19249,"_276":280},"Bangor FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:bangor-fc","Bangor FC s a Northern Irish football club that was promoted back to Premiership in 2025. It won the Irish Cup in 1993.","Irish League: Bangor boss Lee Feeney expresses his delight after trio sign new deals","Seasiders chief delighted to see trio ink fresh terms to stay at Clandeboye Park",193809609,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":19482,"_283":8,"_275":19483,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/derry-city-great-on-why-he-expects-tiernan-lynch-to-lick-wounds-and-get-back-in-game-after-his-candystripes-departure/a/159803143.html",[19469,19470,19471,19472],"Derry City great on why he expects Tiernan Lynch to lick wounds and get back in game after his Candystripes departure",{"_264":19465,"_266":19445,"_267":19257},[19464],[19459,19460,19461,19462,19463],{},[],"2026-08-09T19:42:00Z","2026-08-09T19:37:51Z",[19268,19269,19270,19271,19272,19273,19274,19275,19276,19277,19278,19279,19280,19281,19282,19283,19284,19285,19286,19287,19288,19289,19290,19291,19292,19293,19294,19295,19296,19297,19298,19299,19300,19301,19302,19303,19304,19305,19306],{"_140":10,"_141":19267,"_143":10},"42ba3429-9411-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":19457,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":19447,"_213":19448,"_215":19449,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":19444,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":19441,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":19438,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":19435,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":19432,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":19429,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":19426,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":167,"_586":19412,"_588":19413,"_590":19414,"_592":19415,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":19409,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":19406,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":19403,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":19400,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":18435,"_213":19392,"_215":19393,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":19389,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":19386,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":19383,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":19380,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":19377,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":19374,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":19371,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":650,"_586":19354,"_588":19355,"_590":19356,"_592":19357,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":19351,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":19348,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":19345,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":19342,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":19339,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":19336,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":618,"_212":19328,"_213":19329,"_215":19330,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":19325,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":19322,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":19319,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":19316,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":19313,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":19310,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":19307,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":568,"_106":19166,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":19166,"_233":92},{"_163":19308,"_165":19309},"“Nobody is perfect, and it’s just important they put everything in order.”",[],{"_163":19311,"_165":19312},"“Lessons need to be learned for all involved. You never want to go back to those scenes. ",[],{"_163":19314,"_165":19315},"“It took on a life of its own,” said Hutton. “I think it was more embarrassment than anything else but, thankfully, they got it sorted and we could concentrate on football. ",[],{"_163":19317,"_165":19318},"The proposals were raised following Banbridge Town’s legal challenge after they were not included in the expanded 16-team Championship and were placed in the Conference League, a decision which the Irish FA’s Appeal Board ruled was “unlawful”. ",[],{"_163":19320,"_165":19321},"Should the EGM not have occurred or NIFL failed to gain 75 per cent of the votes, both the chance of the Premiership and Championship seasons starting on Friday would have been in doubt. ",[],{"_163":19323,"_165":19324},"NIFL stated: “The Board acknowledges the procedural error that brought us to this point. We are committed to commissioning an independent review of the process, which will make recommendations to prevent and minimise the risk of any recurrence.” ",[],{"_163":19326,"_165":19327},"The Northern Ireland Football League Board had to call an EGM to see new resolutions passed. ",[],"Pacemaker","NIFL Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor has been under pressure ",{"_81":19331,"_212":19328,"_220":395,"_97":19332,"_213":19329,"_223":19333,"_106":19334,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":19334,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/j18gr5-gerard-lawlor-4.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Gerard_Lawlor%20(4).jpg",[19335],"Gerard_Lawlor%20(4).jpg","159803887",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":19337,"_165":19338},"Managers, players and fans were relieved to see the action return after an eventful and tense week. ",[],{"_163":19340,"_165":19341},"Padraig Lynch put Institute ahead after 12 minutes before Strabane’s task became more difficult when Callum Doherty was sent off in the 53rd minute. ",[],{"_163":19343,"_165":19344},"Hutton’s Stute secured a 1-0 victory over Strabane Athletic at the Limavady Showgrounds on Friday night in their Championship opener. ",[],{"_163":19346,"_165":19347},"“Whether he slept in Belfast or Derry can be used as an excuse, and it may not have helped him, but it’s not the reason why he left the job.” ",[],{"_163":19349,"_165":19350},"“It comes down to footballing reasons – signings that maybe didn’t work, team selections. They didn’t win enough games. ",[],{"_163":19352,"_165":19353},"“It helps to have a connection with the supporters, but I don’t think that was the reason why he lost his job,” said Hutton, who won three FAI Cups as a player. ",[],{"_163":19369,"_165":19370},{"_163":19367,"_165":19368},{"_81":19360,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":19361,"_213":88,"_223":19362,"_106":19363,"_226":227,"_228":19364,"_230":19365,"_218":88,"_232":19363,"_233":92},{"_163":19358,"_165":19359},"Institute manager and Derry City legend",[],"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/qzp612-120691552.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/120691552.JPG",[19366],"120691552.JPG","159803861","�INPHO/Donall Farmer","SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Dalymount Park, Dublin 24/7/2015.Bohemians vs Derry City.Derry manager Peter Hutton.Mandatory Credit �INPHO/Donall Farmer",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},"Peter Hutton",[],"It comes down to footballing reasons – signings that maybe didn’t work, team selections. They didn’t win enough games. ",[],{"_163":19372,"_165":19373},"Lynch’s popularity with the fans plummeted quickly when things began to take a nosedive on the pitch, but Hutton feels that relationship was not the reason behind his exit. ",[],{"_163":19375,"_165":19376},"“There was a huge turnover of players, and I suppose when you have less money, you are more wary of what you are spending it on.” ",[],{"_163":19378,"_165":19379},"“There can be a multitude of reasons. We will see how Mark does in the role, there’s no need for a rash decision – they need to remain calm and make the right decisions for the club. ",[],{"_163":19381,"_165":19382},"“It didn’t work out for different reasons, maybe he didn’t know his best XI or there were too many changes. ",[],{"_163":19384,"_165":19385},"“Expectations were very high at the start of the season given the way they finished last season. ",[],{"_163":19387,"_165":19388},"“It’s disappointing for Tiernan and none of us like to see someone lose their job,” added Hutton, who was the last Derry City captain to lift the League of Ireland Premier Division trophy in 1997. ",[],{"_163":19390,"_165":19391},"Derry‘s struggles continued on the European stage when they lost to CSKA-Sofia in Europa League qualifying before being knocked out of the Conference League qualifiers by Rijeka. ",[],"Tiernan Lynch has endured a rough ride as manager in the 2026 League of Ireland campaign",{"_81":19394,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":19395,"_213":19392,"_223":19396,"_106":19397,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":19398,"_218":88,"_232":19397,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ny609c-124104940.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/124104940.JPG",[19399],"124104940.JPG","159803823","19 June 2026; Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch during the SSE Airtricity Men s Premier Division match between Galway United and Derry City at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":19401,"_165":19402},"“He’s excited to be back involved after a period out of the game.” ",[],{"_163":19404,"_165":19405},"“Paddy (McLaughlin) lost his job at Glenavon and he’s now a good addition with us at Institute. ",[],{"_163":19407,"_165":19408},"“I’m assuming he will have a period of self-reflection, and then once he has had time for himself and his family, licked his wounds, him and Seamus (Lynch) will want to get back involved again. ",[],{"_163":19410,"_165":19411},"“Tiernan is passionate about his football,” said Hutton, who made 663 appearances for City. ",[],{"_163":19424,"_165":19425},{"_163":19367,"_165":19423},{"_81":19417,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":19418,"_213":88,"_223":19419,"_106":19420,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":19421,"_218":88,"_232":19420,"_233":92},{"_163":19358,"_165":19416},[],"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/n9fqyp-114948298.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/114948298.JPG",[19422],"114948298.JPG","159803775","19 May 2015; Peter Hutton, Derry City manager. EA Sports Cup Quarter-Final, Derry City v Shamrock Rovers, The Brandywell, Derry. Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},[],"It’s disappointing for Tiernan and none of us like to see someone lose their job.",[],{"_163":19427,"_165":19428},"Lynch will be stung by his Derry exit, but Institute boss Hutton believes the former Cliftonville and Glentoran coach can resurrect his managerial career. ",[],{"_163":19430,"_165":19431},"Interim manager Mark Connolly oversaw a 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers in his first match in charge. ",[],{"_163":19433,"_165":19434},"The Candystripes sit sixth in the Premier Division and had won just one of their past seven games when Lynch was axed. ",[],{"_163":19436,"_165":19437},"Despite making big signings such as former Republic of Ireland international James McClean, Derry have struggled to build on last season’s second-placed finish. ",[],{"_163":19439,"_165":19440},"The 50-year-old joined the side on a three-year deal in November 2024 from Larne, who won back-to-back Premiership titles and qualified for major European League Phase action during his tenure. ",[],{"_163":19442,"_165":19443},"Lynch left his position as Candystripes manager by mutual consent after a disappointing run of form. ",[],{"_163":19445,"_165":19446},"Derry City legend Peter Hutton is backing Tiernan Lynch to lick his emotional wounds and return a successful manager. ",[],"Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images","Tiernan Lynch has departed his role as Derry City manager, with the Candystripes enduring a turbulent 2026 campaign",{"_81":19450,"_212":19447,"_220":395,"_97":19451,"_213":19448,"_223":19452,"_106":19453,"_226":227,"_228":19454,"_230":19455,"_218":88,"_232":19453,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/t7spqs-tiernan-2.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Tiernan%20(2).jpg",[19456],"Tiernan%20(2).jpg","159803734","Sportsfile via Getty Images","Derry , United Kingdom - 26 June 2026; Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch before the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Drogheda United at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":19257,"_165":19458},[],{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":8,"_254":18649},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":10,"_254":18325},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":19239,"_237":19240,"_240":6762},{"_81":19466,"_212":19447,"_220":395,"_97":19467,"_213":19448,"_223":19452,"_106":19453,"_226":227,"_228":19454,"_230":19455,"_218":88,"_232":19453,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/t7spqs-tiernan-2.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Tiernan%20(2).jpg",[19468],{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":19479,"_106":19480,"_275":19481,"_276":280},{"_250":19476,"_106":19477,"_275":19478,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},"Tiernan Lynch","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:tiernan-lynch","Manager of Larne FC","Boyle Sports Championship","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:boyle-sports-championship","The Boyle Sports Championship is the second tier of the Northern Ireland Football League, which was created in 2013 to assume management of the top divisions from the Irish FA.","Institute FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:institute-fc","Institute Football Club is a Northern Irish semi-professional football club.","League of Ireland: Derry City great Peter Hutton on why he expects Tiernan Lynch to lick wounds and get back in game after his Candystripes departure","Candystripes hero backs Tiernan Lynch to get back in the game after a period of self-reflection",193655004,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":19692,"_283":8,"_275":19693,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/i-dont-always-agree-with-gerard-lawlor-but-i-could-never-question-his-intentions-or-dedication-to-his-nifl-role/a/159729380.html",[19678,19679,19680,19681,19682,19683],"I don’t always agree with Gerard Lawlor, but I could never question his intentions or dedication to his NIFL role",{"_264":19674,"_266":19657,"_267":19489},[19672],[19668,19669,19670,19671],"159729380",{},[],"2026-08-10T12:00:00Z","2026-08-09T11:04:55Z",[19501,19502,19503,19504,19505,19506,19507,19508,19509,19510,19511,19512,19513,19514,19515,19516,19517,19518,19519,19520,19521,19522,19523,19524,19525,19526,19527,19528,19529,19530,19531,19532,19533,19534,19535,19536,19537,19538],{"_140":10,"_141":19500,"_143":10},"54caf524-9242-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":19666,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":19659,"_215":19660,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":19656,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":19653,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":19650,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":19647,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":183,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":19644,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":19641,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":19638,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":19635,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":158,"_106":19634,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":19634,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":19631,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":19628,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":19625,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":19622,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":19619,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":673,"_586":19612,"_588":19613,"_590":-5,"_592":19614,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":19609,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":19606,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":19603,"_161":162},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":657,"_1772":-5,"_159":19600,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":19597,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":19594,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":19591,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":642,"_212":19581,"_213":19582,"_215":19583,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":19578,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":19575,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":19572,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":19569,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":19566,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":614,"_212":1436,"_213":19555,"_215":19556,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":610,"_1772":-5,"_159":19552,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":19549,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":19546,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":19543,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":19540,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":572,"_106":19539,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":19539,"_233":92},"159708036",{"_163":19541,"_165":19542},"I suppose all we can realistically hope for is that when it comes time for Infantino’s re-election, enough people in power have the guts and backbone to give him the red card - one that won’t be rescinded by political interference this time.",[],{"_163":19544,"_165":19545},"Honestly, it would seem his arrogance knows no bounds. It beggars belief that this man can still lay claim to any form of credence from the football family when he’s been found out to be such a scheming failure.",[],{"_163":19547,"_165":19548},"Despite mounting criticism of Infantino, almost on a daily basis, from around the globe, particularly since he had to scrap his ill-advised notion of selling off shares in the World Cup itself, he still seems hellbent on clinging on.",[],{"_163":19550,"_165":19551},"We’ve seen many examples of failed custodians unashamedly hanging on to their well-paid, high-profile positions, and we’re now getting another glaring example with FIFA President Gianni Infantino desperately holding on to power as an ever-increasing number of associates and members around the world voice their disapproval of his decision making. ",[],{"_163":19553,"_165":19554},"FIFA President clinging on when it’s clear his time is up",[],"If Gianni Infantino doesn’t do the honourable thing and resign, FIFA’s member nations should boot him out at the next election",{"_81":19557,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":19558,"_213":19555,"_223":19559,"_106":19560,"_226":227,"_228":1436,"_230":19561,"_218":88,"_232":19560,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ns2di6-tyimages-2286169359.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/tyImages-2286169359.jpg",[19562],"tyImages-2286169359.jpg","159733690","EAST RUTHERFORD, UNITED STATES - JULY 19: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is seen arriving during the Final - FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},"conor.mclaughlin@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","McLaughlin","Conor",{"_163":19567,"_165":19568},"Get the batteries re-charged and get back to what you do best. ",[],{"_163":19570,"_165":19571},"A top class manager doesn’t become a bad one overnight and my advice to Tiernan would be to enjoy his break and catch up on a lot of lost family time, something that can very often take a back seat and suffer for a lot of managers. ",[],{"_163":19573,"_165":19574},"His outstanding success and achievements at Inver Park must not become clouded by his unfortunate spell at Derry. ",[],{"_163":19576,"_165":19577},"However, despite the disappointment of his dismissal, I have no doubt whatsoever that Tiernan will be back in the dugout sooner rather than later. He cut his teeth in coaching at Cliftonville and Glentoran, but it was his part in the fairytale success story at Larne where he played a major role in guiding the Invermen from a struggling Championship one that was practically in freefall into Premiership Champions for the first time in history - and record breakers in Europe as well. ",[],{"_163":19579,"_165":19580},"Although Tiernan manfully carried on amidst growing criticism, it was becoming abundantly clear the writing was on the wall. ",[],"INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic","The axe fell on Tiernan Lynch this week",{"_81":19584,"_212":19581,"_220":395,"_97":19585,"_213":19582,"_223":19586,"_106":19587,"_226":227,"_228":19588,"_230":19589,"_218":88,"_232":19587,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/408xqr-95334-3008964.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95334_3008964.jpg",[19590],"95334_3008964.jpg","159733494","©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic","UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round First Leg, Stadion HNK Rijeka, Croatia 23/7/2026\nRijeka vs Derry City\nDerry manager Tiernan Lynch\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":19592,"_165":19593},"I’m quite sure Tiernan knew he was under pressure, particularly when a section of the supporters turned against him, while one of his high-profile signings, James McClean, didn’t help matters when he practically drove a bus through any semblance of togetherness within the dressing room.",[],{"_163":19595,"_165":19596},"Tiernan was approximately halfway through his three-year contract at the League of Ireland club and although he had a good season last term - finishing second in the League - this campaign has been something of a struggle and disappointment with six wins out of 26 League games and with one win in the last seven.",[],{"_163":19598,"_165":19599},"It’s never nice when a football manager loses his job and this week Tiernan Lynch became the latest to suffer this fate when Derry City called time on his tenure at the Brandywell. ",[],{"_163":19601,"_165":19602},"Tiernan Lynch knew writing was on the wall at Derry",[],{"_163":19604,"_165":19605},"As I said at the outset, opinions differ greatly in football and, given the fact that we all think we are right all of the time, it’s vital to share ideas with the people who matter most in football - the supporters. Consultation is the key for me.",[],{"_163":19607,"_165":19608},"What I will say is that despite the flak Gerard Lawlor gets at times, he works extremely hard at trying to improve football in Northern Ireland and though I don’t always agree with some of his directives and decisions, I could never question his intentions or indeed dedication to his role.",[],{"_163":19610,"_165":19611},"Summer football was also up for discussion and, while old-fashioned yours truly is loathe for change, and although there may well be some negatives as well as positives, in this instance, I would probably be prepared to at least give it a try over a three-year trial period, then take stock and then see if it has been for the betterment of our game. ",[],{"_163":19617,"_165":19618},{"_163":88,"_165":19616},{"_163":88,"_165":19615},[],[],"Despite the flak Gerard Lawlor gets at times, he works extremely hard at trying to improve football in Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":19620,"_165":19621},"Although I despise it, I still wouldn’t rule out its introduction in years to come. My argument is that when VAR was applied to football, it was promised that it would be unobtrusive, yet it has proved to be the exact opposite. If it was supposed to help wipe out the resentment towards refereeing decisions, how come respect for referees is currently at an all-time time low?",[],{"_163":19623,"_165":19624},"Gerard Lawlor discussed another of my pet hates - the introduction of Video Assistant Referees, albeit in a somewhat diluted form.",[],{"_163":19626,"_165":19627},"Strangely - in my opinion at least - some of the panel said they didn’t mind the sumo wrestling at set pieces, and actually likened it to “good tactical moves being deployed”, even though I find it yet another totally unwanted embarrassment to the sport of football. ",[],{"_163":19629,"_165":19630},"My view is that, as soon as referees grow a set and start giving penalties, the sooner this wrestling nonsense stops.",[],{"_163":19632,"_165":19633},"My argument was that if these antics were repeated around the centre circle, it would be blown up as a foul, so why is it not a penalty when it’s committed in the box?",[],"158575768",{"_163":19636,"_165":19637},"Mind you, I wasn’t entirely overwhelmed by the support I received from some of the others on the panel when I voiced my despair at the sumo wrestling we now see at corner kicks with players dragging each other to the ground at every opportunity.",[],{"_163":19639,"_165":19640},"Andrew Davey explained in detail some amendments with regards to speeding the game up - particularly at throw-ins, goal kicks and fouls - and I welcome those changes if it can help eliminate the deliberate time-wasting which has been allowed to fester.",[],{"_163":19642,"_165":19643},"However, irrespective of the need for change in some people’s eyes, for me consultation is the key, and during the debate I did my best to get the message across to those who call the shots in Irish League football that when change is being mooted, it needs to be debated with the ordinary supporters.",[],{"_163":19645,"_165":19646},"I don’t mind admitting I come from the more traditional viewpoint on how football should be played and indeed governed, and I can be pretty stubborn when it comes to change - in fact at times I loathe the direction our sport seems to be heading - but without doubt, I feel proper consultation with proper football people is the only way to keep our game on the straight and narrow.",[],{"_163":19648,"_165":19649},"Life in general is one of many differing opinions and, as we all know, football is no different.",[],{"_163":19651,"_165":19652},"It was a healthy debate with several differing views being openly and honestly expressed, but I felt it was also a very constructive meeting as well. ",[],{"_163":19654,"_165":19655},"As well as some highly respected former Irish League players, the discussion, which was chaired by Joel Taggart, also included the Northern Ireland Football League Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor and Andrew Davey from the referees’ association. ",[],{"_163":19657,"_165":19658},"Last Saturday, I was part of a BBC Radio Ulster discussion on Irish League football, not only about the new season just started, but also about some important rule changes to help improve the game and proposals towards the possibility of summer football. ",[],"NIFL Chief Gerard Lawlor",{"_81":19661,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":19662,"_213":19659,"_223":19663,"_106":19664,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":19664,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bm1mth-beckett--liam.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Beckett__Liam.jpg",[19665],"Beckett__Liam.jpg","159792386",{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_239":18208,"_240":18210},{"_163":19489,"_165":19667},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":8066,"_106":8067,"_253":10,"_254":8068},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":-5,"_237":19673,"_240":524},"Beckett",{"_81":19675,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":19676,"_213":19659,"_223":19663,"_106":19664,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":19664,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bm1mth-beckett--liam.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Beckett__Liam.jpg",[19677],{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_239":18208,"_240":18210},{"_250":18340,"_106":18341,"_275":18342,"_276":280},{"_250":19689,"_106":19690,"_275":19691,"_276":280},{"_250":19686,"_106":19687,"_275":19688,"_276":280},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},{"_250":19684,"_106":19685,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"FIFA","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:fifa","Gerard Lawlor","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:gerard-lawlor","Gerard Lawlor is the Chief Executive of the NI Football League","NI Football League","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:ni-football-league","NIFL is the national football league of Northern Ireland and consists of the top three divisions.","Gianni Infantino under fire: FIFA president refuses to go","Irish League rule changes, VAR fears, summer football and Gianni Infantino criticism spark fierce debate.",192793075,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":19969,"_283":8,"_275":19970,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/the-premiership-is-back-up-and-running...-and-here-are-five-big-questions-to-be-answered-throughout-the-course-of-the-new-season/a/159714444.html",[19950,19951,19952,19953,19954,19955,19956],"The Premiership is back up and running... and here are five big questions to be answered throughout the course of the new season",{"_264":19946,"_266":19923,"_267":19699},[19945],[19935,19936,19937,19938],"159714444",{},[],"2026-08-07T05:00:00Z","2026-08-06T20:19:03Z",[19711,19712,19713,19714,19715,19716,19717,19718,19719,19720,19721,19722,19723,19724,19725,19726,19727,19728,19729,19730,19731,19732,19733,19734,19735,19736,19737,19738,19739,19740,19741,19742,19743,19744,19745,19746,19747,19748,19749,19750,19751,19752,19753,19754,19755,19756,19757,19758,19759,19760,19761,19762],{"_140":10,"_141":19710,"_143":10},"81011219-91c2-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":19933,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18150,"_213":19925,"_215":19926,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":19922,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":19919,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":19916,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":19862,"_213":19908,"_215":19909,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":183,"_1772":-5,"_159":19905,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":19902,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":19899,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":19896,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":19893,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":19890,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":19887,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":19884,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":19881,"_161":162},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":681,"_1772":-5,"_159":19878,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":19875,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":19872,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":669,"_212":19862,"_213":19863,"_215":19864,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":19859,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":19856,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":19853,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":19850,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":19847,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":19844,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":19841,"_161":162},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":633,"_1772":-5,"_159":19838,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":19835,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":19832,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":19829,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":19826,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":614,"_212":19816,"_213":19817,"_215":19818,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":19813,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":19810,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":19807,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":19804,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":19801,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":572,"_106":19800,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":19800,"_233":92},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":568,"_1772":-5,"_159":19797,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":19794,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":19791,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":19788,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":19785,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":19782,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":540,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_1769":1770,"_155":1771,"_157":193,"_1772":-5,"_159":19779,"_161":1774},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":19776,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":529,"_159":19773,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":525,"_159":19770,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":513,"_159":19767,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":509,"_159":19764,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":505,"_106":19763,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":19763,"_233":92},"158978110",{"_163":19765,"_165":19766},"I’m rarely shocked when it comes to Irish League football but if the clubs in the top two leagues vote for a change, I will choke on my Corn Flakes. ",[],{"_163":19768,"_165":19769},"The idea of moving the fixtures calendar and keeping the Boxing Day games makes no sense to me. Either you adopt a model similar to the League of Ireland or you stick with the current dates. ",[],{"_163":19771,"_165":19772},"I can understand the argument around European performances and the importance of UEFA funding. But considering the majority of our clubs in the Premiership and Championship are part-time, I would question whether the demand for a summer season is sufficient to make it happen.",[],{"_163":19774,"_165":19775},"So do we stick or twist? The potential loss of a European place is ideal timing for those who call for change. ",[],{"_163":19777,"_165":19778},"Let’s have an EGM to discuss it. Northern Ireland Football League chief executive Gerard Lawlor has reignited the debate by saying a vote could happen in the coming months. ",[],{"_163":19780,"_165":19781},"Will clubs vote for summer football?",[],{"_163":19783,"_165":19784},"Last season, the Ports finished eighth but they will feel they can make the top six. I think the Ports and Ballymena United will be two of the most improved sides this season. I wouldn’t refer to them as surprise packages as DJ and Oran Kearney know their onions. ",[],{"_163":19786,"_165":19787},"It will take time and a few transfer windows before major targets can be hit but the fans are right to be excited about this new era. ",[],{"_163":19789,"_165":19790},"As much as we enjoyed his fantastic Belfast Telegraph column, DJ should be motivating players and managing teams. The man is a vastly experienced serial winner and he will get Portadown moving in the right direction.",[],{"_163":19792,"_165":19793},"In case you missed it, the former Linfield and Ballymena United boss was appointed as Niall Currie’s successor at the end of April. ",[],{"_163":19795,"_165":19796},"Goodness gracious me, what a silly question. ",[],{"_163":19798,"_165":19799},"Will David Jeffrey revive Portadown?",[],"159706983",{"_163":19802,"_165":19803},"His 24 goals from last season are gone and we shall see whether the Shore Road men can make improvements at the back. Their lack of experience remains a concern. ",[],{"_163":19805,"_165":19806},"It’s not easy for sides who can’t splash the cash. Limavady United will show belief and spirit, they won’t be rolled over and, of course, the Crues have lost their goal machine Fraser Bryden. ",[],{"_163":19808,"_165":19809},"Bangor had a tough second half of last season and this campaign could be a real struggle for them. Some fans are worried about the Seasiders but if they can be strong at home, they may comfortably survive again.",[],{"_163":19811,"_165":19812},"Have lessons been learned? Time will tell but the Crues need to show more quality and character this season. ",[],{"_163":19814,"_165":19815},"They got out of jail big time. I’ve plenty of sympathy for Declan Caddell. Here’s a young manager learning the trade in a tough environment with not much experience on the pitch or money to buy it. ",[],"INPHO/Stephen Hamilton","Lee Feeney will be hoping Bangor can avoid the infamous second season syndrome",{"_81":19819,"_212":19816,"_220":395,"_97":19820,"_213":19817,"_223":19821,"_106":19822,"_226":227,"_228":19823,"_230":19824,"_218":88,"_232":19822,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/feien8-84539-2177604.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/84539_2177604.jpg",[19825],"84539_2177604.jpg","159716682","©INPHO/Stephen Hamilton","Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup Round Six 3/2/2023 \nBangor vs Crusaders \nBangor’s manager Lee Feeney\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Stephen Hamilton",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":19827,"_165":19828},"Ballymena United and Bangor did just enough to stay up and what about Crusaders?",[],{"_163":19830,"_165":19831},"That’s a warning to other clubs no matter how well established they are in this League.",[],{"_163":19833,"_165":19834},"The Lurgan Blues had a good manager in Paddy McLaughlin and they were quietly confident of a solid season but they failed to get going and eventually dropped into the Championship. ",[],{"_163":19836,"_165":19837},"This time last year, very few of us thought Glenavon would go down. ",[],{"_163":19839,"_165":19840},"Which team will be relegated?",[],{"_163":19842,"_165":19843},"Healy relishes proving doubters wrong and he’s bounced back in the past. Given the challenge ahead, a title win this time would be his finest hour. ",[],{"_163":19845,"_165":19846},"Healy has brought in Ryan Nolan, Kobei Moore, Aidan Glavin and Dylan Wells but the European loss has deepened fans’ fears. ",[],{"_163":19848,"_165":19849},"Matthew Fitzpatrick’s fitness is key while the returning Kieran Offord and Chris Shields offer fresh hope. ",[],{"_163":19851,"_165":19852},"Healy, who was linked with the vacant Shelbourne job, faces his most formidable challenge, particularly after seeing 10 players leave the club. ",[],{"_163":19854,"_165":19855},"A fourth place finish, 17 points adrift of Larne, was unacceptable with an Irish Cup loss at Limavady United one of many lows. ",[],{"_163":19857,"_165":19858},"At a time when rivals are investing in their squads, the Blues are in danger of falling further behind. ",[],{"_163":19860,"_165":19861},"A trophy success and European football would be a great season for most clubs but Linfield’s poor title defence caused considerable alarm. ",[],"INPHO/Jonathan Porter","Linfield lifted the Bet McLean Cup last term",{"_81":19865,"_212":19862,"_220":395,"_97":19866,"_213":19863,"_223":19867,"_106":19868,"_226":227,"_228":19869,"_230":19870,"_218":88,"_232":19868,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/s4101g-94202-2910385.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/94202_2910385.jpg",[19871],"94202_2910385.jpg","159716602","©INPHO/Jonathan Porter","BetMcClean Cup Final, Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast 15/3/2026\nGlentoran vs Linfield\nA view of Linfield celebrating with the BetMcClean cup \nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Jonathan Porter",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":19873,"_165":19874},"If David Healy’s men start slowly then pressure will mount on everyone. ",[],{"_163":19876,"_165":19877},"Should Blues fans be worried? Absolutely. I’m sensing plenty of anxiety around Windsor Park following an underwhelming campaign and limited transfer business. ",[],{"_163":19879,"_165":19880},"Can Linfield return as a title-winning force?",[],{"_163":19882,"_165":19883},"At the moment, I feel it’s a two-horse race between Larne and Coleraine but if the Invermen progress in Europe, the Bannsiders must not let it slip. ",[],{"_163":19885,"_165":19886},"Glentoran have a decent squad but their lack of a big game mentality has been a concern. Linfield may have too much ground to make up. ",[],{"_163":19888,"_165":19889},"Coleraine are serious contenders and they should be with the firepower they have but we have already seen them suffer injury setbacks, losing Mark Coyle and Ryan Schofield. Conor McMenamin is a game changer but can he escape his injury demons?",[],{"_163":19891,"_165":19892},"People are quick to make Coleraine favourites but show the Invermen some respect. Although they have lost Andy Ryan, boss Gary Haveron still has plenty of title winning experience in his panel. That winning mentality and knowledge of what it takes is so important.",[],{"_163":19894,"_165":19895},"Lessons will have been learned but the mental and physical demands on the squad are immense. Larne have won three of the last four Championships and do not deserve to be dismissed as also rans. ",[],{"_163":19897,"_165":19898},"The Invermen struggled to balance European and domestic commitments in 2024/25 and finished well off the pace even though they fought back admirably to finish second. ",[],{"_163":19900,"_165":19901},"If they do then the door opens further for Coleraine, Glentoran and Linfield.",[],{"_163":19903,"_165":19904},"The big unanswered question here is will Larne enjoy another extended European run?",[],{"_163":19906,"_165":19907},"Who will win the League?",[],"Can anyone take the Gibson Cup off Larne?",{"_81":19910,"_212":19862,"_220":395,"_97":19911,"_213":19908,"_223":19912,"_106":19913,"_226":227,"_228":19869,"_230":19914,"_218":88,"_232":19913,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oi8b7o-94582-2941699.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/94582_2941699.jpg",[19915],"94582_2941699.jpg","159716563","Sports Direct Premiership, Inver Park, Larne 25/4/2026\nLarne vs Dungannon Swifts\nThe Larne team celebrate \nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Jonathan Porter",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":19917,"_165":19918},"The unpredictable nature of football is part of its huge appeal but it doesn’t stop us from making bold predictions. So ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, we look at five big questions the fans are asking and attempt to answer them. ",[],{"_163":19920,"_165":19921},"The fun starts with a north Belfast derby on Friday night when Cliftonville host Crusaders. As always before a ball is kicked in anger (hopefully quickly in light of new time-wasting laws) there are plenty of talking points to chew over. Even the summer football fire has been restarted just in case you were missing it. ",[],{"_163":19923,"_165":19924},"Here we go again – after some confusion and a hastily arranged EGM, the Boyle Sports Premiership is back. ",[],"David Jeffrey takes charge of Portadown for the most time in competitive action on Saturday",{"_81":19927,"_212":18150,"_220":395,"_97":19928,"_213":19925,"_223":19929,"_106":19930,"_226":227,"_228":18150,"_230":19931,"_218":88,"_232":19930,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/m5nuin-wn-v-home-farm-0017.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/wn%20v%20Home%20Farm%200017.jpg",[19932],"wn%20v%20Home%20Farm%200017.jpg","159716375","Pacemaker Press 1-8-26\nPortadown v Home Farm - Pre Season Friendly\nPortadown manager David Jeffrey during today's game at Shamrock Park, Portadown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":19699,"_165":19934},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":19942,"_106":19943,"_253":10,"_254":19944},{"_250":19939,"_106":19940,"_253":10,"_254":19941},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},"regional_armagh_sport","4404","County Armagh Sport","regional_antrim_sport","4401","County Antrim Sport",{"_235":19239,"_237":19240,"_240":6762},{"_81":19947,"_212":18150,"_220":395,"_97":19948,"_213":19925,"_223":19929,"_106":19930,"_226":227,"_228":18150,"_230":19931,"_218":88,"_232":19930,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/m5nuin-wn-v-home-farm-0017.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/wn%20v%20Home%20Farm%200017.jpg",[19949],{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_250":18340,"_106":18341,"_275":18342,"_276":280},{"_250":19966,"_106":19967,"_275":19968,"_276":280},{"_250":1998,"_106":1999,"_275":2000,"_276":280},{"_250":19963,"_106":19964,"_275":19965,"_276":280},{"_250":19247,"_106":19248,"_275":19249,"_276":280},{"_250":19960,"_106":19961,"_275":19962,"_276":280},{"_250":19957,"_106":19958,"_275":19959,"_276":280},"Coleraine FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:coleraine-fc","Coleraine is an Irish League football team","Larne FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:larne-fc","Larne is an Irish League football team","Crusaders FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:crusaders-fc","Crusaders is an Irish League football team based in Belfast","Portadown FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:portadown-fc","Portadown FC are a semi-professional football club in Northern Ireland who play their home matches at Shamrock Park in Portadown, County Armagh. They are a member of the Northern Ireland Football League and compete in the Danske Bank Premiership. Read the latest news and articles on Portadown from the Belfast Telegraph.","Boyle Sports Premiership 2026/27: title, relegation and summer football questions","Irish League drama returns as Larne, Coleraine, Linfield and more face title, relegation and summer football questions. Explore the key storylines now.",192692124,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":20070,"_283":8,"_275":20071,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/former-northern-ireland-winger-makes-return-to-former-club-in-coaching-capacity-were-delighted-to-welcome-him-back/a/159702099.html",[20065,20066],"Former Northern Ireland winger makes return to former club in coaching capacity: ‘We’re delighted to welcome him back’",{"_264":20061,"_266":20042,"_267":19976},[20060],[20056,20057,20058,20059],"159702099",{},[],"2026-08-06T14:58:00Z","2026-08-06T15:00:53Z",[19988,19989,19990,19991,19992,19993,19994,19995,19996,19997,19998,19999,20000,20001,20002],{"_140":10,"_141":19987,"_143":10},"262a5b8e-91a4-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":20054,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":20044,"_213":20045,"_215":20046,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":20041,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":20038,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":187,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":20035,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":20032,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":20029,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":20026,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":20023,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":20013,"_213":20014,"_215":20015,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":20010,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":20007,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":20004,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":20003,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20003,"_233":92},"159684088",{"_163":20005,"_165":20006},"His first game in charge of the club, who are sixth in the League of Ireland Premier Division and five points above the Relegation Play-Off, is a clash with bottom-of-the-table Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Friday night.",[],{"_163":20008,"_165":20009},"Director of Football Mark Connolly, who previously captained the Candystripes and retired from playing at the end of last season following a six-month spell at Coleraine, has taken the reins on an interim basis.",[],{"_163":20011,"_165":20012},"Now he has embarked on a fresh role at Derry City, who are on the search for a new permanent manager following Tiernan Lynch’s exit on Wednesday. McGinn’s former Celtic team-mate Scott Brown has been heavily linked with the vacancy.",[],"INPHO/Declan Roughan","Former Northern Ireland winger Niall McGinn during his spell with Glentoran",{"_81":20016,"_212":20013,"_220":395,"_97":20017,"_213":20014,"_223":20018,"_106":20019,"_226":227,"_228":20020,"_230":20021,"_218":88,"_232":20019,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nxzkoy-107667535.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/107667535.JPG",[20022],"107667535.JPG","159703906","�INPHO/Declan Roughan","Sports Direct Premiership, The Oval, Belfast 2/9/2023\nGlentoran vs Cliftonville\nGlentoran s Niall McGinn celebrates after scoring \nMandatory Credit �INPHO/Declan Roughan",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":20024,"_165":20025},"McGinn also earned 72 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring six goals – most famously netting the second goal in the 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lyon at the Euro 2016 Finals in France.",[],{"_163":20027,"_165":20028},"The 39-year-old headed back across the water initially on loan from the Glens at Greenock Morton before joining Peterhead in a player-coach capacity for the 2025/26 campaign.",[],{"_163":20030,"_165":20031},"McGinn enjoyed a successful club career in Scotland with Celtic, Aberdeen – where he spent nine years over two stints, interrupted by a brief spell in South Korea with Gwangju FC – and Dundee before returning to the Irish League with Glentoran. ",[],{"_163":20033,"_165":20034},"“Niall will be available to assist with both the first-team and the Academy and we’re delighted to welcome him back to the Ryan McBride Brandywell.”",[],{"_163":20036,"_165":20037},"“Derry City FC can confirm that former player, Niall McGinn, is joining the club in a coaching capacity,” read a statement.",[],{"_163":20039,"_165":20040},"The winger plied his trade for the Candystripes between 2008 and 2009 after joining from home town club Dungannon Swifts and has now returned to the Brandywell 17 years on as a coach, balancing his responsibilities across both the club’s first-team and Academy.",[],{"_163":20042,"_165":20043},"Former Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn has rejoined his former club Derry City in a coaching capacity.",[],"Uwe Anspach/picture alliance via Getty Images","Niall McGinn (centre) has become part of the coaching staff at Derry City",{"_81":20047,"_212":20044,"_220":395,"_97":20048,"_213":20045,"_223":20049,"_106":20050,"_226":227,"_228":20051,"_230":20052,"_218":88,"_232":20050,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tj86n-122606464.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/122606464.JPG",[20053],"122606464.JPG","159703776","picture alliance via Getty Image","Goal scorer Niall McGinn (2.L.) and Stuart Dallas (L) of Northern Ireland celebrates after the UEFA Euro 2016 Group C soccer match Ukraine and Northern Ireland at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France, 16 June 2016 with his teammates. Photo: Uwe Anspach/dpa (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: For editorial news reporting purposes only. Not used for commercial or marketing purposes without prior written approval of UEFA. Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage. Photographs published in online publications (whether via the Internet or otherwise) shall have an interval of at least 20 seconds between the posting.) | usage worldwide (Photo by Uwe Anspach/picture alliance via Getty Images)",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":19976,"_165":20055},[],{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":8,"_254":18649},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_240":19188},{"_81":20062,"_212":20044,"_220":395,"_97":20063,"_213":20045,"_223":20049,"_106":20050,"_226":227,"_228":20051,"_230":20052,"_218":88,"_232":20050,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tj86n-122606464.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/122606464.JPG",[20064],{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":20067,"_106":20068,"_275":20069,"_276":280},"Northern Ireland Football Team","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:northern-ireland-football-team","International football team","International: Former Northern Ireland winger Niall McGinn makes return to former club in new coaching capacity","Niall McGinn joins Derry City in new coaching role",192629988,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":20197,"_283":8,"_275":20198,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/derry-city-plot-ambitious-swoop-for-celtic-legend-to-succeed-tiernan-lynch-as-candystripes-manager/a/159684088.html",[20191,20192,20193],"Derry City plot ambitious swoop for Celtic legend to succeed Tiernan Lynch as Candystripes manager",{"_264":20187,"_266":20167,"_267":20077},[20186],[20181,20182,20183,20184,20185],{},[],"2026-08-06T11:41:00Z","2026-08-06T11:45:41Z",[20088,20089,20090,20091,20092,20093,20094,20095,20096,20097,20098,20099,20100,20101,20102,20103,20104,20105,20106,20107],{"_140":10,"_141":20087,"_143":10},"e12f9389-9187-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":20179,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":20169,"_213":20170,"_215":20171,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":20166,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":20163,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":20159,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":20156,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":20153,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":20150,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":20147,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":20138,"_213":20139,"_215":20140,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":20135,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":20132,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":20129,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":20126,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":18475,"_213":20118,"_215":20119,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":20115,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":20112,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":20109,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":20108,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20108,"_233":92},"159657457",{"_163":20110,"_165":20111},"The 34-year-old’s first game in charge will be the Candystripes’ home clash with bottom-of-the-table Sligo Rovers on Friday night.",[],{"_163":20113,"_165":20114},"Former Derry captain and Coleraine defender Mark Connolly, who returned to the club as Director of Football having retired from playing at the end of the 2025/26 season, will lead the club on an interim basis.",[],{"_163":20116,"_165":20117},"A 1-1 draw with St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park on Sunday proved to be Lynch’s final game in charge, following on from their European exit at the hands of Croatian club HNK Rijeka at the Conference League Second Qualifying Round stage last Thursday.",[],"Tiernan Lynch is no longer the manager of Derry City",{"_81":20120,"_212":18475,"_220":395,"_97":20121,"_213":20118,"_223":20122,"_106":20123,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":20124,"_218":88,"_232":20123,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/vwobrg-123681288.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/123681288.JPG",[20125],"123681288.JPG","159685694","26 June 2026; Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch during the SSE Airtricity Men s Premier Division match between Derry City and Drogheda United at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":20127,"_165":20128},"But 2026 has proven to be a campaign to forget with Derry sat in sixth position with 10 matches to go, just five points above the Relegation Play-Off place currently occupied by Waterford. They have won only six of their 26 games in League play.",[],{"_163":20130,"_165":20131},"Replacing Ruaidhri Higgins in the hotseat, Lynch led the north west club to second place in the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division season, just three points off champions Shamrock Rovers.",[],{"_163":20133,"_165":20134},"Lynch won two Irish League titles as Larne manager in 2023 and 2024 and guided the Invermen to the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League before exiting Inver Park to take the Derry job in November 2024.",[],{"_163":20136,"_165":20137},"Now it appears he is Derry City’s first-choice option to become their new manager after Lynch departed the role following less than two years in charge.",[],"James Baylis - AMA - AMA/Getty Images","Scott Brown during his time in charge of Fleetwood Town",{"_81":20141,"_212":20138,"_220":395,"_97":20142,"_213":20139,"_223":20143,"_106":20144,"_226":227,"_228":1436,"_230":20145,"_218":88,"_232":20144,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nq4jj8-ief91460165.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/IEF91460165.jpg",[20146],"IEF91460165.jpg","159685636","FLEETWOOD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Scott Brown the head coach / manager of Fleetwood Town during the Sky Bet League One match between Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town at Highbury Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Fleetwood, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA - AMA/Getty Images)",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":20148,"_165":20149},"The former midfielder was also capped 55 times by Scotland between 2005 and 2017.",[],{"_163":20151,"_165":20152},"Brown gained legendary status at Celtic, where he made over 600 appearances during a 14-year spell at the club between 2007 and 2021, with the Dunfermline man having made the move to Parkhead from Hibernian.",[],{"_163":20154,"_165":20155},"Prior to that, Brown held the reins at Fleetwood Town between 2022 and 2023 and had a player-coach role in a single season at Aberdeen, retiring from playing at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.",[],{"_163":20157,"_165":20158},"The 41-year-old is currently out of work having departed Scottish Championship club Ayr United in March having had the manager’s job at Somerset Park for just over two years.",[],{"_163":20160,"_165":20161},"According to MirrorSport, Derry have informed Brown of their interest in hiring him for the top job at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.",[20162],{"_85":2073,"_157":158,"_194":158,"_196":-5},{"_163":20164,"_165":20165},"The Candystripes parted company with Tiernan Lynch on Wednesday and are preparing to launch a swoop for the Hoops icon to replace him.",[],{"_163":20167,"_165":20168},"Derry City have set their sights on appointing Celtic legend Scott Brown as their new manager.",[],"Andrew Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images","Celtic legend Scott Brown could become Derry City’s next manager",{"_81":20172,"_212":20169,"_220":395,"_97":20173,"_213":20170,"_223":20174,"_106":20175,"_226":227,"_228":20176,"_230":20177,"_218":88,"_232":20175,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nvdgio-ief91454952.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/IEF91454952.jpg",[20178],"IEF91454952.jpg","159685771","CameraSport via Getty Images","LINCOLN, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Fleetwood Town manager Scott Brown during the Sky Bet League One between Lincoln City and Fleetwood Town at LNER Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Lincoln, United Kingdom. (Photo by Andrew Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images)",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":20077,"_165":20180},[],{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":8,"_254":18649},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_240":19188},{"_81":20188,"_212":20169,"_220":395,"_97":20189,"_213":20170,"_223":20174,"_106":20175,"_226":227,"_228":20176,"_230":20177,"_218":88,"_232":20175,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nvdgio-ief91454952.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/IEF91454952.jpg",[20190],{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},{"_250":20194,"_106":20195,"_275":20196,"_276":280},"Celtic FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:celtic-fc","The Celtic Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Glasgow, Scotland.","League of Ireland: Derry City plot ambitious swoop for Celtic legend to succeed Tiernan Lynch as manager","Scott Brown among first-choice options for Candystripes in their hunt for new boss",192281714,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":20526,"_283":8,"_275":20527,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/six-summer-buys-that-will-look-to-shake-up-the-irish-premiership-this-season/a/159650258.html",[20506,20507,20508,20509,20510,20511,20512],"Six summer buys that will look to shake up the Irish Premiership this season",{"_264":20502,"_266":20476,"_267":20204},[20501],[20488,20489,20490,20491,20492,20493,20494],"159650258",{},[],"2026-08-05T19:30:00Z","2026-08-05T17:26:06Z",[20216,20217,20218,20219,20220,20221,20222,20223,20224,20225,20226,20227,20228,20229,20230,20231,20232,20233,20234,20235,20236,20237,20238,20239,20240,20241,20242,20243,20244,20245,20246,20247,20248,20249,20250,20251,20252,20253,20254,20255,20256,20257,20258,20259,20260,20261,20262,20263,20264,20265,20266,20267,20268,20269,20270,20271,20272,20273,20274],{"_140":10,"_141":20215,"_143":10},"64c9d61b-90dc-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":20486,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":19816,"_213":20478,"_215":20479,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":20475,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":20472,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":20469,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":20468,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":20465,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":20462,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":20458,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":20455,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":20452,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":20449,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":20446,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":20443,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":20440,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":20436,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":20427,"_213":20428,"_215":20429,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":20424,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":20421,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":20418,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":20415,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":20412,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":20408,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":650,"_212":20399,"_213":20400,"_215":20401,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":20396,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":20393,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":20390,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":20387,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":20384,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":20381,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":20378,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":20374,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":610,"_212":19862,"_213":20366,"_215":20367,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":20363,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":20360,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":20357,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":20354,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":20351,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":20348,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":20345,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":20342,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":20338,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":548,"_212":20329,"_213":20330,"_215":20331,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":20326,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":540,"_159":20323,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":193,"_159":20320,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":20317,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":529,"_159":20314,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":525,"_159":20311,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":513,"_159":20308,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":509,"_159":20304,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":505,"_212":20294,"_213":20295,"_215":20296,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":501,"_159":20291,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":497,"_159":20288,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":493,"_159":20285,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":489,"_159":20282,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":485,"_159":20279,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":481,"_159":20276,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":479,"_106":20275,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20275,"_233":92},"159603529",{"_163":20277,"_165":20278},"Renowned for his deliveries from wide and his set-piece threat, the Belfast native will relish the challenge of keeping Bangor in the top flight. ",[],{"_163":20280,"_165":20281},"With United, he established himself as one of the league’s most dependable defenders, making 250 appearances across seven seasons and helping the Sky Blues challenge at the top end of the table while reaching several major Cup finals. ",[],{"_163":20283,"_165":20284},"A product of Glentoran’s academy, he also enjoyed a loan spell with Ards before moving to Carrick Rangers in 2016. ",[],{"_163":20286,"_165":20287},"The 31-year-old left-back brings a wealth of Premiership experience to the Seasiders, having represented Glentoran, Carrick Rangers, Ballymena United and the Ports during a distinguished career spanning more than a decade. ",[],{"_163":20289,"_165":20290},"He made 75 appearances for the Ports since arriving in the summer of 2024. ",[],{"_163":20292,"_165":20293},"McCullough left Portadown after a change in his personal circumstances, including work commitments and a desire to be closer to home. ",[],"INPHO/Brian Little","Steven McCullough signed for Bangor after leaving Portadown",{"_81":20297,"_212":20294,"_220":395,"_97":20298,"_213":20295,"_223":20299,"_106":20300,"_226":227,"_228":20301,"_230":20302,"_218":88,"_232":20300,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/p10htc-93179-2828397.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/93179_2828397.jpg",[20303],"93179_2828397.jpg","159652195","©INPHO/Brian Little","Sports Direct Premiership, Shamrock Park, Armagh 15/11/2025\nPortadown vs Bangor\nPortadown’s Steven McCullough and Bangor’s Jay Boyd\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Brian Little ",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20305,"_165":20306},"Steven McCullough, Bangor ",[20307],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":650,"_196":-5},{"_163":20309,"_165":20310},"The one accusation you cannot make of the Gers is that they lack experience and this winger fits into that category. ",[],{"_163":20312,"_165":20313},"Boss Stephen Baxter can help O’Connor get his mojo back.",[],{"_163":20315,"_165":20316}," “I’m a fast, direct attacker who wants to put balls in the box and score goals,” he says. ",[],{"_163":20318,"_165":20319},"The frontman then returned to Scotland to join then Championship side Hamilton, spending the second half of that season on loan at East Kilbride, helping them to win the Lowland Football League, Lowland League Cup and South Challenge Cup.",[],{"_163":20321,"_165":20322},"He left Solitude after an impressive campaign to join Scottish club Ayr before returning to Northern Ireland to join Glentoran. ",[],{"_163":20324,"_165":20325},"After one season at Ballymena United this is a fresh chapter for the 29-year-old who we know can sparkle at this level. O’Connor had spells with UCD and Cork City in the League of Ireland prior to his first spell in the Premiership with Cliftonville. ",[],{"_163":20327,"_165":20328},"Carrick can boast a number of experienced attacking threats and here’s an opportunity for O’Connor to revive his career. ",[],"NIFL","Daire O'Connor joined Carrick Rangers after a season with Ballymena United",{"_81":20332,"_212":20329,"_220":395,"_97":20333,"_213":20330,"_223":20334,"_106":20335,"_226":227,"_228":20329,"_230":20336,"_218":88,"_232":20335,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3r7ud7-daireoconnor.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/daireoconnor.jpg",[20337],"daireoconnor.jpg","159652094","Daire O'Connor",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20339,"_165":20340},"Daire O’Connor, Carrick Rangers ",[20341],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":1007,"_196":-5},{"_163":20343,"_165":20344},"“Just as importantly, he’s a competitor. He enjoys defending, he’s good in both boxes and he has the character to cope with the demands that come with playing for a club like Glentoran.” ",[],{"_163":20346,"_165":20347}," “He’s got all the qualities we wanted,” says boss Declan Devine. “He’s strong, athletic, comfortable on the ball and he’s played a lot of senior football for someone who’s still only 25. ",[],{"_163":20349,"_165":20350},"He had loan spells with Kilmarnock and Dundee before joining Cambridge in 2022. The Englishman moves to The Oval following a loan stint at Shelbourne earlier this year.",[],{"_163":20352,"_165":20353},"He joins the Glens following his departure from Cambridge United. He came through the Brentford, Southampton and Bournemouth academies before signing his first professional deal with the latter. ",[],{"_163":20355,"_165":20356},"Rossi became an instant hit with the Glentoran fans, not only for his goal, but for his defensive powers. ",[],{"_163":20358,"_165":20359},"Rossi, who is of English and Italian descent, only arrived in the city 24 hours before the game — but what an impression he made against a side that had lost only one of its 24 games this season. ",[],{"_163":20361,"_165":20362},"The 25-year-old scored on his debut against Latvian side FK RFS at the BetMcLean Oval and his performances suggest he can shine brightly in our League. ",[],{"_163":20364,"_165":20365},"It’s very early days and European football can be a baptism of fire for a new arrival but Rossi already looks the real deal in east Belfast. ",[],"Zeno Rossi got off to a flying start with Glentoran",{"_81":20368,"_212":19862,"_220":395,"_97":20369,"_213":20366,"_223":20370,"_106":20371,"_226":227,"_228":19869,"_230":20372,"_218":88,"_232":20371,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/igro8u-95222-2998796.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95222_2998796.jpg",[20373],"95222_2998796.jpg","159651837","UEFA Europa Conference League First Qualifying Round First Leg, The Oval, Belfast 9/7/2026\nGlentoran vs RFS\nGlentoran’s Zeno Rossi celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Jonathan Porter",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20375,"_165":20376},"Zeno Rossi, Glentoran ",[20377],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":661,"_196":-5},{"_163":20379,"_165":20380},"Kearney helped to bring Fallon to Coleraine and he knows what he offers the Sky Blues. ",[],{"_163":20382,"_165":20383},"The former Swansea City youngster has looked a bright spark in pre-season and he can be a standout performer in a new-look vibrant United side. ",[],{"_163":20385,"_165":20386},"The move to Coleraine didn’t work out but he did feature for Bangor towards the end of the campaign and that spell would have lifted his morale and confidence. ",[],{"_163":20388,"_165":20389},"Fallon won six Premiership titles, three League Cups and two Irish Cups with the Blues — he’s a winner as well as being a fantastic midfielder. ",[],{"_163":20391,"_165":20392},"The 29-year-old’s career has been derailed by various injuries which must be so frustrating. That just means the former Linfield man is even hungrier to shine when he’s playing. ",[],{"_163":20394,"_165":20395},"When fit and firing, the class act is one of the League’s top midfielders. ",[],{"_163":20397,"_165":20398},"Oran Kearney is overseeing an exciting rebuild on Warden Street and Fallon could be right at the heart of it. ",[],"Ballymena United FC","Stephen Fallon is part of Oran Kearney’s rebuild at Ballymena United",{"_81":20402,"_212":20399,"_220":395,"_97":20403,"_213":20400,"_223":20404,"_106":20405,"_226":227,"_228":20399,"_230":20406,"_218":88,"_232":20405,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nulqg0-stephen-fallon.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Stephen_Fallon.jpg",[20407],"Stephen_Fallon.jpg","159651504","Ballymena United's Stephen Fallon",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20409,"_165":20410},"Stephen Fallon, Ballymena United ",[20411],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":614,"_196":-5},{"_163":20413,"_165":20414},"Reds assistant boss Gerard Lyttle says: “Dean has real quality on the ball and can dictate the game. He has a great range of passing, is technically really good on the ball and has a great eye for a pass.” ",[],{"_163":20416,"_165":20417},"Since emerging through the youth ranks at St Mirren, the 23-year-old has matured into a real creative force and he will be looking to forge an exciting partnership with midfield general Rory Hale. ",[],{"_163":20419,"_165":20420},"He made a total of 134 appearances for Airdrie, including 24 in the Scottish Championship last season, captaining the team on numerous occasions. ",[],{"_163":20422,"_165":20423},"The Scot spent the last four seasons with Airdrieonians and he looks an exciting talent.",[],{"_163":20425,"_165":20426},"Holding midfielder McMaster may be small in stature but he can make a big splash this season. ",[],"SNS Group via Getty Images","Dean McMaster during his time with Airdrieonians",{"_81":20430,"_212":20427,"_220":395,"_97":20431,"_213":20428,"_223":20432,"_106":20433,"_226":227,"_228":20427,"_230":20434,"_218":88,"_232":20433,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/x69kts-tyimages-2262948798.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/tyImages-2262948798.jpg",[20435],"tyImages-2262948798.jpg","159651325","GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Airdrie's Dean McMaster in action during a William Hill Championship match between Partick Thistle and Airdrieonians at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill, on February 21, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland.(Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20437,"_165":20438},"Dean McMaster, Cliftonville ",[20439],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":633,"_196":-5},{"_163":20441,"_165":20442},"Coleraine’s firepower is not in doubt, but title hopes could rise or fall on their defensive strength. Left-back Doherty has plenty to offer in defence and attack. ",[],{"_163":20444,"_165":20445},"Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says: “He brings real running power and energy, along with goals and assists. Ben is at a stage of his career where he has a real determination to be successful. He is in his prime and joins a club with ambition and a team that is moving in the right direction.” ",[],{"_163":20447,"_165":20448},"In his first full season back at the Brandywell, he was named in the League of Ireland Premier Division Team of the Year. ",[],{"_163":20450,"_165":20451},"During his first stint, Doherty played a key role in the club’s memorable European campaign in 2020, converting the decisive penalty in the UEFA Europa League shoot-out victory over Maribor. ",[],{"_163":20453,"_165":20454},"The 29-year-old doesn’t need much of a settling in period as these are familiar surroundings for the former Derry City ace.",[],{"_163":20456,"_165":20457},"Perhaps he wasn’t Coleraine’s marquee signing over the summer, but brilliant Ben brings considerable quality and experience to the ambitious Bannsiders. ",[],{"_163":20459,"_165":20460},"Ben Doherty, Coleraine ",[20461],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":661,"_196":-5},{"_163":20463,"_165":20464},"Ahead of the new Boyle Sports Premiership swinging into action, we take a look at six of the best summer buys. ",[],{"_163":20466,"_165":20467},"In this era of big expectations and little patience, the fresh arrivals will be looking to show their value. ",[],"\n

",{"_163":20470,"_165":20471},"Past achievements mean nothing now and the new signings must deliver. The new additions will be keen to repay the faith shown in them and perhaps use this opportunity to breathe fresh life into their careers. ",[],{"_163":20473,"_165":20474},"There have been some eye-catching moves but clubs are understandably reluctant to make huge financial gambles. ",[],{"_163":20476,"_165":20477},"The transfer window remains open but this summer’s business has reflected how difficult recruitment has become. ",[],"Coleraine’s Ben Doherty during the Bannsiders’ recent Conference League clash with HJK",{"_81":20480,"_212":19816,"_220":395,"_97":20481,"_213":20478,"_223":20482,"_106":20483,"_226":227,"_228":19823,"_230":20484,"_218":88,"_232":20483,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/7r6c2t-95386-3013549.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/95386_3013549.jpg",[20485],"95386_3013549.jpg","159651122","UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg, Inver Park, Larne 30/7/2026\nColeraine vs HJK\nColeraine’s Ben Doherty with HJK’s Emil Levealahti\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Stephen Hamilton",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20204,"_165":20487},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":19942,"_106":19943,"_253":10,"_254":19944},{"_250":19235,"_106":19236,"_253":10,"_254":19237},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":20498,"_106":20499,"_253":10,"_254":20500},{"_250":20495,"_106":20496,"_253":10,"_254":20497},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},"regional_north-belfast-and-newtonabbey_sport","4389","North Belfast & Newtownabbey Sport","regional_east-belfast_sport","4386","East Belfast Sport",{"_235":19239,"_237":19240,"_240":6762},{"_81":20503,"_212":19816,"_220":395,"_97":20504,"_213":20478,"_223":20482,"_106":20483,"_226":227,"_228":19823,"_230":20484,"_218":88,"_232":20483,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/7r6c2t-95386-3013549.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95386_3013549.jpg",[20505],{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_250":18340,"_106":18341,"_275":20525,"_276":280},{"_250":19957,"_106":19958,"_275":19959,"_276":280},{"_250":20522,"_106":20523,"_275":20524,"_276":280},{"_250":20519,"_106":20520,"_275":20521,"_276":280},{"_250":20516,"_106":20517,"_275":20518,"_276":280},{"_250":20513,"_106":20514,"_275":20515,"_276":280},{"_250":19247,"_106":19248,"_275":19249,"_276":280},"Carrick Rangers","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:carrick-rangers","Carrick Rangers are a semi-professional football club in Northern Ireland who play their home matches at Loughshore Hotel Arena in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. They are a member of the Northern Ireland Football League and compete in the Danske Bank Premiership. Read the latest news and articles on Carrick Rangers from the Belfast Telegraph.","Glentoran FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:glentoran-fc","Glentoran is an Irish League football team based in Belfast","Ballymena United","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:ballymena-united","Ballymena United is an Irish League football team","Cliftonville FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:cliftonville-fc","Cliftonville is an Irish League football team based in Belfast","The top men's football league in NI","Irish League: BoyleSports Premiership summer transfers: six top signings","Six standout Boyle Sports Premiership summer signings, from Ben Doherty to Zeno Rossi, analysed for impact and potential. Read the full breakdown.",192280774,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":20727,"_283":8,"_275":20728,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/failure-to-bond-with-fans-a-homecoming-gone-wrong-and-a-lack-of-results-how-tiernan-lynchs-time-at-derry-city-came-crashing-to-an-end/a/159657457.html",[20724,20725,20726],"Failure to bond with fans, a homecoming gone wrong and a lack of results: How Tiernan Lynch’s time at Derry City came crashing to an end ",{"_264":20720,"_266":20705,"_267":20533},[20719],[20716,20717,20718],{},[],"2026-08-05T18:00:00Z","2026-08-05T17:22:57Z",[20544,20545,20546,20547,20548,20549,20550,20551,20552,20553,20554,20555,20556,20557,20558,20559,20560,20561,20562,20563,20564,20565,20566,20567,20568,20569,20570,20571,20572,20573,20574,20575,20576,20577,20578,20579,20580,20581,20582,20583,20584],{"_140":10,"_141":20543,"_143":10},"277964b4-90ea-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":20714,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18760,"_213":20707,"_215":20708,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":20704,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":20701,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":20698,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":20695,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":20692,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":20689,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":20686,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":20683,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":20680,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":20677,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":20674,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":20671,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":20661,"_213":20662,"_215":20663,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":20658,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":20655,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":20652,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":20649,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":20646,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":20643,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":20640,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":20637,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":20634,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":642,"_212":18442,"_213":20626,"_215":20627,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":20623,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":20620,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":20617,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":20614,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":20611,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":20608,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":20607,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20607,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":20604,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":20601,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":20598,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":20595,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":20592,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":20589,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":20586,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":556,"_106":20585,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20585,"_233":92},"159635680",{"_163":20587,"_165":20588},"He remains a hard worker, a true professional and he can return a stronger and even hungrier manager. ",[],{"_163":20590,"_165":20591},"Lynch will not be short of options. His managerial CV still commands respect and clubs will seriously consider appointing him should a vacancy arise. ",[],{"_163":20593,"_165":20594},"The new manager has a tough job ahead and although the FAI Cup can still be won, this campaign has been a frustrating, painful and costly one. ",[],{"_163":20596,"_165":20597},"The Candystripes are just five points off the Relegation Play-Off spot with 10 games left to play. ",[],{"_163":20599,"_165":20600},"But managers cannot escape poor results. Lynch had a 50 per cent win rate in his first season, winning 19 of 38 games in all competitions, but that has fallen to 25 per cent in 2026, winning just eight of 32 games in all competitions. ",[],{"_163":20602,"_165":20603},"Perhaps the club felt that the scouting and recruitment wasn’t right and they turned to a former captain for a fresh approach. ",[],{"_163":20605,"_165":20606},"Connolly was named the club’s new Director of Football in June and it was an appointment that surprised many. ",[],"159470698",{"_163":20609,"_165":20610},"The club have made Mark Connolly interim manager and he will be in the dugout when Derry face Sligo on Friday. ",[],{"_163":20612,"_165":20613},"Dressing room relationships appeared strained and that is never a recipe for success. ",[],{"_163":20615,"_165":20616},"Not enough young talent has broken through. Lynch let go of local players like Ronan Boyce, Sam Todd and Sean Patton — the only local player to come through the ranks has been Conor Barr, who has been a success this season, while he has recently given debuts to Liam Kelly and Terence Doherty, but only because of a thin squad. ",[],{"_163":20618,"_165":20619},"Injuries to key players such as Liam Boyce left Derry struggling to kill off opponents and losing Kevin Holt was a big blow. Carl Winchester has barely featured this year due to injury. Adam Frizzell made only eight appearances in seven months. ",[],{"_163":20621,"_165":20622},"The difference between the 2025 squad, which finished second and the squad which started the 2026 season was stark — 15 players left, including most of the defence. ",[],{"_163":20624,"_165":20625},"Expectations were raised but there was no flying start as points were hard to come by and two European defeats poured on fresh misery. ",[],"James McClean and Tiernan Lynch in happier times",{"_81":20628,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":20629,"_213":20626,"_223":20630,"_106":20631,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":20632,"_218":88,"_232":20631,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/85bkfi-3322728.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3322728.jpg",[20633],"3322728.jpg","159657857","17 January 2026; New Derry City signing James McClean, centre, with Chairman Philip ODoherty, left, and Manager Tiernan Lynch during a media event in Derry. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20635,"_165":20636},"He stated in June: “You have a lot of conversations on the phone, and then you come home and quickly realise that what you hear on the phone is not what you see in reality. There are a lot of factors that have contributed to that. I’m going to leave them for another day.” ",[],{"_163":20638,"_165":20639},"McClean stated City’s European form was not the result of a “lack of effort” but instead shows an “issue somewhere” within the club. ",[],{"_163":20641,"_165":20642},"The former Republic of Ireland international has expressed views that were interpreted as attacks on the manager. ",[],{"_163":20644,"_165":20645},"There was James McClean‘s homecoming that wasn’t so happy. ",[],{"_163":20647,"_165":20648},"I make it 32 signings in 22 months at the Brandywell and not many could be considered successful. ",[],{"_163":20650,"_165":20651},"Just this week highly regarded League of Ireland defender Rob Slevin rocked up at Coleraine on a season-long loan after Derry recruited him in December. ",[],{"_163":20653,"_165":20654},"Consistency and stability is what clubs crave but it was impossible at Derry given the huge turnover of players. ",[],{"_163":20656,"_165":20657},"The boys from Belfast were unable to instil that passion in the side and retain a strong bond with supporters. ",[],{"_163":20659,"_165":20660},"Stephen Kenny made it feel like it was Derry against the world. He got the Brandywell and the whole town rocking with a local identity. ",[],"INPHO/Tom Maher","Tiernan Lynch departs Derry City after less than two seasons in charge",{"_81":20664,"_212":20661,"_220":395,"_97":20665,"_213":20662,"_223":20666,"_106":20667,"_226":227,"_228":20668,"_230":20669,"_218":88,"_232":20667,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/epu0tk-95404-3014770.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95404_3014770.jpg",[20670],"95404_3014770.jpg","159657808","©INPHO/Tom Maher","SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Richmond Park, Dublin 2/8/2026\nSt. Patrick's Athletic vs Derry City\nDerry City manager Tiernan Lynch\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher",{"_235":18159,"_237":18160,"_239":18159,"_240":18161},{"_163":20672,"_165":20673},"There was a feeling, rightly or wrongly, that he never really made an effort to identify with the club in terms of presence or enthusiasm. ",[],{"_163":20675,"_165":20676},"Fans will be patient up to a point. Some felt he was an outsider without an emotional connection to the city. ",[],{"_163":20678,"_165":20679},"Finishing just three points behind champions Shamrock Rovers and securing European football was considered a successful debut season for Lynch. ",[],{"_163":20681,"_165":20682},"He talked a good game but results were going to dictate his future. ",[],{"_163":20684,"_165":20685},"The ambition was to make the Candystripes a title-winning force and the best team on the island. And why not set the bar high? ",[],{"_163":20687,"_165":20688},"When he joined Derry on a three-year deal he was bullish and bold. ",[],{"_163":20690,"_165":20691},"Although he left during that continental journey in November 2024 his history making exploits earned him an exciting opportunity in the League of Ireland. ",[],{"_163":20693,"_165":20694},"The 50-year-old had won back-to-back Irish Premiership titles with Larne and led them to the promised land of major European League Phase action. ",[],{"_163":20696,"_165":20697},"Football is a ruthless, unforgiving business and Lynch knew that stakes were high but this was not how this story was supposed to go. ",[],{"_163":20699,"_165":20700},"Less than two years later the ambitious Brandywell project is up in flames. ",[],{"_163":20702,"_165":20703},"Tiernan Lynch and his brother Seamus had been miracle workers at Inver Park and the time was right to chase bigger targets. ",[],{"_163":20705,"_165":20706},"It felt like the perfect match, a dream partnership bringing a bright new dawn for Derry City. ",[],"Tiernan Lynch couldn’t replicate his success with Larne at Derry City",{"_81":20709,"_212":18760,"_220":221,"_97":20710,"_213":20707,"_223":20711,"_106":20712,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":20712,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/rfzm23-luney-graham-1.png/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Luney%2C%20Graham%20(1).png",[20713],"Luney%2C%20Graham%20(1).png","159660060",{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_163":20533,"_165":20715},[],{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":8,"_254":18649},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":19239,"_237":19240,"_240":6762},{"_81":20721,"_212":18760,"_220":221,"_97":20722,"_213":20707,"_223":20711,"_106":20712,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":20712,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/rfzm23-luney-graham-1.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Luney%2C%20Graham%20(1).png",[20723],{"_235":19187,"_237":18631,"_239":19187,"_240":19188},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},{"_250":18657,"_106":18658,"_275":18659,"_276":280},"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch sacked: what went wrong?","Derry City’s Tiernan Lynch era collapses amid poor results, fan unrest and Mark Connolly’s interim step in. Explore the causes and what happens next.",192176153,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":20850,"_283":8,"_275":20851,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/derry-city-sack-former-larne-boss-tiernan-lynch-we-thought-it-was-time/a/159635680.html",[20849],"Derry City sack former Larne boss Tiernan Lynch: “We thought it was time”",{"_264":20845,"_266":20826,"_267":20734},[20844],[20839,20840,20841,20842,20843],{},[],"2026-08-05T11:55:00Z","2026-08-05T11:58:56Z",[20745,20746,20747,20748,20749,20750,20751,20752,20753,20754,20755,20756,20757,20758,20759,20760,20761,20762,20763,20764,20765],{"_140":10,"_141":20744,"_143":10},"70cbc169-90c3-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":20837,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":20668,"_213":20828,"_215":20829,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":20825,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":20822,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":20819,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":20816,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":20813,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":20810,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":20807,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":20804,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":20801,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":20798,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":20795,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":20792,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":20789,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":19454,"_213":20779,"_215":20780,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":20776,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":20773,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":20770,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":20767,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":661,"_106":20766,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20766,"_233":92},"159611574",{"_163":20768,"_165":20769},"“The players weren’t expecting it and were probably thinking we will fight through the rest of the season but by and large they understand it.”",[],{"_163":20771,"_165":20772},"“I don’t follow social media and I don’t follow a lot of the football pundits either. I look at what’s happening on the field and speak to my fellow directors and we make a decision, and we thought it was time.",[],{"_163":20774,"_165":20775},"Derry City chairman Philip O’Doherty said: “He had a really good season last year, this year hasn’t been up to expectations and has been a disappointment.",[],{"_163":20777,"_165":20778},"“I am going to talk about the group that’s in there. Anybody who wants to talk about anything other than today’s game, I’ve not any interest in it.” ",[],"James McClean of Derry City ",{"_81":20781,"_212":19454,"_220":395,"_97":20782,"_213":20779,"_223":20783,"_106":20784,"_226":227,"_228":19454,"_230":20785,"_218":88,"_232":20784,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/cv6qb9-tyimages-2264561784.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/tyImages-2264561784.jpg",[20786],"tyImages-2264561784.jpg","139877166","Dublin , Ireland - 6 March 2026; James McClean of Derry City reacts during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Derry City at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)",{"_235":20787,"_237":20788,"_239":20787,"_240":3473},"james.tait@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Tait",{"_163":20790,"_165":20791},"“See this group of players, they’re a fantastic group of players in that dressing room and that’s my concentration, that’s my commitment and that’s what I’m here to talk about.",[],{"_163":20793,"_165":20794},"Pressed on whether he felt undermined by the comments, Lynch refused to say whether McClean had a future at the club or whether he would be disciplined.",[],{"_163":20796,"_165":20797},"“My job is to concentrate on what’s going on on the field,” said Lynch.",[],{"_163":20799,"_165":20800},"Following the match Lynch was asked to comment on McClean’s social media comments after Thursday’s European exit at the hands of Croatian side Rijeka.",[],{"_163":20802,"_165":20803},"On Sunday, Derry drew 1-1 with St Patrick’s Athletic in Dublin.",[],{"_163":20805,"_165":20806},"The Candystripes are currently sixth in the Premier Division after 26 games, 21 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers and eight points above Sligo Rovers.",[],{"_163":20808,"_165":20809},"“Mark Connolly will assume responsibility for first-team affairs on an interim basis.”",[],{"_163":20811,"_165":20812},"“The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tiernan for his professionalism, commitment and hard work during his time at Derry City.",[],{"_163":20814,"_165":20815},"A statement from Derry City read: “Derry City Football Club can confirm that it has today parted company with first-team manager Tiernan Lynch.",[],{"_163":20817,"_165":20818},"Lynch has also been publicly criticised by former Republic of Ireland winger James McClean, who rejoined Derry in January.",[],{"_163":20820,"_165":20821},"However, the Candystripes struggled for form under Lynch’s guidance despite signing high-profile players such as Liam Boyce and Gavin Whyte.",[],{"_163":20823,"_165":20824},"Lynch left Inver Park after guiding Larne to two Irish League titles in November 2024 to join the League of Ireland outfit.",[],{"_163":20826,"_165":20827},"Former Larne boss Tiernan Lynch has been sacked by Derry City following a disappointing run of results.",[],"Derry City and Tiernan Lynch have parted company",{"_81":20830,"_212":20668,"_220":395,"_97":20831,"_213":20828,"_223":20666,"_106":20832,"_226":227,"_228":20668,"_230":20669,"_218":88,"_232":20832,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5ccpgk-95404-3014770.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/95404_3014770.jpg",[20833],"159520175",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},"adam.mckendry@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","McKendry","Adam",{"_163":20734,"_165":20838},[],{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":8,"_254":18649},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":18208,"_237":18209,"_240":18210},{"_81":20846,"_212":20668,"_220":395,"_97":20847,"_213":20828,"_223":20666,"_106":20832,"_226":227,"_228":20668,"_230":20669,"_218":88,"_232":20832,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5ccpgk-95404-3014770.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95404_3014770.jpg",[20848],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},"James McClean: Derry City sack Tiernan Lynch after dressing-room tension ","Derry City sack Tiernan Lynch after poor results and dressing-room tension with James McClean. Read how Mark Connolly steps in and what happens next.",191280175,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":21099,"_283":8,"_275":21100,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/former-linfield-favourite-backs-david-jeffrey-to-steer-portadown-on-trophy-trail-but-says-blues-will-go-nowhere-without-outside-investment/a/159512526.html",[21092,21093,21094,21095],"Former Linfield favourite backs David Jeffrey to steer Portadown on trophy trail - but says Blues will go nowhere without outside investment",{"_264":21088,"_266":21073,"_267":20857},[21087],[21084,21085,21086],"159512526",{},[],"2026-08-03T06:00:00Z","2026-08-02T20:20:29Z",[20869,20870,20871,20872,20873,20874,20875,20876,20877,20878,20879,20880,20881,20882,20883,20884,20885,20886,20887,20888,20889,20890,20891,20892,20893,20894,20895,20896,20897,20898,20899,20900,20901,20902,20903,20904,20905,20906,20907,20908,20909,20910,20911,20912,20913,20914,20915,20916,20917,20918],{"_140":10,"_141":20868,"_143":10},"e887f87e-8e7c-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":21082,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18150,"_213":21075,"_215":21076,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":21072,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":21069,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":21066,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":21063,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":21060,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":21057,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":21054,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":21051,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":21048,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":698,"_212":21038,"_213":21039,"_215":21040,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":21035,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":21032,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":21029,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":21026,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":673,"_586":21018,"_588":21019,"_590":-5,"_592":21020,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":21015,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":21012,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":21009,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":21006,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":21003,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":21000,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":646,"_212":20990,"_213":20991,"_215":20992,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":20987,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":20984,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":20981,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":20978,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":1007,"_106":20977,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20977,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":20974,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":20971,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":20968,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":20965,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":20962,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":20959,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":20956,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":20953,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":20950,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":20947,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":20944,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":20941,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":20938,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":20935,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":540,"_159":20932,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":193,"_159":20929,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":20926,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":529,"_159":20923,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":525,"_159":20920,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":513,"_106":20919,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20919,"_233":92},"159419301",{"_163":20921,"_165":20922},"“I can understand players wanting a good full-time wage but the Blues face a difficult challenge. But you still always expect them to challenge for the League title.” ",[],{"_163":20924,"_165":20925},"“Contracts were signed before money was talked about. ",[],{"_163":20927,"_165":20928},"“Times have changed and money talks. It used to be a case where the players wanted to play for Linfield and that mattered more than anything. ",[],{"_163":20930,"_165":20931},"“They are hard games and the smaller countries are improving with more money. ",[],{"_163":20933,"_165":20934},"“I was devastated to see Linfield go out of Europe in that manner,” continued Mouncey. ",[],{"_163":20936,"_165":20937},"The clubs were paired together in Champions League qualifying and were later drawn together in the UEFA Conference League Play-Off for a place in the league stages. ",[],{"_163":20939,"_165":20940},"Last year, the Blues lost twice to League of Ireland Premier Division team Shelbourne. ",[],{"_163":20942,"_165":20943},"Three years earlier, Linfield missed out on a place in the Europa League group stages when defeated on away goals by Qarabag from Azerbaijan. ",[],{"_163":20945,"_165":20946},"Latvian side RFS denied the Blues a place in the Conference League in 2022 after they beat Healy’s men in a penalty shootout. ",[],{"_163":20948,"_165":20949},"European group stage action would have left Linfield in much greater financial health. ",[],{"_163":20951,"_165":20952},"The former Leeds United frontman urged the supporters to remain united behind the team and give the fresh faces a chance to showcase their talent. ",[],{"_163":20954,"_165":20955},"Healy is working with a trimmed squad, while recruiting Ryan Nolan, Aidan Glavin, Dylan Wells and Kobei Moore. ",[],{"_163":20957,"_165":20958},"“Larne are charging on in Europe and Coleraine are well backed. The bottom line is that if Linfield want to challenge for the title and European places, they will need to find investment. Something has to give.“ ",[],{"_163":20960,"_165":20961},"“They need investment to keep up with Coleraine and Larne. ",[],{"_163":20963,"_165":20964},"“Otherwise, they will be left behind. They need to pull money in from somewhere and sign the right players. ",[],{"_163":20966,"_165":20967},"“I can understand people at the club not willing to give up control, but something needs to happen,” he argued. ",[],{"_163":20969,"_165":20970},"Mouncey was part of Jeffrey’s all-conquering Linfield where he won every domestic honour available, including the all-Ireland Setanta Cup. ",[],{"_163":20972,"_165":20973},"Linfield are actively searching for the right investment opportunity, but club chiefs have been reluctant to sacrifice control. ",[],{"_163":20975,"_165":20976},"European qualification is needed to keep the full-time programme in operation. ",[],"159443383",{"_163":20979,"_165":20980},"The south Belfast club finished fourth in the Premiership last season with Joel Cooper’s move to Coleraine shining a light on their restricted spending power. ",[],{"_163":20982,"_165":20983},"The former Northern Ireland striker has acknowledged outside investment is “hugely important” if the Blues are to remain competitive in challenging for silverware in the coming years. ",[],{"_163":20985,"_165":20986},"Healy has spoken about cash flow issues at the club at a time when rivals are flexing their financial muscles. ",[],{"_163":20988,"_165":20989},"Mihhail Orlov’s late thunderbolt delivered a major financial blow on Linfield. ",[],"INPHO/Presseye","Tim Mouncey spent eight years with Portadown",{"_81":20993,"_212":20990,"_220":395,"_97":20994,"_213":20991,"_223":20995,"_106":20996,"_226":227,"_228":20997,"_230":20998,"_218":88,"_232":20996,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/o6c9w6-41034-407247.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/41034_407247.jpg",[20999],"41034_407247.jpg","159514414","©INPHO/Presseye","JJB Sports Irish Cup 13/2/2010\nPortadown \nTim Mouncey celebrates \nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Presseye",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":21001,"_165":21002},"A goal in stoppage time dumped the Blues out of the Conference League at the first hurdle after a 3-2 defeat by Nomme Kalju over two legs. ",[],{"_163":21004,"_165":21005},"David Healy and his side are licking their wounds after a painful early European exit. ",[],{"_163":21007,"_165":21008},"Mouncey also feels Linfield need to get investment over the line to prevent deeper troubles at Windsor Park. ",[],{"_163":21010,"_165":21011},"“Davy can get Portadown challenging for trophies, given time. He will have an immediate impact and I’m confident they will do well.” ",[],{"_163":21013,"_165":21014},"“He’s too big an asset not to be involved in the Irish League. ",[],{"_163":21016,"_165":21017},"“Davy will get the right structure in place and I’m delighted because he needs to be involved in the game. ",[],{"_163":21024,"_165":21025},{"_163":21022,"_165":21023},{"_163":88,"_165":21021},[],"Tim Mouncey",[],"He will have an immediate impact and I’m confident they will do well.”",[],{"_163":21027,"_165":21028},"“The top teams are strong and even breaking into the top six will be challenging. ",[],{"_163":21030,"_165":21031},"“It will take time to revive the team and the supporters know there will be no overnight success.",[],{"_163":21033,"_165":21034},"“He will back the players to the hilt publicly and privately and that’s what teams need. ",[],{"_163":21036,"_165":21037},"“He will go in there and earn respect. Players will play for him. That’s the one thing about Davy - anywhere he goes, his man management is second to none, he is just so good at understanding the players and getting the best out of them. ",[],"INPHO/Press Eye","Tim Mouncey played under David Jeffrey at Linfield",{"_81":21041,"_212":21038,"_220":395,"_97":21042,"_213":21039,"_223":21043,"_106":21044,"_226":227,"_228":21045,"_230":21046,"_218":88,"_232":21044,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wpxb7c-30897-195626.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/30897_195626.jpg",[21047],"30897_195626.jpg","159514363","©INPHO/Press Eye","CIS Insurance Cup, 9/9/2006\nLinfield vs Larne\nLinfield's Tim Mouncey battles for the ball against Larne's Julian Ward during Saturday's CIS Insurance Cup match\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Press Eye",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":21049,"_165":21050},"“I was surprised to see DJ back, I thought he was enjoying life away from the game but he will do a brilliant job,” said former Crusaders and Lisburn Distillery midfielder Mouncey. ",[],{"_163":21052,"_165":21053},"During his time, he also oversaw journeys to two further League Cup Finals, three Irish Cup Finals and two County Antrim Shield deciders before stepping down in 2023. ",[],{"_163":21055,"_165":21056},"Jeffrey also steered Ballymena to their first and only League Cup success in his first season, while leading them to second place in the Premiership in 2019. ",[],{"_163":21058,"_165":21059},"He guided Linfield to nine League titles, seven Irish Cups which included six League and Cup doubles, while also claiming the inaugural Setanta Cup in 2005 before bringing his 17-year tenure to a close in 2014. ",[],{"_163":21061,"_165":21062},"Jeffrey, who departed Ballymena United in 2023, is joined by David Douglas as head of recruitment and football operations and first team coach Jim Ervin. ",[],{"_163":21064,"_165":21065},"The vastly experienced boss took up the Shamrock Park reins in April after the exit of Niall Currie. ",[],{"_163":21067,"_165":21068},"Now he’s backing the Irish League icon to get the mid-Ulster side roaring again. ",[],{"_163":21070,"_165":21071},"Mouncey featured in more than 240 games for Portadown over eight years and played under Jeffrey at Linfield. ",[],{"_163":21073,"_165":21074},"Former Irish League midfielder Tim Mouncey has backed David Jeffrey to transform Portadown into a trophy-winning team and explained why Linfield need to get investment over the line to keep pace with rivals. ",[],"New Portadown boss David Jeffrey has delivered silverware to both Linfield and Ballymena United",{"_81":21077,"_212":18150,"_220":395,"_97":21078,"_213":21075,"_223":21079,"_106":21080,"_226":227,"_228":18150,"_230":19931,"_218":88,"_232":21080,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/e9vmdr-wn-v-home-farm-0023.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/wn%20v%20Home%20Farm%200023.jpg",[21081],"wn%20v%20Home%20Farm%200023.jpg","159514294",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":20857,"_165":21083},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":19942,"_106":19943,"_253":10,"_254":19944},{"_250":19939,"_106":19940,"_253":10,"_254":19941},{"_235":19239,"_237":19240,"_240":6762},{"_81":21089,"_212":18150,"_220":395,"_97":21090,"_213":21075,"_223":21079,"_106":21080,"_226":227,"_228":18150,"_230":19931,"_218":88,"_232":21080,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/e9vmdr-wn-v-home-farm-0023.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/wn%20v%20Home%20Farm%200023.jpg",[21091],{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_250":18340,"_106":21098,"_275":20525,"_276":280},{"_250":19966,"_106":19967,"_275":19968,"_276":280},{"_250":1998,"_106":1999,"_275":2000,"_276":280},{"_250":21096,"_106":21097,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"David Jeffrey","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:david-jeffrey","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:sports-direct-premiership","Linfield investment worries and David Jeffrey Portadown trophy hope","Tim Mouncey hails David Jeffrey’s Portadown rebuild and warns Linfield over vital investment to stay competitive in Europe and at home. ",191280163,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":21344,"_283":8,"_275":21345,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/irish-league-doesnt-need-summer-football-to-achieve-european-success-declares-larne-ace/a/159520432.html",[21342,21343],"Irish League doesn’t need summer football to achieve European success, declares Larne ace",{"_264":21338,"_266":21323,"_267":21106},[21337],[21335,21336],"159520432",{},[],"2026-08-03T05:00:00Z","2026-08-02T20:19:22Z",[21118,21119,21120,21121,21122,21123,21124,21125,21126,21127,21128,21129,21130,21131,21132,21133,21134,21135,21136,21137,21138,21139,21140,21141,21142,21143,21144,21145,21146,21147,21148,21149,21150,21151,21152,21153,21154,21155,21156,21157,21158,21159,21160,21161,21162,21163,21164,21165,21166,21167,21168,21169,21170],{"_140":10,"_141":21117,"_143":10},"bbb5a0e6-8ea0-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":21333,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":19816,"_213":21325,"_215":21326,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":21322,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":21319,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":21316,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":21313,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":21310,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":21307,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":21304,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":21301,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":21298,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":21295,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":21292,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":21289,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":21286,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":21283,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":673,"_106":21282,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":21282,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":21279,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":21276,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":21273,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":21270,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":195,"_212":19816,"_213":21262,"_215":21263,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":21259,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":21256,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":21253,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":21250,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":21247,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":21244,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":1007,"_106":21243,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":21243,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":21240,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":21237,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":21234,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":21231,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":21228,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":21225,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":21222,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":21219,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":21216,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":21213,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":21210,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":21207,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":21204,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":21201,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":540,"_212":20013,"_213":21192,"_215":21193,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":193,"_159":21189,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":21186,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":529,"_159":21183,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":525,"_159":21180,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":513,"_159":21177,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":509,"_159":21174,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":505,"_159":21171,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":501,"_106":20861,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":20861,"_233":92},{"_163":21172,"_165":21173},"“I’m feeling good in that regard, so hopefully I’ll get this wee niggle sorted and I’ll be ready to hit the ground running.” ",[],{"_163":21175,"_165":21176},"“The physios down at Larne have put a lot of work into me. ",[],{"_163":21178,"_165":21179},"“I’ve picked up a niggle there at the minute, but obviously the serious one that I had picked up there kept me out for 18 months, and I’m feeling good,” said the 30-year-old. ",[],{"_163":21181,"_165":21182},"Keeping players like Millar fit will give the Invermen a stronger chance of remaining competitive on several fronts. ",[],{"_163":21184,"_165":21185},"Haveron and his players, who regained the Gibson Cup from Linfield for a third triumph in four seasons, want to extend this European adventure for as long as possible. ",[],{"_163":21187,"_165":21188},"“We know what will be extremely tough.” ",[],{"_163":21190,"_165":21191},"“That’s if we do get there. We don’t want to speak too soon, because there’s a lot of work to do before we get there. But if we come to that bridge, we’ll try to cross it. ",[],"Leroy Millar returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines last season",{"_81":21194,"_212":20013,"_220":395,"_97":21195,"_213":21192,"_223":21196,"_106":21197,"_226":227,"_228":21198,"_230":21199,"_218":88,"_232":21197,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/l7ijah-94243-2913475.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/94243_2913475.jpg",[21200],"94243_2913475.jpg","159521304","©INPHO/Declan Roughan","Sports Direct Premiership 20/3/2026\nGlenavon vs Larne\nGlenavon’s Paul McGovern with Leroy Millar of Larne\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Declan Roughan",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":21202,"_165":21203},"“We had the games on a Thursday and then games on a Sunday. It’ll be extremely difficult. Hopefully we can learn from it. ",[],{"_163":21205,"_165":21206},"“It was tough at that time,” said Millar. “It was the first time anyone had qualified for the group stages, so we didn’t really know what way to go about it. ",[],{"_163":21208,"_165":21209},"Left playing catch-up in the League in 2024, Larne drifted out of the title race as Linfield won the prize with six games to spare. ",[],{"_163":21211,"_165":21212},"“We know the challenge ahead. We’ll just have to do our best, and see where it takes us.”",[],{"_163":21214,"_165":21215},"“We’re happy enough with our squad. You’ve got Linfield, they will be good, they always are. Glentoran are a massive club and they’ll have to turn the tide shortly and win something. ",[],{"_163":21217,"_165":21218},"“You can obviously see Coleraine’s spending a lot of money. Their squad is an unbelievable squad. They’ve two top players in every single position, so we’re probably not going to be the favourites this year. ",[],{"_163":21220,"_165":21221},"“Every year, the threats get bigger, so the competition gets harder. ",[],{"_163":21223,"_165":21224},"“There’s a lot of ins and outs,” reflected Millar. “I think the big one was Andy Ryan going. He will be hard to replace, he’s done a lot for the club but we’ve brought in three strikers. They’ve come in, they’ve looked sharp, and hopefully they can add to the squad.",[],{"_163":21226,"_165":21227},"The 31-year-old made 121 appearances for Larne, scoring 70 goals. ",[],{"_163":21229,"_165":21230},"During a three-and-a-half year spell with the Invermen, the forward played a pivotal role in securing three League titles for the east Antrim club, as well as helping secure qualification for the Conference League league stage and a County Antrim Shield success. ",[],{"_163":21232,"_165":21233},"It’s not a smooth task replacing a finisher as prolific as Ryan. ",[],{"_163":21235,"_165":21236},"Haveron has brought in Josh Ukek, Sam McClelland, Montel Gibson and Kevin O’Hara. ",[],{"_163":21238,"_165":21239},"Captain Cian Bolger, defender Ryan Nolan, striker Kobei Moore and young frontman Jack Hastings left the club over the summer as well as Josh Kee and Cormac Austin. ",[],{"_163":21241,"_165":21242},"With the Premiership scheduled to kick off on Friday – provided the Northern Ireland Football Football League can receive the backing it needs from clubs after the Banbridge Town ruling – the Champions still have European glory on their minds. ",[],"159500900",{"_163":21245,"_165":21246},"From the intimidating Stadion Rajko Mitić, Larne will be relieved to have home comforts again. Draws for the Play-Off rounds will be held on Monday. ",[],{"_163":21248,"_165":21249},"“It wasn’t the outcome we wanted but we’ll have to look forward to the Europa League and another big test.” ",[],{"_163":21251,"_165":21252},"“We’ve got minutes in the legs and it’s all-important experience. ",[],{"_163":21254,"_165":21255},"“We’ll drop into the Europa League here. All we can do is our best, and we’ll see where it takes us. ",[],{"_163":21257,"_165":21258},"“Your eyes have to light up when you win that first Champions League tie, because you’ve obviously got the safety net of dropping down to Europa League and then the safety net of the Play-Off in the Conference League,” added Millar. ",[],{"_163":21260,"_165":21261},"League phase action, if it is secured, will place another huge demand on the squad. ",[],"Leroy Millar helped Larne wrestle the Gibson Cup back from Linfield last season",{"_81":21264,"_212":19816,"_220":395,"_97":21265,"_213":21262,"_223":21266,"_106":21267,"_226":227,"_228":19823,"_230":21268,"_218":88,"_232":21267,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ti2c2v-93985-2894414.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/93985_2894414.jpg",[21269],"93985_2894414.jpg","159521247","Sports Direct Premiership, Inver Park, Antrim 24/2/2026\nLarne vs Linfield\nLarne’s Leroy Millar with Linfield’s Kyle McClean\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Stephen Hamilton",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":21271,"_165":21272},"In 2024, Larne were left playing catch up on the domestic front after marching on in Europe and, despite claiming the runner-up slot after an heroic effort, the Invermen finished a bumper 22 points adrift of Linfield. ",[],{"_163":21274,"_165":21275},"“I think a lot of the older players in the League would be looking at that. Boxing Day is massive and they were looking at a calendar to keep it. Put it down to a vote and see what the majority say.” ",[],{"_163":21277,"_165":21278},"“So I don’t think we need it, but that’s me personally saying that, obviously. I have a kid now and summer holidays come into play. ",[],{"_163":21280,"_165":21281},"“Everyone’s going to have different views,” said the former Ballymena United man. “My view is probably, I think with the League, we’ve proven that you can qualify for group stages with having the schedule that we have. ",[],"159494904",{"_163":21284,"_165":21285},"Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins feels a summer switch is the right move but Larne midfielder Millar is less convinced. ",[],{"_163":21287,"_165":21288},"Last year, Linfield were beaten twice to League of Ireland Premier Division team Shelbourne including in a Conference League Play-Off for a place in the league stages. ",[],{"_163":21290,"_165":21291},"The loss of a European place would be a significant financial blow to the League. ",[],{"_163":21293,"_165":21294},"The Premiership campaign takes place between August and May and there’s an argument sides are undercooked in Europe. ",[],{"_163":21296,"_165":21297},"Coleraine suffered an 8-0 aggregate defeat by HJK Helsinki to end their Conference League qualifying hopes.",[],{"_163":21299,"_165":21300},"There was little continental joy elsewhere as Linfield suffered an agonising exit from UEFA Conference League qualifying against Nomme Kalju and Glentoran lost 2-0 away to Latvian side RFS in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie, going down 4-1 on aggregate. ",[],{"_163":21302,"_165":21303},"The Invermen are, however, still on course to make the league phase in Europe for the second time after their heroics of 2024. ",[],{"_163":21305,"_165":21306},"Larne did manage to bag a Champions League win over Tre Fiori, though they lost 9-0 on aggregate to Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade.",[],{"_163":21308,"_165":21309},"It’s the first time Northern Ireland have dropped outside the top 50 in the UEFA rankings since 2018/19. ",[],{"_163":21311,"_165":21312},"The Georgian side have won Erovnuli Liga the past two seasons and currently occupy top spot. ",[],{"_163":21314,"_165":21315},"With Georgia at number 52 in the standings, these clashes could be decisive and Northern Ireland could lose their fourth European spot if Larne are knocked out before the group stages. The first leg is at Inver Park on Tuesday night. ",[],{"_163":21317,"_165":21318},"The Irish Premiership has dropped to 51st in the UEFA coefficient rankings, heaping more pressure on Gary Haveron’s side ahead of their Europa League qualifying clash with Iberia 1999. ",[],{"_163":21320,"_165":21321},"Clubs are expected to vote on changing the Irish League calendar in the coming months and poor European performances have raised concerns. ",[],{"_163":21323,"_165":21324},"Leroy Millar says he’s not ready to be a big advocate of a summer season and points to his own side’s success as adding weight to his argument. ",[],"Leroy Millar and Larne are chasing more European league phase football",{"_81":21327,"_212":19816,"_220":395,"_97":21328,"_213":21325,"_223":21329,"_106":21330,"_226":227,"_228":19823,"_230":21331,"_218":88,"_232":21330,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/7yavpp-92807-2801384.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/92807_2801384.jpg",[21332],"92807_2801384.jpg","159521098","Sports Direct Premiership, Stangmore Park, Dungannon, Tyrone 4/10/2025\nDungannon Swifts vs Larne\nLarne’s Leroy Millar\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Stephen Hamilton",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":21106,"_165":21334},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":19942,"_106":19943,"_253":10,"_254":19944},{"_235":19239,"_237":19240,"_240":6762},{"_81":21339,"_212":19816,"_220":395,"_97":21340,"_213":21325,"_223":21329,"_106":21330,"_226":227,"_228":19823,"_230":21331,"_218":88,"_232":21330,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/7yavpp-92807-2801384.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/92807_2801384.jpg",[21341],{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_250":18340,"_106":21098,"_275":20525,"_276":280},{"_250":19960,"_106":19961,"_275":19962,"_276":280},"Irish League summer season vote: Larne star warns on Europe","Irish Premiership faces a shock UEFA rankings drop as Larne chase European group stages and debate a summer season switch. ",191280145,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/tiernan-lynch-quizzed-on-james-mccleans-latest-outburst-as-derry-city-rescue-a-point-away-to-st-patricks-athletic/a/159523090.html",[21539,21540],"Tiernan Lynch quizzed on James McClean’s latest outburst as Derry City rescue a point away to St Patrick’s Athletic ",{"_264":21535,"_266":21522,"_267":21351},[],[21534],"159523090",{},[],"2026-08-02T20:17:14Z",[21363,21364,21365,21366,21367,21368,21369,21370,21371,21372,21373,21374,21375,21376,21377,21378,21379,21380,21381,21382,21383,21384,21385,21386,21387,21388,21389,21390,21391,21392,21393,21394,21395,21396,21397,21398],"Paul Buttner",{"_140":10,"_141":21362,"_143":10},"e95dfaff-8eae-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":21532,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18435,"_213":21524,"_215":21525,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":21521,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":21518,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":21513,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":21510,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":21507,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":21504,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":21501,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":21499,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":21497,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":21495,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":21493,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":21490,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":21487,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":18435,"_213":21476,"_215":21477,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":21473,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":21470,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":21467,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":21463,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":21460,"_161":162},{"_81":21459,"_85":21444,"_155":21445,"_157":195,"_161":21446},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":21456,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":21453,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":21450,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":21447,"_161":162},{"_81":21443,"_85":21444,"_155":21445,"_157":629,"_161":21446},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":21440,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":21437,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":21434,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":21430,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":21427,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":21424,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":21421,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":21418,"_161":162},{"_155":21399,"_157":576,"_21400":21401,"_161":21402},"InfoBlockStoryElement","elements",[21403,21404,21405],"InfoBlock",{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":21414,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":21410,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":21406,"_161":162},{"_163":21407,"_165":21408},"REF: Rob Harvey (Dublin).",[21409],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":202,"_196":-5},{"_163":21411,"_165":21412},"DERRY CITY: Maher; Lyons-Forster, Barr (Smith 66), Stott, Fleming (Slevin 90); Twisk, O’Reilly; Chapman (P McClean 66); Burns (L Boyce 66), Clarke (Olayinka 80), Duffy (Cotter 66).",[21413],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":167,"_196":-5},{"_163":21415,"_165":21416},"ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Anang; Redmond, Hoare, Turner; Brown (Breslin 64), Lennon, Nugent (Sheridan 82), McClelland; Leavy (Baggley 45); Keena (Olusanya 73), Edmondson.",[21417],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":661,"_196":-5},{"_163":21419,"_165":21420},"It dropped for Clarke on the edge of the area, the attacking midfielder taking a touch and driving a rising shot past Anang to the net.",[],{"_163":21422,"_165":21423},"Joe Redmond and Lennon couldn’t properly clear Lyons-Foster’s ball into the area.",[],{"_163":21425,"_165":21426},"It worked as they were rewarded on 73 minutes, though St Pat’s felt there was a handball in the build-up.",[],{"_163":21428,"_165":21429},"Having survived, Derry made a quadruple substitution just past the hour mark, as they chased the game.",[],{"_163":21431,"_165":21432},"Maintaining the pressure on the visitors’ goal, Maher yet again rescued his side with a diving stop from a Keena Kenna free-kick as St Pat’s couldn’t believe they hadn’t added to their lead.",[21433],{"_85":1065,"_157":1356,"_194":187,"_196":-5},{"_163":21435,"_165":21436},"Keena then put Edmondson in behind with Maher getting down smartly to save.",[],{"_163":21438,"_165":21439},"A loose clearance then gifted Jamie Lennon sight of goal. The midfield anchor’s shot arced just past a post.",[],{"_163":21441,"_165":21442},"St Pat’s began the second half as they did the first, James Brown rifling into the side netting when he should have doubled their lead, Maher having parried McClelland’s shot into his path.",[],"https://x.com/LeagueofIreland/status/2083970148050858406","Twitter","EmbedStoryElement","Embed",{"_163":21448,"_165":21449},"Maher did make a terrific save to deny Ryan Edmondson three minutes before half-time following Turner’s galloping run from deep, even if an offside flag had gone up anyway.",[],{"_163":21451,"_165":21452},"Keena’s free-kick into the area deflected into the path of Nugent. And though Maher was quickly off his line, he tripped the St Pat’s midfielder to concede a penalty, which Keena blasted straight down the middle.",[],{"_163":21454,"_165":21455},"Having rescued his side, Maher would contribute to St Pat’s taking a deserved lead on 27 minutes.",[],{"_163":21457,"_165":21458},"Leavy then teed up Keena with a pullback on the right. The striker never got hold of his shot, which was comfortably saved.",[],"https://x.com/LeagueofIreland/status/2083953956858827186",{"_163":21461,"_165":21462},"First the Derry goalkeeper made a fine save to deprive Leavy after a surging counter-attack by Keena and Nugent.",[],{"_163":21464,"_165":21465},"In a lively opening, Maher soon saw action on the doubleback at the Kilmainham end.",[21466],{"_85":1065,"_157":493,"_194":206,"_196":-5},{"_163":21468,"_165":21469},"Ex-Saint Darragh Burns cheekily nutmegged Turner on the right to cross for Clarke, whose header was tipped over for the game’s first corner.",[],{"_163":21471,"_165":21472},"Derry soon settled to work Joseph Anang at the other end for the first time on eight minutes.",[],{"_163":21474,"_165":21475},"Moments later Derry defender Jamie Stott’s header from a Keena free-kick had to be tipped over the top by his own goalkeeper Maher, though referee Rob Harvey had already whistled for a foul by Luke Turner.",[],"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch speaks to media after the 1-1 draw at Richmond Park",{"_81":21478,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":21479,"_213":21476,"_223":21480,"_106":21481,"_226":227,"_228":18760,"_230":21482,"_218":88,"_232":21481,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/eag7yd-st-patricks-athletic-v-derry-city-sse-airtricity-mens-premier-division/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3529844.jpg",[21483],"3529844.jpg","159521140","2 August 2026; Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch speaks to media after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile",{"_235":21484,"_237":21485,"_239":21484,"_240":21486},"Ben.Blake@independent.ie","Blake","Ben",{"_163":21488,"_165":21489},"That came after just 20 seconds. Less than a minute later Kian Leavy went on a slalom run, hurdling several challenges before his drive was blocked by the well-positioned Brooklyn Lyons-Foster.",[],{"_163":21491,"_165":21492},"St Pat’s started positively, Darragh Nugent shooting wide after a Jay McClelland shot had been deflected to him.",[],{"_163":20777,"_165":21494},[],{"_163":20790,"_165":21496},[],{"_163":20793,"_165":21498},[],{"_163":20796,"_165":21500},[],{"_163":21502,"_165":21503},"Asked to comment on the situation after the game, Derry head coach Tiernan Lynch was non-committal.",[],{"_163":21505,"_165":21506},"Following his social media comments after Thursday’s exit from Europe to Croatian side Rijeka, veteran winger James McClean was left out of the Derry squad and didn’t travel to Dublin.",[],{"_163":21508,"_165":21509},"With just six wins from 26 games now, pre-season title pretenders Derry remain sixth and well off the European qualification places.",[],{"_163":21511,"_165":21512},"A third successive draw means St Pat’s once again failed to make up significant ground on leaders Shamrock Rovers, who remain seven points ahead of them.",[],{"_163":21514,"_165":21515},"Though he committed the foul for that spot-kick, Brian Maher made several big saves between their post as Derry rallied late on to score a fine 73rd-minute equaliser.",[21516],{"_85":1065,"_157":21517,"_194":673,"_196":-5},83,{"_163":21519,"_165":21520},"St Pat’s enjoyed much of the ball for long periods of the game but failed to build on Aidan Keena’s first-half penalty.",[],{"_163":21522,"_165":21523},"James Clarke salvaged a big point for Derry City as they came from behind to frustrate St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.",[],"James Clarke celebrates after scoring the equaliser for Derry City at Richmond Park ",{"_81":21526,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":21527,"_213":21524,"_223":21528,"_106":21529,"_226":227,"_228":18760,"_230":21530,"_218":88,"_232":21529,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/bxxv1h-st-patricks-athletic-v-derry-city-sse-airtricity-mens-premier-division/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/3529722.jpg",[21531],"3529722.jpg","159520123","2 August 2026; James Clarke of Derry City celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile",{"_235":21484,"_237":21485,"_239":21484,"_240":21486},{"_163":21351,"_165":21533},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_81":21536,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":21537,"_213":21524,"_223":21528,"_106":21529,"_226":227,"_228":18760,"_230":21530,"_218":88,"_232":21529,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/bxxv1h-st-patricks-athletic-v-derry-city-sse-airtricity-mens-premier-division/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3529722.jpg",[21538],{"_235":21484,"_237":21485,"_239":21484,"_240":21486},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":21541,"_106":21542,"_275":21543,"_276":280},"St Patrick's Athletic FC","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:st-patricks-athletic-fc","St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a professional Irish association football club based in Inchicore, Dublin, that plays in the Irish Premier Division. Founded in May 1929, they played originally in Phoenix Park but they moved to their current ground Richmond Park in 1930.",191279227,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/james-clarke-stunner-rescues-point-for-derry-city-on-return-to-league-action-at-st-pats/a/159519746.html",[21682,21683],"James Clarke stunner rescues point for Derry City on return to league action at St Pat’s",{"_264":21678,"_266":21672,"_267":21549},[],[21676,21677],"159519746",{},[],"2026-08-02T18:24:00Z","2026-08-02T18:24:41Z",[21562,21563,21564,21565,21566,21567,21568,21569,21570,21571,21572,21573,21574,21575,21576,21577,21578,21579,21580,21581,21582,21583,21584],"Eoin Wilson",{"_140":10,"_141":21561,"_143":10},"24b3f8ed-8e9d-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":21674,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":21671,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":20661,"_213":21663,"_215":21664,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":21660,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":21657,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":21654,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":21651,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":21642,"_213":21643,"_215":21644,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":21639,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":21636,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":21633,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":21630,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":20661,"_213":21622,"_215":21623,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":21619,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":21616,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":21613,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":21610,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":20661,"_213":21606,"_215":21607,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":21602,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":21598,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":21594,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":21590,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":21585,"_161":162},{"_163":21586,"_165":21587},"Match Rating: 5/10",[21588],{"_85":21589,"_157":880,"_194":158,"_196":-5},"Underline",{"_163":21591,"_165":21592},"Man of the Match: James Clarke (Derry City)",[21593],{"_85":21589,"_157":880,"_194":681,"_196":-5},{"_163":21595,"_165":21596},"Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin)",[21597],{"_85":21589,"_157":880,"_194":183,"_196":-5},{"_163":21599,"_165":21600},"Derry City: Maher, Fleming (Slevin 90), Stott, Barr (Smith 67), Lyons-Foster, Twisk, Duffy (Boyce 67), Ellis Chapman (P McClean 67), O’Reilly, Burns (Cotter 67), Clarke (Olayinka 80).",[21601],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_163":21603,"_165":21604},"St Patrick’s Athletic: Anang, Redmond, Hoare, Turner, Brown (Breslin 64) Lennon, Nugent (Sheridan 82), McClelland, Leavy (Baggley 45), Keena (Olusanya 73), Edmonson.",[21605],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":661,"_196":-5},"The pressure is still on Tiernan Lynch at Derry City",{"_81":20846,"_212":20661,"_220":395,"_97":21608,"_213":21606,"_223":20666,"_106":20832,"_226":227,"_228":20668,"_230":20669,"_218":88,"_232":20832,"_233":92},[21609],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21611,"_165":21612},"City debutant Tyler Smith was lively in attack just days after joining the club but, while they finished the stronger, they were unable to force a winner, and it is now just two wins in their last 13 league games for Lynch and his players, who next face Sligo Rovers at the Brandywell on Friday.",[],{"_163":21614,"_165":21615},"It was Derry looking stronger as a result in the closing stages of the game, with the fresh legs having a real impact. All of a sudden it was Pat’s on the back foot, and substitute Barry Cotter forced Anang to tip the ball over the bar after taking on and beating Brown on the edge of the area.",[],{"_163":21617,"_165":21618},"A ball into the area was only half cleared by the Pats’ defence and Clarke brought it down just outside the area, before taking a touch and powering an unstoppable effort into the top corner past a helpless Anang for his sixth goal of the season.",[],{"_163":21620,"_165":21621},"Tiernan Lynch made four changes midway through the second-half in an attempt to reenergise his team after their European exertions in midweek, but it was one of his starters, Clarke, who dragged the visitors back into the game on 71 minutes.",[],"Derry City's Brooklyn Lyons-Foster challenges Jason McClelland of St Patrick's Athletic",{"_81":21624,"_212":20661,"_220":395,"_97":21625,"_213":21622,"_223":21626,"_106":21627,"_226":227,"_228":20668,"_230":21628,"_218":88,"_232":21627,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/8domh0-95404-3014806--1-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95404_3014806__1_.jpg",[21629],"95404_3014806__1_.jpg","159520169","SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Richmond Park, Dublin 2/8/2026\nSt. Patrick's Athletic vs Derry City\nDerry City's Brooklyn Lyons-Foster challenges Jason McClelland of St Patrick's Athletic\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21631,"_165":21632},"Pat’s started the second-half with renewed intention and pushed City right back, with Maher having to stop an effort from Edmonson, before also pushing away a brilliant free-kick from Keena as Derry hung on just barely to their 1-0 deficit.",[],{"_163":21634,"_165":21635},"Aidan Keena slammed the ball down the middle to make it 1-0 much to the chagrin of the visitors.",[],{"_163":21637,"_165":21638},"The game sprung into life towards the half-hour when a Pat’s free-kick into a crowded area saw the ball spin towards the back post into the path of Darragh Nugent. The Pat’s midfielder got his shot away but was challenged by Maher in the process, and referee Rob Harvey adjudged it as a late challenge and pointed to the penalty spot.",[],{"_163":21640,"_165":21641},"At the other end, Brian Maher then had to stand strong for his team as Pat’s threatened for the first time through Kian Leavy, who turned past Brandon Fleming onto his left foot to create a shooting opportunity, but he couldn’t beat the City goalkeeper, who pushed the ball away.",[],"Adam Russell/Sportsfile","Derry City’s Brandon Fleming challenges St Pat’s’ Kian Leavy",{"_81":21645,"_212":21642,"_220":395,"_97":21646,"_213":21643,"_223":21647,"_106":21648,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":21649,"_218":88,"_232":21648,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/kx53l7-3529688.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3529688.jpg",[21650],"3529688.jpg","159520156","2 August 2026; Kian Leavy of St Patrick's Athletic in action against Brandon Fleming of Derry City during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Adam Russell/Sportsfile",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21652,"_165":21653},"Derry almost silenced the home side within 10 minutes when Darragh Burns found space to whip a cross into the Pat’s area and Clarke met it with a glancing, looping header which Joseph Anang had to tip over the crossbar.",[],{"_163":21655,"_165":21656},"City went into this game just three days after their European Conference League disappointment against HNK Rijeka, while for Pat’s it was a chance to close the gap on Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table.",[],{"_163":21658,"_165":21659},"This was the Candystripes’ first league game in a month after switching their focus to European and FAI Cup action, and it was Clarke who came to their rescue with 18 minutes to go in a fairly low-key contest at Richmond Park.",[],{"_163":21661,"_165":21662},"James Clarke saved a point for Derry City on their return to Airtricity Premier Division action at St Patrick’s Athletic.",[],"Derry City's James Clarke celebrates after scoring against St Patrick’s Athletic",{"_81":21665,"_212":20661,"_220":395,"_97":21666,"_213":21663,"_223":21667,"_106":21668,"_226":227,"_228":20668,"_230":21669,"_218":88,"_232":21668,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ww4gmw-95404-3014832.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/95404_3014832.jpg",[21670],"95404_3014832.jpg","159520127","SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Richmond Park, Dublin 2/8/2026\nSt. Patrick's Athletic vs Derry City\nDerry City's James Clarke celebrates after scoring his side's first goal of the match with Patrick McClean\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21672,"_165":21673},"St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Derry City 1",[],{"_163":21549,"_165":21675},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_81":21679,"_212":20661,"_220":395,"_97":21680,"_213":21663,"_223":21667,"_106":21668,"_226":227,"_228":20668,"_230":21669,"_218":88,"_232":21668,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ww4gmw-95404-3014832.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95404_3014832.jpg",[21681],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":21541,"_106":21542,"_275":21543,"_276":280},191256623,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/there-is-an-issue-somewhere-james-mcclean-reacts-to-derry-citys-europe-exit-in-now-deleted-social-media-post/a/159470698.html",[21802,21803],"‘There is an issue somewhere’: James McClean reacts to Derry City's Europe exit in now-deleted social media post",{"_264":21799,"_266":21787,"_267":21689},[21798],[21796,21797],{},[],"2026-07-31T15:21:00Z",[21699,21700,21701,21702,21703,21704,21705,21706,21707,21708,21709,21710,21711,21712,21713,21714,21715,21716,21717,21718,21719,21720],{"_140":10,"_141":21698,"_143":10},"4c87b6ae-8cf3-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":21794,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18435,"_213":21789,"_215":21790,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":21786,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":21783,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":21780,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":21777,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":21774,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":179,"_212":-5,"_213":21767,"_215":21768,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":21764,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":21761,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":21758,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":21755,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":21752,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":21750,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":21747,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":-5,"_213":21739,"_215":21740,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":21736,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":21733,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":21730,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":21727,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":21724,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":21721,"_161":162},{"_163":21722,"_165":21723},"With their European adventure now at an end, the Candystripes return to league action away to St Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday evening. There’s also an FAI Cup third-round clash away to First Division UCD to come on Monday week. ",[],{"_163":21725,"_165":21726},"“You have a lot of conversations on the phone. Then you come home and realise what you hear on the phone is not what you see in reality. There’s a lot of factors that have contributed to that. We’ll leave them for another day.”",[],{"_163":21728,"_165":21729},"“My family have enjoyed being home. Probably not so much myself, if I’m being honest,” he said.",[],{"_163":21731,"_165":21732},"Last month, while on World Cup punditry duty for RTÉ, McClean also admitted that this season hasn’t turned out exactly as he hoped. ",[],{"_163":21734,"_165":21735},"“[I] am very comfortable being disliked if it means me speaking the truth, what [I] am not comfortable with is being liked by saying nothing and turning a blind eye.”",[],{"_163":21737,"_165":21738},"In a subsequent post, McClean added: “One thing you’ll always get from me is my honest take on things, which in return will bring hate and by the way, that doesn’t mean [I] am always right either, but it’s honest.",[],"James McClean on Instagram ",{"_81":21741,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":21742,"_213":21739,"_223":21743,"_106":21744,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":21744,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/igq88n-762864182-1810444512515691.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/762864182_1810444512515691.jpg",[21745],"762864182_1810444512515691.jpg","159466919",{"_235":21746,"_237":8070,"_239":21746,"_240":18554},"aidan.odoherty@independent.ie",{"_163":21748,"_165":21749},"“If you don’t like it, then you’ll excuse me for not caring about your opinion, given that 99.9pc that have a lot to say have never played a professional game in their lives. Anyways, on to the next.”",[],{"_163":18769,"_165":21751},[],{"_163":21753,"_165":21754},"“If you watch the games, the lads aren’t losing these games based on lack of effort, just like all season, so clearly there is an issue somewhere.",[],{"_163":21756,"_165":21757},"“And sorry, it needs to be said, we have every much as good, if not better, a squad on paper [compared to those clubs], said it already last time out. ",[],{"_163":21759,"_165":21760},"“Rovers, Bohs, Shels, Larne have all progressed through ties in Europe this year. We played four, lost four,” he said in a now-deleted Instagram story.",[],{"_163":21762,"_165":21763},"Afterwards, the Derry native took to social media to share his thoughts on his side’s European exit on a night when Shelbourne and Bohemians both progressed to the next round of the Conference League. ",[],{"_163":21765,"_165":21766},"McClean was an unused substitute for last week’s first leg in Croatia, and was left out of the squad for last night’s return leg at the Brandywell, as he watched on from behind the home dugout. ",[],"James McClean watches the game on Thursday",{"_81":21769,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":21770,"_213":21767,"_223":21771,"_106":21772,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":21772,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/tmv2e4-761462370-1810439371415691.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/761462370_1810439371415691.jpg",[21773],"761462370_1810439371415691.jpg","159466821",{"_235":21746,"_237":8070,"_239":21746,"_240":18554},{"_163":21775,"_165":21776},"Derry then dropped into the Conference League second round and were beaten 1-0 by HNK Rijeka in both legs as their European journey came to an end on Thursday night.",[],{"_163":21778,"_165":21779},"After finishing runners-up last season, the Candystripes entered the Europa League first qualifying round earlier this month, where they were beaten by CSKA Sofia, with McClean playing a total of seven minutes across the two legs. ",[],{"_163":21781,"_165":21782},"The 37-year-old missed several games earlier this season with a chronic hip issue that threatened possible retirement before it was resolved, while in the league, Tiernan Lynch’s team have failed to mount a title challenge, currently sitting 21 points off the top. ",[],{"_163":21784,"_165":21785},"The former Ireland centurion returned to his boyhood club last January, but it has proved a difficult campaign for him personally and his team. ",[],{"_163":21787,"_165":21788},"James McClean has expressed his disappointment at Derry City’s Conference League exit on Thursday night and feels that even though the players are giving everything, “there is an issue somewhere”.",[],"Derry City’s James McClean arrives for the Uefa Conference League second qualifying round, second leg clash against HNK Rijeka at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium ",{"_81":21791,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":21792,"_213":21789,"_223":18440,"_106":18759,"_226":227,"_228":18760,"_230":18443,"_218":88,"_232":18759,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/vgavm1-derry-city-v-hnk-rijeka-uefa-conference-league-second-qualifying-round-2nd-leg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/3527291.jpg",[21793],{"_235":18762,"_237":18763,"_239":18762,"_240":18764},{"_163":21689,"_165":21795},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":18762,"_237":18763,"_240":18764},{"_81":18757,"_212":18435,"_220":395,"_97":21800,"_213":21789,"_223":18440,"_106":18759,"_226":227,"_228":18760,"_230":18443,"_218":88,"_232":18759,"_233":92},[21801],{"_235":18762,"_237":18763,"_239":18762,"_240":18764},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},{"_250":18657,"_106":18658,"_275":18659,"_276":280},191243088,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/defensive-disaster-costs-derry-city-as-european-campaign-comes-to-a-disappointing-ending-with-defeat-to-rijeka/a/159429731.html",[21943],"Defensive disaster costs Derry City as European campaign comes to a disappointing ending with defeat to Rijeka",{"_264":21939,"_266":21933,"_267":21809},[],[21937,21938],"159429731",{},[],"2026-07-30T19:37:00Z","2026-07-30T19:37:58Z",[21821,21822,21823,21824,21825,21826,21827,21828,21829,21830,21831,21832,21833,21834,21835,21836,21837,21838,21839,21840,21841,21842,21843],{"_140":10,"_141":21820,"_143":10},"d5182af1-8c4c-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":21935,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":21932,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":21859,"_213":21924,"_215":21925,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":21921,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":21918,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":21915,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":21912,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":21859,"_213":21904,"_215":21905,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":21901,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":21898,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":21895,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":21892,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":21859,"_213":21884,"_215":21885,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":21881,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":21878,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":21875,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":21872,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":21869,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":21859,"_213":21860,"_215":21861,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":21856,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":21852,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":21848,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":21844,"_161":162},{"_163":21845,"_165":21846},"Referee: Jose Goncalves (Spain)",[21847],{"_85":21589,"_157":880,"_194":183,"_196":-5},{"_163":21849,"_165":21850},"HNK Rijeka: Todorovic; Jankovic (Lasickas 80), Barco, Pavic, Fruk (Cubelic 89), Gojak, Adu-Adjei (Grulovic 90), Orec, Dantas, Devetak, Majstorovic.",[21851],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_163":21853,"_165":21854},"Derry City: Maher; Lyons-Foster (Cotter 62), Dummigan, P McClean (Stott 80), Fleming; Olayinka (Burns 62), Twisk, O’Reilly, Chapman; Duffy, Boyce (Clarke 45).",[21855],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_163":21857,"_165":21858},"That was as close as the home side came, with their European campaign fading out quietly and forgettably in the closing stages. The Candystripes now return to domestic matters when they travel to St. Patrick’s Athletic this Sunday. ",[],"INPHO/Ryan Byrne","Derry’s Adam O’Reilly reacts to a missed chance",{"_81":21862,"_212":21859,"_220":395,"_97":21863,"_213":21860,"_223":21864,"_106":21865,"_226":227,"_228":21866,"_230":21867,"_218":88,"_232":21865,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/h9jc46-95385-3013476.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95385_3013476.jpg",[21868],"95385_3013476.jpg","159429891","©INPHO/Ryan Byrne","UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry 30/7/2026\nDerry City vs Rijeka\nDerry’s Adam O’Reilly reacts to a missed chance\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21870,"_165":21871},"If any City player was going to provide the inspiration the Candystripes needed then it was Duffy, and he very nearly did that on 65 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick which beat Todorovic but hit the frame of the goal.",[],{"_163":21873,"_165":21874},"City finally showed some signs of life in response with Adam O’Reilly getting on the end of Duffy’s cross, but his header landed on the roof of the net. Substitute James Clarke then curled an effort just wide as the Brandywell came to life.",[],{"_163":21876,"_165":21877},"The atmosphere at the Brandywell was not becoming of a European night, with the home side unable to replicate their early endeavour, and yet another chance came Rijeka’s way eight minutes after the restart when Amer Gojak’s low cross found Adu-Adjei on the stretch, but the goalscorer could not double his tally, somehow skewing the ball wide from close range.",[],{"_163":21879,"_165":21880},"The home side needed the half-time whistle, but they were almost caught out again right on the stroke of half-time; Dummigan lost the flight of the ball in the air and Adu-Adjei was in behind again, but he opted to roll it back for Jankovic who shot wildly over.",[],{"_163":21882,"_165":21883},"Moments after a crucial header took the ball away from Ante Majstorovic, Dummigan threw himself in the way of Niko Jankovic’s close-range shot after the ball had fallen kindly for the winger just six yards from goal.",[],"The pressure has ramped up further on Tiernan Lynch",{"_81":21886,"_212":21859,"_220":395,"_97":21887,"_213":21884,"_223":21888,"_106":21889,"_226":227,"_228":21866,"_230":21890,"_218":88,"_232":21889,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/j4f2zk-95385-3013466.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95385_3013466.jpg",[21891],"95385_3013466.jpg","159429882","UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry 30/7/2026\nDerry City vs Rijeka\nDerry manager Tiernan Lynch \nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21893,"_165":21894},"That was a real blow which took the wind out of Derry, and Rijeka came close to killing the tie completely on the half hour but this time Dummigan saved his team twice in a matter of seconds.",[],{"_163":21896,"_165":21897},"Dummigan, playing at centre-back, played the ball backwards but straight to Adu-Adjei, who raced through to slide the ball past Brian Maher and make double Rijeka’s lead on aggregate.",[],{"_163":21899,"_165":21900},"That proved to be a decisive moment in the tie as City then gifted their Croatian opponents a goal just three minutes later.",[],{"_163":21902,"_165":21903},"The City captain showed no fear up against two opponents on the left wing, racing through both before picking out the run of Ellis Chapman in behind the Rijeka defence. Chapman pulled the ball back to Liam Boyce 10 yards from goal, and the striker had time to take a touch before picking his spot, only to be denied by a superb save from goalkeeper Aleksa Todorovic, who stuck out a right hand to keep the ball out.",[],"Derry City’s Michael Duffy tackles Rijeka’s Ante Orec",{"_81":21906,"_212":21859,"_220":395,"_97":21907,"_213":21904,"_223":21908,"_106":21909,"_226":227,"_228":21866,"_230":21910,"_218":88,"_232":21909,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/h4857g-95385-3013424.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95385_3013424.jpg",[21911],"95385_3013424.jpg","159429873","UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry 30/7/2026\nDerry City vs Rijeka\nDerry’s Michael Duffy and Ante Oreč of Rijeka\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21913,"_165":21914},"Derry could have been level on aggregate as early as 11 minutes following a fast start, with Duffy at the heart of it.",[],{"_163":21916,"_165":21917},"Michael Duffy did his best to inspire a comeback, but few of his teammates were able to match his quality, with the visitors keeping their clean sheet relatively comfortably.",[],{"_163":21919,"_165":21920},"In truth, City didn’t have the quality to break down their Croatian opponents, and when Daniel Adu-Adjei took advantage of a Cameron Dummigan mistake to score the only goal of the game in the first half, there was no way back. ",[],{"_163":21922,"_165":21923},"Derry City’s European adventure is over for another season following another narrow defeat to HNK Rijeka, this time at the Brandywell.",[],"Derry City players are dejected after Rijeka score",{"_81":21926,"_212":21859,"_220":395,"_97":21927,"_213":21924,"_223":21928,"_106":21929,"_226":227,"_228":21866,"_230":21930,"_218":88,"_232":21929,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/dp3md7-95385-3013435.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/95385_3013435.jpg",[21931],"95385_3013435.jpg","159429869","UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry 30/7/2026\nDerry City vs Rijeka\nDerry’s Michael Duffy dejected after conceding a goal \nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":21933,"_165":21934},"Derry City 0 HNK Rijeka 1 - Rijeka win 2-0 on aggregate",[],{"_163":21809,"_165":21936},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_81":21940,"_212":21859,"_220":395,"_97":21941,"_213":21924,"_223":21928,"_106":21929,"_226":227,"_228":21866,"_230":21930,"_218":88,"_232":21929,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/dp3md7-95385-3013435.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95385_3013435.jpg",[21942],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_250":18560,"_106":18561,"_275":18562,"_276":280},191151175,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":22069,"_283":8,"_275":22070,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/glentoran-boss-backs-new-boy-to-be-a-huge-player-in-the-season-ahead/a/159122604.html",[22067,22068],"Glentoran boss backs new boy to be a ‘huge player’ in the season ahead",{"_264":22063,"_266":22048,"_267":21949},[],[22060,22061,22062],"159122604",{},[],"2026-08-07T08:00:00Z","2026-07-24T21:31:24Z",[21962,21963,21964,21965,21966,21967,21968,21969,21970,21971,21972,21973,21974,21975,21976,21977,21978,21979,21980,21981,21982,21983,21984],"Alex Mills",{"_140":10,"_141":21961,"_143":10},"deb5f73a-86ac-11f1-8207-1f99fd65e108",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22058,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":20294,"_213":22050,"_215":22051,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22047,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":22044,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22041,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":22038,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":22035,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":22032,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":22029,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":22026,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":22023,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":698,"_212":19862,"_213":22015,"_215":22016,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":22012,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":22009,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":22006,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":22003,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":22000,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":21997,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":21994,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":21991,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":21988,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":21985,"_161":162},{"_163":21986,"_165":21987},"“The fans are the heartbeat of the club; they make it bounce. We all need to pull together for the domestic season.” ",[],{"_163":21989,"_165":21990},"“We need them to stay with us from start to finish over the course of the next eight months, as they always do. ",[],{"_163":21992,"_165":21993},"“Our home support was magnificent last season and they follow us in big numbers to every away game, including Europe, where hundreds made the journey to Latvia for the second leg tie. ",[],{"_163":21995,"_165":21996},"“In my time at the club, they have been amazing,” he goes on. “As a manager and as a player, it’s something that lives with you. ",[],{"_163":21998,"_165":21999},"Devine believes the Glentoran supporters can also play a big part in the upcoming campaign. ",[],{"_163":22001,"_165":22002},"“Believe me, it’s going to take that for the season ahead.” ",[],{"_163":22004,"_165":22005},"“What pleases me is we have leaders, we have real leadership within the group. ",[],{"_163":22007,"_165":22008},"“Plus the fact that another new signing, Greg Sloggett, has been there and done it in terms of winning trophies and has featured at top clubs like Derry City, Dundalk and Hartlepool. ",[],{"_163":22010,"_165":22011},"“Add his leadership qualities to the senior professionals we have at the club - the Singletons, the Kanes, the Hobans and the McEneffs - I think we will have serious competition for places in the team. ",[],{"_163":22013,"_165":22014},"“Thankfully, he’s with us for the next few years. He will be a huge player for us. ",[],"Zeno Rossi enjoyed a goalscoring debut with Glentoran",{"_81":22017,"_212":19862,"_220":395,"_97":22018,"_213":22015,"_223":22019,"_106":22020,"_226":227,"_228":19869,"_230":22021,"_218":88,"_232":22020,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/718zip-90726jp3football013.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/90726JP3football013.jpg",[22022],"90726JP3football013.jpg","159122929","UEFA Europa Conference League First Qualifying Round First Leg, The Oval, Belfast 9/7/2026\nGlentoran vs RFS\n\nGlentoranÕs Zeno Rossi celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0. \n\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Jonathan Porter",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":22024,"_165":22025},"“His age profile, his leadership qualities, his size, his ability and his presence have been very welcome by everyone at the club. ",[],{"_163":22027,"_165":22028},"“It was a position we were trying to strengthen,” said former Bohemians and Derry City chief Devine. “To get someone of his calibre was a bonus. ",[],{"_163":22030,"_165":22031},"Amazingly, he only arrived in east Belfast less than 24 hours before the European tie - but Devine had no hesitation in pitching him into the heat of the battle. ",[],{"_163":22033,"_165":22034},"Not only did he produce a top class showing against the Latvians, but he also capped his first appearance in the red, green and black shirt with a sensational goal. ",[],{"_163":22036,"_165":22037},"Less than 24 hours later, Rossi made his bow in a UEFA Conference League tie at home to RFS and, as debuts go, he had the BetMcLean Oval crowd eating out of his hand from the off. ",[],{"_163":22039,"_165":22040},"Devine pounced straight away, tying him up on a long-term deal.",[],{"_163":22042,"_165":22043},"He joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Shelbourne back in February but, on July 9, Rossi learned that his contract at Cambridge had been terminated. ",[],{"_163":22045,"_165":22046},"The 25-year-old central defender had been on the books at Bournemouth and Southampton and had a spell in Scotland – with Kilmarnock and Dundee – before signing for Cambridge United. ",[],{"_163":22048,"_165":22049},"Glentoran manager Declan Devine believes new boy Zeno Rossi will take the Irish League by storm. ",[],"Declan Devine has been keen to add leadership qualities to Glentoran’s squad over the summer",{"_81":22052,"_212":20294,"_220":395,"_97":22053,"_213":22050,"_223":22054,"_106":22055,"_226":227,"_228":20301,"_230":22056,"_218":88,"_232":22055,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/qajrsu-94202-2910091.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/94202_2910091.jpg",[22057],"94202_2910091.jpg","159123054","BetMcClean Cup Final, Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast 15/3/2026\nGlentoran vs Linfield\nGlentoran Manager Declan Devine\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Brian Little",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":21949,"_165":22059},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":20498,"_106":20499,"_253":10,"_254":20500},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_81":22064,"_212":20294,"_220":395,"_97":22065,"_213":22050,"_223":22054,"_106":22055,"_226":227,"_228":20301,"_230":22056,"_218":88,"_232":22055,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/qajrsu-94202-2910091.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/94202_2910091.jpg",[22066],{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_250":18340,"_106":21098,"_275":20525,"_276":280},{"_250":20516,"_106":20517,"_275":20518,"_276":280},"Glentoran transfer news: Zeno Rossi signing and impact","Declan Devine hails Zeno Rossi as a game-changing Glentoran signing and praises fan power ahead of the new Irish League season.",191143257,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":22172,"_283":8,"_275":22173,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/derry-city-players-must-seize-conference-league-opportunity-after-battling-performance-in-croatia-insists-tiernan-lynch/a/159165647.html",[22168,22169],"Derry City players must seize Conference League opportunity after battling performance in Croatia, insists Tiernan Lynch",{"_264":22164,"_266":22149,"_267":22076},[],[22161,22162,22163],"159165647",{},[],"2026-07-24T14:03:00Z","2026-07-24T14:04:11Z",[22088,22089,22090,22091,22092,22093,22094,22095,22096,22097,22098,22099,22100,22101,22102,22103,22104],{"_140":10,"_141":22087,"_143":10},"8c1e8f0c-8767-11f1-9dca-0f033d5f980c",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22159,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":22118,"_213":22151,"_215":22152,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22148,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":22145,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22142,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":22139,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":22105,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":22105,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":22136,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":22133,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":22130,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":22127,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":22118,"_213":22119,"_215":22120,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":22115,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":22112,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":22109,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":22106,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":677,"_106":22105,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":22105,"_233":92},"159123250",{"_163":22107,"_165":22108},"“We were coming into this game blind and it was important that we are going back to the Brandywell still in the game. I’ve been involved in lots of European games where you were going back for the second leg with the tie pretty much wrapped up and, as we showed last week, when we get home and get that crowd behind us, a full house, the Brandywell is a difficult place to play.”",[],{"_163":22110,"_165":22111},"“We were never going to go gung-ho at this because we don’t know a huge amount about them obviously. A new manager came in so we weren’t 100 per cent sure what style they were going to play, what shape they were going to play, or who was going to play, so it was probably very cautious from our end.",[],{"_163":22113,"_165":22114},"“We knew there wouldn’t be a lot of opportunities. This was about staying in the game and making sure that we could take something back to the Brandywell,” he added.",[],{"_163":22116,"_165":22117},"City themselves created only one chance of note, a first half effort from Michael Duffy which squirmed the wrong side of the post, but Lynch knows his team can improve significantly in that regard when playing at the Brandywell.",[],"Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile","Derry City’s Michael Duffy is challenged by HNK Rijeka’s Ante Orec",{"_81":22121,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22122,"_213":22119,"_223":22123,"_106":22124,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22125,"_218":88,"_232":22124,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/s0ayv1-sports3519815.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3519815.jpg",[22126],"Sports3519815.jpg","159133141","23 July 2026; Michael Duffy of Derry City vs Ante Orec of Rijeka in action during the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg match between HNK Rijeka and Derry City at HNK Rijeka Stadium Rujevica in Rijeka, Croatia. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22128,"_165":22129},"“Rijeka are a very good side, with lots of quality and very good players, but we had a very particular gameplan coming here. The longer the game went on, I thought we settled on the ball a lot more and tried to dictate a bit more, so we’re disappointed that we didn’t get something from the game.”",[],{"_163":22131,"_165":22132},"“To be honest, we’re probably a little bit disappointed. I think it’s a great sign of the character of the team that they did come in disappointed,” Lynch reflected.",[],{"_163":22134,"_165":22135},"The game was decided by an early second half strike from Croatian international Toni Fruk, subject of an £8.5million bidding war between Ajax and Hull City. That one moment was the difference and the only slip by Derry on a night of defensive sturdiness.",[],{"_163":22137,"_165":22138},"“A big thing from our end is gaining the confidence that we can have in ourselves and our ability to implement our own game a little bit more. I think sometimes we feel a little bit inferior and that’s the big thing that we have to change.”",[],{"_163":22140,"_165":22141},"“The big thing you can always take from these games is what you can learn from them,” he explained.",[],{"_163":22143,"_165":22144},"In three games played in Europe so far, the two legs against CSKA Sofia and against Rijeka, the Candystripes have yet to be overwhelmed, with only fine margins the difference, and Lynch is hoping his players’ confidence is increasing because of that fact.",[],{"_163":22146,"_165":22147},"City go into their Conference League second qualifying round tie with HNK Rijeka of Croatia a solitary goal behind following a battling display at Stadion Rujevica.",[],{"_163":22149,"_165":22150},"Tiernan Lynch has called on his Derry City players to seize the opportunity ahead of them as they look forward to a huge European night at the Brandywell next Thursday.",[],"Derry City’s Brandon Fleming of Derry City in action during the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg match between HNK Rijeka and Derry City at HNK Rijeka Stadium Rujevica in Rijeka, Croatia. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile",{"_81":22153,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22154,"_213":22151,"_223":22155,"_106":22156,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22157,"_218":88,"_232":22156,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wb1xcl-sports3519814.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Sports3519814.jpg",[22158],"Sports3519814.jpg","159133179","23 July 2026; Brandon Fleming of Derry City in action during the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg match between HNK Rijeka and Derry City at HNK Rijeka Stadium Rujevica in Rijeka, Croatia. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22076,"_165":22160},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_81":22165,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22166,"_213":22151,"_223":22155,"_106":22156,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22157,"_218":88,"_232":22156,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wb1xcl-sports3519814.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3519814.jpg",[22167],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_250":22170,"_106":22171,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},"Derry City","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:derry-city","Derry City vs HNK Rijeka: big European night at Brandywell","Derry City trail HNK Rijeka by one goal but believe in a Brandywell comeback on a huge European night. Read how Tiernan Lynch plans the second leg.",191131917,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/derry-city-take-one-goal-deficit-back-to-brandywell-as-rijeka-claim-slender-advantage-in-conference-league-qualifier/a/159123250.html",[22312],"Derry City take one-goal deficit back to Brandywell as Rijeka claim slender advantage in Conference League qualifier",{"_264":22309,"_266":22303,"_267":22179},[],[22307,22308],{},[],"2026-07-23T20:58:00Z","2026-07-23T20:58:47Z",[22190,22191,22192,22193,22194,22195,22196,22197,22198,22199,22200,22201,22202,22203,22204,22205,22206,22207,22208,22209,22210,22211,22212,22213,22214],{"_140":10,"_141":22189,"_143":10},"5a2ee4da-86ae-11f1-aae8-d182fb381781",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22305,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":22302,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":22118,"_213":22297,"_215":22298,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22294,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":22291,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22288,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":22285,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":22118,"_213":22277,"_215":22278,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":22274,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":22271,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":22268,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":22265,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":22118,"_213":22261,"_215":22262,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":22258,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":22255,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":22252,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":22249,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":22118,"_213":22241,"_215":22242,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":22238,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":22235,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":22231,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":22227,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":22223,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":22219,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":22215,"_161":162},{"_163":22216,"_165":22217},"Referee: José Luis Munuera (Spain)",[22218],{"_85":21589,"_157":880,"_194":183,"_196":-5},{"_163":22220,"_165":22221},"Subs not used: Norcott, Slevin, J McClean, Grogan, Doherty, Kelly.",[22222],{"_85":2073,"_157":880,"_194":698,"_196":-5},{"_163":22224,"_165":22225},"DERRY CITY: Maher; Cotter, P McClean, Stott (Dummigan 62), Fleming; Lyons-Foster (Barr 75), Twisk (O’Reilly 62), Olayinka (Burns 80); Chapman, Boyce (Clarke 62), Duffy.",[22226],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_163":22228,"_165":22229},"Subs not used: Kovać, Nwolokor, Zivković, Grulović, Vignato, Cletus, Saho, Husic, Bodetić.",[22230],{"_85":2073,"_157":880,"_194":698,"_196":-5},{"_163":22232,"_165":22233},"HNK RIJEKA: Todorović; Oreć, Majstorović, Barco, Devetak; Dantas, Pavić, Janković; Gojak (Rukavina 79), Adu-Adjei (Jurić 69), Fruk (Lasickas 90).",[22234],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":171,"_196":-5},{"_163":22236,"_165":22237},"O’Reilly ran 60 yards upfield before aiming a cross for the head of Duffy up in support but, just as the City captain shaped to head in an equaliser, the foot of Fruk cleared the ball away, the goalscorer saving his team with a brilliant interception.",[],{"_163":22239,"_165":22240},"City attacks were rare but they showed they were still in this game on 75 minutes when a poor corner routine allowed substitute Adam O’Reilly to lead the visitors away on counter-attack. ",[],"Derry City striker Liam Boyce is fouled by Rijeka’s Ante Majstorović",{"_81":22243,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22244,"_213":22241,"_223":22245,"_106":22246,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22247,"_218":88,"_232":22246,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/10rkeb-sports3519837.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3519837.jpg",[22248],"Sports3519837.jpg","159133185","23 July 2026; Liam Boyce of Derry City is fouled by Ante Majstorovic of Rijeka during the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg match between HNK Rijeka and Derry City at HNK Rijeka Stadium Rujevica in Rijeka, Croatia. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22250,"_165":22251},"The home side, buoyed by that, now looked dangerous for the first time and they came so close to making it two. Niko Janković was sent racing into the area down the right and he pulled the ball back for Adu-Adjei, whose scuffed effort beat Maher but was brilliantly cleared off the line by Lyons-Foster.",[],{"_163":22253,"_165":22254},"Branko Pavić brought the ball forward unchallenged and he simply slipped the ball into striker Daniel Adu-Adjei just inside the area, and the Englishman flicked the ball into the path of strike partner Fruk, who hammered a first-time effort past Maher to make it 1-0.",[],{"_163":22256,"_165":22257},"City were then opened up far too easily as Rijeka opened the scoring on 51 minutes.",[],{"_163":22259,"_165":22260},"A rare break forward into the Rijeka penalty area saw Brandon Fleming turn down the opportunity to shoot and instead find Michael Duffy in space, and the City captain outfoxed Ante Oreć before aiming for the bottom corner, but his effort took a slight deflection and the ball spun agonisingly the wrong side of the post and behind for a corner.",[],"Derry City’s Brandon Fleming drives forward",{"_81":22165,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22263,"_213":22261,"_223":22155,"_106":22156,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22157,"_218":88,"_232":22156,"_233":92},[22264],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22266,"_165":22267},"Despite all their possession, Rijeka survived a huge scare just five minutes before the break, with Derry coming so close to opening the scoring.",[],{"_163":22269,"_165":22270},"City looked calm, composed and disciplined in a first half that was dominated possession-wise by the hosts but without once testing Brian Maher in the visitors’ goal.",[],{"_163":22272,"_165":22273},"Tiernan Lynch was by far the happier of the two managers in the first half as his team stood up well against a squad filled with internationally capped players, one of which, striker Fruk, was in the Croatian national squad in this year’s World Cup.",[],{"_163":22275,"_165":22276},"Despite their league difficulties this season, Derry managed to give a good account of themselves in the two legs against CSKA Sofia in their previous games and, having scored two goals in Bulgaria to keep the tie alive, City were hopeful of coming away from Croatia with something to fight for ahead of next week’s return leg at the Brandywell.",[],"Rijeka celebrate Toni Fruk’s goal",{"_81":22279,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22280,"_213":22277,"_223":22281,"_106":22282,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22283,"_218":88,"_232":22282,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/viezdw-sports3519845.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3519845.jpg",[22284],"Sports3519845.jpg","159133167","23 July 2026; Rijeka players celebrate after scoring their first goal during the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg match between HNK Rijeka and Derry City at HNK Rijeka Stadium Rujevica in Rijeka, Croatia. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22286,"_165":22287},"City gave a debut to full-back Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, formerly of HJK Helsinki, who joined the club late on Wednesday.",[],{"_163":22289,"_165":22290},"For Tiernan Lynch, however, his team are still in with a chance of progressing beyond this Conference League Second Qualifying Round tie after a hard-working display.",[],{"_163":22292,"_165":22293},"Striker Toni Fruk, subject of a bidding war between Ajax and Hull City and valued at £8.5million by his employers, struck the only goal of the game early in the second half to decide a game which was short on quality throughout.",[],{"_163":22295,"_165":22296},"Derry City must overcome a one-goal deficit against HNK Rijeka in next week’s second leg at the Brandywell.",[],"Derry City’s Michael Duffy challenges Rijeka’s Ante Oreć",{"_81":22299,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22300,"_213":22297,"_223":22123,"_106":22124,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22125,"_218":88,"_232":22124,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/s0ayv1-sports3519815.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Sports3519815.jpg",[22301],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22303,"_165":22304},"HNK Rijeka 1 Derry City 0",[],{"_163":22179,"_165":22306},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_81":22121,"_212":22118,"_220":395,"_97":22310,"_213":22297,"_223":22123,"_106":22124,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22125,"_218":88,"_232":22124,"_233":92},[22311],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_250":22170,"_106":22171,"_275":-5,"_276":280},191103488,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/sibling-rivalry-put-on-hold-as-derry-city-announce-signing-of-coleraine-defenders-brother-from-hjk-helsinki/a/159069977.html",[22379],"Sibling rivalry put on hold as Derry City announce signing of Coleraine defender's brother from HJK Helsinki",{"_264":22376,"_266":22361,"_267":22318},[22375],[22371,22372,22373,22374],"159069977",{},[],"2026-07-22T15:27:00Z","2026-07-22T15:27:32Z",[22330,22331,22332,22333,22334,22335,22336,22337,22338],{"_140":10,"_141":22329,"_143":10},"64d364a5-85e0-11f1-bdb7-2d699b6335df",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22369,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":22363,"_215":22364,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22360,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":22357,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22354,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":-5,"_213":22348,"_215":22349,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":22345,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":22342,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":22339,"_161":162},{"_163":22340,"_165":22341},"The 25-year-old, a former youth player at Tottenham Hotspur where he was named on the senior bench on a handful of occasions, will not be available for Derry’s clash with HNK Rijeka on Thursday and may have to wait until August 7 to make his debut against Sligo Rovers.",[],{"_163":22343,"_165":22344},"It is a significant change for Lyons-Foster, who has spent the last two-and-a-half years in Finland with HJK, making over 50 appearances for the club and playing in the Champions League with them.",[],{"_163":22346,"_165":22347},"The move has happened so quickly, in fact, that Brooklyn won’t even be sticking around in Helsinki to support his brother as he has already linked up with his new Candystripes team-mates, who are in the Croatian city of Rijeka for their own second round qualifying tie.",[],"Brooklyn Lyons-Foster playing for Tottenham's Under-21s in 2023",{"_81":22350,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":22351,"_213":22348,"_223":22352,"_106":22353,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":22348,"_218":88,"_232":22353,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ab589p-brooklyn-lyons-foster-playing-for-tottenhams-under-21s-in-2023/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1742158115%2Fa6ea7a55-e6b8-4006-8b46-1f3c817d7576.jpg",[],"1742158115%2Fa6ea7a55-e6b8-4006-8b46-1f3c817d7576.jpg","111075437",{"_163":22355,"_165":22356},"However, that will no longer be the case after Derry City confirmed they have signed Brooklyn with immediate effect, adding him to their squad for the remainder of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division campaign.",[],{"_163":22358,"_165":22359},"Coleraine defender Kodi Lyons-Foster was due to face his brother Brooklyn, who played for HJK Helsinki, in their Conference League second qualifying round tie in Finland on Thursday, meaning divided loyalties in the family home.",[],{"_163":22361,"_165":22362},"Thursday could have been a potentially awkward day in the Lyons-Foster household, but a brother v brother clash in the Conference League has been averted at a day’s notice.",[],"Coleraine's Kodi Lyons-Foster with his brother 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job is a footballer and everything else is a bit of noise’ – Pico Lopes on Shamrock Rovers return after World Cup highs",{"_264":22524,"_266":22506,"_267":22385},[22523],[22518,22519],"159016147",{},[],"2026-07-21T14:22:14Z",[22396,22397,22398,22399,22400,22401,22402,22403,22404,22405,22406,22407,22408,22409,22410,22411,22412,22413,22414,22415,22416,22417,22418,22419,22420],{"_140":10,"_141":22395,"_143":10},"11df0c81-850f-11f1-bdb7-2d699b6335df",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22516,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":22442,"_213":22508,"_215":22509,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22505,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":22502,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22499,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":22496,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":22487,"_213":22488,"_215":22489,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":22484,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":22481,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":22478,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":22475,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":22442,"_213":22468,"_215":22469,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":22465,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":22462,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":22459,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":22456,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":22453,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":22442,"_213":22443,"_215":22444,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":22439,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":22436,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":22433,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":22430,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":22427,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":22424,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":22421,"_161":162},{"_163":22422,"_165":22423},"“They dominated the game, they dominated the ball and you are just thinking, if they take their chances they’ll win most games, which they ended up doing.”",[],{"_163":22425,"_165":22426},"“For me I think the best team won. They were really good throughout the tournament. I felt when we played them, if I wanted to play like any particular team it would be Spain. ",[],{"_163":22428,"_165":22429},"“I thought Spain would win, I thought they’d win maybe a lot more comfortably and convert the chances that they managed to create early on. ",[],{"_163":22431,"_165":22432},"“It’s a nice thing to look at but there’s so many memories and nuggets to take from the World Cup apart from playing those two sides.",[],{"_163":22434,"_165":22435},"“I know everyone draws comparisons of us drawing with Spain in their first game but it must be put in perspective that our goalkeeper had an absolute worldie, we defended really well and rode our luck at times.",[],{"_163":22437,"_165":22438},"“I haven’t dwelled on those moments of the two games but it was nice to say I played against them, experienced how good they are and know what it takes to match them,” he said.",[],{"_163":22440,"_165":22441},"Lopes also had a keen eye on Sunday’s World Cup final where Spain – whose tournament began with what was for them the disappointment of a draw with Lopes’ Cape Verde – triumphed. Neither Spain nor Argentina were able to beat Cape Verde over 90 minutes.",[],"Andrew J Clark/Sportsfile","Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde defends valiantly against Spain ",{"_81":22445,"_212":22442,"_220":395,"_97":22446,"_213":22443,"_223":22447,"_106":22448,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22449,"_218":88,"_232":22448,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/iw0lre-is-picoverde-20.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/IS%20PICOVERDE%2020.jpg",[22450],"IS%20PICOVERDE%2020.jpg","158980955","15 June 2026; Roberto Lopes of Cabo Verde heads the ball clear during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Photo by Andrew J. Clark/Sportsfile",{"_235":22451,"_237":22452,"_239":22451,"_240":3187},"kevin.nolan@independent.ie","Nolan",{"_163":22454,"_165":22455},"“The lads were brilliant, getting great goals and we saw it out really well. Everybody was so happy to get through because we know how important that first win on the Champions Path is. This gives is a great opportunity of making the group stage again.”",[],{"_163":22457,"_165":22458},"“You are still on a high and riding a wave but I’m looking forward just to come back and sharing stories with the lads and being part of the group again, trying to help them in our league, European and cup competitions. For me, it is exciting to get back and tell the stories and be part of the team.",[],{"_163":22460,"_165":22461},"“We knew what was ahead of us and that we could overturn it if we hit our levels. We did that last Tuesday. It was a great because I’d been riding a wave for the last two months and didn’t want that wave to crash,” he added.",[],{"_163":22463,"_165":22464},"He says it was vital to keep his focus on the challenge against the Maltese opposition last week where Rovers – with Lopes back in the team for the second leg – overturned a 2-0 deficit to advance. ",[],{"_163":22466,"_165":22467},"“But from a football point of view I was dying to get back. Before I went away I had the injury and you are building up for the tournament. In terms of games I feel quite fresh. It was obviously an intense tournament but you had your rest in between games. Coming back I was just catching up on sleep. I’m ready to go again.”",[],"Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde heads the ball clear against Spain ",{"_81":22470,"_212":22442,"_220":395,"_97":22471,"_213":22468,"_223":22472,"_106":22473,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22449,"_218":88,"_232":22473,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/3njkfb-is-plopess-20.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/IS%20PLOPESS%2020.jpg",[22474],"IS%20PLOPESS%2020.jpg","158980891",{"_235":22451,"_237":22452,"_239":22451,"_240":3187},{"_163":22476,"_165":22477},"“I suppose it’s been different and a bit busier coming back, but more from an outside of football point of view. I’m getting lots of opportunities and experiences to do different things, which is great. ",[],{"_163":22479,"_165":22480},"“I’m sick of seeing myself as well. It’s good, it’s a good complaint. I’m getting to try new things, I’m getting to tell stories.",[],{"_163":22482,"_165":22483},"“It’s good, there’s no one coming up pestering you, they are just coming up congratulating you, saying nice things and asking for photos. I haven’t done a full food shop in Dunnes yet, I have to disclose. It’s all been collection, that might be a bit different,” he joked.",[],{"_163":22485,"_165":22486},"“I’m under contract at Rovers so my focus is on here. I have really good people around me who won’t distract me with noise unless there is something more concrete. Where I am now is I’m back with the club and looking forward to Champions League qualification. There are no offers that I’m aware of.",[],"Eston Parker/Sportsfile","Roberto Lopes of Cabo Verde and Lionel Messi of Argentina during their World Cup Round of 32 tie at Miami Stadium in Florida ",{"_81":22490,"_212":22487,"_220":395,"_97":22491,"_213":22488,"_223":22492,"_106":22493,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22494,"_218":88,"_232":22493,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/o0h02t-is-plopesmessi-20.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/IS%20PLOPESMESSI%2020.jpg",[22495],"IS%20PLOPESMESSI%2020.jpg","158980689","3 July 2026; Roberto Lopes of Cabo Verde and Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium in Florida, USA. Photo by Eston Parker/Sportsfile",{"_235":22451,"_237":22452,"_239":22451,"_240":3187},{"_163":22497,"_165":22498},"“I’m under no illusions, I know my job is a footballer and everything else is a bit of noise and an extra. I’m a footballer first and I’ll never let anything else get in the way or distract from that,” says Lopes, who was back in the Rovers side for their home win over Floriana in the first round last week, amid some reports that at least one club in Brazil had made an inquiry about the 34-year-old.",[],{"_163":22500,"_165":22501},"Rovers are in action in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, away to Ararat-Armenia on Tuesday (5pm) where the winners of that tie will play either Albanian or Slovenian opposition in the third round, with a guaranteed jackpot of €3m for Rovers if they can at least get into the third round of the Champions League.",[],{"_163":22503,"_165":22504},"And while Lopes admits that since his return from that stunning World Cup run with Cape Verde he still hasn’t had time to do the “big shop” for his family in the local supermarket, he says he’s confident he can strike the right balance between making the most of his global fame and getting on with his day job with the Hoops.",[],{"_163":22506,"_165":22507},"Pico Lopes says he’s keen to keep riding the wave of his success from the World Cup finals but this time in the green and white of Shamrock Rovers as they put their minds on progress in the Champions League.",[],"Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde in action against Pedri of Spain during their World Cup Group H clash at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia",{"_81":22510,"_212":22442,"_220":395,"_97":22511,"_213":22508,"_223":22512,"_106":22513,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":22514,"_218":88,"_232":22513,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/aud59o-is-picopedri-20.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/IS%20PICOPEDRI%2020.jpg",[22515],"IS%20PICOPEDRI%2020.jpg","158980500","15 June 2026; Roberto Lopes of Cabo Verde in action against Pedri of Spain during for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 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Derry City goalkeeper returns from long-term injury as Tiernan Lynch’s men suffer yet another defeat",{"_264":22697,"_266":22681,"_267":22589},[],[22693,22694,22695,22696],"158265872",{},[],"2026-07-04T11:20:00Z","2026-07-04T11:20:56Z",[22602,22603,22604,22605,22606,22607,22608,22609,22610,22611,22612,22613,22614,22615,22616,22617,22618,22619,22620,22621],"Kevin McLaughlin",{"_140":10,"_141":22601,"_143":10},"ac809c90-7798-11f1-bdb7-2d699b6335df",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22691,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":22632,"_213":22683,"_215":22684,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22680,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":22677,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22674,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":22671,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":22622,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":22622,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":22668,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":22665,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":22662,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":22659,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":22632,"_213":22651,"_215":22652,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":22648,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":22645,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":22642,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":22632,"_213":22633,"_215":22634,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":22629,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":22626,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":22623,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":22622,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":22622,"_233":92},"158253562",{"_163":22624,"_165":22625},"“Obviously we’ve a tough draw, but one win opens up the whole thing for you and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.”",[],{"_163":22627,"_165":22628},"“What we did at the end of last season as a group to finish second was unbelievable, it was a massive achievement, so we want to have a right crack at Europe and see where we can go too.",[],{"_163":22630,"_165":22631},"“We’ve no League game for three or four weeks, so now we can try to see what we can do in Europe.",[],"INPHO/Lorcan Doherty","Derry City goalkeeper Brian Maher makes a save against Waterford",{"_81":22635,"_212":22632,"_220":395,"_97":22636,"_213":22633,"_223":22637,"_106":22638,"_226":227,"_228":22639,"_230":22640,"_218":88,"_232":22638,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/suliyl-brian-maher-makes-a-save-372026/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95164_2994365.JPG",[22641],"95164_2994365.JPG","158266064","©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty","SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry 3/7/2026\nDerry City vs Waterford\nDerry's Brian Maher makes a save\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22643,"_165":22644},"“We know that the Waterford result and performance wasn’t good enough, but we have to put that behind us and get ready for Sofia.",[],{"_163":22646,"_165":22647},"“It’s a massive month for us,” he insisted. “Especially as the League hasn’t been what we’ve wanted as we’ve not won enough games, and we all know that.",[],{"_163":22649,"_165":22650},"The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international knows with Europe and the Club Orange FAI Cup campaigns getting underway, the next few weeks are big for Tiernan Lynch’s squad.",[],"Derry City's Brian Maher squares up to Waterford’s Jorgen Voilas",{"_81":22653,"_212":22632,"_220":395,"_97":22654,"_213":22651,"_223":22655,"_106":22656,"_226":227,"_228":22639,"_230":22657,"_218":88,"_232":22656,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/llurci-jorgen-voilas-goes-round-brian-maher-to-score-372026/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95164_2994337.JPG",[22658],"95164_2994337.JPG","158266051","SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry 3/7/2026\nDerry City vs Waterford\nWaterford's Jorgen Voilas goes round Derry's Brian Maher to score\nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22660,"_165":22661},"“You’re probably just more conscious with what you’re eating because you’re not being very active, so I’ve tried to come back as good as I can and, to be fair, I feel like I have done that.”",[],{"_163":22663,"_165":22664},"“My new best friend was the exercise bike in Owenbeg, but you just got to keep the weight down and try to be as fit as you can be whenever you come back, because I didn’t want it to be once I’m ready to start training that I needed to go and get fit, so I did loads of running and loads of biking.",[],{"_163":22666,"_165":22667},"“It hasn’t been easy whenever you can’t help, but you can still try to be a good team-mate.",[],{"_163":22669,"_165":22670},"“I’m not going to lie, it has been tough. I’ve just tried to be around the group since I’ve been out, I’ve not missed many games other than the week of my surgery so, yeah, I’ve just tried to get to every game and try to help as much as I can.",[],{"_163":22672,"_165":22673},"“First off, I’m pleased to be back, but obviously disappointed with the result,” he stated.",[],{"_163":22675,"_165":22676},"Maher, who broke his wrist during pre-season played in the opening win of the season against Sligo Rovers and then was sidelined for some six months, is now only focusing on the future and admits it has been a tough campaign for him.",[],{"_163":22678,"_165":22679},"The 25-year-old got his first 90 minutes under his belt since February as he played in City’s terrible home loss to Waterford on Friday.",[],{"_163":22681,"_165":22682},"Derry City’s number one Brian Maher is hoping the good times are back for him as he looks forward to Thursday’s Europa League first leg clash at CSKA Sofia.",[],"Derry City goalkeeper Brian Maher in 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Doherty",{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_163":22589,"_165":22692},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":12815,"_106":12816,"_253":10,"_254":12817},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_81":22698,"_212":22632,"_220":395,"_97":22699,"_213":22683,"_223":22687,"_106":22688,"_226":227,"_228":22639,"_230":22689,"_218":88,"_232":22688,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/4tzkqe-tommy-lonergan-scores-a-penalty-against-brian-maher-372026/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95164_2994164.JPG",[22700],{"_235":20834,"_237":20835,"_239":20834,"_240":20836},{"_250":22170,"_106":22171,"_275":-5,"_276":280},175087743,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/how-irish-connections-helped-organise-a-private-jet-into-messis-backyard-pico-lopes-extraordinary-world-cup-reaches-new-heights/a/158243459.html",[22918,22919,22920],"How Irish connections helped organise a private jet into Messi’s backyard — Pico Lopes’ extraordinary World Cup reaches new heights ",{"_264":22914,"_266":22904,"_267":22707},[22910],[22908,22909],"158243459",{},[],"2026-07-03T14:55:00Z","2026-07-03T14:40:29Z",[22719,22720,22721,22722,22723,22724,22725,22726,22727,22728,22729,22730,22731,22732,22733,22734,22735,22736,22737,22738,22739,22740,22741,22742,22743,22744,22745,22746,22747,22748,22749,22750,22751,22752,22753,22754,22755,22756,22757,22758],{"_140":10,"_141":22718,"_143":10},"eca2fda7-76ec-11f1-bdb7-2d699b6335df",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22906,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":22903,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":22896,"_215":22897,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22893,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":22890,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22887,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":-5,"_213":22879,"_215":22880,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":22876,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":22873,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":22870,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":22867,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":22864,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":22861,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":694,"_586":22852,"_588":22853,"_590":-5,"_592":22854,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":22849,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":22846,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":22843,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":22840,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":22837,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":665,"_212":22828,"_213":22829,"_215":22830,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":22825,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":22822,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":22819,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":22816,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":22813,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":22810,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":22807,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":22804,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":22801,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":22798,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":618,"_212":22788,"_213":22789,"_215":22790,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":22785,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":22782,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":22779,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":22776,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":22773,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":22770,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":22765,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":22762,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":22759,"_161":162},{"_163":22760,"_165":22761},"“We want the players to enjoy the match but also to be focused, to do everything to go to the next phase,” declared Bubista.\n\nThe journey has been spectacular. Landing in Messi’s backyard adds a daunting element to a dream destination.",[],{"_163":22763,"_165":22764},"The global audience who tune in for this match believe Cape Verde’s adventure will end here. Manager Bubista will want it to continue.",[],{"_163":22766,"_165":22767},"Those sentiments were echoed by the manager Bubista, in a briefing in Miami where the Cape Verdean press officer shut down attempts from media to ask about reports that captain Ryan Mendes is under investigation by police in New Zealand for an incident involving a woman in the team hotel during a visit there in March. Those questions will come up again whenever this adventure ends.",[22768],{"_85":1065,"_157":880,"_194":22769,"_196":-5},384,{"_163":22771,"_165":22772},"“We played against two big teams already, Spain and Uruguay, but this is going to be another amazing test for us.”",[],{"_163":22774,"_165":22775},"“They do an amazing job and give power to the rest of the group, the rest of the team on the pitch. It’s amazing how they are performing.”",[],{"_163":22777,"_165":22778},"“They are so strong defensively,” said Duarte, who earns his living in Hungary. “Against even the biggest teams, we have shown we can keep a clean sheet and defend well. ",[],{"_163":22780,"_165":22781},"Midfielder Laros Duarte praised the Lopes and Borges partnership for the level they have reached so far in this competition. ",[],{"_163":22783,"_165":22784},"Hence, the need for a collective focus. Still, there is a belief in the Cape Verde ranks that a settled defence with cult hero Vozinha behind them in nets has now proved they have a durability to nullify elite performers. Helio Varela, a goalscorer against Uruguay, has described the 34-year-old multiple League of Ireland winner as a “beast.”",[],{"_163":22786,"_165":22787},"The strong-running centre-forward, with Lautaro Martinez ahead of Julian Alvarez in the pecking order, tends to try and stretch the game and occupy the last line of defence, with Messi loitering with intent from deeper.",[],"Reuters","\nCape Verde's Pico Lopes training in Miami this week ",{"_81":22791,"_212":22788,"_220":395,"_97":22792,"_213":22789,"_223":22793,"_106":22794,"_226":227,"_228":22795,"_230":22796,"_218":88,"_232":22794,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/5p17fz-v-preview-13.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/V-PREVIEW%20(13).jpg",[22797],"V-PREVIEW%20(13).jpg","158202663","REUTERS","Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Cape Verde Training - Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. - July 2, 2026\nCape Verde's Pico Lopes during training REUTERS/Paul Childs",{"_235":18445,"_237":18446,"_239":18445,"_240":18447},{"_163":22799,"_165":22800},"Argentina’s game-plan does revolve around Messi, and his movement makes neutralising him a team effort. In fact, it’s conceivable that the movement and awareness of Cape Verde’s central defensive midfielders will be equally as important as the back four. ",[],{"_163":22802,"_165":22803},"For Lopes and his centre-half partner Diney Borges, a UAE-based 31-year-old — who has also excelled despite perceptions of where he plays week to week — this will be a demanding test of concentration.",[],{"_163":22805,"_165":22806},"Making it competitive is the ultimate test for the Cape Verde rearguard action that succeeded in nullifying Spain.",[],{"_163":22808,"_165":22809},"But a query around whether he expects Messi to play the 90 minutes highlights that the commentary in Argentina has already declared this tie a foregone conclusion.",[],{"_163":22811,"_165":22812},"“We are facing an opponent we must respect,” he said. “It’s a team that haven’t lost a match and they aren’t here by chance.”",[],{"_163":22814,"_165":22815},"His manager Lionel Scaloni was preaching a similar message. ",[],{"_163":22817,"_165":22818},"“We know in football anything can happen and we are facing a team that played very well in the group stages and played very well against their opponents. We need to be responsible.”",[],{"_163":22820,"_165":22821},"“When the draw was announced, we realised we might have to face two World Cup winners with major players in big leagues,” said De Paul.",[],{"_163":22823,"_165":22824},"Cape Verde were closer to an afterthought, the talking point centred around how Argentina were gearing up to face either Spain or Uruguay at this hurdle.",[],{"_163":22826,"_165":22827},"His presence looms over all Argentina conversations. In the official pre-match preliminaries, the first question pitched at Rodrigo De Paul, a member of the 2022 winning squad who made the same move to Inter Miami last year, was built around his friendship with Messi. Further questions along the theme followed.",[],"AP","Argentina's Lionel Messi during a training session this week",{"_81":22831,"_212":22828,"_220":395,"_97":22832,"_213":22829,"_223":22833,"_106":22834,"_226":227,"_228":22828,"_230":22835,"_218":88,"_232":22834,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/gmyhdh-90bdcf0c-8604-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/90bdcf0c-8604-.jpg",[22836],"90bdcf0c-8604-.jpg","158202617","Argentina's Lionel Messi trains for the World Cup soccer tournament Monday, June 29, 2026, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)",{"_235":18445,"_237":18446,"_239":18445,"_240":18447},{"_163":22838,"_165":22839},"The Messi tax and the associated demand means prices have soared out of reach for regular buyers.",[],{"_163":22841,"_165":22842},"Anecdotally, the Cape Verdean diaspora — largely based in Massachusetts — who made their voices heard here for the draw with Uruguay and in the games either side against Spain (Atlanta) and Saudi Arabia have found it harder to get tickets at short notice. ",[],{"_163":22844,"_165":22845},"What’s certain is that they will be greeted onto the pitch like they are the home side, with the atmosphere set to add to the difficulty for the underdogs. ",[],{"_163":22847,"_165":22848},"Because of his exploits with Inter Miami, Messi’s image was visible everywhere before this competition started. That has gone up a notch now, with Argentina shirts the dominant sight on the streets yesterday, although thunder and lightning and heavy showers made it a less picturesque day for the revellers.",[],{"_163":22850,"_165":22851},"Without much hassle, he can do the school run in the morning and spend the afternoon back in his mansion in Fort Lauderdale, 30 miles north of the hustle, bustle and traffic in the city.",[],{"_163":22859,"_165":22860},{"_163":22857,"_165":22858},{"_163":22855,"_165":22856},"Argentina manager",[],"Lionel Scaloni",[],"‘We are facing an opponent we must respect. It’s a team that haven’t lost a match and they aren’t here by chance’",[],{"_163":22862,"_165":22863},"There’s a reason that Messi chose to move his family here after leaving PSG. He could have taken his pick of equally lucrative financial offers, but a city where the majority of the population are Hispanic and speak Spanish has made it feel like home. ",[],{"_163":22865,"_165":22866},"While the underdogs have been one of the stories of this competition, picking up friends and fans along the way, Argentina in Miami will be a different animal.",[],{"_163":22868,"_165":22869},"The blue jerseys are going to be outnumbered, however. ",[],{"_163":22871,"_165":22872},"With Aer Lingus ferrying Pico’s parents Carlos and Judie over again following a brief return to Crumlin, and some other pals making their way from various destinations, the Shamrock Rovers defender will have the most important people in his life in the stadium this evening.",[],{"_163":22874,"_165":22875},"Florida-based Dubliner Seán O’Cuinneagain tapped into a network that includes Barry Shevlin, the Irish-American CEO of Fly USA, whose wife Kathy hails from Cork. They arranged a private plane to bring the seven travellers to Florida yesterday. ",[],{"_163":22877,"_165":22878},"After qualification was secured against Saudi Arabia, Leah, Diego and the travelling contingent that includes her parents Martin and Barbara, brother Christopher and close friends Nadine and Shannon decided to stay on in Texas with no idea how they were going to get back to Miami for tonight’s meeting with Lionel Messi and Argentina. ",[],"Pico Lopes’ wife Leah (right) with (from left) brother Christopher, friends Nadine and Shannon, father Christopher (holding baby Diego) and mother Barbara ",{"_81":22881,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":22882,"_213":22879,"_223":22883,"_106":22884,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":22885,"_218":88,"_232":22884,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/qdvebf-e25d38be-b745-4283-b063-e5.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/e25d38be_b745_4283_b063_e5.jpg",[22886],"e25d38be_b745_4283_b063_e5.jpg","158202498","Pico Lopes’ wife Leah (right) with (from left) brother Christopher, friends Nadine and Shannon, dad Christopher, with baby Diego, and mum Barbara \n\n\n\n\n\n\n",{"_235":18445,"_237":18446,"_239":18445,"_240":18447},{"_163":22888,"_165":22889},"They arrived in Atlanta in early June with an itinerary built around three group games that involved hiring a vehicle with six beds and embarking on a budget-conscious whistle-stop tour around the United States. Starting in Georgia, they travelled to Miami and then Houston functioning as the centrepieces of the journey.",[],{"_163":22891,"_165":22892},"Perhaps the easiest illustration of the surreal aspect of Pico Lopes’ story in this World Cup is to point to the travel arrangements of his wife Leah, son Diego and her family.",[],{"_163":22894,"_165":22895},"It started in a campervan and has graduated to a private plane.",[],"Pico Lopes will face Lionel Messi and Argentina tonight",{"_81":22898,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":22899,"_213":22896,"_223":22900,"_106":22901,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":22901,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/3wmd1i-0307-pico-v-messi-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/0307%20Pico%20v%20Messi%201.jpg",[22902],"0307%20Pico%20v%20Messi%201.jpg","158203382",{"_235":18445,"_237":18446,"_239":18445,"_240":18447},{"_163":22904,"_165":22905},"Shamrock Rovers skipper’s family have had quite a journey to Miami for round-of-32 clash",[],{"_163":22707,"_165":22907},[],{"_250":22520,"_106":22521,"_253":8,"_254":22522},{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":10,"_254":30},{"_235":22911,"_237":22912,"_240":22913},"daniel.mcdonnell@independent.ie","McDonnell","Daniel",{"_81":22915,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":22916,"_213":22896,"_223":22900,"_106":22901,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":22901,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/3wmd1i-0307-pico-v-messi-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0307%20Pico%20v%20Messi%201.jpg",[22917],{"_235":18445,"_237":18446,"_239":18445,"_240":18447},{"_250":1991,"_106":1992,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":22921,"_106":22922,"_275":22923,"_276":280},{"_250":22530,"_106":22531,"_275":22532,"_276":280},"Lionel Messi","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:lionel-messi","Lionel Andrés Messi, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentina national team.",175068659,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/coleraine-striker-emerges-as-loan-target-for-relegation-threatened-league-of-ireland-side/a/158188855.html",[22974,22975,22976,22977,22978],"Coleraine striker emerges as loan target for relegation-threatened League of Ireland side",{"_264":22971,"_266":22953,"_267":22929},[22968],[22964,22965,22966,22967],"158188855",{},[],"2026-07-02T15:49:00Z","2026-07-02T15:26:19Z",[22941,22942,22943,22944,22945,22946],{"_140":10,"_141":22940,"_143":10},"6fbc15ff-7629-11f1-8207-1f99fd65e108",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":22962,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":22955,"_215":22956,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":22952,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":202,"_106":22951,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":22951,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":22948,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":22947,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":22947,"_233":92},"158155371",{"_163":22949,"_165":22950},"Returning to the Showgrounds in January 2024, McGonigle signed a three-and-a-half year contract having previously been a key figure at the club when they won the Irish Cup in 2018.\n\nIn between playing for Coleraine, McGonigle was at Crusaders and Derry City, where they won the FAI Cup.\n\nSligo are currently involved in a relegation battle in the League of Ireland Premier Division and McGonigle would be an astute signing for them.",[],"158125287",{"_163":22953,"_165":22954},"Coleraine striker Jamie McGonigle has emerged as a loan target for Sligo Rovers.\n\nSources suggest that the League of Ireland club are interested in the 30-year-old frontman, who still has 12 months of his contract left with the Bannsiders.\n\nFormer Northern Ireland Under-21 international McGonigle was part of Coleraine’s Irish Cup-winning squad last season and, although not a regular in the starting line-up, he did score some crucial goals for the club as they finished second in the Premiership and qualified for Europe.",[],"Coleraine striker Jamie McGonigle could be on the move",{"_81":22957,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":22958,"_213":22955,"_223":22959,"_106":22960,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":22961,"_218":88,"_232":22960,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/hi00v3-jamie-mcgonigle-scored-against-carrick-rangers-and-crusaders/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/d5f34e7f-2ec8-440c-af86-2d6ba114030b",[],"d5f34e7f-2ec8-440c-af86-2d6ba114030b","114941299","Jamie McGonigle scored against Carrick Rangers and Crusaders",{"_163":22929,"_165":22963},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":19942,"_106":19943,"_253":10,"_254":19944},{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":10,"_254":30},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_235":22969,"_237":22970,"_240":2445},"steven.beacom@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","Beacom",{"_81":22972,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":22973,"_213":22955,"_223":22959,"_106":22960,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":22961,"_218":88,"_232":22960,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/hi00v3-jamie-mcgonigle-scored-against-carrick-rangers-and-crusaders/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/d5f34e7f-2ec8-440c-af86-2d6ba114030b",[],{"_250":19957,"_106":19958,"_275":19959,"_276":280},{"_250":22982,"_106":22983,"_275":22984,"_276":280},{"_250":18340,"_106":21098,"_275":20525,"_276":280},{"_250":22979,"_106":22980,"_275":22981,"_276":280},{"_250":1163,"_106":2911,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"SSE Airtricity","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:sse-airtricity","SSE Airtricity is an energy company founded in Ireland.","Sligo Rovers","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:sligo-rovers","Sligo Rovers Football Club is an Irish soccer club.",158920706,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":23115,"_283":8,"_275":23116,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/familiar-foe-denies-derry-city-victory-at-shamrock-rovers/a/157635531.html",[23114],"Familiar foe denies Derry City victory at Shamrock Rovers",{"_264":23110,"_266":23103,"_267":22990},[],[23107,23108,23109],"157635531",{},[],"2026-06-22T21:22:00Z","2026-06-22T21:23:28Z",[23002,23003,23004,23005,23006,23007,23008,23009,23010,23011,23012,23013,23014,23015,23016,23017,23018,23019,23020,23021,23022],{"_140":10,"_141":23001,"_143":10},"7d07e1f5-6e7a-11f1-99c5-1dd198a3379c",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":23105,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":23102,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18442,"_213":23094,"_215":23095,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":23091,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":23085,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":23082,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":23079,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":23076,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":23073,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":23070,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":23067,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":21859,"_213":23059,"_215":23060,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":23056,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":23053,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":685,"_212":18442,"_213":23045,"_215":23046,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":23042,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":23039,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":23036,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":23024,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":23023,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23023,"_233":92},"157624578",{"_163":23025,"_165":23026},"Shamrock Rovers: McGinty, Sobawle, Grace, C O’Sullivan (J O’Sullivan 70), Mulraney (Malley 77), Healy, Watts (McGovern 70), Byrne, Brennan, Burke (Razi 70), Noonan (Greene 70).\nDerry: Beach, Cotter, Barr, P McClean, Fleming, Dummigan (Olayinka 56), J McClean (Kelly 73), O’Reilly, Dos Santos (Markey 25 (Winchester 56)), Boyce (Doherty 73’), Duffy.\nReferee: Aaron O’Dowd (Dublin). \nMan of the match: Patrick McClean\nMatch rating: 8/10",[23027,23028,23029,23030,23031],{"_85":6843,"_157":880,"_194":685,"_196":-5},{"_85":6843,"_157":23035,"_194":187,"_196":-5},{"_85":6843,"_157":23034,"_194":179,"_196":-5},{"_85":6843,"_157":23033,"_194":681,"_196":-5},{"_85":6843,"_157":23032,"_194":158,"_196":-5},416,382,349,177,{"_163":23037,"_165":23038},"City now return to the Brandywell after three months away when they host Drogheda United on Friday.",[],{"_163":23040,"_165":23041},"Rovers then nearly nicked the win in added time when Jack Byrne’s free-kick into a crowded area fell kindly for Sobowale, who blasted wide with his left foot with the goal gaping.",[],{"_163":23043,"_165":23044},"Derry’s resistance was finally broken seven minutes from time when two of five Rovers substitutes combined with Conor Malley playing the ball through to Greene, who sent a composed finish past Beach to make it 1-1.",[],"Aaron Greene scores Shamrock Rovers’ leveller",{"_81":23047,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23048,"_213":23045,"_223":23049,"_106":23050,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23051,"_218":88,"_232":23050,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bet81v-sports3492553.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3492553.jpg",[23052],"Sports3492553.jpg","157636125","22 June 2026; Aaron Greene of Shamrock Rovers shoots to score his side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Derry City at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":23054,"_165":23055},"Injuries to both Kevin Dos Santos and Darragh Markey meant more personnel problems for Tiernan Lynch, but it did mean two senior debuts for youngsters Terence Doherty and Liam Kelly, 16 and 15 years old respectively.",[],{"_163":23057,"_165":23058},"Rovers could have been reduced to 10 men just before the 70 minute mark when they gifted Duffy a run on goal and McGinty came right to the edge of the area to clear, with City players claiming the goalkeeper had handled the ball outside the box. Referee Aaron O’Dowd said no and Rovers were able to breathe a sigh of relief.",[],"Liam Boyce reacts after putting Derry in front",{"_81":23061,"_212":21859,"_220":395,"_97":23062,"_213":23059,"_223":23063,"_106":23064,"_226":227,"_228":21866,"_230":23065,"_218":88,"_232":23064,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6rl6a6-95078-2985499.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/95078_2985499.jpg",[23066],"95078_2985499.jpg","157636096","SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin 22/6/2026\nShamrock Rovers vs Derry City\nDerry’s Liam Boyce celebrates scoring the first goal of the game \nMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":23068,"_165":23069},"Rovers were more intense in their efforts to get an equaliser in the early stages of the second-half but, regardless, it was Derry who created the next big chance, with the superb O’Reilly almost putting a second goal on a plate for Boyce, with his low cross just eluding the final touch of the former Northern Ireland striker.",[],{"_163":23071,"_165":23072},"The lead was almost short-lived as Barry Cotter gave the ball away in a dangerous position and Michael Noonan went through on goal, only to be denied by a brilliant stop from Eddie Beach, who touched the ball behind for a corner.",[],{"_163":23074,"_165":23075},"The momentum stayed with City and they deservedly took the lead on 25 minutes when James McClean’s cross picked out Boyce, who guided a brilliant header past McGinty and into the net for his first goal since last July.",[],{"_163":23077,"_165":23078},"It was an impressive start from Derry and McGinty was left scrambling again on 10 minutes when the ball fell kindly for Michael Duffy, who tried to whip the ball into the corner, but just sent his effort wide of goal.",[],{"_163":23080,"_165":23081},"The visitors almost got off to a perfect start in the opening three minutes when Olunatunmise Sobawle gave the ball away in his own penalty area. It was far too casual from the Rovers man and Adam O’Reilly almost took advantage with a shot which took a deflection which sent it past Ed McGinty but onto the crossbar.",[],{"_163":23083,"_165":23084},"After such a poor display at Galway at the weekend, little was expected of this struggling Derry team, but they showed plenty of fight and character throughout against the Champions.",[],{"_163":23086,"_165":23087},"Having led the game for almost an hour thanks to Liam Boyce’s first-half header, Derry, featuring two teenage debutants, were pegged back by Aaron Greene’s 14th career goal against the Candystripes.",[23088],{"_85":23089,"_157":23090,"_194":103,"_196":-5},"Superscript",158,{"_163":23092,"_165":23093},"Derry City were denied an unlikely win by a late Shamrock Rovers equaliser in an enthralling contest at Tallaght.",[],"Derry’s Michael Duffy battles with Matt Healy",{"_81":23096,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23097,"_213":23094,"_223":23098,"_106":23099,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23100,"_218":88,"_232":23099,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/zdbjob-sports3492481.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Sports3492481.jpg",[23101],"Sports3492481.jpg","157635873","22 June 2026; Michael Duffy of Derry City in action against Matt Healy of Shamrock Rovers during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Derry City at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile",{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_163":23103,"_165":23104},"Shamrock Rovers 1 Derry City 1",[],{"_163":22990,"_165":23106},[],{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":8,"_254":18314},{"_250":18641,"_106":18642,"_253":10,"_254":18643},{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":10,"_254":30},{"_81":23111,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23112,"_213":23094,"_223":23098,"_106":23099,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23100,"_218":88,"_232":23099,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/zdbjob-sports3492481.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3492481.jpg",[23113],{"_235":19563,"_237":19564,"_239":19563,"_240":19565},{"_250":22170,"_106":22171,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Shamrock Rovers vs Derry City: late equaliser drama","Late Aaron Greene goal denies Derry City shock win at Shamrock Rovers in drama-filled draw with teenage debuts and big chances. ",158644984,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":23342,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/hes-part-of-irish-world-cup-history-now...-its-wonderful.-its-what-sport-is-all-about/a/157282633.html",[23340,23341],"‘He’s part of Irish World Cup history now... it’s wonderful. It’s what sport is all about’",{"_264":23335,"_266":23328,"_267":23122},[23334],[23332,23333],"157282633",{},[],"2026-06-16T10:29:48Z",[23134,23135,23136,23137,23138,23139,23140,23141,23142,23143,23144,23145,23146,23147,23148,23149,23150,23151,23152,23153,23154,23155,23156,23157,23158,23159,23160,23161,23162,23163,23164,23165,23166,23167,23168,23169,23170,23171,23172,23173,23174,23175,23176,23177,23178,23179,23180],{"_140":10,"_141":23133,"_143":10},"in Atlanta","f7eef44b-696d-11f1-9d1b-0f0a4283dac2",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":23330,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":23327,"_161":374},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":23321,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":23318,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":23315,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":23312,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":23309,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":23306,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":23303,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":23300,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":22828,"_213":23292,"_215":23293,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":23289,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":23286,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":23283,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":23280,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":23277,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":23274,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":23271,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":673,"_586":23263,"_588":23264,"_590":-5,"_592":23265,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":23260,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":23257,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":23254,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":23251,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":23248,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":23245,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":23242,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":23239,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":23236,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":23233,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":23230,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":23227,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":23224,"_161":162},{"_81":23223,"_85":21444,"_155":21445,"_157":614,"_161":21446},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":23220,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":23217,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":23214,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":23211,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":23208,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":23205,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":23202,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":23199,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":23196,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":23193,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":23190,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":23187,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":540,"_159":23184,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":193,"_159":23181,"_161":162},{"_163":23182,"_165":23183},"They’re picking up new friends along the way.",[],{"_163":23185,"_165":23186},"“This was Pico’s dream for a long time,” he says, “Playing in the World Cup. He did very well. Today was a big proud day for all the family and the whole Cape Verdean country.”",[],{"_163":23188,"_165":23189},"Carlos always realised his athletic son could do something with his ability.",[],{"_163":23191,"_165":23192},"“I thought this (football) was great. I’d have an hour’s free babysitting on a Saturday to get the shopping done, little did I think I would be standing on the side of the pitch years later. Or at the World Cup!”",[],{"_163":23194,"_165":23195},"“I remember going to Sundrive Park when there was thunder and lightning during a game and I said ‘Can we not go home?’ and the other parents were saying ‘Are you for real?’ I hadn’t got a clue to be honest but I’ve learned a lot since then,” she says.",[],{"_163":23197,"_165":23198},"She wasn’t too knowledgeable about the game initially. ",[],{"_163":23200,"_165":23201},"Judy recalls Lourdes Celtic, his local club, providing football sessions during the week and then extending an invite to the academy.",[],{"_163":23203,"_165":23204},"Pico started his football steps in Loreto Primary, which is a mixed school for junior and senior infants before the boys go elsewhere.",[],{"_163":23206,"_165":23207},"“Unfortunately I’m going to have to return to work,” she stressed. “It’s the two busiest weeks of the year. I was lucky enough to get a jobsharing partner. I’ll pay her back for the first two weeks of July.”",[],{"_163":23209,"_165":23210},"Judy is adamant that she will be sticking to her original plan if the Blue Sharks can follow up this upset.",[],{"_163":23212,"_165":23213},"“I’m retired,” cuts in Carlos, “I’m in no rush to go home. There’s nice weather here and some rain to cool you down.”",[],{"_163":23215,"_165":23216},"If Cape Verde advance beyond the group stage, Judy will face a problem too. She’s taken two weeks holidays from Loreto Primary in Crumlin, where she is the school secretary.",[],{"_163":23218,"_165":23219},"Miami on Sunday is tempting Jacques to prolong his trip, but work commitments may scupper that.",[],{"_163":23221,"_165":23222},"Jacques was considering another decision in the aftermath. Eldest brother Cristover had to go straight to the airport to fly back to Ireland with a group that included Dundalk midfielder Keith Buckley, Pico’s best friend in football through the connection formed in their early days at Belvedere and Bohemians.",[],"https://x.com/ShamrockRovers/status/2066585330166214964?s=20",{"_163":23225,"_165":23226},"“I think a lot of neutrals today picked the wrong team,” he says. “They went with Spain, they had Lamine Yamal on the back of the jersey, but they should have had Pico.”",[],{"_163":23228,"_165":23229},"Jacques laughs as he speculates that the Spaniards around them in the stands were questioning their jersey choices as the European champions huffed and puffed.",[],{"_163":23231,"_165":23232},"Sometimes, Jacques would prefer if his sibling savoured the opportunities a bit more. He sent him a clip of Pedri saying he’d like a Cape Verde jersey, but Pico had no intention of letting his shirt go anywhere. It’ll be coming back to Kilnamanagh.",[],{"_163":23234,"_165":23235},"“All those European matches have to count for something,” interjects Judy. “Experience.”",[],{"_163":23237,"_165":23238},"“To be fair, there’s a lot of pressure at Rovers as well. That keeps him in good stead. He knows what it is to lead a team and be part of an elite group of players.”",[],{"_163":23240,"_165":23241},"“You don’t have to pat him on the back too much,” he asserts. “You don’t have to hype him up too much. He knows what gets him. He’s self-motivated. You don’t have to dangle a carrot in front of his face. You just have to be supportive if he needs it. Keep him grounded. ",[],{"_163":23243,"_165":23244},"In his eyes, a pair of African Cup of Nations appearances and the responsibility of being skipper for a Shamrock Rovers side that is expected to win titles and qualify for European group stages meant that he wasn’t going to be overawed by facing an opponent with expectations of winning the tournament.",[],{"_163":23246,"_165":23247},"He is quick to point out that some of the previous games that Pico has participated in have been overlooked in the preparations.",[],{"_163":23249,"_165":23250},"Jacques recognises that his brother possesses a temperament that allows him to lock into a mode that gets him through it.",[],{"_163":23252,"_165":23253},"A family visit was allowed on the eve of the game, the first for three weeks. Pico was emotional seeing his eight-month-old son Diego, but committing to this once in a lifetime task means distance from loved ones. ",[],{"_163":23255,"_165":23256},"They spoke with Pico on Facetime from the dressing room after the game. After that, the Cape Verde squad went to the airport to fly back to their base in Tampa ahead of Sunday’s clash with Uruguay.",[],{"_163":23258,"_165":23259},"“He’s part of Irish World Cup history now,” says Judy. “It’s wonderful to have one of our own from Ireland, taking part and getting the country behind him. Representing both Ireland and Cape Verde. It’s wonderful. It’s what sport is all about.”",[],{"_163":23261,"_165":23262},"There were a few bars of ‘Ole Ole’ in the crowd in stoppage time, with the Cape Verdeans who were singing it unaware of how that song strikes a chord in the place where their centre half grew up.",[],{"_163":23269,"_165":23270},{"_163":23267,"_165":23268},{"_163":88,"_165":23266},[],"Judy Lopes",[],"‘It’s wonderful to have one of our own from Ireland, taking part and getting the country behind him. Representing both Ireland and Cape Verde. It’s wonderful. It’s what sport is all about’",[],{"_163":23272,"_165":23273},"Judy and Jacques are firmly in touch with the Irish reaction to the defender – who turns 34 tomorrow – rising to the challenge on the greatest stage.",[],{"_163":23275,"_165":23276},"There’ll be more of that to come. Pico’s day ended with a live video call to James Corden’s late night show on Fox, where he bantered with studio guest Zlatan Ibrahimovic about their Europa League meeting in Tallaght in 2020 while an enthusiastic Los Angeles studio audience applauded every wisecrack.",[],{"_163":23278,"_165":23279},"Carlos was shocked on his last visit home when local TV stations and newspapers sought him out.",[],{"_163":23281,"_165":23282},"Today, he plans to ring his father Tellay, who turned 99 last month and has become a local star in his own right on account of the exploits of his increasingly famous grandson whose story has taken off globally again because of how he was recruited via LinkedIn.",[],{"_163":23284,"_165":23285},"Another sister was amongst the attendance of 67,640 in the arena, having travelled down from Boston, the home for the Cape Verdean diaspora in America.",[],{"_163":23287,"_165":23288},"He had chatted with a sister back home who described scenes of celebration around the ten islands that make up a country with a population of around 500,000 people.",[],{"_163":23290,"_165":23291},"“It is a history that will remain forever,” he says.",[],"Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal goes up against against Cape Verde's Pico Lopes during the World Cup Group H in Atlanta yesterday.",{"_81":23294,"_212":22828,"_220":395,"_97":23295,"_213":23292,"_223":23296,"_106":23297,"_226":227,"_228":22828,"_230":23298,"_218":88,"_232":23297,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/s9bbr5-55db0030-b5c1-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/55db0030-b5c1-.jpg",[23299],"55db0030-b5c1-.jpg","157273862","Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal (21) heads the ball against Cape Verde's Pico Lopes (4) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)",{"_235":18543,"_237":18544,"_239":18543,"_240":18545},{"_163":23301,"_165":23302},"A mention of what Pico’s achievement has done for the family name back home draws an immediate response.",[],{"_163":23304,"_165":23305},"Carlos grins a little. He chooses his words carefully but, when he speaks, it is apparent that he totally gets the significance of what he has just experienced and witnessed. ",[],{"_163":23307,"_165":23308},"“He’s the coolest man on earth, I’m telling you,” says Judy. “He doesn’t even get out of his seat.”",[],{"_163":23310,"_165":23311},"Not Carlos.",[],{"_163":23313,"_165":23314},"The mistake would be to assume that he’s drained. Judy explains that this is his default position. Everyone around them in the family section of the stunning Atlanta Stadium was on their feet in the dying stages as their son Pico Lopes was in the process of seeing out the draw against Spain that has made the African underdogs a talking point around the globe.",[],{"_163":23316,"_165":23317},"While his wife Judy and his youngest son Jacques speak freely and excitedly about an extraordinary day for their family, the native of Cape Verde sinks back in the couch and lets the others do most of the talking.",[],{"_163":23319,"_165":23320},"In a lively hotel lobby in Atlanta, Carlos Lopes is the calmest presence.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":23322,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":23323,"_106":23324,"_368":369,"_370":23325,"_232":23326,"_233":92},"MRRF9rgIKW2Q","00:10:40","1821591","10:40","157276568",{"_163":23328,"_165":23329},"Family of Pico Lopes beaming with pride after Cape Verde’s Spanish draw ",[],{"_163":23122,"_165":23331},[],{"_250":22520,"_106":22521,"_253":8,"_254":22522},{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":10,"_254":30},{"_235":22911,"_237":22912,"_240":22913},{"_81":23336,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":23337,"_213":88,"_223":23338,"_106":23339,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":23339,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/ie8q61-403.jpeg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/555749ce-8d42-466c-a2b1-ba984b25e23b",[],"555749ce-8d42-466c-a2b1-ba984b25e23b","157276552",{"_250":1991,"_106":1992,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":22530,"_106":22531,"_275":22532,"_276":280},"‘He’s part of Irish World Cup history now....It’s wonderful. It’s what sport is all about’ - Family of Pico Lopes beaming with pride",158397840,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/northern-ireland-international-could-return-to-irish-league-as-clubs-line-up-bids-after-winger-rejects-move-to-kazakhstan/a/156679504.html",[23420,23421],"Northern Ireland international could return to Irish League as clubs line up bids after winger rejects move to Kazakhstan",{"_264":23417,"_266":23396,"_267":23348},[23416],[23407,23408,23409,23410,23411,23412],"156679504",{},[],"2026-06-10T15:37:00Z","2026-06-10T15:37:24Z",[23360,23361,23362,23363,23364,23365,23366,23367,23368,23369,23370,23371],{"_140":10,"_141":23359,"_143":10},"a8c33306-64e1-11f1-a2a2-59ae5a04e5fe",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":23405,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":23398,"_215":23399,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":23395,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":23392,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":23389,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":23386,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":23385,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23385,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":23382,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":23379,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":23376,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":23373,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":158,"_106":23372,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23372,"_233":92},"156640604",{"_163":23374,"_165":23375},"For St Mirren, McMenamin has often operated in a wing-back role and spoken about his desire to return to the Northern Ireland squad having made his most recent appearance at international level in 2024.",[],{"_163":23377,"_165":23378},"There is further interest in the Downpatrick man from England, Scotland and Malta. ",[],{"_163":23380,"_165":23381},"Not surprisingly, given his impressive performances for Cliftonville and Glentoran prior to moving to Scotland, McMenamin has admirers in the Irish League and also in the League of Ireland.",[],{"_163":23383,"_165":23384},"It is understood Kazakhstan Premier League outfit FC Qyzyljar, also known as Kyzylzhar, were keen on McMenamin, though at this moment in time that deal won’t be happening.",[],"156566091",{"_163":23387,"_165":23388},"There have also been testing times due to injury but, when fit, the former Linfield, Warrenpoint Town and Cliftonville player has the quality to make a difference in games.",[],{"_163":23390,"_165":23391},"McMenamin, 30, signed for St Mirren in 2023 from Glentoran when compatriot Stephen Robinson was in charge and he has had some memorable moments with the club - the highlight being starting in the League Cup Final victory over Celtic at Hampden Park last season.",[],{"_163":23393,"_165":23394},"The Northern Ireland winger has one year left on his contract with the Scottish Premiership side but a move away from the Buddies could be on the cards over the summer.",[],{"_163":23396,"_165":23397},"St Mirren’s Conor McMenamin is attracting interest from the Irish League and League of Ireland after turning down a chance to join a club in Kazakhstan.",[],"Conor McMenamin could be on his way out of St Mirren",{"_81":23400,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":23401,"_213":23398,"_223":23402,"_106":23403,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":23404,"_218":88,"_232":23403,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1f4feh-conor-mcmenamin-wants-to-seize-the-opportunity-in-the-scottish-league-cup-final/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/fe2fc75e-3d10-4dd1-b234-cb966c52797c",[],"fe2fc75e-3d10-4dd1-b234-cb966c52797c","113185317","Conor McMenamin wants to seize the opportunity in the Scottish League Cup Final",{"_163":23348,"_165":23406},[],{"_250":18323,"_106":18324,"_253":8,"_254":18325},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":22520,"_106":22521,"_253":10,"_254":22522},{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":10,"_254":30},{"_250":23413,"_106":23414,"_253":10,"_254":23415},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},"sport_football_scottish","4300","Scottish",{"_235":22969,"_237":22970,"_240":2445},{"_81":23418,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":23419,"_213":23398,"_223":23402,"_106":23403,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":23404,"_218":88,"_232":23403,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1f4feh-conor-mcmenamin-wants-to-seize-the-opportunity-in-the-scottish-league-cup-final/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/fe2fc75e-3d10-4dd1-b234-cb966c52797c",[],{"_250":20067,"_106":20068,"_275":20069,"_276":280},{"_250":18340,"_106":21098,"_275":20525,"_276":280},141909974,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":23552,"_283":8,"_275":23553,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/under-fire-derry-city-boss-ive-never-walked-away-from-anything-in-my-life-and-ill-never-walk-away-from-this/a/151799111.html",[23550,23551],"Under-fire Derry City boss: ‘I’ve never walked away from anything in my life and I’ll never walk away from this’",{"_264":23546,"_266":23530,"_267":23427},[],[23542,23543,23544,23545],"151799111",{},[],"2026-05-16T13:05:00Z","2026-05-16T13:19:57Z",[23439,23440,23441,23442,23443,23444,23445,23446,23447,23448,23449,23450,23451,23452,23453,23454,23455,23456,23457,23458,23459,23460],{"_140":10,"_141":23438,"_143":10},"e41d35dc-5127-11f1-91ee-31c53688c441",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":23540,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18442,"_213":23532,"_215":23533,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":23529,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":23526,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":23523,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":23520,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":23517,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":23514,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":23511,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":18442,"_213":23503,"_215":23504,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":23500,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":23497,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":23494,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":23491,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":23488,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":681,"_212":18442,"_213":23477,"_215":23478,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":23474,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":23471,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":23468,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":23465,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":23462,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":657,"_106":23461,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23461,"_233":92},"151626184",{"_163":23463,"_165":23464},"“There’s lots of things going on. It’s not just quite as simple as saying this is a quick fix because it’s not. And that’s ultimately the bottom line.”",[],{"_163":23466,"_165":23467},"“I definitely think that this team has way more potential than where we are right now.",[],{"_163":23469,"_165":23470},"“I always take responsibility. And if that responsibility, if that’s where we are, that’s where we are. I have full faith in this team.",[],{"_163":23472,"_165":23473},"“I ultimately always take responsibility. I’m the manager. And there’s never a situation where I’ll come out and try and throw players under the bus or blame players,” he explained.",[],{"_163":23475,"_165":23476},"Lynch, whose side face St Patrick’s Athletic next Friday evening at Celtic Park, was forthright that he takes full responsibility for their current form and is backing his players to turn things around.",[],"Brandon Fleming of Derry City in action against Luke Heeney of Waterford",{"_81":23479,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23480,"_213":23477,"_223":23481,"_106":23482,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23483,"_218":88,"_232":23482,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/m66666-sports3458482.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3458482.jpg",[23484],"Sports3458482.jpg","151799251","15 May 2026; Brandon Fleming of Derry City in action against Luke Heeney of Waterford during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Waterford and Derry City at the RSC in Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile",{"_235":23485,"_237":23486,"_239":23485,"_240":23487},"paul.ferguson@sundaylife.co.uk","Ferguson","Paul",{"_163":23489,"_165":23490},"“We didn’t do the things that we were meant to do for longer periods. And we got ourselves into trouble by having to deal with it. We called it, and we let the game turn into a ding-dong. And the ding-dong suited Waterford, it didn’t suit us.”",[],{"_163":23492,"_165":23493},"“One million per cent, yeah. One million per cent. There’s no trying to hide away from anything in this,” he conceded.",[],{"_163":23495,"_165":23496},"The Derry gaffer knew that Rylah’s stoppage-time equaliser had spared his side further embarrassment against a team still without a win all season.",[],{"_163":23498,"_165":23499},"“We have to keep believing in ourselves and hopefully start grinding out some results.”",[],{"_163":23501,"_165":23502},"“I came here for a reason and as far as I’m concerned, I’m going to be here.",[],"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch shows his frustration after the draw",{"_81":23505,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23506,"_213":23503,"_223":23507,"_106":23508,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23509,"_218":88,"_232":23508,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/t5r0ne-sports3458674.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3458674.jpg",[23510],"Sports3458674.jpg","151799214","15 May 2026; Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch after the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Waterford and Derry City at the RSC in Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile",{"_235":23485,"_237":23486,"_239":23485,"_240":23487},{"_163":23512,"_165":23513}," “I’ve never walked away from anything in my life and I’ll never walk away from this,” Lynch stated following their 2-2 draw at the RSC.\n ",[],{"_163":23515,"_165":23516},"Despite a good majority of the Candystripes faithful calling for the Belfast man’s head, he insisted that he wasn’t going anywhere.",[],{"_163":23518,"_165":23519},"City have managed only four victories from their opening 17 games and sit 14 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers, but more worryingly they are just four points ahead of second-bottom side Sligo Rovers.",[],{"_163":23521,"_165":23522},"Lynch, who guided Larne to back-to-back NIFL Premiership titles, knows he is under extreme pressure as his big-money squad have failed to produce the goods this season.",[],{"_163":23524,"_165":23525},"Derry led courtesy of Kevin dos Santos’ first-half strike, but again the Brandywell men struggled in the second-half and conceded twice to Tommy Lonergan and Kevin Long before the Charlton Athletic loanee saved them right at the death.",[],{"_163":23527,"_165":23528},"On Friday night, the Candystripes rescued a fortunate point against bottom-of-the-table Waterford thanks to Henry Rylah’s 94th-minute header.",[],{"_163":23530,"_165":23531},"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch has vowed not to “walk away” as pressure continues to mount on him.",[],"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch is feeling the heat",{"_81":23534,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23535,"_213":23532,"_223":23536,"_106":23537,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23538,"_218":88,"_232":23537,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/u9a91s-sports3458682.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Sports3458682.jpg",[23539],"Sports3458682.jpg","151799199","15 May 2026; Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch reacts during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Waterford and Derry City at the RSC in Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile",{"_235":23485,"_237":23486,"_239":23485,"_240":23487},{"_163":23427,"_165":23541},[],{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":8,"_254":18314},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":18646},{"_250":18647,"_106":18648,"_253":10,"_254":18649},{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":10,"_254":30},{"_81":23547,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23548,"_213":23532,"_223":23536,"_106":23537,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23538,"_218":88,"_232":23537,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/u9a91s-sports3458682.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3458682.jpg",[23549],{"_235":23485,"_237":23486,"_239":23485,"_240":23487},{"_250":22170,"_106":22171,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch under pressure after late Waterford draw","Under-fire Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch refuses to quit after a dramatic draw at Waterford and growing fan unrest. Read his defiant reaction now.",126283473,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/tiernan-lynch-eager-for-derry-city-to-keep-reaping-rewards-of-hard-work-as-manager-eyes-continued-resurgence/a/150493620.html",[23655,23656,23657],"Tiernan Lynch eager for Derry City to keep reaping rewards of hard work as manager eyes continued resurgence",{"_264":23652,"_266":23639,"_267":23559},[],[23650,23651],"150493620",{},[],"2026-04-30T20:23:00Z","2026-04-30T20:23:55Z",[23571,23572,23573,23574,23575,23576,23577,23578,23579,23580,23581,23582,23583,23584,23585,23586,23587,23588,23589,23590,23591],{"_140":10,"_141":23570,"_143":10},"64fa8cef-44bf-11f1-8e7f-81dc69e640ad",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":23648,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":23641,"_215":23642,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":23638,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":23635,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":23632,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":23629,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":23628,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23628,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":23625,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":23622,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":23619,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":23616,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":158,"_106":23615,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23615,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":23612,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":23609,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":23606,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":681,"_106":23605,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23605,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":23602,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":23599,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":23596,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":23593,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":661,"_106":23592,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23592,"_233":92},"148260905",{"_163":23594,"_165":23595},"“Obviously we now have a four-to-six-week period to find out whether the injection has worked.”",[],{"_163":23597,"_165":23598},"“There’s lots of conversations going on in the background with medical people and physios, but the latest news on James was positive,” admitted Lynch.",[],{"_163":23600,"_165":23601},"There was further food news for Derry City this week with the news that James McClean’s hip injury was not as significant as first feared.",[],{"_163":23603,"_165":23604},"“We have to be very well aware of their threats and they’ve good players in their team, but we’ve also got to be aware of where hopefully we can take advantage of their problems, and that’s very much at the forefront of our minds.”",[],"148547438",{"_163":23607,"_165":23608},"“We’re going down there knowing that we’ll be facing a team that’s a wounded animal and, to be honest, we know what that feels like in terms of not getting results.",[],{"_163":23610,"_165":23611},"“They’re still very brave on the ball, they still want to play and, yes, they’re obviously not getting the results that they want, but we’ll not be taking anything for granted.",[],{"_163":23613,"_165":23614},"“They went to Tallaght and dominated, they played St Pat’s and dominated, so they’re not looking like a team that’s struggling too much with confidence at the moment.",[],"148591589",{"_163":23617,"_165":23618},"“I’ve watched a lot of Bohs this week and they’re not getting the results, but they are getting the performances,” he added.",[],{"_163":23620,"_165":23621},"But he warns that the hosts’ recent results have in no way matched their efforts.",[],{"_163":23623,"_165":23624},"Derry City memorably defeated Bohemians 4-3 on their last visit to Dalymount Park last September and, while Bohs got a measure of revenge with a single-goal victory at the Brandywell in February, Lynch is hoping that his team can add to a traditionally good record at the Dublin venue.",[],{"_163":23626,"_165":23627},"“Nevertheless, we’ll be going there with a good bit of confidence and we have to make sure that we embrace and enjoy the game.”",[],"149806473",{"_163":23630,"_165":23631},"“However, we’re no stranger to this and you’re only good as your last game. As I keep saying every week, there’s no easy games in this League and Dalymount Park is a really tough place to go to on Friday night, but we’re well aware of that.",[],{"_163":23633,"_165":23634},"“The last couple of matches I think the boys have reaped their rewards from their work and commitment,” Tiernan Lynch stated.",[],{"_163":23636,"_165":23637},"Since going top of the table in February, Alan Reynolds’ team have slumped massively with just four points from their last seven games. The hosts have lost their last three in succession, which is in stark contrast to a rejuvenated Derry, who have beaten Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers in recent weeks.",[],{"_163":23639,"_165":23640},"Tiernan Lynch is hoping that Derry City’s recovery can continue as they travel to Dalymount Park hoping to inflict even more misery on Bohemians.",[],"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch",{"_81":23643,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":23644,"_213":23641,"_223":23645,"_106":23646,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":23647,"_218":88,"_232":23646,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6nhgts-pre-season-preparations-ahead-of-the-2026-campaign-are-under-way-for-tiernan-lynchs-derry-city-side/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/c85e0443-15d5-48c8-be72-4053e2350125",[],"c85e0443-15d5-48c8-be72-4053e2350125","122950186","Pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026 campaign are under way for Tiernan Lynch's Derry City side",{"_163":23559,"_165":23649},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},{"_81":23653,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":23654,"_213":23641,"_223":23645,"_106":23646,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":23647,"_218":88,"_232":23646,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6nhgts-pre-season-preparations-ahead-of-the-2026-campaign-are-under-way-for-tiernan-lynchs-derry-city-side/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/c85e0443-15d5-48c8-be72-4053e2350125",[],{"_250":22170,"_106":22171,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},{"_250":18657,"_106":18658,"_275":18659,"_276":280},110642021,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":23760,"_283":8,"_275":23761,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/league-of-ireland/we-have-been-kicked-in-the-teeth-week-after-week-derry-city-boss-ignores-job-speculation-as-he-backs-players-to-find-form/a/146056034.html",[23758,23759],"‘We have been kicked in the teeth week after week’: Derry City boss ignores job speculation as he backs players to find form",{"_264":23754,"_266":23738,"_267":23663},[],[23750,23751,23752],"146056034",{},[],"2026-04-16T19:39:00Z","2026-04-16T19:39:43Z",[23675,23676,23677,23678,23679,23680,23681,23682,23683,23684,23685,23686,23687,23688,23689,23690,23691,23692],{"_140":10,"_141":23674,"_143":10},"fdd74155-39c1-11f1-be0e-d13c7c7dd474",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":23748,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18442,"_213":23740,"_215":23741,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":23737,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":23734,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":23731,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":18288,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":23728,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":23725,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":23722,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":23719,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":23716,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":158,"_586":23709,"_588":23710,"_590":-5,"_592":23711,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":23706,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":23703,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":23700,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":23697,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":23694,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":673,"_106":23693,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23693,"_233":92},"146029863",{"_163":23695,"_165":23696},"“We’ve been down to Shelbourne before and won. We enjoy going to Dublin on the Friday night games and normally big crowds with a good atmosphere, so hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves.”",[],{"_163":23698,"_165":23699},"“The best indicator of a team is how hard they work and they certainly don’t need to be coaxed day-in, day-out to do the work,” continued Lynch.",[],{"_163":23701,"_165":23702},"Lynch guided Derry to an impressive 1-0 win on his last visit to Tolka Park last season thanks to a Duffy wonder goal, which made amends for his defeat at the Dublin venue in his first official game in charge of the club in February 2025.",[],{"_163":23704,"_165":23705},"“We, as a group, take the criticism. We don’t shy away from any criticism that comes our way. We’ll take it squarely on the chin. We just have to keep working hard to try and put it right.”",[],{"_163":23707,"_165":23708},"“You hope so,” he said. “You make your own luck in this game, we all know that, but this is a group of players who have been kicked in the teeth week after week with a new injury and having to chop and change as often as we’ve had to chop and change. But they roll their sleeves up and get on with it.",[],{"_163":23714,"_165":23715},{"_163":19473,"_165":23713},{"_163":88,"_165":23712},[],[],"We don’t shy away from any criticism that comes our way. ",[],{"_163":23717,"_165":23718},"But Lynch knows a win could well change momentum back in his team’s favour.",[],{"_163":23720,"_165":23721},"James McClean will miss Friday night’s game through suspension after his red card at Dundalk, while talisman Michael Duffy remains absent.",[],{"_163":23723,"_165":23724},"With yet another significant injury to deal with in the absence of Rob Slevin, who has been ruled out for a month with a calf injury, the bad luck seems to continue for Lynch, who has continuously rotated his squad. ",[],{"_163":23726,"_165":23727},"“We’ve done okay down there in the last couple of occasions apart from the first game of last season. But we’re well aware of their threat. They obviously came to our place earlier in the season and we felt a bit hard done by. That’s something we have an opportunity to put right.”",[],{"_163":23729,"_165":23730},"“My job is to try and get Derry City ready for Shelbourne on Friday night and that’s what I intend to do,” said Lynch.",[],{"_163":23732,"_165":23733},"The title hopefuls even dropped to eighth in the Premier Division two weeks ago and, while they have moved up one place since, it is still a world away from where many expected to be at this stage.",[],{"_163":23735,"_165":23736},"The Candystripes may have managed two points from two difficult away tests at Sligo Rovers and Dundalk in recent weeks, but it is now seven games without a win overall for City, with pressure on Lynch incessant. ",[],{"_163":23738,"_165":23739},"Tiernan Lynch is refusing to get caught up in speculation over his future as he prepares to take his Derry City team to face Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday night.",[],"Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch is under pressure after a run of poor results",{"_81":23742,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23743,"_213":23740,"_223":23744,"_106":23745,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23746,"_218":88,"_232":23745,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/poxa4n-sports3422708.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Sports3422708.jpg",[23747],"Sports3422708.jpg","146056395","10 April 2026; Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch before the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Dundalk and Derry City at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile",{"_235":23485,"_237":23486,"_239":23485,"_240":23487},{"_163":23663,"_165":23749},[],{"_250":18549,"_106":18550,"_253":8,"_254":30},{"_250":18644,"_106":18645,"_253":10,"_254":23753},{"_250":18312,"_106":18313,"_253":10,"_254":18314},"County Derry/Londonderry Sport",{"_81":23755,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23756,"_213":23740,"_223":23744,"_106":23745,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23746,"_218":88,"_232":23745,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/poxa4n-sports3422708.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sports3422708.jpg",[23757],{"_235":23485,"_237":23486,"_239":23485,"_240":23487},{"_250":22170,"_106":22171,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":19473,"_106":19474,"_275":19475,"_276":280},"Derry City manager under pressure before Shelbourne clash","Under-fire Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch faces injury-hit trip to Shelbourne at Tolka Park as winless run grows. Read how he plans to respond now.",93848863,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":-5,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/i-have-no-qualms-with-the-fans-getting-frustrated...-there-are-no-excuses-derry-city-boss-on-early-season-pressure-at-the-brandywell/a/137653174.html",[23869,23870],"‘I have no qualms with the fans getting frustrated... there are no excuses’ - Derry City boss on early-season pressure at the Brandywell",{"_264":23865,"_266":23850,"_267":23767},[],[23862,23863,23864],"137653174",{},[],"2026-02-27T10:00:00Z","2026-02-27T01:18:40Z",[23779,23780,23781,23782,23783,23784,23785,23786,23787,23788,23789,23790,23791,23792,23793,23794,23795,23796,23797],{"_140":10,"_141":23778,"_143":10},"6b256925-1349-11f1-bdba-7fd2b36fe7d7",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":23860,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":18442,"_213":23852,"_215":23853,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":23849,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":23846,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":23843,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":23840,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":23837,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":23834,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":175,"_212":18442,"_213":23826,"_215":23827,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":23823,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":23820,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":23817,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":23814,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":23811,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":23808,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":23805,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":23802,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":23799,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":669,"_106":23798,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":23798,"_233":92},"137577576",{"_163":23800,"_165":23801},"“Lonergan and Amond up front are two good players, two handfuls and they play off their strengths, so it won’t be an easy game that’s for sure.”",[],{"_163":23803,"_165":23804},"“We have watched their games and they are a big, strong, physical side. They can be quite direct and they play to their strengths. ",[],{"_163":23806,"_165":23807},"“They will be no different from the other challengers in this league,” he added. ",[],{"_163":23809,"_165":23810},"Waterford are still searching for their first win this year, and come to the Brandywell for the first time since their 7-2 loss there last July. That result will have nothing to do with Friday night’s game, insists Lynch.",[],{"_163":23812,"_165":23813},"“There are things going on in games that others aren’t noticing that are definitely, definitely improving. The thing we’re hugely frustrated with at the moment is that we’re not clinical in that we’re not finishing the chances that we’re creating and we’re conceding stupid, stupid goals.”",[],{"_163":23815,"_165":23816},"“We’ve brought 12 players in but this is definitely not something that’s going to be a quick fix, it’s not going to happen overnight. ",[],{"_163":23818,"_165":23819},"“We have to thrive on those demands as it’s a privilege. The big thing for me and I’ve said this before, there are no excuses. ",[],{"_163":23821,"_165":23822},"“I have no qualms with the fans getting frustrated,” he stated. “It’s part and parcel of being at big clubs; the demands are high. ",[],{"_163":23824,"_165":23825},"Lynch acknowledges that his team have failed to live up to expectations so far.",[],"Right back Barry Cotter will help add balance to the Derry City team",{"_81":23828,"_212":18442,"_220":395,"_97":23829,"_213":23826,"_223":23830,"_106":23831,"_226":227,"_228":18442,"_230":23832,"_218":88,"_232":23831,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/gl7cbk-barry-cotter.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Barry_Cotter.jpg",[23833],"Barry_Cotter.jpg","137654346","20 February 2026; Incoming Derry City player Barry Cotter arrives for the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. 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Usually, such political figures rely on platitudes, especially when there are dead young people involved. But it seems this incident means normal rules cannot apply any more.",[],{"_163":23974,"_165":23975},"“That, of course, should be self-evident, but what makes this reckless behaviour even more appalling is that in some cases it is being done for social-media likes regardless of the potentially devastating impact it may have on innocent people and themselves.”",[],{"_163":23977,"_165":23978},"He said: “This horrific incident, following the recent collision on the M50, shows how irresponsible and dangerous driving on the wrong side of the motorway is.",[],{"_163":23980,"_165":23981},"He pointedly said that his thoughts were with the injured family while condemning the reckless behaviour of criminals driving down the wrong side of motorways.",[],{"_163":23983,"_165":23984},"On Sunday afternoon, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly issued a strongly worded statement, described as unprecedented in such a situation, that summed up the feelings of a nation.",[],{"_163":23986,"_165":23987},"Last night it emerged that one of the dead teenagers, who ranged in age between 15 and 18, had posted footage on TikTok of him taking part in car thefts and dangerous driving while being pursued by gardaí.",[],{"_163":23989,"_165":23990},"Two of the women who were the front-seat passengers in the family saloon are said to be in a critical condition in hospital. They have the prayers and good wishes of every decent person in the country.",[],{"_163":23998,"_165":23999},{"_163":23996,"_165":23997},{"_163":23994,"_165":23995},"Garda Commissioner",[],"Justin Kelly",[],"What makes this reckless behaviour even more appalling is that in some cases it is being done for social media likes",[],{"_163":24001,"_165":24002},"That gives an indication of the speed the car was travelling at when it struck the Hyundai car being driven by their victims.",[],{"_163":24004,"_165":24005},"At first, gardaí thought there had been just four males in the car, all of whom had been wearing balaclavas. It was only when the crumpled remains of the car was moved that the fifth body was discovered.",[],{"_163":24007,"_165":24008},"The BMW in which the five dead teens were travelling was so badly mangled that it took emergency crews hours to access the remains in the wreckage.",[],{"_163":24010,"_165":24011},"The now-deceased gang had been reported trying to break into houses and cars parked outside homes in Athy, Co Kildare, in the hours before the fatal crash. Gardaí had been trying to safely intercept the gang, who were well-known to them.",[],{"_163":24013,"_165":24014},"There is very little sympathy for the dead. Many people believe they made their choices and paid the price.",[],{"_163":24016,"_165":24017},"It was always a matter of time before this latest epidemic resulted in the shocking death toll on the M9 motorway. This incident, following on from the one on the M50 a week earlier, has sickened and shocked the public. The first reaction of ordinary citizens is to be hugely sympathetic towards the family who ended up in hospital and were left with serious injuries.",[],{"_163":24019,"_165":24020},"The fact that innocent victims, for whom these thugs have no regard, may lose their lives or suffer appalling injuries in the process rarely bothers them. And of course they spare no thought for the trauma endured by the gardaí, fire crews and paramedics whose job it is to clean up the mess.",[],{"_163":24022,"_165":24023},"So the harsh reality is that the only realistic consequence these youngsters face is to be physically mangled in a crash, and suffer either life-changing injuries or death.",[],{"_163":24025,"_165":24026},"In that environment, they can do what they like because the disorganised justice system has given them impunity from prosecution. The reason is that our failed juvenile justice system has nowhere to incarcerate offenders, or the resources to attempt the process of rehabilitating them from a life of crime.",[],{"_163":24028,"_165":24029},"These delinquents are also aware that the same gardaí are at risk of being suspended and then criminally charged if they try to intervene. Even if gardaí do bring them to a halt, this new generation of thugs know they will face no meaningful consequences from the law.",[],{"_163":24031,"_165":24032},"The teenage gangs have no fear of the law because they know that the majority of patrolling gardaí they encounter during their nocturnal forays are not properly trained to take part in hot pursuits.",[],{"_163":24034,"_165":24035},"Referred to as the Lucky Dip gang – a loose collection of up to 100 youngsters who are clearly allowed to run wild by their parents – they are based in Dublin and surrounding counties. For the last few months of the long hot summer, gardaí have been warning that these thugs have been steadily getting more reckless and chaotic.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":7851,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":7852,"_106":7853,"_368":369,"_370":7854,"_232":7855,"_233":92},{"_163":24038,"_165":24039},"It is the epitome of suicidal madness, and is almost impossible to understand. Even young teenagers must understand the level of risk they are taking.",[],{"_163":24041,"_165":24042},"To make matters worse, the thugs film their antics for social media, showing just how untouchable they feel. Getting likes and clicks seems to be much more important than safety.",[],{"_163":24044,"_165":24045},"The new generation of wannabe Generals or Monks recklessly speed down the wrong side of the motorway in the full knowledge that the gardaí cannot follow them.",[],{"_163":24047,"_165":24048},"The problem is that gardaí have one arm tied behind their backs as they try in vain to quell this latest deadly crime epidemic.",[],{"_163":24050,"_165":24051},"Two gardaí inside the car were lucky to escape without serious injury, although the trauma of the event will stay with them for a long time.",[],{"_163":24053,"_165":24054},"That was followed by a similar incident in Finglas when a high-powered car containing five teenagers deliberately rammed a garda car and flipped it on to its roof. The gang had earlier been making videos of their reckless behaviour for social-media likes.",[],{"_163":24056,"_165":24057},"It was 5.30am, and the gang had spent the night breaking into houses and cars in the area. When gardaí tried to intercept them, the gang drove down the wrong way on an off-ramp on the M50 at Firhouse in south Dublin.",[],{"_163":24059,"_165":24060},"Exactly one week before this latest incident, eight teenagers, at least one of whom was just 13, suffered serious injuries when they crashed a car into another vehicle that was being driven by an innocent, law-abiding young man called Craig Fox (22). He also suffered life-changing injuries.",[],"160108957",{"_163":24063,"_165":24064},"The phenomenon involves gangs of teenagers and young children, some as young as 12, driving around in cars to take part in crime sprees where houses are targeted in a particular area and systematically burgled, leaving traumatised victims in their wake.",[],{"_163":24066,"_165":24067},"That description is a gross misnomer and an insult to the many victims of such madness. It should be called “death-riding”. There is certainly nothing joyful about this pernicious, twisted practice.",[],{"_163":24069,"_165":24070},"Sunday’s incident, in which a BMW driving down the wrong way on the M9 motorway smashed into three women and a seven-year-old boy on their way to Dublin Airport to catch a flight to a wedding in the UK, was the most serious yet in a deadly crime epidemic that is euphemistically referred to as “joyriding”.",[],{"_163":24072,"_165":24073},"The carnage left in the wake of the deaths of five teenagers and the critical injuries caused to four innocent people provides stark evidence that a small cohort of youngsters in Ireland are so out of control that they can be classified as posing a serious threat to public safety.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":24075,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":24076,"_106":24077,"_368":369,"_370":24078,"_232":24079,"_233":92},"GLBggpmZM34A","01:06:00","2015488","1:06","160160801",{"_163":24081,"_165":24082},"Gardaí have their hands tied as a result of a failed juvenile justice system that is not fit for purpose",[],{"_163":23913,"_165":24084},[],{"_250":1970,"_106":1971,"_253":8,"_254":1700},{"_250":2163,"_106":2164,"_253":10,"_254":1977},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":10,"_254":1657},{"_235":-5,"_237":24091,"_240":23487},"Williams",{"_81":24093,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24094,"_213":88,"_223":24095,"_106":24096,"_226":227,"_228":2094,"_230":24097,"_218":88,"_232":24096,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5rfhff-paul-williams.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Paul%20Williams.jpg",[24098],"Paul%20Williams.jpg","160154984","The scene on the M9 northbound at Junction 3 in Co Kildare where the incident took place early on Sunday morning",{"_235":5153,"_237":5154,"_239":5153,"_240":5155},{"_250":24109,"_106":24110,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":24106,"_106":24107,"_275":24108,"_276":280},{"_250":24103,"_106":24104,"_275":24105,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"TikTok","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:tiktok","TikTok is a video-sharing social networking service.","An Garda Síochána","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:an-garda-siochana","An Garda Síochána is the national police service of the Republic of Ireland.","Dublin","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:dublin","Paul Williams: Ireland’s new generation of wannabe thugs are out of control... they simply don’t value life",195513558,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":24312,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/suspected-crime-boss-daniel-kinahan-looks-to-legal-firms-in-ni-for-representation/a/160138075.html",[24302,24303,24304,24305,24306],"Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan looks to legal firms in NI for representation",{"_264":24298,"_266":24288,"_267":24117},[24297],[24292,24293,24294,24295,24296],"160138075",{},[],"2026-08-18T04:59:00Z","2026-08-17T15:33:24Z",[24129,24130,24131,24132,24133,24134,24135,24136,24137,24138,24139,24140,24141,24142,24143,24144,24145,24146,24147,24148,24149,24150,24151,24152,24153,24154,24155,24156,24157,24158,24159,24160,24161,24162,24163,24164,24165,24166,24167,24168],{"_140":10,"_141":24128,"_143":10},"4b2b2442-9a47-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":24290,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":24287,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":24280,"_215":24281,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":24277,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":24274,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":24271,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":24268,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":24265,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":179,"_106":24264,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24264,"_233":92},{"_155":210,"_157":175,"_212":1611,"_213":24257,"_215":24258,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":24254,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":24251,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":24248,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":24245,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":694,"_106":11899,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11899,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":24242,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":24239,"_161":162},{"_155":876,"_157":677,"_356":24233,"_161":878},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":24230,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":24227,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":24224,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":24221,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":657,"_106":24220,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24220,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":24217,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":24214,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":24211,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":24208,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":24205,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":24202,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":24199,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":24196,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":24193,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":614,"_212":1611,"_213":24186,"_215":24187,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":24183,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":24180,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":24177,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":24174,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":24171,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":572,"_106":24170,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24170,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":568,"_106":24169,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24169,"_233":92},"159819621","159857348",{"_163":24172,"_165":24173},"The Belfast Telegraph has reached out to John Finucane for comment.",[],{"_163":24175,"_165":24176},"The final decision on who he has instructed to represent him may not be known until October, when he is due to appear in court again in Dublin, either in person or via videolink.",[],{"_163":24178,"_165":24179},"To date it has been reported that Daniel Kinahan has been a “model prisoner”, asking for a Koran and prayer mat, having converted to Islam during his time in the Middle East.",[],{"_163":24181,"_165":24182},"The evidence against McGovern is expected to be produced against Kinahan. While similar to EncroChat, it is from a bespoke network alleged to have been used exclusively by members of the Kinahan cartel.",[],{"_163":24184,"_165":24185},"Across Europe, hundreds of people have been charged and convicted on EncroChat evidence, after French intelligence hacked the encrypted network used by criminals and then distributed the data to local law enforcement.",[],"Garda helicopter above Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell, where Daniel Kinahan arrived.",{"_81":24188,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":24189,"_213":24186,"_223":24190,"_106":24191,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":24192,"_218":88,"_232":24191,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/republic-of-ireland/snistp-daniel-kinahan-court-case/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/470ef4e9-5cf5-4989-b1a1-f2f9489eecd4",[],"470ef4e9-5cf5-4989-b1a1-f2f9489eecd4","159804880","Garda helicopter above Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell, where Daniel Kinahan is due to arrive, after being extradited from Dubai, to face a charge of directing an organised crime group. Picture date: Saturday August 8, 2026.",{"_163":24194,"_165":24195},"McGovern’s guilty plea was an acceptance of the prosecution case that he was the person with the pseudonym ‘Knife’ in the encrypted network used by the drug cartel. The prosecution case against Kinahan is that he is ‘Bon’ or ‘Bon New’ in the correspondence between gang members.",[],{"_163":24197,"_165":24198},"Sources say Daniel Kinahan is angry about McGovern’s early guilty plea, believing he should have tried to fight the case.",[],{"_163":24200,"_165":24201},"Crimeworld has reported that Kinahan and McGovern were permitted to meet in the prison yard of Portlaoise jail and that the meeting was “animated”.",[],{"_163":24203,"_165":24204},"The judge said the Kinahan gang was a “particularly large, well-organised, sinister and dangerous organisation”. He said the court had no doubt that McGovern, holding a relatively senior position of the gang, was fully aware of its identity, structure and nature.",[],{"_163":24206,"_165":24207},"McGrath said the court had established that McGovern was a senior member of the Kinahan gang and was a “confidant of those in the higher echelons” in the organisation, who placed a “high degree of trust and competence” in him.",[],{"_163":24209,"_165":24210},"McGovern was sentenced to 10 years for his role in directing activities relating to the planned murder of Gately and 14 years for his role in the lead-up to the killing of Kirwan.",[],{"_163":24212,"_165":24213},"After considering mitigating factors including an early plea, Mr Justice McGrath said the sentences for the separate offences should run consecutively.",[],{"_163":24215,"_165":24216},"McGovern’s charges related to his involvement in the lead-up to the murder of Noel Kirwan, a grandfather who was shot dead in December 2016, and the targeting and monitoring of James Gately with a view to a shooting, which did not take place.",[],{"_163":24218,"_165":24219},"McGovern is serving 24 years in Portlaoise Prison, and his conviction gives an insight into the kind of evidence likely to be produced in the trial of Daniel Kinahan.",[],"160116767",{"_163":24222,"_165":24223},"Last year, Sean McGovern (40) was returned and convicted of directing the activities of a criminal organisation.",[],{"_163":24225,"_165":24226},"The boxing promoter is not the first person to be extradited under the new diplomatic arrangements between Ireland and Dubai. ",[],{"_163":24228,"_165":24229},"He appeared in court last Sunday evening, representing himself, telling the court he had not yet had time to seek legal representation.",[],{"_163":24231,"_165":24232},"After years of diplomatic discussions between the Irish authorities and their United Arab Emirate counterparts, Kinahan was arrested in Dubai in April and was returned to face trial as part of an extradition agreement between the two countries.",[],{"_85":878,"_359":24234,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":24235,"_106":24236,"_368":369,"_370":24237,"_232":24238,"_233":92},"fqYFApBCQD6w","00:19:46","1991691","19:46","159849102",{"_163":24240,"_165":24241},"The 2016 attempt on his life, during a boxing weigh-in, started a bloody feud that has claimed the lives of 18 people.",[],{"_163":24243,"_165":24244},"Kinahan was transported back to Ireland over a week ago aboard an Irish Government private jet amid heavy security, 10 years after he fled the county in the wake of the Regency Hotel attack.",[],{"_163":24246,"_165":24247},"KRW Law and Phoenix Law have also been rumoured to have been considered by Kinahan and his wife, Caoimhe Robinson, who is heavily involved in helping source a legal team from her home in Dubai while her husband is behind bars in relative isolation at the high-security prison.",[],{"_163":24249,"_165":24250},"However, he is not the only solicitor in the running. Other Northern Ireland-based firms with experience in handling cases involving encrypted evidence are also being considered by the alleged gang boss.",[],{"_163":24252,"_165":24253},"Like all before the criminal court, Kinahan has a right to have legal representation. A solicitor acting for a defendant can never be equated with or understood as conveying support for activities the defendant is alleged to have been involved in.",[],{"_163":24255,"_165":24256},"His legal work, which is separate from his role as a political representative, caused controversy at the time.",[],"John Finucane",{"_81":24259,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":24260,"_213":24257,"_223":24261,"_106":24262,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":24263,"_218":88,"_232":24262,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/sgrbzr-sir-jeffrey-donaldson-court-case/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/ba685877-c1c2-4aee-ac90-deac7f7ce0f9",[],"ba685877-c1c2-4aee-ac90-deac7f7ce0f9","157617109","Sinn Fein’s John Finucane MP speaking to members of the media in the Great Hall in Stormont, Belfast, following Sir Jeffrey Donaldson being found guilty at Newry Crown Court of 18 historical sex offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency. Picture date: Monday June 22, 2026.","159819018",{"_163":24266,"_165":24267},"Mr Finucane, who is also the Sinn Féin MP for north Belfast, briefly represented Daniel Kinahan in the past in a civil matter.",[],{"_163":24269,"_165":24270},"The solicitor, who is a partner in the firm Finucane Toner, is thought to be high on Kinahan’s list of preferred legal representatives.",[],{"_163":24272,"_165":24273},"It was reported at the weekend that Belfast-based solicitor John Finucane visited the alleged leader of the Kinahan cartel in Portlaoise Prison, where he is being held on remand.",[],{"_163":24275,"_165":24276},"Kinahan has been considering a number of law firms based in Northern Ireland with experience of defending in non-jury courts.",[],{"_163":24278,"_165":24279},"Alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan looks set to hire a law firm based in Northern Ireland to represent him in Dublin’s Special Criminal Court, where he is charged with directing a criminal organisation.",[],"Portlaoise Prison, where Daniel Kinahan is being held on remand",{"_81":24282,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24283,"_213":24280,"_223":24284,"_106":24285,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":24280,"_218":88,"_232":24285,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1i8mly-kinahan2.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Kinahan2.jpg",[24286],"Kinahan2.jpg","160154892",{"_235":5153,"_237":5154,"_239":5153,"_240":5155},{"_163":24288,"_165":24289},"It’s been reported that Belfast-based solicitor John Finucane visited the alleged cartel leader in Portlaoise Prison last week ",[],{"_163":24117,"_165":24291},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":10,"_254":261},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":10,"_254":1657},{"_235":13322,"_237":13323,"_240":13324},{"_81":24299,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24300,"_213":24280,"_223":24284,"_106":24285,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":24280,"_218":88,"_232":24285,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1i8mly-kinahan2.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Kinahan2.jpg",[24301],{"_235":5153,"_237":5154,"_239":5153,"_240":5155},{"_250":24309,"_106":24310,"_275":24311,"_276":280},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":24257,"_106":24307,"_275":24308,"_276":280},{"_250":24109,"_106":24110,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:john-finucane","Sinn Féin MP for Belfast North","Daniel Kinahan","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:daniel-kinahan","Irishman Daniel Kinahan is a boxing promoter who has been described by the US State Department as a leader of the transnational Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG). In April 2022 it was announced that the Dubliner, believed to be resident in Dubai, was being sought for questioning in the US on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, firearms trafficking and murder. A reward of up to $5m was offered by the US authorities for information leading to his arrest.","Daniel Kinahan: Suspected crime boss ooks to John Finucane and legal firms in NI for representation",195289044,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/west-belfast/news/political-wing-of-new-ira-blasts-sinn-fein-and-vows-to-repaint-west-belfast-mural/a/160028424.html",[24477,24478,24479,24480,24481],"Political wing of New IRA blasts Sinn Féin and vows to repaint west Belfast mural ",{"_264":24474,"_266":24459,"_267":24318},[24473],[24464,24465,24466,24467,24468,24469],"160028424",{},[24463],"2026-08-17T05:08:00Z","2026-08-16T14:09:32Z",[24330,24331,24332,24333,24334,24335,24336,24337,24338,24339,24340,24341,24342,24343,24344,24345,24346,24347,24348,24349,24350,24351,24352,24353,24354,24355,24356,24357],{"_140":10,"_141":24329,"_143":10},"c9a5702d-97c5-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":24461,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":24458,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":24451,"_215":24452,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":24448,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":24445,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":187,"_212":-5,"_213":24438,"_215":24439,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":24435,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":24432,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":24425,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":-5,"_213":24418,"_215":24419,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":24415,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":24412,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":24409,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":694,"_212":-5,"_213":24402,"_215":24403,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":355,"_157":685,"_356":24401,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":24398,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":24395,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":24392,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":24389,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":24386,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":661,"_212":-5,"_213":24379,"_215":24380,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":24376,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":195,"_212":-5,"_213":24369,"_215":24370,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":24366,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":24363,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":24360,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":633,"_106":24359,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24359,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":629,"_106":24358,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24358,"_233":92},"159777144","159446416",{"_163":24361,"_165":24362},"Sinn Féin were contacted but declined to comment.",[],{"_163":24364,"_165":24365},"“Brendan Hughes was an IRA Legend, no matter what way they wish to spin this, they have defaced a mural dedicated to a man that dedicated his life to the Republican Movement. This shows to all what Sinn Féin have become. \nAs we have promised to the Hughes family, the mural WILL go up.”",[],{"_163":24367,"_165":24368},"It continued: “Our activists are out in support of our communities across the city every week and unlike Sinn Féin members, we do not receive a penny for doing so. Genuine community activism done for community activists with a love for their communities at the heart of the reasons for doing so. ",[],"The finished mural before it was again painted over",{"_81":24371,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24372,"_213":24369,"_223":24373,"_106":24374,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24374,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nr97zn-t-kscott-2025-6618.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/t_kscott_2025_6618.jpg",[24375],"t_kscott_2025_6618.jpg","160054038",{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_163":24377,"_165":24378},"The statement goes on to accuse Sinn Féin of working with the police and intelligence services and blames Sinn Féin members for carrying out the 2000 killing of Real IRA man Joe O’Connor.",[],"Saoradh members paint the new Brendan Hughes mural",{"_81":24381,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24382,"_213":24379,"_223":24383,"_106":24384,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24384,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2pae56-t-kscott-2025-6611.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/t_kscott_2025_6611.jpg",[24385],"t_kscott_2025_6611.jpg","160043093",{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_163":24387,"_165":24388},"“Having kept an open mind about those responsible for defacing the mural originally, while our activists continued to prepare the wall this week several Sinn Féin members drove past and attempted to goad our activists from the safety of their cars about the wall and given who this mural was to be dedicated to, there can be no doubt as to who is responsible.”",[],{"_163":24390,"_165":24391},"“For the second time in a week and having waited until the mural was nearing completetion, Sinn Féin members in west Belfast have defaced a mural we had been preparing to unveil dedicated to the memory of IRA legend Brendan ‘The Dark’ Hughes.",[],{"_163":24393,"_165":24394},"Saoradh published a statement on social media blaming Sinn Féin members, and have vowed to repaint it.",[],{"_163":24396,"_165":24397},"However, after finishing the mural of Brendan Hughes on Friday, it was again painted over in the early hours of Sunday morning.",[],{"_163":24399,"_165":24400},"The Belfast Telegraph understands Saoradh’s move to paint a tribute to Brendan Hughes was to prevent further attacks as they felt it was unlikely a mural to the republican icon would be painted over. The previous murals bore slogans warning the police to stay out of the area before they were defaced and covered up.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":7215,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":748,"_106":7216,"_368":369,"_370":750,"_232":7217,"_233":92},"Anti Saoradh graffiti",{"_81":24404,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24405,"_213":24402,"_223":24406,"_106":24407,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24407,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/f4nnwz-t-kscott-2025-6609.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/t_kscott_2025_6609.jpg",[24408],"t_kscott_2025_6609.jpg","160043061",{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_163":24410,"_165":24411},"Attempts to paint murals on Twinbrook gable end walls around the same time have come to nothing with locals defacing the first attempt before they were completely covered in white paint. This is despite a CCTV camera being erected by Saoradh to deter attacks.",[],{"_163":24413,"_165":24414},"Saoradh denied the claims.",[],{"_163":24416,"_165":24417},"They were also accused of trying to intimidate a well-respected community worker in the area who was on the ground trying to calm tensions.",[],"Anti Saoradh graffiti has appeared in recent days",{"_81":24420,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24421,"_213":24418,"_223":24422,"_106":24423,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24423,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5d4jii-t-kscott-2025-6612.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/t_kscott_2025_6612.jpg",[24424],"t_kscott_2025_6612.jpg","160043029",{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_163":24426,"_165":24427},"Last month the New IRA was accused of encouraging young people to get involved in anti-social disorder linked to a tribute to local man TJ Kennedy who passed away after a motorcycle incident on the Shaws Road.",[24428],{"_85":192,"_157":171,"_194":24429,"_196":24430},91,{"_198":24431,"_155":200,"_201":8},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/new-ira-told-teens-to-riot-during-west-belfast-motorcycle-mayhem/a/159102250.html",{"_163":24433,"_165":24434},"Graffiti branding the dissident republican group ‘touts’ has also appeared in recent days.",[],{"_163":24436,"_165":24437},"Sources say the murals are an attempt to build support in the area where other than a few individual members, they have been unable to gain any traction.",[],"Graffiti that appeared on Saturday night",{"_81":24440,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24441,"_213":24438,"_223":24442,"_106":24443,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24443,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/9teqzw-whatsapp-image-2026-08-16-at-10.52.17.jpeg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/WhatsApp%20Image%202026-08-16%20at%2010.52.17.jpeg",[24444],"WhatsApp%20Image%202026-08-16%20at%2010.52.17.jpeg","160085623",{"_235":6191,"_237":6192,"_239":6191,"_240":6193},{"_163":24446,"_165":24447},"The political wing of the New IRA have blamed Sinn Féin members of removing the mural dedicated to IRA man Brendan ‘The Dark’ Hughes who died in 2008.",[],{"_163":24449,"_165":24450},"A backlash against Saoradh’s latest attempt to establish themselves in the Colin area of west Belfast has seen a mural painted by the dissident republicans defaced and painted over.",[],"A gable is covered in white paint after another attempt to paint a mural",{"_81":24453,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24454,"_213":24451,"_223":24455,"_106":24456,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24456,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/4mr92b-t-kscott-2025-6610.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/t_kscott_2025_6610.jpg",[24457],"t_kscott_2025_6610.jpg","160042975",{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_163":24459,"_165":24460},"Tribute to IRA man Brendan Hughes painted over in latest incident",[],{"_163":24318,"_165":24462},[],"BT10",{"_250":3163,"_106":3164,"_253":8,"_254":3165},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":24470,"_106":24471,"_253":10,"_254":24472},"regional_west-belfast","4393","West Belfast",{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_240":4365},{"_81":24440,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24475,"_213":88,"_223":24442,"_106":24443,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24443,"_233":92},[24476],{"_235":6191,"_237":6192,"_239":6191,"_240":6193},{"_250":24484,"_106":24485,"_275":24486,"_276":280},{"_250":24482,"_106":24483,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Saoradh","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:saoradh","New IRA","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:new-ira","Republican paramilitary group",195288511,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":24623,"_283":8,"_275":24624,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/man-caught-with-magic-mushrooms-after-cutting-off-monitoring-tag-and-getting-into-fight-refused-bail/a/159946557.html",[24622],"Man caught with magic mushrooms after cutting off monitoring tag and getting into fight refused bail",{"_264":24618,"_266":24598,"_267":24492},[24617],[24609,24610,24611,24612,24613,24614,24615,24616],"159946557",{},[2731],"2026-08-16T17:00:00Z","2026-08-16T13:31:37Z",[24504,24505,24506,24507,24508,24509,24510,24511,24512,24513,24514,24515,24516,24517,24518,24519,24520,24521,24522,24523,24524,24525],{"_140":10,"_141":24503,"_143":10},"cc5bc960-9660-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":24607,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":24600,"_215":24601,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":24597,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":24592,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":24589,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":-5,"_213":24582,"_215":24583,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":24579,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":24576,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":24573,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":-5,"_213":24566,"_215":24567,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":24563,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":24560,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":24557,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":24554,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":24551,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":24544,"_215":24545,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":24541,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":24538,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":24535,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":24532,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":24529,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":24526,"_161":162},{"_163":24527,"_165":24528},"The criminal damage and drug charges against Gibson, from College Drive in south Belfast, will be heard again before the same court next month.",[],{"_163":24530,"_165":24531},"District Judge Rosalie Prytherch denied bail, saying the defendant was before the courts for “very serious matters”.",[],{"_163":24533,"_165":24534},"“Most of his record stems from one set of charges, so it is not as bad as it may seem.”",[],{"_163":24536,"_165":24537},"“He has admitted that, as well as having magic mushrooms on him, but he still has matters to address.",[],{"_163":24539,"_165":24540},"“He was late getting home while subject to curfew and panicked, having previously spent all that time in custody, so he cut the tag off and went to stay at a friend’s house.",[],{"_163":24542,"_165":24543},"They said: “The crown court cases date back to February and July last year, and he has spent 14 months in custody on those matters due to delays in the case, a lot of which was due to the barristers’ strike.",[],"Gibson is due before the same court next month",{"_81":24546,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":24547,"_213":24544,"_223":24548,"_106":24549,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24549,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ivbi8l-screenshot-2026-08-12-162533.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-12%20162533.png",[24550],"Screenshot%202026-08-12%20162533.png","159947272",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":24552,"_165":24553},"Applying for bail, defence counsel cited delays in the crown court cases and time already spent on remand.",[],{"_163":24555,"_165":24556},"“He has previous breaches and a record of committing offences while on bail.”",[],{"_163":24558,"_165":24559},"They added: “He is currently on bail for serious crown court matters, and it appears he has no interest in adhering to bail conditions. ",[],{"_163":24561,"_165":24562},"A prosecutor said that when Gibson was interviewed, he admitted cutting the tag off. ",[],{"_163":24564,"_165":24565},"As he was being taken into custody, officers discovered magic mushrooms in his possession.",[],"Gibson was found ‘bleeding profusely’ after being beaten up",{"_81":24568,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24569,"_213":24566,"_223":24570,"_106":24571,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24571,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oin8q5-506854239-2698449490497548-1229805113388882220-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/506854239_2698449490497548_1229805113388882220_n.jpg",[24572],"506854239_2698449490497548_1229805113388882220_n.jpg","159947622",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":24574,"_165":24575},"He was arrested a short time later, “bleeding profusely” after being beaten up, and was then taken to hospital. ",[],{"_163":24577,"_165":24578},"Following reports of a fight involving Gibson several days later, police called to his mother’s house, but she was unable to say where he was.",[],{"_163":24580,"_165":24581},"The device, which had been removed with scissors, was found in the vicinity of St Comgall’s church.",[],"Gibson removed his monitoring tag with scissors",{"_81":24584,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24585,"_213":24582,"_223":24586,"_106":24587,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24587,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/irqwr5-748954582-3074755962866897-5250377649058036788-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/748954582_3074755962866897_5250377649058036788_n.jpg",[24588],"748954582_3074755962866897_5250377649058036788_n.jpg","159947280",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":24590,"_165":24591},"A warrant was issued for the 24-year-old’s arrest after a member of the public found a discarded monitoring tag in Bangor on August 3.",[],{"_163":24593,"_165":24594},"Shane Gibson appeared at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast, charged with breaching bail, possession of class A drugs and criminal damage.",[24595],{"_85":192,"_157":650,"_194":642,"_196":24596},{"_198":199,"_155":200,"_201":8},{"_163":24598,"_165":24599},"A man facing two “very serious” crown court cases has been refused bail after getting into a fight, cutting off his monitoring tag and being caught with magic mushrooms.",[],"Shane Gibson",{"_81":24602,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24603,"_213":24600,"_223":24604,"_106":24605,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24605,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oa4ye5-759803468-3088008848208275-8557084157299902643-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/759803468_3088008848208275_8557084157299902643_n.jpg",[24606],"759803468_3088008848208275_8557084157299902643_n.jpg","159947290",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":24492,"_165":24608},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2737,"_106":2738,"_253":10,"_254":2739},{"_250":2740,"_106":2741,"_253":10,"_254":2742},{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":10,"_254":261},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_240":1823},{"_81":24619,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24620,"_213":24600,"_223":24604,"_106":24605,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24605,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oa4ye5-759803468-3088008848208275-8557084157299902643-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/759803468_3088008848208275_8557084157299902643_n.jpg",[24621],{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},"Man (24) cuts off bail tag, fight and magic mushrooms in Bangor","Shane Gibson is denied bail after cutting off his tag, a fight and drug charges in Bangor and Belfast",195287553,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/down/news/home-ransacked-and-jewellery-stolen-in-afternoon-burglary-in-co-down/a/160087840.html",[24696],"Home ransacked and jewellery stolen in afternoon burglary in Co Down",{"_264":24692,"_266":24678,"_267":24630},[24691],[24682,24683,24684,24685,24686,24687],"160087840",{},[2731],"2026-08-16T12:00:00Z","2026-08-16T12:01:13Z",[24642,24643,24644,24645,24646,24647,24648,24649,24650,24651],{"_140":10,"_141":24641,"_143":10},"f978834e-9964-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":24680,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":24677,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":24669,"_215":24670,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":24666,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":24663,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":24660,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":24657,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":24654,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":179,"_106":24653,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24653,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":175,"_106":24652,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24652,"_233":92},"159977906","160083188",{"_163":24655,"_165":24656},"Detectives for the case can be contacted on 101 quoting reference 810 16/08/26.",[],{"_163":24658,"_165":24659},"Police said anyone who may have witnessed suspicious behaviour in the area or who may have access to CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage that could assist officers, to get in touch.",[],{"_163":24661,"_165":24662},"A spokesperson for the police said: “At approximately 2:15pm, police received a report of a burglary in the Dublin Road area of the A1, near Banbridge.\n\n“It is believed that sometime after 12:15pm, entry was gained to the property, which was ransacked and a number of items, including jewellery was taken.”",[],{"_163":24664,"_165":24665},"Police said the property in Banbridge was targeted during the afternoon.",[],{"_163":24667,"_165":24668},"A home has been ransacked and jewellery taken following a burglary in Co Down yesterday afternoon.",[],"The property was ransacked in the early afternoon",{"_81":24671,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24672,"_213":24669,"_223":24673,"_106":24674,"_226":227,"_228":24675,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24674,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/16glof-file86aq6cjuisy1n71d8pdn/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/STOCK_IMAGES_BADGE_PSNI.jfif",[24676],"STOCK_IMAGES_BADGE_PSNI.jfif","157397726","Olivia McAteer",{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_163":24678,"_165":24679},"No arrests have been made yet ",[],{"_163":24630,"_165":24681},[],{"_250":2740,"_106":2741,"_253":8,"_254":2742},{"_250":24688,"_106":24689,"_253":10,"_254":24690},{"_250":2737,"_106":2738,"_253":10,"_254":2739},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},"regional_down_banbridge","5782","Banbridge",{"_235":7507,"_237":7508,"_240":7509},{"_81":24693,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24694,"_213":24669,"_223":24673,"_106":24674,"_226":227,"_228":24675,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24674,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/16glof-file86aq6cjuisy1n71d8pdn/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/STOCK_IMAGES_BADGE_PSNI.jfif",[24695],{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},195283637,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/suspended-jail-term-handed-to-repeat-offender-who-threatened-to-burn-out-his-mum-and-stepdad/a/160069986.html",[24905],"Suspended jail term handed to repeat offender who threatened to burn out his mum and stepdad",{"_264":24901,"_266":24882,"_267":24702},[24900],[24893,24894,24895,24896,24897,24898,24899],"160069986",{},[3970],"2026-08-16T15:50:00Z","2026-08-15T21:15:03Z",[24714,24715,24716,24717,24718,24719,24720,24721,24722,24723,24724,24725,24726,24727,24728,24729,24730,24731,24732,24733,24734,24735,24736,24737,24738,24739,24740,24741,24742,24743,24744,24745,24746,24747,24748,24749,24750,24751],{"_140":10,"_141":24713,"_143":10},"0741e2ad-98a5-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":24891,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":24884,"_215":24885,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":24881,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":24878,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":187,"_586":24871,"_588":24872,"_590":-5,"_592":24873,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":24868,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":24865,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":24862,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":175,"_212":-5,"_213":24800,"_215":24856,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":24853,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":24850,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":158,"_586":24842,"_588":24843,"_590":-5,"_592":24844,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":24839,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":24836,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":24833,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":681,"_586":24825,"_588":24826,"_590":-5,"_592":24827,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":24822,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":24819,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":669,"_212":-5,"_213":24800,"_215":24813,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":24810,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":24807,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":24804,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":195,"_586":24796,"_588":24797,"_590":-5,"_592":24798,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":24793,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":24790,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":24787,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":24784,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":24781,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":622,"_586":24773,"_588":24774,"_590":-5,"_592":24775,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":24770,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":24767,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":614,"_106":24766,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24766,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":24763,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":24760,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":24757,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":24754,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":576,"_106":24753,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24753,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":572,"_106":24752,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24752,"_233":92},"160068368","159764362",{"_163":24755,"_165":24756},"McGreevy, of Woodstock Road, east Belfast, was handed five months’ custody, suspended for three years. ",[],{"_163":24758,"_165":24759},"“You can’t keep doing this. You will get (the injured parties) killed. This behaviour cannot continue.”",[],{"_163":24761,"_165":24762},"“I am not saying you are a conspiracy nut, but the issues you raise need to be addressed properly.",[],{"_163":24764,"_165":24765},"Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes told the defendant: “I have not discounted anything you have said (about the allegations), but I am not here to make a determination on that.",[],"159943723",{"_163":24768,"_165":24769},"Defence counsel said his criminal record had been “fairly small” before the ill-feeling between him and other family members began.",[],{"_163":24771,"_165":24772},"The court heard Stuart McGreevy was already a sentenced prisoner for similar offending involving the same injured parties and his ex-partner.",[],{"_163":24779,"_165":24780},{"_163":24777,"_165":24778},{"_163":88,"_165":24776},[],"Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes",[],"This behaviour cannot continue",[],{"_163":24782,"_165":24783},"“Upon release, I will be going to my barrister to report it again.”",[],{"_163":24785,"_165":24786},"“I understand the allegations would be defamatory if they were false, but they are true. I have family who are willing to testify against this man.",[],{"_163":24788,"_165":24789},"He said: “This is built-up frustration over years and years... I have been targeted by the Freemasons, who tried to kill me.",[],{"_163":24791,"_165":24792},"Giving evidence to the court, Stuart McGreevy referred to himself in the witness box as ‘Stuart Murphy’ because he “doesn’t want to be associated with those people”.",[],{"_163":24794,"_165":24795},"Donna McGreevy also said she had been forced to “tighten up” security at her home and was on anxiety medication due to her son’s conduct.",[],{"_163":24802,"_165":24803},{"_163":24800,"_165":24801},{"_163":88,"_165":24799},[],"Stuart McGreevy",[],"Upon release, I will be going to my barrister to report it again",[],{"_163":24805,"_165":24806},"“There is no truth whatsoever to the allegations. I sat up all night in the dark after the leaflets went around because I was worried we were going to get burnt out.”",[],{"_163":24808,"_165":24809},"“He then sent a barrage of messages including: ‘Your house won’t be there any more. I am burning it down.’",[],{"_163":24811,"_165":24812},"“I phoned the number the messages were sent from and he told me to f**k off,” she told the court.",[],{"_81":24814,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":24815,"_213":24800,"_223":24816,"_106":24817,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24817,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/mzspny-screenshot-2026-08-15-134620.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-15%20134620.png",[24818],"Screenshot%202026-08-15%20134620.png","160070291",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":24820,"_165":24821},"Donna McGreevy also gave evidence to corroborate her partner Colin’s version of events, saying she had been estranged from her son since 2025 due to his behaviour.",[],{"_163":24823,"_165":24824},"During cross-examination, the defendant’s stepfather said he and McGreevy’s mother had been “concerned” about his mental health since childhood, adding: “There came a point where we were more concerned about ourselves.”",[],{"_163":24831,"_165":24832},{"_163":24829,"_165":24830},{"_163":88,"_165":24828},[],"Donna McGreevy",[],"There is no truth whatsoever to the allegations",[],{"_163":24834,"_165":24835},"“It had my name and address on it and accused me of (serious crimes). The picture of me was the same one he had previously used for a poster which was put up outside Laganside Courthouse.”",[],{"_163":24837,"_165":24838},"He told the court: “I saw ruffling outside, which seemed strange. I went to have a look and couldn’t see anyone but found a leaflet in my postbox.",[],{"_163":24840,"_165":24841},"In a subsequent incident the same month, McGreevy’s stepfather said he was painting his hallway when he saw suspicious activity outside his front door as someone deposited items in his postbox.",[],{"_163":24848,"_165":24849},{"_163":24846,"_165":24847},{"_163":88,"_165":24845},[],"Colin McGreevy",[],"There came a point where we were more concerned about ourselves",[],{"_163":24851,"_165":24852},"“He said he was going to burn the house down and that I was being protected by the Freemasons and the British establishment.”",[],{"_163":24854,"_165":24855},"“He also told my wife (the defendant’s mother) to ‘F**k off’ and sent her abusive messages when she called to ask him what it was about.",[],{"_81":24857,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24858,"_213":24800,"_223":24859,"_106":24860,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24860,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/gwhsbf-517182087-10234082582025202-2488242897424457694-n-2.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/517182087_10234082582025202_2488242897424457694_n%20(2).jpg",[24861],"517182087_10234082582025202_2488242897424457694_n%20(2).jpg","160070193",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":24863,"_165":24864},"“It was specific and graphic,” he said, adding: “I took it seriously, as there was a similar incident several years ago which he later apologised for, saying his head was lit.",[],{"_163":24866,"_165":24867},"The defendant’s stepfather, Colin McGreevy, told the court he received a message from the defendant in October last year which said “Karma is coming, you c**t” while threatening to cut his throat.",[],{"_163":24869,"_165":24870},"He was convicted on two charges of harassment, as well as threats to damage property. ",[],{"_163":24876,"_165":24877},{"_163":24846,"_165":24875},{"_163":88,"_165":24874},[],[],"He said he was going to burn the house down and that I was being protected by the Freemasons",[],{"_163":24879,"_165":24880},"Stuart McGreevy, who is already serving time for similar offences, appeared in the dock from custody at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast earlier this month.",[],{"_163":24882,"_165":24883},"A man who threatened to burn down his mother’s home over historic allegations against his stepfather has been given a suspended jail term.",[],"Stuart McGreevy (right)",{"_81":24886,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24887,"_213":24884,"_223":24888,"_106":24889,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24889,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/vrj3yl-517350228-10234009255632088-3353378051526205350-n-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/517350228_10234009255632088_3353378051526205350_n%20(1).jpg",[24890],"517350228_10234009255632088_3353378051526205350_n%20(1).jpg","160070184",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":24702,"_165":24892},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":3976,"_106":3977,"_253":10,"_254":3978},{"_250":2291,"_106":2292,"_253":10,"_254":2293},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_240":1823},{"_81":24902,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":24903,"_213":24884,"_223":24888,"_106":24889,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":24889,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/vrj3yl-517350228-10234009255632088-3353378051526205350-n-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/517350228_10234009255632088_3353378051526205350_n%20(1).jpg",[24904],{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},195283549,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":25070,"_283":8,"_275":25071,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/pictured-belfast-student-who-openly-fantasised-on-social-media-about-raping-and-killing-woman/a/160012456.html",[25069],"Pictured: Belfast student who openly fantasised on social media about raping and killing woman",{"_264":25065,"_266":25048,"_267":24911},[25064],[25053,25054,25055,25056,25057,25058,25059,25060],{},[25052],"2026-08-16T14:00:00Z","2026-08-15T21:02:19Z",[24922,24923,24924,24925,24926,24927,24928,24929,24930,24931,24932,24933,24934,24935,24936,24937,24938,24939,24940,24941,24942,24943,24944,24945,24946,24947,24948,24949],{"_140":10,"_141":24921,"_143":10},"3a2ce926-9747-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":25050,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":25047,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":25040,"_215":25041,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":25037,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":25032,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":25029,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":25026,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":179,"_212":-5,"_213":25018,"_215":25019,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":25015,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":25012,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":25009,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":158,"_586":25001,"_588":25002,"_590":-5,"_592":25003,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":24998,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":24995,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":24992,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":24989,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":24986,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":24983,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":669,"_586":24975,"_588":24976,"_590":-5,"_592":24977,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":24972,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":24969,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":24966,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":24963,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":24960,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":24957,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":24954,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":24951,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":629,"_106":24950,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24950,"_233":92},"112167956",{"_163":24952,"_165":24953},"The judge also granted a three-year restraining order in respect of the victim. ",[],{"_163":24955,"_165":24956},"After the defendant confirmed he was willing to co-operate with authorities, he was handed a three-year probation order. ",[],{"_163":24958,"_165":24959},"“I am concerned about your deep-seated misogynistic beliefs. You are disturbed and need intervention. You must allow probation to challenge these disturbing beliefs.” ",[],{"_163":24961,"_165":24962},"“She was still deeply affected by it, and you most definitely need to do probation and attend with a psychiatrist. ",[],{"_163":24964,"_165":24965},"“While it was very disturbing, I found the complainant did exaggerate some of it to some degree. ",[],{"_163":24967,"_165":24968},"“You called her (the victim) a slut (and) talked about rape and murder but blamed it all on your medication. ",[],{"_163":24970,"_165":24971},"She told him: “You talked about ‘looksmaxxing’ during evidence, and spoke about the views on women within that community. You thought it was funny. I don’t, at all. ",[],{"_163":24973,"_165":24974},"District Judge Anne Marshall said Kilpatrick’s “disturbing” behaviour illustrated the “dangers of social media”. ",[],{"_163":24981,"_165":24982},{"_163":24979,"_165":24980},{"_163":88,"_165":24978},[],"District Judge Anne Marshall",[],"I am concerned about your deep-seated misogynistic beliefs",[],{"_163":24984,"_165":24985},"During interviews, he told police his intention was to “p**s her off”. ",[],{"_163":24987,"_165":24988},"A previous bail hearing was told he had recorded more than 30 songs about her and uploaded them to YouTube and SoundCloud. ",[],{"_163":24990,"_165":24991},"Kilpatrick, of Florenceville Avenue in south Belfast, was previously charged with stalking the woman, only to be acquitted.",[],{"_163":24993,"_165":24994},"The defendant was suspended by his university after its leaders became aware of one of the many ‘poems’ he had written about his victim.",[],{"_163":24996,"_165":24997},"“This has been hanging over him since last April. He has already suffered a penalty by missing two years of his media studies course at university after the matter was reported to them, which has caused massive disruption to his early life and education.” ",[],{"_163":24999,"_165":25000},"“His mother and father have attended court with him and have been very supportive. He has his own difficulties in terms of his mental health and thought processes. It isn’t quintessentially normal behaviour or thinking for someone of his age. ",[],{"_163":25007,"_165":25008},{"_163":25005,"_165":25006},{"_163":88,"_165":25004},[],"Arlo Kilpatrick",[],"I support the raping and killing of women",[],{"_163":25010,"_165":25011},"Defence counsel conceded the comments were “clearly and wholly offensive and worrying” but added: “He says he was just trying to get a reaction from her after she had previously responded. This was the culmination of the offending. ",[],{"_163":25013,"_165":25014},"Kilpatrick also posted messages online saying “f**k her, she’s an evil b***h”, “rape and murder on my mind 24/7”, “I hope she dies” and “I support the raping and killing of women in real life”.",[],{"_163":25016,"_165":25017},"She joined the forum and asked Kilpatrick to stop, but he continued his campaign of abuse, even taking a photo outside her home. ",[],"Kilpatrick was given probation and a restraining order",{"_81":25020,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25021,"_213":25018,"_223":25022,"_106":25023,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25024,"_218":88,"_232":25023,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ff91xb-arlo-lipatrick-2.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Arlo%20Lipatrick%202.jpg",[25025],"Arlo%20Lipatrick%202.jpg","160012643","For John Toner Sunday Life****\n\nArlo Kilpatrick leaves Laganisde court, Wednesday, August 12, 2026. ",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25027,"_165":25028},"The victim alerted police last June after she discovered her TikTok videos had appeared on a men’s self-improvement website. ",[],{"_163":25030,"_165":25031},"The court heard the 22-year-old had developed an interest in ‘looksmaxxing’, an online sub-culture often associated with extreme misogyny, body obsession and self-harm. ",[],{"_163":25033,"_165":25034},"Arlo Kilpatrick was handed a probation order at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast, having earlier been convicted of sending threatening communications. ",[25035],{"_85":192,"_157":533,"_194":642,"_196":25036},{"_198":199,"_155":200,"_201":8},{"_163":25038,"_165":25039},"A “disturbed misogynist” who repeatedly fantasised about raping and murdering a woman on social media has avoided jail. ",[],"Arlo Kilpatrick leaves Laganside Courthouse",{"_81":25042,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25043,"_213":25040,"_223":25044,"_106":25045,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25024,"_218":88,"_232":25045,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/s858lx-arlo-kilpatrick-3.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Arlo%20Kilpatrick%203.jpg",[25046],"Arlo%20Kilpatrick%203.jpg","160012637",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25048,"_165":25049},"Belfast undergraduate (22) avoids jail over his ‘disturbing’ views",[],{"_163":24911,"_165":25051},[],"BT9",{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":25061,"_106":25062,"_253":10,"_254":25063},{"_250":383,"_106":384,"_253":10,"_254":385},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},"regional_south-belfast","4390","South Belfast",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_240":1823},{"_81":25066,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25067,"_213":25040,"_223":25044,"_106":25045,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25024,"_218":88,"_232":25045,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/s858lx-arlo-kilpatrick-3.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Arlo%20Kilpatrick%203.jpg",[25068],{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},"Belfast student avoids jail over disturbing misogynistic social media abuse","Disturbed misogynist Arlo Kilpatrick avoids jail over violent online abuse, exposing toxic 'looksmaxxing' culture and court response",195283333,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":25215,"_283":8,"_275":25216,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/inlas-political-wing-disowns-champion-boxer-charged-over-1.1m-cocaine-plot/a/160031859.html",[25213,25214],"INLA’s political wing disowns champion boxer charged over £1.1m cocaine plot",{"_264":25209,"_266":25195,"_267":25077},[],[25206,25207,25208],"160031859",{},[],"2026-08-16T06:00:00Z","2026-08-15T20:37:46Z",[25090,25091,25092,25093,25094,25095,25096,25097,25098,25099,25100,25101,25102,25103,25104,25105,25106,25107,25108,25109,25110,25111,25112,25113,25114,25115],"Sunday Life Reporter",{"_140":10,"_141":25089,"_143":10},"1229443b-97cd-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":25204,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":25197,"_215":25198,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":25194,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":25191,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":25188,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":25185,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":25182,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":25179,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":25176,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":-5,"_213":25166,"_215":25167,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":25163,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":25160,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":25157,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":25154,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":25151,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":25148,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":25145,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":-5,"_213":25138,"_215":25139,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":25135,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":25132,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":25129,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":25126,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":25123,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":25120,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":25117,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":25116,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25116,"_233":92},"159941768",{"_163":25118,"_165":25119},"Judge Keown said: “Based on the police case, this was a large-scale drugs operation, organised and involving a number of people handling approximately 14 kilos of cocaine worth between £1m and 2m. The full extent is not yet known.” ",[],{"_163":25121,"_165":25122},"McKee was the only one of the accused not to seek bail. All four deny any wrongdoing.",[],{"_163":25124,"_165":25125},"An application for bail by three of the defendants was refused by District Judge Steven Keown. ",[],{"_163":25127,"_165":25128},"A detective told the court: “The total approximate street value of the 14 kilos of cocaine seized is estimated to be between £1.12m and £1.68m.” ",[],{"_163":25130,"_165":25131},"Police found another six blocks of cocaine, one kilo of herbal cannabis and a pressing machine during a search of an apartment allegedly linked to McMullan. ",[],{"_163":25133,"_165":25134},"He left minutes later with an apparently lighter load, before the suspected handovers. ",[],{"_163":25136,"_165":25137},"CCTV footage showed McMullan entering the apartment complex earlier that evening while struggling to carry a heavy bag. ",[],"£1.1m of cocaine recovered by police",{"_81":25140,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25141,"_213":25138,"_223":25142,"_106":25143,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25143,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ylwhk0-cocaine.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Cocaine.jpg",[25144],"Cocaine.jpg","159942212",{"_235":6701,"_237":6702,"_239":6701,"_240":6703},{"_163":25146,"_165":25147},"Officers stopped both vehicles, seized the drugs and arrested all four defendants. ",[],{"_163":25149,"_165":25150},"McMullan allegedly passed a further three blocks into a van occupied by McKee and Hassan.",[],{"_163":25152,"_165":25153},"It was claimed Moyes received a package containing five blocks of cocaine while waiting in a car. ",[],{"_163":25155,"_165":25156},"McMullan allegedly left the complex with a large bag before interacting with his co-accused in the neighbourhood. ",[],{"_163":25158,"_165":25159},"A court was told undercover police watched the accused transport items from a city centre apartment block to two vehicles. ",[],{"_163":25161,"_165":25162},"McKee was arrested last Monday alongside Michael Moyes (27), from Stanhope Street, Abdullah Hassan (33) from St James’ Crescent, and 34-year-old Brian McMullan, from Madrid Street, all in Belfast.",[],{"_163":25164,"_165":25165},"Fighting out of the famous Star club, he won Ulster and Co Antrim titles and represented Ireland internationally. ",[],"A younger McKee",{"_81":25168,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25169,"_213":25166,"_223":25170,"_106":25171,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25171,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/necy3a-55914269-2254954964770437-5784946211815424000-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/55914269_2254954964770437_5784946211815424000_n.jpg",[25172],"55914269_2254954964770437_5784946211815424000_n.jpg","160032070",{"_235":25173,"_237":25174,"_239":25173,"_240":25175},"ciaran.barnes@sundaylife.co.uk","Barnes","Ciaran",{"_163":25177,"_165":25178},"McKee, who has an address at Alexandra Terrace in Crumlin but is from the New Lodge area of north Belfast, is well known in amateur boxing circles. ",[],{"_163":25180,"_165":25181},"“Our position is unequivocal. Any member who becomes involved in the alleged supply, distribution or sale of illegal drugs places themselves outside the republican socialist movement and at odds with the communities we seek to defend.” ",[],{"_163":25183,"_165":25184},"After he appeared in court last Wednesday, the IRSP distanced itself from McKee, saying: “The IRSP wishes to comment on a recent incident in Belfast on Monday in which a former member of the organisation was arrested and subsequently charged in connection with alleged drug offences. ",[],{"_163":25186,"_165":25187},"McKee was a member of the IRSP, the political wing of the INLA.",[],{"_163":25189,"_165":25190},"They were arrested during a high-profile operation by the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch in the Market and Divis areas of Belfast last week. ",[],{"_163":25192,"_165":25193},"Lee McKee (26) was among four men remanded in custody, accused of possessing the haul with intent to supply. ",[],{"_163":25195,"_165":25196},"A champion boxer charged in connection with a £1.1m cocaine find is a former member of the political wing of the INLA. ",[],"Lee McKee",{"_81":25199,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25200,"_213":25197,"_223":25201,"_106":25202,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25202,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2u0x4v-241728297-2951198245146102-596013933015693130-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/241728297_2951198245146102_596013933015693130_n.jpg",[25203],"241728297_2951198245146102_596013933015693130_n.jpg","160032041",{"_235":25173,"_237":25174,"_239":25173,"_240":25175},{"_163":25077,"_165":25205},[],{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":8,"_254":1969},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_81":25210,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25211,"_213":25197,"_223":25201,"_106":25202,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25202,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/2u0x4v-241728297-2951198245146102-596013933015693130-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/241728297_2951198245146102_596013933015693130_n.jpg",[25212],{"_235":25173,"_237":25174,"_239":25173,"_240":25175},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},"Champion boxer Lee McKee (26) charged over £1m cocaine haul in Belfast","Champion boxer Lee McKee and three others deny role in a massive Belfast cocaine operation watched by undercover PSNI officers",195283301,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":25399,"_283":8,"_275":25400,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/no-way-back-for-winkie-irvine-insist-uvf-rank-and-file-as-shankill-chief-fights-to-get-him-reinstated/a/159974352.html",[25395,25396,25397,25398],"‘No way back for Winkie Irvine’ insist UVF rank and file as Shankill chief fights to get him reinstated",{"_264":25392,"_266":25381,"_267":25222},[25391],[25385,25386,25387,25388,25389,25390],"159974352",{},[],"2026-08-15T20:32:03Z",[25233,25234,25235,25236,25237,25238,25239,25240,25241,25242,25243,25244,25245,25246,25247,25248,25249,25250,25251,25252,25253,25254,25255,25256,25257,25258,25259,25260,25261,25262,25263,25264,25265,25266],{"_140":10,"_141":25232,"_143":10},"0e3bb787-96fe-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":25383,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":25380,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":25374,"_215":25375,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":25371,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":25368,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":25365,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":-5,"_213":25358,"_215":25359,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":25355,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":25352,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":25349,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":25346,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":25343,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":158,"_356":25336,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":25333,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":25330,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":25327,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":25324,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":25321,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":25318,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":669,"_212":-5,"_213":25311,"_215":25312,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":25308,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":25305,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":25302,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":25299,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":25296,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":25293,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":642,"_212":-5,"_213":25286,"_215":25287,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":25283,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":25280,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":25277,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":25274,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":25271,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":25268,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":25267,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25267,"_233":92},"112181396",{"_163":25269,"_165":25270},"As B Company boss, Irvine also had his car insurance and mobile phone bill covered by the UVF.",[],{"_163":25272,"_165":25273},"“The £5 totes that B Company’s 400 members have to pay to the organisation per week were earning him £1,000 alone, and that’s before you count all the kickbacks from the protection and money-lending rackets.”",[],{"_163":25275,"_165":25276},"A second UVF source revealed: “Winkie made more from being B Company commander — at least £1,000 per week — than he did from all of his other jobs put together, and he had plenty of those.",[],{"_163":25278,"_165":25279},"The job brought a wage of more than £1,000 per week, which is more than he ever earned in his legitimate positions.",[],{"_163":25281,"_165":25282},"The UVF’s refusal to allow Irvine to resume his B Company commander role will hit the loyalist hard in the pocket.",[],{"_163":25284,"_165":25285},"Prominent loyalist Tommy Harrison — a former close associate of Winkie Irvine who has been pictured leading UVF parades — also sits on the ACT board.",[],"Irvine and Tommy Harrison",{"_81":25288,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25289,"_213":25286,"_223":25290,"_106":25291,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25292,"_218":88,"_232":25291,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/f5yi5w-winkie-irvine-and-tommy-harrison/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1228037685%2F2cf27747-6da4-4a8f-b496-23836000800a.jpg",[],"1228037685%2F2cf27747-6da4-4a8f-b496-23836000800a.jpg","110218723","Winkie Irvine and Tommy Harrison",{"_163":25294,"_165":25295},"It receives millions of pounds of government and charitable funding, and counts among its board of trustees ex-UVF lifers Billy Hutchinson and Ron McMurray. ",[],{"_163":25297,"_165":25298},"The ACT Initiative is a UVF-backed charity set up to help the organisation transition away from criminality. ",[],{"_163":25300,"_165":25301},"An insider said: “When Winkie gets out, the UVF might find him a job working with the ACT Initiative, but there’s not a chance he’s taking over B Company because none of the men will take orders from him.” ",[],{"_163":25303,"_165":25304},"At the same time, he was leading a double life as a UVF boss involved in threats, criminality and gun-running. ",[],{"_163":25306,"_165":25307},"He drew a publicly funded wage, sat on safety partnerships with the PSNI and was about to graduate from Maynooth College, outside Dublin, with a degree paid for by the Irish government. ",[],{"_163":25309,"_165":25310},"Before Irvine was jailed, he spent his days masquerading as a high-profile community worker committed to peace-building, feted by the British and Irish governments. ",[],"A gun found in Irvine's car",{"_81":25313,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25314,"_213":25311,"_223":25315,"_106":25316,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25317,"_218":88,"_232":25316,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/vk0zgm-a-gun-found-in-winston-irvines-car/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1030801590%2F62b0c0cf-7684-4398-8962-101240dee91e.jpg",[],"1030801590%2F62b0c0cf-7684-4398-8962-101240dee91e.jpg","110397814","A gun found in Winston Irvine's car",{"_163":25319,"_165":25320},"UVF insiders said that many of the gang’s members did not trust Irvine. ",[],{"_163":25322,"_165":25323},"“He may forget about taking over B Company again. That isn’t going to happen. Things have been going smoothly with him in prison, and the UVF doesn’t need the hassle of him being put in charge and being in the media again every week.” ",[],{"_163":25325,"_165":25326},"“Winkie will get the money when he gets out, but that’s all he will be getting,” said our source. ",[],{"_163":25328,"_165":25329},"But they insisted that was all Irvine would be when he was freed. ",[],{"_163":25331,"_165":25332},"UVF sources said there was already “thousands” in the kitty, made up from bucket collections during loyalist parades, dos at bars on the Shankill and racketeering. ",[],{"_163":25334,"_165":25335},"Because he is a former ‘commander’ of the UVF’s B Company in the Woodvale area, the paramilitary group has been setting aside cash that will be given to Irvine on his release. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":25337,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":25338,"_365":25339,"_106":25340,"_368":369,"_370":25341,"_232":25342,"_233":92},"jKYpUJPJNfc0","Police bodycam shows the moment Winkie Irvine is arrested_duplicated","00:01:06","855179","01:06","112181395",{"_163":25344,"_165":25345},"The 51-year-old, who is being held on the segregated loyalist Bush House wing of Maghaberry Prison, is due for release at the end of 2027. ",[],{"_163":25347,"_165":25348},"Irvine is serving a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for possessing a cache of firearms discovered in the boot of his car during a June 2022 PSNI stop-and-search operation on Belfast’s Shankill Road. ",[],{"_163":25350,"_165":25351},"“Even the B Company boys don’t want him back, which will come as a shock to him.” ",[],{"_163":25353,"_165":25354},"“The only senior UVF man who is supportive of Winkie taking on a leadership role in the organisation when he gets out of jail is Stockman,” a loyalist source told Sunday Life. ",[],{"_163":25356,"_165":25357},"But when Stockman aired his support at recent UVF meetings, they were rubbished by rival figures. ",[],"Harry Stockman and Irvine",{"_81":25360,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25361,"_213":25358,"_223":25362,"_106":25363,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25364,"_218":88,"_232":25363,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3vkil6-harry-stockman-and-winkie-irvine/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/2134358830%2Fdf843877-205e-4f54-a386-80b64db5cfe5.jpg",[],"2134358830%2Fdf843877-205e-4f54-a386-80b64db5cfe5.jpg","109386882","Harry Stockman and Winkie Irvine",{"_163":25366,"_165":25367},"Loyalist sources told Sunday Life that Harry Stockman — the UVF’s self-titled 1st battalion commander, who made its 2009 arms decommissioning announcement — has backed Irvine’s plans. ",[],{"_163":25369,"_165":25370},"However, other loyalist leaders on his Shankill Road stomping ground are opposed to Irvine’s return. ",[],{"_163":25372,"_165":25373},"Jailed UVF gunrunner Winkie Irvine is trying to plot a way back to the top of the terror gang. ",[],"Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine in police custody",{"_81":25376,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25377,"_213":25374,"_223":25378,"_106":25379,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25374,"_218":88,"_232":25379,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/o7swyz-winston-winkie-irvine-in-police-custody/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/136582890%2F6c6d8a25-0657-4ed0-8666-7ca8a3d9619c.jpg",[],"136582890%2F6c6d8a25-0657-4ed0-8666-7ca8a3d9619c.jpg","111252668",{"_163":25381,"_165":25382},"Terror gang has set aside thousands of pounds for gunrunner’s release, but former B Company commander has ‘lost trust of his men’",[],{"_163":25222,"_165":25384},[],{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":8,"_254":1969},{"_250":760,"_106":761,"_253":10,"_254":762},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":25173,"_237":25174,"_240":25175},{"_81":25393,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25394,"_213":25374,"_223":25378,"_106":25379,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25374,"_218":88,"_232":25379,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/o7swyz-winston-winkie-irvine-in-police-custody/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/136582890%2F6c6d8a25-0657-4ed0-8666-7ca8a3d9619c.jpg",[],{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":13766,"_106":13767,"_275":1173,"_276":280},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"‘No way back for Winkie Irvine’ insist UVF rank and file as Shankill chief Harry Stockman fights to get him reinstat","UVF gunrunner Winkie Irvine faces backlash over his bid to reclaim B Company power and cash benefits",195283219,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":25599,"_283":8,"_275":25600,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/hes-a-very-nice-guy-one-time-owner-of-belfast-eatery-insists-no-hard-feelings-after-conviction-for-harassing-former-manager/a/160069329.html",[25596,25597,25598],"‘He’s a very nice guy’: One-time owner of Belfast eatery insists no hard feelings after conviction for harassing former manager",{"_264":25593,"_266":25579,"_267":25406},[25592],[25583,25584,25585,25586,25587,25588,25589,25590,25591],{},[3970],"2026-08-15T20:22:17Z",[25416,25417,25418,25419,25420,25421,25422,25423,25424,25425,25426,25427,25428,25429,25430,25431,25432,25433,25434,25435,25436,25437,25438,25439,25440,25441,25442,25443,25444,25445,25446,25447,25448,25449],{"_140":10,"_141":25415,"_143":10},"ded6950c-98a0-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":25581,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":25578,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":8622,"_213":25572,"_215":25573,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":25569,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":25566,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":187,"_212":6944,"_213":25555,"_215":25556,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":25552,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":25549,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":179,"_212":-5,"_213":25457,"_215":25543,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":25540,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":25537,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":8622,"_213":25480,"_215":25532,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":25529,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":25526,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":694,"_586":25518,"_588":25519,"_590":-5,"_592":25520,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":25515,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":25512,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":25457,"_215":25506,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":25503,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":25500,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":665,"_212":8622,"_213":25493,"_215":25494,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":25490,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":25487,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":25484,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":650,"_586":25476,"_588":25477,"_590":-5,"_592":25478,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":25473,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":25470,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":25467,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":25464,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":622,"_212":-5,"_213":25457,"_215":25458,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":25454,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":25451,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":614,"_106":25450,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25450,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":24766,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24766,"_233":92},"159822982",{"_163":25452,"_165":25453},"When contacted by Sunday Life, Alex Huston said he did not want to comment beyond saying he was “happy” the case had concluded.",[],{"_163":25455,"_165":25456},"McCloskey is best known for his Peter Oliver barbershops, as well as the former Oliver’s restaurant and a coffee shop on the Belmont Road of the same name.",[],"Alex Huston",{"_81":25459,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":25460,"_213":25457,"_223":25461,"_106":25462,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25462,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/50ddfv-screenshot-2026-08-14-164653.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-14%20164653.png",[25463],"Screenshot%202026-08-14%20164653.png","160069861",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25465,"_165":25466},"“It’s over and done with and I just want to move on. There is no slur on him. He’s a very nice guy. I didn’t mean to harass him.”",[],{"_163":25468,"_165":25469},"“I really liked him and trusted him. I thought he was great. I had no intention of harassing him or causing him harm. I have no ill-feeling towards him. He was very good at front of house.",[],{"_163":25471,"_165":25472},"“It was an absolutely horrific time, and I didn’t want people walking away without discussing it with them. I was busy cutting hair all day up the road, so I had no idea what went on.",[],{"_163":25474,"_165":25475},"He continued: “In 2022, we started losing money and I just couldn’t figure out why. I don’t blame Alex for that, but I wanted to speak to him about it to find out what happened after he left. He said I was harassing him.",[],{"_163":25482,"_165":25483},{"_163":25480,"_165":25481},{"_163":88,"_165":25479},[],"Peter McCloskey",[],"It’s over and done with and I just want to move on",[],{"_163":25485,"_165":25486},"McCloskey said he was “not a chef or a barman” so had initially opened the restaurant with the “brilliant” Thomas Wightman and Ben Tsang, before the pair moved on and he employed a number of new staff including Mr Huston.",[],{"_163":25488,"_165":25489},"Reacting to the outcome of the case, McCloskey told Sunday Life: “There are so many ways you can lose money in a restaurant. I should have read Anthony Bourdain’s book Kitchen Confidential before we opened.”",[],{"_163":25491,"_165":25492},"District Judge Anne Marshall fined McCloskey, of Pembridge Court, east Belfast, £300 and he was ordered to have no contact with Mr Huston for two years.",[],"McCloskey is looking to the future now",{"_81":25495,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":25496,"_213":25493,"_223":25497,"_106":25498,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25499,"_218":88,"_232":25498,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/6urjf5-peter-mccloskey-at-his-barbers-shop-on-upper-newtownards-road-in-east-belfast-peter-morrison/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/904906293%2F6c2694b4a02c96ab9f458847c1aa148dd53785e36e5e77a5bd5d2f1917008791.jpg",[],"904906293%2F6c2694b4a02c96ab9f458847c1aa148dd53785e36e5e77a5bd5d2f1917008791.jpg","111301969","Peter McCloskey at his barber's shop on Upper Newtownards Road in east Belfast (Peter Morrison)",{"_163":25501,"_165":25502},"“He was formerly the owner of several businesses and is now a sole trader at a hairdresser. This has affected his fortunes very much, he makes a profit but not a lot.”",[],{"_163":25504,"_165":25505},"“He was setting out his views as to why he felt poorly treated, but he ought to have known not to send the message (after the letters).",[],{"_81":25507,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":25508,"_213":25457,"_223":25509,"_106":25510,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25510,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/jtfgh0-screenshot-2026-08-14-164638.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-14%20164638.png",[25511],"Screenshot%202026-08-14%20164638.png","160069569",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25513,"_165":25514},"“There are around 11 messages which are mostly amicable, but there is a shift in tone towards the end where he calls him a narcissist. It’s not aggressive in any way, shape or form.",[],{"_163":25516,"_165":25517},"Defence counsel described the number of messages as “relatively few”, adding: “The defendant’s business went insolvent and he was under huge pressure, which perhaps negatively affected his judgment.",[],{"_163":25524,"_165":25525},{"_163":25522,"_165":25523},{"_163":88,"_165":25521},[],"Defence counsel",[],"This has affected (McCloskey’s) fortunes very much",[],{"_163":25527,"_165":25528},"The prosecution said he had become “frustrated about the injured party’s online presence as a food influencer”, after leaving Oliver’s.",[],{"_163":25530,"_165":25531},"McCloskey admitted sending the messages and emails in police interview but denied this amounted to harassment.",[],{"_81":25533,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":25534,"_213":25480,"_223":25535,"_106":25536,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25499,"_218":88,"_232":25536,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bqp06c-peter-mccloskey-at-his-barbers-shop-on-upper-newtownards-road-in-east-belfast-peter-morrison/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/904906293%2F6b661f15-747e-4179-8fb8-d752df5d0535.jpg",[],"904906293%2F6b661f15-747e-4179-8fb8-d752df5d0535.jpg","111301971",{"_163":25538,"_165":25539},"The contact stopped after a second legal letter was sent, the court heard, for around a year, before one final email in the winter of 2024.",[],{"_163":25541,"_165":25542},"After Mr Huston blocked the defendant’s number, he continued, the court heard, receiving emails despite a cease-and-desist letter from the complainant’s solicitor to McCloskey.",[],{"_81":25544,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":25545,"_213":25457,"_223":25546,"_106":25547,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25547,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/el2f1u-screenshot-2026-08-14-164741.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-14%20164741.png",[25548],"Screenshot%202026-08-14%20164741.png","160069547",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25550,"_165":25551},"Prosecutors said Mr Huston received unwanted correspondence from McCloskey via text message and email between October 2023 and November 2024.",[],{"_163":25553,"_165":25554},"The court heard McCloskey had pestered former restaurant manager Alex Huston, who goes by Alex Huston Eats on TikTok.",[],"The former Oliver’s in east Belfast",{"_81":25557,"_212":6944,"_220":395,"_97":25558,"_213":25555,"_223":25559,"_106":25560,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25561,"_218":88,"_232":25560,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/3oy99s-olivers.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Oliver's.jpg",[25562],"Oliver's.jpg","160072329","Oliver's Restaurant...Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph\nOliver's Restaurant 405 Upper Newtownards Rd on October 25th 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)\n...NEWS",{"_235":25563,"_237":25564,"_239":25563,"_240":25565},"glenda.mccauley@belfasttelegraph.co.uk","McCauley","Glenda",{"_163":25567,"_165":25568},"Barber Peter McCloskey (60), the former owner of Oliver’s in east Belfast, admitted a single count of harassment at the city’s magistrates court on Friday.",[],{"_163":25570,"_165":25571},"A prominent Belfast businessman has been convicted of harassing a former employee turned food influencer after the failure of a popular restaurant.",[],"Peter McCloskey at his barbershop on the Upper Newtownards Road in east Belfast",{"_81":25574,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":25575,"_213":25572,"_223":25576,"_106":25577,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25499,"_218":88,"_232":25577,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/se7qsa-peter-mccloskey-at-his-barbers-shop-on-upper-newtownards-road-in-east-belfast-peter-morrison/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/904906293%2Fbb2383c5-8c8c-4aea-b61d-b8d2ec2b035f.jpg",[],"904906293%2Fbb2383c5-8c8c-4aea-b61d-b8d2ec2b035f.jpg","111301970",{"_163":25579,"_165":25580},"Businessman and barber admits he was stressed at the time as his restaurant’s fortunes took nosedive",[],{"_163":25406,"_165":25582},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":10,"_254":14212},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":3976,"_106":3977,"_253":10,"_254":3978},{"_250":2291,"_106":2292,"_253":10,"_254":2293},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_240":1823},{"_81":25594,"_212":8622,"_220":395,"_97":25595,"_213":25572,"_223":25576,"_106":25577,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25499,"_218":88,"_232":25577,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/se7qsa-peter-mccloskey-at-his-barbers-shop-on-upper-newtownards-road-in-east-belfast-peter-morrison/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/904906293%2Fbb2383c5-8c8c-4aea-b61d-b8d2ec2b035f.jpg",[],{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":24103,"_106":24104,"_275":24105,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Belfast barber Peter McCloskey convicted for harassing TikTok food influencer","Belfast barber Peter McCloskey is fined for harassing food influencer Alex Huston after Oliver’s collapse",195282853,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":25871,"_283":8,"_275":25872,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/fleadh-bust-up-which-saw-man-threaten-to-shoot-death-driver-not-linked-to-gun-attack-at-his-home-insist-pals/a/160053091.html",[25868,25869,25870],"Fleadh bust-up which saw man threaten to shoot death driver ‘not linked to gun attack at his home’, insist pals",{"_264":25864,"_266":25851,"_267":25606},[25863],[25855,25856,25857,25858,25859,25860,25861,25862],{},[24463],"2026-08-15T19:44:28Z",[25616,25617,25618,25619,25620,25621,25622,25623,25624,25625,25626,25627,25628,25629,25630,25631,25632,25633,25634,25635,25636,25637,25638,25639,25640,25641,25642,25643,25644,25645,25646,25647,25648,25649,25650,25651,25652,25653,25654,25655,25656,25657,25658,25659,25660,25661],{"_140":10,"_141":25615,"_143":10},"2e4a3f3d-97f7-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":25853,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":25850,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":25843,"_215":25844,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":25840,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":25837,"_161":162},{"_155":3486,"_157":187,"_161":3487,"_3488":25804,"_232":-5,"_233":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":25801,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":25798,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":25795,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":25792,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":6944,"_213":25785,"_215":25786,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":25782,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":25779,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":25776,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":25773,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":685,"_212":-5,"_213":25766,"_215":25767,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":25763,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":25760,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":25757,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":669,"_212":25713,"_213":25749,"_215":25750,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":25746,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":25743,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":25740,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":195,"_356":25734,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":25731,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":25728,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":25725,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":25722,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":629,"_212":25713,"_213":25714,"_215":25715,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":25710,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":25707,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":25704,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":25701,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":25700,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25700,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":25697,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":25694,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":25691,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":576,"_212":9325,"_213":25682,"_215":25683,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":25679,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":25676,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":25673,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":25670,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":25667,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":25664,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":544,"_106":25663,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25663,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":540,"_106":25662,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25662,"_233":92},"159967410","159947313",{"_163":25665,"_165":25666},"In recent videos posted online, Olali Jnr denied involvement in the fire at Mr Molloy’s business, saying he had proof to back up his claims.",[],{"_163":25668,"_165":25669},"“They were supposedly friends, but it was cuckooing, I realise that now. They were trying to weaken me so they could take my assets.”",[],{"_163":25671,"_165":25672},"“It looked like they did this to me because I had a drug debt but that’s not the case. They did it for my assets.",[],{"_163":25674,"_165":25675},"“I was in shock. I’ve had enough. My life has been hell. They wanted to kill me. They got a Rolex. They tried to get my car and my properties.",[],{"_163":25677,"_165":25678},"When Sunday Life told him several sources had contacted us to blame Olali Jnr’s gang, he said: “That’s what I’ve heard too, and I now believe that to be the case.",[],{"_163":25680,"_165":25681},"He told this newspaper he believed thugs linked to his former friend meant to kill him.",[],"Tim Molloy in his gutted office",{"_81":25684,"_212":9325,"_220":395,"_97":25685,"_213":25682,"_223":25686,"_106":25687,"_226":227,"_228":25688,"_230":25689,"_218":88,"_232":25687,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/tvxkeq-0r9a0008.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A0008.jpg",[25690],"0R9A0008.jpg","159073836","Stiofán Bruce / Belfast Telegra","The aftermath of Timothy Molloy’s office and home following being burnt out in Dunmurry on July 22nd 2026 (Photo by Stiofán Bruce / Belfast Telegraph)",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25692,"_165":25693},"Mr Molloy’s office, which he lived above in Dunmurry, west Belfast, was torched in May 2025 as he slept. ",[],{"_163":25695,"_165":25696},"Tim ‘Timo’ Molloy (35) claimed people close to the former footballer had attempted to ‘cuckoo’ him — a criminal practice where gangs take over the homes of vulnerable people to exploit them.",[],{"_163":25698,"_165":25699},"Last month, an accountant and former friend of Olali Jnr revealed how criminal associates of the death driver torched his business premises and tried to ruin him financially.",[],"159073084",{"_163":25702,"_165":25703},"Olali Jnr is due to appear at Laganside Magistrates Court on September 4 charged with disorderly behaviour in relation to the Fleadh incident, and again on September 10 in connection with the fatal hit-and-run.",[],{"_163":25705,"_165":25706},"Police have appealed for information about the gun attack which happened several days later.",[],{"_163":25708,"_165":25709},"Eyewitnesses told the Belfast Telegraph the argument at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann started earlier in the evening when someone identified Olali Jnr as being responsible for Mr Boyle’s death.",[],{"_163":25711,"_165":25712},"The 42-year-old was walking his dog on the Stewartstown Road on February 5, 2021, when he was mown down and left for dead by Olali Jnr.",[],"Photopress Belfast","Richard Boyle died in a car accident when he was out walking his dog Junior in west Belfast in February 2021",{"_81":25716,"_212":25713,"_220":395,"_97":25717,"_213":25714,"_223":25718,"_106":25719,"_226":227,"_228":25713,"_230":25720,"_218":88,"_232":25719,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/rfvwgj-file87430rkn6onlf0q8i68/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_6541.JPG",[25721],"bt_kscott_2025_6541.JPG","159892803","Richard Boyle who died in a car accident when he was out walking his dog Junior in west Belfast in February 2021\n",{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":25723,"_165":25724},"Olali Jnr is due for sentencing next month for killing Dunmurry man Richard Boyle and his pet Jack Russell ‘Junior’ in a hit-and-run. ",[],{"_163":25726,"_165":25727},"Police said a 28-year-old man has been charged with disorderly behaviour in connection with an incident on North Street, Belfast, on August 7.",[],{"_163":25729,"_165":25730},"“What was already online doesn’t suit the narrative,” he added.",[],{"_163":25732,"_165":25733},"He also pleaded for podcasters to give him a platform to tell his story “from the horse’s mouth”.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":25735,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":25736,"_106":25737,"_368":369,"_370":25738,"_232":25739,"_233":92},"Y4YEav1BQT62","00:21:00","1993540","0:21","159874751",{"_163":25741,"_165":25742},"In a second online post, he made bizarre claims about a grand conspiracy involving the Belfast Telegraph, police and the Fleadh, to damage his reputation. ",[],{"_163":25744,"_165":25745},"Olali Jnr labelled the shooting a “planned, co-ordinated attack” on his life before adding: “I don’t give statements, and I never will, but listen I’m not going to stay quiet and have my character run through the mud, it’s been going on for five years now and that’s the last I’m going to allow it to happen”.",[],{"_163":25747,"_165":25748},"He also said he was racially abused during the incident on Friday, August 7, and had drink thrown at him prior to the scuffle.",[],"Martin Olali jnr is awaiting sentencing over the death of pedestrian Richard Boyle ",{"_81":25751,"_212":25713,"_220":395,"_97":25752,"_213":25749,"_223":25753,"_106":25754,"_226":227,"_228":25713,"_230":25755,"_218":88,"_232":25754,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/79n7bd-file87430rgsibaxsobubp7/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_6538.JPG",[25756],"bt_kscott_2025_6538.JPG","159892787","Martin Sean O'Lali who is awaiting sentence on charge arising from the death of pedestrian Richard Boyle on the Stewartstown Road in west Belfast \n",{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":25758,"_165":25759},"In a series of TikTok posts, he claimed a bullet narrowly missed him and his child during the shooting. ",[],{"_163":25761,"_165":25762},"Olali Jnr was contacted by the Belfast Telegraph via his solicitors last week but declined to comment on the matter before taking to social media to ramble at length about the incident.",[],{"_163":25764,"_165":25765},"Sunday Life repeatedly made attempts to contact Mr Murphy online and at his businesses but he did not respond to requests for comment.",[],"Sunday Life attempted to contact Sean Murphy",{"_81":25768,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25769,"_213":25766,"_223":25770,"_106":25771,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25771,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/kgpui7-499230599-23929253896691578-3918548342761076222-n.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/499230599_23929253896691578_3918548342761076222_n.jpg",[25772],"499230599_23929253896691578_3918548342761076222_n.jpg","160054703",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25774,"_165":25775},"“Olali has plenty of enemies, he’s a death driver who killed a poor fella and his dog and then drove off from the scene, it (the shooting) could have been anyone.”",[],{"_163":25777,"_165":25778},"“Murph had nothing to do with the shooting at Olali’s house, it’s just unfortunate for him that it happened a few days after he had the row with Olali and threatened him,” said a pal.",[],{"_163":25780,"_165":25781},"Sources close to Mr Murphy say he denies any involvement in the shooting and has a “cast iron” alibi.",[],{"_163":25783,"_165":25784},"CCTV footage shows two men arriving in a BMW before one takes aim and fires several shots at the house, while the other uses a metal object to smash the windows of the car.",[],"Police at the scene of a shooting incident in the Breton Court area of Lisburn on August 11th 2026 (Photo by Kevin Scott)",{"_81":25787,"_212":6944,"_220":395,"_97":25788,"_213":25785,"_223":25789,"_106":25790,"_226":227,"_228":6944,"_230":25785,"_218":88,"_232":25790,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/qnm918-breton-court/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_6534.jpg",[25791],"bt_kscott_2025_6534.jpg","159892966",{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":25793,"_165":25794},"Police were called to Breton Court shortly before 1.30am last Tuesday after the upstairs windows of the house were struck by bullets and the vehicle left damaged. ",[],{"_163":25796,"_165":25797},"A later attack on Olali’s home in Lisburn, Co Antrim, saw gunshots fired through windows and a car smashed up in the driveway.",[],{"_163":25799,"_165":25800},"During a face-off between the two men, Mr Murphy, who is from the Ardoyne area, is heard telling Olali Jnr: “I’ll shoot you in the morning, I’ll kill you”, to which the death-driver responds: “You’ll shoot me? I’ll beat the c**t out of you”, before a melee breaks out.",[],{"_163":25802,"_165":25803},"The argument occurred shortly after a close female relative of Mr Murphy had been punched to the ground during chaotic late-night scenes in Belfast city centre.",[],[25805,25806,25807,25808],{"_157":193,"_212":-5,"_213":25830,"_215":25831,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_157":533,"_212":-5,"_213":25823,"_215":25824,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_157":529,"_212":-5,"_213":25816,"_215":25817,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_157":525,"_212":-5,"_213":25809,"_215":25810,"_161":516,"_218":-5},"Olali Jnr and Murphy before the melee",{"_81":25811,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":25812,"_213":25809,"_223":25813,"_106":25814,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25814,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/38o5oq-screenshot-2026-08-14-165941.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-14%20165941.png",[25815],"Screenshot%202026-08-14%20165941.png","160054362",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},"Olali Jnr and Murphy arguing",{"_81":25818,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":25819,"_213":25816,"_223":25820,"_106":25821,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25821,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/k081ft-screenshot-2026-08-14-170020.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-14%20170020.png",[25822],"Screenshot%202026-08-14%20170020.png","160054241",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},"Murphy during the argument",{"_81":25825,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":25826,"_213":25823,"_223":25827,"_106":25828,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25828,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/uie1as-screenshot-2026-08-14-170300.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-14%20170300.png",[25829],"Screenshot%202026-08-14%20170300.png","160054387",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},"Olali Jnr and Murphy arguing ",{"_81":25832,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":25833,"_213":25830,"_223":25834,"_106":25835,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25835,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/g9fyv9-screenshot-2026-08-14-170039.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Screenshot%202026-08-14%20170039.png",[25836],"Screenshot%202026-08-14%20170039.png","160054329",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":25838,"_165":25839},"Sean Murphy, who owns several north Belfast shops, was filmed engaging in a heated exchange with Olali Jnr (28) at the festival in footage which has since been shared widely on social media.",[],{"_163":25841,"_165":25842},"This is the well-known businessman caught on camera threatening to shoot killer driver Martin Olali Jnr during a row at the Fleadh.",[],"Martin Olali Jnr and Sean Murphy arguing. There was later an attack on the home of Olali Jnr (inset)",{"_81":25845,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25846,"_213":25843,"_223":25847,"_106":25848,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25843,"_218":88,"_232":25848,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/hcp0tn-inset-template-32-78.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Inset%20template%2032%20(78).jpg",[25849],"Inset%20template%2032%20(78).jpg","160081458",{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_163":25851,"_165":25852},"Businessman has told friends he has ‘cast-iron alibi’ for night of attack after video of melee went viral",[],{"_163":25606,"_165":25854},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},{"_250":24470,"_106":24471,"_253":10,"_254":24472},{"_250":3163,"_106":3164,"_253":10,"_254":3165},{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_240":1823},{"_81":25865,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25866,"_213":25843,"_223":25847,"_106":25848,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25843,"_218":88,"_232":25848,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/hcp0tn-inset-template-32-78.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Inset%20template%2032%20(78).jpg",[25867],{"_235":1937,"_237":1938,"_239":1937,"_240":1939},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":780,"_106":781,"_275":782,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Belfast Fleadh row and Lisburn shooting: Businessman denies attack on death driver Martin Olali Jnr","Violent row at Fleadh, gun attack on Martin Olali Jnr’s Lisburn home and claims of a cast-iron alibi collide in this shocking case",195281751,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":26042,"_283":8,"_275":26043,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/loyalist-drugs-boss-could-hold-key-to-solving-case-of-teenager-stabbed-to-death-in-north-belfast-30-years-ago/a/159923640.html",[26039,26040,26041],"Loyalist drugs boss could hold key to solving case of teenager stabbed to death in north Belfast 30 years ago",{"_264":26035,"_266":26025,"_267":25878},[26034],[26029,26030,26031,26032,26033],"159923640",{},[],"2026-08-15T17:00:00Z","2026-08-15T17:02:51Z",[25890,25891,25892,25893,25894,25895,25896,25897,25898,25899,25900,25901,25902,25903,25904,25905,25906,25907,25908,25909,25910,25911,25912,25913,25914,25915,25916,25917,25918,25919,25920,25921,25922,25923],{"_140":10,"_141":25889,"_143":10},"65470ad6-963a-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26027,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":26024,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":26018,"_215":26019,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26015,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26012,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":26009,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26006,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":26003,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":26000,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":25997,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":-5,"_213":25991,"_215":25992,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":25988,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":25985,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":25982,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":25979,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":25976,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":25973,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":25967,"_215":25968,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":25964,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":25961,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":25958,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":25955,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":25952,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":25949,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":25946,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":25943,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":25940,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":25937,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":25934,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":25931,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":25928,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":25925,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":614,"_106":25924,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25924,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":24753,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24753,"_233":92},"159869115",{"_163":25926,"_165":25927},"“The killers remain free. Thirty years on, John has become one of the invisible victims of the Troubles.”",[],{"_163":25929,"_165":25930},"Linda told the Belfast Telegraph: “My son was knifed up to 10 times and was left lying helplessly in a pool of blood. He was only 200 yards from his own home. We believe it was a sectarian attack. ",[],{"_163":25932,"_165":25933},"They were highly critical of the police investigation, describing it as “wholly inadequate, with not even the taxi driver who found John’s body questioned”. ",[],{"_163":25935,"_165":25936},"On the 30th anniversary of John Molloy’s murder last week, his parents Linda and Pat issued a fresh appeal for information. ",[],{"_163":25938,"_165":25939},"Arrested alongside Mackle Snr as part of the drugs investigation was his son Nick Mackle Jnr, now aged 48, who was handed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis. ",[],{"_163":25941,"_165":25942},"They linked Mackle Snr to several properties in the Antrim Road and Ballysillan areas, and claimed that aside from the cocaine and cannabis trade, he was heavily involved in the sale of stolen art and expensive jewellery. ",[],{"_163":25944,"_165":25945},"Mackle Snr’s lawyer told a court his client was a man of little means, but this was disputed by loyalist sources. ",[],{"_163":25947,"_165":25948},"The cocaine dealer was arrested in February 2015 when police acting on a tip-off raided the drugs factories. ",[],{"_163":25950,"_165":25951},"Mackle Snr was also convicted of possessing guns and ammunition that were believed to belong to a breakaway UDA faction at two houses in the Tigers Bay area of north Belfast. ",[],{"_163":25953,"_165":25954},"He was freed from prison in 2020 after serving a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for running two cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine factories worth £125,000. ",[],{"_163":25956,"_165":25957},"Sunday Life called to Mackle Snr’s most recent address, on the edge of the Mount Vernon estate, but no one came to the door.",[],{"_163":25959,"_165":25960},"“He was involved in several fights with John in the weeks leading up to the murder, and if he were to tell the police about those, it could help build a case against those who did.” ",[],{"_163":25962,"_165":25963},"One said: “I’m not saying Nick Mackle Snr killed John — he didn’t — but I believe that he knows who did. ",[],{"_163":25965,"_165":25966},"On the 30th anniversary of John Molloy’s murder, friends still living in north Belfast believe Nick Mackle Snr could provide the PSNI with crucial background as to who was involved. ",[],"Terry Fairfield",{"_81":25969,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25970,"_213":25967,"_223":25971,"_106":25972,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25967,"_218":88,"_232":25972,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/c9czdt-terry-fairfield/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/265056631%2Fbe3f08bf-3bc4-4fdc-91f4-03c5f0fdc743.jpg",[],"265056631%2Fbe3f08bf-3bc4-4fdc-91f4-03c5f0fdc743.jpg","109378189",{"_163":25974,"_165":25975},"Despite Fairfield’s statements, detectives decided there was not enough evidence to prosecute. ",[],{"_163":25977,"_165":25978},"He told his handlers how the Mount Vernon UVF, then led by his former close pal and Special Branch double agent Mark Haddock, protected those involved. ",[],{"_163":25980,"_165":25981},"RUC documents obtained by Sunday Life show the case was among several Fairfield was debriefed on. ",[],{"_163":25983,"_165":25984},"In 1997, a year after the Molloy murder, police were given the names of the killers by UVF informant Terry Fairfield. ",[],{"_163":25986,"_165":25987},"The religiously mixed residential area is on the edge of the Mount Vernon estate, where a violent UVF gang was based at the time. ",[],{"_163":25989,"_165":25990},"A short time later, John was murdered on the Lansdowne Road while walking back to his parents’ home on Taunton Avenue. ",[],"John Molloy was stabbed to death in a sectarian attack in 1996",{"_81":25993,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":25994,"_213":25991,"_223":25995,"_106":25996,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":25991,"_218":88,"_232":25996,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/rl0tdr-john-molloy-was-stabbed-to-death-in-a-sectarian-attack-in-1996/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1381578199%2Fa4e9e376-ca92-4c2b-bc17-87b28f703e32.jpg",[],"1381578199%2Fa4e9e376-ca92-4c2b-bc17-87b28f703e32.jpg","112951157",{"_163":25998,"_165":25999},"“There was another incident after that in which a younger man was hit with a bottle, and the loyalists from Mount Vernon had it in for John after that.” ",[],{"_163":26001,"_165":26002},"“He got the better of Mackle Snr, who was a wee bully, and that didn’t sit right with him. ",[],{"_163":26004,"_165":26005},"“John was a big lad and, despite only being a teenager, had been involved in several fist fights with Mackle Snr, who was much older, in the weeks before his death,” said a source. ",[],{"_163":26007,"_165":26008},"There is no suggestion that Mackle Snr, now aged 68, wielded the knife. However, loyalists and friends of John Molloy believe he may have information about events leading up to the murder. ",[],{"_163":26010,"_165":26011},"Last Monday, August 10, marked the 30th anniversary of the 1996 killing.",[],{"_163":26013,"_165":26014},"Notorious criminal Mackle Snr — who has convictions for storing suspected UDA guns — was involved in several clashes with John Molloy (18) in the weeks before the teenager was stabbed to death in north Belfast. ",[],{"_163":26016,"_165":26017},"Nick Mackle Snr, a loyalist drug boss, could help solve a 30-year-old sectarian murder.",[],"Linda Molloy holding photographs of her son John and (inset) Nick Mackle Snr",{"_81":26020,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26021,"_213":26018,"_223":2886,"_106":26022,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26022,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oil0j1-inset-template-32.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Inset%20template%2032.jpg",[26023],"160075791",{"_235":2889,"_237":2890,"_239":2889,"_240":2891},{"_163":26025,"_165":26026},"Cocaine dealer who clashed with John Molloy in weeks before murder believed to know who wielded blade in fatal attack",[],{"_163":25878,"_165":26028},[],{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":8,"_254":1969},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":2899,"_106":2900,"_253":10,"_254":2901},{"_235":25173,"_237":25174,"_240":25175},{"_81":26036,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26037,"_213":26018,"_223":2886,"_106":26022,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26022,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/oil0j1-inset-template-32.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Inset%20template%2032.jpg",[26038],{"_235":2889,"_237":2890,"_239":2889,"_240":2891},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1171,"_106":1172,"_275":1173,"_276":280},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},"John Molloy murder north Belfast: Cocaine dealer 'knows killer'","Sectarian UVF murder of John Molloy haunts north Belfast 30 years on as focus turns to loyalist dealer Nick Mackle Snr",195280426,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":26216,"_283":8,"_275":26217,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/it-student-tried-to-kill-his-mother-with-drugged-coffee-after-becoming-obsessed-with-youtube-murder-documentaries/a/159943723.html",[26215],"IT student tried to kill his mother with drugged coffee after becoming obsessed with YouTube murder documentaries",{"_264":26212,"_266":26199,"_267":26049},[26211],[26203,26204,26205,26206,26207,26208,26209,26210],{},[3148,3970],"2026-08-15T18:00:00Z","2026-08-15T14:37:22Z",[26060,26061,26062,26063,26064,26065,26066,26067,26068,26069,26070,26071,26072,26073,26074,26075,26076,26077,26078,26079,26080,26081,26082,26083,26084,26085,26086,26087,26088,26089,26090,26091,26092,26093],{"_140":10,"_141":26059,"_143":10},"9ce13bbc-965c-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26201,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":26198,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":10295,"_213":26191,"_215":26192,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26188,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26183,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26180,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":26177,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":26174,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":26171,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":26168,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":26165,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":26162,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":26159,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":26156,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":26153,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":26150,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":677,"_586":26143,"_588":26144,"_590":-5,"_592":26145,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":26140,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":26137,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":26134,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":26131,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":26128,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":195,"_586":26121,"_588":26122,"_590":-5,"_592":26123,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":26118,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":26115,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":26112,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":26109,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":26106,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":26103,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":26100,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":26097,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":26094,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":24753,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24753,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":606,"_106":24752,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24752,"_233":92},{"_163":26095,"_165":26096},"Green, from Orangefield Avenue in east Belfast, was remanded in custody to reappear via video-link at Laganside Magistrates Court next month.",[],{"_163":26098,"_165":26099},"“This has come before the court because of your own admission, and I am very concerned about allowing you to live with your parents and managing their safety at the address.”",[],{"_163":26101,"_165":26102},"She said: “This is a very sad set of circumstances where you have made admissions around trying to kill your mother.",[],{"_163":26104,"_165":26105},"However, citing the risk to Green’s parents, District Judge Rosalie Prytherch denied bail.",[],{"_163":26107,"_165":26108},"He also expressed remorse through his solicitor.",[],{"_163":26110,"_165":26111},"The court was told Green was on medication for anxiety and tended to “overthink and over-analyse things”. ",[],{"_163":26113,"_165":26114},"“He appreciates his mum and dad, and the bond is a strong one. This is a close-knit family.”",[],{"_163":26116,"_165":26117},"“He was very candid with officers. All of this really comes from his own mouth.",[],{"_163":26119,"_165":26120},"“It was an unsophisticated attempt which thankfully didn’t cause any harm. ",[],{"_163":26126,"_165":26127},{"_163":25522,"_165":26125},{"_163":88,"_165":26124},[],[],"He appreciates his mum and dad, and the bond is a strong one",[],{"_163":26129,"_165":26130},"“As the months have passed, things have improved. He has moved on, which is evidenced by him telling his mother about what happened. ",[],{"_163":26132,"_165":26133},"“He felt trapped, as though it would be a huge disappointment to his parents (to fail at college). Rather than bring that disappointment on them, he wanted a way out.",[],{"_163":26135,"_165":26136},"They added: “His studies weren’t going well, and his mental health deteriorated. He hadn’t been sleeping for weeks. ",[],{"_163":26138,"_165":26139},"A defence lawyer told the court the student had a clear criminal record and that there had been no issues since the incident nine months ago.",[],{"_163":26141,"_165":26142},"The officer said Green’s mother had made no criminal complaint and had expressed concern for her son’s mental and physical health.",[],{"_163":26148,"_165":26149},{"_163":25522,"_165":26147},{"_163":88,"_165":26146},[],[],"He felt trapped, as though it would be a huge disappointment to his parents",[],{"_163":26151,"_165":26152},"“His mother is willing to move out so he can return home, but there are concerns about the father and the defendant’s reaction to him. He also disclosed suicidal thoughts.”",[],{"_163":26154,"_165":26155},"“He also carried a knife into college earlier this year, which he initially said was for ‘protection’ but later said was for self-harm.",[],{"_163":26157,"_165":26158},"“He freely admits trying to kill his mother. He didn’t know what those tablets were, but he believed they would cause her death. ",[],{"_163":26160,"_165":26161},"An officer said: “We don’t believe they can be properly safeguarded at the same address. ",[],{"_163":26163,"_165":26164},"Police objected to bail because Green had been living with his mother and father, and had no suitable alternative address. ",[],{"_163":26166,"_165":26167},"A prosecution lawyer told the court: “He disclosed he still has ideation of killing his parents but has no plans to do so.”",[],{"_163":26169,"_165":26170},"Green said pressure caused by his studies at Belfast Metropolitan College was a motivating factor.",[],{"_163":26172,"_165":26173},"In discussions with police, he also accepted placing tablets in a drink but said one hadn’t gone it. He also claimed his mother had seen what he was doing.",[],{"_163":26175,"_165":26176},"The court was told Green had made an admission to a social worker carrying out a mental health assessment.",[],{"_163":26178,"_165":26179},"They added: “His mother says it was disclosed to her recently, and she does recall a time when there was a tablet in a drink which she did not consume.”",[],{"_163":26181,"_165":26182},"A prosecutor said the 19-year-old had “become fixated on the idea of killing after watching murder documentaries on YouTube”. ",[],{"_163":26184,"_165":26185},"Jonathan Green appeared at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast, charged with the attempted murder of his mother Yvonne last November.",[26186],{"_85":192,"_157":642,"_194":642,"_196":26187},{"_198":199,"_155":200,"_201":8},{"_163":26189,"_165":26190},"An IT student who tried to kill his mum by putting tablets in her coffee after becoming “fixated” with murder documentaries has been remanded in custody.",[],"Laganside Courthouse",{"_81":26193,"_212":10295,"_220":395,"_97":26194,"_213":26191,"_223":26195,"_106":26196,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":26197,"_218":88,"_232":26196,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nya3em-laganside-courthouse-liam-mcburneypa/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/be1e64df-bac0-4ab8-bd6d-7b4bce05f499",[],"be1e64df-bac0-4ab8-bd6d-7b4bce05f499","129836215","Laganside Courthouse (Liam McBurney/PA)",{"_163":26199,"_165":26200},"Teenager who made admissions to police and social worker loses bid for bail",[],{"_163":26049,"_165":26202},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":3181,"_106":3182,"_253":10,"_254":3183},{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":10,"_254":261},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":3976,"_106":3977,"_253":10,"_254":3978},{"_250":2291,"_106":2292,"_253":10,"_254":2293},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_240":1823},{"_81":26213,"_212":10295,"_220":395,"_97":26214,"_213":26191,"_223":26195,"_106":26196,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":26197,"_218":88,"_232":26196,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/nya3em-laganside-courthouse-liam-mcburneypa/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/be1e64df-bac0-4ab8-bd6d-7b4bce05f499",[],{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},"Teenager tried to poison mum with tablets in coffee denied bail","Teenager Jonathan Green admits trying to kill his mother after YouTube murder obsession and loses bail bid over parent safety fears",195279578,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/young-father-harassed-ex-partner-and-her-family-in-row-over-access-to-child-just-weeks-after-she-had-given-birth/a/159764362.html",[26373],"Young father harassed ex-partner and her family in row over access to child just weeks after she had given birth",{"_264":26369,"_266":26344,"_267":26223},[26368],[26356,26357,26358,26359,26360,26361,26362,26363,26364],{},[26355],"2026-08-15T14:00:00Z","2026-08-15T13:01:39Z",[26234,26235,26236,26237,26238,26239,26240,26241,26242,26243,26244,26245,26246,26247,26248,26249,26250,26251,26252,26253,26254,26255,26256,26257,26258,26259],{"_140":10,"_141":26233,"_143":10},"2e70e6ff-9286-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26353,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":4788,"_213":26346,"_215":26347,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26343,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26340,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":26337,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26334,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":4788,"_213":26327,"_215":26328,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":26324,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":26321,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":26318,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":26315,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":158,"_586":26307,"_588":26308,"_590":-5,"_592":26309,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":26304,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":26301,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":26298,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":26295,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":26292,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":26289,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":26286,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":26283,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":661,"_212":4788,"_213":26275,"_215":26276,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":26272,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":26269,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":26266,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":26263,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":26260,"_161":162},{"_163":26261,"_165":26262},"“You have already admitted this was harassment and if you want to see your child you will have to go through the proper legal channels.” ",[],{"_163":26264,"_165":26265},"“I am concerned about the number of calls made and what is being said. ",[],{"_163":26267,"_165":26268},"She also told him: “This might have started out with good intention in relation to your child, but it went over and above that into criminal conduct. ",[],{"_163":26270,"_165":26271},"District Judge Anne Marshall handed O’Toole, of Antrim Road in north Belfast, two months in prison, suspended for one year, and a two-year restraining order for offending she said was aggravated by domestic abuse. ",[],{"_163":26273,"_165":26274},"Defence counsel said the former painter and decorator was “hoping” to return to his trade in the near future. ",[],"O’Toole was given a suspended sentence and a restraining order",{"_81":26277,"_212":4788,"_220":395,"_97":26278,"_213":26275,"_223":26279,"_106":26280,"_226":227,"_228":25688,"_230":26281,"_218":88,"_232":26280,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/axkw54-0r9a6469.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A6469.jpg",[26282],"0R9A6469.jpg","159764659","Thomas O’Toole leaving Laganside Magistrates Courthouse on August 7th 2026 ",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":26284,"_165":26285},"“His family were forced out of their home in recent years due to a hate campaign unrelated to this case.” ",[],{"_163":26287,"_165":26288},"“He wants to put this behind him and move on. He is in stable accommodation and has self-referred for counselling, as well as being diagnosed with ADHD, which he is medicated for. ",[],{"_163":26290,"_165":26291},"“It would be surprising if he didn’t try to make contact, given they had a child who was weeks old at the time. ",[],{"_163":26293,"_165":26294},"The lawyer said: “There were agreements beforehand. He is sorry and has pleaded guilty on that basis. ",[],{"_163":26296,"_165":26297},"They also stressed there had been no direct contact between O’Toole and the victim since last May. ",[],{"_163":26299,"_165":26300},"Defence counsel said his client contacted members of his ex’s family because he wanted to see his child.",[],{"_163":26302,"_165":26303},"At the same court in July, the defendant was handed a one-month sentence, suspended for two years, after threatening to kill his sister.",[],{"_163":26305,"_165":26306},"O’Toole also sent a message to the victim’s father, saying he would attend his property “if he had to”.",[],{"_163":26313,"_165":26314},{"_163":26311,"_165":26312},{"_163":88,"_165":26310},[],"Defence Counsel",[],"His family were forced out of their home due to a hate campaign unrelated to this case",[],{"_163":26316,"_165":26317},"This included asking people to pass on messages and threats.",[],{"_163":26319,"_165":26320},"The victim cut all ties with him in May last year, but he continued to contact her, or attempt to, via others. ",[],{"_163":26322,"_165":26323},"O’Toole contacted the woman’s aunt via withheld phone numbers, demanding to speak with his ex.",[],{"_163":26325,"_165":26326},"The victim was only a few weeks after giving birth at this stage.",[],"O’Toole admitted harassment",{"_81":26329,"_212":4788,"_220":395,"_97":26330,"_213":26327,"_223":26331,"_106":26332,"_226":227,"_228":25688,"_230":26281,"_218":88,"_232":26332,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/kzr8fg-0r9a6472.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A6472.jpg",[26333],"0R9A6472.jpg","159764632",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":26335,"_165":26336},"Prosecutors said O’Toole was demanding to see his infant child “or there would be consequences”. ",[],{"_163":26338,"_165":26339},"The victim contacted police in December last year to say her ex-partner had been pestering members of her family by phone and social media.",[],{"_163":26341,"_165":26342},"Thomas O’Toole (21) was given a suspended prison sentence at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast after admitting a single charge of harassment. ",[],{"_163":26344,"_165":26345},"A young father who harassed the mother of his child in a row over access just weeks after she gave birth has avoided jail.",[],"Thomas O’Toole outside court",{"_81":26348,"_212":4788,"_220":395,"_97":26349,"_213":26346,"_223":26350,"_106":26351,"_226":227,"_228":25688,"_230":26281,"_218":88,"_232":26351,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1djyw5-0r9a6470.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/0R9A6470.jpg",[26352],"0R9A6470.jpg","159764589",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_163":26223,"_165":26354},[],"BT13",{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":6223,"_106":6224,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":3166,"_106":3167,"_253":10,"_254":3168},{"_250":26365,"_106":26366,"_253":10,"_254":26367},{"_250":2899,"_106":2900,"_253":10,"_254":2901},{"_250":1967,"_106":1968,"_253":10,"_254":1969},"regional_north-belfast-and-newtonabbey","4387","North Belfast & Newtownabbey",{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_240":1823},{"_81":26370,"_212":4788,"_220":395,"_97":26371,"_213":26346,"_223":26350,"_106":26351,"_226":227,"_228":25688,"_230":26281,"_218":88,"_232":26351,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1djyw5-0r9a6470.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A6470.jpg",[26372],{"_235":6394,"_237":6395,"_239":6394,"_240":1823},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},195211198,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":26523,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/man-accused-of-exposing-himself-to-nursery-children-said-he-was-relieving-himself-in-the-bushes/a/160035893.html",[26522],"Man accused of exposing himself to nursery children said he was ‘relieving himself’ in the bushes",{"_264":26518,"_266":26508,"_267":26379},[26517],[26512,26513,26514,26515,26516],"160035893",{},[],"2026-08-14T11:43:00Z","2026-08-14T15:10:51Z",[26391,26392,26393,26394,26395,26396,26397,26398,26399,26400,26401,26402,26403,26404,26405,26406,26407,26408,26409,26410,26411,26412,26413,26414,26415,26416,26417,26418,26419],{"_140":10,"_141":26390,"_143":10},"5c28c5df-97d5-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26510,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":26507,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":26501,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26498,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26495,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":26492,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26489,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":183,"_586":26482,"_588":26483,"_590":-5,"_592":26484,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":26479,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":26476,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":26473,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":26470,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":26467,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":26464,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":26461,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":26458,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":26455,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":26452,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":26449,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":26446,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":26443,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":26440,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":26437,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":26434,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":650,"_356":26430,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":26427,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":26424,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":26421,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":629,"_106":26420,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26420,"_233":92},"160019776",{"_163":26422,"_165":26423},"Wilson was then remanded in custody.",[],{"_163":26425,"_165":26426},"Mr Kennedy adjourned the case for four weeks, ordering the defendant to appear again via video link on September 11.",[],{"_163":26428,"_165":26429},"He noted the defendant was currently awaiting sentencing for a separate matter in the Crown Court.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":26431,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":4160,"_106":26432,"_368":369,"_370":4162,"_232":26433,"_233":92},"4oJAWp3QJ760","2001287","159991652",{"_163":26435,"_165":26436},"Refusing an application for bail, District Judge Kennedy said there was a risk the accused could re-offend.",[],{"_163":26438,"_165":26439},"“This man is always topped up with alcohol,” said the defence counsel.",[],{"_163":26441,"_165":26442},"He added that this had led to numerous breaches of past bail conditions requiring him not to be under the influence of alcohol.",[],{"_163":26444,"_165":26445},"Counsel said Wilson had been in the area to visit his brother’s grave and noted he was a “chronic alcoholic” who consumes large quantities of alcohol on a daily basis.",[],{"_163":26447,"_165":26448},"“There was no indecent exposure at any stage. Both matters are contested. He benefits from the presumption of innocence.”",[],{"_163":26450,"_165":26451},"“The exposure to the constable is denied at this stage,” he added.",[],{"_163":26453,"_165":26454},"The defence counsel said the officer’s version of the facts did not match up with the available CCTV. ",[],{"_163":26456,"_165":26457},"Following a search, police also found a number of tablets, suspected to be a Class C drug, on the defendant’s person.",[],{"_163":26459,"_165":26460},"Police then attended the cemetery and approached the defendant, who exposed himself and walked towards a female officer with his penis out.",[],{"_163":26462,"_165":26463},"When he was approached, the court heard he told the injured party nothing was wrong and made off into the cemetery.",[],{"_163":26465,"_165":26466},"He then knelt down and exposed partially exposed his penis, which the witness said was erect.",[],{"_163":26468,"_165":26469},"When they arrived, they spoke to the injured party, who said the defendant had approached the fence and pulled down his trousers so his underwear was on show.",[],{"_163":26471,"_165":26472},"The officer said police had been called to the scene shortly after 1pm on Wednesday following reports of a male acting strangely outside a nursery school.",[],{"_163":26474,"_165":26475},"He said his client had told police he had been visiting a grave in the adjacent cemetery and had stepped into the bushes to “relieve himself”.",[],{"_163":26477,"_165":26478},"However, a defence counsel for Smith said there was CCTV footage available of the defendant approaching the fence of the nursery on Garvaghey Road, and throwing a football back over it.",[],{"_163":26480,"_165":26481},"Wilson confirmed he understood the charges before a police officer said he could connect the accused to them.",[],{"_163":26487,"_165":26488},{"_163":25522,"_165":26486},{"_163":88,"_165":26485},[],[],"There was no indecent exposure at any stage. Both matters are contested",[],{"_163":26490,"_165":26491},"He is also accused of being in possession of a Class C drug.",[],{"_163":26493,"_165":26494},"The 43-year-old, of Garvaghey Park, Portadown, has been charged with two counts of indecent exposure on August 12 2026; one in relation to a group of school children and one in relation to a police constable.",[],{"_163":26496,"_165":26497},"Philip Smith appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court in connection with the alleged incident at Garvaghey Road, Portadown.",[],{"_163":26499,"_165":26500},"A solicitor for a man accused of exposing his genitals outside a Co Armagh nursery said he was “relieving himself’ in the bushes.",[],{"_81":26502,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26503,"_213":88,"_223":26504,"_106":26505,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26505,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wi5cky-images-11.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/images%20(11).jpg",[26506],"images%20(11).jpg","160049508",{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_163":26508,"_165":26509},"Accused told police he had been visiting a grave in a nearby cemetery",[],{"_163":26379,"_165":26511},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":3178,"_106":3179,"_253":10,"_254":3180},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_240":524},{"_81":26519,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26520,"_213":88,"_223":26504,"_106":26505,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26505,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wi5cky-images-11.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/images%20(11).jpg",[26521],{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Philip Smith: Man accused of exposing himself to nursery children said he was ‘relieving himself’ in the bushes",195210781,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":26642,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/delay-in-forensic-inquiries-into-alleged-murder-of-man-in-east-belfast-court-hears/a/160049636.html",[26641],"Delay in forensic inquiries into alleged murder of man in east Belfast, court hears",{"_264":26637,"_266":26621,"_267":26529},[],[26632,26633,26634,26635,26636],"160049636",{},[],"2026-08-14T15:06:56Z","2026-08-14T15:07:04Z",[26541,26542,26543,26544,26545,26546,26547,26548,26549,26550,26551,26552,26553,26554,26555,26556,26557,26558,26559,26560,26561,26562],{"_140":10,"_141":26540,"_143":10},"e5705250-97ee-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26630,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":26623,"_215":26624,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26620,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26617,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":26614,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26611,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":26608,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":26605,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":26602,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":26599,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":26596,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":26593,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":26590,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":26587,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":26584,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":26581,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":26578,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":26575,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":26572,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":26569,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":26566,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":26563,"_161":162},{"_163":26564,"_165":26565},"Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor adjourned the case until next week, when Nobes and Matthews are both expected to mount applications for bail. ",[],{"_163":26567,"_165":26568},"Pressed by defence solicitor Mark Austin, Mr Conlon was unable to provide any further details on the outstanding material.”",[],{"_163":26570,"_165":26571},"“Unfortunately there is no timescale for that.”",[],{"_163":26573,"_165":26574},"Barrister Mark Conlon said: “Work is continuing on the file, but what is holding things up is (police) are awaiting forensic results.",[],{"_163":26576,"_165":26577},"At Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, prosecutors indicated that the investigation remains uncompleted.",[],{"_163":26579,"_165":26580},"A fingerprint attributed to Nobes which was found on a door frame at Mr Gordon’s apartment also forms part of the evidence in the case.",[],{"_163":26582,"_165":26583},"Both men were subsequently arrested in Scotland and returned to Northern Ireland to be questioned and charged. ",[],{"_163":26585,"_165":26586},"A senior detective claimed Nobes and Matthews then went back to the first flat, “gloated” to others about what they had done and threatened to shoot witnesses if they contacted police.",[],{"_163":26588,"_165":26589},"During the attack a television was said to have been taken off the wall and thrown out of a window.",[],{"_163":26591,"_165":26592},"The intruders used a brush shaft to assault Mr Gordon, according to the police case.",[],{"_163":26594,"_165":26595},"Based on witness and CCTV evidence, the defendants allegedly attended another flat in the complex before forcing their way into the victim’s home.",[],{"_163":26597,"_165":26598},"He was discovered by police conscious but badly beaten and subsequently died at the Royal Victoria Hospital.",[],{"_163":26600,"_165":26601},"Matthews and Nobes then allegedly launched the fatal attack on Mr Gordon in the early hours of May 12.",[],{"_163":26603,"_165":26604},"A previous court heard Mr Gordon was targeted following a series of incidents in the east Belfast area over the preceding days.",[],{"_163":26606,"_165":26607},"They are also accused of making threats to kill two women at the scene.",[],{"_163":26609,"_165":26610},"The pair, both of no fixed abode, face further counts of aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on the victim, stealing his bank card and mobile phone, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.",[],{"_163":26612,"_165":26613},"Two men, Christopher Colin Nobes, 31, and Andrew John Matthews, 25, are currently remanded in custody jointly charged with his murder.",[],{"_163":26615,"_165":26616},"Mr Gordon (51) was attacked at his Holywood Road apartment in May this year and died from his injuries four days later.",[],{"_163":26618,"_165":26619},"Prosecutors disclosed the potential hold-up in the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nicky Gordon.",[],{"_163":26621,"_165":26622},"Forensic inquiries into the alleged murder of a man beaten with a brush shaft at his east Belfast home have still to be completed, a court heard today.",[],"Nicky Gordon",{"_81":26625,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":26626,"_213":26623,"_223":26627,"_106":26628,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":26623,"_218":88,"_232":26628,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/pmdjeo-inset-template-32-19.png/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Inset%20template%2032%20(19).png",[26629],"Inset%20template%2032%20(19).png","151867924",{"_235":5153,"_237":5154,"_239":5153,"_240":5155},{"_163":26529,"_165":26631},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":2291,"_106":2292,"_253":10,"_254":2293},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_81":26638,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":26639,"_213":26623,"_223":26627,"_106":26628,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":26623,"_218":88,"_232":26628,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/pmdjeo-inset-template-32-19.png/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Inset%20template%2032%20(19).png",[26640],{"_235":5153,"_237":5154,"_239":5153,"_240":5155},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Nicky Gordon: Delay in forensic inquiries into alleged murder of man in east Belfast, court hears",195188073,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":26749,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/pair-admit-stealing-three-week-old-pygmy-goat-from-ni-farm/a/160019776.html",[26748],"Pair admit stealing three-week-old pygmy goat from NI farm",{"_264":26744,"_266":26733,"_267":26648},[26743],[26737,26738,26739,26740,26741,26742],{},[],"2026-08-14T13:29:33Z","2026-08-14T13:29:30Z",[26659,26660,26661,26662,26663,26664,26665,26666,26667,26668,26669,26670,26671,26672,26673,26674,26675],{"_140":10,"_141":26658,"_143":10},"f819bb6c-97b0-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26735,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":26732,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":26724,"_213":26725,"_215":26726,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26721,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26718,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":26715,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26712,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":26709,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":179,"_212":-5,"_213":26702,"_215":26703,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":26699,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":26696,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":26693,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":-5,"_213":26686,"_215":26687,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":26683,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":26680,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":26677,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":681,"_106":26676,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26676,"_233":92},"159968787",{"_163":26678,"_165":26679},"“We’re delighted to see this little one back where it belongs. Thank you to everyone who assisted with the investigation.”",[],{"_163":26681,"_165":26682},"“Following enquiries by officers, two suspects were identified, arrested and subsequently charged to court for theft,” said a spokesperson.",[],{"_163":26684,"_165":26685},"Two days after the theft in June, the PSNI confirmed the goat had been safely recovered.",[],"Sally Ann Finnegan and Willy McDonagh leaving Craigavon Magistrates Court on August 14th 2026 (Photo by Stiofán Bruce / Belfast Telegraph) ",{"_81":26688,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26689,"_213":26686,"_223":26690,"_106":26691,"_226":227,"_228":6880,"_230":26686,"_218":88,"_232":26691,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/421taw-sally-ann-finnegan-and-willy-mcdonagh./alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A8387.jpg",[26692],"0R9A8387.jpg","160042938",{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":26694,"_165":26695},"A pygmy goat is a breed of achondroplastic goat which is small, compact and stockily built. They are native to west and central Africa and kept mostly as pets.",[],{"_163":26697,"_165":26698},"The prosecution confirmed the animal had been recovered.",[],{"_163":26700,"_165":26701},"Following the pleas, District Judge Kennedy said he would require a pre-sentence report and adjourned sentencing until September 25 to allow the defendants to engage with probation.",[],"The three-week-old pygmy goat stolen during the incident",{"_81":26704,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26705,"_213":26702,"_223":26706,"_106":26707,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26707,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/t2sacy-goat.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/goat.jpg",[26708],"goat.jpg","160035033",{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_163":26710,"_165":26711},"None of the facts pertaining to the case were opened in court.",[],{"_163":26713,"_165":26714},"Both indicated they wished their case to be heard in the Magistrates Court and entered guilty pleas to the offence.",[],{"_163":26716,"_165":26717},"The pair were accused of stealing a pygmy goat belonging to Tannaghmore Animal Farm on June 15 this year.",[],{"_163":26719,"_165":26720},"Sally Ann Finnegan (29) and Willy McDonagh (20), both of Enniskeen, Craigavon, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday to face a single charge of theft.",[],{"_163":26722,"_165":26723},"A man and woman have admitted the theft of a three-week-old pygmy goat from an animal farm in Co Armagh. ",[],"Stiofán Bruce","Sally Ann Finnegan (29) and Willy McDonagh (20) ",{"_81":26727,"_212":26724,"_220":395,"_97":26728,"_213":26725,"_223":26729,"_106":26730,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26730,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/qxtrkw-dewdi.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/dewdi.jpg",[26731],"dewdi.jpg","160042892",{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":26733,"_165":26734},"The defendants entered guilty pleas ",[],{"_163":26648,"_165":26736},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":3178,"_106":3179,"_253":10,"_254":3180},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_240":524},{"_81":26745,"_212":26724,"_220":395,"_97":26746,"_213":26725,"_223":26729,"_106":26730,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26730,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/qxtrkw-dewdi.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/dewdi.jpg",[26747],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Sally Ann Finnegan and Willy McDonagh: Pair admit stealing three-week-old pygmy goat from NI farm",195171805,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":26891,"_283":8,"_275":26892,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ombudsman-hits-back-at-claims-of-bias-around-psni-officers-under-investigation/a/160030591.html",[26884,26885,26886,26887],"Ombudsman hits back at claims of bias around PSNI officers under investigation",{"_264":26880,"_266":26872,"_267":26755},[26879],[26876,26877,26878],"160030591",{},[],"2026-08-14T12:28:00Z","2026-08-14T12:29:00Z",[26767,26768,26769,26770,26771,26772,26773,26774,26775,26776,26777,26778,26779,26780,26781,26782,26783,26784,26785,26786,26787,26788,26789,26790,26791,26792,26793],{"_140":10,"_141":26766,"_143":10},"4e629f2f-97ca-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26874,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":26871,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":26864,"_215":26865,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26861,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26858,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":187,"_106":26857,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26857,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26854,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":26851,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":26848,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":26845,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":26842,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":26839,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":26836,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":26833,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":26830,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":26829,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26829,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":26826,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":26823,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":673,"_212":1611,"_213":11784,"_215":26821,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":26818,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":26815,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":661,"_586":26807,"_588":26808,"_590":-5,"_592":26809,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":26804,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":26801,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":650,"_106":26800,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26800,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":26797,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":26794,"_161":162},{"_163":26795,"_165":26796},"“Police officers have a role to play in ending this culture and I am sure many of them will be keen to do so. All officers must be clear of the boundaries that cannot be crossed,” she said.",[],{"_163":26798,"_165":26799},"Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon backed the ombudsman, saying the 30pc figure was “damning and this type of behaviour must never be tolerated, but challenged and rooted out”.",[],"157761565",{"_163":26802,"_165":26803},"Ms Durkin added: “I repeat, there is no predetermination of any complaint alleging sexual impropriety by a police officer. Investigations are and must be thorough, evidence-led and impartial.”",[],{"_163":26805,"_165":26806},"“You will no doubt appreciate the importance of nuance in the context of evidence-based investigations. There is a fundamental difference between treating a vulnerable victim, who is making the most personal and sensitive disclosures in the context of a clear power imbalance, in such a way that they feel believed and that their complaint will be effectively investigated and inferring police officers should assume any allegation against them will be treated from the outset as being the truth”. ",[],{"_163":26813,"_165":26814},{"_163":26811,"_165":26812},{"_163":88,"_165":26810},[],"Jacqui Durkin",[],"There is no predetermination of any complaint alleging sexual impropriety by a police officer",[],{"_163":26816,"_165":26817},"“This reflects a starting position of procedural fairness. In context, a ‘valid complaint’ refers to a complaint that warrants fair and impartial consideration and investigation, not a complaint that is already considered to be true or pre-determined. ",[],{"_163":26819,"_165":26820},"“I clearly stated: ‘You don’t automatically assume this is a vexatious complaint. We are neutral and we are independent because until you have evidence to support or to negate the allegation that they’ve made, you have to assume that they’ve come forward to make a valid complaint.’ ",[],{"_81":10015,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":26822,"_213":11784,"_223":10017,"_106":10018,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":7204,"_218":88,"_232":10018,"_233":92},[],{"_163":26824,"_165":26825},"“I completely refute any such suggestion, and I repeatedly stated throughout our interview that my Office was independent and investigated complaints fairly and impartially with evidence led outcomes. ",[],{"_163":26827,"_165":26828},"In response to the Nolan interview, in an open letter on the PONI website, Ms Durkin said: “I believe our discussion about vulnerable victims of alleged sexual abuse who make complaints to my office and the need for them to be treated with dignity, respect and to be believed in the first instance has been misinterpreted and presented as an approach of complaint pre-determination. ",[],"159418759",{"_163":26831,"_165":26832},"“This is not only about fairness to officers. If investigators do not rigorously test all the available evidence, they will fail to establish the truth, and that failure harms genuine victims seeking justice just as much as it harms the wrongly accused.”",[],{"_163":26834,"_165":26835},"“The logical extension of a presumption of belief is a presumption of guilt against the officer concerned, and that is a fundamental misunderstanding of the Ombudsman’s role as an impartial investigator.",[],{"_163":26837,"_165":26838},"“But treating an allegation seriously is not the same thing as accepting it as fact before a single piece of evidence has been gathered. ",[],{"_163":26840,"_165":26841},"He said: “Anyone who comes forward with an allegation of sexual abuse or exploitation by a police officer must be treated with compassion, support and empathy, and must know their complaint will be investigated thoroughly. That is fundamental to public confidence.",[],{"_163":26843,"_165":26844},"Mr Burrows, a former senior police officer, said he would write to the ombudsman seeking assurances on the impartiality of her office.",[],{"_163":26846,"_165":26847},"In a follow-up interview with the Nolan Show, she said that anyone who came forward with a complaint would be believed in the “first instance” - this caused controversy, with UUP leader Jon Burrows calling on her to clarify her comments.",[],{"_163":26849,"_165":26850},"She revealed that cases of alleged sexual impropriety account for 36pc of her office’s most serious cases, and one of the investigations involves a former officer who was arrested last year on suspicion of rape and dozens of other offences.",[],{"_163":26852,"_165":26853},"Earlier this week she said she was “deeply concerned” by the number of ombudsman investigations involving officers accused of abusing their position for sexual purposes.",[],{"_163":26855,"_165":26856},"Ms Durkin, the former head of the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, was appointed to the watchdog role in June.",[],"159425287",{"_163":26859,"_165":26860},"Jacqui Durkin insisted she has been misinterpreted as having “complaint pre-determination”. ",[],{"_163":26862,"_165":26863},"The Police Ombudsman has defended her position around the issue of officers under investigation for sexual misconduct.",[],"Jacqui Durkin’s comments have been criticised",{"_81":26866,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26867,"_213":26864,"_223":26868,"_106":26869,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26869,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/dl43p3-jacqui-durkin.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Jacqui%20Durkin.jpg",[26870],"Jacqui%20Durkin.jpg","157762184",{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_163":26872,"_165":26873},"New watchdog said those who came forward with allegations would be believed in the ‘first instance’",[],{"_163":26755,"_165":26875},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_235":13322,"_237":13323,"_240":13324},{"_81":26881,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":26882,"_213":26864,"_223":26868,"_106":26869,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":26869,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/dl43p3-jacqui-durkin.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Jacqui%20Durkin.jpg",[26883],{"_235":2295,"_237":2296,"_239":2295,"_240":2297},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":7320,"_106":7321,"_275":7322,"_276":280},{"_250":26888,"_106":26889,"_275":26890,"_276":280},{"_250":7446,"_106":7447,"_275":7448,"_276":280},"Linda Dillon","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:linda-dillon","Sinn Fein MLA for Mid Ulster.","Police sexual misconduct complaints: Ombudsman defends 'believed first' stance","Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin faces backlash over sexual misconduct cases and 'believed first' comments",194928087,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27007,"_283":8,"_275":27008,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/im-not-going-to-stay-quiet-martin-olali-claims-shooting-was-coordinated-attack-on-his-life/a/159967410.html",[27005,27006],"‘I’m not going to stay quiet’: Martin Olali claims shooting was ‘coordinated’ attack on his life",{"_264":27002,"_266":26994,"_267":26898},[27001],[26998,26999,27000],{},[],"2026-08-14T05:13:00Z","2026-08-13T18:55:36Z",[26909,26910,26911,26912,26913,26914,26915,26916,26917,26918,26919,26920,26921,26922,26923,26924,26925,26926,26927,26928,26929,26930,26931,26932],{"_140":10,"_141":26908,"_143":10},"cd44c76a-96f0-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":26996,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":26993,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":25713,"_213":26988,"_215":26989,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":26985,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":26982,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":26979,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":26976,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":26975,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26975,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":26972,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":26969,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":26966,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":26963,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":26960,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":26957,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":26954,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":25663,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25663,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":26951,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":26948,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":26946,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":26943,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":665,"_106":26942,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26942,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":26939,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":26936,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":26933,"_161":162},{"_163":26934,"_165":26935},"Olali will appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday, September 4 charged with disorderly behaviour in relation to the weekend incident, and again at the Crown Court on September 10 in connection with the hit-and-run.",[],{"_163":26937,"_165":26938},"Police have appealed for information about the gun attack which took place days later.",[],{"_163":26940,"_165":26941},"Eyewitnesses say the weekend argument at a Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann musical event in the city centre started earlier in the evening when someone in the crowd identified the west Belfast man as being involved in the hit-and-run that claimed the life of Mr Boyle and his dog, and confronted him.",[],"112177416",{"_163":26944,"_165":26945},"Police do not name individuals but in a statement said that a 28-year-old man was charged with disorderly behaviour in connection with an incident in North Street. ",[],{"_163":25729,"_165":26947},[],{"_163":26949,"_165":26950},"In a second online post he claims there is a campaign to damage his reputation, blames the Belfast Telegraph, police and the Fleadh, and appeals for podcasters to contact him to allow him to tell his story “from the horse's mouth”.",[],{"_163":26952,"_165":26953},"He said the shooting was a “planned, coordinated attack on my life” before adding: “I don’t give statements, and I never will, but listen I’m not going stay quiet and have my character run through the mud, it’s been going on for five years now and that’s the last I’m going to allow it to happen”.",[],{"_163":26955,"_165":26956},"He also claims that a gunman was at his house on the Saturday prior to the attack on Tuesday.",[],{"_163":26958,"_165":26959},"In the online posts Olali alleges he was racially abused in the city centre on Friday evening and had drink thrown at him prior to the altercation.",[],{"_163":26961,"_165":26962},"However, he declined, instead taking to social media site TikTok to make a number of lengthy posts about the situation.",[],{"_163":26964,"_165":26965},"The Belfast Telegraph previously contacted 28-year-old Mr Olali rough his solicitor, to ask if he wanted to comment on the events of Friday and the gun attack on his home.",[],{"_163":26967,"_165":26968},"Footage shows two men arriving in a BMW before one takes aim and fires a number of shots at the house while the other used a metal object to smash the windows of the car.",[],{"_163":26970,"_165":26971},"Police were called to the scene in the Breton Court area of Lisburn shortly before 1.30am on Tuesday, when the upstairs windows of the house were hit, with damage also caused to a car parked in the driveway.",[],{"_163":26973,"_165":26974},"In an online post Olali has claimed that a bullet narrowly missed him and his child during a gun attack on his house in the early hours of Tuesday.",[],"159886242",{"_163":26977,"_165":26978},"The case had been delayed due to the now-resolved barristers’ strike but is now listed for September, a year after Olali entered guilty pleas at Belfast Crown Court.",[],{"_163":26980,"_165":26981},"The 42-year-old was walking his dog Junior on the Stewartstown Road on February 5, 2021, when he was struck by a car which failed to stop. Both Mr Boyle and his pet died as a result.",[],{"_163":26983,"_165":26984},"Olali is currently on bail awaiting sentencing in relation to the death of Dunmurry man Richard Boyle in a hit-and-run incident over five years ago.",[],{"_163":26986,"_165":26987},"West Belfast man Martin Olali Jnr has been charged with disorderly behaviour after a brawl in Belfast city centre at the weekend, during which a woman was knocked to the ground.",[],"Martin Sean O'Lali who is awaiting sentence on charge arising from the death of pedestrian Richard Boyle ",{"_81":26990,"_212":25713,"_220":395,"_97":26991,"_213":26988,"_223":25753,"_106":25754,"_226":227,"_228":25713,"_230":25755,"_218":88,"_232":25754,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/79n7bd-file87430rgsibaxsobubp7/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/bt_kscott_2025_6538.JPG",[26992],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":26994,"_165":26995},"Killer hit-and-run driver now charged with disorderly behaviour over incident at Belfast Fleadh",[],{"_163":26898,"_165":26997},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_235":13322,"_237":13323,"_240":13324},{"_81":25751,"_212":25713,"_220":395,"_97":27003,"_213":26988,"_223":25753,"_106":25754,"_226":227,"_228":25713,"_230":25755,"_218":88,"_232":25754,"_233":92},[27004],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Belfast hit-and-run driver Martin Olali charged after Fleadh brawl","West Belfast man Martin Olali Jnr faces disorderly behaviour charges and a gun attack on his Lisburn home",194886545,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27142,"_283":8,"_275":27143,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/lisburn-handyman-and-social-care-worker-banned-after-sex-assault-on-client-in-her-home/a/159998840.html",[27140,27141],"Lisburn handyman and social care worker banned after sex assault on client in her home",{"_264":27136,"_266":27119,"_267":27014},[],[27131,27132,27133,27134,27135],"159998840",{},[],"2026-08-14T05:26:00Z","2026-08-13T15:39:36Z",[27027,27028,27029,27030,27031,27032,27033,27034,27035,27036,27037,27038,27039,27040,27041,27042,27043,27044,27045,27046,27047,27048,27049,27050,27051,27052,27053],"Stephen Gordon",{"_140":10,"_141":27026,"_143":10},"f7909d83-9725-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":27129,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":1436,"_213":27121,"_215":27122,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":27118,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":27115,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":27112,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":27109,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":27106,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27103,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":27100,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":27097,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":27094,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":27091,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":27088,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":27085,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":27082,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":27079,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":27076,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":673,"_106":26676,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26676,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":27073,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":27070,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":27067,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":27064,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":27061,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":27058,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":27055,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":27054,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27054,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":633,"_106":25662,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25662,"_233":92},"159974720",{"_163":27056,"_165":27057},"“These posts were made by a female who appears to have used Aaron for a dump run, which is a business he runs on the side. There is a photo that appears to show evidence of prosecution.” ",[],{"_163":27059,"_165":27060},"The manager informed the NISCC: “I was made aware by another member of staff that there were posts circulating on social media that were accusing Aaron of trespassing and sexual abuse. ",[],{"_163":27062,"_165":27063},"The recent tribunal heard that concerns about Faloon were first referred to the NISCC on July 31, 2025, by a manager at Advanced Care following posts on social media about his offending. ",[],{"_163":27065,"_165":27066},"The conditions stipulated that he must reside in an approved address and must not contact the victim or form any personal relationships with any female without notifying the probation officer. He also had to participate in the work set by the Probation Board. ",[],{"_163":27068,"_165":27069},"At Ards Magistrates’ Court last November, a 10-month probation order was imposed on Faloon for the sex offence which happened in April 2025. ",[],{"_163":27071,"_165":27072},"A removal order was the only appropriate sanction, it said, because a suspension order would not address the risk of repetition, or the public interest.",[],{"_163":27074,"_165":27075},"It said Faloon had demonstrated “limited evidence of insight into the seriousness of his actions and the likely impact on the victim”. ",[],{"_163":27077,"_165":27078},"It found the Lisburn man’s fitness to practise impaired due to his conviction and it revoked an interim suspension order and imposed an immediate removal order. ",[],{"_163":27080,"_165":27081},"“The committee considered that there were attitudinal issues which do not appear to have been addressed.” ",[],{"_163":27083,"_165":27084},"“The committee was not provided with any information about [his] engagement with probation, and any work undertaken by him. ",[],{"_163":27086,"_165":27087},"It stated: “Taking into account [his] lack of remorse, remediation and insight, the committee considered the risk of repetition of the offending behaviour to be high. ",[],{"_163":27089,"_165":27090},"It said the mitigating factors were that the social care worker had a previously good regulatory history and had pleaded guilty in court. ",[],{"_163":27092,"_165":27093},"The committee said the aggravating factors in the case included that it was a serious sexual offence; Faloon had failed to inform his employer that he was subject to criminal proceedings; and that he has not provided any evidence of insight or remorse.",[],{"_163":27095,"_165":27096},"Faloon declined to appear at the tribunal, informing the NISCC on May 26 this year: “I shall not be attending this hearing or any future hearings. Many thanks.” ",[],{"_163":27098,"_165":27099},"The committee said Faloon had been convicted of a serious sexual assault and had shown no remorse. ",[],{"_163":27101,"_165":27102},"An NISCC tribunal heard that Faloon’s dump runs were a sideline business and that, at the time of the offence, he was employed as a support worker for Advanced Care, which provides homecare. ",[],{"_163":27104,"_165":27105},"“I can hardly leave my house. But I also don’t feel safe when I’m at home,” she said. ",[],{"_163":27107,"_165":27108},"The mother-of-three described the attack as a “terrible ordeal”. ",[],{"_163":27110,"_165":27111},"The victim, who had hired Faloon via a Facebook advert to do a dump run in his van, later told the Belfast Telegraph how he left her terrified after groping her breasts and bottom and trying to kiss her. ",[],{"_163":27113,"_165":27114},"Faloon (34) was convicted at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court last November of intentionally sexually touching a woman without consent. ",[],{"_163":27116,"_165":27117},"Lisburn sex offender Aaron Matthew Faloon has now been barred from the profession by a Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) Fitness to Practise Committee, which said it feared his risk of re-offending was “high”. ",[],{"_163":27119,"_165":27120},"A handyman who sexually assaulted a woman in her own home was also a full-time social care worker, it has been revealed. ",[],"Posed/Stock",{"_81":27123,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":27124,"_213":27121,"_223":27125,"_106":27126,"_226":227,"_228":1436,"_230":27127,"_218":88,"_232":27126,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/l1c98g-gettyimages-1181244526-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/GettyImages-1181244526%20(1).jpg",[27128],"GettyImages-1181244526%20(1).jpg","160001740","A mature man caregiver with stethoscope and old patient looking out through window.",{"_235":6701,"_237":6702,"_239":6701,"_240":6703},{"_163":27014,"_165":27130},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":7297,"_106":7298,"_253":10,"_254":7299},{"_250":5499,"_106":5500,"_253":10,"_254":5501},{"_81":27137,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":27138,"_213":27121,"_223":27125,"_106":27126,"_226":227,"_228":1436,"_230":27127,"_218":88,"_232":27126,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/l1c98g-gettyimages-1181244526-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/GettyImages-1181244526%20(1).jpg",[27139],{"_235":6701,"_237":6702,"_239":6701,"_240":6703},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Lisburn handyman sex assault: Social care worker banned","Lisburn support worker Aaron Matthew Faloon is banned from social care after a serious sexual assault on a client at home",194800122,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27269,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/crowd-confronted-killer-driver-during-fleadh-event-days-before-his-lisburn-home-was-shot-up/a/159947313.html",[27266,27267,27268],"Crowd confronted killer driver during Fleadh event days before his Lisburn home was shot up",{"_264":27259,"_266":27247,"_267":27149},[27258],[27252,27253,27254,27255,27256,27257],{},[],"2026-08-13T05:07:36Z",[27159,27160,27161,27162,27163,27164,27165,27166,27167,27168,27169,27170,27171,27172,27173,27174,27175,27176,27177,27178,27179,27180,27181,27182,27183],{"_140":10,"_141":27158,"_143":10},"3084ffd7-9662-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":27250,"_161":244},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":27249,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":27246,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":27243,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":27240,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":342,"_212":25713,"_213":27236,"_215":27237,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":27233,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27230,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":27227,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":27224,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":27221,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":6944,"_213":27217,"_215":27218,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":27214,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":27211,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":27208,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":27205,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":677,"_106":26942,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26942,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":27202,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":27199,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":27196,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":27193,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":27190,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":27187,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":27184,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":26975,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":26975,"_233":92},{"_163":27185,"_165":27186},"Olali was approached for comment this week but declined to say anything.",[],{"_163":27188,"_165":27189},"“We are working to establish a motive for the attack and are asking anyone who may have information, or relevant dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage which could assist with our enquiries, to contact us in Lisburn on 101.”",[],{"_163":27191,"_165":27192},"“The shots were fired at the front door and an upstairs window causing damage, but thankfully those present in the property at the time were uninjured. A car parked at the house was also damaged during the incident.",[],{"_163":27194,"_165":27195},"The PSNI said: “We received a report that a number of shots had been fired at the house shortly before 1.30am on Tuesday morning.",[],{"_163":27197,"_165":27198},"In June Olali was granted a bail variation to extend his curfew from 10pm to midnight. He had asked that his tag be removed, but this was refused by the judge.",[],{"_163":27200,"_165":27201},"The case had been delayed due to the barristers’ strike and is now listed for September 10, a year after Olali entered guilty pleas at Belfast Crown Court.",[],{"_163":27203,"_165":27204},"Olali (26) was due to be sentenced for offences including causing Mr Boyle’s death by careless driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, and using a vehicle with no insurance.",[],{"_163":27206,"_165":27207},"They said: “It was one of the best days of the Fleadh and everyone was in good form until this kicked off, but I could hear people pointing out who he was and some weren’t happy that he was there at all.”",[],{"_163":27209,"_165":27210},"A witness claimed this occurred close to midnight, and approaching Olali’s court-ordered curfew.",[],{"_163":27212,"_165":27213},"Things escalated into a mass brawl in the street after a number of people including Olali were removed from the venue by security.",[],{"_163":27215,"_165":27216},"Police are instead believed to be investigating links to the row at the weekend when Olali was captured in two clips on camera by bystanders — in one having a verbal confrontation with a man that is dealt with by security at the venue, and in another where a woman is knocked to the ground.",[],"Police at the scene of a shooting incident in the Breton Court area of Lisburn on August 11",{"_81":25787,"_212":6944,"_220":395,"_97":27219,"_213":27217,"_223":25789,"_106":25790,"_226":227,"_228":6944,"_230":25785,"_218":88,"_232":25790,"_233":92},[27220],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":27222,"_165":27223},"There is no suggestion the shooting is linked to the hit-and-run. ",[],{"_163":27225,"_165":27226},"Footage shows two men arriving in a BMW before one takes aim and opens up on the house.",[],{"_163":27228,"_165":27229},"Shots were fired at the Lisburn home of Olali in the early hours of Tuesday. A car was also damaged.",[],{"_163":27231,"_165":27232},"Eyewitnesses say Friday night’s argument at a Fleadh event started earlier when someone in the crowd identified Olali as being involved in the fatal hit-and-run and confronted him.",[],{"_163":27234,"_165":27235},"He was recorded at first involved in an argument with an unnamed man, before later being seen in a brawl involving around a dozen people in North Street, where a woman was knocked unconscious.",[],"Martin Olali",{"_81":25751,"_212":25713,"_220":395,"_97":27238,"_213":27236,"_223":25753,"_106":25754,"_226":227,"_228":25713,"_230":25755,"_218":88,"_232":25754,"_233":92},[27239],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":27241,"_165":27242},"Olali has pleaded guilty to several charges including causing death by careless driving.",[],{"_163":27244,"_165":27245},"Martin Olali is on bail in connection with a hit-and-run on the Stewartstown Road in February 2021 in which Richard Boyle (42) and his dog died.",[],{"_163":27247,"_165":27248},"More details have emerged of an incident in central Belfast which has been linked to a gun attack on the home of a death driver. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":25735,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":25736,"_106":25737,"_368":369,"_370":25738,"_232":25739,"_233":92},{"_163":27149,"_165":27251},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":5499,"_106":5500,"_253":10,"_254":5501},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":3163,"_106":3164,"_253":10,"_254":3165},{"_235":13322,"_237":13323,"_240":13324},{"_81":27260,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":27261,"_213":88,"_223":27262,"_106":27263,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":27264,"_218":88,"_232":27263,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/4la4cy-bt-kscott-2025-6546.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_6546.JPG",[27265],"bt_kscott_2025_6546.JPG","159892529","Police at the scene of the shooting incident in the Breton Court area of Lisburn and inset Martin Sean O'Lali jnr (Photo by Kevin Scott)",{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":780,"_106":781,"_275":782,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Martin Olali: Crowd confronted killer driver during Fleadh event days before his Lisburn home was shot up",194621278,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27374,"_283":8,"_275":27375,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/mini-cooper-driver-accused-of-10-crashes-in-high-speed-belfast-chase-refused-bail/a/159949560.html",[27372,27373],"Mini Cooper driver accused of 10 crashes in high-speed Belfast chase refused bail",{"_264":27369,"_266":27356,"_267":27275},[],[27364,27365,27366,27367,27368],"159949560",{},[],"2026-08-12T16:39:00Z","2026-08-12T16:39:51Z",[27287,27288,27289,27290,27291,27292,27293,27294,27295,27296,27297,27298,27299,27300,27301,27302,27303,27304],{"_140":10,"_141":27286,"_143":10},"fd87779b-9666-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":27362,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":10295,"_213":27358,"_215":27359,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":27355,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":27352,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":27349,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":27346,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":27343,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27340,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":175,"_586":27332,"_588":27333,"_590":-5,"_592":27334,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":27329,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":27326,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":27323,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":27320,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":27317,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":27314,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":27311,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":27308,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":27305,"_161":162},{"_163":27306,"_165":27307},"“Driving such as this puts many people in danger. Accordingly, I do not consider there are any conditions at present that would prevent (O’Neill from driving).”",[],{"_163":27309,"_165":27310},"“It started in the middle of the day, when people were going about their lawful business, families in cars and people on footpaths.",[],{"_163":27312,"_165":27313},"“It is harrowing to think what could have happened (from this driving),” the judge said. ",[],{"_163":27315,"_165":27316},"But Mr Justice Fowler ruled he poses too great a risk of committing further offences.",[],{"_163":27318,"_165":27319},"A defence barrister argued that O’Neill’s own car is now effectively a “write-off”.",[],{"_163":27321,"_165":27322},"He was eventually detained after the Mini came to a halt in the Ballysillan Road area.",[],{"_163":27324,"_165":27325},"O’Neill allegedly failed to stop despite knowing there had been 10 separate accidents during the pursuit.",[],{"_163":27327,"_165":27328},"The car continued across parts of the city, going through red lights as it travelled towards north Belfast and onto the Crumlin Road.",[],{"_163":27330,"_165":27331},"Crown counsel claimed he sped off in a Mini Cooper after a PSNI patrol signalled for him to pull over close to Broadway roundabout shortly after 2pm.",[],{"_163":27338,"_165":27339},{"_163":27336,"_165":27337},{"_163":88,"_165":27335},[],"Mr Justice Fowler",[],"It is harrowing to think what could have happened",[],{"_163":27341,"_165":27342},"He has been charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, using a motor vehicle without insurance, and six counts of failing to stop, remain or report following an accident.",[],{"_163":27344,"_165":27345},"O’Neill, of Bloomfield Avenue in Bangor, faces prosecution for a total of 10 charges over the incident on July 20.",[],{"_163":27347,"_165":27348},"“The potential for catastrophic injuries and deaths arising from this piece of driving is clear for everyone,” he said.",[],{"_163":27350,"_165":27351},"Refusing to grant bail, Mr Justice Fowler highlighted how he was said to have driven at 75mph in 30mph zones.",[],{"_163":27353,"_165":27354},"Gary O’Neill (38) is accused of crashing into multiple other vehicles in broad daylight as police attempted to bring his car to a halt last month.",[],{"_163":27356,"_165":27357},"A motorist allegedly involved in up to 10 collisions during a high-speed pursuit across Belfast must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled today.",[],"The Royal Courts of Justice where the High Court and the Court of Appeal sit in Belfast",{"_81":14559,"_212":10295,"_220":395,"_97":27360,"_213":27358,"_223":14561,"_106":14562,"_226":227,"_228":14556,"_230":14557,"_218":88,"_232":14562,"_233":92},[27361],{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_163":27275,"_165":27363},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":760,"_106":761,"_253":10,"_254":762},{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":10,"_254":261},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_81":14571,"_212":10295,"_220":395,"_97":27370,"_213":27358,"_223":14561,"_106":14562,"_226":227,"_228":14556,"_230":14557,"_218":88,"_232":14562,"_233":92},[27371],{"_235":4363,"_237":4364,"_239":4363,"_240":4365},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"High-speed Belfast chase: Mini Cooper driver Gary O’Neill (38) denied bail","High-speed Belfast chase leaves Gary O’Neill facing 10 charges after alleged crashes and a bail refusal",194615396,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27457,"_283":8,"_275":27458,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/derry-londonderry-city/wanted-man-stopped-at-checkpoint-and-arrested-on-drug-possession-charges-released-on-bail/a/159943161.html",[27456],"Wanted man stopped at checkpoint and arrested on drug possession charges released on bail",{"_264":27452,"_266":27434,"_267":27381},[27451],[27447,27448,27449,27450],"159943161",{},[12809],"2026-08-12T16:14:00Z","2026-08-12T16:14:17Z",[27393,27394,27395,27396,27397,27398,27399,27400,27401,27402,27403,27404,27405],{"_140":10,"_141":27392,"_143":10},"edf2845e-965b-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":27445,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":27436,"_213":27437,"_215":27438,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":27433,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":27430,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":27427,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":27424,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":183,"_356":27418,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27415,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":27412,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":27409,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":27406,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":158,"_106":25116,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":25116,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":11671,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11671,"_233":92},{"_163":27407,"_165":27408},"Anyone with information about the supply or use of illegal drugs is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.",[],{"_163":27410,"_165":27411},"A PSNI spokesperson said he has been “released on bail to allow for further enquiries”. ",[],{"_163":27413,"_165":27414},"The operation involved officers from the Derry City and Strabane District Support Team, Strand Road’s Local Policing Team and the Armed Response Unit.",[],{"_163":27416,"_165":27417},"“The man was further arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class A controlled drug and being concerned in the supply of a Class C controlled drug,” police said.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":27419,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":27420,"_106":27421,"_368":369,"_370":27422,"_232":27423,"_233":92},"zSYAidHTvXWU","00:12:00","1996821","0:12","159925271",{"_163":27425,"_165":27426},"He was subsequently arrested in relation to these and, following a search of his vehicle, officers located a quantity of Class A, B and C controlled drugs, which were seized, along with two mobile phones.",[],{"_163":27428,"_165":27429},"Police said he was already being sought by officers in connection with a number of drugs-related offences. ",[],{"_163":27431,"_165":27432},"The 37-year-old was pulled over by officers on the A6 Glenshane Road at 2am on Tuesday. ",[],{"_163":27434,"_165":27435},"A man already wanted by police over a string of drug-related offences who was arrested when drugs were found after he was stopped at a checkpoint outside Londonderry has been released on bail.",[],"Aodhan Roberts","The 37-year-old was pulled over by police officers on the A6 Glenshane Road ",{"_81":27439,"_212":27436,"_220":395,"_97":27440,"_213":27437,"_223":27441,"_106":27442,"_226":227,"_228":27436,"_230":27443,"_218":88,"_232":27442,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/j3i8n1-stock-images/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/bt_kscott_2025_2760.JPG",[27444],"bt_kscott_2025_2760.JPG","155104426","Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stock image. ",{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_239":3195,"_240":3197},{"_163":27381,"_165":27446},[],{"_250":12815,"_106":12816,"_253":8,"_254":12817},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_235":16108,"_237":16109,"_240":16110},{"_81":27453,"_212":27436,"_220":395,"_97":27454,"_213":27437,"_223":27441,"_106":27442,"_226":227,"_228":27436,"_230":27443,"_218":88,"_232":27442,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/j3i8n1-stock-images/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_2760.JPG",[27455],{"_235":3195,"_237":3196,"_239":3195,"_240":3197},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Drug checkpoint near Londonderry: Man (37) with Class A, B and C drugs bailed","Wanted man (37) stopped on A6 Glenshane Road as police seize Class A, B and C drugs near Londonderry",194593510,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27588,"_283":8,"_275":27589,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/four-remanded-in-custody-over-1.7m-belfast-cocaine-seizure/a/159941768.html",[27587],"Four remanded in custody over £1.7m Belfast cocaine seizure",{"_264":27584,"_266":27571,"_267":27464},[],[27581,27582,27583],{},[],"2026-08-12T14:39:00Z","2026-08-12T14:40:21Z",[27475,27476,27477,27478,27479,27480,27481,27482,27483,27484,27485,27486,27487,27488,27489,27490,27491,27492,27493,27494,27495,27496,27497,27498,27499,27500],{"_140":10,"_141":27474,"_143":10},"0c08004c-965a-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":27579,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":27573,"_213":27574,"_215":27575,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":27570,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":27567,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":27564,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":27561,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":27558,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27555,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":27552,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":27549,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":27546,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":27543,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":27540,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":27537,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":27534,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":27531,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":27528,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":27525,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":27522,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":27519,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":27516,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":27513,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":27510,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":27507,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":27504,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":27501,"_161":162},{"_163":27502,"_165":27503},"Mr Keown said: “Based on the police case, this was a large-scale drugs operation, organised and involving a number of people handling approximately 14 kilos of cocaine worth between £1-2m, and the full extent is not yet known.”",[],{"_163":27505,"_165":27506},"With McKee not seeking bail, District Judge Steven Keown refused bail for each of the co-accused and remanded all four men in custody until September 9.",[],{"_163":27508,"_165":27509},"McMullan’s barrister, Michael Halleron, claimed he poses a minimal risk of re-offending because police would be monitoring all of the defendants’ movements.",[],{"_163":27511,"_165":27512},"Describing his client as a qualified electrician, Mr Curran submitted: “His role is at the bottom rung as a courier, it is whether he was knowingly involved in a criminal offence.”",[],{"_163":27514,"_165":27515},"Counsel for Moyes, Luke Curran, argued he was also unaware there was anything illegal about the bag he had been asked to collect.",[],{"_163":27517,"_165":27518},"“This man is a ‘clean skin’ who didn’t know he was being brought for that purpose.”",[],{"_163":27520,"_165":27521},"“He was entirely unsuspected on the way to this location,” Mr Russell insisted.",[],{"_163":27523,"_165":27524},"Defence solicitor Andrew Russell told the court Hassan has never been in trouble before and fully cooperated with the investigation.",[],{"_163":27526,"_165":27527},"The Somali national denied knowing the contents of the bag when it was handed into the vehicle.",[],{"_163":27529,"_165":27530},"He told police that he works with McKee at a used furniture store and unwittingly drove the van to the Markets area after his colleague asked for help on another job.",[],{"_163":27532,"_165":27533},"Hassan faces a further count of having an offensive weapon, namely a baseball bat.",[],{"_163":27535,"_165":27536},"McMullan has also been charged with possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply in connection with the seizures.",[],{"_163":27538,"_165":27539},"“The total approximate street value of the total 14 kilos of cocaine seized is estimated to be between £1.12m and £1.68m,” the detective disclosed.",[],{"_163":27541,"_165":27542},"Police found another six blocks of cocaine, one kilo of herbal cannabis and a pressing machine during a search of the apartment allegedly linked to him.",[],{"_163":27544,"_165":27545},"Minutes later he left again with an apparently lighter load before the suspected handovers.",[],{"_163":27547,"_165":27548},"The court heard McMullan had been seen on CCTV footage entering the apartment complex earlier that evening while struggling to carry a heavy bag.",[],{"_163":27550,"_165":27551},"Officers subsequently stopped both vehicles, seized the drugs and arrested all four defendants.",[],{"_163":27553,"_165":27554},"Mullan also passed a further three blocks into a Mercedes van jointly occupied by McKee, of Alexandra Terrace in Crumlin, and Hassan, from St James’ Crescent in Belfast, according to police.",[],{"_163":27556,"_165":27557},"It was claimed that Moyes, of Stanhope Street in the city, received a package containing five blocks of cocaine while he waited in a Renault Clio car.",[],{"_163":27559,"_165":27560},"McMullan, of Madrid Street in Belfast, allegedly left the complex with a large bag before carrying out separate interactions with his co-accused in the neighbourhood.",[],{"_163":27562,"_165":27563},"An investigating detective said police observed the suspected handovers at locations close to a block of flats on McAuley Street.",[],{"_163":27565,"_165":27566},"All four men appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on charges including possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.",[],{"_163":27568,"_165":27569},"Brian McMullan (34), Lee McKee (26), Michael Moyes (27), and Abdullah Hassan (33), were arrested following transportations from a city centre apartment block to two waiting vehicles on Monday evening.",[],{"_163":27571,"_165":27572},"Four men were remanded in custody today accused of taking part in an operation to move up to £1.7m worth of cocaine in Belfast.",[],"PSNI","A large quantity of cocaine was seizedin Belfast. ",{"_81":27576,"_212":27573,"_220":395,"_97":27577,"_213":27574,"_223":25142,"_106":25143,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25143,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ylwhk0-cocaine.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Cocaine.jpg",[27578],{"_235":6701,"_237":6702,"_239":6701,"_240":6703},{"_163":27464,"_165":27580},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_81":25140,"_212":27573,"_220":395,"_97":27585,"_213":27574,"_223":25142,"_106":25143,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":25143,"_233":92},[27586],{"_235":6701,"_237":6702,"_239":6701,"_240":6703},{"_250":1507,"_106":1508,"_275":1509,"_276":280},"Belfast cocaine bust: Four men remanded over £1.7m haul","Large-scale Belfast drugs operation sees Brian McMullan, Lee McKee, Michael Moyes and Abdullah Hassan remanded over 14kg cocaine case",194589952,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27756,"_283":10,"_275":27757,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/brazen-blackmailer-snared-after-wily-80-year-old-pensioner-demands-signed-cash-receipt/a/159940718.html",[27755],"Brazen blackmailer snared after wily 80-year-old pensioner demands signed cash receipt",{"_264":27751,"_266":27744,"_267":27595},[],[27748,27749,27750],"159940718",{},[],"2026-08-12T14:25:00Z","2026-08-12T14:25:17Z",[27607,27608,27609,27610,27611,27612,27613,27614,27615,27616,27617,27618,27619,27620,27621,27622,27623,27624,27625,27626,27627,27628,27629,27630,27631,27632,27633,27634,27635,27636,27637,27638,27639,27640],{"_140":10,"_141":27606,"_143":10},"54f840c5-9658-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":27746,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":27743,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":27683,"_215":27737,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":27734,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":27731,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":27728,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":27725,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":27722,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27719,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":27716,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":27713,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":-5,"_213":27683,"_215":27706,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":27703,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":27700,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":27697,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":27694,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":27691,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":27683,"_215":27684,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":27680,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":27677,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":27674,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":27671,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":27668,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":195,"_106":27667,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27667,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":27664,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":27661,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":27658,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":27655,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":27652,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":27649,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":27646,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":27643,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":614,"_106":27642,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27642,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":610,"_106":27641,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27641,"_233":92},"159917720","159934345",{"_163":27644,"_165":27645},"And reflecting on her decision to demand Johnston sign a receipt for £3,900, his mother said: “You don’t work in a solicitor’s office for 40 years without learning a thing or two.”",[],{"_163":27647,"_165":27648},"After the matter concluded in court, the victim – who asked not to be named – said he had been required to move home three times as a result of Johnston’s harassment.",[],{"_163":27650,"_165":27651},"The judge also imposed a five-year restraining order in respect of the victim and both his parents.",[],{"_163":27653,"_165":27654},"Imposing the 16-month sentence, Judge McGurgan told Johnston: “Only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate, both to punish you and to deter others.”",[],{"_163":27656,"_165":27657},"Judge McGurgan said that according to legal guidelines, the offence of blackmail is also serious as it preys upon the soul of the victim and as a result, deterrent sentences are necessary.",[],{"_163":27659,"_165":27660},"Johnston threatened to have ‘paedophile’ written across the front of his house. And he said he would speak to people in the area so as his victim would be unable to return to his home.",[],{"_163":27662,"_165":27663},"Johnston told his victim: “You are in serious f***ing trouble... this isn’t going to end well.”",[],{"_163":27665,"_165":27666},"He said he would also “attack him with knives, attack his caravan, attack his partner’s house”.",[],"159932527",{"_163":27669,"_165":27670},"Judge Patrick McGurgan told the court that he had listened to a number of voice messages left by Johnston. Among the threats made, Johnston told the victim he would “break his windows, break the windows of his parents’ houses and cars and smash them again as soon as they are repaired”.",[],{"_163":27672,"_165":27673},"The court heard how Johnston sent 49 WhatsApp messages to his victim’s phone, making more threats of violence against his parents. But he was arrested when the matter reported to the police.",[],{"_163":27675,"_165":27676},"They discovered £9,500 in a locked safe. The police also found small quantities of cocaine and cannabis.",[],{"_163":27678,"_165":27679},"And when the police raided Johnston’s home at Willow Court, Dunmurry, they found machetes and baseball bats similar to the ones seen in the mobile phone pictures.",[],{"_163":27681,"_165":27682},"His simple signature went a long way to snaring him on a serious charge of blackmail.",[],"Christopher Johnston (45)",{"_81":27685,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":27686,"_213":27683,"_223":27687,"_106":27688,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":27689,"_218":88,"_232":27688,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/fcb8g-chris-johnston-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Chris%20Johnston%201.jpg",[27690],"Chris%20Johnston%201.jpg","159638194","Christopher Johnston (45), a handyma , Seymour Hill, Dunmurry, threatened a 80 year-old woman pensioner and her son.",{"_235":842,"_237":843,"_239":842,"_240":844},{"_163":27692,"_165":27693},"Unknown to Johnston, however, the elderly woman was a former legal secretary who was used to handling substantial amounts of cash. And when she produced a receipt for the money, Johnston signed it.",[],{"_163":27695,"_165":27696},"He was asked to return to her home later to collect the outstanding £1,900.",[],{"_163":27698,"_165":27699},"But Johnston told the 80-year-old woman that her son’s debt had increased to £3,900 as a result of interest and to compensate him for “stress”.",[],{"_163":27701,"_165":27702},"But father-of-two Johnston made a major gaffe when he called with his victim’s mother to collect £2,000. She had agreed to pay over the cash because she was terrified at what might happen to her son.",[],{"_163":27704,"_165":27705},"On one occasion Johnston turned up at the home of his victim’s elderly father, telling the pensioner: “You don’t realise what I’m capable of doing.”",[],{"_81":27707,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":27708,"_213":27683,"_223":27709,"_106":27710,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":27711,"_218":88,"_232":27710,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/qb4njq-chris-johnston-3.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Chris%20Johnston%203.jpg",[27712],"Chris%20Johnston%203.jpg","159638243","Christopher Johnston (45), a handyman , Seymour Hill, Dunmurry, threathed a 80 year-old woman pensioner ands her son.\nUsing his mobile phone, Johnston sent his victim, dozens of photographs, showing machete knives and baseball bats coupled with messages threatening extreme violence.",{"_235":842,"_237":843,"_239":842,"_240":844},{"_163":27714,"_165":27715},"Using his mobile phone, Johnston also sent his victim dozens of photographs showing machete knives and baseball bats coupled with messages threatening extreme violence.",[],{"_163":27717,"_165":27718},"Johnston repeatedly warned his victim that he was capable of hurting both his parents, who live separately.",[],{"_163":27720,"_165":27721},"And when the man failed to honour a repayment scheme devised by Johnston, he and his parents were subjected to a relentless campaign of intimidation and harassment.",[],{"_163":27723,"_165":27724},"But when there was a delay in the social security payment, Johnston told the man he was ‘fining’ him for the shortfall in his income.",[],{"_163":27726,"_165":27727},"The court heard how Johnston asked a man who worked for him on a casual basis to assist him in filling in a form to claim PIP benefit.",[],{"_163":27729,"_165":27730},"Gardener and handyman Johnston of Willow Court, Seymour Hill, Dunmurry on the outskirts of south Belfast, is required to spend half the time behind bars and the remainder on supervised licence.",[],{"_163":27732,"_165":27733},"At Craigavon Crown Court last week, a judge described Christopher Johnston (45) as a “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, before sentencing him to 16 months.",[],{"_163":27735,"_165":27736},"A bungling blackmailer came a cropper when a wily pensioner victim asked him to sign a receipt.",[],{"_81":27738,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":27739,"_213":27683,"_223":27740,"_106":27741,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":27711,"_218":88,"_232":27741,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/lr8c36-chris-johnston-4.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Chris%20Johnston%204.jpg",[27742],"Chris%20Johnston%204.jpg","159940897",{"_235":2889,"_237":2890,"_239":2889,"_240":2891},{"_163":27744,"_165":27745},"Terrified mum forced to hand over nearly £4,270 in ‘stress’ payments to thug gardener",[],{"_163":27595,"_165":27747},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":383,"_106":384,"_253":10,"_254":385},{"_81":27752,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":27753,"_213":27683,"_223":27740,"_106":27741,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":27711,"_218":88,"_232":27741,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/lr8c36-chris-johnston-4.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Chris%20Johnston%204.jpg",[27754],{"_235":2889,"_237":2890,"_239":2889,"_240":2891},{"_250":273,"_106":274,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Blackmailing gardener in Belfast jailed after £3,900 receipt","Terrified mum and wily pensioner expose blackmailer Christopher Johnston after brutal threats and stress payments",194353997,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":27926,"_283":8,"_275":27927,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/psni-chief-constable-signs-letter-calling-for-pm-to-prevent-early-release-of-cop-killers/a/159908157.html",[27922,27923],"PSNI Chief Constable signs letter calling for PM to prevent early release of cop killers",{"_264":27919,"_266":27910,"_267":27763},[27918],[27914,27915,27916,27917],"159908157",{},[],"2026-08-11T20:46:00Z","2026-08-11T20:46:29Z",[27775,27776,27777,27778,27779,27780,27781,27782,27783,27784,27785,27786,27787,27788,27789,27790,27791,27792,27793,27794,27795,27796,27797,27798,27799,27800,27801,27802,27803,27804,27805,27806],{"_140":10,"_141":27774,"_143":10},"e6a4adb5-95bf-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":27912,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":27909,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":1611,"_213":27902,"_215":27903,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":27899,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":27896,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":27893,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":27890,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":27887,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27884,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":27881,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":171,"_212":1611,"_213":27874,"_215":27875,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":27871,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":27868,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":698,"_586":27860,"_588":27861,"_590":-5,"_592":27862,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":27857,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":27854,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":27851,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":27848,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":27845,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":27842,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":27839,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":27836,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":657,"_356":27832,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":27829,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":27826,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":27823,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":27820,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":27817,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":27814,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":27811,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":27808,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":618,"_106":27807,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27807,"_233":92},"159608758",{"_163":27809,"_165":27810},"“The public should be able to trust that when a court passes sentence for the most serious crimes, victims, public protection and confidence in the justice system remain at the heart of any subsequent decisions about release.”",[],{"_163":27812,"_165":27813},"“We make this request in memory of PC Andrew Harper, in support of his family, friends, colleagues and the communities he served and on behalf of all victims of serious offending.",[],{"_163":27815,"_165":27816},"“This provides an opportunity not only to examine every lawful avenue in PC Andrew Harper’s case, but to ensure similar concerns do not arise again,” they said.",[],{"_163":27818,"_165":27819},"The Chief Constables said they welcomed his intervention.",[],{"_163":27821,"_165":27822},"He said he intended to hold talks with other parties to seek consensus around the approach to early release.",[],{"_163":27824,"_165":27825},"The letter also acknowledged Mr Burnham’s remarks that he had “pushed every single day in office” for change.",[],{"_163":27827,"_165":27828},"A third demand called on the Government to ensure victims and bereaved families were properly considered when making any changes to these laws.",[],{"_163":27830,"_165":27831},"The signatories also asked the Government to establish an additional public protection safeguard in cases involving the most serious offenders whenever future changes to sentencing or release arrangements are considered.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":27833,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":5623,"_106":27834,"_368":369,"_370":5625,"_232":27835,"_233":92},"rJBE6PRAkOaW","1994619","159895034",{"_163":27837,"_165":27838},"“We recognise that Government must act within the law. Nevertheless, given the significance of this case, it is right that every available lawful avenue is explored,” added the letter.",[],{"_163":27840,"_165":27841},"The letter makes three requests of the government, with the first urging Mr Burnham to ensure those responsible for Mr Harper’s death are not released.",[],{"_163":27843,"_165":27844},"“Victims and bereaved families should be confident that sentences imposed for the most serious offences retain meaning and that public protection remains a central consideration when release decisions are made.”",[],{"_163":27846,"_165":27847},"“Those who serve and protect the public should know that the justice system recognises the risks they take on society’s behalf,” said the police chiefs.",[],{"_163":27849,"_165":27850},"The letter said their concerns extended “far beyond policing” and focused on “all victims and families affected by serious offending sentencing changes”.",[],{"_163":27852,"_165":27853},"City of London Police Commissioner, who led the independent review into the 2023 PSNI data breach, was also a signatory.",[],{"_163":27855,"_165":27856},"The letter was signed by current PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. ",[],{"_163":27858,"_165":27859},"On Tuesday, a letter signed by all UK police chief constables called for the release of Cole and Bowers to be prevented.",[],{"_163":27866,"_165":27867},{"_163":27864,"_165":27865},{"_163":88,"_165":27863},[],"Letter from UK police chief constables",[],"Those who serve and protect the public should know that the justice system recognises the risks they take on society’s behalf",[],{"_163":27869,"_165":27870},"Since taking office, Andy Burnham has made exemptions for those convicted of serious offences, but the provisions do not cover manslaughter.",[],{"_163":27872,"_165":27873},"Introduced under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the scheme changed the law to give it the ability to release some prisoners who have served a third of their sentence.",[],"PC Andrew Harper (28) who was killed in 2019",{"_81":27876,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":27877,"_213":27874,"_223":27878,"_106":27879,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":27880,"_218":88,"_232":27879,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/uk/fehwn3-police-officer-killed-in-sulhamstead/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/5a322f5f-5597-48df-80e0-cbc9eddd9db5",[],"5a322f5f-5597-48df-80e0-cbc9eddd9db5","159873356","BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Undated family handout file photo issued by Thames Valley Police of 28-year-old PC Andrew Harper. Three teenagers who killed Pc Harper will have their sentences challenged as being ’unduly lenient’ at the Court of Appeal as they also mount their own appeals against their jail terms.",{"_163":27882,"_165":27883},"Long cannot be freed under the scheme as he was given a longer sentence. ",[],{"_163":27885,"_165":27886},"There are now fears Cole and Bowers could be released under the Government’s early release scheme, designed to tackle overcrowding in prisons across England and Wales.",[],{"_163":27888,"_165":27889},"Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers - both minors at the time of the offence - were found guilty of the same charge and sentenced to 13 years in prison.",[],{"_163":27891,"_165":27892},"Henry Long, then 18, pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.",[],{"_163":27894,"_165":27895},"Three teenagers were convicted in relation to Mr Harper’s death.",[],{"_163":27897,"_165":27898},"Thames Valley officer PC Andrew Harper (28) was killed when he was dragged behind a car for more than a mile after attempting to stop the theft of a quad bike in Berkshire, England.",[],{"_163":27900,"_165":27901},"PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is among the signatories of a letter calling on the Prime Minister to prevent the release of two men who killed a police officer in August 2019.",[],"Chief Constable Jon Boutcher",{"_81":27904,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":27905,"_213":27902,"_223":27906,"_106":27907,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":27908,"_218":88,"_232":27907,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/aiy4ji-jon-boutcher/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/042e569a-b350-4566-82d8-73cdcebe312d",[],"042e569a-b350-4566-82d8-73cdcebe312d","158106791","PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher",{"_163":27910,"_165":27911},"Fears killers could be freed under new government plans",[],{"_163":27763,"_165":27913},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":760,"_106":761,"_253":10,"_254":762},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_240":524},{"_81":27920,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":27921,"_213":27902,"_223":27906,"_106":27907,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":27908,"_218":88,"_232":27907,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/northern-ireland/aiy4ji-jon-boutcher/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/042e569a-b350-4566-82d8-73cdcebe312d",[],{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":27924,"_106":27925,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Jon Boutcher","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:jon-boutcher","Killers of PC Andrew Harper early release fears: Police chiefs urge Andy Burnham to block plan","Police chiefs warn early release could free PC Andrew Harper’s killers and urge Andy Burnham to act",194312988,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":28032,"_283":8,"_275":28033,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/five-arrests-after-1.1m-drugs-seizure-in-belfast/a/159903398.html",[28031],"Five arrests after £1.1m drugs seizure in Belfast",{"_264":28027,"_266":28018,"_267":27933},[28026],[28022,28023,28024,28025],"159903398",{},[],"2026-08-11T17:31:00Z","2026-08-11T17:32:02Z",[27945,27946,27947,27948,27949,27950,27951,27952,27953,27954,27955,27956,27957,27958,27959,27960,27961,27962,27963,27964],{"_140":10,"_141":27944,"_143":10},"1f564e6d-95a8-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":28020,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":28017,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":28010,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":28007,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":28004,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":28001,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":27998,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":27995,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":27992,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":175,"_356":27991,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":27988,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":27985,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":27982,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":27979,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":27976,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":27973,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":27970,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":27967,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":673,"_106":27966,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27966,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":669,"_106":27965,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27965,"_233":92},"159874731","159890164",{"_163":27968,"_165":27969},"A man and a woman who were also arrested were released on bail to allow for further police enquiries.",[],{"_163":27971,"_165":27972},"Officers from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch searched two vehicles on July 21, seizing approximately £60,000 worth of suspected Class A controlled drugs, a small quantity of suspected Class B controlled drugs, and mobile phones.",[],{"_163":27974,"_165":27975},"A man was charged with drug dealing after three people were arrested following a drugs search on Hopewell Avenue in north Belfast.",[],{"_163":27977,"_165":27978},"The move follows several other searches in the greater Belfast area. ",[],{"_163":27980,"_165":27981},"“I would also like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone with any information about suspected drug dealing in their area to call the non-emergency number 101.”",[],{"_163":27983,"_165":27984},"“Anyone tempted to become involved in illegal drugs should be under no illusion; we will seek to identify them, arrest them and place them before the courts. ",[],{"_163":27986,"_165":27987},"“We know that drugs bring harm and control into communities, and only benefit those lining their pockets at the expense of others and the wider community.",[],{"_163":27989,"_165":27990},"Detective Inspector Miskelly said: “Families across Belfast do not want to see the lives of their young people and loved ones blighted by drugs. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":27833,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":5623,"_106":27834,"_368":369,"_370":5625,"_232":27835,"_233":92},{"_163":27993,"_165":27994},"Video from the operation shows officers in a high powered Audi block in another vehicle.",[],{"_163":27996,"_165":27997},"The undercover officers detained two men after boxing in a car in the Eliza Street Close area of the Markets.",[],{"_163":27999,"_165":28000},"The move was part of a police operation tackling drugs criminality in the Greater Belfast area. The operation involved specialist firearms officers.",[],{"_163":28002,"_165":28003},"Five men, aged 26, 27, 33, 34 and 59 have been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including possession of Class A and B controlled drugs with intent to supply.",[],{"_163":28005,"_165":28006},"Approximately 14kg of suspected cocaine and a quantity of cannabis were seized during the raids, which took place on Monday and Tuesday.",[],{"_163":28008,"_165":28009},"Police have made five arrests after seizing drugs worth more than £1.1 million in Belfast.",[],{"_81":28011,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28012,"_213":88,"_223":28013,"_106":28014,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28015,"_218":88,"_232":28014,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/aupn0h-drugs-belfast.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Drugs%20Belfast.jpg",[28016],"Drugs%20Belfast.jpg","159903605","The drugs seized during the raid",{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_163":28018,"_165":28019},"Some 14kg in suspected cocaine was discovered during the raid",[],{"_163":27933,"_165":28021},[],{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":760,"_106":761,"_253":10,"_254":762},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_240":524},{"_81":28028,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28029,"_213":88,"_223":28013,"_106":28014,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28015,"_218":88,"_232":28014,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/aupn0h-drugs-belfast.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Drugs%20Belfast.jpg",[28030],{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Belfast cocaine and cannabis raid: Five men arrested over £1.1m drugs","Major Belfast drugs raid seizes suspected cocaine and cannabis worth over £1.1m and leads to five arrests",194298836,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":28246,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/home-of-death-driver-who-killed-man-in-hit-and-run-shot-up-by-masked-gunmen/a/159886242.html",[28243,28244,28245],"Home of death driver who killed man in hit-and-run shot up by masked gunmen",{"_264":28240,"_266":28229,"_267":28039},[28239],[28233,28234,28235,28236,28237,28238],{},[],"2026-08-12T05:00:00Z","2026-08-11T16:27:11Z",[28050,28051,28052,28053,28054,28055,28056,28057,28058,28059,28060,28061,28062,28063,28064,28065,28066,28067,28068,28069,28070,28071,28072,28073,28074,28075,28076,28077,28078,28079,28080,28081,28082,28083,28084,28085,28086,28087,28088,28089,28090,28091,28092,28093],{"_140":10,"_141":28049,"_143":10},"a453446f-9587-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":28231,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":28228,"_161":374},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":28227,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":28224,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":28221,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":28218,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":28215,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":28210,"_213":28211,"_215":28212,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":28207,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":28204,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":28201,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":28198,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":28195,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":698,"_212":-5,"_213":28191,"_215":28192,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":28188,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":28185,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":28182,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":28179,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":28176,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":28173,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":665,"_212":-5,"_213":28169,"_215":28170,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":28166,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":28163,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":28160,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":28157,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":28154,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":28151,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":28148,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":28145,"_161":162},{"_155":876,"_157":622,"_356":28139,"_161":878},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":28136,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":28133,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":28130,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":28127,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":28124,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":28121,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":28118,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":28115,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":572,"_212":-5,"_213":28107,"_215":28108,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":28104,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":28101,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":28098,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":28095,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":548,"_106":28094,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":28094,"_233":92},"159872607",{"_163":28096,"_165":28097},"Olali has been approached for comment.",[],{"_163":28099,"_165":28100},"“I’d urge anyone with information that could help the police in their investigations to report it, either directly to the PSNI or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and help get those responsible off our streets.”",[],{"_163":28102,"_165":28103},"“People have the right to feel safe in their homes. Thankfully nobody, either in the property or in the vicinity, was injured in this case, but the consequences could very well have been devastating.",[],{"_163":28105,"_165":28106},"“There is absolutely no place for this kind of violence here. Those responsible offer nothing to Lisburn and the people who live here other than distress and disruption.",[],"Alliance MLA David Honeyford condemned the shooting",{"_81":28109,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28110,"_213":28107,"_223":28111,"_106":28112,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28113,"_218":88,"_232":28112,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/dqpjqd-bt-kscott-2025-4405.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_4405.jpg",[28114],"bt_kscott_2025_4405.jpg","151120900","david Honeyford",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":28116,"_165":28117},"Alliance MLA David Honeyford said the shooting was “nothing short of shocking and appalling”.",[],{"_163":28119,"_165":28120},"When asked if police were linking the shooting to the weekend brawl, a spokesperson said: “The investigation is at an early stage and a number of lines of enquiry are being followed”.",[],{"_163":28122,"_165":28123},"“We are working to establish a motive for the attack and are asking anyone who may have information, or relevant dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage which could assist with our enquiries, to contact us in Lisburn on 101”.",[],{"_163":28125,"_165":28126},"“The shots were fired at the front door and an upstairs window causing damage but thankfully, those present in the property at the time were uninjured. A car parked at the house was also damaged during the incident.",[],{"_163":28128,"_165":28129},"PSNI Detective Inspector Lewis said: “We received a report that a number of shots had been fired at the house shortly before 1.30am on Tuesday morning.",[],{"_163":28131,"_165":28132},"A woman is also knocked to the ground during the confrontation and is seen being helped up from the road.",[],{"_163":28134,"_165":28135},"During the fracas, involving around a dozen people, Olali is heard saying to one man, “You’ll shoot me?”",[],{"_163":28137,"_165":28138},"Footage shows Olali involved in a confrontation, during which threats are made.",[],{"_85":878,"_359":28140,"_361":880,"_212":88,"_363":880,"_213":88,"_365":28141,"_106":28142,"_368":369,"_370":28143,"_232":28144,"_233":92},"kDAJF_jDxGyg","00:15:33","1964435","15:33","159463757",{"_163":28146,"_165":28147},"There is no suggestion the shooting is linked to the hit-and-run. Police are instead investigating links to a street clash at the weekend that was captured on camera by bystanders.",[],{"_163":28149,"_165":28150},"The judge then turned to the sentencing of Olali and his co-accused saying: “This case will be one of those cases that will undoubtedly be, when there is a resumption, absolutely and utterly prioritised to bring finality to it.”",[],{"_163":28152,"_165":28153},"Judge Rafferty agreed to extend Olali’s curfew to midnight, but he refused a bid to remove the tag.",[],{"_163":28155,"_165":28156},"The solicitor replied that Olali felt like it “restricted him”, especially when he was training.",[],{"_163":28158,"_165":28159},"Judge Rafferty queried why the tag was such an issue for Olali, asking: “Does he just not like it?”",[],{"_163":28161,"_165":28162},"The defence solicitor also spoke of Olali’s business and “settled family lifestyle”, adding that his client “was never a risk of flight”.",[],{"_163":28164,"_165":28165},"He told Judge Rafferty that since Olali was placed on bail last September, his client’s behaviour has been “impeccable” and that he has been “occupying his time very productively”.",[],{"_163":28167,"_165":28168},"Addressing these concerns, his solicitor said Olali had “attended every single court appearance he has been asked to attend”.",[],"Martin Sean Olali junior",{"_81":25751,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28171,"_213":28169,"_223":25753,"_106":25754,"_226":227,"_228":25713,"_230":25755,"_218":88,"_232":25754,"_233":92},[28172],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":28174,"_165":28175},"Whilst acknowledging that Olali had pleaded guilty to offences arising from the fatal incident, they said efforts were made at the time of the fatal crash to avoid detection.",[],{"_163":28177,"_165":28178},"Opposing the removal of the tag, the prosecution cited concerns of a risk of flight.",[],{"_163":28180,"_165":28181},"In June, Olali was granted a bail variation to extend his curfew from 10pm to midnight and asked that his tag be removed.",[],{"_163":28183,"_165":28184},"He admitted charges including causing Mr Boyle’s death by careless driving and failing to stop at the scene of the accident on February 5, 2021.",[],{"_163":28186,"_165":28187},"The case had been delayed due to the now-resolved barristers’ strike but is now listed for September 10, a year after Olali entered guilty pleas at Belfast Crown Court.",[],{"_163":28189,"_165":28190},"Olali (26), from Breton Court in Lisburn, was due to be sentenced for a number of offences, including causing Mr Boyle’s death by careless driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident and using a vehicle with no insurance. ",[],"Richard Boyle who died in a car accident when he was out walking his dog Junior in west Belfast in February 2021",{"_81":25716,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28193,"_213":28191,"_223":25718,"_106":25719,"_226":227,"_228":25713,"_230":25720,"_218":88,"_232":25719,"_233":92},[28194],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":28196,"_165":28197},"Both Mr Boyle and his pet died from the injuries they sustained in the hit-and-run.",[],{"_163":28199,"_165":28200},"Olali is on bail awaiting sentencing in relation to the death of west Belfast man Richard Boyle. The 42-year-old was walking his dog Junior on the Stewartstown Road on February 5, 2021, when he was struck by a car.",[],{"_163":28202,"_165":28203},"A local MLA said the shooting was “shocking and appalling”.",[],{"_163":28205,"_165":28206},"They walk to the property before one man opens fire, while a second man smashes the back window of a car. The gun appears to jam. The two men then make their way back to the vehicle before speeding off from the scene.",[],{"_163":28208,"_165":28209},"CCTV of the incident obtained by the Belfast Telegraph shows a BMW car pull up and two masked men wearing tracksuits get out. ",[],"Kevin Scott/Belfast Telegraph.","Police at the scene of a shooting incident in the Breton Court area of Lisburn",{"_81":25787,"_212":28210,"_220":395,"_97":28213,"_213":28211,"_223":25789,"_106":25790,"_226":227,"_228":6944,"_230":25785,"_218":88,"_232":25790,"_233":92},[28214],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_163":28216,"_165":28217},"Shots had been fired through the windows of the house, with damage also caused to a car parked in the driveway. ",[],{"_163":28219,"_165":28220},"Police were called to the scene in the Breton Court area of the city shortly before 1.30am on Tuesday. ",[],{"_163":28222,"_165":28223},"Shots were fired during the overnight incident at the Lisburn home of Martin Olali junior. ",[],{"_163":28225,"_165":28226},"A gun attack at the home of a man awaiting sentencing over a fatal hit-and-run has been linked to a fight in Belfast.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":27833,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":5623,"_106":27834,"_368":369,"_370":5625,"_232":27835,"_233":92},{"_163":28229,"_165":28230},"‘Shocking’ attack linked to street brawl in Belfast city centre days earlier ",[],{"_163":28039,"_165":28232},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":5499,"_106":5500,"_253":10,"_254":5501},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":3163,"_106":3164,"_253":10,"_254":3165},{"_235":13322,"_237":13323,"_240":13324},{"_81":27260,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28241,"_213":88,"_223":27262,"_106":27263,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":27264,"_218":88,"_232":27263,"_233":92},[28242],{"_235":3185,"_237":3186,"_239":3185,"_240":3187},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},{"_250":1163,"_106":2911,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1676,"_106":1677,"_275":-5,"_276":277},"Martin Olali Jr: Lisburn home of death driver shot up by masked gunmen",194297451,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":28366,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/van-driver-stopped-with-drugs-worth-220000-at-ni-port-claimed-he-was-transporting-a-hot-tub/a/159899590.html",[28365],"Van driver stopped with drugs worth £220,000 at NI port claimed he was transporting a hot tub",{"_264":28361,"_266":28351,"_267":28252},[28360],[28355,28356,28357,28358,28359],"159899590",{},[],"2026-08-11T16:20:00Z","2026-08-11T16:21:05Z",[28264,28265,28266,28267,28268,28269,28270,28271,28272,28273,28274,28275,28276,28277,28278,28279,28280,28281,28282,28283,28284],{"_140":10,"_141":28263,"_143":10},"665020c4-959c-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":28353,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":28350,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":28343,"_215":28344,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":28340,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":28337,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":28334,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":28331,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":28328,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":179,"_212":-5,"_213":28321,"_215":28322,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":28318,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":28315,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":28312,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":28309,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":28306,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":28303,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":28300,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":28297,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":28294,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":28291,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":28288,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":28285,"_161":162},{"_163":28286,"_165":28287},"“We continue to work round the clock to pursue criminality, protect the UK’s borders and keep these dangerous drugs off our streets.”",[],{"_163":28289,"_165":28290},"“These drugs destroy lives, inflicts misery on our communities and fuels further offending.",[],{"_163":28292,"_165":28293},"John-Jo Oldham, Assistant Director, Border Force Northern Ireland said: “This expert interception demonstrates that Border Force is relentless in combatting drug smuggling.",[],{"_163":28295,"_165":28296},"“The NCA will continue to do all we can to stop drugs being smuggled into Northern Ireland and across the border.”",[],{"_163":28298,"_165":28299},"“We are grateful to our partners at Border Force who discovered these drugs. ",[],{"_163":28301,"_165":28302},"“He denied any knowledge of these drugs but our investigation showed he had likely been involved in a number of previous smuggling runs and his account at interview lacked credibility.",[],{"_163":28304,"_165":28305},"NCA Branch Commander David Cunningham said: “Paulius Andrulis went to great lengths to hide this haul of drugs in his van, with a specialist hide running the length of the roof.",[],{"_163":28307,"_165":28308},"The defendant entered a guilty plea to the offence at Laganside Crown Court on June 29 and was sentenced to two years and two months in prison on Tuesday August 11.",[],{"_163":28310,"_165":28311},"Andrulis denied any knowledge of drugs and said he had been asked to make the delivery by a man he knew as ‘Sprite’.",[],{"_163":28313,"_165":28314},"During police interview, he claimed he was asked to drop the van at the address in the Republic of Ireland and that he had been told it would be returned to him later with the hot tub removed.",[],{"_163":28316,"_165":28317},"Andrulis was arrested the following day on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.",[],{"_163":28319,"_165":28320},"The hide ran the length of the roof of the van, with access through the top of the van’s rear doors.",[],"Paulius Andrulis (37) has been handed a prison sentence",{"_81":28323,"_212":88,"_220":221,"_97":28324,"_213":28321,"_223":28325,"_106":28326,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":28326,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/wm86pk-e8fc440aca69422f8719034681d7cb9f.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/e8fc440aca69422f8719034681d7cb9f.jpg",[28327],"e8fc440aca69422f8719034681d7cb9f.jpg","159900187",{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_163":28329,"_165":28330},"Following a search of Andrulis’ vehicle, a purpose-built hide was discovered in the roof containing 27.5kg of herbal cannabis, a class B drug.",[],{"_163":28332,"_165":28333},"When Border Force officers questioned the Lithuanian national about his movements, he told them he was delivering a hot tub to an address in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.",[],{"_163":28335,"_165":28336},"The 37-year-old was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at Belfast Port on June 15 2025 after arriving on a sailing from Cairnryan in Scotland.",[],{"_163":28338,"_165":28339},"Paulius Andrulis was sentenced to more than two years in prison following a hearing at Laganside Crown Court on Tuesday.",[],{"_163":28341,"_165":28342},"A van driver who was caught with a cannabis haul worth £220,000 at a Northern Ireland port told police he was transporting a hot tub, a court has heard.",[],"Paulius Andrulis and the haul ",{"_81":28345,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28346,"_213":28343,"_223":28347,"_106":28348,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28343,"_218":88,"_232":28348,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ilda0e-file8745eifas5s1n3h8zckq/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/bt_kscott_2025_6559.JPG",[28349],"bt_kscott_2025_6559.JPG","159900248",{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_163":28351,"_165":28352},"The driver has been jailed for more than two years",[],{"_163":28252,"_165":28354},[],{"_250":259,"_106":260,"_253":8,"_254":261},{"_250":760,"_106":761,"_253":10,"_254":762},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_240":524},{"_81":28362,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28363,"_213":28343,"_223":28347,"_106":28348,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28343,"_218":88,"_232":28348,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ilda0e-file8745eifas5s1n3h8zckq/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_6559.JPG",[28364],{"_235":522,"_237":523,"_239":522,"_240":524},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Paulius Andrulis: Van driver stopped with drugs worth £220,000 at NI port claimed he was transporting a hot tub",194241101,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/inside-daniel-kinahans-prison-regime-from-sharing-a-wing-with-a-child-killer-to-spending-20-hours-a-day-in-his-cell/a/159879404.html",[28555,28556],"Inside Daniel Kinahan’s prison regime – from sharing a wing with a child-killer to spending 20 hours a day in his cell ",{"_264":28550,"_266":28532,"_267":28372},[28539,28540,28541],[28536,28537,28538],{},[],"2026-08-11T11:58:48Z","2026-08-11T11:59:04Z",[28383,28384,28385,28386,28387,28388,28389,28390,28391,28392,28393,28394,28395,28396,28397,28398,28399,28400,28401,28402,28403,28404,28405,28406,28407,28408,28409,28410,28411,28412,28413,28414,28415,28416,28417,28418,28419],{"_140":10,"_141":28382,"_143":10},"a33129b2-957b-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":28534,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":28531,"_161":374},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":28525,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":28522,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":28519,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":28516,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":28513,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":183,"_212":28501,"_213":28502,"_215":28503,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":328,"_157":179,"_106":24264,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24264,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":175,"_106":28500,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":28500,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":28497,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":28494,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":28491,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":28488,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":694,"_586":28481,"_588":28482,"_590":-5,"_592":28483,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":28478,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":28475,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":28472,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":28469,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":28466,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":28463,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":28460,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":28457,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":28454,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":28451,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":28448,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":28445,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":28442,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":28439,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":28436,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":1007,"_356":28432,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":28429,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":28426,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":28423,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":28420,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":585,"_106":24169,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24169,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":580,"_106":24170,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24170,"_233":92},{"_163":28421,"_165":28422},"Moore had been so terrified, he later refused to testify at the Special Criminal Court and the Fitzsimonses, along with Jason and Brandon Hennessy, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of assault causing harm. ",[],{"_163":28424,"_165":28425},"Moore was branded with the word “rat” on his forehead and body as well as being slashed and beaten with a metal bar, which was used to break his elbow. The prolonged attack in a shed at the back of the Hennessy home continued with Moore being water-boarded and being threatened with having his ears cut off. ",[],{"_163":28427,"_165":28428},"Along with the Hennessy brothers Jason, Devon and Brandon, they accused Barry Moore of leaking information to a rival gang. ",[],{"_163":28430,"_165":28431},"Father and son Kenneth and Dean Fitzsimons are also serving their time on the A4 landing for their roles in the torture of a man in Blanchardstown, Dublin, in February 2025. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":28433,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":7852,"_106":28434,"_368":369,"_370":7854,"_232":28435,"_233":92},"TxYMsZjAFaeQ","1989448","159811294",{"_163":28437,"_165":28438},"Kinahan will have access to his legal team and screened visits and video calls with family and friends. ",[],{"_163":28440,"_165":28441},"The vast majority of his days will be spent in his cell on A Block, where he will spend around 20 hours a day. He will get about an hour in the exercise yard alone. The rest of the time, he will have access to what is reported to be a small gym and a “library”. ",[],{"_163":28443,"_165":28444},"Between that afternoon meal and breakfast the next day, Kinahan will be relying on snacks he can buy from the tuck shop to keep him going. ",[],{"_163":28446,"_165":28447},"Breakfast is at 8am, then there is a main meal at 12.30pm and a “tea” at 4.30pm. ",[],{"_163":28449,"_165":28450},"Like Al Awir Central Prison on the outskirts of Dubai, where it was reported Kinahan was held and where he made efforts to prevent his extradition, meal times are set and there are protocols in place for recreation and exercise. ",[],{"_163":28452,"_165":28453},"And while a massive security scenario surrounded his transport to and from the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, it will be business as usual behind bars in the prison, which was more used to incarcerating terrorists before organised crime gangs rose to prominence and political prisoner numbers dwindled following the peace process. ",[],{"_163":28455,"_165":28456},"Kinahan’s daily prison regime in Portlaoise is likely to be similar to that of the jail he was reportedly held at in Dubai after his arrest in April, but keeping him segregated while still providing him with his right to recreation and exercise will be a challenge in the overcrowded environment. ",[],{"_163":28458,"_165":28459},"Eleven inmates in the maximum security prison are now sleeping on mattresses on the floors of cells. ",[],{"_163":28461,"_165":28462},"Portlaoise Prison is currently running at 120pc of capacity and the overcrowding is putting a strain on the Irish Prison Service. ",[],{"_163":28464,"_165":28465},"He will be able to wear his own clothes while in Portlaoise. The clothing will be searched and inspected before being delivered to him. ",[],{"_163":28467,"_165":28468},"On Sunday night, Kinahan was clothed in prison attire, until family or friends could send him three sets of his own clothes. ",[],{"_163":28470,"_165":28471},"Mazidi looks after the launderette on the landing, sources said. ",[],{"_163":28473,"_165":28474},"Other A4 inmates are Iranian national Ali Mazidi and Raul Tabares from Spain, who are awaiting trial over an alleged cocaine smuggling plot in which an attempt was made to land €58m worth of the drug at Tragumna Pier in Cork in March 2024. ",[],{"_163":28476,"_165":28477},"Nathan McDonnell, who is serving his 12-year sentence for a plot to send €32m of crystal meth to Australia hidden in machinery, is also on the landing. ",[],{"_163":28479,"_165":28480},"The triple killer murdered his younger siblings, 18-year-old sister Lisa Cash and eight-year-old twins Christy and Chelsea Cawley, in Dublin in 2022. ",[],{"_163":28486,"_165":28487},{"_163":88,"_165":28485},{"_163":88,"_165":28484},[],[],"He will get about an hour in the exercise yard alone",[],{"_163":28489,"_165":28490},"Kinahan will not be able to share pleasantries with his neighbours, but he is likely to hear Andy Cash (27), who sings every night in his cell, sources said. ",[],{"_163":28492,"_165":28493},"While some of the prisoners are at risk from attack, others are the ones the authorities believe are a danger to other prisoners. ",[],{"_163":28495,"_165":28496},"His fellow inmates on the landing are either awaiting trial or deemed not suitable to mix with other inmates as they serve their sentences. ",[],{"_163":28498,"_165":28499},"Kinahan, who claimed to be looking forward to his return to Ireland, will be kept separate from other inmates in prison until his trial process is over. ",[],"159804878","Colin Keegan","An armed garda at Portlaoise Prison as the convoy carrying Daniel Kinahan arrived ",{"_81":28504,"_212":28501,"_220":395,"_97":28505,"_213":28502,"_223":28506,"_106":28507,"_226":227,"_228":28501,"_230":28508,"_218":88,"_232":28507,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/e2ityg-file87389e4rmtu1f0wratn8/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/CC_KINAHAN_PRISON12.jpg",[28509],"CC_KINAHAN_PRISON12.jpg","159811061","09/08/'26 Armed Gardai as The convoy carrying Daniel Kinahin arrives at Portlaoise Prison tonight.. .....Picture Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.",{"_235":28510,"_237":28511,"_239":28510,"_240":28512},"denise.calnan@independent.ie","Calnan","Denise",{"_163":28514,"_165":28515},"His neighbours in the prison include members of the Hennessy gang, alleged cocaine smugglers, former businessman Nathan McDonnell and child-killer Andy Cash.",[],{"_163":28517,"_165":28518},"The Dublin man will have to adjust to his new life for the foreseeable future on the A4 landing in Portlaoise Prison’s A wing. ",[],{"_163":28520,"_165":28521},"Kinahan is in custody awaiting trial after being charged at the Special Criminal Court with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.",[],{"_163":28523,"_165":28524},"Daniel Kinahan has been placed on the same wing as a child-killer and a meth smuggler in Portlaoise Prison.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":28526,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":28527,"_106":28528,"_368":369,"_370":28529,"_232":28530,"_233":92},"nDYFv_zRibyW","00:19:35","1992180","19:35","159856284",{"_163":28532,"_165":28533},"Alleged crime boss housed in A wing at Portlaoise with Andy Cash and meth smuggler Nathan McDonnell",[],{"_163":28372,"_165":28535},[],{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":8,"_254":1657},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":28547,"_237":28548,"_240":28549},{"_235":28545,"_237":28546,"_240":19565},{"_235":28542,"_237":28543,"_240":28544},"robin.schiller@independent.ie","Schiller","Robin","conor.feehan@independent.ie","Feehan","eamon.dillon@sundayworld.com","Dillon","Eamon",{"_81":28551,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28552,"_213":88,"_223":28553,"_106":28554,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":28554,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/i07dgf-359.jpeg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/63fe1f64-9682-448e-8384-4d7c6ddc44aa",[],"63fe1f64-9682-448e-8384-4d7c6ddc44aa","159856283",{"_250":28557,"_106":28558,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":24309,"_106":24310,"_275":24311,"_276":280},"Kinahan Cartel","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:kinahan-cartel",194183348,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/crime/informants-could-claim-5m-daniel-kinahan-bounty-us-law-enforcement-official-says-as-alleged-crime-boss-charged/a/159857348.html",[28755,28756],"Informants could claim $5m Daniel Kinahan bounty, US law enforcement official says, as alleged crime boss charged",{"_264":28750,"_266":28739,"_267":28564},[28746,28747],[28743,28744,28745],{},[],"2026-08-10T20:37:23Z",[28574,28575,28576,28577,28578,28579,28580,28581,28582,28583,28584,28585,28586,28587,28588,28589,28590,28591,28592,28593,28594,28595,28596,28597,28598,28599,28600,28601,28602,28603,28604,28605,28606,28607,28608,28609,28610,28611,28612,28613,28614,28615,28616],{"_140":10,"_141":28573,"_143":10},"0a9b7be8-94fb-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":28741,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":28738,"_161":374},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":28737,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":28734,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":28731,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":28728,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":28725,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":28722,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":28719,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":28716,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":28713,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":2094,"_213":28706,"_215":28707,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":28703,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":28700,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":28697,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":28694,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":28691,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":28688,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":28685,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":28682,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":28679,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":28676,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":28673,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":28670,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":28667,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":28664,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":28661,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":28658,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":28655,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":28652,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":28649,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":28646,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":28642,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":28639,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":28636,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":28633,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":28630,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":28627,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":28624,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":28621,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":28618,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":552,"_106":24169,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":24169,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":548,"_106":28617,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":28617,"_233":92},"159791780",{"_163":28619,"_165":28620},"“Our view at the time was, ‘This is only the beginning’.”",[],{"_163":28622,"_165":28623},"“I can remember when that was being reported. There was the chief in the north inner city, and we met with senior detectives, people that had been in and around the north inner city all of their lives. They knew both sides of this feud. ",[],{"_163":28625,"_165":28626},"“When we look at the first murder that prompted this to happen, the murder of Gareth Hutch, he was part of the inner sanctum of the Kinahans.",[],{"_163":28628,"_165":28629},"“In 2016, we had 11 murders associated with this. It was outrageous. It was an attack on the state. So everybody has an interest in this.”",[],{"_163":28631,"_165":28632},"“For me, I think about the families of those who died, those who were murdered, daily murders over that period.",[],{"_163":28634,"_165":28635},"On the importance of Kinahan’s extradition, he said: “It’s a big day. An Garda Síochána have worked really, really well in relation to this. The Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, they’ve all played a part in this.",[],{"_163":28637,"_165":28638},"“Fom a gardaí perspective, we need to maintain our perspective in relation to this, and we need to remain professional, which I know they will.”",[],{"_163":28640,"_165":28641},"“What we have to accept is that the places that they were using for safety away from Ireland, that net has closed quite considerably now.",[],{"_163":28643,"_165":28644},"Also speaking on Today with Clare Brock, former assistant commissioner Pat Leahy, who was chief superintendent at the time of the Regency Hotel attack, said: “It would be relatively easy to replace him with somebody internal at the moment. ",[28645],{"_85":2073,"_157":681,"_194":661,"_196":-5},{"_163":28647,"_165":28648},"A former chief superintendent in Dublin’s north inner city has said it would be “relatively easy” for a figure to replace Daniel Kinahan.",[],{"_163":28650,"_165":28651},"Over the following days, he spent time between mainland Europe and Ireland before moving to the UAE.",[],{"_163":28653,"_165":28654},"In February 2016, gunmen stormed the Regency Hotel in Dublin in an attempt to murder Kinahan, but he managed to escape. His friend and associate David Byrne was shot dead.",[],{"_163":28656,"_165":28657},"The alleged period of offending occurred during the Hutch-Kinahan feud – a criminal dispute that led to 18 murders over three years.",[],{"_163":28659,"_165":28660},"His court appearance marks the most significant organised-crime charge brought before the Irish courts.",[],{"_163":28662,"_165":28663},"Following his appearance, Kinahan was escorted from court by armed gardaí and transported to the high-security Portlaoise Prison.",[],{"_163":28665,"_165":28666},"Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, presiding, remanded Kinahan in custody to appear before the court again on October 5.",[],{"_163":28668,"_165":28669},"When this was explained to him, Kinahan replied: “I think we know I won’t be getting bail, but thank you so much for explaining that.”",[],{"_163":28671,"_165":28672},"Kinahan, who did not have legal representation, was unable to apply for bail as, on a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation, this can only be granted by the High Court. ",[],{"_163":28674,"_165":28675},"The offence, contrary to Section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on conviction.",[],{"_163":28677,"_165":28678},"He faces a single charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2015 and April 6, 2017.",[],{"_163":28680,"_165":28681},"Kinahan – originally from the Oliver Bond flat complex in Dublin 8, but a resident of Dubai for the last 10 years – appeared before the court at 8.10pm.",[],{"_163":28683,"_165":28684},"There were numerous onlookers, with the crowd swelling to over 100 people by the time the convoy transporting Kinahan had arrived.",[],{"_163":28686,"_165":28687},"Armed gardaí closed down the roads surrounding the court entrance immediately before the convoy arrived, while the garda helicopter provided cover overhead.",[],{"_163":28689,"_165":28690},"A significant armed convoy led by members of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), who specialise in close protection, escorted Kinahan across the city to the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) in Parkgate Street on Sunday.",[],{"_163":28692,"_165":28693},"“I have to say, John O’Driscoll made an impassioned plea,” Mr Gatjanis said. “He explained the growth of the organisation, but mostly what had the most lasting impression on me was when he was explaining how the violence of the Kinahan organisation expanded and exploded across Ireland.”",[],{"_163":28695,"_165":28696},"He also paid tribute to late former assistant garda commissioner John O’Driscoll, who died in 2024.",[],{"_163":28698,"_165":28699},"Mr Gatjanis said Kinahan’s arrest “sends a really powerful message to other criminals who are taking shelter in the UAE”. ",[],{"_163":28701,"_165":28702},"“I’m not saying that this is what happened with the Kinahans. This is the kind of information that could come forward. Some of the most important information will be bank information, the accounts where money is held.”",[],{"_163":28704,"_165":28705},"“The kind of information that we see come forward could be anything from evidence of additional crimes that were unknown up to that point, which could include murders, money laundering, drug trafficking, even planned murders,” Mr Gatjanis said.",[],"A poster issued in April 2022 by the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs offering a reward of $5m for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Daniel Kinahan",{"_81":28708,"_212":2094,"_220":395,"_97":28709,"_213":28706,"_223":28710,"_106":28711,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":28712,"_218":88,"_232":28711,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/world-news/mn0oj-kinahan-crime-gang/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/49aebb8d-f5c7-4038-b459-50abe117cb32",[],"49aebb8d-f5c7-4038-b459-50abe117cb32","159402328","Handout issued by Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, a US state department, of a poster issued in April 2022 offering a reward of $5million for the arrest and/or conviction of Daniel Kinahan. Kinahan is being sought by Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) for his part in the Kinahan organised crime group. Issue date: Tuesday April 12, 2022.",{"_163":28714,"_165":28715},"The Office of Foreign Assets Control previously said it was prioritising the pursuit of the Kinahans in the same manner as it was the Camorra, Yakuza and Izmaylovskaya mafia groups.",[],{"_163":28717,"_165":28718},"He added that it can be very hard for the targets of such rewards to trust anyone around them.",[],{"_163":28720,"_165":28721},"“That kind of money can draw people out of hiding and it could be an opportunity for potential retribution against criminal leaders.”",[],{"_163":28723,"_165":28724},"Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with Claire Brock, Greg Gatjanis, former associate director of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, said rewards for crime figures such as Kinahan can attract an array of informants.",[],{"_163":28726,"_165":28727},"In 2022, US authorities announced a reward of up to $5m for information leading to the disruption of the Kinahan organised crime group, or to the arrest and conviction of Daniel Kinahan, his father Christopher Sr and his brother Christopher Jr.",[],{"_163":28729,"_165":28730},"The alleged crime boss was brought before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Sunday evening amid a large security operation.",[],{"_163":28732,"_165":28733},"On Sunday, Kinahan (49) arrived back in Dublin after he was flown in the Irish government jet from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he had been held in prison on remand since he was detained in April.",[],{"_163":28735,"_165":28736},"Informants or gang members fearing for their lives could come forward to claim the $5m (€4.33m) bounty placed on Daniel Kinahan by US authorities, a former senior US law enforcement official has said.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":28433,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":7852,"_106":28434,"_368":369,"_370":7854,"_232":28435,"_233":92},{"_163":28739,"_165":28740},"Kinahan was brought before the Special Criminal Court on Sunday charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation",[],{"_163":28564,"_165":28742},[],{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":8,"_254":2473},{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":10,"_254":1657},{"_250":1486,"_106":1487,"_253":10,"_254":1488},{"_235":28748,"_237":28749,"_240":1939},{"_235":28542,"_237":28543,"_240":28544},"Sarah.OMahony@independent.ie","O'Mahony",{"_81":28751,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28752,"_213":88,"_223":28753,"_106":28754,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":28754,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/et51ax-981.jpeg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/8138f1a6-1b46-4e94-b883-5ef85d21119a",[],"8138f1a6-1b46-4e94-b883-5ef85d21119a","159811291",{"_250":28557,"_106":28558,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":24309,"_106":24310,"_275":24311,"_276":280},194125758,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":28961,"_283":10,"_275":28962,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/pensioner-bomb-maker-mooch-blair-feared-back-in-deadly-business-after-new-ira-device-seized/a/159829319.html",[28957,28958],"Pensioner bomb-maker ‘Mooch’ Blair feared back in deadly business after New IRA device seized",{"_264":28954,"_266":28947,"_267":28762},[],[28951,28952,28953],"159829319",{},[],"2026-08-10T12:19:48Z","2026-08-10T12:20:13Z",[28774,28775,28776,28777,28778,28779,28780,28781,28782,28783,28784,28785,28786,28787,28788,28789,28790,28791,28792,28793,28794,28795,28796,28797,28798,28799,28800,28801,28802,28803,28804,28805,28806,28807,28808,28809,28810,28811,28812,28813,28814],{"_140":10,"_141":28773,"_143":10},"a3ce1eca-94b2-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":28949,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":28946,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":28939,"_215":28940,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":28936,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":28933,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":28930,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":28927,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":28924,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":28921,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":28918,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":28915,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":28912,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":28909,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":28906,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":694,"_212":-5,"_213":28898,"_215":28899,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":28895,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":28892,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":28889,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":28886,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":28883,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":28880,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":28877,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":28874,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":28871,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":28868,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":646,"_212":-5,"_213":28860,"_215":28861,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":28857,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":28854,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":28851,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":28848,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":28845,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":28842,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":614,"_212":-5,"_213":28834,"_215":28835,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":28831,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":28828,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":28825,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":28822,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":28819,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":28816,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":568,"_106":28815,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":28815,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":564,"_106":12734,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":12734,"_233":92},"159830153",{"_163":28817,"_165":28818},"“Mooch got on the terror train 40 years ago and there’s still no sign of him getting off.”",[],{"_163":28820,"_165":28821},"“In four decades, Blair has been linked to at least four violent republican groups. And he appears to be still totally committed to violence.",[],{"_163":28823,"_165":28824},"Yesterday a well-placed security force source told us: “As far as ‘Mooch’ Blair is concerned, you can rule nothing out.",[],{"_163":28826,"_165":28827},"In 2011, Blair attended the Smithwick’s Tribunal in Dublin, after agreeing to give evidence. He denied involvement in the Breen and Buchanan murders and he also denied manufacturing the bomb which claimed 29 lives in Omagh in 1998.",[],{"_163":28829,"_165":28830},"It was this evidence which the then MP Jeffrey Donaldson relied on to name Blair in the House of Commons, as a suspect in the manufacture of the Omagh bomb.",[],{"_163":28832,"_165":28833},"Keeley later told his handlers and later this newspaper that Blair smelt strongly of agricultural fertilizer and he believed Blair had recently been involved in bomb-building.",[],"The bullet-riddled car where the IRA killed senior RUC officers Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan on the border in 1989",{"_81":28836,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28837,"_213":28834,"_223":28838,"_106":28839,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28840,"_218":88,"_232":28839,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/xw13rp-breen-murder-scene-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/BREEN%20MURDER%20SCENE%201.jpg",[28841],"BREEN%20MURDER%20SCENE%201.jpg","159654448","PACEMAKER BELFAST THE BULLET RIDDLED CAVALIER CAR BELONGING TO SENIOR RUC OFFICERS HARRY BREEN AND BOB BUCHANNON MURDERED IN AN IRA AMBUSH IN JONESBOROUGH 21/3/89",{"_235":842,"_237":843,"_239":842,"_240":844},{"_163":28843,"_165":28844},"In the hours before the Omagh bomb atrocity, ‘Mooch’ Blair had a chance meeting with undercover British Military Intelligence agent Peter Keeley, aka Kevin Fulton, in the car park of a pub on the outskirts of Dundalk.",[],{"_163":28846,"_165":28847},"They were making their way back across the border following a meeting with senior Garda officers in Dundalk when they were shot dead.",[],{"_163":28849,"_165":28850},"‘Mooch’ Blair also remains a suspected member of the IRA murder gang which claimed the lives of two senior RUC men. Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan were killed in an ambush three years later.",[],{"_163":28852,"_165":28853},"Sources claim that Blair high-tailed it across the border to Dundalk, where he remained for several years, but continued to involve himself in many IRA cross-border operations.",[],{"_163":28855,"_165":28856},"Sergeant Kilpatrick was still alive, but he died in Daisyhill Hospital a short time later. The gunmen escaped in a Ford Granada, which was later found abandoned.",[],{"_163":28858,"_165":28859},"Before fleeing, one of the gunmen threw a grenade into the vehicle, but it failed to explode.",[],"Constable Karl Blackbourne was one of three RUC officers shot dead by ‘Mooch’ Blair in Newry in 1986",{"_81":28862,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28863,"_213":28860,"_223":28864,"_106":28865,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28866,"_218":88,"_232":28865,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/c3qupe-js4033682constable-karl-ch.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/JS4033682%40Constable%20Karl%20Ch.jpg",[28867],"JS4033682%40Constable%20Karl%20Ch.jpg","159654913","Constable Karl Christopher Blackbourne shot dead by IRA in Newry 26/07/86.",{"_235":842,"_237":843,"_239":842,"_240":844},{"_163":28869,"_165":28870},"The IRA men fired six shots into the vehicle, instantly killing 19-year-old Constable Karl Blackbourne and 37-year-old Charlie Allen, a married father of two.",[],{"_163":28872,"_165":28873},"A short time later, two men dressed as butchers in white coats and trilby hats crossed the dual carriageway from the now demolished North Street flats. One of them - alleged to have been Blair - grabbed the door and pulled it wide open.",[],{"_163":28875,"_165":28876},"It is believed that over a course of a number of weeks, IRA spotters had watched previous police patrols park at the same spot.",[],{"_163":28878,"_165":28879},"Peter Kilpatrick, a 27-year-old sergeant who was married with one child, was a smoker. And when the vehicle came to a stop, he opened the passenger door to let smoke from his cigarette escape.",[],{"_163":28881,"_165":28882},"‘Mooch’ is still suspected of being one of three Provisional IRA gunmen who shot dead three police officers in Newry 40 years ago. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when a Blue Ford Cortina containing three officers pulled up at Market Street in the town centre.",[],{"_163":28884,"_165":28885},"And in a grotesque twist, investigators further believe that two weeks ago, Blair may have even been planning an anniversary hit to mark his first foray into multiple murder 40 years ago.",[],{"_163":28887,"_165":28888},"But Blair’s commitment to the British army was simply a means to an end. It prepared him for a life-long career in the Provisional IRA and other republican terror groups.",[],{"_163":28890,"_165":28891},"In a highly unusual move for someone from Newry’s Derrybeg estate, Blair kicked off his terror career in the 1970s when he joined the British Territorial Army, where he received top-grade training in weapons and explosives.",[],{"_163":28893,"_165":28894},"Records suggest ‘Mooch’ Blair has a five-decade involvement in republican terrorism and violence, due to his membership of at least four paramilitary organisations, including the Real IRA.",[],{"_163":28896,"_165":28897},"And later the men pleaded guilty in court to a range of terror charges, including supplying weapons and explosive training, attempting to procure explosive materials, and targeting police officers and a senior prison governor for assassination. He was sentenced to five years in jail in 2020.",[],"Heavily armed cops storm the bungalow in Newry where ‘Mooch’ Blair was among seven dissidents arrested",{"_81":28900,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28901,"_213":28898,"_223":28902,"_106":28903,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28904,"_218":88,"_232":28903,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/yk7iic-93036021.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/93036021.jpg",[28905],"93036021.jpg","159653636","Detectives from the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch investigating violent dissident republican activity detained a number of men at a house in the Ardcarn Park area of Newry",{"_235":842,"_237":843,"_239":842,"_240":844},{"_163":28907,"_165":28908},"All of them were linked to the Continuity IRA. It was also alleged that among other things, they were planning to buy a £2,000 silencer for an automatic handgun in Blair’s possession.",[],{"_163":28910,"_165":28911},"He was one of seven leading dissident republicans caught in a house which had been bugged by MI5.",[],{"_163":28913,"_165":28914},"In 2014, Blair was snared in a security force sting staged by MI5 at a bungalow in Newry.",[],{"_163":28916,"_165":28917},"Security forces on both sides of the border are also of the belief that Blair has now fully aligned himself to the New IRA.",[],{"_163":28919,"_165":28920},"It’s understood the explosives were to be used an under-car booby-trap bomb and that a Catholic police officer in the north west had been targeted by the New IRA.",[],{"_163":28922,"_165":28923},"However, we have been told that explosives experts from the Irish Defence Forces are still searching for positive proof that Blair made the device discovered in the car.",[],{"_163":28925,"_165":28926},"But, according to sources, investigators in the Republic – working on new information supplied by MI5 – are of the belief that Blair may have had some involvement in the assembly of the device seized in a Garda sting operation in recent weeks. ",[],{"_163":28928,"_165":28929},"The pensioner bomb-maker from Newry, Co Down, is also suspected of a number of other high-profile terror attacks, including the murder of three cops in Newry town centre in 1986 and the slaughter of two senior RUC officers on the border three years later.",[],{"_163":28931,"_165":28932},"Blair later denied any involvement in the bombing.",[],{"_163":28934,"_165":28935},"Patrick Joseph Blair (71) was once named by then MP Jeffrey Donaldson in the House of Commons as the man who made the Omagh bomb, which claimed 29 innocent lives, including a pregnant mother of twins. Omagh was the single worst terror attack of the entire Troubles.",[],{"_163":28937,"_165":28938},"MI5 spooks and Irish army explosives experts believe a veteran republican bomb-maker may be back in business.",[],"Patrick ‘Mooch’ Blair",{"_81":28941,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28942,"_213":28939,"_223":28943,"_106":28944,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28945,"_218":88,"_232":28944,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1du74p-patrick-mooch-blair/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/1504335842%2F55679e8a-9734-11ed-a271-0210609a3fe2.jpg",[],"1504335842%2F55679e8a-9734-11ed-a271-0210609a3fe2.jpg","112723881","Patrick 'Mooch' Blair",{"_163":28947,"_165":28948},"Irish Defence Forces probe bomb for fingerprints of notorious Omagh atrocity suspect",[],{"_163":28762,"_165":28950},[],{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":8,"_254":1974},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_81":28955,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":28956,"_213":28945,"_223":28943,"_106":28944,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":28945,"_218":88,"_232":28944,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/1du74p-patrick-mooch-blair/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1504335842%2F55679e8a-9734-11ed-a271-0210609a3fe2.jpg",[],{"_250":8800,"_106":8801,"_275":8802,"_276":280},{"_250":28959,"_106":28960,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Omagh Bombing Inquiry","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:omagh-bombing-inquiry","Omagh bomb suspect 'Mooch' Blair probed over new New IRA plot","Irish Defence Forces hunt proof linking Patrick Joseph Blair to a new New IRA bomb plot and Omagh atrocity legacy",194086985,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":29053,"_283":8,"_275":29054,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/derry-londonderry-city/e-bike-sped-off-from-police-before-drugs-arrest-as-man-arrested/a/159821523.html",[29052],"E-bike ‘sped off’ from police before drugs arrest as man arrested",{"_264":29048,"_266":29030,"_267":28968},[29047],[29042,29043,29044,29045,29046],"159821523",{},[12809],"2026-08-10T10:29:00Z","2026-08-10T10:29:26Z",[28980,28981,28982,28983,28984,28985,28986,28987,28988,28989,28990,28991,28992,28993,28994,28995],{"_140":10,"_141":28979,"_143":10},"cabfd14a-94a1-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":29040,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":4788,"_213":29032,"_215":29033,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":29029,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":29026,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":29023,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":29020,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":29017,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":29014,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":175,"_356":29013,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":29010,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":29007,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":29004,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":29001,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":28998,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":28997,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":28997,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":681,"_106":28996,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":28996,"_233":92},"159537677","159634930",{"_163":28999,"_165":29000},"Information can also be reported online or anonymously to Crimestoppers.",[],{"_163":29002,"_165":29003},"Police said enquiries are continuing. Anyone with information is asked to ring 101.",[],{"_163":29005,"_165":29006},"Inspector Pearce said the operation demonstrated police’s commitment to tackling the harm caused by illegal drug use and supply in local communities.",[],{"_163":29008,"_165":29009},"A 17-year-old was also referred to a Youth Diversionary Officer.",[],{"_163":29011,"_165":29012},"Three other adults, aged 20, 22 and 19, were interviewed and reported to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).",[],{"_85":358,"_359":13004,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":13005,"_106":13006,"_368":369,"_370":13007,"_232":13008,"_233":92},{"_163":29015,"_165":29016},"He remains in police custody.",[],{"_163":29018,"_165":29019},"A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B controlled drug and allowing his premises to be used for smoking cannabis.",[],{"_163":29021,"_165":29022},"Officers subsequently made enquiries at an address in the city, where they found a number of males and “various drugs-related paraphernalia”.",[],{"_163":29024,"_165":29025},"The rider failed to stop when signalled by officers and instead “sped off” towards the Crescent Link area, according to police.",[],{"_163":29027,"_165":29028},"Police said officers from the District Support Team (DST) were on mobile patrol in the Lyndhurst Road area on Sunday evening when they spotted the e-bike.",[],{"_163":29030,"_165":29031},"A man has been arrested following an e-bike being driven dangerously and failing to stop for police officers in Londonderry.",[],"PSNI stock photo",{"_81":29034,"_212":4788,"_220":395,"_97":29035,"_213":29032,"_223":29036,"_106":29037,"_226":227,"_228":4788,"_230":29038,"_218":88,"_232":29037,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ljchwj-stock-images/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/bt_kscott_2025_2725.JPG",[29039],"bt_kscott_2025_2725.JPG","158766437","PSNI has issued a warning after rouge trader reports in Co Down.",{"_235":3273,"_237":3274,"_239":3273,"_240":3275},{"_163":28968,"_165":29041},[],{"_250":12815,"_106":12816,"_253":8,"_254":12817},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":1972,"_106":1973,"_253":10,"_254":1974},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":16108,"_237":16109,"_240":16110},{"_81":29049,"_212":4788,"_220":395,"_97":29050,"_213":29032,"_223":29036,"_106":29037,"_226":227,"_228":4788,"_230":29038,"_218":88,"_232":29037,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ljchwj-stock-images/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/bt_kscott_2025_2725.JPG",[29051],{"_235":3273,"_237":3274,"_239":3273,"_240":3275},{"_250":2484,"_106":2485,"_275":2486,"_276":280},"Dangerous e-bike and drugs raid in Londonderry: Man (41) arrested","Dangerous e-bike incident in Londonderry leads police to drugs-related items and multiple suspects at a city address",193778346,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/i-think-we-know-i-wont-be-getting-bail-daniel-kinahan-remanded-in-custody-after-being-charged-with-directing-a-crime-gang/a/159804965.html",[29242],"‘I think we know I won’t be getting bail’: Daniel Kinahan remanded in custody after being charged with directing a crime gang",{"_264":29238,"_266":29220,"_267":29060},[],[29235,29236,29237],"159804965",{},[],"2026-08-09T19:30:00Z","2026-08-09T17:53:20Z",[29073,29074,29075,29076,29077,29078,29079,29080,29081,29082,29083,29084,29085,29086,29087,29088,29089,29090,29091,29092,29093,29094,29095,29096,29097,29098,29099,29100,29101,29102,29103,29104,29105,29106,29107,29108,29109,29110],"David Kent and Robin Schiller",{"_140":10,"_141":29072,"_143":10},"bf014dab-941a-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":29233,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":29222,"_215":29223,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":29219,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":29216,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":29213,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":29210,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":29207,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":29204,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":175,"_106":28617,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":28617,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":29201,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":29198,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":29195,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":29192,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":694,"_212":1611,"_213":29186,"_215":29187,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":29183,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":29180,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":29177,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":29174,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":29171,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":29168,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":29165,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":29163,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":195,"_212":1611,"_213":29156,"_215":29157,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":29153,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":29150,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":29147,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":29144,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":29141,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":29138,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":29135,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":29132,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":29129,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":29126,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":29123,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":29120,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":29117,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":29114,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":29111,"_161":162},{"_163":29112,"_165":29113},"“This relationship has been supported by the Irish Government’s Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”",[],{"_163":29115,"_165":29116},"“It also shows the value of our relationship with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Justice at judicial level, and on a police-to-police basis.",[],{"_163":29118,"_165":29119},"“This arrest shows our determination, along with our international policing partners including Dubai Police, to target transnational organised crime groups.",[],{"_163":29121,"_165":29122},"Speaking today, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said,",[],{"_163":29124,"_165":29125},"His father and brother, Christopher Snr and Christopher Jnr, are also the subject of $5 million rewards for information",[],{"_163":29127,"_165":29128},"Daniel Kinahan also remains the subject of a $5 million bounty issued by the US Government for information leading to his prosecution. ",[],{"_163":29130,"_165":29131},"Over the following days he spent time between mainland Europe and Ireland before moving to the UAE.",[],{"_163":29133,"_165":29134},"In February 2016, gunmen stormed the Regency Hotel in Dublin and attempted to murder Kinahan but he managed to escape. His friend and associate David Byrne was shot dead.",[],{"_163":29136,"_165":29137},"The alleged period of offending occurred during the Hutch/Kinahan feud, a criminal dispute which led to 18 murders over three years.",[],{"_163":29139,"_165":29140},"His court appearance marks the most significant organised crime related charge brought before the Irish courts.",[],{"_163":29142,"_165":29143},"Following his appearance he was escorted from court by armed gardaí and transported to Portlaoise High Security Prison.",[],{"_163":29145,"_165":29146},"Daniel Kinahan asked he if had to decide now if that appearance is by video link, and was told he could inform the court at a later date.",[],{"_163":29148,"_165":29149},"Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, presiding, remanded Daniel Kinahan in custody to appear before the court again on October 5.",[],{"_163":29151,"_165":29152},"When this was explained to him, Kinahan replied “I think we know I won’t be getting bail but thank you so much for explaining that”.",[],{"_163":29154,"_165":29155},"Kinahan was unable to apply for bail as this can only be granted by the High Court on a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation. ",[],"Garda vehicles leaving Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell.",{"_81":29158,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":29159,"_213":29156,"_223":29160,"_106":29161,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":29162,"_218":88,"_232":29161,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/republic-of-ireland/m0pbc2-daniel-kinahan-court-case/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/3ee20ea7-29d3-47d5-bbbf-fc5baff9fc8a",[],"3ee20ea7-29d3-47d5-bbbf-fc5baff9fc8a","159805875","Garda vehicles leaving Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell, where a Irish government plane believed to be carrying Daniel Kinahan landed, following him being extradited from Dubai, to face a charge of directing an organised crime group. Picture date: Sunday August 9, 2026.",{"_163":28674,"_165":29164},[],{"_163":29166,"_165":29167},"“I had no contact or advice so apologies”. ",[],{"_163":29169,"_165":29170},"“I said to the gardaí I was taken in Dubai and I was isolated from Friday after,” he said, adding he presumed a family member would organise legal representation.",[],{"_163":29172,"_165":29173},"Kinahan addressed the judges at the start of the hearing confirming he has no legal representation at this time but is hopeful this can be arranged.",[],{"_163":29175,"_165":29176},"He faces a single charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 18, 2015, and April 6, 2017.",[],{"_163":29178,"_165":29179},"He said the defendant told him that he understood the charge. The court also heard the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has certified that the ordinary courts were inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice and that the defendant should be tried before the non-jury court.",[],{"_163":29181,"_165":29182},"Detective Sergeant Colm Davidson, of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), gave evidence of arresting Daniel Kinahan at 6.49pm today for the purpose of charging him.",[],{"_163":29184,"_165":29185},"There was a significant media attendance in the courtroom as well as a large garda presence which included members of the garda investigation team and armed detectives providing security. ",[],"A poster issued in April 2022 offering a reward of $5million for the arrest and/or conviction of Daniel Kinahan.",{"_81":29188,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":29189,"_213":29186,"_223":29190,"_106":29191,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":28712,"_218":88,"_232":29191,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/republic-of-ireland/de83zl-kinahan-crime-gang/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/85e0daa5-8a3a-4cf9-bd9e-b8fb94d9eb43",[],"85e0daa5-8a3a-4cf9-bd9e-b8fb94d9eb43","159402298",{"_163":29193,"_165":29194},"Wearing a black tracksuit and carrying a water bottle, he was flanked by plainclothes detectives.",[],{"_163":29196,"_165":29197},"Kinahan, originally from the Oliver Bond Flat complex in Dublin 8 but a resident of Dubai for the past 10 years, appeared before the court at 8.10pm.",[],{"_163":29199,"_165":29200},"There was a large number of onlookers with the crowd swelling to over 100 people by the time the convoy transporting Kinahan arrived.",[],{"_163":29202,"_165":29203},"Armed gardaí closed down the roads surrounding to the court entrance immediately prior to the convoy arriving while the Garda helicopter also provided top cover overhead.",[],{"_163":29205,"_165":29206},"A significant armed convoy led by members of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), who specialise in close protection, then escorted him across the city to the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) in Parkgate Street.",[],{"_163":29208,"_165":29209},"The Irish Air Corps operated government jet used to extradite Kinahan (49) arrived at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, west Dublin, shortly after 6.30pm 0and Kinahan was arrested for the purpose of charging him as he stepped off the aircraft.",[],{"_163":29211,"_165":29212},"It followed his removal from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he had been held in prison on remand since he was detained in April on foot of an arrest warrant.",[],{"_163":29214,"_165":29215},"Daniel Kinahan addressed the court on a number of occasions as he is not legally represented yet, telling the court that he “would not be getting bail” but thanking the presiding the judges for explaining the process.",[],{"_163":29217,"_165":29218},"The alleged organised crime boss was brought before the non-jury court on Sunday evening amid an unprecedented security operation for such a court appearance.",[],{"_163":29220,"_165":29221},"Daniel Kinahan has appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.",[],"Daniel Kinahan has been remanded in custody after appearing in court in Dublin.",{"_81":29224,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":29225,"_213":29222,"_223":29226,"_106":29227,"_226":227,"_228":4788,"_230":29228,"_218":88,"_232":29227,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/b3bte3-irish-crime-figure-daniel-kinahan/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/daniel-kinahan-mgm.jpg",[29229],"daniel-kinahan-mgm.jpg","125388786"," Daniel Kinahan",{"_235":29230,"_237":29231,"_239":29230,"_240":29232},"finn.gillespie@mediahuis.ie","Gillespie","Finn",{"_163":29060,"_165":29234},[],{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":8,"_254":1657},{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":10,"_254":2473},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_81":29239,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":29240,"_213":29222,"_223":29226,"_106":29227,"_226":227,"_228":4788,"_230":29228,"_218":88,"_232":29227,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/b3bte3-irish-crime-figure-daniel-kinahan/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/daniel-kinahan-mgm.jpg",[29241],{"_235":29230,"_237":29231,"_239":29230,"_240":29232},{"_250":24309,"_106":24310,"_275":24311,"_276":280},193648365,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":10,"_275":-5,"_285":10,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/crime/as-daniel-kinahan-returns-home-his-wife-left-behind-in-dubai-is-running-out-of-options/a/159791780.html",[29517,29518],"As Daniel Kinahan returns home, his wife left behind in Dubai is running out of options ",{"_264":29512,"_266":29506,"_267":29248},[],[29510,29511],{},[],"2026-08-09T10:42:21Z",[29259,29260,29261,29262,29263,29264,29265,29266,29267,29268,29269,29270,29271,29272,29273,29274,29275,29276,29277,29278,29279,29280,29281,29282,29283,29284,29285,29286,29287,29288,29289,29290,29291,29292,29293,29294,29295,29296,29297,29298,29299,29300,29301,29302,29303,29304,29305,29306,29307,29308,29309,29310,29311,29312,29313,29314,29315,29316,29317],"Maeve Sheehan, Ali Bracken",{"_140":10,"_141":29258,"_143":10},"4e1249d7-93de-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":29508,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":29505,"_161":374},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":29499,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":29496,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":29493,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":29490,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":29487,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":29484,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":29481,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":29478,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":29475,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":29472,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":158,"_212":-5,"_213":29465,"_215":29466,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":29462,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":29459,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":29456,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":29453,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":29450,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":29447,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":29444,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":29441,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":29438,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":29435,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":29432,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":29429,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":29426,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":29423,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":29420,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":29417,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":29414,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":29411,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":29408,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":29405,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":610,"_212":-5,"_213":29395,"_215":29396,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":29392,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":29389,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":29386,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":29383,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":572,"_159":29380,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":29377,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":29374,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":29371,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":29368,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":29365,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":29362,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":540,"_159":29359,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":193,"_159":29354,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":533,"_159":29349,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":529,"_159":29346,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":525,"_159":29343,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":513,"_159":29340,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":509,"_159":29337,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":505,"_159":29334,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":501,"_159":29331,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":497,"_159":29328,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":493,"_159":29325,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":489,"_159":29322,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":485,"_159":29319,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":481,"_106":29318,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":29318,"_233":92},"159784364",{"_163":29320,"_165":29321},"“Daniel Kinahan is huge. But this is not the endgame for us. Our investigations are still ongoing. We are not finished. We still have information coming into us from advances in technology that are providing us with more information.”",[],{"_163":29323,"_165":29324},"“It is not easy to bring down the top decision makers,” a source said.",[],{"_163":29326,"_165":29327},"Cartel henchmen still in Dubai include Christy Kinahan, his son Christopher — who lives there with his wife and children — and key lieutenants, Ian Dixon and Bernard Clancy. ",[],{"_163":29329,"_165":29330},"Kinahan’s homecoming is perceived as an enormous achievement for gardaí, who always insisted this day would come to pass.",[],{"_163":29332,"_165":29333},"“Kinahan is the crime world’s biggest narcissist. You only have to listen to his own words,” a source said.",[],{"_163":29335,"_165":29336},"He has given an interview to a podcaster, who has leaked snippets in which Kinahan claimed he won’t get a fair trial, and that he faces a character assassination.",[],{"_163":29338,"_165":29339},"Kinahan has tried to control the narrative from his Dubai prison cell since he learned in recent weeks that his appeal had failed.",[],{"_163":29341,"_165":29342},"Once back in Dublin, it is expected that Kinahan will be brought to the Special Criminal Court on charges related to directing organised crime.",[],{"_163":29344,"_165":29345},"“Given the threat level, the decision was made that it’s safest to bring him directly home on one direct flight, rather than have to stop and refuel, which was the case with Sean McGovern,” added the source.",[],{"_163":29347,"_165":29348},"“The amount of criminal organisations Daniel Kinahan could bring down, the people he could bury, is a lot, given his international contacts,” a source said.",[],{"_163":29350,"_165":29351},"The decision to use the €53m Dassault Falcon 6X rather than an Irish Air Corps CASA aircraft was based on a joint security assessment carried out by the Defence Forces and gardaí, sources have told the Sunday Independent.",[29352],{"_85":2073,"_157":29353,"_194":677,"_196":-5},202,{"_163":29355,"_165":29356},"The Government jet was dispatched to return Kinahan to Ireland at 10.30am on Saturday. The jet will touch down at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell at around 5pm today [SUN].",[29357],{"_85":1065,"_157":29358,"_194":187,"_196":-5},166,{"_163":29360,"_165":29361},"Robinson, who gardaí believe is still living in the family home on Palm Jumeirah, awaits her husband’s fate.",[],{"_163":29363,"_165":29364},"Anita Freeman, who was conspicuously absent at McGovern’s trial, was photographed last week after visiting him in Portlaoise prison for the first time. She wore a pair of €490 Celine sunglasses.",[],{"_163":29366,"_165":29367},"Gardaí believe there is no doubt McGovern’s arrest unnerved the Kinahan cartel members still living in Dubai. Daniel Kinahan’s arrest at the family home in Palm Jumeirah has triggered outright alarm.",[],{"_163":29369,"_165":29370},"According to leaked records reported by the Consortium of Investigative Journalists (CIJ), Robinson has been buying and selling property in Dubai since 2017, including a villa bought for about €2.1m. In addition, she was listed as the joint owner, with her husband, of four Dubai properties in 2022.",[],{"_163":29372,"_165":29373},"Caoimhe Robinson has held on to her own property portfolio.",[],{"_163":29375,"_165":29376},"They were a power couple among criminals. He launched himself as a boxing promoter, until the US announcement of financial sanctions against the Kinahans and their cohorts in 2022 wrecked his ambitions and marked the beginning of the end of the cartel.",[],{"_163":29378,"_165":29379},"The hotel’s eye-wateringly expensive Michelin-starred restaurant reportedly became a favourite haunt of Robinson and her husband.",[],{"_163":29381,"_165":29382},"In Dubai, the cartel joined forces with other international trafficking gangs, becoming the super cartel whose leaders dominated the top table at Robinson’s glittering wedding to Kinahan in the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in 2017.",[],{"_163":29384,"_165":29385},"In 2014, she met Daniel Kinahan, who had known Kelly, while on holiday in Spain. She soon moved there to live with Kinahan and then followed him to Dubai, after his father, Christy senior, moved the cartel’s operations there. US authorities have offered a $5m bounty for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of Christy Sr and his other son, Christopher. ",[],{"_163":29387,"_165":29388},"She met him in 2000 when she was in her early 20s, and stayed with him until he was shot dead by the Real IRA in 2011. They had one child together.",[],{"_163":29390,"_165":29391},"Her introduction to the criminal underworld was through Mika ‘the Panda’ Kelly, a career criminal linked to a string of suspected murders.",[],{"_163":29393,"_165":29394},"Her close friend, Caoimhe Robinson, has established herself as something of a property speculator. She was raised in a respectable working-class family in a council estate in Darndale, on Dublin’s northside.",[],"Sean McGovern and Anita Freeman at their former home in Dublin",{"_81":29397,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":29398,"_213":29395,"_223":29399,"_106":29400,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":29401,"_218":88,"_232":29400,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/7e8zvv-sn-mcgovern.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Sn%20McGovern.jpg",[29402],"Sn%20McGovern.jpg","159782508","Sean MCGovern and Anita Freeman at home at 219 Kildare Road, Crumlin",{"_235":29403,"_237":29404,"_239":29403,"_240":13867},"brian.carroll@independent.ie","Carroll",{"_163":29406,"_165":29407},"It is not clear what assets Ms Freeman has in her own name, given the secrecy surrounding business and property interests in Dubai.",[],{"_163":29409,"_165":29410},"The couple’s gilded lifestyle in Dubai ended when McGovern was arrested in October 2024 on an Interpol Red Notice.",[],{"_163":29412,"_165":29413},"By then, the couple had fled to Dubai. It was the height of the Hutch-Kinahan feud sparked by the Regency Hotel shooting in 2016. In that attack, McGovern was injured and Liam Byrne’s brother, David, was killed. The shootings sparked two years of violence in which 18 people died.",[],{"_163":29415,"_165":29416},"Although she wasn’t a member of the Kinahan organised crime gang, the court heard, she was “closely related” to its members, was involved in money-laundering and had access to the illegal proceeds of the gang’s crimes.",[],{"_163":29418,"_165":29419},"She applied for but didn’t get legal aid when Cab brought her to the High Court.",[],{"_163":29421,"_165":29422},"Ms Freeman lost her home, along with her 11-D reg BMW 520.",[],{"_163":29424,"_165":29425},"Ms Freeman most likely chose the expensive Italian marble tiles laid on the floors throughout. McGovern had decorated his den with signed boxing gloves and arranged his weights in the gym. The gloves, along with McGovern’s Rolex Oyster two-tone watch and €10,000 in cash, were confiscated.",[],{"_163":29427,"_165":29428},"When the assets-seizing agency launched a dawn raid on their property in 2016, a source recalled the wonder of walking through the extravagant rooms concealed within the walls of what appeared to be, from the outside, a drab council house.",[],{"_163":29430,"_165":29431},"It was usually Ms Freeman who fielded gardaí when they called to their house on Kildare Road in Crumlin, usually looking for McGovern.",[],{"_163":29433,"_165":29434},"Cab estimated that the couple spent almost €250,000 on renovating and extending the council house bought by McGovern in 2015, but they could never trace where the money came from.",[],{"_163":29436,"_165":29437},"McGovern was the son of a social worker, born into a tight working-class family. Once a promising footballer, he ditched a potential career to join the organised crime group run by his Crumlin neighbour, Liam Byrne.",[],{"_163":29439,"_165":29440},"Anita Freeman signed up for financial scrutiny when she got together with Sean McGovern as a teenager in Crumlin, when he was 22.",[],{"_163":29442,"_165":29443},"“It is going to be very difficult for them to have a normal life, if they come back to Ireland, or anywhere.”",[],{"_163":29445,"_165":29446},"The source added: “We have the strongest asset forfeiture legislation out there. They cannot have lived for 10 years in Dubai and come back to Ireland and invest in property without being asked where the money came from. It is just not possible.",[],{"_163":29448,"_165":29449},"If either were to bring their families home, and invest in property in this country, they will most likely have to answer to Cab.",[],{"_163":29451,"_165":29452},"Ms Robinson, who is from Darndale in north Dublin, no longer has a home in Ireland. Anita Freeman’s home was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab).",[],{"_163":29454,"_165":29455},"Wherever they go in Europe, assets-seizing agencies are likely to follow, security sources said, and nowhere more so than in Ireland.",[],{"_163":29457,"_165":29458},"But police believe the women’s lifestyles are funded by the significant cash and property assets held by the cartel in the UAE. Caoimhe Robinson has built up a property portfolio in her own name, that is now worth several million euro.",[],{"_163":29460,"_165":29461},"The prospect of packing up and leaving is not straightforward, he said. Neither woman is accused of wrongdoing, and they are not subject to US sanctions that penalise anyone who does business with the Kinahans.",[],{"_163":29463,"_165":29464},"Ms Freeman and Ms Robinson are living in Dubai on residency visas that can be easily revoked. “The issue is that once they leave the UAE, they potentially may have difficulties getting back in,” the source said. “It may not be easy for them.”",[],"Caoimhe Robinson, wife of Daniel Kinahan",{"_81":29467,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":29468,"_213":29465,"_223":29469,"_106":29470,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":29471,"_218":88,"_232":29470,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/xnslur-caoimhe-robinson/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/25a95e0c-b6a9-41e2-9b22-82b630968748",[],"25a95e0c-b6a9-41e2-9b22-82b630968748","146236661","Caoimhe Robinson",{"_163":29473,"_165":29474},"Now, the authorities are running out of patience with the Kinahan cartel. The mood has hardened, largely due to diplomatic concerns about the steady stream of negative publicity about the gang’s supposed “safe haven” in the one of the world’s most opulent cities.",[],{"_163":29476,"_165":29477},"“A lot of the women were not happy out there in the first place. They had to follow their men out there. They have loads of money and a lifestyle they never had in Dublin. Once they were out there, they were stuck out there,” the source said.",[],{"_163":29479,"_165":29480},"According to a source, Ms Freeman and Ms Robinson, like their partners, are running low on options.",[],{"_163":29482,"_165":29483},"As one security source put it last week, the Kinahans, their lieutenants and their families have been “living in a bubble” in Dubai for almost a decade, and now the bubble has burst.",[],{"_163":29485,"_165":29486},"McGovern left his long-term partner, Anita Freeman, stranded in Dubai with their two children, leaving her to decide on the family’s next move.",[],{"_163":29488,"_165":29489},"Kinahan is following in the path of Sean McGovern (40), the first cartel member to be extradited from Dubai to Dublin last year, who was convicted and is serving 24 years in prison.",[],{"_163":29491,"_165":29492},"He leaves behind his wife, Caoimhe Robinson, and their five children, in the family’s seven-bedroom home in the city’s exclusive beachfront Palm Jumeirah resort.",[],{"_163":29494,"_165":29495},"This weekend, Daniel Kinahan (49) languished in a prison cell in the United Arab Emirates, awaiting the arrival of the Irish Government jet and an armed garda escort to bring him in handcuffs before Ireland’s Special Criminal Court for allegedly directing organised crime and murder.",[],{"_163":29497,"_165":29498},"The women who lived lavish lifestyles funded by the Kinahan drugs cartel have been left high and dry in Dubai as their criminal partners are finally called to account in Dublin.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":29500,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":29501,"_106":29502,"_368":369,"_370":29503,"_232":29504,"_233":92},"AzANqdDBDmyQ","03:44:00","1987575","3:44","159789109",{"_163":29506,"_165":29507},"Speculation grows over whether Caoimhe Robinson will return to Dublin and face the scrutiny of Criminal Assets Bureau",[],{"_163":29248,"_165":29509},[],{"_250":2471,"_106":2472,"_253":8,"_254":2473},{"_250":1655,"_106":1656,"_253":10,"_254":1657},{"_81":29513,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":29514,"_213":88,"_223":29515,"_106":29516,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":29516,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.independent.ie/public/incoming/o79c5u-62.jpeg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/d8b2fb28-fcd9-47ab-9b62-7e7b5b4879d1",[],"d8b2fb28-fcd9-47ab-9b62-7e7b5b4879d1","159789103",{"_250":24309,"_106":24310,"_275":24311,"_276":280},{"_250":28557,"_106":28558,"_275":-5,"_276":280},193361769,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":29670,"_283":8,"_275":29671,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/student-accused-of-sinister-pursuit-of-woman-outside-grand-central-station-denied-bail-in-belfast/a/159608758.html",[29661,29662,29663,29664],"Student accused of ‘sinister’ pursuit of woman outside Grand Central station denied bail in Belfast",{"_264":29657,"_266":29642,"_267":29524},[29656],[29646,29647,29648,29649,29650,29651,29652,29653,29654,29655],{},[3148],"2026-08-11T18:00:00Z","2026-08-08T18:16:32Z",[29535,29536,29537,29538,29539,29540,29541,29542,29543,29544,29545,29546,29547,29548,29549,29550,29551,29552,29553,29554,29555,29556,29557,29558,29559,29560,29561],{"_140":10,"_141":29534,"_143":10},"41777960-9023-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":29644,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":29641,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":29634,"_215":29635,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":29631,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":29628,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":29625,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":29622,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":29619,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":29616,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":175,"_586":29608,"_588":29609,"_590":-5,"_592":29610,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":29605,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":29602,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":29599,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":29596,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":29593,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":29590,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":29587,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":29584,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":29581,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":29578,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":29575,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":29572,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":29569,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":29566,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":29563,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":27966,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":27966,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":29562,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":29562,"_233":92},"159884216",{"_163":29564,"_165":29565},"Abualhussein, of no fixed abode, was handed four months in custody, suspended for two years, after admitting criminal damage.",[],{"_163":29567,"_165":29568},"He damaged a Pride balloon display belonging to Bullitt Hotel on Church Lane in Belfast on July 25, the day after the alleged incident at Grand Central.",[],{"_163":29570,"_165":29571},"During the unsuccessful bail application, the court heard the defendant had been given a suspended sentence the week prior for a “hate-motivated” criminal damage offence. ",[],{"_163":29573,"_165":29574},"The case against Abualhussein was adjourned until later this month.",[],{"_163":29576,"_165":29577},"“The risk is too great, and his attitude in interview does not assuage those fears.”",[],{"_163":29579,"_165":29580},"“In these situations, the court has to consider the risk of further offending and the risk of interference.",[],{"_163":29582,"_165":29583},"He said: “The court is concerned about the level of fear caused in relation to these worrying accounts of a woman fleeing in terror in the street.",[],{"_163":29585,"_165":29586},"District Judge John Meehan was unconvinced and remanded the defendant in custody. ",[],{"_163":29588,"_165":29589},"They added: “His position in interview was that he did not accept any criminal conduct. Given his lack of antecedence, we would urge the court grant bail.”",[],{"_163":29591,"_165":29592},"Defence counsel said Abualhussein was a student and normally lived in Cork.",[],{"_163":29594,"_165":29595},"“Reports in the last week make him a risk to the public. He is also a flight risk.”",[],{"_163":29597,"_165":29598},"The officer continued: “There is possibly a clash of views around women, and a lack of understanding of why his behaviour is inappropriate and alarming.",[],{"_163":29600,"_165":29601},"They added Abualhussein had made “concerning” comments about why he thought the approach was appropriate.",[],{"_163":29603,"_165":29604},"The investigating officer told the court the accused “appeared to find the allegations funny” during interview.",[],{"_163":29606,"_165":29607},"Police said Abualhussein had previously been escorted from Grand Central station for similar behaviour. 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",[],{"_163":29771,"_165":29772},"“We are committed to working with the UK Government to deliver economic growth across the UK, securing a funding envelope that enables us to invest in our public services and secure better outcomes for everyone living here.”",[],"Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly ",{"_81":29775,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":29776,"_213":29773,"_223":11998,"_106":29777,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":29773,"_218":88,"_232":29777,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/entertainment/news/xf8wzt-fleadh-cheoil-na-heireann-2026-belfast/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/38b41f3f-fdee-44c5-aa5b-91cc55f23598",[29778],"159998169",{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_239":3471,"_240":3473},{"_163":29780,"_165":29781},"“Transforming our public services and delivering real change for the people of Northern Ireland is our priority, but we cannot do this alone.",[],{"_163":29783,"_165":29784},"Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “When we spoke to the Prime Minister following his appointment, we were very clear about the urgent need to resolve these issues.",[],{"_163":29786,"_165":29787},"“The people we represent should not be left paying the price for a failure to properly fund public services here. 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Picture date: Wednesday August 12, 2026.",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":10948,"_165":29799},[],{"_163":29801,"_165":29802},"They called on the Prime Minister to deliver “parity” in how Northern Ireland is funded, compared to other devolved nations, saying the Executive would be due between £1-3bn more annually if this was done. ",[],{"_163":29804,"_165":29805},"The first and deputy first ministers said that people in Northern Ireland would pay the price for continued under-funding of public services. ",[],{"_163":29807,"_165":29808},"The Executive released a joint statement on Thursday asking Andy Burnham to meet with them on financial pressures facing Stormont and the cost of living pressures facing people here.",[],{"_163":29810,"_165":29811},"Home heating oil prices fell slightly in the week up to August 13, according to the latest release from the NI consumer council.",[],{"_163":29813,"_165":29814},"Day-to-day cost pressures continue to increase for people here, with diesel 2p per litre more expensive on Thursday than it was seven days prior and petrol costs increasing by 1.5p per litre in the period as global energy markets continue to be impacted by the conflict in the Middle East. ",[],{"_163":29816,"_165":29817},"Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly said that the transformation of public services and improvement of regular people’s lives required greater investment from Westminster. ",[],{"_163":29819,"_165":29820},"The Executive has written to the Prime Minister to call for a meeting on the finances of the devolved government and the people in Northern Ireland, as figures reveal that petrol and diesel prices here rose again in the last week.",[],"Fuel pumps at a service station ",{"_81":29823,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":29824,"_213":29821,"_223":29825,"_106":29826,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":29821,"_218":88,"_232":29826,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/business/uk-world/flj9i-middle-east-conflict/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/dabba198-b180-4a68-8203-5f9e285a41ce",[29827],"dabba198-b180-4a68-8203-5f9e285a41ce","159998012",{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_239":3471,"_240":3473},{"_163":29713,"_165":29829},[],{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":8,"_254":14212},{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_240":3473},{"_81":29833,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":29834,"_213":29821,"_223":29825,"_106":29826,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":29821,"_218":88,"_232":29826,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/business/uk-world/flj9i-middle-east-conflict/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/dabba198-b180-4a68-8203-5f9e285a41ce",[29835],{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_239":3471,"_240":3473},{"_250":8087,"_106":8088,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},{"_250":8322,"_106":8323,"_275":8324,"_276":280},{"_250":8089,"_106":8090,"_275":8091,"_276":280},{"_250":10857,"_106":10858,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Cost of Living","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:cost-of-living","The cost of living in Ireland is higher than most European countries as rising inflation and higher taxes hit consumers on the double. Independent.ie tracks and reports Ireland's cost of living with the latest news and views.",194313620,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/ni-parents-forking-out-up-to-2000-on-uniforms-and-other-secondary-school-essentials/a/159890558.html",[30064,30065],"NI parents forking out ‘up to £2,000’ on uniforms and other secondary school essentials",{"_264":30061,"_266":30049,"_267":29850},[30060],[30053,30054,30055,30056],"159890558",{},[],"2026-08-11T17:35:05Z",[29861,29862,29863,29864,29865,29866,29867,29868,29869,29870,29871,29872,29873,29874,29875,29876,29877,29878,29879,29880,29881,29882,29883,29884,29885,29886,29887,29888,29889,29890,29891,29892,29893,29894,29895,29896,29897,29898,29899,29900,29901,29902,29903,29904,29905,29906],{"_140":10,"_141":29860,"_143":10},"a7a4f920-958d-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":30051,"_161":244},{"_155":156,"_157":103,"_159":30048,"_161":374},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":30041,"_215":30042,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":30038,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":30035,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":30032,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":342,"_163":30031,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":30028,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":30025,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":30022,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":171,"_586":30013,"_588":30014,"_590":-5,"_592":30015,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":30010,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":30007,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":698,"_163":30006,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":30002,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":29999,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":29996,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":677,"_212":-5,"_213":29990,"_215":29991,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":29987,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":29984,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":29981,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":29978,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":657,"_212":1436,"_213":29968,"_215":29969,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":29965,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":29962,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":29959,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":29956,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":633,"_106":29955,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":29955,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":29952,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":29949,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":29946,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":29943,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":29940,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":610,"_163":29939,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":29936,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":29933,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":29930,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":29927,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":572,"_106":29926,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":29926,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":568,"_159":29923,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":564,"_159":29920,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":556,"_159":29917,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":552,"_159":29914,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":548,"_159":29911,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":544,"_159":29908,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":193,"_106":29907,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":29907,"_233":92},"159649409",{"_163":29909,"_165":29910},"And more than one in three parents say they are forced to deny their children certain back to school items because they cannot afford them.",[],{"_163":29912,"_165":29913},"Parents were also sacrificing things like family holidays and summer camps or activities. ",[],{"_163":29915,"_165":29916},"But the proportion using credit cards has risen from 21pc last year to 27pc in 2026, while a further 4pc turn to their credit union.",[],{"_163":29918,"_165":29919},"More than half of people used their normal income to pay for uniforms, while around a third had to use savings. ",[],{"_163":29921,"_165":29922},"Among those who borrow, the average amount of debt has risen by £47 to £301.",[],{"_163":29924,"_165":29925},"Almost two in five parents, 37pc, say they get into debt to cover back to school costs, up one percentage point from 2025. ",[],"158566648",{"_163":29928,"_165":29929},"The pressure is similar across both levels of education, affecting 72pc of primary school parents and 71pc of secondary school parents.",[],{"_163":29931,"_165":29932},"The research found that 71pc of parents say covering back to school costs is a financial burden, up three percentage points from 2025. ",[],{"_163":29934,"_165":29935},"While just 30pc of parents believe schools currently do enough to keep costs down, a further 43pc say they can see definite improvement. However, 27pc say they have seen no improvement.",[],{"_163":29937,"_165":29938},"The results come as new measures on school uniform affordability take effect across Northern Ireland. Guidelines state that schools must avoid purchase of uniforms placing “undue financial pressure on families, particularly those on lower incomes”.",[],"",{"_163":29941,"_165":29942},"And 90pc of parents said that their child’s school asks for a ‘voluntary’ contribution. The average contribution is £110, compared with £87 for a primary school child and £132 for a secondary school child.",[],{"_163":29944,"_165":29945},"Parents expect to spend an average of £159 on a laptop, iPad, or other device, while branded clothing for school sports teams costs a further £107 on average. ",[],{"_163":29947,"_165":29948},"Technology is also adding to the pressure, particularly when children enter secondary school. ",[],{"_163":29950,"_165":29951},"And secondary school parents are more likely to be required to buy uniforms at full price from a named supplier, at 30pc, compared with 21pc of primary school parents. ",[],{"_163":29953,"_165":29954},"One said their daughter’s uniform was available from only two shops, with summer blouses costing £20 each.",[],"159001850",{"_163":29957,"_165":29958},"Parents also expressed frustration at rules limiting where uniforms can be purchased, with one calling for all uniform items to be available from supermarkets or generic shops.",[],{"_163":29960,"_165":29961},"Uniforms remain a clear pressure point, with 61pc of parents saying they feel under pressure to buy branded clothing, footwear, and other items for their children, up from 56pc in 2025. ",[],{"_163":29963,"_165":29964},"And the main factors behind higher costs were the price of school uniforms; branded or crested items; and school lunches and food.",[],{"_163":29966,"_165":29967},"Just under 60pc of parents said their overall costs for back to school were higher than last year, with primary school parents more likely to be affected.",[],"Secondary school children’s education costs their parents £2,029 a year, a report has said",{"_81":29970,"_212":1436,"_220":395,"_97":29971,"_213":29968,"_223":29972,"_106":29973,"_226":227,"_228":1436,"_230":-5,"_218":88,"_232":29973,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.crimeworld.com/public/incoming/a2k22h-gettyimages-73206811.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/GettyImages-73206811.jpg",[29974],"GettyImages-73206811.jpg","157812740",{"_235":29975,"_237":29976,"_239":29975,"_240":29977},"conall.mcmeekin@sundayworld.com","McMeekin","Conall",{"_163":29979,"_165":29980},"“Anyone concerned about meeting the costs should speak to their local credit union before turning to expensive short-term borrowing.”",[],{"_163":29982,"_165":29983},"“Greater flexibility around uniforms, fewer branded requirements and earlier notice of expenses would give parents more control. ",[],{"_163":29985,"_165":29986},"“Families who fall outside existing supports can still struggle with large, unavoidable costs, particularly at secondary level. ",[],{"_163":29988,"_165":29989},"And he said the survey showed it wasn’t just lowest-income households who struggled with school costs. ",[],"Martin Fisher, head of NI at the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU)",{"_81":29992,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":29993,"_213":29990,"_223":29994,"_106":29995,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":29990,"_218":88,"_232":29995,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/ytoyb1-martin-fisher-head-of-ni-at-the-irish-league-of-credit-unions-ilcu/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1525017358%2F3a6c8548-9d26-443f-bd86-59e6342fd7a7.jpg",[],"1525017358%2F3a6c8548-9d26-443f-bd86-59e6342fd7a7.jpg","108870367",{"_163":29997,"_165":29998},"“For families already using savings to meet higher food costs during the summer, the new school year can begin before their finances have had any chance to reset.”",[],{"_163":30000,"_165":30001},"“The initial outlay on uniforms and equipment is followed by lunches, transport, trips, and activities, leaving parents with little opportunity to recover financially. ",[],{"_163":30003,"_165":30004},"Martin Fisher, head of Northern Ireland at the ILCU, said: “The real difficulty for families is not any one item, but the accumulation of costs across the school year. ",[30005],{"_85":6843,"_157":485,"_194":242,"_196":-5},"",{"_163":30008,"_165":30009},"But secondary school parents have to fork out £2,029 per pupil, with £1,106 in upfront back to school costs and £923 in running costs. ",[],{"_163":30011,"_165":30012},"According to ILCU, in 2026, primary school parents expect to spend £1,363 across the school year, with £570 in upfront back to school costs and a further £793 in running costs.",[],{"_163":30020,"_165":30021},{"_163":30018,"_165":30019},{"_163":30016,"_165":30017},"Head of Northern Ireland at the ILCU ",[],"Martin Fisher",[],"Greater flexibility around uniforms, fewer branded requirements and earlier notice of expenses would give parents more control. ",[],{"_163":30023,"_165":30024},"It has now been broadened out to include the education running costs families face throughout the year. ",[],{"_163":30026,"_165":30027},"The survey was conducted in June and involved 560 parents from Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":30029,"_165":30030},"It reported that 71pc of parents here find back to school costs, ranging from uniforms to digital devices, a financial burden. ",[],"

",{"_163":30033,"_165":30034},"The numbers using credit cards for the crucial purchases had gone up from 21pc to 27pc over the year, the ILCU said.",[],{"_163":30036,"_165":30037},"And nearly two in five parents are getting into debt to meet school expenses, according to a survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ICLU).",[],{"_163":30039,"_165":30040},"Parents here are spending £1,100 to get their secondary school kids back behind their desks, with another £900 for running costs during the year, a report said today.",[],"School uniform costs are weighing heavily on parents in Northern Ireland, according to a report by the Irish League of Credit Unions ",{"_81":30043,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":30044,"_213":30041,"_223":30045,"_106":30046,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":30047,"_218":88,"_232":30046,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bbj4nk-some-have-expressed-concerns-that-new-rules-on-school-uniforms-dont-do-enough-to-reduce-costs-to-pa/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/1900686735%2Fed6d5c49-94c3-4310-ab4e-6faad9895953.jpg",[],"1900686735%2Fed6d5c49-94c3-4310-ab4e-6faad9895953.jpg","111299968","Some have expressed concerns that new rules on school uniforms don't do enough to reduce costs to parents",{"_163":30049,"_165":30050},"Credit unions body in warning over ‘financial burden’ faced by families",[],{"_163":29850,"_165":30052},[],{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":8,"_254":14212},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":30057,"_106":30058,"_253":10,"_254":30059},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},"business_money","4282","Money",{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_240":14216},{"_81":30062,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":30063,"_213":30041,"_223":30045,"_106":30046,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":30047,"_218":88,"_232":30046,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bbj4nk-some-have-expressed-concerns-that-new-rules-on-school-uniforms-dont-do-enough-to-reduce-costs-to-pa/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1900686735%2Fed6d5c49-94c3-4310-ab4e-6faad9895953.jpg",[],{"_250":9183,"_106":9184,"_275":9185,"_276":280},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},194285066,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":30195,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/am-i-the-only-person-who-doesnt-shop-on-temu/a/159887719.html",[30194],"Am I the only person who doesn’t shop on Temu?",{"_264":30190,"_266":30169,"_267":30071},[30189],[30180,30181,30182,30183,30184,30185],"159887719",{},[],"2026-08-14T16:00:00Z","2026-08-11T15:22:58Z",[30083,30084,30085,30086,30087,30088,30089,30090,30091,30092,30093,30094,30095,30096,30097,30098,30099,30100,30101,30102,30103,30104,30105,30106,30107,30108],{"_140":10,"_141":30082,"_143":10},"d2284a78-9589-11f1-b1c0-6f800fb433e8",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":30178,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":-5,"_213":-5,"_215":30171,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":30168,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":30165,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":30162,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":30161,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30161,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":30158,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":30155,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":30152,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":171,"_356":30148,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":30145,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":30142,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":698,"_106":30141,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30141,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":30138,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":30135,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":30132,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":30129,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":673,"_106":30128,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30128,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":30125,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":30122,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":30119,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":30116,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":30113,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":30110,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":30109,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30109,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":11352,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":11352,"_233":92},"159305671",{"_163":30111,"_165":30112},"My possessions, and where I choose to buy them, won’t always withstand scrutiny, try as I might. But hopefully my commitment to buying less and using for longer will. Besides, I already own lots of trousers. ",[],{"_163":30114,"_165":30115},"But I’m increasingly trying to distinguish between something that feels like a bargain and something that has been made cheaply enough to feel irresistible.",[],{"_163":30117,"_165":30118},"It would be so easy — click, buy and they arrive. That’s what makes Temu difficult to resist, when it comes down to brass tacks. It’s not shopping, it’s a game, one that is cheap to play and promises to make it all easier — dressing yourself, your children, and it’s all affordable. I can’t fault parents for shopping on Temu as we all struggle with a cost-of-living crisis.",[],{"_163":30120,"_165":30121},"After I admired my hairdresser’s trousers, I searched for them online and found a pair on Temu that was almost identical to those she was wearing. They looked perfect and were at a price point I could afford without a second thought, while usually I would think for at least a few days before spending my hard-earned money on clothing for myself. ",[],{"_163":30123,"_165":30124},"My guilt and concern means I have committed to shopping more ethically and go to huge lengths to buy things I need second-hand or to make do with what I already have unless it’s absolutely necessary to buy new. Even making those efforts, I’m already competing with a mountain of stuff in my home. ",[],{"_163":30126,"_165":30127},"Congratulations to the first person who comes along and tells me about how my iPhone was made. To have any sort of a phone, this is what we’re up against. It would probably shock me to find out more about the supply chain that goes into the creation of many of the products I use and consume. My car, for example, or the cashew nuts I love to snack on. ",[],"158334071",{"_163":30130,"_165":30131},"Those are my questions for me and my family. But, also, there’s the environment and the growing mountain of stuff we have in our homes. And — this is the big one — as a human being, I wonder about who is making it. Whether their hands are as tiny as those which hold mine. ",[],{"_163":30133,"_165":30134},"It goes without saying that, like everyone else, I love a bargain, but what holds me back are doubts about where the items have come from, especially when it comes to stuff for my children. What dye was used? Are the materials are safe? ",[],{"_163":30136,"_165":30137},"Consider my plight as a mum spending a huge chunk of change on childcare, commuting to work and competing with the ever-rising cost of living. If anyone is vulnerable to the temptations of Shein it’s me. But I have principles I can ill-afford. ",[],{"_163":30139,"_165":30140},"It’s a constant battle. When I’m on social media, I see pop-up ads promoting clothing or household items that look quite nice and I’ve clicked before I realise I’m about to see that roulette wheel that makes shopping seem free and like the most fun game you can play. That’s despite never having bought a single thing from Temu and Shein ever before. ",[],"159282898",{"_163":30143,"_165":30144},"This is where my willpower and commitment to not shopping on these sites is really tested. Increasingly, I feel like the only person who doesn’t shop on Temu. My resolve is tested almost on a daily basis, especially when those trousers continued to play on my mind. ",[],{"_163":30146,"_165":30147},"That’s the thing about Temu, Shein, AliExpress or any of those e-commerce websites. We’re told the clothing and the other items they stock are awful quality, invariably don’t fit and are very difficult to return. But I’m informed that’s no longer the case; in fact, it seems many of the items of clothing I admire are from Temu, and the wearers are very happy with them — and, better yet, they were bought at rock-bottom prices.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":30149,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":17474,"_106":30150,"_368":369,"_370":17476,"_232":30151,"_233":92},"J7JE-LjBJOey","1991250","159852925",{"_163":30153,"_165":30154},"“Temu,” she told me proudly when I asked where she’d bought them. That was also where she’d bought her T-shirt, and where her client next to me had recently bought a dress that she was absolutely delighted with.",[],{"_163":30156,"_165":30157},"During my last appointment, I admired my hairdresser’s choice of trousers, in a perfect shade of brown I’d long been searching for, loose-fitting and casual in a way that seemed very comfortable. ",[],{"_163":30159,"_165":30160},"When I choose my clothes, I like to pick items which make me feel good, but I also need to incorporate my need to either sit on the floor or be able to scale a climbing frame at a moment’s notice. ",[],"159592957",{"_163":30163,"_165":30164},"The salon’s hairdressers and clients also talk a lot about clothes. These are the conversations that most interest me as a mother-of-two in her thirties who has gone through at least two metamorphoses after the birth of each child. ",[],{"_163":30166,"_165":30167},"There’s new music on the radio, which I rarely listen to because I mostly play Imogen Heap’s The Happy Song (if you know, you know) in the car, or some Spotify playlist featuring Baby Beluga or Baa Baa Black Sheep. I mentally bookmark a restaurant to try or a Netflix series to check out.",[],{"_163":30169,"_165":30170},"My appointments at the hairdresser are where I get clued in on what’s happening. ",[],{"_81":30172,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":30173,"_213":88,"_223":30174,"_106":30175,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":30176,"_218":88,"_232":30175,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5t7xuh-mcgovern-eimear-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/McGovern%2C%20Eimear%20(1).jpg",[30177],"McGovern%2C%20Eimear%20(1).jpg","160031187","Temu sells a wide range of products directly from Chinese sellers at ultra-low prices © Alamy/PA",{"_235":8055,"_237":8056,"_239":8055,"_240":8057},{"_163":30071,"_165":30179},[],{"_250":2163,"_106":2164,"_253":8,"_254":1977},{"_250":17878,"_106":17879,"_253":10,"_254":17880},{"_250":17511,"_106":17512,"_253":10,"_254":17513},{"_250":10664,"_106":10665,"_253":10,"_254":10666},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":30186,"_106":30187,"_253":10,"_254":30188},"life_weekend","4342","Weekend",{"_235":236,"_237":238,"_240":241},{"_81":30191,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":30192,"_213":88,"_223":30174,"_106":30175,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":30176,"_218":88,"_232":30175,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/5t7xuh-mcgovern-eimear-1.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/McGovern%2C%20Eimear%20(1).jpg",[30193],{"_235":8055,"_237":8056,"_239":8055,"_240":8057},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},"Eimear McGovern:Am I the only person who doesn’t shop on Temu?",192746124,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/details-on-ni-home-heating-oil-support-scheme-expected-in-coming-weeks/a/159649409.html",[30311,30312,30313],"Details on NI home-heating oil support scheme ‘expected in coming weeks’",{"_264":30307,"_266":30289,"_267":30201},[],[30302,30303,30304,30305,30306],{},[],"2026-08-06T17:48:00Z","2026-08-06T17:49:18Z",[30213,30214,30215,30216,30217,30218,30219,30220,30221,30222,30223,30224,30225,30226,30227,30228,30229,30230,30231,30232,30233,30234,30235],"Eva Quinn",{"_140":10,"_141":30212,"_143":10},"1d573cb0-90db-11f1-83cc-79056ead7b41",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":30300,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":30291,"_213":30292,"_215":30293,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":30288,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":202,"_163":30031,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":30285,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":30284,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30284,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":30281,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":30278,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":30275,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":30272,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":167,"_356":30268,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":30265,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":30262,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":30259,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":30256,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":30253,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":30250,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":30247,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":30244,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":30241,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":30238,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":657,"_106":30237,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30237,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":195,"_106":30236,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30236,"_233":92},"159584745","159637336",{"_163":30239,"_165":30240},"CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said: “Stronger safeguards are needed, including regulatory oversight and better support for vulnerable consumers, as well as communities living in areas of the UK that are particularly exposed to higher and more volatile prices.”",[],{"_163":30242,"_165":30243},"Last month, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the Executive should apply stricter consumer protection regulations in the home-heating oil market.",[],{"_163":30245,"_165":30246},"The effects have been felt throughout Northern Ireland, where around 60pc of households rely on oil to heat their homes. ",[],{"_163":30248,"_165":30249},"Conflict in the Middle East has pushed up wholesale crude oil prices, leading to increases in home-heating oil. ",[],{"_163":30251,"_165":30252},"The scheme will be open to both single people and couples, including pensioners, with a joint annual income of less than £30,000 after allowable deductions. ",[],{"_163":30254,"_165":30255},"Households will be eligible to apply if they use home-heating oil and meet certain criteria. These include income-related benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related employment and support allowance. ",[],{"_163":30257,"_165":30258},"“The Executive have agreed this support scheme and further details on scheme’s launch are expected in the coming weeks”. ",[],{"_163":30260,"_165":30261},"Mr Lyons said: “This has involved developing eligibility criteria, establishing an application and eligibility verification process, and putting arrangements in place to issue prepaid cards to eligible households while ensuring appropriate safeguard against fraud and misuse of public funds. ",[],{"_163":30263,"_165":30264},"Asked by the Belfast Telegraph this week about the progress of the scheme, the minister said his department had been “working at pace” to set it up. ",[],{"_163":30266,"_165":30267},"The one-off scheme will provide eligible households with a £100 prepaid card that can be redeemed with participating home-heating oil suppliers. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":30269,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":12123,"_106":30270,"_368":369,"_370":12125,"_232":30271,"_233":92},"PQBowJSCjD6C","1750696","152395838",{"_163":30273,"_165":30274},"In April, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced he had secured Executive approval for a £36.4m support package for home heating oil users in Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":30276,"_165":30277},"The increases, which have occurred since the start of conflict between Iran and the Israel-USA alliance in late February, have sparked fears that many households could struggle to afford their fill their oil tanks ahead of winter. ",[],{"_163":30279,"_165":30280},"But the latest figure for 900 litres is still 28pc higher than the cost five weeks ago.",[],{"_163":30282,"_165":30283},"Within the past week, the average price of 900 litres has declined by 4pc, from £818.25 to £787.36, according to the latest figures from the NI Consumer Council.",[],"159384661",{"_163":30286,"_165":30287},"The update comes in the wake of recent, sharp increases in the price of heating oil across Northern Ireland, with the average cost of 900 litres rising to over £815 towards the end of July. ",[],{"_163":30289,"_165":30290},"Details of a £100 home-heating oil support scheme here are to be announced “in the coming weeks” as households continue to face high fuel prices ahead of winter, Belfast Telegraph can reveal.",[],"Mark Dyball Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo","Approximately 60pc of NI households rely on oil to heat their homes ",{"_81":30294,"_212":30291,"_220":395,"_97":30295,"_213":30292,"_223":30296,"_106":30297,"_226":227,"_228":30291,"_230":30298,"_218":88,"_232":30297,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/r9tyou-fuel-delivery-for-home-oil-fired-central-heating-fuel-tanker-making-a-delivery-of-domestic-heating-oil-to-house/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/Fuel_delivery_for_home_oil_fired_central_heating_fuel_tanker_making_a_delivery_of_domestic_heating_oil_to_house.jpg",[30299],"Fuel_delivery_for_home_oil_fired_central_heating_fuel_tanker_making_a_delivery_of_domestic_heating_oil_to_house.jpg","158842207","D55EB9 Fuel delivery for home oil fired central heating, fuel tanker making a delivery of domestic heating oil to house",{"_235":3965,"_237":3966,"_239":3965,"_240":3967},{"_163":30201,"_165":30301},[],{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":10,"_254":14212},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1486,"_106":1487,"_253":10,"_254":1488},{"_81":30308,"_212":30291,"_220":395,"_97":30309,"_213":30292,"_223":30296,"_106":30297,"_226":227,"_228":30291,"_230":30298,"_218":88,"_232":30297,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/r9tyou-fuel-delivery-for-home-oil-fired-central-heating-fuel-tanker-making-a-delivery-of-domestic-heating-oil-to-house/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/Fuel_delivery_for_home_oil_fired_central_heating_fuel_tanker_making_a_delivery_of_domestic_heating_oil_to_house.jpg",[30310],{"_235":3965,"_237":3966,"_239":3965,"_240":3967},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},{"_250":30314,"_106":30315,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1502,"_106":1503,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Inflation","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:inflation",191254777,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":30502,"_283":8,"_275":30503,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/cheapest-place-for-fuel-in-northern-ireland-as-drivers-enjoy-advantage-over-rest-of-uk/a/159438763.html",[30501],"Cheapest place for fuel in Northern Ireland as drivers enjoy advantage over rest of UK",{"_264":30497,"_266":30482,"_267":30321},[30496],[30493,30494,30495],"159438763",{},[],"2026-07-31T14:12:00Z","2026-07-31T14:03:20Z",[30334,30335,30336,30337,30338,30339,30340,30341,30342,30343,30344,30345,30346,30347,30348,30349,30350,30351,30352,30353,30354,30355,30356,30357,30358,30359,30360,30361,30362,30363,30364,30365,30366,30367,30368],"Neil Lancefield",{"_140":10,"_141":30333,"_143":10},"704f27c6-8cb9-11f1-82b1-afc4b7e79b96",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":30491,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":6880,"_213":30484,"_215":30485,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":30481,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":30478,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":187,"_163":30477,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":30474,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":30471,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":30468,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":30465,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":30462,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":30459,"_161":162},{"_155":3486,"_157":158,"_161":3487,"_3488":30441,"_232":-5,"_233":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":30438,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":30435,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":30432,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":30429,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":30426,"_161":162},{"_155":584,"_157":673,"_586":30418,"_588":30419,"_590":-5,"_592":30420,"_161":594},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":30415,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":30412,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":30409,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":30406,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":30403,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":30400,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":30397,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":642,"_356":30391,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":30388,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":30385,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":30382,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":30379,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":30376,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":30373,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":30370,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":606,"_106":30284,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30284,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":585,"_106":30369,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30369,"_233":92},"159384489",{"_163":30371,"_165":30372},"He said his advice to Northern Ireland motorists was “enjoy the lower road fuel costs, keep an eye on where you can buy even cheaper, and feel sorry for the rest of the UK”.",[],{"_163":30374,"_165":30375},"Luke Bosdet, AA spokesperson on pump prices, said: “NI towns with petrol averaging around 150p a litre is good news for local drivers but an absolute shock for those on the mainland.”",[],{"_163":30377,"_165":30378},"The price of Brent crude oil was up nearly 1% on Friday, to 89.55 US dollars a barrel.",[],{"_163":30380,"_165":30381},"“Diesel looks set to keep on rising and is likely to reach 185p a litre in the next few weeks, barring any major oil price reduction.”",[],{"_163":30383,"_165":30384},"“The wholesale price of petrol eased very slightly this week but is not enough to make a difference at the pumps.",[],{"_163":30386,"_165":30387},"He went on: “The cost of filling a family-sized car with unleaded has gone up to £88 while a tank of diesel is £10 more.",[],{"_163":30389,"_165":30390},"RAC head of policy Simon Williams described the prices as “very unwelcome news for drivers”.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":30392,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":30393,"_106":30394,"_368":369,"_370":30395,"_232":30396,"_233":92},"0wAMRbXQqDSE","00:33:00","1957101","0:33","159343760",{"_163":30398,"_165":30399},"The average price of a litre of diesel is 179.0p per litre, which is 12.5p below the conflict high of 191.5p per litre on April 15.",[],{"_163":30401,"_165":30402},"The last time prices UK-wide were more expensive than current levels was in November 2022.",[],{"_163":30404,"_165":30405},"Prices have risen by 9.4p per litre since July 6, when it was hoped the oil crisis was easing.",[],{"_163":30407,"_165":30408},"That is compared with 132.8p per litre when the conflict in the Middle East began.",[],{"_163":30410,"_165":30411},"The RAC said the average price of a litre of the fuel at UK forecourts on Friday was 160.0p per litre.",[],{"_163":30413,"_165":30414},"According to motoring organisation the RAC, petrol prices in the UK have reached their highest level in more than three-and-a-half years as the impact of the Iran oil crisis continues.",[],{"_163":30416,"_165":30417},"Yet prices in Northern Ireland are lower than UK-wide averages.",[],{"_163":30424,"_165":30425},{"_163":30422,"_165":30423},{"_163":88,"_165":30421},[]," AA spokesperson Luke Bosdet",[],"NI towns with petrol averaging around 150p a litre is good news for local drivers but an absolute shock for those on the mainland.",[],{"_163":30427,"_165":30428},"Both diesel and petrol hit a recent peak in Northern Ireland in mid-April, when diesel hit 188.1p and petrol reached 154p. ",[],{"_163":30430,"_165":30431},"Prices shot up after attacks by the US and Israel against Iran triggered major unrest in the region. ",[],{"_163":30433,"_165":30434},"Dungannon is the cheapest for diesel, at 159.9p per litre, while Ballycastle is the most expensive, at 174.9p.",[],{"_163":30436,"_165":30437},"According to its research, the cheapest petrol can be found in Ballymena, costing 147.4p per litre. Newry offers the most expensive average price per litre, at 155.9p.",[],{"_163":30439,"_165":30440},"The consumer watchdog tracks the price of diesel and petrol across towns in Northern Ireland.",[],[30442,30443],{"_157":580,"_212":1611,"_213":30452,"_215":30453,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_157":576,"_212":6880,"_213":30444,"_215":30445,"_161":516,"_218":-5},"York Street Go Garage ",{"_81":30446,"_212":6880,"_220":395,"_97":30447,"_213":30444,"_223":30448,"_106":30449,"_226":227,"_228":6880,"_230":30450,"_218":88,"_232":30449,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/zaujtu-york-street-go-garage./alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A1826.jpg",[30451],"0R9A1826.jpg","159455375","York Street Go Garage on July 30th 2026 (Photo by Stiofán Bruce / Belfast Telegraph)\n",{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_239":14214,"_240":14216},"Vehicles fill up at the Braywick Esso garage in Maidenhead",{"_81":30454,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":30455,"_213":30452,"_223":30456,"_106":30457,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":30458,"_218":88,"_232":30457,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/business/uk-world/mfo6sc-middle-east-conflict/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1b3cea68-ec2e-40c9-b355-e1ee815c6e8e",[],"1b3cea68-ec2e-40c9-b355-e1ee815c6e8e","158637954","Vehicles fill up at the Braywick Esso garage on Windsor Road, Maidenhead. Disruption to petrol supplies has been caused by Iran’s stranglehold on oil tankers passing through the key international shipping route in the Straight of Hormuz, sending prices at the pumps soaring. Picture date: Saturday May 16, 2026.",{"_163":30460,"_165":30461},"The latest rise in diesel and petrol was the biggest weekly increase in prices at the pumps since early April. ",[],{"_163":30463,"_165":30464},"The fuel price checker reflected the fourth week in a row in which prices have gone up in Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":30466,"_165":30467},"The Go chain of 20 petrol stations was charging 164.9p for a litre of diesel on Friday morning — up 35p from 129.9p since pre-conflict. Petrol was 149.9p — up 26p since before the start of hostilities. ",[],{"_163":30469,"_165":30470},"And diesel is now 167p — up just under 8p per litre on week before.",[],{"_163":30472,"_165":30473},"According to the weekly fuel price checker from the Northern Ireland Consumer Council, the average price of a litre of petrol is now 151.4p, up nearly 4p over the last week. ",[],{"_163":30475,"_165":30476},"But road fuels are still priced more competitively here than the UK as a whole, with petrol and diesel 5pc and 7pc cheaper respectively.",[],"

\n",{"_163":30479,"_165":30480},"That’s despite average petrol and diesel prices here climbing for the fourth week in a row as conflict in the Middle East goes on.",[],{"_163":30482,"_165":30483},"Northern Ireland drivers are enjoying a fuel price advantage over those in Great Britain, latest figures show. ",[],"Prices at the Go Garage on York Street, Belfast on July 30 2026 reflect NI’s lower road fuel average",{"_81":30486,"_212":6880,"_220":395,"_97":30487,"_213":30484,"_223":30488,"_106":30489,"_226":227,"_228":6880,"_230":30450,"_218":88,"_232":30489,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/8fepxb-york-street-go-garage./alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/0R9A1828.jpg",[30490],"0R9A1828.jpg","159455342",{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_239":14214,"_240":14216},{"_163":30321,"_165":30492},[],{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":8,"_254":14212},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_240":14216},{"_81":30498,"_212":6880,"_220":395,"_97":30499,"_213":30484,"_223":30488,"_106":30489,"_226":227,"_228":6880,"_230":30450,"_218":88,"_232":30489,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/8fepxb-york-street-go-garage./alternates/BASE_WIDTH/0R9A1828.jpg",[30500],{"_235":14214,"_237":14215,"_239":14214,"_240":14216},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},"Petrol and diesel prices Northern Ireland: Cheaper than UK despite Iran oil crisis","Fuel prices surge after Middle East unrest, but Northern Ireland stays cheaper than UK averages",191122218,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/pubs-and-restaurants-here-stuck-in-the-middle-as-burnhams-tax-cut-skips-ni/a/159088029.html",[30649,30650,30651,30652,30653,30654],"Pubs and restaurants here ‘stuck in the middle’ as Burnham’s tax cut skips NI",{"_264":30645,"_266":30619,"_267":30509},[30644],[30631,30632,30633,30634,30635,30636,30637],"159088029",{},[],"2026-07-23T12:53:00Z","2026-07-23T12:53:16Z",[30521,30522,30523,30524,30525,30526,30527,30528,30529,30530,30531,30532,30533,30534,30535,30536,30537,30538,30539,30540,30541,30542,30543,30544,30545,30546,30547],{"_140":10,"_141":30520,"_143":10},"1412b1eb-866e-11f1-aae8-d182fb381781",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":30629,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":1611,"_213":30621,"_215":30622,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":30618,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":30615,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":30612,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":342,"_106":30611,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30611,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":183,"_106":30610,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30610,"_233":92},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":30607,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":30604,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":30601,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":30598,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":30595,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":30592,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":30589,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":685,"_212":30581,"_213":30582,"_215":30583,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":30578,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":30575,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":30572,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":669,"_356":30568,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":30565,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":30562,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":30559,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":30556,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":30553,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":30550,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":642,"_106":30549,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30549,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":633,"_106":30548,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30548,"_233":92},"159047997","157875856",{"_163":30551,"_165":30552},"“To further support local businesses last month, the minister launched a consultation on a business growth accelerator and changes to non-domestic vacant rating to support investment and bring vacant premises back into use.” ",[],{"_163":30554,"_165":30555},"“The Finance Minister remains committed to supporting businesses. Draft budget proposals include an additional £10m to expand small business rate relief which, if approved, would see thousands of additional businesses benefit from this scheme which currently provides businesses with up to 50pc reduction in their rates. ",[],{"_163":30557,"_165":30558},"“During a call with the Chancellor yesterday, Minister John O’Dowd emphasised that the Westminster Government must place finances here on a fairer and sustainable footing to support delivery of a multi-year budget that gives departments greater certainty and enables long-term planning, investment and public service transformation. ",[],{"_163":30560,"_165":30561},"The Department of Finance said: “Business rates are fully devolved. Funding arising from the Prime Minister’s announcement has not yet been confirmed and will be for the Executive to allocate in line with local priorities and financial pressures. ",[],{"_163":30563,"_165":30564},"Also, the announcement on Wednesday of a cap on bus ticket prices in England will not be applied here, but the Executive will again be getting additional money. ",[],{"_163":30566,"_165":30567},"Meanwhile, a reduction to the VAT paid on electricity bills does not apply to Northern Ireland because of the stipulations of post-Brexit agreements, however the Executive will receive additional funding equivalent to the cut. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":30569,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":366,"_106":30570,"_368":369,"_370":371,"_232":30571,"_233":92},"SRYMXfFayH2k","1939779","159096117",{"_163":30573,"_165":30574},"“If the Northern Ireland Assembly and UK Government are serious about supporting economic growth, protecting jobs, and revitalising our high streets and city centres, then they must ensure hospitality receives the targeted support it needs.” ",[],{"_163":30576,"_165":30577},"“Hospitality remains one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers and a cornerstone of our tourism offering, but will now be stuck in the middle with higher business rates than our colleagues in England and higher VAT rates than our colleagues in the Republic of Ireland. ",[],{"_163":30579,"_165":30580},"“Hospitality businesses here have weathered the devastating impact of Covid-19, soaring energy costs, an uncooperative high VAT rate, and an increasingly unsustainable business rates burden, with less financial help than our GB counterparts, all while continuing to provide jobs, invest in communities, and support our visitor economy.",[],"@Press Eye/Darren Kidd","Colin Neill",{"_81":30584,"_212":30581,"_220":395,"_97":30585,"_213":30582,"_223":30586,"_106":30587,"_226":227,"_228":30581,"_230":30582,"_218":88,"_232":30587,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/s697qj-120896888.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/120896888.JPG",[30588],"120896888.JPG","131018779",{"_235":2404,"_237":2405,"_239":2404,"_240":2406},{"_163":30590,"_165":30591},"“Again, it highlights the plight facing all hospitality businesses and the need to reform business rates here before the paused 2026 revaluation is rerun.",[],{"_163":30593,"_165":30594},"Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, said: “Today’s announcement of a business rate cut for pubs, clubs, and music venues by the Prime Minister applies only to England and will generate no additional money for Northern Ireland. ",[],{"_163":30596,"_165":30597},"Earlier this year, a revaluation of non-domestic rates was paused by the Finance Minister after complaints from the hospitality sector about increased rates bills. ",[],{"_163":30599,"_165":30600},"Hospitality venues in Northern Ireland will not be affected by the Prime Minister’s announcement as business (or non-domestic) rates are set locally by councils and Stormont. ",[],{"_163":30602,"_165":30603},"The “very largest live music venues” will not be eligible for the new cut as the government says it is seeking to “target support where it is most needed”.",[],{"_163":30605,"_165":30606},"Rates on hospitality businesses in England had already been cut by 15pc in January, and the new reduction will apply on top of that. ",[],{"_163":30608,"_165":30609},"Mr Burnham made the announcement on Thursday as part of his policies to give “breathing space” to the public and businesses amid cost-of-living pressures. ",[],"159037394","158830055",{"_163":30613,"_165":30614},"Hospitality Ulster said the move now leaves venues here at a competitive disadvantage to English firms, as well as businesses in the Republic of Ireland, which pay lower levels of VAT. ",[],{"_163":30616,"_165":30617},"Its chief executive was speaking after Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement that many hospitality businesses in England will pay 20pc lower business rates from April next year. ",[],{"_163":30619,"_165":30620},"Pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland are “stuck in the middle” of paying higher rates and VAT, according to Hospitality Ulster. ",[],"Pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland will not receive the PM's 20pc rates cut ",{"_81":30623,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":30624,"_213":30621,"_223":30625,"_106":30626,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":30627,"_218":88,"_232":30626,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/business/uk-world/9y8wzx-pint/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/677a5674-1891-4624-a36d-3a6f3c6f57a1",[30628],"677a5674-1891-4624-a36d-3a6f3c6f57a1","159099572","Pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland will not receive the PM's 20pct rates cut ",{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_239":3471,"_240":3473},{"_163":30509,"_165":30630},[],{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":8,"_254":32},{"_250":14210,"_106":14211,"_253":10,"_254":14212},{"_250":30641,"_106":30642,"_253":10,"_254":30643},{"_250":30638,"_106":30639,"_253":10,"_254":30640},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":14319,"_106":14320,"_253":10,"_254":14321},"life_food-drink","4335","Food and Drink","business_food-drink-hospitality","4265","Food, Drink and Hospitality",{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_240":3473},{"_81":30646,"_212":1611,"_220":395,"_97":30647,"_213":30621,"_223":30625,"_106":30626,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":30627,"_218":88,"_232":30626,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/business/uk-world/9y8wzx-pint/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/677a5674-1891-4624-a36d-3a6f3c6f57a1",[30648],{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_239":3471,"_240":3473},{"_250":32,"_106":1516,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":9558,"_106":9559,"_275":9560,"_276":280},{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":10682,"_106":10683,"_275":10684,"_276":280},{"_250":10442,"_106":10443,"_275":10444,"_276":280},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},191107247,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/calls-for-stormont-to-ringfence-burnhams-bus-fares-freeze-funding/a/159077628.html",[30795,30796,30797],"Calls for Stormont to ringfence Burnham’s bus fares freeze funding",{"_264":30791,"_266":30771,"_267":30660},[],[30784,30785,30786,30787],"159077628",{},[],"2026-07-22T19:10:00Z","2026-07-22T18:40:32Z",[30672,30673,30674,30675,30676,30677,30678,30679,30680,30681,30682,30683,30684,30685,30686,30687,30688,30689,30690,30691,30692,30693,30694,30695,30696],{"_140":10,"_141":30671,"_143":10},"98e397ec-85f5-11f1-bdb7-2d699b6335df",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":30782,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":30773,"_213":30774,"_215":30775,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":30770,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":30767,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":30764,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":30761,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":30758,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":30755,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":30752,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":30749,"_161":162},{"_155":210,"_157":167,"_212":-5,"_213":30740,"_215":30741,"_161":516,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":30737,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":30734,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":30731,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":30728,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":30725,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":677,"_356":30719,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":30716,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":30713,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":30710,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":30707,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":657,"_159":30704,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":30701,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":30698,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":646,"_106":30697,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30697,"_233":92},"159048637",{"_163":30699,"_165":30700},"“As I said on my first day in office, I will build a country for everyone, everywhere. That means more connected communities, better access to opportunities, and a lighter load on people’s lives.”",[],{"_163":30702,"_165":30703},"“Lower fares will help people get to where they need to, giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living.",[],{"_163":30705,"_165":30706},"“But, for too long, people have said that cheaper transport isn’t an option. I don’t accept that. I’ve done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country.",[],{"_163":30708,"_165":30709},"Mr Burnham said: “Good, affordable transport links are an essential. No one should be priced out of those and left behind.",[],{"_163":30711,"_165":30712},"“It is interesting that the new British Prime minister has taken a similar step to keep fares affordable for struggling workers and families.” ",[],{"_163":30714,"_165":30715},"“This decision recognised the importance of keeping public transport affordable for passengers in the context of rising fuel and oil prices and provided certainty at a challenging financial time. ",[],{"_163":30717,"_165":30718},"Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: “At the start of this financial year, I announced my decision to freeze bus and train fares for the second consecutive year. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":30720,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":30721,"_106":30722,"_368":369,"_370":30723,"_232":30724,"_233":92},"pQYoWpjShn-2","01:25:00","1936034","1:25","159026563",{"_163":30726,"_165":30727},"At the time, a spokesperson for Translink said that the consultation “comes at a time of significant financial pressure on the public transport network, driven by reductions in funding in real terms”. ",[],{"_163":30729,"_165":30730},"Earlier this month, Translink launched a public consultation that included proposed cuts to both bus and rail services.",[],{"_163":30732,"_165":30733},"“Public transport should be the first choice — not the last — for people travelling to work, shopping or visiting our high streets. Investing in affordable, accessible transport is an investment in the future of our local economy.”",[],{"_163":30735,"_165":30736},"“This would help deliver more affordable fares, improve services and provide greater choice for consumers.",[],{"_163":30738,"_165":30739},"“The Executive should ringfence the Barnett consequential funding arising from this decision and invest it in Northern Ireland’s public transport network.",[],"Glyn Roberts",{"_81":30742,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":30743,"_213":30740,"_223":30744,"_106":30745,"_226":227,"_228":-5,"_230":30740,"_218":88,"_232":30745,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/23v0o-875738-glyn-roberts.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/875738_Glyn_Roberts.jpg",[30746],"875738_Glyn_Roberts.jpg","158342458",{"_235":30747,"_237":30748,"_239":30747,"_240":1823},"john.mulgrew@mediahuis.co.uk","Mulgrew",{"_163":30750,"_165":30751},"Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “The Prime Minister’s decision to cap bus fares in England is a welcome step. Good, reliable and affordable public transport is essential to supporting our local high streets and town centres.",[],{"_163":30753,"_165":30754},"Retail NI called on Executive ministers to ensure that the funding is ringfenced for investment in public transport in Northern Ireland.",[],{"_163":30756,"_165":30757},"The amount it gets has been estimated at £10m-15m, but the Executive could choose to spend the money elsewhere, as it has done in the past.",[],{"_163":30759,"_165":30760},"Since transport is a devolved issue, that means Stormont will be handed proportional funding to keep fares low in Northern Ireland — should ministers choose to do so.",[],{"_163":30762,"_165":30763},"The Government said the move would be backed by £400m in extra funding and “the devolved governments will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way”.",[],{"_163":30765,"_165":30766},"The Government said that, to help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need, passengers will benefit from cheaper fares from January 1, 2027, for the rest of the year — with maximum fares slashed by a third.",[],{"_163":30768,"_165":30769},"The new Prime Minister has announced a cap on single bus tickets at £2 during his first week in office.",[],{"_163":30771,"_165":30772},"A trade body has called on the Executive to ringfence any extra funding Stormont receives as a result of Andy Burnham’s bus fares freeze.",[],"Toby Melville/PA Wire","Prime Minister Andy Burnham is shown the driver’s area on a FirstGroup bus",{"_81":30776,"_212":30773,"_220":395,"_97":30777,"_213":30774,"_223":30778,"_106":30779,"_226":227,"_228":30773,"_230":30780,"_218":88,"_232":30779,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bqcqy9-aa1ba669-81c8-.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/aa1ba669-81c8-.jpg",[30781],"aa1ba669-81c8-.jpg","159077818","Prime Minister Andy Burnham is shown the driver's area on a FirstGroup bus during a visit to a bus station in Bath, Somerset to highlight what the government is doing to help families with the cost of living. Picture date: Wednesday July 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Toby Melville/PA Wire",{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_163":30660,"_165":30783},[],{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":8,"_254":1660},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":262,"_106":263,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":30788,"_106":30789,"_253":10,"_254":30790},"life_travel","4340","Travel",{"_81":30792,"_212":30773,"_220":395,"_97":30793,"_213":30774,"_223":30778,"_106":30779,"_226":227,"_228":30773,"_230":30780,"_218":88,"_232":30779,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/incoming/bqcqy9-aa1ba669-81c8-.jpg/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/aa1ba669-81c8-.jpg",[30794],{"_235":2443,"_237":2444,"_239":2443,"_240":2445},{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":30740,"_106":30798,"_275":30799,"_276":280},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},"tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:glyn-roberts","Glynn Roberts is the CEO of Retail NI, which represents the independent retail sector in Northern Ireland. He was appointed Chief Executive in January 2008 after serving seven years as Head of Parliamentary Affairs with the Federation of Small Businesses in Northern Ireland. He previously worked for Weber Shandwick.",190389285,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":30993,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/money/what-new-pms-electricity-tax-cut-means-for-ni-household-bills-as-complication-branded-madness/a/158993164.html",[30979,30980,30981,30982,30983,30984,30985,30986,30987,30988],"What new PM’s electricity tax cut means for NI household bills as complication branded ‘madness’",{"_264":30972,"_266":30962,"_267":30805},[30971],[30967,30968,30969,30970],"158993164",{},[],"2026-07-21T17:30:00Z","2026-07-21T17:00:53Z",[30817,30818,30819,30820,30821,30822,30823,30824,30825,30826,30827,30828,30829,30830,30831,30832,30833,30834,30835,30836,30837,30838,30839,30840,30841,30842,30843,30844,30845,30846,30847,30848,30849,30850,30851,30852,30853,30854,30855],{"_140":10,"_141":30816,"_143":10},"1277b64c-84dd-11f1-8207-1f99fd65e108",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":30965,"_161":244},{"_155":355,"_157":211,"_356":30964,"_161":217},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":30961,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":30958,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":30955,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":30952,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":30949,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":30946,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":30943,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":30940,"_161":162},{"_155":3079,"_157":167,"_163":30939,"_161":3081},{"_155":156,"_157":158,"_159":30936,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":30933,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":694,"_159":30930,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":685,"_159":30927,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":681,"_159":30924,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":677,"_159":30921,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":673,"_159":30918,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":669,"_159":30915,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":665,"_159":30912,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":661,"_159":30909,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":657,"_356":30903,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":195,"_159":30900,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":650,"_159":30897,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":646,"_159":30894,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":642,"_159":30891,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":633,"_159":30888,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":629,"_159":30885,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":622,"_159":30882,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":1007,"_159":30879,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":618,"_159":30876,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":614,"_159":30873,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":610,"_159":30870,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":606,"_159":30867,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":585,"_159":30864,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":580,"_159":30861,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":576,"_159":30858,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":572,"_106":30857,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30857,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":568,"_106":30856,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":30856,"_233":92},"158981890","158948611",{"_163":30859,"_165":30860},"A Department of Finance spokesperson said “The Department of Finance is engaging with counterparts in the Treasury to establish the funding implications arising from the announcement to reduce VAT on electricity bills in England, Scotland and Wales.”",[],{"_163":30862,"_165":30863},"“I have tasked my officials with assessing the implications of today’s announcement for people here.” ",[],{"_163":30865,"_165":30866},"“It may be day one for the new British Prime Minister, but he cannot fall into the same poor practices as previous British governments by taking decisions over the heads of democratically elected representatives here.",[],{"_163":30868,"_165":30869},"“Families and workers are struggling to make ends meet here and now, and there is no place for complacency or poor practice that could delay support reaching those who need it.",[],{"_163":30871,"_165":30872},"“I have consistently raised the need for the British Government to engage with the Executive before decisions are taken in London that impact people here.",[],{"_163":30874,"_165":30875},"“It is also disappointing that there was no engagement with my department before this announcement was made.",[],{"_163":30877,"_165":30878},"“We will be urging the new British Prime Minister to step up and take the action required.",[],{"_163":30880,"_165":30881},"“The British Government has the finances to deliver that support package, but has continuously chosen not to.",[],{"_163":30883,"_165":30884},"“It has been abundantly clear for a long time that only a full and comprehensive cost of living package will suffice.",[],{"_163":30886,"_165":30887},"“We are now working at pace to see what this announcement will mean for people here.",[],{"_163":30889,"_165":30890},"“However, today’s announcement will see households in Britain save around £45 a year, and at a time when the cost of heating, food, petrol and diesel is skyrocketing, it is already clear that this will simply not touch the sides.",[],{"_163":30892,"_165":30893},"Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “Given the severity of the cost-of-living crisis, any support at all for workers and families is welcome.",[],{"_163":30895,"_165":30896},"“We will continue to work constructively with the relevant departments and stakeholders and provide technical and regulatory expertise where required.”",[],{"_163":30898,"_165":30899},"Asked about the change, the Utility Regulator said: “This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. The Utility Regulator’s role is to regulate within the policy and legislative framework set by ministers.",[],{"_163":30901,"_165":30902},"“This support must reach households before autumn and winter, when energy use increases.”",[],{"_85":358,"_359":30904,"_361":747,"_212":88,"_363":746,"_213":88,"_365":30905,"_106":30906,"_368":369,"_370":30907,"_232":30908,"_233":92},"eoYhzZxBaSaW","02:11:00","1933503","2:11","158982990",{"_163":30910,"_165":30911},"“The VAT reduction will help, but it will not offset these wider increases. Announcing support is not enough. We need clarity on how and when both the electricity VAT reduction and the £17m home heating oil support will reduce people’s bills. ",[],{"_163":30913,"_165":30914},"“However, households will still face higher bills. All five electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland have increased or announced increases to their prices, while our latest home energy survey found that household energy costs had risen by an average of £372 over the past year.",[],{"_163":30916,"_165":30917},"Aodhan O’Donnell, of Power to Switch, said: “If a 5pc VAT charge is to be removed from bills, it would be welcome and should reduce the average annual bill by around £48 to £66, depending on the supplier and tariff. ",[],{"_163":30919,"_165":30920},"While the specifics of the policy are to be worked out, the head of an energy-switching service has welcomed the move and called for clarity on how it will be implemented.",[],{"_163":30922,"_165":30923},"“However, today’s announcement will see households in Britain save around £45 a year, and at a time when the cost of heating, food, petrol and diesel is skyrocketing, it is already clear that this will simply not touch the sides.\n\n“We are now working at pace to see what this announcement will mean for people here.\n\n“It has been abundantly clear for a long time that only a full and comprehensive cost of living package will suffice.\n\n“The British Government has the finances to deliver that support package, but has continuously chosen not to.”\n\nShe added: “It is also disappointing that there was no engagement with my department before this announcement was made.\n\n“I have consistently raised the need for the British Government to engage with the Executive before decisions are taken in London that impact people here.”",[],{"_163":30925,"_165":30926},"“Given the severity of the cost-of-living crisis, any support at all for workers and families is welcome,” she said.",[],{"_163":30928,"_165":30929},"Meanwhile, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said what was on offer wasn’t enough.",[],{"_163":30931,"_165":30932},"“That goes to the heart of the problems that we are facing; it’s that rules were put in place that are not in any way sensible.”",[],{"_163":30934,"_165":30935},"He added: “That shows the madness of some of the rules that we have in place. What possible harm or difficulty would that cause the EU? What harm or difficulty would that cause the operation of the single market?",[],{"_163":30937,"_165":30938},"He said the Government’s decision to allow Stormont to administer the scheme rather than negotiate a derogation with the EU showed they feel it’s “hassle”, and were “just going to throw it over to the Executive instead”.",[],"

\n ",{"_163":30941,"_165":30942},"Communities Minister Gordon Lyons told the BBC’s Nolan Show on Tuesday that the Government has been “far too willing to do the EU’s work, and we haven’t seen what we need to see in terms of the repair of the damage done to that relationship between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK”.",[],{"_163":30944,"_165":30945},"As reported in the Irish News on Monday, the scheme to deliver this to households has not been rolled out as the details are still being finalised. ",[],{"_163":30947,"_165":30948},"In April, the Executive agreed £19.2m to support households with the rising cost of home heating oil on top of £17.2m from the Government announced in March.",[],{"_163":30950,"_165":30951},"Due to the terms of the UK’s post-Brexit deals with the EU, Northern Ireland uses the EU’s VAT rates for electricity. This means that the UK Government cannot unilaterally remove VAT on electricity in Northern Ireland as it plans to do for the rest of the UK. ",[],{"_163":30953,"_165":30954},"However, the new Prime Minister’s first announcement to tackle the cost-of-living crisis won’t apply UK-wide due to EU rules, and instead Stormont will be given comparable funding to run its own scheme.",[],{"_163":30956,"_165":30957},"Households here could save over £60 per year under Mr Burnham’s 5pc VAT cut. ",[],{"_163":30959,"_165":30960},"Meanwhile, a Sinn Fein minister complained the saving to consumers wasn’t enough, and that her department hadn’t been contacted before the PM’s announcement.",[],{"_163":30962,"_165":30963},"Post-Brexit regulations which mean Andy Burnham’s tax cut for electricity bills won’t apply to Northern Ireland show the “madness of some of the rules that we have in place”, a DUP minister has said. ",[],{"_85":358,"_359":30720,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":30721,"_106":30722,"_368":369,"_370":30723,"_232":30724,"_233":92},{"_163":30805,"_165":30966},[],{"_250":30057,"_106":30058,"_253":8,"_254":30059},{"_250":251,"_106":252,"_253":10,"_254":255},{"_250":5497,"_106":5498,"_253":10,"_254":32},{"_250":1658,"_106":1659,"_253":10,"_254":1660},{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_240":3473},{"_81":30973,"_212":88,"_220":395,"_97":30974,"_213":88,"_223":30975,"_106":30976,"_226":227,"_228":1611,"_230":30977,"_218":88,"_232":30976,"_233":92},"https://prod-img.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/public/news/republic-of-ireland/u6evku-cabinet-meeting/alternates/BASE_WIDTH/1bde730e-93f9-4ea9-84e4-7514ec5dc177",[30978],"1bde730e-93f9-4ea9-84e4-7514ec5dc177","159021141","Prime Minister Andy Burnham's VAT savings to electricity will only apply indirectly to Northern Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday July 21, 2026.",{"_235":3471,"_237":3472,"_239":3471,"_240":3473},{"_250":8657,"_106":8658,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":1678,"_106":1679,"_275":1680,"_276":280},{"_250":1681,"_106":1682,"_275":1683,"_276":280},{"_250":29842,"_106":29843,"_275":29844,"_276":280},{"_250":1687,"_106":1688,"_275":1689,"_276":280},{"_250":10682,"_106":10683,"_275":10684,"_276":280},{"_250":9558,"_106":9559,"_275":9560,"_276":280},{"_250":9552,"_106":9553,"_275":9554,"_276":280},{"_250":30991,"_106":30992,"_275":-5,"_276":280},{"_250":30989,"_106":30990,"_275":-5,"_276":280},"Brexit","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:brexit","European Union","tag:mhiebeltel@mediahuis.ie,2025:european-union","Andy Burnham's electricity tax cuts in NI: What it means for Northern Ireland households and why complication has been branded 'madness'",175346220,{"_292":-5,"_293":-5,"_294":295,"_296":-5,"_297":-5,"_298":-5},{"_281":-5,"_267":-5,"_283":8,"_275":-5,"_285":8,"_286":-5,"_287":288,"_289":-5,"_290":-5,"_291":-5},"https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/heating-oil-shock-for-households-as-900-litres-jumps-by-almost-%C2%A3100-in-a-week/a/158840278.html",[31075,31076],"Heating oil shock for households as 900 litres jumps by almost £100 in a week",{"_264":31072,"_266":31060,"_267":30999},[31071],[31068,31069,31070],"158840278",{},[],"2026-07-16T20:03:33Z","2026-07-16T20:04:20Z",[31011,31012,31013,31014,31015,31016,31017,31018,31019,31020,31021,31022,31023,31024,31025],{"_140":10,"_141":31010,"_143":10},"25c22b84-8143-11f1-8207-1f99fd65e108",{"_155":156,"_157":242,"_159":31066,"_161":244},{"_155":210,"_157":211,"_212":30291,"_213":31062,"_215":31063,"_161":217,"_218":-5},{"_155":156,"_157":206,"_159":31059,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":202,"_159":31056,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":187,"_159":31053,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":342,"_159":31050,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":183,"_159":31047,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":179,"_159":31044,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":175,"_159":31041,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":171,"_159":31038,"_161":162},{"_155":156,"_157":167,"_159":31035,"_161":162},{"_155":355,"_157":158,"_356":31031,"_161":358},{"_155":156,"_157":698,"_159":31028,"_161":162},{"_155":328,"_157":694,"_106":31027,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":31027,"_233":92},{"_155":328,"_157":685,"_106":31026,"_161":330,"_331":92,"_232":31026,"_233":92},"158480038","158830645",{"_163":31029,"_165":31030},"The CMA found that price increases after the Middle East conflict largely reflected rising wholesale costs but that, although suppliers had not profited materially from the crisis, consumers were not as well protected as those connected to the grid.",[],{"_85":358,"_359":31032,"_361":746,"_212":88,"_363":747,"_213":88,"_365":5753,"_106":31033,"_368":369,"_370":5755,"_232":31034,"_233":92},"hTQkvPxS5P-w","1922349","158837093",{"_163":31036,"_165":31037},"The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has recommended that the UK and devolved governments strengthen protections for the 1.5 million households reliant on heating oil, cove

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