SF celebrates unveiling one portrait, as DUP calls for answers over damage to another
REBECCA BLACK and JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE, Belfast Telegraph, November 26th, 2025
Sinn Fein has celebrated the unveiling of a republican stalwart's portrait at Stormont, as the DUP put pressure on the party to name an ex-employee who was investigated after the painting of a former Belfast Lord Mayor was damaged.
DUP MLA Philip Brett yesterday accused Sinn Féin of covering up the fact that the unnamed person is the son of a Sinn Fein MLA.
Meanwhile, former Stormont Speaker Alex Maskey was yesterday honoured with a portrait at Parliament Buildings.
The Sinn Fein man was elected Speaker in January 2020 following the restoration of the Assembly.
His intended departure was delayed to 2024 when a political stand-off saw parties unable to agree to elect a new Speaker.
The portrait was painted in oil on canvas by Belfast artist Tony Bell, and will join those of former Speakers Lord Alderdice, Eileen Bell, Lord Hay, Mitchel McLaughlin and Robin Newton, in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill and former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams were among those who attended the unveiling of the portrait at Stormont yesterday.
Former Boxer and first SF Mayor
Mr Maskey, a former boxer who went on to become the first republican Lord Mayor of Belfast, said despite the political turbulence, he believes a lot was achieved,.
“My main takeaway from my tenure was the excellent relationship with all of the parties, and this was the key to working together for the benefit of everyone,” he said.
“Respect is a word only if we don't act upon it. Respect and civility will go a long way, and we should lead by example if we wish to serve our communities with integrity.”
Current Speaker Edwin Poots praised Mr Maskey for his conduct when the Queen died, acknowledging the challenge to him as a republican, but said he ensured the Assembly had the opportunity to pay its respects.
He said that “demonstrated the measure of the man in that respect”.
Meanwhile, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said people will be “incredulous” that a man investigated over alleged criminal damage to a portrait of a former DUP Belfast lord mayor will not be prosecuted.
Ms Little-Pengelly said Sinn Fein needs to confirm that a man who resigned from the party was at the event in which the portrait of peer Lord Wallace Browne was damaged last October.
The damage to the portrait was discovered after an event hosted by an external Irish language organisation in Belfast City Hall.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill later informed the Assembly that a Sinn Fein employee had made the party chief whip aware of their involvement in an incident regarding a portrait and that they had been suspended and then resigned. The incident was investigated by police as a hate crime.
However the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) stated on Monday there is “no reasonable prospect of conviction for any criminal offence on the evidence available”. The PPS said there was no CCTV coverage of the area around the portrait, as the relevant camera had been “out of service for some time”.
It added that the SF employee's resignation “contained no admission” and a man interviewed by police “exercised his right not to answer questions”.
Cover Up allegation
In the Assembly, Mr Brett said: "Mr Speaker, there is an attempt here by Sinn Féin to cover up the fact that one of their sitting MLAs, their son, attacked a portrait of a former lord mayor of this city.”
Speaking to the media at Stormont yesterday, Ms Little-Pengelly said: “I think most people will be incredulous. As I understand it, this is a person who tendered their resignation to Sinn Fein because they were involved in the incident.
“Now we understand that that person is saying that they weren't present at all.
“There were a number of Sinn Fein people present at that event and those people need to come forward and confirm that that person was in attendance.”
During question time on Monday, Ms O'Neill was asked if she would name the former party employee who had resigned. The First Minister said: “The PPS have made their views known and I respect their position.”
Sinn Féin said the incident matter had been one for the police to investigate and “then for the PPS to decide on the appropriate course of action”.
First Minister's account of Sinn Fein man's resignation under scrutiny over 'hate crime' allegation
By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, November 26th, 2025
The First Minister has been urged to explain why she said a Sinn Fein employee was involved in an incident in which a portrait was vandalised at Belfast City Hall – after prosecutors announced he had “denied any knowledge of the damage” to the party’s chief whip the previous day.
A DUP MLA has questioned the accuracy of Michelle O’Neill’s account in light of a statement from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on the case this week, while the TUV has said “both of those things cannot be true”.
Police treated vandalism of the portrait of former DUP mayor Lord Browne as a hate crime, however prosecutors have decided that there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction.
An unnamed male, who worked for Sinn Fein at Stormont, resigned from his employment at the Assembly – but the PPS says his resignation email contained no admission in relation to the incident.
It further says that a witness statement from the party’s chief whip – who had spoken directly to the individual two days after the incident – “recorded that he had in fact made no admission to being at the event and had denied any knowledge of the damage”.
The day after this conversation between the man and the SF chief whip, Michelle O’Neill told the Assembly that he had made the party aware of his “involvement in an incident regarding a portrait in Belfast City Hall”.
The first minister said that he was “immediately suspended” and the party notified police. She told MLAs that he had resigned from both his party membership and his employment.
In a lengthy explanation of why it was not pursuing a prosecution over the matter, the PPS stated that the SF chief whip said the individual “was suspended so that the matter could be investigated by the relevant internal party structures”.
In her email to the PSNI about the matter, the PPS says the chief whip stated that the employee’s resignation had been tendered “as a result of” the incident.
A witness statement made in February 2025 by the chief whip, who had spoken directly to the individual on 21 October 2024, recorded that “he had in fact made no admission to being at the event and had denied any knowledge of the damage”.
The matter was raised in the Assembly on Tuesday by DUP MLA Phillip Brett, who questioned the accuracy of comments made to the house by the first minister. Citing the PPS statement and Michelle O’Neill’s October 2024 comments, Mr Brett said: “Within the space of six months, the Sinn Féin Chief Whip had confirmed that either they were not telling the truth or that the First Minister had misled the House”.
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell told the News Letter that “both of those things cannot be true”.
The Belfast City councillor said: “If the PPS is correct – and it is relying on formal statements and emails – then the First Minister misled the Assembly. What confidence can the public have in a First Minister who tells the Assembly that an individual admitted involvement, when the documentation now shows no such admission was ever made?
Saying Nothing
“I also note that Sinn Fein accepted this staff member’s resignation ‘as a result of’ the incident, even though, according to the PPS, he had denied any involvement. Why would a party accept a resignation on the basis of guilt when the individual himself asserted innocence? Why has Sinn Fein never published the outcome of its supposed internal investigation?”
When the former Sinn Fein employee was interviewed by police as a voluntary attender, he exercised his right not to answer questions.
The PPS says police were unable to identify any individual who had witnessed the relevant events. The PSNI said it had made relevant enquiries, interviewed those with information and questioned suspects.
The event during which the incident happened was organised by Irish language group Glór na Móna – and was attended by a number of high profile Sinn Fein figures.
The News Letter asked Sinn Fein why Michelle O'Neill told the public that a Sinn Fein employee “made the party chief whip aware of their involvement” in the incident - despite the PPS saying that an email sent to the chief whip “contained no admission”.
We also asked the party whether it has considered an investigation into how the First Minister was led to believe this individual was involved - despite a denial of involvement apparently having been made to the chief whip.
There was no response at the time of going to print.
Timeline: the key events between vandalism at Belfast City Hall and a decision not to prosecute
By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, November 26th, 2025
The saga over the vandalism of a portrait in Belfast City Hall has rumbled on for over a year – with the PPS eventually concluding there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution. Here is a timeline of the key dates.
- Saturday 19th October 2024. A portrait of former DUP Lord Mayor Wallace Browne – painted by Jewish artist Israel Zohar – is vandalised during an event held in Belfast City Hall by Irish language group Glor Na Mona. The group denied any knowledge of the portrait vandalism, and condemned it.
- 21 October 2024. A Sinn Fein employee at the Northern Ireland Assembly resigns – and the party makes a report to the PSNI. The PPS this week said an email from Sinn Fein to police said he had quit “as a result of” the incident. The SF Chief Whip spoke directly to the individual about the incident.
- 22 October. First Minister Michelle O’Neill tells the Assembly that the individual “made the party chief whip aware of their involvement” in the incident, and he had resigned from his job and the party.
- 19 November. PSNI tell the News Letter that a man attended voluntarily for interview in relation to the incident. PPS this week said he exercised his right not to answer questions.
- February 2025. A witness statement by Sinn Fein’s chief whip is made to police about a conversation she had with the individual the First Minister said was involved in the incident. The PPS say the statement records that he “had in fact made no admission to being at the event and had denied any knowledge of the damage. She said the individual was suspended so that the matter could be investigated by the relevant internal party structures”.
- March 2025. PSNI said their investigation into the incident had concluded and a file had been sent to the Public Prosecution Service – however, police said a “request for further information” had been received from prosecutors.
- November 2025. The PPS say there is no reasonable prospect of a prosecution in the case, citing no CCTV covering the area the incident occurred – and the inability of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to identify any witnesses or a list of attendees from the organisers.
A simple admission could end a needless distraction
Irish News, November 26th, 2025
Pro Fide, et Patria
ALL the parties represented at Stormont face a range of pressing obligations, particularly at a stage when the institutions are under serious pressure, and it is inevitable that the main responsibilities lie with the two largest groups, Sinn Féin and the DUP.
Both are entitled to point to some successes during the present Assembly term, but there have also been many occasions when each has left itself open to specific criticism over developments which have damaged the reputation of the administration.
What is striking about the bizarre saga of the damaged portrait at Belfast City Hall is that it could easily have been addressed at an early stage in a way that would have allowed it to be regarded as fully resolved.
“In the interests of complete transparency, and given the perpetrator was widely reported to be a relative of a prominent Sinn Féin figure, the onus was then on the party to name him, something which did not happen
It was clear from the start an act of vandalism during a social evening had targeted a painting of former DUP Lord Mayor, Wallace Browne, requiring repairs costing £2,500. The identity of the culprit was commonly known.
Unfortunately, the individual concerned has still not been officially named 13 months later, and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has now ruled that it does not have enough evidence to bring charges, ensuring that the matter will fester for a prolonged period.
Sinn Féin acknowledged in the immediate aftermath of the incident one of its employees had made the party’s chief whip aware of his involvement, was suspended and then resigned, which was appropriate.
In the interests of complete transparency, and given the perpetrator was widely reported to be a relative of a prominent Sinn Féin figure, the onus was then on the party to name him, something which did not happen.
There will be concern photographs showing the person at the gathering were posted on social media by another party representative, but subsequently deleted without explanation, with Glór na Móna, the organising body, also unable to provide an overall list of attendees.
Suggestions from the DUP that the failure to bring a prosecution was a “disgrace” are not sustainable, as the absence of direct witnesses and the lack of CCTV footage plainly left the PPS with an incomplete file.
However, regardless of whether or not a conviction ever follows, Sinn Féin has the opportunity to take the straightforward step of placing the relevant details about its former member of staff in the public domain.
Relationships between Sinn Féin and the DUP are under strain for a number of reasons, involving issues of both practical and symbolic significance which will be difficult to resolve.
The curious case of the vandalised portrait does not fall into such a category, and a relatively short statement of clarification would take us a long way.
Stormont 'not working' in current form, MLAs told by equality chief
ANDREW MADDEN, Belfast News Letter, November 26th, 2025
SAFEGUARDS ENVISIONED IN GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT 'NOT REALISED'
Stormont “isn't working” in its current form and is not functioning as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement, MLAs have been told.
Members of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee heard evidence from Daniel Holder of the Equality Coalition, which is made up of more than 100 NGOs and trade unions, yesterday .
The coalition's remit is to promote equality through compliance with the relevant legislation in Northern Ireland.
Mr Holder had particular criticism of Stormont's controversial petition of concern, which is designed to protect minority views and to block majority rule.
It requires 30 MLAs to sign the petition so that approval can only be given with cross-community support.
Essentially, this means the 30 MLAs from either main community can veto any Assembly decision.
Mr Holder said the general view of the Equality Coalition's membership is that “Stormont under its current structures isn't working” and is not functioning “in the way that it was intended to be under the 1998 Agreement”.
“That's particularly frustrating for a lot of our membership, as it causes blockages on progress and rights and equality issues. But, from our perspective, it seems to go well beyond that,” he said.
“If you look back at what was envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement, it envisaged safeguards for executive and legislative power, both on the British government as well as Stormont.
Protecting Rights vs Vetoes
“They were objective rights-based safeguards that could be traced back into jurisprudence and case law to protect rights of all sections of the community, rather than political vetoes.”
Mr Holder said one of the coalition's strongest concerns was that safeguards outlined in the Good Friday Agreement have not been fully implemented, particularly on constituting a Bill of Rights. “Also, when you compound that with some of the changes that were made at the time of the St Andrew's Agreement, particularly the significant and controversial veto — that essentially placed political vetoes in the hands of larger parties,” he said.
“That has the potential to grind governance here to halt. And we have examples of rights issues where there's been a majority in the Assembly and Executive [in favour] but no progress, because, essentially, we have structures where there's disproportionate power vested, allowing one of the larger parties to practically block everything on its own, which was not what the agreement originally intended.”
The news comes after the Executive came under criticism in the publication of the Covid Inquiry's second report, which found the Executive “deeply divided along political lines and beset by leaks”, resulting in an “incoherent approach” to the pandemic.
“The confidentiality of discussions was undermined by leaks and there was inappropriate instigation of cross-community votes to make political points by the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster MLA (later Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee),” the report states.
Following the publication of the report, Alliance Party deputy leader Eoin Tennyson called on the Stormont institutions to be reformed.
“These damning findings underscore yet again the pressing and irrefutable need to end the ability of any single party to paralyse decision-making, or the Executive itself, holding us all to ransom in the process,” he said.
“The people of Northern Ireland deserve institutions which are stable, accountable and capable of prioritising their well-being. The Secretary of State must now commence a process with local parties, and the Irish Government, to deliver reform of our institutions without further delay.”
O'Dowd - Stormont ability to mitigate budget 'very restricted'
JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE, Belfast Telegraph, November 26th, 2025
FINANCE MINISTER URGES CHANCELLOR TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
The Stormont Executive's ability to mitigate against “detrimental” decisions made by the Chancellor in the Budget is “very restricted”, John O'Dowd has told MLAs.
The Finance Minister urged Rachel Reeves to use the autumn Budget to invest in public services.
Ms Reeves will lay out her spending plans in the Commons today.
During question time at the Assembly, Mr O'Dowd urged her to scrap the two-child benefit cap, stating it was having a “harmful impact” on families.
Asked about his engagement with the Treasury ahead of the Budget, the minister said he “recognised the scale of the financial challenge facing the Westminster Government”.
He added: “Investment in public services is key to growing the economy.
“Economic growth and improved public services cannot be achieved without meaningful investment.
‘Reverse the two-child cap’ - O’Dowd
“The Chancellor has political choices to make, I would encourage the Chancellor to do the right thing and use the autumn Budget to help hard-working families by increasing the tax-free childcare threshold, reverse the two-child cap recognising the harmful impact it is having on families and increasing the level of child poverty, back hospitality businesses by making changes to the VAT rate and support the community and voluntary sector by changing their approach to the local growth fund.
“As the cost-of-living crisis continues, I have consistently urged the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to avoid further austerity measures that would place an unfair burden on people, businesses and public services.
“The Treasury has an ideal opportunity to support public services, workers, families and small and medium-sized businesses, and I hope they seize this opportunity.”
Will Stormont pay larger families?
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole asked the minister if he would intervene by raising revenue himself if the UK Government did not act on the two-child limit.
Mr O'Dowd said: “In terms of the Executive's ability to continue to mitigate against British Government decisions, that is very, very restricted.
“Every pound we spend in mitigating against British Government detrimental decisions is one pound we can't spend elsewhere.”
Mr O'Toole also accused Sinn Fein ministers of using Government austerity as an “alibi” for failing to deliver.
He said one Stormont department had claimed in written answers more than 200 times that austerity had impacted on small and medium-sized projects. Mr O'Toole used the final Opposition Day of the year at the Assembly to bring a motion calling for Finance Minister Mr O'Dowd to introduce a draft multi-year budget before December 9.
Mr O'Dowd told the Assembly that the multi-year budget was one of the most important decisions the Executive and Assembly would have to make in its current mandate and it was important to get it right.
Mr O'Toole said the Budget delivered at Westminster would have a “huge impact” on citizens in Northern Ireland.
He added: “But none of that absolves us from using the power at our disposal to make real changes or to seek new fiscal powers to deliver for our people.”
Mr O'Toole accused Mr O'Dowd of being “pathologically cautious” about acting on recommendations for new fiscal powers for the region.
‘Austerity’ blamed for failure
He added: “The term austerity has been shamefully turned into a cliche by politicians, particularly Sinn Fein ministers who have trivialised it by using it as an alibi for a bewildering array of delivery failures.
“This is especially true of the minister's former department, infrastructure.
“Since last February, according to written answers, austerity has been responsible for more than 200 small and medium sized things.
“It has been responsible for, among other things, the failure to build a park and ride in Comber; that was austerity.
“No Ballykelly bypass? That was austerity. Resurfacing the Crawfordsburn Road in Bangor? That was austerity too.
“The dial-a-lift community transport service not working? That was austerity. These are all victims of austerity apparently rather than ministerial choices and priorities.”
Mr O'Toole said Sinn Fein was “happy to let London or the DUP take the blame while this place struggles”.
Mr O'Dowd told MLAs he had consistently outlined his intention to bring forward a multi-year budget.
He said: “As the motion rightly acknowledges, the Chancellor's autumn Budget may have an impact on the Executive's budget. It is therefore only right and proper that I await the outcome of this before I bring the multi-year budget forward to the Executive.”
He said the multi-year budget would be the first here in a decade.
DUP opposes SDLP calls for Sinn Fein Finance minister to be given new tax raising powers
By Philip Bradfield, Belfast News Letter, November 25th, 2025
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe firmly rejected the SDLP proposal for Sinn Fein's finance minister to be given tax raising powers.
The DUP has opposed calls by the SDLP for Sinn Fein's Stormont Finance Minister to be given new tax raising powers.
She was speaking after SDLP Leader Claire Hanna called on the NI Executive "to seek new fiscal powers rather than simply passively blaming London" for financial shortfalls.
An SDLP motion in the Assembly yesterday noted that Stormont ministers were concerned about funding shortages and called on the Sinn Fein minister to bring forward options "for new devolved fiscal powers and other innovative means of funding public services in Northern Ireland".
However South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe firmly rejected the idea.
"Sinn Fein has consistently failed to demonstrate sound financial management," she said.
"Year after year, we have seen a pattern of prioritising political posturing over practical decision-making. The idea that this Minister, who has yet to produce credible plans to improve efficiency, tackle waste or stabilise public finances, should now be entrusted with new fiscal levers is simply unacceptable.
"Northern Ireland needs better prioritisation, disciplined budgeting and a focus on delivery, not a suite of new tax powers that would allow Sinn Fein to dig deeper into the pockets of the public."
Treasury has every right to raise Stormont failure to spend wisely
“A radical change in economic policies is the only way to make Northern Ireland into a confident, vibrant and prosperous place to live’ - LETTERS, Irish News
TODAY the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, will announce the Budget for the upcoming financial year.
There is a long list of demands from Stormont Minister of Finance John O’Dowd for further public expenditure – PSNI compensation, PSNI officers and staff pay parity, health workers pay parity, and so on. The list is getting longer by the day and that should be a huge concern to everyone who lives in Northern Ireland.
We cannot afford Stormont in its current form. We cannot afford public expenditure on the scale that Northern Ireland has had for decades. It is a simple equation: more expenditure means more revenue is needed to fund it. In 2023-24, circa £15,371 was spent per person in Northern Ireland – much higher than the UK average of £12,958. In the same year, we only raised c. £13,000 per head in revenue – less than the UK average of £15,500.
In simple terms, every person in Northern Ireland is worth just over £2,371 in debt to the taxpayer in the rest of the UK.
Why are we demanding more expenditure from the Treasury if we are not raising enough revenue to fund this expenditure? Does anyone not seriously feel embarrassed that we live in a region which demands more money than we pay to live a mediocre existence? This is an issue which transcends constitutional preferences and is one of simple mathematics and a damning indictment of the intelligence and courage our local politicians possess.
The Executive needs to accept reality and has to do it quickly – the economic policies promoted and sustained at Stormont are making all of us much poorer.
No water charges is Liz Kimmins ‘badge of honour’
Recently, the Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins, took to a social media video to remind us that she has continually blocked the introduction of water charges. She wore it as a badge of honour.
The argument from her and others is simple: people throughout Northern Ireland are facing a cost-of living crisis. It is a fair point, but what about the taxpayer in the rest of the UK and Ireland? Do they not suffer a cost-of-living crisis also? Northern Ireland is not unique to this problem – every other region and nation globally is suffering a similar crisis.
As such, is it a badge of honour for Sinn Féin to boast that they are blocking water charges for the richest homeowners and wealthy taxpayers in Northern Ireland? Is it a badge of honour that because Stormont refuses to ask the richest in our society to pay more, we have a huge waiting list for social housing and the lowest housebuilding figures in our history?
It is entirely reasonable for the Treasury to say no to more money for Northern Ireland. Why should a taxpayer in England pay more in tax just so we get another fiscal handout in the Budget? It is embarrassing to say that we should receive more money in Northern Ireland than the rest of the UK and Ireland but not accept that we should generate more revenue locally.
People here sit on the longest waiting lists in the UK and Ireland for medical treatment, we have a high proportion of young people leaving school with little to no qualifications at age 16, and we have a huge public expenditure bill that must be plugged every year.
What else do you need to show that Stormont is costing us more and doing harm to our public services? A radical change in economic policies is the only way to make Northern Ireland into a confident, vibrant and prosperous place to live.
EDWARD FERRIN
Belfast BT14
Translink makes late pay offer in bid to avert strike action travel chaos
KURTIS REID, Belfast Telegraph, November 26th, 2025
DRIVERS READY TO WALK OUT BEFORE CHRISTMAS OVER RATES AND SAFETY
Translink is set to make a last-minute pay offer to transport drivers today in a bid to avert growing support for industrial action over the Christmas period.
Union sources have told the Belfast Telegraph that the dispute has increasingly centred on proposals for expanded late-night bus services, with drivers raising concerns about night-shift rates, staffing levels and personal safety.
It comes after a series of internal updates from Unite and GMB revealed that drivers across Metro, Ulsterbus and the wider Translink network have returned overwhelming votes in favour of industrial action — including action short of strike and full strike action — if talks fail.
In a bulletin to members last week, Unite said the company had rejected its proposal for a two-year deal during pay talks, confirming that “positions remain a distance apart” and that no agreement had been reached.
A further update on November 20 confirmed ballot results showing 98.3% support for strike action among Metro platform grades and more than 96% backing action short of strike.
Union officials told members the strong mandate “places us in a strong position to react” should today's resumed talks collapse.
‘Final offer’
Separately, the GMB union informed members on Monday evening that Translink had now tabled what it described as its “final offer”:
It's understood the pay offer is a 3.6% backdated payment from April 2025 and an increase of 4.5% from April 2026, with a further 2% uplift from December 2026.
The union said it believed the proposal was “the best offer we can achieve”, though formal consultation with drivers will follow.
One source told this newspaper, they believe “it will go through and be accepted”.
Safety concerns around proposed late-night services — and whether participation would be voluntary — have become a key sticking point in recent weeks.
Unite told drivers the pilot scheme is “still to be fully agreed” and is unlikely to begin until January at the earliest, stressing that late-night duties over the festive period “are strictly voluntary” and drivers cannot be allocated against their wishes.
Sources say drivers are worried about both remuneration and the risks associated with operating routes in the early hours, particularly during the busiest weeks of the year.
Talks are now seen as critical, with unions signalling they want a negotiated settlement but are prepared to act if none is forthcoming.
Several industrial groups have already completed their ballots, with results across all bargaining units showing “positive” support for action up to and including strike.
A failure to reach agreement this week could put Christmas travel plans at risk, with unions armed with fresh strike mandates and a deadline approaching for formal notification of action.
The dispute comes almost two years after Northern Ireland was brought to a standstill during the last major Translink walkout in December 2023, when more than 4,000 bus and rail workers from Unite, GMB and SIPTU held joint strike action in a row over pay.
The shutdown resulted in the complete withdrawal of all Ulsterbus, Metro and Glider services for multiple days in December, while NI Railways operated no trains across the network.
It caused widespread travel disruption in the run-up to Christmas, leaving tens of thousands of commuters, shoppers and school pupils without transport, and forcing many councils and public bodies to activate contingency plans.
At the time, unions accused Translink of failing to offer an award that matched inflation or recognised rising living costs for frontline staff, while the company said it was constrained by government funding pressures.
The impact of the stoppage — one of the largest transport strikes in Northern Ireland in recent years — continues to cast a long shadow over current negotiations, union members said, with both sides aware of the political and public pressure to avoid a repeat during the busiest weeks of the year.
Car allowances for some, less than living wage for others
The tensions around pay have also been inflamed internally by a recent Belfast Telegraph exclusive revealing that Translink has spent more than £1.6m on car allowances for selected staff since 2020.
The disclosure, which was released via an Assembly question from People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, confirmed that a number of “specified roles” within the organisation are contractually entitled to the payments, but Translink refused to reveal which posts receive them, citing data protection concerns.
Union officials say the story has become a live issue during talks, adding further pressure on management to justify its priorities as the Christmas deadline looms.
The figures concerning car allowances come after it was also revealed earlier this year that 179 staff members at Translink are being paid below the real living wage (£13.45 per hour), as calculated by independent think-tank The Resolution Foundation.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Translink said: “After extensive negotiations with our trade unions we have proposed a pay offer, which our trade unions will now ballot their members on”.
Unite and GMB were contacted for comment.
Stormont departments investigated over Belfast Lough sewage discharges
OEP say process will determine whether the authorities have failed to comply with environmental law
JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE, Irish News, November 26th, 2025
TWO Stormont departments are to face an investigation over the regulation of sewage discharges into Belfast Lough.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has announced the probe into the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), as well as the Utility Regulator.
The OEP said the investigation will determine whether the authorities have failed to comply with environmental law in their duties of regulating how untreated wastewater, including raw sewage, is discharged into the lough and its surrounding rivers.
Natalie Prosser, OEP chief executive, said: “Water is such a precious resource. The quality of our water is one of the most pressing environmental challenges we face.
“Nature is under unsustainable pressure in Northern Ireland, and one of the biggest issues is how wastewater is managed.”
She added: “We’ll be looking at whether the Utility Regulator and DfI have met their duties to take necessary enforcement action, where Northern Ireland (NI) Water may not be fulfilling their own responsibilities for sewage discharges.
“For Daera, we’ll examine whether it has set and updated the conditions that allow sewage overflows to spill in line with legal standards.”
The OEP said the investigation will examine the regulation of discharges of untreated sewage from wastewater treatment works and combined sewer overflows.
Ms Prosser said: “Although our investigation will focus on Belfast Lough, we know similar wastewater and sewage issues exist at other rivers and lakes. Our interest is in driving improvement across the wider regulatory system. What we find in this investigation will be relevant across Northern Ireland.”
Agriculture and waste water the biggest culprits
The OEP has previously reported into the causes of Northern Ireland’s nature loss last year when it found that agriculture and wastewater are the two largest contributors to water pollution, thanks to excess nutrients from fertilisers, animal waste and sewage.
Excess nutrients are believed to be a major cause of the blue green algal blooms that have blighted Lough Neagh in recent years.
Ms Prosser said: “We have been clear that nutrient pollution from both agricultural and wastewater sources need to be tackled to better protect and improve the water in lakes and rivers.
“Significant and sustained action is needed to reverse the damage done
“This is a complex problem with no quick fixes, but our investigation will contribute to the work already under way in this area, so government and other decision makers can be targeted and effective in driving much-needed improvements in water quality.”
The OEP has the power to take court action if no agreement is found to resolve issues identified in its investigation.
Daera minister Andrew Muir said the investigation was not unexpected. He said: “I have previously warned of the immense and unsustainable pressure being put on Belfast Lough as a result of decades of pollution.”
He added: “Belfast Lough is much loved by the communities who live beside it and is an essential habitat for local wildlife. Significant and sustained action is needed to reverse the damage done and see necessary water quality improvement.
“As minister, I have prioritised stronger regulation and enforcement. Plans are being finalised to identify the Inner Belfast Lough Shellfish Water Protected Area as a sensitive area requiring additional wastewater treatment.”
A DfI spokesperson said: “The department welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP) investigation into the regulation of sewage discharges into Belfast Lough. The department will fully co-operate with the investigation, consider the recommendations in due course and take forward any necessary actions.”
'I wouldn't': NI Water chief warns against sea swimming near outlet pipes
DONAL MCMAHON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER, Belfast Telegraph, November 26th, 2025
CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT DISCHARGES OFF CO DOWN COAST
A NI Water chief has warned swimmers in Warrenpoint not to take a dip in potential discharge areas, admitting: “I wouldn't do it.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council held a special meeting this week over fears sea swimmers could be exposed at 2,500 such sites here.
Independent Mark Gibbons said: “This is about the discharge coming into the Warrenpoint front shore.
“We have a huge amount of open water swimmers there and every year the membership is getting bigger and bigger, and it is fantastic to see. On a regular basis we would see this discharge. What exactly is it that the open water swimmers would be swimming through? And do you think it is safe for the swimmer and wildlife to be swimming around this discharge or should they stay way clear of it?”
The popularity of the activity can be seen through a Northern Ireland Open Water Swimming social media public account, which has over 32,000 members.
Hundreds of charity swimmers are also expected to take their annual New Year dip, including in the Warrenpoint and Killyleagh areas. Councillors heard swimmers were looking for answers as to what they were wading through.
Alliance's David Lee-Surginor said: “I do get a lot of phone calls, especially after a storm, when there are large discharges of wastewater that is not very pleasant and is going straight into the bay at Killyleagh where the dippers are swimming.
“There is this very suspicious looking discharge flowing out. We are being contacted by the swimmers wanting to know what this is, as the response we normally get is that it's just a normal discharge, nothing to worry about.
“I think more needs to be done in terms of trapping more of these strange looking discharges into the river or even Strangford Lough.” NI Water head of investment management Stephen Blockwell said: “Discharges after storms should only happen after severe weather and this happens as a safety procedure so that water doesn't back up and flood people's homes. It is unsatisfactory.
“We have 2,500 of those up and down the country. The NI Environment Agency can collect samples as part of its duty.
“The discharge from wastewater treatment works is done by NIEA consent, so that it is safe to discharge to the environment.”
Mr Blockwell added: “I don't think it is advisable for anyone to swim in a discharge area, I think it is a common sense thing. It is a risk that some people might want to take — I wouldn't do it myself. There are designated swimming sites across the country and people do wild swimming.
“I wouldn't pick a discharge point myself.”
First arrest over damage to Irish language street signage welcomed
MARK ROBINSON, m.robinson@irishnews.com, Irish News, November 26th, 2025
THE arrest of a 49-year-old man on suspicion of criminal damage to bilingual street signage in Tyrone is believed to be the first, following hundreds of attacks across Northern Ireland.
Incidents of vandalism on dual language signs have been in focus as local administrations have moved to more inclusive policies.
While a PSNI spokesperson said they were unable to confirm if it was the first such arrest, it is the first announcement from police that an arrest had been made in direct connection to dual-language street sign damage.
Last month, it was announced that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was to review its policy before Christmas, while Belfast City Council adopted a new draft dual language policy to include Irish in its logos on vehicles, uniforms and signs.
Incidents of opposition have included a small protest against bilingual signs at Olympia Leisure Centre in the south of the city.
Criminal damage has also been noted on street signage, including an angle grinder being used on a bilingual sign in east Belfast.
The arrest of a 49-year-old man on Monday comes as part of an investigation into damage to signage in the Coagh area of Co Tyrone, which lies within the Mid Ulster council district.
The man has since been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
In October, the council heard that signs in the district alone had been the subject of 349 “reported incidents” of vandalism since 2017.
A senior council officer said that these incidents range from signs being cut out, destroyed by blow torches and pellet guns or being vandalised with marker.
SDLP MLA for the area, Patsy McGlone, said that he welcomed the news of an arrest in connection with the latest attack.
“The repeated attacks on Irish language signage in this area are totally futile and nonsensical,” he said.
“The Irish language poses no threat to anyone and these signs are supported by the vast majority of people living in this area.
“We need to be able to show respect and tolerance for each other’s traditions and culture and I would urge those behind these attacks to stop, the signs will be replaced and all they are achieving is an additional financial burden for the local council.”
Trial over dissident republican Easter commemoration begins
JOHN CASSIDY, Belfast Telegraph and Irish News, November 26th, 2025
FOUR MEN DENY ANY ROLE IN ARRANGING PROSCRIBED GROUP'S 'SHOW OF CONTROL' AT DERRY CEMETERY
Four men have gone on trial accused of charges linked to a dissident republican Easter commemoration parade in Londonderry more than two years ago.
Three of the defendants are from Derry — Thomas Ashe Mellon (49), of Glendermott Road, Jason Lee Ceulemans (53), of Creevagh Heights, and Patrick Anthony Gallagher (33), of Raferty Close — while the fourth, Stephen Martin Murney (41), is from Derrybeg Terrace in Newry, Co Down.
All four deny that they arranged, managed or assisted in arranging or managing a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, on dates between February 28, 2023, and April 11, 2023.
They further deny a charge of addressing a meeting for the purpose of encouraging support for the IRA.
Opening the case at Belfast Crown Court, a senior prosecution KC told the non-jury Diplock-style trial that on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023, an unnotified parade set off from Central Drive in Creggan to walk the half-mile journey to the City Cemetery.
The parade was observed by a number of aerial PSNI platforms.
The senior prosecution KC said that at 2.05pm footage showed Ceulemans entering a storage container at the rear of shops.
Masked men with Flags
“Masked males take flags from the storage and an unmasked Ceulemans walks out of the container carrying two flags that he places against the rear shop wall,” said the senior prosecutor.
Judge Gordon Kerr KC was told that crowds were gathering in Central Drive, waiting for the parade to begin.
“Ceulemans is clearly involved in the organisation of what is to occur. Patrick Gallagher is noted to be in the area, engaging with the crowd.”
The colour party — dressed in military-style clothing, wearing sunglasses and black berets — was seen to gather up in a rear alleyway, the court heard. At 2.13pm the colour party set off with the flags left by Ceulemans and marched past crowds at Creggan shops.
“Stephen Murney and Patrick Gallagher were standing in front of the crowd — Gallagher clapping, with Murney capturing the images on his phone,” said the prosecution KC.
“Ceulemans is at the front of the colour party and is noted to be wearing an earpiece, and he walked with them. Murney and Gallagher were at the rear of the colour party.”
The court heard that as the parade reached Linsfort Drive, it stopped, and a PSNI Land Rover was repeatedly attacked by masked youths with petrol bombs and masonry before it retreated.
“YouTube recorded the colour party at a standstill as the disorder took place — consistent with this aspect being planned,” the court was told.
“None of those present, in particular Ceulemans, who appeared to be leading this part of the orchestrated event, remonstrated with the young persons gathered around the petrol bombs in an attempt to prevent the attack on police.
Petrol bombs ‘part and parcel’ of parade
“It appears that the attack was 'part and parcel' of events that afternoon.”
The court heard that at 2.26pm, Ceulemans entered the cemetery, followed by Gallagher, Murney and the colour party.
“As they proceeded, a male with a number of bags made his way to the rear of the toilet block, which appeared to be guarded by masked individuals, with the republican plot a short distance away,” said the senior counsel.
“Red crates were placed at the pillar of one of the gates, and two masked youths appeared to be carrying petrol bombs.”
The toilet block camera captured these moments before two attempts were made to spray paint the lens.
Judge Kerr heard that Gallagher performed as “master of ceremonies” after the colour party came to a halt.
He invited the “Derry Brigade Irish Republican Army” to come forward and lay a wreath at the plot, with Ceulemans and Murney standing behind him.
Gallagher introduced Ceulemans as a “former republican prisoner” and he read a statement on behalf of republican prisoners. He introduced Murney as a “leading Newry republican” and invited him to give the oration, at the end of which, quoting Maire Drumm, he said: “It isn't enough to shout, 'Up the IRA'. The important thing is to join the IRA.”
Gallagher asked the crowd to stick around to help the colour party “disperse peacefully”.
“This led to a number of persons raising large umbrellas — it was a sunny day — and shielding the colour party from view,” said the prosecutor.
“The colour party moved off, under the cover of umbrellas, to the toilet block.”
At the rear of the toilet block, the colour party changed clothes, which were then put on a lit fire. The cemetery gates remained closed until the colour party had disposed of its clothing.
The following day, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, police conducted a search of the cemetery and found four viable pipe bombs in a bin beside the toilet block.
All four defendants were subsequently arrested. Murney's phone was recovered and messages were found between him and Mellon regarding his speech.
‘Message for British occupiers’
Murney sent the following: “Before the Maire Drumm quote… I have a message for the British occupiers, their paramilitary police and their entire establishment… So long as you continue to oppress us, you will meet with the enecapable (sic) consequences.”
Ceulemans sent Mellon a message stating: “I'll have Murney's speech done by tomorrow night and ready for you to bastardise.” Mellon replied with a thumbs-up emoji.
When Mellon was asked by police if he assisted in drafting speeches for the Easter Monday commemoration, his solicitor provided a statement, stating: “I, Thomas Ashe Mellon, would like to make it clear that I absolutely deny any involvement in the offences with which I have been arrested for.”
The senior prosecutor said: “It is accepted that Mellon was not present on April 10. However, we say he played a fundamental role in the organisation and arrangements of the meetings from the phone material.”
He added: “On any view, this was a highly choreographed event. It was staged and stylised and it involved planned violence.
“The fact that journalists were permitted to remain was to enable a demonstration of intent and a showing-off that the IRA are in control of this area in Derry.”
Protection Officers to take case against the PSNI chief constable
CONNLA YOUNG CRIME AND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT, Irish News, November 26th, 2025
THREE Catholic police officers who served in a specialist unit which protects senior political and legal figures have launched a religious discrimination case against the PSNI.
The serving officers are also taking fair employment tribunal proceedings against Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and his deputy, Bobby Singleton.
The Policing Board has also been asked by the officers to appoint an independent external body to investigate.
The three officers were formerly members of the PSNI’s Close Protection Unit, which provides security services to high-profile figures, often referred to as ‘principals’.
It is understood the highly-trained unit is now the subject of an internal PSNI investigation.
In addition to providing cover for senior politicians, legal and other figures, the CPU is regularly tasked with protecting visiting dignitaries, including members of the British royal family and US presidents, including Joe Biden in 2023.
It is understood that the three Catholic officers allege they were ‘repositioned’ to administrative roles earlier this year after raising concerns about several issues, including sectarian abuse and discrimination in the workplace.
The Irish News further understands that two of the three officers are now the focus of criminal investigations launched after they raised their original concerns, while a third is the subject of an internal PSNI probe.
Concerns raised by PSNI officers prompted internal review
Protection disclosures referred to sectarianism in PSNI
It is understood the officers initially made a number of ‘protected disclosures’ that set out a range of serious concerns.
In addition to alleged sectarianism, it is believed the three officers also make claims on health and safety issues and misuse of public funds.
It is believed other officers attached to the CPU, who initially made complaints, have since left the police.
It is also understood that after complaints were made, the PSNI carried out an internal review focused on the CPU.
After the internal review was completed, two of the officers were cautioned by the PSNI’s Professional Standards Department (PSD) over allegations of harassment, and it is understood the pair are set to face formal criminal interview in relation to this.
It is believed the alleged harassment allegations arise from communications with line managers about the protected disclosures.
A third officer is facing an internal misconduct investigation, which again is linked to communications with management. It’s understood the officer was representing the Police Federation.
A spokesman for KRW Law said his firm is “representing several members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Close Target Protection Unit on legal issues pertaining to work practices within the workplace.
“No further comment is offered at this point in order to protect ongoing legal procedures and processes and to protect the integrity of evidence.”
The Catholic officers’ legal team has written to senior members of the Policing Board setting out their concerns. The Policing Board forwarded the correspondence to the Police Ombudsman.
Demand for independent investigators
The three officers have now asked the Policing Board to appoint an independent external body, unconnected to them or the PSNI, to investigate their allegations.
The Policing Board was asked what action has been taken in response to the correspondence from the three officers and if it was distributed to board members.
The board did not respond to either question.
“The board will not be offering any commentary on correspondence deemed confidential to the Board,” it said in a statement.”
The Irish News also contacted the Police Ombudsman’s office, which refused to say if it is investigating the allegations raised in the correspondence.
“Any correspondence received by the Police Ombudsman from the Policing Board is in confidence and it would not be appropriate for this office to comment,” a spokeswoman said.
A PSNI spokesperson last night said. “As there are ongoing criminal and misconduct investigations as well as industrial tribunal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment.”
Mary Lou removes photo after Ceann Comhairle 'misled'
MARY REGAN, Irish Independent, November 26th, 2025
Mary Lou McDonald deleted a social-media post of her party's TDs and senators posing for a photo with the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, in a photoshoot to promote a Dáil motion taking place last night.
Ms Murphy asked the Sinn Féin leader to delete the post, saying that she was misled over what the photo was being used for.
In the now-deleted post, Ms McDonald said: "Tonight the Dáil will debate Sinn Féin's bill which would allow a court to impose a restraining order on someone convicted of sexual assault which would prevent them from approaching the victim when released from prison.
"This is a really important piece of legislation which needs to pass quickly. Victims can't wait any longer.
"We stand together to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.”
This was followed by an orange heart and a picture of several Sinn Féin TDs and senators, as well as Ms McDonald and Ms Murphy wearing orange to represent the colour of the Elimination of Violence against Women day.
Ms Murphy was standing in the front row beside the Sinn Féin leader who was holding up a party document stating Sinn Féin Access to Justice.
Abuse victim
In a letter to Ms Murphy, the former senator and abuse victim Máiría Cahill asked whether she "saw the document everyone around her in the photo is holding?”
Ms Cahill waived her right to anonymity in 2014 to go public with allegations that she was subjected to an IRA 'kangaroo court' when she came forward with claims she was raped by an IRA member.
She said: "Any reasonable person seeing that photograph would assume that the Ceann Comhairle supported the bill. Everyone around her is holding it up for the camera.
"That is why there is a real difficulty for the Houses of the Oireachtas and the office of Ceann Comhairle with the decision to attend the event in the first instance - and in not excusing herself from the photograph when it became apparent that she was being used.”
In a statement to the Irish Independent, the Ceann Comhairle's office said she was asked by a Sinn Féin female member for the use of the plinth.
"The Ceann Comhairle's office believed the photocall was a cross-party photocall. It was on this basis that the Ceann Comhairle was photographed,” they said.
British Airways wipes Derry off in-flight maps
MARK ROBINSON, m.robinson@irishnews.com, Irish News, November 26th, 2025
UK’s national airline includes smaller nearby locations
DERRY city is being left nameless on British Airways’ in-flight map system for transatlantic routes, despite the airline including nearby smaller towns and settlements with a tenth of the population.
The outline of the north’s second largest city is visible to passengers who zoom in on the map but is not named.
Many of the north’s cities and largest towns are included on the map and are visible upon zooming in – but Derry city is left nameless on the airline’s in-flight maps
British Airways is the UK’s national airline and passengers on its transatlantic flights have access to a global map on its infotainment screens.
Flights departing its base in Heathrow for destinations in the US or Canada commonly cross the north of Ireland as part of their journey, with the names of towns and cities visible on the in-flight map when flying overhead.
Many of the north’s towns and cities are visible on the map, including Belfast, Lisburn, Larne, Coleraine and Omagh.
Others are also visible when the user chooses to zoom in closer; however, Derry is not.
A close-up on the city reveals its outline but does not show its name, while the nearby smaller towns of Strabane and Limavady are labelled.
Buncrana in Co Donegal, which has a population roughly a tenth of Derry’s, is also included on the map.
Naming the north’s second largest city has long been a contentious issue but it is now commonly jointly branded as Derry-Londonderry.
Public transport operator Translink uses the joint name for its bus and rail services to and from the city.
In aviation, the nearby air-port in the village of Eglinton is called City of Derry Airport.
Recently, the issue of the ‘London’ prefix in the city’s name being blacked out on road signs has been raised by unionist politicians in response to vandalism on bilingual street signs featuring Irish.
NI is 4% of our business but 100% of robberies, says ATM firm boss
JAMES MCNANEY, Belfast Telegraph, November 26th, 2025
CHIEF EXEC OF CASH MANAGEMENT FIRM PIVOTAL UP FOR TOP ENTREPRENEUR GONG
The head of a cash management firm has said that 100% of robberies hitting them have occurred in Northern Ireland this year, despite only 4% of their business being done here.
Terry Hughes is the owner and CEO of Pivotal, a cash management company which handles cash for companies and ATMs across Northern Ireland, the Republic, GB and Europe
It is a banner week for the company, as it appeared on RTÉ's The Entrepreneurs on Monday night, and tomorrow will see Terry attend EY's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, where he is a finalist for the main prize.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph earlier in the week, Mr Hughes, (55), said that the awards ceremony is a chance to promote the company as he strives to grow it to £1bn in revenue. Having grown up in Greenisland and Glengormley, he founded Pivotal two decades ago, in July 2005. Today, the firm handles £12-14bn of cash every quarter, primarily direct from companies, but also managing a number of ATMs.
Cash management has been in the news here over the past year, as a spate of robberies targeting ATMs hit the country.
The issue has also impacted Pivotal.
“Northern Ireland is about 4% of our overall business”, Mr Hughes explains, “our biggest market is GB, but 100% of our robberies this year have been in Northern Ireland. We've had eight ATM attacks this year”.
Cash in Transit less risky than a decade ago
Despite this, he pointed out that “in many ways, it's less of a physical risk now than it was 10 to 12 years ago.
“The biggest risk in our industry now is cyber. We spend a lot of money putting cyber defences into our business. We're constantly penetration testing.
“The physical often gets the headlines, and it's awful, terrible for our crews that are involved in it and for stakeholders like our insurers and for us as a business. “The flip side is that if that risk wasn't there you wouldn't need companies like Pivotal. You have to balance it and I think we do that very well.”
One sign of the company's progress is the nomination for EY's Entrepreneur of the Year, which will be awarded tomorrow evening.
Mr Hughes said he originally did not want to be considered for the award, but was convinced to participate by Rob Heron, the Managing Partner at EY.
“It's great profiling for the business”, he says, adding that “we are on a journey and we have been working with the London Stock Exchange, looking at a potential listing, particularly on the new Pisces market.” Receiving awards and considering taking the firm public is a sign of how the company has developed since it was launched in July 2005: “I started on my own at a desk, and now we have 1,200 staff, 550 vehicles.
“We manufacture all our own vehicles, which are primarily armoured trucks. We're the only carrier that operates across the whole of the UK and Ireland
“There's been quite a few bumps in the road. The financial crash in 2008/9 was extremely challenging, Covid was extremely challenging.
“We've suffered over 200 robberies, we've had a branch taken over, there's nothing that surprises me anymore.
“We've got an incredible business, we will do easy £100m (in revenue) this year. But I really believe that with the team we have, we can take it to £1bn.
“That's very ambitious, it's taken us 20 years to get to £100m. The bridge to take it to £1bn is clearly identified by us, we know how we're going to get there.
Learned work ethic through kick boxing
“We can do it by acquisitions, by expanding into new territories. Moving into non-cash: we're storing, fulfilling, transporting, globally shipping any value item that doesn't necessarily need to be cash.” Mr Hughes says he learned the work ethic he needs to do his job from his time as a kickboxer in his youth.
“I was an Irish kickboxing champion. I started when I was 11, it was an interesting journey. I was really not very good at anything: school, sports.
“I just happened to be out for a walk one morning and stumbled across the kickboxing class in a local leisure centre.
Mr Hughes says his time kickboxing gave him “a sense of achievement and a sense of perseverance.”
“I wasn't naturally good but I trained really hard and with good instruction I was able to get to a championship level.
“In terms of character building and work ethic, I learned more kickboxing and training than from going to Queen's.”
He does see his time at Queen's University Belfast as helpful, not only for the education, but for his business acumen as he started a coal delivery business: “I built a coal run. In winter I'd have been delivering 220-240 bags of coal.
“It was hard work, and great training. It was a 1972 Bedford flat-bed lorry that I drove, with no power steering. You stick 100 bags of coal on, it gives you some arms!”
DUP fails in bid to overturn Sinn Féin minister’s block on Israel trade talks
JOHN MANLEY, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, Irish News, November 26th, 2025
THE DUP has failed in its bid to overturn Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald’s move to block her department’s support for Israel.
The Sinn Féin minister last month ordered her department and Invest NI not to engage in future trade talks with Israel alongside the British government while the former “continues to illegally occupy and impose apartheid on Palestine”.
But the DUP opposed the move and succeeded in having the decision called-in after securing the required 30 signatures.
At a specially convened executive meeting yesterday, six ministers supported Ms Archibald’s move, while four opposed it.
Sinn Féin and Alliance ministers are understood to have upheld the minister’s decision, while the three DUP ministers and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt sought to block it.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms Archibald said she took action to ensure “there is no enabling of the genocide against the people of Gaza”.
“As economy minister, I am determined to do everything in my power to defend human rights, uphold international law and support the defenceless people of Gaza and Palestine who are suffering the horrors of genocide and forced starvation,” she said.
“No minister and no administration should be enabling genocide, and I don’t think that’s something that should have to come to the executive, and that was the view of the majority and the executive this morning.”
The minister said she and her executive colleagues should be “getting on with delivery”.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly said the decision was controversial and should have been subject to executive approval.
She accused the Sinn Féin minister of “grandstanding”.
“We cannot have politically motivated trade policy being set due to the political views of that minister,” she said.
“The discussion today highlighted that there is no consensus on these issues, there is clear division and very strong views.”
