Tens of thousands back petition calling for answers to 1994 Chinook crash
Craig Meighan, Belfast Telegraph, August 7th, 2025
More than 25,000 people have signed a petition demanding answers around the 1994 Chinook disaster.
Families of the 29 dead have accused the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of a “cover-up” over the incident.
Twenty-five 25 senior intelligence experts and four special forces crew were killed when the RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness on June 2 that year.
The crash was initially put down to pilot error, before that was overturned in 2011.
Chinook: Zulu Delta 576, a BBC documentary broadcast last year, revealed the MoD had sealed files related to the tragedy for 100 years.
In the petition, the families call for the full release of all documents. They also urge the Prime Minister to launch a judge-led public inquiry.
The families demand the Government introduce a legal duty of candour on all public bodies “so that no family ever has to battle for the truth again”.
The petition reads: “Twenty-nine people boarded Chinook ZD576 on 2 June 1994. All of them died. Thirty-one years later, we — their families — still have no answers. We have been denied truth, transparency and justice by the MoD.
“Our loved ones were forced to board an RAF helicopter with fatal software flaws that MoD test engineers had deemed 'positively dangerous' and 'not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever'.
“We know key evidence was withheld or ignored in previous investigations. Former ministers say they were misled by the MoD and doubt airworthiness issues were investigated properly.”
BBC to rebroadcast documentary
The family welcomed the BBC's decision to re-broadcast Chinook: Zulu Delta 576 this month as they push for answers, with the first part airing on Sunday, August 17 on BBC2 at 9pm, and the second part a week later.
Relatives of the victims have set up the Chinook Justice Campaign to demand “truth and transparency”.
Dr Susan Phoenix's husband, Ian, a detective superintendent in the RUC, was among those killed. Dr Phoenix, 76, who lives in Portland, Dorset, said: “Why would files on this horrific crash be sealed without there being something to hide, not just from the widows, but from their children, and grandchildren?
“There is something rotten at the heart of the MoD that continues, having put 29 people on an aircraft that was not airworthy, to insult and patronise us all, just as it dishonours our loved ones. We are determined to find out the truth, and we believe the British public want that too.”
Esme Sparks was seven and her younger siblings were aged just two when their father Major Gary Sparks was killed in the crash.
Ms Sparks, a teacher from Co Durham, said: “We are comforted by the fact that more than 25,000 people have signed our petition, and we would encourage anyone that is sick of state cover-ups to add their names.
“The Prime Minister must urgently introduce a legal duty of candour on all public bodies, including the MoD, which placed our relatives on an aircraft it knew to be unairworthy, to prevent this type of unacceptable secrecy and wrongdoing happening again.”
The MoD has been approached for comment.
To read the petition, visit change.org/JusticeForThe29
MLA demands gun ban for domestic abusers
Conor Sheils, Irish News, August 8th, 2025
A MID Ulster MLA has called for a ban on the sale of firearms to those with a conviction for domestic abuse in the wake of the Maguiresbridge tragedy.
Sinn Féin MLA Joanne Dillon has called for new rules that would stop the perpetrators of domestic abuse from holding a licensed gun.
Vanessa Whyte and her children, 14-year-old James Rutledge and 13-year-old Sara Rutledge, were shot and killed in their home in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh last month.
Ian Rutledge (43), the only suspect in the case, later died in hospital from gunshot wounds.
It is thought that Mr Rutledge may have carried out the attack using a legally-held firearm.
It has been reported that he tried to strangle his partner in the days before the fatal attack.
“The recent spate of tragic murders particularly in cases of domestic violence has brought our current gun laws into focus and whether current regulation and controls are sufficient,” the Mid Ulster MLA said.
“Controls need to be reviewed to ensure that those who have a history of violence or domestic abuse cannot obtain a legal firearm.
“While many people act responsibly and may meet the criteria for possessing firearms, it’s important that the current checks and controls are sufficient to prevent those who are a risk to others or themselves from possession of firearms.”
She added that she would write to Justice Minister Naomi Long asking her to consider introducing similar controls to those recently brought in in Britain.
Tighter rules that came into force this week in Britain mean applicants for shotgun certificates must now provide two referees.
Police are also required to speak with partners or household members to check for signs of domestic abuse.
Dishonesty on licence applications will now count against applicants.
The reforms follow campaigns by families of victims, who called for stricter controls to be introduced.
Women’s Aid has said the north has traditionally fallen behind other parts of the UK and Ireland when it comes to tackling violence against women and girls.
Lyons 'legal advice' that Kimmins' Grand Central Irish signs should have gone to Executive
Andrew Madden, Belfast Telegraph, August 7th, 2025
SINN FEIN MINISTER STOOD FIRM DAYS AFTER LETTER WAS SENT
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons wrote to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins advising her he received legal advice that a decision to place Irish language signage at Grand Central Station should have been brought to the wider Executive for discussion.
The letter, seen by the Belfast Telegraph, is dated May 28 and also asks for confirmation Ms Kimmins would bring the matter to the next meeting of the Executive “where it can be considered by all ministers”. Just five days after this letter was sent, Ms Kimmins said she stood firm behind her decision.
Back in March, the infrastructure minister sparked a row after she announced Irish language signage would be installed at Belfast Grand Central and on ticket vending machines at the station.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said the signs would cost around £150,000.
Under Stormont rules, any decision that could be deemed cross-cutting or controversial must be considered by all ministers. In the case of the Irish signage at Grand Central, this did not happen.
Judicial review proceedings
Subsequently, loyalist activist Jamie Bryson launched judicial review proceedings against DfI over the decision, resulting in work to introduce the signage being paused.
In his letter to Ms Kimmins, Gordon Lyons referred to previous correspondence he sent to the infrastructure minister on the issue, adding: “I have subsequently commissioned and received legal advice from the Departmental Solicitor's Office on your decision to place Irish signage in Belfast Grand Central Station and on Translink's ticketing vending machines. “That advice confirms that your decision meets the tests for 'controversial' and 'cross-cutting' and should have been referred to the Executive for discussion and agreement prior to being made.
“As such, I seek confirmation that you will now bring this matter to the next possible meeting of the Executive Committee where it can be considered by all ministers.”
In the wake of Ms Kimmins' announcement regarding the signage, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said it was not a “crisis” for the Executive, but there was a “bad process” followed in giving their approval and it was “important to put a marker down”.
Mr Robinson criticised the infrastructure minister for deciding to “squander” public money on the issue, alleging she made the decision “outside of the legal parameters in which the Executive should operate”. The DUP leader added: “Ultimately, this could be adjudicated by the courts and the minister could have been found to act unlawfully, but I'm not saying we're there yet because there's still more information that needs to be gleaned.
“Irish doesn't offend me. The inappropriate use of Irish offends me and the inappropriate use of public money should offend everybody in Northern Ireland.”
Speaking on April 3, Ms Kimmins said she did not believe the decision she had taken met the definition of controversial. “Others can have their opinion... but I'm keen to continue to push this, this is something that will have a legacy not just in Belfast,” she added.
But yesterday, a DfI spokesperson said: “As this matter is the subject of legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
Teenage riot accused ‘blamed police for stopping him getting to peaceful protest’
Alan Erwin, Irish News, August 7th, 2025
A TEENAGER accused of rioting in Ballymena blamed police for having stopped him getting to a peaceful protest in the town, the High Court has heard.
Prosecutors said Michael Elliott was wearing a balaclava and gloves when arrested during serious public disorder earlier in the summer.
Details emerged as the 18-year old was granted bail over his alleged involvement in the street violence.
Racially-motivated trouble broke out in the Co Antrim town following an alleged sexual assault on a schoolgirl.
Police were attacked with masonry, bottles and petrol bombs, while roads were blocked by fires over several nights of unrest.
Elliott, of Lanntara in Ballymena, faces a charge of riotous assembly during events on June 10.
The court heard groups of teenagers were observed throwing debris, bricks and road signs, while a house in the Bridge Street area was also set on fire.
A short time later a masked male was observed running away from the scene into an alleyway behind nearby properties.
Police pursued and detained him while he still had on a balaclava and gloves, according to the prosecution.
During interviews the suspect, identified as Elliott, made admissions and stated he became involved as others were doing it too.
Prosecution counsel disclosed: “He blamed the police for the whole thing, including his participation in the riot due to them stopping him from entering Harryville to take part in a peaceful protest.”
Police were attacked with masonry, bottles and petrol bombs during several nights of unrest last year
Jonathan Browne, defending, argued that Elliott never intended to become involved in the disorder.
Mr Browne also told the court his client completed a college course in motor vehicle maintenance just days before the incident.
“He is a young man with some degree of promise,” the barrister submitted.
Describing the Ballymena riots as “inexcusable”, Mr Justice Fowler warned that anyone found to be involved will face “the full force of the law”.
But he granted bail to Elliott after citing his age and the availability of an alternative address outside the town.
Imposing a curfew and ban on entering Ballymena, the judge further ordered: “He is prohibited from attending any gathering or protests, peaceful or otherwise.”
DUP leader's £1k Open ticket and hospitality gift
Jessica Rice, Belfast Telegraph, August 7th, 2025
DUP leader Gavin Robinson was gifted a ticket and hospitality worth over £1,000 for the final day of The Open.
Mr Robinson was at Royal Portrush to see Scottie Scheffler lift the Claret Jug in the final golf major of the year.
North Antrim MP Jim Allister and SNP MP Seamus Logan, who is also from Northern Ireland, also received free tickets.
The declarations appear in the latest Register of Members' Financial Interests, published by Parliament this week. It is updated every few weeks by Westminster and contains a list of disclosures MPs are required to make of financial interests or benefits they have received.
The latest update shows Mr Robinson, the East Belfast MP, received a ticket and hospitality worth £1,140 for the final day of The Open on July 20. The donor is named on the register as Belfast City Airport.
Meanwhile, Mr Allister received tickets to The Open valued at £400. These were from tournament organisers The R&A and were for the second day of the tournament (July 18).
Mr Logan, who is from Ballymoney, Co Antrim, and who has been an SNP MP since last July, also registered his attendance, with his entry stating: “Attendance with a guest at the first day's play of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush”, with the donation from the R&A valued at £750.
There is no suggestion any of the politicians have done anything wrong.
MPs often receive donations or gifts, but these have to be officially registered in the interest of transparency.
A DUP spokesman said: “Mr Robinson attended on the invitation of BCA as their constituency MP. The ticket was registered in full compliance with the rules set down by Parliament for the declaration of gifts and hospitality and its registration is publicly indicated on the Parliamentary website.
“He also attended on another day through tickets purchased himself.
“Northern Ireland was showcased magnificently throughout the Open and as the leader of largest unionist party he was pleased to attend in both a personal and public capacity.”
The TUV and SNP were also contacted for comment.
The basic annual salary for an MP is £93,904. MPs also receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office, employing staff and travel.
The spotlight has been on politicians' gifts and benefits — both here and at Westminster.
Last month, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly made headlines after she was pictured at Wimbledon, having travelled at taxpayers' expense.
The Executive Office, which covered the costs, said the total trip cost £980.
Other gifts and hospitality
In June, this newspaper revealed that, in Stormont's first year, Executive ministers were offered gifts and hospitality totalling an estimated £53,607, with £23,293 (43%) being accepted.
Last October, Sir Keir Starmer paid back £6,000 of gifts and hospitality he had received since becoming Prime Minister, including Taylor Swift tickets.
However, he has defended accepting tickets for the corporate box at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, saying he cannot watch games from the stands for security reasons.
Other declarations in the latest register include Sinn Fein MP Daire Hughes, who disclosed a £750 trip to speak at the 1st Congress of the European Left Alliance in Porto, Portugal in June. This included flights worth £494 and accommodation costs of £281. Mr Hughes has also registered that he receives £3,166 a month for his part-time role as deputy general secretary of Sinn Fein.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, meanwhile, registered a £1,175 trip to Belfast for a visit early last month.
The donation from Prosperity Institute covered two return economy flights to Belfast (£840), Heathrow Airport parking for two vehicles (£180), and a hire car for travel to, from and around Belfast (£155).
The PM also registered tickets and hospitality for three family members (worth £650) at Ascot Racecourse. Ascot Authority (Holdings) Ltd is listed as the donor.
'People jumped to conclusions... it got too heated': Dunbar defends Kneecap
Hannah Roberts, Belfast Telegraph, August 7th, 2025
ACTOR SPEAKS UP FOR BELFAST RAPPERS AFTER CATCHING GIG WITH HIS DAUGHTER
Enniskillen actor Adrian Dunbar has said people “jumped to conclusions” about Kneecap, who have been in the headlines since one of their members was charged with a terror offence.
The group, known for their provocative lyrics and championing of the Irish language, was also banned from entering Hungary to perform at a festival,
The rappers have said there is a smear campaign against them because of their support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza.
Line of Duty actor Dunbar (67), who recently went to a Kneecap gig with his daughter, was asked if the BBC was wrong not to livestream their Glastonbury performance in June.
He told Times Radio: “I think that's a question for the BBC, not for me, but I do think that everybody got too heated. I think everybody jumped to conclusions.
“They're a band of good musicians. They make great music. They're promoting the Irish language. (They are) very clear about who they support and who they don't support.
Kneecap — Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh — released their first single in 2017 but made headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying “Kill your local MP” at one gig, and “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at another.
Glastonbury organisers faced pressure to drop the group from the line-up amid criticism from politicians, including the Prime Minister.
The BBC decided not to livestream the Glastonbury performance later but uploaded it to the iPlayer.
No further action
Kneecap were also investigated over their set at the festival, but Avon and Somerset Police later said they would be taking no further action.
During their performance, Kneecap led the crowd in chants of “Free Mo Chara and f*** Keir Starmer”, while also thanking the organisers for not bowing to pressure to cancel their show.
After performing several tracks, the band addressed the crowd, referencing Ó hAnnaidh's court appearance in June.
Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence in May over allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024.
He denies the allegations and is on bail ahead of a court hearing in August.
Referring to his bandmate's upcoming court date, Ó Cairealláin, who performs as Moglai Bap, told the Glastonbury crowd they would “start a riot outside the courts”, before clarifying: “No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.”
Musicians including Nadine Shah and Gurriers have said they will attend court to support the group when Ó hAnnaidh returns on August 20.
Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK.
A5 land will be vested back to Stormont department claims MLA
Conor Coyle, Irish News, August 7th, 2025
LAND earmarked for the A5 which was vested from landowners and later returned due to a court decision to halt the project will be vested once again to the Department for Infrastructure as it launches an appeal, an MLA has claimed.
Almost 2,000 acres had been vested by DfI ahead of work commencing.
But the Stormont department later said it would be returning the land and providing compensation to landowners when a High Court judge said the project could not proceed in June.
However, with DfI now confirming it will be appealing that decision from Justice McAlinden, West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan claims the land will revert to the ownership of Liz Kimmins’ department until the appeal is heard.
A statement from the department said it is continuing to work with landowners over the land in question.
Mr McCrossan said: “Following the submission of the appeal, the lands already vested for the A5 will remain vested until the outcome of the appeal process.
“This is crucial. It means the project remains alive, and with continued public and political pressure, we can still see it delivered.”
In a statement, a DFI spokesperson said: “Following the court ruling, correspondence was issued to all affected landowners outlining the approach to managing the return of vested lands following the quashing of the orders.
“Our contractors were instructed to vacate the land at that stage.
Meeting Ulster Farmers Union
“This communication detailed the options available to landowners in relation to their property. In addition, officials met with all known land agents and representatives from the Ulster Farmers’ Union last month.
“Meetings with individual landowners will be set up to assist with this process.
“We will continue to work with landowners to seek to agree the next steps.”
Ms Kimmins confirmed yesterday that a notice of appeal had been lodged with the Court of Appeal, ahead of the deadline tomorrow.
DfI has declined to indicate at this stage on what grounds it will be appealing the decision, which was taken due to the department’s failure to outline how the scheme was compatible with new climate change legislation.
“I am determined to see this project go ahead and therefore it is important that we appeal the decision made in the High Court on June 23,” Ms Kimmins said.
“Too many lives have been lost on the A5, and far too many have been injured.
“We owe it to those people and their families to use every opportunity available to us to improve road safety in this area.
“The A5 Western Transport Corridor is a vital infrastructure project; my team and I have been working around the clock and will continue to do so. We are determined to build the A5.”
Almost 2,000 acres of land had been vested by DfI ahead of work commencing on the scheme.
Using speeding fines to tackle unsafe roads
Newton Emerson, Irish News, August 7th, 2025
FINES and fees from motoring offences do not go into government coffers; all the money is allocated to promoting road safety.
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, the PSNI’s head of road safety, was at pains to point this out in an Irish News interview on Monday.
The law in Northern Ireland specifically requires this for any excess income from driver awareness courses, above their administrative cost.
Courts across the UK have established a similar principle more widely: government should not treat fines as a source of revenue.
Unless the law says otherwise, any excess should be used to tackle the problem the fines are meant to deter.
Two apparently sound beliefs underpin this principle: first, that people will not accept fines as legitimate if they feel they are being milked for cash; and second, that government will not be motivated to reduce any problem it has come to depend on for money.
The PSNI is concerned about the first point, hence Monday’s interview.
The second point has long been made about sin taxes such as tobacco duty – they create a perverse incentive to tolerate the problem.
However, these two beliefs should not be treated as holy writ.
People seem determined to see it as the government cynically putting its hand in their pocket, a perception encouraged by some politicians and media figures in Northern Ireland.
Perhaps the nature of fines makes this unavoidable. If so, there is an argument that government should lean into it and warn people it will be only too happy to take their money. That is the basis of any fine’s deterrent effect.
The weakness of the second belief is more complicated and rather intriguing. There is surprisingly little evidence that government is motivated to reduce problems, even with dedicated fine income to do so.
Civil servants and ministers hate having income earmarked for a particular purpose because it takes spending decisions out of their hands.
One way they can respond to this is through lack of enthusiasm. Another is to keep the income at arm’s length by outsourcing enforcement to a private company.
Unless contracts for this are carefully written, companies have no more motivation than officials to tackle problem.
The public is remarkably resistant to understanding how fines operate, for motoring offences in particular.
The public is remarkably resistant to understanding how fines operate, for motoring offences in particular work themselves out of a job.
“ Income from fines is around £5 million a year, enough to meet all costs with about £1.5m left over for road safety promotion “
Most motoring offences in Northern Ireland are handled through the multi-agency Road Safety Partnership, involving the PSNI, the Courts Service and the Departments of Justice and Infrastructure, with operation of cameras and processing of fines outsourced to G4S. This system evolved from the installation of the roadside camera network in 2003.
Three senior PSNI officers lead the partnership, with a sergeant and six constables staffing a related transport safety team.
Income from fines is around £5 million a year, enough to meet all costs with about £1.5 million left over for road safety promotion.
The partnership is considered a great success, yet there also signs it has walled its task off into a neglected corner.
Fewer police mean more fatalities
In 2023, Northern Ireland’s worst year for road fatalities in a decade, the PSNI cut the number of road policing officers by 11%, equivalent to 21 posts.
It blamed budget constraints, but that did not excuse making road policing such a low priority.
Last year, the PSNI said it could no longer afford to staff a new website for uploading dash-cam footage of reported offences.
This would have required only one officer and had been years in the planning, with Stormont changing the law on careless driving to facilitate it.
Admittedly, the way money from fines flows to the PSNI is convoluted and it would be unorthodox to earmark any of it for part of the salary bill.
Nevertheless, this looks possible under existing law and Stormont could change other laws to go further: income from fines can be used for anything specified in legislation.
Chief Superintendent Donaldson says fixed penalty notices here should rise from £60 to closer to the £100 or €160 standards in Britain and the Republic, to maintain deterrence rather than “to make more money”.
That would take the partnership’s profits up to £5m a year at current detection rates alone, enough to employ another 150 police officers.
If the PSNI was free to spend fine income as it saw fit, could it do better on the roads and everywhere else? Might the same be true across other areas of government?
As everyone thinks this is what happens anyway, there is little to lose by finding out.
