Beattie asks if Dublin keeps Kingsmills Massacre file secret due to 'links to Irish state security forces'

The UUP Justice Spokesman says he can see no reason the Irish Government refuses to publish a secret file on the Kingsmills Massacre "unless there are clear links to the Irish state security forces".

By Philip Bradfield, Belfast News Letter, January 8th, 2026

Doug Beattie MLA was speaking after attending a commemoration, on Monday, for the 10 Protestant workmen, 50 years after they were shot dead by IRA gunmen.

The massacre took place near Kingsmills in south Armagh on January 5 1976 as they travelled home from work. Alan Black survived being shot 18 times.

The PSNI's Historical Enquiries Team concluded the attack was planned from the south and the gunmen fled there afterwards.

In his final report, the coroner in the Kingsmills legacy inquest listed many southern aspects to the atrocity.

He noted that the Daily Telegraph in 1976 reported Irish minister for justice Patrick Cooney saying the problem “was essentially one for Northern Ireland”.

The getaway van was stolen and dumped in the south and a palm print lifted from it “originated from a known IRA terrorist located south of the border”, the coroner said.

He also found successive police assessments concluded that the suspects lived in the Republic of Ireland.

Four of the 10 weapons used were recovered in Co Louth.

Mr Cooney was also quoted in 1976 newspapers denying that the terrorists fled south, the coroner said.

Based on a 1976 Irish Independent report, the coroner said Mr Cooney had stated that “the RUC was satisfied that there was no involvement of terrorists from south of the border”.

However the coroner noted that this “is not in keeping with police papers available to the inquest”.

Most suspects ‘resident south of border’

The RUC investigating officer told the inquest that intelligence on suspects received in 1976 “would have been of limited value as most were resident south of the border”.

The Kingsmills families spent eight years lobbying Dublin for answers. A secret High Court hearing to address 60 of their questions finally took place in Dublin in 2022.

However neither the families, their legal teams nor the media were allowed to attend.

Instead, an Irish High Court judge put their questions to a senior Garda officer, who read out answers.

The subsequent report remains secret.

Mr Beattie said that standing on the scene of the atrocity “brought home genuine feelings of sorrow”.

The terrorists “scrambled away” to the Irish Republic, from where they launched their attack, also dumping their getaway vehicle there, he said.

“That we have not seen anyone charged is inconceivable given that weapons were recovered as was the stolen getaway van used.

Irish Government ‘not interested’ in providing information

“The Irish government have shown that they are not interested in chasing the information to bring about the information the families deserve.

“To keep the [Irish High Court] report into the Kingsmills massacre secret is a denial of justice and I can see no reason why this is the case unless there are clear links to the Irish state security forces and the murder of these innocent men.

“If the Irish government wishes to deny this then all they need to do is release the report.”

The UK should be "vociferous" in pressing for its release – or take it to the European Court of Justice, he added.

The Irish Departments of Taoiseach, Justice and Foreign Affairs were invited to comment.

The Irish Department of Justice declined to respond to Mr Beattie but referred to a statement on Kingsmills it issued earlier in the week.

The Northern Ireland Office said the murders are being investigated by the ICRIR. As part of the Joint Framework agreed last year, the Irish Government has committed to “the fullest possible cooperation” with a reformed Legacy Commission, he added.

Sinn Féin wants to raise household rates by 15% – but expert says it’s not enough

ALLAN PRESTON, Irish News, January 8th, 2026

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has proposed three years of hikes in household rates

HOME OWNERS should be prepared to pay an extra £1,000 a year in rates for better public services, but asking the public for more “terrifies” Stormont leaders, a financial expert has said.

Among the details of a multi-year budget proposed by Sinn Féin’s Finance Minister John O’Dowd this week were three years of inflation-busting rate hikes for homeowners.

Domestic rates for homeowners are a combination of the regional rate set by Stormont and the district rate set by councils.

Hoping to raise an extra £250m, Mr O’Dowd said the regional rate should increase by 5% for each of the next three years, as well as 3% each year for the regional non-domestic (business) rates.

Above UK inflation rate

This is well over the current rate of UK inflation at 3.2% and before any increases that local councils may set.

Speaking to The Irish News, Derry-based financial commentator Paul Gosling said the reality was that such an increase was “completely inadequate” to improve public services.

“We are paying substantially below what people in Great Britain are paying, and without additional revenue we just cannot raise the quality of services or invest in infrastructure in the way we need,” he said.

“Rather than saying ‘this is too much’ I would say it’s far too little. We really need to be talking about each household paying around an extra £1,000 a year.

“There’s a conspiracy of silence between the parties, even the SDLP in opposition, none of them is willing to tell the public what they need to hear – which is that for any of our services we need more income to produce better outcomes.”

He said this was most obvious with water supply and sanitations problems frustrating efforts to build enough social housing or attract investment.

‘A splash in the Ocean’.

“If you don’t want to put domestic rates up, then what you need to be doing is providing a charging mechanism for NI Water.

“That doesn’t have to mean charging substantially more as we already pay for it in our rates, but it would mean NI water could borrow against their revenues and that would enable them to have a better system.

“That would mean an extra line in the rates bill for water charges, but the voter negativity that would bring is what terrifies the political parties.”

Writing on the Slugger O’Toole website, political commentator Mick Fealty also described the “marginal” rates increases proposed as “a splash in the ocean” and said that “a serious administration would quit begging and get on with revenue-raising measures.”

The proposals are now out to an eight-week consultation with Mr O’Dowd stating he is in “listening mode,” but the overwhelmingly negative response from other political parties so far will do little to encourage the public they should pay extra.

SF budget proposals mean higher rents and fewer social houses - Lyons

By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, January 8th, 2026

The draft budget from the Sinn Fein finance minister will leave Northern Ireland 2000 homes behind Stormont’s housebuilding targets and push up rents in the private rental market, the communities minister has warned.

Gordon Lyons has told the News Letter that John O’Dowd’s spending plans are £200m less than his department requires over the next four years – and don’t follow the executive’s priorities.

The comments come amid a growing row in the administration over proposed budget allocations – with the DUP telling the finance minister his plans are “deeply flawed” and in need of “significant changes”.

However, Mr O’Dowd has said he is in listening mode, and told his Executive colleagues to come back with their own proposals.

The row has led to allegations from the TUV that the multi-party executive is in chaos – and failing in its most basic role.

Communities minister Gordon Lyons has now criticised his budget allocation – arguing that it is well short of a target for new homes in Northern Ireland. He says this will impact housing waiting lists, and add pressure to the private rental sector – driving rents up.

500 homes short of housing mandate

“I want to hit a target during this mandate of 5850 homes. I'm probably going to be around 500 short on that. But it gets worse as the years go on, because the cumulative effect of that shortfall will mean that we'll be over 2000 units short of where we need to be.

“This is so important, because every home that we don't build here puts more pressure on the private rented sector and puts up rents – that's where people are really struggling right now. So this is critical. I have done everything that I can to make the money go as far as it can”, the DUP minister said.

Mr Lyons said his department is looking at how public land is used to build cheaper homes, and says he has changed the funding allocations to encourage housing associations to use more private finance. The minister also says design specifications on homes are being changed, so they aren’t all built to the most expensive standards, and the focus is “on getting good quality homes”.

“I've done everything that I can do, but I need Sinn Fein to be clear – are they going to prioritise social housing or not? And if, if they're not, they need to explain that to the public, because this is not a budget that prioritises social housing”.

The DUP minister said that Sinn Fein have signed off the housing supply strategy and the targets within it – as well as the programme for government. He says the proposed draft budget is not following the executive’s priorities, and it should be following those first before it allocates funds to other projects.

“If the executive has agreed a programme for government, it should follow that the budget reflects the priorities outlined in the programme for government. That's why this budget is a problem, because it does not ensure that the money goes towards one of our headline targets.

“We didn't have many targets in the programme for government. We didn't put many of those in, but we did have one when it came to social housing. I understand we're in a constrained budgetary environment. I understand the need for us to make sure that we stretch that funding as far as possible.

“So I've actually put myself in a position where I'm trying to help stretch the money that we have to make it go further – put in place common sense changes. There's only so far I can take that. If the executive decide this isn't a priority, they should come out and actually say that”.

Asked about John O’Dowd’s challenge to other ministers to bring forward their own proposals if they oppose his, Mr Lyons said he would talk about changes – but the starting point should be “looking at what is essential, looking at what we have already agreed”.

“We have agreed this already, we have agreed to the house building program. We should stick to that, and then we look at other issues”, the communities minister said.

'Death knell' for Sandy Row if Housing Executive plans go ahead, say residents 

By Iain Gray, Belfast News Letter, January 8th, 2026

Plans for a massive housing development on the edge of Sandy Row will be the ‘death knell’ for the area’s traditional community, a residents group says.

Current plans will see a mix of private and social housing built on a disused car park on Hope Street, between Sandy Row and Great Victoria Street in Belfast.

At least 60 social homes will be built – but the bulk of them look set to be flats, with potentially as few as six townhouses featuring in the current vision for the scheme.

That’s totally wrong for Sandy Row, argues Billy Dickson from Blackstaff Residents Association, as it’s somewhere he has often said is in desperate need of homes for local families.

For years, he says, young couples starting families have been forced to move away due to a lack of suitable houses, breaking up long-standing family networks – and he believes a development heavy on apartments would only continue that trend.

“It’s people that make Sandy Row, but people need houses,” he told the News Letter. “We need that traditional type of family housing, which this development does not offer.

“Hope Street was always part of Sandy Row, it was always in this community. These plans, we think, will see it annexed.”

Mr Dickson feels the plans, which come from the Housing Executive, “pose an existential threat” to a social fabric that has endured for more than 150 years.

“They represent a death knell for Sandy Row’s traditional community,” he said. “They threaten to erode the very fabric of the neighbourhood.

“Worse still, the development is being promoted as ‘city centre’ housing. Combined with an already unfair housing selection scheme, it's highly unlikely that even a single local resident will be rehoused there. In effect, many will risk being displaced from their own community.

“We cannot stand idly by while the community is dismantled. Doing nothing is not an option, we must act to protect our heritage.”

He’s now seeking a meeting with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, to call on him to intervene the issue.

The Housing Executive maintains the Hope Street project will be “a housing-led, sustainable scheme that will integrate with its surroundings, and create vibrant connections to enhance the local economy and introduce housing choices that meet a variety of needs”.

The 60 social homes will be a mix of houses and apartments, said Ailbhe Hickey, the body’s assistant director of land and regeneration services, while the site will also have private homes for sale or rent and “intermediate housing”.

Stating that the community has “regular opportunities to have their voices heard", including drop-in sessions and regular communication through newsletters, she added that the minimum six townhouses were built in as the result of a consultation with nearby residents in 2023.

“We will be launching a public procurement early this year to appoint a developer, and throughout this process we will continue to engage with local representatives to provide updates,” she said.

“Once a developer is appointed, they will come forward with their design proposals and there will be further opportunities for interested parties to make comment and influence the much-anticipated redevelopment of this vacant site throughout the planning process.”

Starmer: More protections for veterans in Bill

ABBIE LLEWELYN, Irish News, January 8th, 2026

SIR Keir Starmer has indicated that there may be additional protections for veterans added to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Labour has introduced its Troubles Bill to replace the previous government’s Legacy Act and end the immunity scheme in that legislation, which was ruled unlawful in the courts.

The scheme would have allowed perpetrators of Troubles-related crimes to be given immunity from prosecution in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body.

However, concerns have been raised by armed forces and veterans communities that the Troubles Bill will leave those who served in Northern Ireland open to vexatious litigation.

While the Bill removes the immunity provision, it is set to introduce six protections for veterans, including protection from repeated investigations, a right to give evidence remotely, protections for health in old age, a right to seek anonymity and a protection from cold calling.

However, DUP leader Gavin Robinson argued that these “offer no protection” for veterans, that they are procedural and “apply to terrorists too”.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mr Robinson asked: “Will the Prime Minister confirm that what we have heard is true, that the Ministry of Defence and the Northern Ireland Office intend to bring forward government amendments that will specifically and particularly protect veterans and that they will offer protection?”

Specific protections for Veterans

Responding, the British PM said: “The Bill, as he knows, will put in place new measures designed specifically to protect veterans.

“These safeguards have been developed with veterans in mind, after carefully listening to their concerns.

“We’ve been meeting with veterans’ organisations and listening to their views, and when the Bill reaches the committee stages, the House will see the result of those considerations and he will be pleased to hear that.

“We’re determined to ensure protections are as fair and effective as possible, recognising the role that service personnel played in keeping people across the UK safe during the Troubles.”

Earlier, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Alex Burghart accused the government of “ostrich-like complacency” over the Troubles Bill.

He said: “Senior representatives of our armed forces are telling this House that the legislation is impacting morale and effectiveness…

“Why does the government think it knows better than our armed forces?”

Responding, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: “Well, the government had to do something about the last government’s failed Legacy Act, which had no support in Northern Ireland.

“And if one is seeking to help the people of Northern Ireland to deal with the continuing consequences of the Troubles, the legislation has to have that support, and the last government failed to do that.”

Liberal unionism is dead. It never even got a chance

SARAH CREIGHTON, Irish News, January 8th, 2026

Robbie Butler and Jon Burrows have been touted as successors to Mike Nesbitt as Ulster Unionist leader

AS the Ulster Unionists move to another leadership contest, we can officially declare liberal unionism dead. Rest in peace. It didn’t have a good run, or a half-decent start.

It’s deceased… at least until someone tries again. It doesn’t look like anybody will for a long time.

If Robbie Butler or Jon Burrows take over the UUP, they will move the party in a rightward direction.

Once again, the Ulster Unionists must decide what they stand for. DUP-lite? DUP but less angry? TUV but nicer? The options are endless.

If I sound exasperated, it’s because I am.

There are plenty of liberal and left-wing unionist voters out there. There is space for liberal unionism, but every attempt to move in that direction falls flat on its face.

Some people can put their politics to one side and vote DUP/UUP/ TUV, but others can’t. I’m part of the latter group and we are politically homeless.

Expectations for the Ulster Unionists were low. Nobody expected the party of James Craig to turn into Labour (who aren’t left-wing any more). It’s still disappointing to see a tepid pivot towards the left fail again.

My conclusion: liberal and leftwing unionism simply isn’t possible within the current political landscape. That doesn’t bode well for the future.

The question for the new leader of the UUP, and Gavin Robinson and Jim Allister, is this: what is the case for the union? What does being a unionist mean?

What is Liberal Unionism?

“ Does unionism exist to improve the lives of its citizens, or does it exist to dominate nationalism?

The Ulster Unionists aren’t the only ones who need to do some soul-searching.

Twitter and TikTok aren’t real life. The unionist electorate is complicated and multi-faceted.

If voters can’t find a home somewhere, they will drift and disengage. Unionists must hope and pray those voters show up in a border poll.

Falling back on familiar ground will only cause further decline. This is why a debate is important.

Does unionism exist to improve the lives of its citizens, or does it exist to dominate nationalism? Is it both?

If it exists to dominate and troll nationalists, then count me out.

Unionism still hasn’t adapted to the modern era. Many young people think it’s “cringe”. Unionism is the ideology of their grandparents.

Some unionist leaders have made politics their entire personality. They don’t appear to have hobbies, interests outside politics or opinions on anything other but the union.

People want authenticity and honesty from their politicians. They want normal people. They don’t want bots and talking heads.

The new generation of unionist leaders need to change that.

The biggest problem is the state of the union itself. Public services are collapsing, the economy is sinking and nothing works. Everyone is broken. The vibe is one of neglect and managed decline.

You wouldn’t know the situation was dire from the state of unionism.

These days victories are found in online spats and culture wars. Perhaps, on a subconscious level, unionists know they’re in a weak position.

‘Common Sense’?

Some seem gleeful about the “vibe shift” and the growth of rightwing movements. They call it a “common sense revolution” and seem hopeful unionism can capture the “mood” of the country.

Unionists shouldn’t mistake Northern Ireland for England. What works in Britain won’t easily translate here.

Yes, north and south, right-wing movements are gaining ground, but that doesn’t mean people will fall in line behind the union.

Civic nationalism presents a “New Ireland” as a progressive, liberal project. It could be, but the prospect is also appealing to conservatives in Northern Ireland.

Conservative Republic

The Republic is still a conservative place, no matter what activists say. Mainstream economic plans for a united Ireland look copy and pasted from the Thatcherite playbook.

Growing English nationalism and the prospect of Prime Minister Nigel Farage should worry every unionist.

English nationalists will chew unionism up and spit it back out again. They will abandon us when it’s convenient.

I have no confidence that the current crop of unionists know how to navigate this new world.

Whoever takes over the Ulster Unionists faces an ever-changing landscape. The liberal order is collapsing and the old certainties are dying.

What does unionism stand for in this new age? Adapt or die. Adapt or disappear altogether.

Nicholl aiming to tackle 'deepfake' abuse with plans to amend legislation

NIAMH CAMPBELL, Belfast Telegraph, January 8th, 2026

Alliance Party MLA Kate Nicholl has announced plans to make it illegal to create or use technology for non-consensual, sexually explicit AI-generated images in Northern Ireland.

It comes amid growing concern over the rapid spread of 'deepfake' abuse images affecting women and children, including a recent threat received by a young person in Co Armagh.

On Tuesday, Tír-na-nOg GAA club in Portadown issued a warning to parents and advice for young people on how to handle any similar situations that may happen to them.

The public appeal followed a report that a young person in their community received a blackmail threat involving AI-generated images, with the sender demanding payment to prevent their release.

Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph, Ms Nicholl said she is preparing to bring forward a legislative amendment to the current Criminal Justice Bill.

It would go beyond banning the sharing of sexual deepfakes, by also criminalising their creation and the technology used to produce them.

Deepfakes are digitally created or altered images, videos, or audio — usually made through artificial intelligence (AI) — that make it appear as though a real person has said or done something they never actually did.

Free-to-use apps are increasingly being used to create sexually explicit deepfake images or videos that falsely depict a real person, and they are being created without consent.

“I chair the all-party group on AI, and I really see that it has extraordinary power to do good, but also, right now, it's being used to cause real harm,” Ms Nicholl said.

“There are so many examples, and I think the conversation around Grok and what happened at the GAA club... there are so many urgent and disturbing examples in the rise of technology with this kind of image-based sexual abuse.

“So I'm really passionate about how AI can benefit society and support the next generation and strengthen democracy, ultimately. But if we're serious about ending violence against women and girls, then we need to be serious about how this technology is being misused.

“Our law has to keep pace with the reality; it's the non-consensual creation of sexual images. That is abuse. And that's why I'm bringing it to the Assembly.”

The South Belfast-based politician will be making a member's statement in Stormont on Monday regarding her proposed amendment, which she says would “complete” existing work by her party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long, who has been progressing legislation to criminalise the sharing of sexual deepfakes.

The amendment will target the technology that enables the creation of the AI images in the first place.

Under the current law, people are not allowed to create these images, “but it's totally legal to have the application [which can do so] on your phone, which is mad,” Ms Nicholl said.

Gap between technology and law

“The amendment would ban having, and creating, the technology.”

Ms Nicholl also confirmed that an informal public consultation will begin next week, with meetings open to young people, schools, advocacy groups, and members of the public.

She encouraged anyone that has an opinion to get in touch with her office.

“Consultation is going to be a big part of it,” she continued.

“I've already been in touch with some software people and different organisations who work in AI to understand better how we can stop it; how we can also train models not to create those things. All these questions we need to ask; we need to understand how it currently operates and how we prevent it. And, again, it's a collective effort. It's about having the law in place. It's society knowing what is acceptable and what's not, and industry knowing what is legal and what's not.”

Unfortunately, Ms Nicholl noted, the amendment would not be applicable to X, which has come under widespread criticism this week for its built-in AI chatbot Grok.

That's because its software is built into the social media site X, but parts of the app could still be withdrawn if NI chooses to follow similar actions being taken in the Republic.

Concern at new videos of threats by vigilantes

CONOR COYLE, Irish News, January 8th, INEWS

VIDEOS of street vigilantes targeting migrants in east Belfast have resurfaced online and show delivery drivers being threatened with violence.

In the summer of last year videos posted on various social media accounts showed groups of adults and children patrolling streets in the city and approaching those they suspect of being migrants to ask for documentation and other information.

The videos culminated in a number of attacks on migrants, including one incident in which a delivery driver was surrounded by dozens of people outside a fast food restaurant in Connswater Retail Park.

Two accounts which had previously posted the racist content were banned by social media platform TikTok in August 2025.

However, in late December an accounting using the tag “Community Power” resurfaced and is understood to be connected to the same group from the previously banned accounts.

After being contacted by The Irish News, TikTok confirmed that the latest account set up by the vigilantes had been permanently banned.

The PSNI says it is currently reviewing the footage posted online. It’s understood one of those behind the account is currently subject to bail conditions which prohibit “posting anti-immigration material to incite hatred”.

Vigilantes back on east Belfast streets

Two videos posted in recent days show delivery drivers carrying out their work before being confronted by the vigilantes, alleging that they were blocking roads.

In one video, a delivery driver is verbally abused with a number of expletives and threatened that he would be “knocked out”. The person recording the video tells the man that “you’re coming over here milking this country dry”.

Another video shows the front of an Indian restaurant in east Belfast where a number of men are seen inside.

Two males recording footage of the outside of the premises can be heard speaking about how many cars are parked on the street outside the restaurant.

On noticing that the premises is being filmed, a male from inside the restaurant approaches those filming and asks what they are doing and says they have “done nothing wrong” and are hosting a family event.

One prominent anti-immigration protester appearing in the video goes on to say that some of the cars parked near the restaurant have no tax or MOT.

In another video published by the account, a per-son filming asks three people on a bridge leading to Belfast city centre “how long they have been here”.

The recorder also asks why they are “having a drink” on the bridge: “You are three strange men sitting on a bridge drinking,” the person says.

A statement from the PSNI says it is currently “reviewing” the footage.

“Police are aware of a number of videos circulating on social media and are reviewing the footage to determine if any offences have been committed,” a spokesperson said.

Last year the force said the vigilante behaviour “is not protecting this community, it is attempting to control it. It is racism pure and simple.”

TikTok says it takes action against accounts which violate its rules and community guidelines.

The platform’s rules say it uses a combination of technology and human moderators to detect and remove accounts and content that break our rules.

Peter McReynolds, Alliance Party East Belfast MLA, said there is “no place for vigilantism in our society”.

Mr McReynolds said: “Reports of intimidation and harassment are deeply concerning. It is never acceptable, and we must be unequivocal as a community in condemning such actions.

“I have been engaging with the PSNI regarding this issue and will use my position on the Policing Board to raise with the Chief Constable to ensure robust action is being taken against these unlawful groups as a matter of urgency.”

Chloe Mitchell's family fear murder trial delay will add to 'trauma and devastation'

CHRISTOPHER WOODHOUSE, Belfast Telegraph, January 8th, 2026

STRIKE BY BARRISTERS SET TO HOLD UP JUSTICE IN SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE CASES

The family of Chloe Mitchell is worried the trial of the man accused of her murder will be delayed due to the current strike by criminal defence barristers.

It's among some of the most high-profile cases potentially facing further delays as counsel and the Department of Justice remain deadlocked.

Criminal defence advocates have withdrawn services in all legally aided Crown Court cases for an indefinite period of time in a dispute over fees.

It began on Monday after 171 of the 193 members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) voted to strike last month.

Fees frozen for 20 years

The CBA said fees for Crown Court work have not been updated since they were set in 2005, with those fees now worth half of what they were at the time.

One of the most notable cases which may be delayed is that of Brandon Rainey, who is accused of murdering Ms Mitchell in Ballymena in June 2023.

Rainey is also charged with preventing the burial of the 21-year-old's body.

He denies both offences and his case was due to be reviewed next week ahead of his trial on February 23.

A spokesperson for the Mitchell family told the Belfast Telegraph a delay would only add to the trauma Chloe's death had brought.

“So far our date is still set but it's the worry of that date being pushed back as we as a family build ourselves up for the trial date — not just our family but other families as well,” they said.

“Come June we will be into our third year since Chloe was murdered. We as a family wait every day for this trial to start, and if it was to be put back it's just adding more trauma and devastation to us all and the other families.

“It's bad enough having to wait nearly three years on a trial date in this country without having to wait any longer.

“We as a family will never get over Chloe's death and the trauma it has brought with it. We need this trial to be done.”

Another trial which may be knocked back is that of Stephen McCullagh (35).

He is accused of murdering Natalie McNally in Lurgan in December 2022. Ms McNally (32) was 15 weeks pregnant.

The trial of McCullagh, who denies the charge, is due to begin on January 26.

Escalation of dispute

The latest action is an escalation following the withdrawal by defence counsel from certain categories of criminal cases at the beginning of last year.

The Bar Council said: “Criminal barristers working in the Crown Court deal with some of the most serious and odious criminal acts that a person can be accused of.

“Barristers are involved in prosecution and defence work and entirely recognise the impact of delay upon victims of crime, witnesses, the accused and jurors.

“The Criminal Bar Association is not impervious to the impact of withdrawal of services. The action is... a last resort, and it is not being taken lightly.

“It is the latest step in a gradual increase in measures which commenced in November 2024. In the time since November 2024, the Department of Justice has not addressed the access to justice crisis with the required urgency or pragmatism.

“The CBA action is motivated in part by a concern for victims. The withdrawal of services brings intense attention to a system that is collapsing and already failing victims through many years of wilful neglect resulting in significant delays.

“If the DoJ does not urgently fix the administration of Crown Court legal aid, quickly we will find ourselves in the same position as England and Wales, where many trials are listed for three or four years ahead and where barristers are unwilling to prosecute or defend.

“This results in many victims of crime giving up and disengaging with the criminal process.

“The DoJ must fulfil its obligations to victims of crime by engaging with the CBA, directly or through mediation, and bringing this action to an end.

“The sooner that happens, the sooner criminal barristers can get back to representing clients in court.

Breaking Point

“The CBA has reached a breaking point where they cannot in good conscience continue to participate in Crown Court trials under current administrative arrangements and without fair remuneration.

“Criminal legal aid must be properly funded and recognised as a vital component of fair access to justice.

“As the Justice Minister stated during a recent media interview: 'Justice cannot be done on a shoestring'.”

In November Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan recommended the CBA and the Department of Justice meet with a specialist mediator to resolve the issue.

The CBA accepted but the DoJ rejected it, with Justice Minister Naomi Long saying the mediation would likely result in the same position arising.

Following the commencement of the action, Mrs Long said she was “profoundly disappointed and frustrated” by the strike, which she described as “not justifiable or necessary”.

Mrs Long said the Bar of Northern Ireland agreed to a road-map as part of a working group chaired by His Honour Judge Tom Burgess and she had committed to increasing their fee rates by 16%.

“The road-map provided direction on all the areas the CBA has indicated must be addressed to enable members to return to full service delivery,” the Justice Minister said.

“Yet, just a few days later, the CBA announced a complete withdrawal of services.

“Given Judge Burgess' unique insight into the discussions within the working group to date, I place significant weight on his continuing view that without developing that evidence there can be no basis for determining what is proper and reasonable remuneration, and that any 'mediation process will find itself in exactly the same position as the present process'.

The Public Prosecution Service said it aimed to have any delayed trials listed for hearing a soon as possible after the end of the industrial action.

“We recognise how disappointing and distressing this may be for you (victims and witnesses) if your case is adjourned. Please be assured that no case or person will be forgotten,” it said.

“We will work with our criminal justice partners to ensure that any trials which are unable to proceed are re-scheduled as quickly as possible when the action ends, with priority given to the most vulnerable victims and witnesses.

“We have also engaged with the Criminal Bar Association, and will continue to do so, to highlight our concerns about the impact on victims, who, in many instances, have already waited a considerable time for their case to be listed for trial.”

Council could be first bonfire-free local authority in NI

DONAL MCMAHON LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER, Belfast Telegraph, January 8th, 2026

A Northern Ireland council is set to become a bonfire-free district.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council's full move towards environmentally-friendly beacons would include the Eleventh night in July.

However, the communities committee this week closed off into a confidential session for almost 20 minutes over Alliance councillor Gretta Thompson's “staff” concerns at council bonfire sites. Earlier, in open session, the council was encouraged to engage with bonfire builders.

DUP councillor Sharon Skillen said: “In times before on discussions such as this we had the bonfire builders around the table. Can we look at that in future discussion towards beacons?

“Previously this led to cooperation resulting in moves towards no tyres being on sites. There is one problematic bonfire in Castlereagh East at a play park and such discussions could only be positive.” The committee has now agreed to ringfence £25,000 for the hire of beacons, which Alliance councillor Sharon Lowry was concerned was “quite a small” budget to convert the remaining nine council sites. The chamber was told the funding could be reviewed.

A report before the committee shows that 11 council sites in the district burned a beacon instead of a bonfire last year, with nine council sites having a traditional bonfire.

More eco-friendly beacons have been appearing around Northern Ireland in the last few years. These are smaller, pyramid-shaped steel structures, which are pre-filled with a carbon neutral willow wood and are designed to be reusable.

Deputy Mayor Hazel Legge said: “Beacons have proved to be successful in their operation and clean-up afterwards. Could we organise for those who have used beacons to speak with anyone who has doubts?”

A council officer confirmed consideration of inter-agency groups would be made.

PSNI ‘intelligence’ checks on members of two gun clubs

CONNLA YOUNG, Irish News, January 8th, 2026

POLICE have carried out intelligence checks on the membership of two gun clubs as part of an investigation into the theft of a large amount of ammunition from a police training facility.

A major investigation, codenamed Operation Constrain, was launched last year after an anonymous tip-off.

In October, Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton declared a ‘critical incident’ after a Heckler and Koch submachine gun, 27 legally held weapons, and 25,000 rounds of ammunition were found during searches at a police officer’s home and the PSNI’s Steeple training centre.

A deactivated AK variant, believed to have been seized from republicans by the British army in the late 1980s, was found in a storage room behind a stack of targets at Steeple during a search.

A “large quantity of ammunition” found in the Moyola River in a Co Derry in November has been linked to a major investigation into theft from a police training college.

The haul was recovered from the Moyola River over a month after initial police searches were carried out.

In a briefing note prepared for the Policing Board last year the PSNI confirmed details of the investigation and an anonymous letter sent to the Policing Board in July containing allegations.

It has now emerged that as part of the police investigation “intelligence research” has been carried out on individuals and the “wider membership” of two gun clubs with links to a suspect.

It is understood that police have not established any connections to organised crime or paramilitary groups.

Police officer Robert Charles Rodgers (63) appeared in court last month accused of stealing ammunition and abusing his position of trust within the PSNI.

The suspended officer, who faces eight charges, has been released on his own bail of £500.

Armagh GAA club’s warning after young person is targeted in AI image blackmail

CONOR COYLE, Irish News, January 8th, 2026

A CO Armagh GAA club has issued a warning to children and parents after one of its youth members was targeted by blackmailers who AI-generated a sexualised image of the child.

The PSNI is investigating the case after the child had informed their parents and a report was made to police.

Thousands of intimate deepfake images have been circulated online in recent weeks via Grok, the artificial intelligence tool linked to Elon Musk’s X, as campaigners call on the social media platform to take action against those responsible.

Tír na nOg GAA club in Portadown issued a statement to confirm that one of its young people had been targeted by the online blackmail tactic.

“We wish to make our young people and parents aware of a young person who has been targeted in the community,” a social media post said.

“Sexual images were sent using AI with the young persons face on an AI body with a black mail threat of sharing the image online if money was not paid.

“The age of AI meant these images were very realistic. A list of the young person’s friends on social media was also sent to the young person.

“Thankfully the young person targeted was very sensible and immediately alerted their parents.

“Police have been contacted and have asked for local clubs and schools to alert parents and young people.”

The club also issued advice to young people and parents on how to deal with similar cases of online blackmail, including not replying to the contact, saving the evidence and telling a trusted adult.

The PSNI said it had received a report concerning the incident just after midnight on Tuesday morning, after the blackmail was reported to have taken place around 20 minutes earlier.

“Police in Portadown received a report at around 12.05am on Tuesday, 6th January of online blackmail which took place at around 11.40pm on Monday, 5th January,” a PSNI spokesperson said.

Neighbourhood Inspector Gary McCullough said: “Our officers recently spoke to young people on the topic of online blackmail, including scammers and spam, advising them to tell their parents or guardians. We take all reports of this nature seriously and investigate them thoroughly.

“Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this recent report and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 10 of 06/01/26.”

Conway murder gun was also used in shooting of taxi driver in west Belfast, court hears

ALAN ERWIN, Irish News and Belfast Telegraph, January 8th, 2025

Bail refused for one of two men charged with murdering 26-year-old in January 2024

A GUN used in the “execution-style” murder of Kevin Conway also featured in a subsequent attempt to kill a taxi driver in west Belfast, a court has heard.

Forensic examinations confirmed the same weapon is linked to the shooting of Sean O’Reilly, prosecutors revealed.

Both attacks are believed to be part of a wider feud among rival dissident republican factions and a notorious criminal organisation known as The Firm.

Details emerged as bail was refused to one of the two men charged with the gangland murder of Mr Conway two years ago.

Aidan O’Keefe (29) and co-accused Fergal Kane (55) are being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in a joint enterprise to carry out the killing.

Both men, whose addresses in Belfast cannot be reported, face a further count of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Mr Conway (26) was shot multiple times at his Rossnareen Park flat in the west of the city on January 9 2024.

He had been associated with The Firm and was on bail awaiting trial for the murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan 12 months previously.

Police revealed he was gunned down just minutes after sending his partner a message to say he was relaxing at home on the Playstation.

The killers are believed to have entered the property and opened fire with a shotgun and a pistol.

O’Keefe and Kane are alleged to have travelled in convoy by van and car to the scene of the assassination.

They are connected by CCTV evidence, a vehicle tracking device and registration plate sightings on the night of the murder, according to the prosecution.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard yesterday that a shotgun cartridge was discovered inside O’Keefe’s work van seized by police investigating the killing.

He also allegedly made Google searches about one-way flights to America in the aftermath of the murder.

Prosecution counsel argued some potential civilian witnesses who provided accounts to police have since withdrawn their cooperation due to fear.

She also disclosed details of a connection to the subsequent attack on Sean O’Reilly on February 23 last year.

The 50-year-old taxi driver was shot and wounded by gunmen as he sat in his car outside a cab firm at Bell Steel Manor in the city.

“The weapon used to injure him was recovered by police and forensically examined,” the prosecutor said.

Murder link

“It was identified that this weapon was also used in the murder of Kevin Conway.”

There is no suggestion O’Keefe played any part in the attack on Mr O’Reilly. He was initially granted High Court bail in October 2024, but was detained again last month for allegedly breaching the terms of his release.

Kevin Conway was shot dead in January 2024. District Judge Suzanne Rice heard he had more than one permitted mobile phone and was stopped in a car registered to another man currently facing terrorism charges.

Opposing his fresh application for bail, counsel said: “This was an execution-style murder of Kevin Conway.”

She also claimed there were concerns about all potential defendants due to the continuing dispute among rival factions.

“It is a matter of public knowledge that this feud has been going on,” the barrister added.

Michael Forde, defending, insisted the alleged breaches related to technical oversights and phones owned by other members of O’Keefe’s family.

Arguing his client made no attempt to interfere with any witnesses or to leave the jurisdiction while on release, he suggested there may be a legal bid to halt the case before it reaches trial.

“There is no identification by CCTV of the facial features of (the gunmen), there are no eye-witnesses saying it was these two co-accused, this is very much a circumstantial case,” Mr Forde submitted.

However, Judge Rice ruled that O’Keefe must remain in custody.

She told him: “I simply cannot be satisfied if I were to grant you bail on any strict conditions that you would comply with them.”

300 in Northern Ireland firefighters injured on duty

HANNAH PATTERSON, Irish News, January 8th, 2025

MORE than 300 firefighters have been injured on duty in the last three years, with almost £70,000 made in compensation payments.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) recorded peak injuries in 2022/23, when 118 firefighters were injured while on duty.

In the last year, 102 injuries were recorded.

Forty-eight claims against the service by firefighters have been made since 2022, leading to £69,100 in compensation payments.

The NIFRS operates 68 fire stations, serving a population of approximately 1.9 million people across four operational command areas in the north.

The Eastern Command Area recorded the highest number of injuries, with 115 incidents, followed by the Southern Command Area, which logged 82 injuries.

Commonly reported injuries include burns, smoke inhalation, musculoskeletal damage, slips and falls, and impact injuries caused by falling debris or collapsing structures.

Manual handling was the leading cause, accounting for 116 injuries, followed by slips, trips and falls, which resulted in 76 injuries, according to Accident Claims Advice, which obtained the figures.

Fire fighters among most at risk workers

Accident Claims Advice said firefighting remains one of the most hazardous public service roles in the UK, with crews regularly responding to structural fires, serious road traffic collisions and hazardous incidents.

Speaking about the need for increased investment, Adam Taylor, Fire Brigades Union national officer, said: “Too often firefighters are not being provided with the basic equipment and training they need to keep themselves and the public safe.

“Without proper PPE, firefighters face an impossible choice between heat stroke and exposing themselves to burns, either from flames or the sun.

“We urgently need investment to sort out this problem.

“We also need national standards on equipment and training, as well as response times and crewing levels,” he added.

A spokesperson for NIFRS said that employee safety is an essential matter. “At NIFRS, the safety and wellbeing of our employees is our highest priority,” the spokesperson commented.

“Firefighting and emergency response are inherently demanding roles, and unfortunately injuries can occur despite the precautions in place.

“We have a comprehensive range of health and safety policies in place to minimise risk and protect our people while they carry out their duties.

“We continue to monitor injuries closely, learn from incidents and take action where improvements can be made.

“Supporting our people and reducing the risk of injury whilst at work remains a key focus for our Service.”

Ulster Pipe Band Championships play second fiddle to Fleadh in Bangor

By Iain Gray, Belfast News Letter, January 7th, 2025

Council to spend twice as much on clashing Irish folk event on same day, and parade could be restricted

The Ulster Pipe Band Championships are to play second fiddle to a Fleadh-connected event in Bangor this year, with its unionist-dominated council to spend twice as much money on an open-air Irish folk show that clashes with the annual contest.

The eight-hour trad gig is to take place just yards away from the usual path of parades through the centre of the Co Down city, which means pipe band demonstrations could have their route restricted or be limited to taking place before the Fleadh event begins.

The clashing events are both to happen in the heart of Bangor on August 1, with the 73rd annual pipe championships set to bring around 50 bands and thousands of supporters to the seaside city.

From August 2 to August 9, the all-Ireland Fleadh is being staged in Belfast for the first time – but the day before it begins a “Fleadh Fringe” concert is to be staged in Bangor, which it’s stated could be attended by up to 5,000 people over its duration.

The open-air folk gig is slated to run from 1pm to 9pm in a city centre location, Holborn Square. The pipe band championships usually last from around 10am to 6pm, meaning they’d be happening at the same time in Ward Park just a few minutes’ walk from the site of the Fleadh show.

Championship organisers the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association NI (RSPBANI) have asked to parade on the day. The usual route for band parades through Bangor heads along the city’s High Street on the way to Ward Park; High Street is yards from Holborn Square, and officials say the route or time of the parade could be subject to “mitigation measures” to limit it.

The RSPBANI has asked for £20,000 from Bangor’s council to help pay for their event; according to city officials, the local authority would spend £40,000 staging the Fleadh Fringe gig, which includes taking out adverts to plug it.

Politicians on the unionist-majority council are being asked to approve the plans, including spending twice as much on the Fleadh show as one of the biggest dates in Ulster’s pipe band calendar, at a meeting this week.

Official reports describe the clashing events as an “opportunity for the city to present a day of traditional musical excellence, which is hoped will be attractive to visitors to both the Fleadh event, the Ulster Championships of the Pipe Bands and more broadly”.

A council spokeswoman told the News Letter that both the Fleadh Fringe gig and the pipe championships will be examined by a multi‑agency safety advisory group, which will check into details on crowd management, traffic flows, event times and “opportunities for shared use of public space”.

That includes parade routes and times, she stated, adding: “Mitigation measures, where required, will be advised through the advisory group process and agreed with event organisers.

“We view [the two events] as a positive opportunity to showcase our city, its vibrancy and the breadth of its cultural offering to a wide audience.”

The pipe band contest rotates around Northern Ireland and in 2025 was held in Portrush. This year it forms an important part of preparations for world championships happening around a fortnight later.