Families of two men killed by British army not entitled to enhanced inquests, court rules
Alan Erwin, Irish News, June 6th, 2025.
RELATIVES of two men killed by British soldiers during the Troubles have no legal entitlement to enhanced inquests examining alleged state breaches of the right to life, the Court of Appeal ruled yesterday.
Senior judges upheld a verdict that the deaths of Francis Bradley and Patrick Duffy occurred outside a 12-year time limit for an investigative obligation imposed by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The decision could also impact on determining the scope of up to 20 other conflict-era inquests still to be reinstated by planned amendments to Britain’s controversial Legacy Act.
Mr Bradley, a 20-year-old suspected IRA member, was shot dead during an army operation near Toomebridge, Co Antrim in February 1986.
Last year the coroner at a second inquest into his death found the use of force was justified as he posed a threat.
Mr Duffy (50) was shot multiple times by soldiers at a house in the Brandywell area of Derry in November 1978.
A fresh inquest into his death also formed part of a five-year plan to clear a backlog of Troubles-related cases.
But the tribunal could not be completed before the May 2024 deadline created by the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.
Outside 12 year rule
Based on case law, a legal duty to hold enhanced Article 2 compliant inquests can apply to deaths occurring up to 12 years before the Human Rights Act came into force in October 2000.
The killings of Mr Bradley and Mr Duffy both took place outside that temporal limit.
In March last year a High Court judge held that the Article 2 investigative obligation did not apply in either inquests under domestic law endorsed at UK Supreme Court level.
He also dismissed claims that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) acted irrationally over delays in disclosing material before the hearing into Mr Duffy’s death was halted.
Lawyers for the families of both men appealed those rulings, arguing there was potential scope to extend the time limit based on separate jurisprudence.
But Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan stressed that the latest decision of the Supreme Court must be applied in legacy-type cases.
Dismissing the appeal, she stated: “The judge was right to say that the inquest in both cases, given the temporal limit, did not fall to be considered as an Article 2 inquest.” Dame Siobhan Creegan sitting with Lord Justices Treacy and McCloskey, also agreed the allegations of MoD irrationality were unsustainable.
However, she went on to highlight how “extremely comprehensive” findings were still able to be made at Mr Bradley’s inquest despite the coroner’s assessment that Article 2 was not engaged.
According to the court, a similar principle could be followed in the cohort of 20 remaining cases.
“The Bradley findings are a concrete example of how this approach works in practice in the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland legacy inquests,” the Lady Chief Justice said.
“The common law facilitates such an approach which is fact sensitive, does not conflict with statute, is reasonable and fair, and is reflective of the needs of the people of Northern Ireland to achieve resolution in these outstanding cases.”
Appeal to Supreme Court
Lawyers representing Mr Bradley’s mother Rosemary confirmed they now intend to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Solicitor Fearghal Shiels said: “We are disappointed by the ruling.
“Mrs Bradley has launched a wide ranging challenge to the findings of the coroner which relies on both common law and Article 2 grounds.
“[Those proceedings] have been adjourned pending resolution of the applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights to Francis’s inquest, and in those circumstances we are seeking leave to appeal this decision further.”
We are disappointed by the ruling. Mrs Bradley has launched a wide ranging challenge to the findings of the coroner which relies on both common law and Article 2 grounds. (Those proceedings) have been adjourned pending resolution of the applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights to Francis’s inquest, and in those circumstances we are seeking leave to appeal this decision further
'Amidst all violence and darkness of the time, I saw humanity of so many people I met'
Amy Cochrane, Belfast Telegraph, June 6th, 2025
BROADCASTING LEGEND SIR TREVOR MCDONALD RECALLS HIS JOB REPORTING ON TROUBLES IN 1970S, LIVING IN MOST BOMBED HOTEL IN WORLD, AND TELLS OF HIS ADDICTION TO THE NEWS... AND CRICKET
Veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald has told of his “fond memories” of reporting from here during the Troubles in the 1970s despite the chaos going on around him.
The journalist, who was born in Trinidad, moved to London in 1969 and joined ITN in 1973.
He remembers Belfast being constantly in the headlines at the time, and was sent here to report on the conflict shortly afterwards.
“I just wanted to be part of the story,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“When I was first employed by ITN — and I had absolutely no reason why they gave me this job — I was shocked, and I wanted to make a conscious decision to make sure that I was doing what everybody else was doing.
“Belfast was, of course, the big story at the time on all the national news bulletins almost every evening, and I wanted to be part of that too.
“I was so excited to go and try and understand what was going on.
“But I hate the sound of guns, I prefer peace and I abhor violence. So it wasn't easy for me, but I was always given great help on how to keep safe.”
Speaking ahead of a Q&A event in the Waterfront Hall later this year hosted by Eamonn Holmes, Sir Trevor said he is “looking forward” to returning to the city where he landed his first major reporting assignment.
He added: “I haven't got back much, but I've been back a few times since I was there... it's nice to get back and make nice memories, because it wasn't always so pleasant,” he said.
A Portakabin on roof of UTV
“At that time ITN had a Portacabin on the roof of UTV.
“Our colleagues there were always extremely friendly and helpful in explaining what was going on and the nuances and meaning of certain things in the province at the time.
“I come from the West Indies and I had never heard a bomb go off in my life before I came to Belfast.
“I didn't know what machine guns looked like, and I'd never seen anything like that level of culpable violence before.
“Where I was from in Trinidad, on Friday nights things got a bit scruffy in some rum shops, people misbehaved and had a few fights — but that was all the level of violence I had any knowledge of.”
The former New At Ten presenter said the prospect of peace — however slight it may have been — encouraged him to keep reporting on what was going on here.
He explained: “Things are very different now, but back then we were all so engrossed in the possibility of an accommodation between the warring factions.
“I remember we ran to embrace the peace movement when it came, and we all looked forward to that.”
In 1976 Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan won the Nobel Peace Prize.
They had co-founded the Peace People movement, which organised protests and marches against the violence from both sides.
Sir Trevor remembers travelling with them to receive their award.
He said: “We were all wanting to see a change in society because, generally speaking, I found that, of course, there was the violence, and at times it was very difficult, but in broad terms, people in Northern Ireland were very warm and very friendly.
“Sometimes, even after some of the most difficult conversations, it would end with someone saying: 'Let's have a drink in the pub'. I really enjoyed that, I found that very charming.”
Despite all the carnage, at no point did he ever feel threatened because of his job.
He recalled: “I was at the Europa (Hotel) about half-a-dozen times when it was bombed and we were always given enough time to get out — nobody ever tried to harm us.”
Sir Trevor is “saddened” by a report from Amnesty International this week that Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place to work as a journalist in these islands.
He said: “At the height of the Troubles I didn't feel that fear at all.
“I remember at night I would often walk back to the Europa from UTV in the dark.
“One evening I heard footsteps following me.
“I started to walk, and then run, faster and faster to get away from them, and then suddenly this guy caught up with me and said: 'I'm sorry if it seems like I'm following you. I just wanted to tell you that there is a bomb scare at your hotel, so you have to be careful'.
“I remember that, it was one of the things that stayed with me.
“I never felt like anyone wanted to harm us, so I'm sorry to hear the climate has changed now.”
His accommodation of choice on Great Victoria Street was famous — or maybe that should be infamous — for being the most bombed hotel in the world.
He remembers a particularly cold autumn evening eating dinner in the restaurant after the windows had been blown in... again.
He explained: “I had just arrived in Belfast after working in South Africa for a while and I checked into the Europa.
“I'd unpacked my bag, and the manager came around to tell us the kitchen had been bombed and that they wouldn't be able to cook us any food, and asked for us to leave.
“One thing I hate, even after travelling all around the world for years, is packing and unpacking, so I really couldn't be bothered moving, whether I could get food or not.
“The manager failed to convince me otherwise, and I asked him could he even provide some sandwiches or something.
“I persuaded a few of my colleagues and reporters to stay, so he (the manager) invited us down to dinner in the restaurant that evening.
“I remember the panes of glass had been blown out.
Dining al fresco at Europa
“It was autumn, so it was very chilly, but we had a very memorable meal, and we even convinced the manager to go to the cellar and get some of his best wines so we could have a decent drink with our meagre meal!
“In the middle of all this violence and darkness, there were these bright lights in the humanity of the people of Northern Ireland.”
Sir Trevor also acquired a taste for a pint of the black stuff during his time here.
He added: “One thing I noticed is that it tastes so much better than the Guinness in England.
“The standard of the food in the city was also better to what I was accustomed to.
“It is one of the reasons I always loved going back to Belfast — as well as the craic, of course.”
In a career spanning 50 years he has interviewed many prominent figures, including Nelson Mandela, Saddam Hussein, Colonel Gaddafi, Yasser Arafat and Bill Clinton.
He also interrogated a number of local politicians, including the Rev Ian Paisley.
He recalled: “Ian Paisley was always a difficult one to get.
“He had quite a tigerish personality at times, but he was quite genial and friendly to me.
“He could be quite fierce, and I remember my colleagues who would have attended his church on Sunday mornings, him saying he could smell the 'devil's brew' on their breath.”
Being from the West Indies, it's no surprise he is a huge cricket fan.
Last year he released On Cricket, a memoir of his time growing up in Trinidad that focuses on his love of the sport.
On St Patrick's Day in 2007, minnows Ireland memorably beat Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.
Mr Paisley and Martin McGuinness jointly hosted a reception at Stormont for the team on their return from the Caribbean.
Sir Trevor said: “I remember they both signed a joint letter congratulating the Irish team. I thought that was a great step forward.
“Having Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness put their name to anything was not a common incident at the time.
“It seemed cricket had done a good job there.”
Beyond reporting, and then presenting, the news — becoming a bona fide national treasure as a result — Sir Trevor has fronted several documentaries on subjects as varied as crime, history and travel.
But it's the news that is his obsession, and he still tunes in to New At Ten, which he has not anchored for almost 20 years.
He said: “Sometimes I tell myself I feel that I'm almost addicted to the news.
“I find myself watching the news all the time — and sometimes I wonder why?
“It's an addiction I haven't found the cure for. Much like my addiction to watching cricket.”
An Evening with Sir Trevor McDonald will take place at the Waterfront Hall on September 1
NAMA - Bryson brings drama to dock after weeks of legal arguments
Liam Tunney, Belfast Telegraph, June 6th,2025
We had been promised a political show trial, but until yesterday morning, the Nama trial had delivered little in the way of drama or intrigue.
After a modest opening salvo with evidence from TUV spin doctor Sammy Morrison and the DUP's Lord Morrow, much of the last fortnight has been taken up by legal arguments and regurgitation of the messages at the heart of the affair.
There was a significantly higher press interest inside the courtroom yesterday as the defendant who has largely become the face of this trial settled into the witness box.
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, facing charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, moved almost with relish to the stand, where he faced questions from his own counsel.
Pouring a glass of water, Mr Bryson was at full throttle from the offset. He denied accusations he had conspired with former Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay, who was then chair of the committee to which Mr Bryson gave the evidence that sparked the furore.
‘Slap on the wrist’ invited
Proceeding at pace, the defendant invited Judge Gordon Kerr KC to give him a “slap on the wrist” if he was going too fast.
Later in the evidence, Judge Kerr did just that, urging Mr Bryson to be more concise in his delivery.
“It would be much better if we didn't have a commentary with every answer,” he said.
Bryson, however, was in full flight, at one point taking a moment to apologise for his “passionate” approach as he took the court through his viewpoint of events in 2015 and 2016 that have ultimately ended up in Laganside Crown Court.
He touched on the messages leading up to the committee hearing and recalled how he and Mr McKay had “kicked lumps out of each other” in the media over band parades in Rasharkin prior to the scandal.
Pointing out that BBC Spotlight had published similar evidence to that which he gave at the committee, he noted: “The producer got an award for it and I'm in a criminal court.”
Of the suggestion that Mr McKay was behind the messages sent to him by Thomas O'Hara, Mr Bryson said: “Do I think that Daithí McKay goes into a phone box and comes out as Thomas O'Hara?”
“If I had wanted to email Daithí McKay, I would have emailed Daithí McKay.”
‘Did I say some immature things’
The loyalist activist also reflected on the passage of time. When he appeared before Stormont's finance committee in 2015, he was just 24 years old.
“Did I say some immature things? Yes. Didn't we all when we were 24?” he asked the court, before going on to tell the judge his only objective was to “tell the truth to the Assembly”.
Love him or loathe him, Mr Bryson's evidence has breathed life into a trial that looked to be withering on the vine in terms of public interest.
Adjourning matters over the weekend, Judge Kerr warned the loyalist activist against making any public comment or posting to social media about the case. Mr Bryson responded in good humour. “I've got myself into enough trouble with blogging, thanks,” he said.
In front of his counsel, yesterday was mostly conducted on his own terms. His may find his feathers more ruffled when the prosecution begins cross-examination on Monday.
Adams donating part of €100,000 damages to Palestinian children
Paul Ainsworth, Irish News, June 6th, 2025
GERRY Adams has said he will donate the €100,000 in libel damages from the BBC to causes including the children of Gaza and the Irish language sector, while standing by his claim he “put manners” on the broadcaster.
The former Sinn Féin president said yesterday he would also donate to groups in Ireland helping the homeless, and to an organisation – An Cumann Cabhrach – which supports republican prisoners and their families.
Mr Adams confirmed his plans for the sum while speaking out following “over the top” responses to his statement made outside Dublin’s High Court last week.
After the jury ruled he had been defamed by a BBC Spotlight broadcast and online article in 2016, which had claimed he sanctioned the 2006 murder of British agent Denis Donaldson, Mr Adams said the case had been “about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation”.
The comment was criticised, including by National Union of Journalists Irish secretary Seamus Dooley, who described it as “chilling”.
However, yesterday Mr Adams said the success of his case was a “very important and very significant breach” in the BBC’s “monopoly on how it broadcasts ‘news’ especially in Ireland”.
“As I said outside the Four Courts, I took this case to put manners on this institution. I stand over that comment. And I reject the over the-top responses to it,” the former West Belfast MP said.
“The British Broadcasting Corporation is supposed to be a public service provider. It is paid from public funds.
“It upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland, that goes without saying almost, but it should be publicly accountable for its broadcasting content.
“It rarely is. That’s what this court case did. That’s what the jury did. The BBC lost.”
He added of the broadcaster: “They concluded their case by trying to exert moral pressure on the jurors by claiming that a defeat for the British Broadcasting Corporation would be a blow to freedom of speech and a setback to victims.
“In the end the jury didn’t buy into any of this.”
Mr Adams said freedom of the press was “fundamental to any democratic society”.
‘Journalists bear onerous responsibility’
“Consequently, journalists bear an onerous responsibility not to make false accusations based on unreliable and/or non-existent supporting evidence,” he said.
“To do otherwise means they are behaving in support of methods that they purport to oppose.”
The ex-Louth TD said he knows “many journalists”.
“I like to think I am friendly with the vast majority of them and I wish them well and I defend their right to do their job,” he said.
“For many years, when I was wrongly represented in sections of the media, my legal advice was consistently not to sue for libel.
“Nine years ago the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast their Spotlight programme and I decided to sue. Had the BBC wanted to, [we] could have resolved this. They chose not to.”
Mr Adams added that he had urged the Republic’s justice minister “to meet Denis Donaldson’s family who have been denied an Article 2 compliant inquest since 2006”.
“All victims and their families deserve our support and there is an onus on the two governments and all of us, including me, to work to help them in the time ahead,” he said.
“There is also an onus on the BBC to reflect on the changes that have occurred since the Good Friday Agreement. This isn’t the same place as it was then.”
Journalists bear an onerous responsibility not to make false accusations based on unreliable and/ or non-existent supporting evidence. To do otherwise means they are behaving in support of methods that they purport to oppose
He said BBC NI director Adam Smyth “should begin a process of changing the ethos of the BBC to make it reflect the new dispensation and the potential that the peace process has delivered”.
“There have also been the predictable responses from all the usual suspects to the verdict in this case,” he said.
‘They need to stop whinging’
“This is not the time, although this is what they do, to defend bad journalism. This is the time to learn the lessons. They need to stop whinging. This is senior hurling.”
He added of the awarded damages: “I will donate this to good causes.
“These will include the children of Gaza, groups in Ireland involved in helping the homeless, An Cumann Cabhrach, the Irish language sector and other projects like this in west Belfast.”
Following the statement, a BBC Northern Ireland spokesperson said: “We’ve nothing further to add at this stage.”
UVF reported to have expelled jailed Winston Irvine
Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent, Irish News, May 6th, 2035
CONVICTED UVF commander Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine is reported to have been expelled from the loyalist paramilitary group.
Last month the Shankillbased loyalist was jailed for 15 months after he was caught with a haul of weapons in the boot of his car.
His co-accused Robin Workman was given the minimum custodial sentence of five years. Neither was charged under terrorism legislation and politicians on all sides criticised the sentence handed down to Irvine.
Yesterday a senior police officer told the Policing Board that the controversy has damaged confidence in the criminal justice system.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton also told the board that: “As the face, the front end of that, it has also impacted on policing.”
The Public Prosecution Service has since said there was “insufficient evidence” to support charges under terrorism legislation.
The loyalist duo were arrested in June 2022 after police stopped Irvine’s car in the Shankill Road area of west Belfast. Officers found a longbarrelled gun, two suspected pistols, several magazines and a large quantity of bullets inside a bag in the boot.
Their trial heard that the haul was initially transported by Workman before being transferred to Irvine’s vehicle. The judge noted that UVF para- phernalia was found in the homes of both defendants, but he said (he) did not consider there was a terrorist link to the weapons seized.
Work for peace and charity taken into account
Judge Gordon Kerr KC added there were “exceptional circumstances” in Irvine’s case, namely his “work for peace and his charity work in the community”.
The court had earlier heard that Irvine made no comment to police but provided a prepared statement outlining his reputation as a “trusted interlocutor” during the peace process.
However in a blog yesterday Dr Aaron Edwards, a leading authority on loyalism, said he understood Irvine is being held in Maghaberry’s segregated Bush House, a loyalist wing of the top-security prison.
He also said that Irvine, who was reportedly commander of the UVF’s ‘B Company’, had been expelled by the loyalist paramilitary group after a “court-martial in absentia”.
The academic said that a meeting involving members of the UVF’s 1st Belfast Battalion was held in the Shankill area on Wednesday night.
According to Dr Edwards it is understood representatives of the ‘battalion’ companies attended the meeting with members of the organisation’s ‘brigade staff’ also in attendance.
Dr Edwards, author of UVF: Behind the Mask, said allegations against Irvine ranged from the theft of large amounts of cash from the UVF, drug dealing and “other illicit activity”.
He said it was his understanding that “Irvine’s expulsion is also tied to deep suspicions within the UVF that he has been working as an informer or agent of influence for the authorities”.
He has also been accused of using the UVF’s name to “intimidate and threaten people on a personal level”.
“The expulsion of Irvine by the UVF is a significant move,” Dr Edwards wrote.
“It demonstrates clearly the enormous pressure the group has been under internally from its own rank-and-file to deal with the allegations swirling around since Irvine’s initial arrest in June 2022.
“It also comes in the wake of huge external pressure by the media and the public on loyalist paramilitaries, to say nothing of those who have worked with them in the business of ‘conflict transformation’.”
Controversy has harmed faith in justice system says Singleton
Jonathan McCambridge, Irish News, June 6th, 2025
CONTROVERSY around Irvine’s sentencing has impacted upon confidence in the criminal justice system, Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton has said.
He also told the Policing Board he wanted to clarify that he did not provide a character witness for Irvine and would not have done so.
He said: “I think this case and the debate surrounding it undoubtedly has impacted on confidence in the entire criminal justice system.
“As the face, the front end of that, it has also impacted on policing.”
Mr Singleton added: “For clarity, I absolutely did not provide a character reference for Mr Irvine, nor was I asked to. If I had been, I absolutely wouldn’t have done so.”
Mr Singleton said he had given evidence under oath during an earlier preliminary inquiry in the case.
He added: “As Mr Irvine’s arrest by our counter-terrorism officers and subsequent investigation by our terrorism investigation unit demonstrates, we police without fear or favour, and that is exactly the way it should be.”
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said sentencing was a matter for the courts.
He said Irvine had been arrested by police under the Terrorism Act and there had been a “thorough investigation”.
He added: “I can confirm that ballistic testing of all the firearms was conducted and there was no previous history in respect of those firearms or indeed the ammunition.
“Our role is to investigate and to place evidence before the court.”
Gerry Kelly challenges PSNI on ‘reluctance’ to blame paramilitaries for home attacks
Jonathan McCambridge, Irish News, June 6th, 2025
SENIOR police officers have been challenged over a “reluctance” to state that sectarian attacks on homes in north Belfast were organised by paramilitaries.
Sinn Féin Policing Board member Gerry Kelly said it almost seemed like there was an “avoidance” of blaming terrorist groups, after an officer said there had been conflicting reports over their involvement.
There was widespread political condemnation after attacks on homes last month, when masonry was thrown at properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street.
Clanmil Housing Association, which operates the housing scheme in the area, said the attacks were a “sectarian-motivated hate crime”, and police have said they have stepped up patrols in the area.
Nuala McAllister of the Alliance Party asked about the policing response to the attacks.
“A number of us political representatives have met with these families and sat with them and they have been understandably very upset and scared,” she said.
Masonry was thrown at properties on Annalee Street and Alloa Street on May 21
“We would like to think that it is 2025, this long after the Good Friday Agreement and actually we could have families living in shared neighbourhoods welcomed by all.
“There is a minority who are frightening others for the aim to get them to move out of their area and it is not acceptable.”
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said he wanted to publicly condemn the “hate-filled abhorrent behaviour” last month.
He said: “That day we saw attacks on houses, windows broken and clearly a sectarian attempt to intimidate people out of their homes.
“That has no place in our society and should not be tolerated. We will bring all of our investigative powers to bring people to justice.”
He said the police investigation is continuing and a man had been charged over damage to properties.
‘Significant tensions over housing’
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said there are “significant tensions in the area primarily around the issue around housing”.
He added: “What we are picking up in terms of local information, and there has been some conflicting reporting, some of that reporting indicated persons linked to paramilitary groups have been involved in the activity, however, other reports indicate that the attacks have stemmed from a much more community level, rather than an organisation… We will continue to monitor that situation.”
Mr Kelly responded: “I find it quite hard to begin to accept that when a number of houses are done, when it is co-ordinated, when there was a number of people in masks standing around for two hours before it and all this information was given to the police, that at this stage it almost seems like an avoidance of saying there was paramilitary involvement here.
“To say that there is tension around housing doesn’t say it. This is sectarianism.”
Mr Kelly added: “There seems to be a reluctance in these things, not just this, if it is paramilitary, of let’s not say it is paramilitary and I don’t know what the fear is.
“I am certain and everybody in that area is certain it is paramilitary.”
The Sinn Féin representative added: “People need to know that you are not trying to avoid saying what this is really about because they want to know if they are safe going back in there, is there an organisation which is going to attack them again.”
Mr Beck said: “From a factual basis I have indicated what information we have at this moment in time and there are conflicts around that. But that does include that there are indications that there were persons involved who were linked to terrorist and paramilitary organisations as well.”
Ten probes into proceeds of crime still ongoing says NCA chief
Jonathan McCambridge, Irish News, June 6th, 2025
THE National Crime Agency (NCA) is carrying out 10 investigations into the proceeds of crime in Northern Ireland, the Policing Board has been told.
NCA director general Graeme Biggar told the board that one of the civil probes related to suspected assets of £3.5 million.
Mr Biggar updated the board on the work of the NCA in tackling organised crime in the region.
North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister asked about the agency’s role in combating paramilitarism.
Mr Biggar said: “The main thing we are adding is the work we are doing on civil recovery, rather than criminal investigation.
“Going after the money which is the product of crime, rather than the individuals and prosecuting them for crimes that have taken place.
“We have 10 civil recovery investigations ongoing at the moment in Northern Ireland.
“We do proportionally much more of this in Northern Ireland than we do anywhere else in the UK just because of the impact we think it can have and the importance that we attach to it.”
He told the board that one investigation related to £350,000 worth of assets in a case where there is suspected money laundering and tax evasion. Another relates to a case of suspected money laundering worth £250,000.
Mr Biggar said there was a long-running investigation in relation to suspected criminal assets of £3.5 million which he said he hoped would come to a conclusion soon.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck referenced the working relationship between police and the NCA in Northern Ireland. He said the PSNI was dealing with hundreds of referrals from the NCA in cases of potential indecent images of children.
Graeme Biggar of the National Crime Agency said 10 civil recovery investigations are ongoing in Northern Ireland
He said: “In the last financial year we received in the region of 820 referrals from NCA in respect of that activity that requires investigation and further research.
“If you turn the clock back 10, 12 years, we were receiving around 60 to 80 referrals.
“Last year it was 820, this year we are in the early stages of the financial year but we are seeing an increase of about 120%.”
Six major organised crime groups in Belfast
Mr Beck also referred to the work of the multi-agency Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF).
He said its work was focused on six groups – East Belfast UVF, West Belfast UDA, Belfast INLA, North West INLA, South East Antrim UDA and North Antrim UDA.
Mr Beck said: “Those are the main groups we focus on in respect of the potential harm those groups are causing to the local communities.
“Those groups are involved in a wide range of criminality including, but not limited to, assaults, shootings, supply and distribution of controlled drugs, extortion, intimidation, money lending and money laundering.”
Mr Biggar told the board about the emergence of a new group of cybercriminals called The Com.
Young girls targeted
He said: “It is a grouping of online gangs of boys with a nihilistic, misogynistic bent who focus on grooming and coercing often young girls into abusing themselves and into self harm.
“This is particularly an English-speaking phenomenon at the moment, it does not appear to have spread to the rest of the world, but it causes enormous harm to the individuals that get involved in it.”
He said there had been a number of prosecutions in the rest of the UK.
M Biggar added: “We have not had incidences of this play out that we have seen in Northern Ireland yet, we don’t have any active investigations in relation to Northern Ireland, but that will come.
“That is just an inevitable part of what we are dealing with.
“It is the latest manifestation of the challenges that come from living life online.”
Value of Stormont Executive’s office in Beijing questioned
By Johnny McNabb, Belfast News Letter, June 4th, 2025
Executive Committee chair Paula Bradshaw said she had concerns around its value for money
Executive Committee chair Paula Bradshaw said she had concerns around its value for money
The value for money of the Northern Ireland Executive’s office in the Chinese capital has been questioned.
The chair of the Assembly’s scrutiny committee for the Executive Office suggested it cost around a quarter of a million pounds a year to run the office in Beijing.
The Executive also has offices in Washington DC and Brussels.
It has had a presence in Beijing since 2014, before then-first minister Arlene Foster opened an Executive bureau in December 2016.
Executive Committee chair Paula Bradshaw said she had concerns around its value for money, after the committee heard from the three bureaux during a meeting last month.
Executive Office official Brenda Henderson said she appreciated there is frustration around transparency and accounting for what they do.
“One of the things that I want to do is to get that coherency across all three bureaux and with the international relations team in Belfast to make sure that we have a clear narrative, that our communications plans can let you see, and let our ministers see, exactly who we’re meeting, what is the outcome of that, what does it mean, the ‘so what’ question in terms of the Programme For Government,” she told MLAs.
“Work is already under way on that.”
Ms Bradshaw followed up by asking at what point would they conclude it is not value for money, and that they could be doing other things with that money.
Ms Henderson said there are different ways to measure value for money.
“One of the things that I know that the overseas offices do is that they build relationships, you have to build those relationships before you utilise them, but there are things about companies, investment, increased student places they bring,” she said.
“I think what we need to do is be more absolutely transparent about that and be clear about the metrics, what we can measure and that we stand in front of those.”
Permanent Secretary David Malcolm said he can “see behind the curtain”, and knows what the Beijing office is doing, He expressed frustration it was not communicated.
He said last month the vice minister for education in China visited Northern Ireland and signed an agreement with the Confucius Institute in Belfast and the Department for the Economy for a £34 million programme over the next 10 years.
He also said in Beijing this St Patrick’s Day, there were two community organisations led by Chris Hazzard, including young people who had never left Ireland before.
“There is significant work we’re doing,” he said.
“We are also talking to the Chinese Consul about a mini conference here later on,” he said.
“The Chinese have agreed to fund three placements in Beijing through the Arts Council to give people the opportunity to break into the Chinese market. There is a tremendous amount we’re doing.”
He added: “Not just in Beijing, in Washington, we punch miles above our weight in the representational role we get, and indeed in Brussels.”
