The truth is that we can’t handle the true story of the Troubles
David Adams, Irish News, June 10th, 2025
THE public clamour in Northern Ireland regarding the Troubles is becoming ever louder: “Let’s have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
I totally agree. Let’s have it all out in the open.
However, to get an idea of what we’re up against, let’s consider the overall context.
What about the paramilitaries (former and current), their stalwart defenders and various other fellow travellers?
Well, while there are indeed elements from amongst that lot who are part of the clamour for truth, let’s not kid ourselves.
They’re each very selective about which particular “truths” they want exposed.
Hardly surprising, given that throughout the Troubles (and to this day) paramilitaries and their associates on all sides were riddled with informers, agents, and double agents.
Blame shifters, back coverers and others
Even from the relatively little that has leaked out over the years, it’s clear that the greatest threat to a paramilitary member’s well-being usually came from the multiple back-coverers and blame-shifters amongst their fellows.
So, for too many ex-combatants and their associates, trying to rewrite history is one thing, but their own secret history being exposed would be something else altogether.
What about the two governments, who hold by far the most truths about the Troubles: is there any chance of them ever coming clean?
We need look no further than the experiences of Alan Black, Bridie Brown and hundreds of other victims and their relatives for the answer to that question.
The only concern of either government, under the handy umbrella term of classified information, is the protecting of reputations – their own (and those of well-placed agents still of use to them).
The political parties? You must be joking.
The most powerful of those are as invested in selective truths as the rest.
The victims and relatives that certain political parties have chosen to ignore or support tells us all we need to know.
With the first, it’s “we need to stop dragging up the past”, and with the second, “we need the truth about this atrocity”.
So that leaves our media.
In a normal democratic society, the media is free to shine a light into dark corners – but not here.
According to a recent Amnesty International report, Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in the UK for journalists to work, particularly for those reporting on crime and security.
The British government is among those who have been accused of trying to draw a line under the Troubles
“ The unadorned truth about the Troubles remains much too bitter a pill to swallow for far too many here “
These journalists do their jobs under constant threat, carrying a well-founded fear of attack by paramilitaries or criminal gangs (the latter sometimes made up of former paramilitaries from both sides working together in common cause – that of drugs).
But this isn’t the only problem that journalistic freedom is facing in Northern Ireland.
For quite some time, there has been a (thankfully, non-violent) campaign to undermine some of our most accomplished journalists for daring to uncover and report on uncomfortable truths.
Outside our collective comfort zones
Tellingly, all the main targets of this campaign appear to come from a similar religious background. The better the journalist from this background, the more that issue is highlighted and, on this basis, their journalistic integrity questioned and undermined. And the target list is ever-expanding.
By far the most depressing part of it all is how eagerly so many people in Northern Ireland are buying into this.
Talk about a chill factor being brought to bear on (certain) journalists.
Regardless of the other actors, issues such as the levels of support for this campaign of demonisation and the fact that, with rare exceptions, even our victims can’t bring themselves to speak with a collective voice on their demand for truth, would strongly suggest that we, as a society, couldn’t handle the true story of the Troubles.
For it would mean many of us being dragged out of our comfort zones and having to face up to hard facts.
Such as, no one side in Northern Ireland had or has a monopoly on fault or suffering; there never was such a thing as “legitimate targets”; and there was always an alternative to the violence.
All of this, plus the feet-of-clay of so many “heroes” being exposed.
No, the unadorned truth about the Troubles remains much too bitter a pill to swallow for far too many here.
I’m afraid we’re stuck with the selective variety for the foreseeable.
British government ‘contemptible’ as it confirms no public inquiry for Sean Brown
By Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent, Irish News, June 10th, 2025
HILARY BENN WRITES TO BROWN FAMILY
The British government’s treatment of Sean Brown’s family has been branded “contemptible” after it formally confirmed it will not hold a public inquiry into GAA official’s murder.
In a letter to the Brown family, Labour Secretary of State Hilary Benn confirmed an inquiry will not take place.
It emerged during an abandoned inquest last year that up to 25 people have been linked to the murder, including several state agents.
It is also known that a murder suspect was believed to be a serving member of the Royal Irish Regiment, while another held a personal protection weapon and was regularly visited by at his home by a police officer.
It has also been revealed that an RUC surveillance operation on Mark ‘Swinger’ Fulton, a notorious Mid Ulster LVF member, was halted the night before the callous killing, and picked up again the following morning.
In addition, MI5 has claimed it has “no record of any intelligence” relating to the killing despite launching a surveillance operation on senior loyalists a year before.
To date five high court judges, including one acting as a coroner, have supported calls by the Brown family for a public inquiry.
Despite this the British government has lodged the case with the Supreme Court in London.
‘Not the best way forward’
In a letter to Mr Brown’s 87-year-old widow Bridie last week, Mr Benn confirmed “that an inquiry under the Inquiries Act is not the best way to proceed”.
Supporters of the family of GAA official Sean Brown, with widow Bridie Brown (centre), daughter Siobhan Brown (right), daughter Clare Loughran (left) arrive at Belfast’s Court of Appeal
Bridie Brown (centre) with daughters Siobhan Brown (right), and Clare Loughran (left). (Liam McBurney/PA)
Mr Brown’s daughter, Siobhan Brown, said the Supreme Court appeal “is a shameless defiance of the rule of law and represents utter contempt for the highest court in this jurisdiction”.
“Our mother directly pleaded with Hilary Benn not to trail her to London, we asked him to respect the court and to do what the courts had directed him to do,” she said.
Ms Brown was speaking after the Irish News revealed that up to 26 former RUC officers, staff and British soldiers are currently working for the controversial Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which was set up under the Legacy Act.
While the British government plans to repeal the act, it intends to retain the ICRIR and has encouraged the Brown family to use the body.
Many people are opposed to the commission, believing it was set up to protect state actors.
“The news that the ICRIR is an organisation stacked with former RUC and soldiers further confirms our sincere belief that the ICRIR is infrastructurally prohibited from being able to get to the truth of what happened to our father,” Ms Brown said.
“Despite this, the Secretary of State has yet again proposed that we engage with this discredited body.”
Ms Brown added her family will “regroup and regalvanise and will contest our family’s entitlement to a public inquiry, as directed by five judges of our High Court”.
Last month thousands of GAA members, including association president Jarlath Burns, held a ‘walk for truth’ through Mr Brown’s home village.
The family’s solicitor Niall Murphy, of KRW Law, said Mr Benn “continues to defy the judicial decisions of the coroner, the judicial review court and the Court of Appeal, the highest court in this jurisdiction.
“Despite all its public pronouncements, this Labour government by its actions continues to demonstrate that it does not recognise or believe in the rule of law, their treatment of the Brown family has been contemptible.
“By contrast, the Brown family are now ready and determined to vindicate their rights in the Supreme Court, the highest court of law in the UK.”
The NIO was contacted.
'This happens at same time every year': UDA flags fly beside Belfast PSNI station
Mark Bain, Belfast Telegraph, June 10th, 2025
POLITICIANS CALL FOR ACTION ON ISSUE THAT OCCURS 'AT THE SAME TIME EVERY YEAR'
A Belfast councillor has warned if UDA flags displayed near Knocknagoney PSNI station aren't removed, it sends a “clear signal” to potential complainants not to come forward.
Police have said they are aware of the flags, which appeared over the weekend, and that the Department for Infrastructure, as owners of the land, has been contacted.
SDLP councillor Carl Whyte said: “Paramilitary flags are illegal under the Terrorism Act 2000. It's the PSNI's job to investigate these crimes and the PPS's to prosecute, which they rarely do.
“The Department for Infrastructure has the power to remove them, but again these powers are rarely used.
“Not only do none of the responsible bodies actually do their job, the fact UDA flags stay up outside police stations sends a clear message to anyone making a complaint — don't bother, nothing will be done.”
He added that unless action is taken to find a solution, the problem will keep re-appearing.
“Despite attempts to address these issues over the years, we are no further along and every summer we end up back in the same position,” he said.
“We need to see an appetite from Stormont ministers to work with the relevant agencies and find a permanent solution.”
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, currently working on bringing a private member's bill to the Assembly on the issue, said it's the latest example of why robust legislation is needed to address flags.
The issue has been in the spotlight recently after a member of west Belfast rap group Kneecap was charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a flag at a London concert in support of a proscribed group, in this case Hezbollah.
“While we support the erection of flags for celebration and commemoration, this must be done in a manner that contributes positively to the local area,” Ms Bradshaw said.
“In this case, it appears these flags of a proscribed organisation were erected as a means of flexing their control over that community and goading the PSNI into a reaction.
“Work on my private member's bill at Stormont continues and this is yet another example of why we need a robust regulatory framework that defines responsibilities for the immediate removal of flags promoting terrorism.”
UUP councillor Jim Rodgers said all right-thinking people should be opposed to the flying of paramilitary flags and urged those responsible to “think again”.
“It seems this happens at the same time every year and it's regrettable that it continues to do so,” he said.
“I am opposed to paramilitary flags, opposed to paramilitaries full stop.
“I have no issue with people flying the Union Jack or the Ulster flag, but these that have been put up are not the flags of our country.
“I receive far too many calls from people who don't wish to see these flags in their areas.
“People across the community have no wish to see them in their areas and I would urge those who think it's a good idea to put them up to refrain from their actions.”
The Department for Infrastructure has been contacted for comment.
Art work on UVF mural blown down in Storm Darragh nears completion
Abdullah Sabri, Belfast Telegraph, June 10th, 2025
Two masked paramilitary figures have been painted on a loyalist terror mural as work nears completion on restoring the Belfast wall which was blown over in a storm last year.
Images from the infamous mural on the Mount Vernon estate in the north of the city show the final touches being added to the site which was badly damaged as a result of Storm Darragh last December.
Iconography on the previous mural featured paramilitary emblems synonymous with the UVF. Situated at the entrance of the estate, it had been painted with two masked gunmen alongside the slogan: 'Prepared For Peace, Ready For War.'
Residents in the area discovered the wall toppled during the extreme weather and 90mph winds, which subsequently left nearly 50,000 people without power across Northern Ireland.
In April, the debris had been cleared to make way for a new concrete wall which featured several paramilitary flags affixed to the scaffolding.
The mural's new look as of yesterday appears to draw on a similar style to its predecessor, with two armed, masked gunmen pictured in military attire and at least one of them bearing a UVF arm patch.
Paramilitary flags can be seen still flying above the mural as well as a UVF emblem painted above the gunmen, stating: 'For God And Ulster.'
It is not yet clear if any additional elements will be added to the mural, with scaffolding still surrounding the site.
Sources told the Sunday World last year that residents in the area were against a new mural being built because of its negative look on their estate.
Anonymous sources said there was also disapproval of the mural when it was initially erected. “People thought it was time to move away from that stuff, the UVF had called a ceasefire and supposedly decommissioned, yet here they were saying they were ready to go back to war. Who were they going to war with? We've been saddled with it ever since, maybe Darragh has done us a favour and we can break away from the past.”
The mural was built in the former base of Mount Vernon UVF unit, led by now jailed police informant Mark Haddock.
Political pollution is blocking the clean-up of Lough Neagh
Pro Fide et Patria
PEOPLE have been fishing for eels in Lough Neagh since at least the Bronze Age. However, last month the Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative Society had to suspend fishing for the first time in the lough’s history because of the reduced fat content among its world-famous eels.
They had hoped to resume fishing yesterday, but will now have to wait until at least mid-July. This can only be regarded as a tragic situation, which is having a significant adverse impact on the lives and livelihoods of Lough Neagh’s fishermen.
The reason for disrupting eel fishing in the lough is that it is now so heavily polluted that the eels and other species are living in an environment unsuitable for their long-term health.
“Today’s situation in the assembly is not just bizarre, it is completely unacceptable and it reduces the entire Stormont administration to the level of farce “
The pollution is caused mainly by nutrients contained in agricultural slurry and to a lesser extent in industrial and domestic wastewater. These nutrients cause the growth of the bluegreen algae which currently cover much of the lough’s surface.
Lough Neagh’s pollution is not just a stain on the north’s geography, it has now effectively altered an important aspect of our social and economic history.
Solution is simple
The solution to the problem is simple. The level of nutrients entering the lough must be reduced, or preferably completely eliminated, particularly since Lough Neagh is the major source of Belfast’s drinking water.
Andrew Muir, minister for agriculture, is consulting on his department’s Nutrients Action Programme, which aims to improve water quality by controlling the level of nutrients entering the lough.
The Department for Infrastructure has yet to unveil a similar policy for industrial and domestic wastewater.
Mr Muir’s policy is in line with the Stormont executive’s programme for government which has prioritised protecting Lough Neagh and the environment.
However, today in the Assembly three DUP MLAs are proposing a private members’ motion expressing “alarm” at the minister’s policy and calling on him to withdraw his current public consultation.
Such a move renders the Stormont executive not so much a political coalition, more a political collision.
Today’s situation in the assembly is not just bizarre, it is completely unacceptable and it reduces the entire Stormont administration to the level of farce.
It also leaves Lough Neagh’s eels and those who fish them with an uncertain future.
Until the executive’s political parties work together rather than as rivals, political pollution in Stormont will remain the main barrier to resolving the environmental pollution in Lough Neagh.
Today in the assembly would be a good time for someone to make that point.
Cops investigating death threat against minister trying to clean Lough
Flavia Gouveia, Belfast Telegraph, March 10th, 2025
Police have said that an investigation has been launched after Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said he received a death threat.
Speaking about threats against those in public office, Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said it is “totally unacceptable” for elected representatives to face abuse or threats for doing their job.
Last week, Mr Muir told the Assembly that he and officials in his department had been the target of “vile” homophobic, racist and misogynistic comments on social media over his department's proposed Nutrients Action Programme (NAP).
However, speaking yesterday, the minister said that the situation had “taken a disturbing turn” in recent days after he received a death threat.
It comes during heated opposition from the farming community to Mr Muir's NAP proposals which are currently out for consultation.
Mr Muir has been urged to scrap the proposals which are aimed at improving water quality and the wider environment by reducing and preventing pollution caused or induced by nutrients from agricultural sources.
Opponents say the proposals could devastate agriculture, reduce livestock numbers and undermine food security.
Threat does ‘not reflect farming community’
In a statement yesterday, Mr Muir revealed details of the threat, which he said did “not reflect the farming community in NI”.
“I'm disappointed to see some of the online comments posted in recent times, both in terms of myself and also officials,” Mr Muir said. “This does not reflect the vast majority of people in farming. I have been welcomed into many farmers' homes and I'm grateful for the warm and respectful welcome since I took up ministerial office.
“Online commentary sadly took a disturbing turn last week when someone posted a comment, during a Zoom call, which threatened to have me shot.
“That has been reported to police, who are taking it seriously. It is important people lower the tone in wider public discourse on the draft NAP proposals.
“This is a public consultation —there's no need to issue death threats against me, nor make discriminatory comments about anyone.
“We have a critical challenge in terms of improving water quality in Lough Neagh, and also giving financial stability and certainty for farming here. That will not change via death threats or anything else. I have a job to do for the people of NI; I will continue to do that.”
The PSNI confirmed an investigation had been launched, adding that any reports of abuse, harassment or criminality directed at elected representatives would be thoroughly investigated.
Chief Superintendent Murray added: “It is totally unacceptable that anyone should face abuse or threats simply for carrying out the duties of their office. We will thoroughly investigate any such incident.
“We will continue to do all we can to ensure all of our politicians are supported, and that they can undertake their role free from fear and intimidation.
DAERA confirmed that last week “it received a report of a threatening comment made against Minister Muir”, which was reported to the PSNI.
Stormont spent more than £400,000 on heating while OAPs were left out in cold
Conor Sheils, Irish News, June 10th, 2025
MORE than £400,000 was spent heating the Stormont Estate last year – as pensioners across Northern Ireland were left out in the cold.
The latest figures were revealed after the British government yesterday announced a U-turn over pensioners’ winter heating allowance which was scrapped last year in a cost-cutting move by the Labour government.
The reversal means the majority will get the payment of £200, for those under 80, and £300 for those over 80 for the coming winter. However, those earning more than £35,000 will not qualify.
Last year the government limited the payment to only those who claimed pension credit – meaning that the vast majority of pensioners in Northern Ireland and Britain were left to fend for themselves. The move sparked fierce criticism from unions and charities. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons secured money to grant a £100 one-off payment to support those affected by cuts to winter fuel support.
However, £417,000 was spent heating the buildings in the Stormont Estate last year – and more than £2.5m during the past five years.
Stark contrast
West Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll spoke out about the stark contrast.
“I think heating in people’s homes is [a matter of] life and death in many cases,” he told The Irish News.
“The priority should always have been people in communities who are struggling – pensioners and vulnerable individuals.
“A large proportion of pensioners are living in poverty and struggling.”
In response to an assembly question by SDLP MLA Mark Durkan, Finance Minster John O’Dowd said efforts are being made to reduce energy costs at the estate including a move away from fossil fuels.
Mr O’Dowd said procurement is under way for 400kVA of solar panels by 2027, while at Castle Buildings, part of the roof is being fitted with enhanced insulation to meet net-zero standards.
“Work has also been initiated to investigate and develop options to upgrade both the Castle Buildings exterior ‘envelope’ and systems.
“My department plans to commence the procurement of a carbon baselining exercise in 2025/26, for the retained office estate, including our buildings on the Stormont Estate. This will help inform and enable additional efficiency projects with a view to further reducing energy usage and decarbonising the office estate.
“For the longer term, my department has been supporting the Department for the Economy in a pilot project to investigate the potential future application of shallow geothermal technology to provide sustainable low carbon renewable heating and cooling systems.”
Lyons: Right decision to restore winter fuel payments
Mark Bain, Belfast Telegraph, June 10th, 2025
The Communities Minister has said he will be urging other members of the Executive to restore winter fuel payments for pensioners after a U-turn by the Government.
Gordon Lyons said the decision by the Labour Government was “the right one to make”, adding that Sir Keir Starmer's party had handled cuts to the winter fuel payment “very poorly”.
In England and Wales, nine million pensioners will now receive a winter fuel payment this year after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a U-turn that will cost an estimated £1.25bn.
The payment, worth up to £300, will be restored to the vast majority of pensioners who previously received it because anyone with an income of under £35,000 a year will now get the payment automatically.
Around 250,000 pensioners here were affected when the payment was cut last year.
Confirming the change, the Chancellor said the Government had “listened to people's concerns” about the decision to limit the payment to the poorest pensioners last winter, and was now able to widen eligibility because Labour had restored “stability” to the economy.
Devolved authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland will each receive a funding uplift to administer the scheme.
While welcoming the decision, East Antrim DUP MP Sammy Wilson questioned why the Government felt it necessary to deny hundreds of thousands of pensioners support last winter.
“Any excuse that it has been reversed because of economic improvements doesn't bear scrutiny,” he said.
There has been no change and later this week we will see that the Government is still trying to deal with the fiscal situation when it cuts budgets for departments.
“It is good to see that even with a huge majority, whilst this government may be able to force things through Parliament, it still cannot ignore the overwhelming views and protests of the electorate.”
‘Many borderline cases’
Mr Lyons said it was “right that they (Labour Government) have had a think again” on winter fuel payments.
“There were many people right on the borderline of pension credit who were in need and weren't getting the support that they should have got,” he added.
“What we now need to do is to work out what is coming next and how that impacts upon Northern Ireland.
“I met with one of the Department for Work and Pensions ministers this afternoon along with our Finance Minister, and officials will continue to work throughout the course of today to nail down some of those details.”
The Minister said the decision on payments will ultimately rest with the Stormont Executive.
“What I would be recommending is that the money that will be there, that will be available, that we allow what is happening in England and Wales to happen in Northern Ireland as well,” he said.
“It has been handled very poorly by the Government. I don't think anybody expected a Labour government to attack pensioners in this way.
“My focus was always on those who were in need, those who just about missed out because of where the boundary was for pension credit.”
In response to the last year's winter fuel cuts, Mr Lyons announced a one-off £100 fuel support payment for pensioner households in Northern Ireland who were no longer eligible.
“I met a lot of people who were worried and they were concerned and that is why I was pleased to be able to give a little bit to help those who otherwise would have missed out.
“It was imperfect. It wasn't as quick as I would have liked it to have been but hopefully those who have been most affected will now be helped again and that is a good thing. I was able to secure £17m of Executive funding to make a one-off £100 payment to local pensioners affected by the decision.”
However, the winter fuel payment didn't get to NI pensioners until spring.
The Government's decision has been welcomed across the political spectrum. Alliance communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland called on Mr Lyons to “act urgently to ensure those in Northern Ireland don't miss out”.
“Having heard many of the often heartbreaking testimonies of those older and more vulnerable people who were hit hardest by the changes to winter fuel payments proposed by this UK Government last year, this change in course will be incredibly welcome.
“Whilst I'm glad their voices were heard on this, we must now ensure our own pensioners here in Northern Ireland are not left behind.
“The Communities Minister has a duty to explore the possibilities associated with bringing in a comparable uplift for those in Northern Ireland who have borne the brunt of previous cuts.”
SDLP communities spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA said: “This announcement will be welcome news for many pensioners across the north who struggled to pay their heating bill and keep warm over a difficult winter.
“This cut was a decision that should never have been made in the first place, it is the duty of government to protect the most vulnerable people in our society and the UK Government totally failed in that regard.”
Mobuoy criminals told judge health suffered from court case
Sam McBride, Northern Ireland Editor, Belfast Telegraph, June 10th, 2025
GERARD FARMER LIED ABOUT HIS ROLE, CLAIMING PEOPLE MAY HAVE SNEAKED VAST AMOUNTS OF TOXIC WASTE INTO SITES WHEN THE GATES WERE UNLOCKED
The two criminals responsible for a vast toxic dump polluting Londonderry's drinking water repeatedly lied about their role — and then claimed when caught it was hurting their own health.
The businessmen were key to a racket worth tens of millions of pounds centred on an environmental crime which will pollute a large tract of land outside Derry for generations to come.
Campsie Sand and Gravel Ltd director Paul Doherty (67), of Culmore Road in Derry and City Industrial Waste Ltd director Gerry Farmer (56), of Westlake in the city, received short jail sentences last week.
They'd abandoned their denials of wrongdoing and pleaded guilty almost three years ago yet are only now being sentenced due to chronic legal delays.
The 116-acre site is estimated to contain 1.6 million tonnes of waste.
Doherty was given a 12-month sentence but will serve only half that in jail, meaning he will be out for Christmas.
Farmer got 21 months. He'll also only serve half that time in jail, so will be out of prison in ten and a half months.
Campsie Sand and Gravel has been wound up and Doherty agreed that its paltry remaining assets worth £38,000 will go to public funds.
Separate proceedings are meant to recover the criminal benefit the men got from the enterprise but that process will take a considerable period and is unlikely to recover anything like the true cost of restoring the contaminated site.
Most of the waste there is unlikely to ever be dug out of the ground.
Clean up could cost £700 million
Yesterday Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he believes there is merit in holding a public inquiry into “abhorrent” illegal dump.
He told MLAs that the cost of fixing environmental damage caused at the Londonderry site could reach £700m.
A copy of the written judgment sets out some of the evidence which wasn't made public in a trial because the two men eventually pleaded guilty.
Doherty initially lied, denying he'd been a criminal, claiming to know nothing about the illegal dumping, and trying to blame it on another individual.
Farmer similarly lied, denying he had ever permitted waste disposal other than to receive materials like soil and clay.
He absurdly suggested that the dumping might have happened because the gates were left unlocked.
But an email found on a seized computer showed that in 2009 Farmer himself gave clear instructions as to how trommel fines — tiny pieces of plastic and other material — should be mixed in equal quantities with 'inert' material such as soil. He specified that the process was “to take place between 5-9 pm every evening” and “this material to be transported to landfill and deposited in the agree [sic] zone. This must be done and complete by 9pm. No material to be left!!!”.
The operation involved an ostensibly respectable recycling firm whose business model was to take in recyclable material during the day, chop it up and then bury it at night.
An employee told Farmer that they were discharging polluted water directly into the adjoining stream — which runs into the River Faughan.
He warned that if an inspector came out that day, “we would be prosecuted”.
On 10 March 2011, an employee of Farmer's emailed him to set out clearly an attempt to cover up what was going on. He referred to “a strong smell of leachate [filthy liquid] coming from the landfill, and when you look up you can see the rust coloured discharge. We should put soil over this and plant grass seed”.
Referring to a drain where leachate was pooling, he suggested “we put rubber chip in this drain as the discharge is black and it would hide it”.
Water ‘bubbling’ with polluting gases
He said that “the water is bubbling like mad” with landfill gas — something still happening to this day.
He added: “We should collapse the bore hole on Paul Doherty's side as it will act as an indicator of what level the landfill used to be at.”
Doherty continues to maintain that “there was never any financial gain from this operation”, something the judge dismissed, highlighting that there were emails referring to large sums of cash being withdrawn as payments to “PD”.
Doherty's doctor told the court that he now has “depression and panic attacks” as a result of the legal proceedings.
Judge Rafferty said: “I am satisfied that Mr Doherty was willingly and knowingly receiving waste onto his lands for financial gain”. Farmer, a former civil servant, claimed to the author of a pre-sentence report that he “should have been paying more attention to the business”, implying that what happened was a mistake outside his knowledge — when his own emails proved that he was directing the hiding of waste.
His doctor said the charges had led to “psychologically distressing symptoms”, although he didn't require medication.
River supposed to be protected
The judge noted that the toxic contents of the dump continue to pour into the River Faughan, a sensitive habitat which is meant to have the highest protection possible under EU law.
He said that while NI Water's tests showed water drawn from the river for drinking doesn't breach contamination limits, this is because the river is diluting what's coming out of the illegal dump.
He said: “I am satisfied that Mr Farmer acted in a deliberate and premediated manner. This was economically motivated environmental crime on an industrial scale. Whilst Mr Doherty's role was to receive waste from City Industrial Waste, his actions in agreeing to do so were deliberate, and there is no doubt in my mind that he knew what was being deposited and why he was being paid for his services.
“With respect to both defendants, it is clear that the offending persisted over a significant period of time. It was a systemic pattern of established behaviour to facilitate industrial level environmental crime.
“With respect to Mr Farmer, I am satisfied that there were efforts made to conceal the ongoing criminality on his site. The emails to this effect are quite clear. The operations carried out were with the full knowledge that they were illegal and the cynical determination to conceal what was going on.”
The court was told that both defendants have a previous conviction.
The judge said that Farmer's role was “much more significant” than that of Doherty because “he was in charge of the operation and directed it”, and for that reason he received a longer sentence.
The judge also indicated the growing public concern about the environment had influenced how the courts now look on environmental crimes.
He said: “There is little doubt that since 2016, the public concern for, and interest in, the environment has increased even further. The time has long since passed where those who commit environmental crime motivated by greed can expect to walk free from the consequences of their actions. Both sentences are immediate.”
No special case should be created to fund one sport – Little-Pengelly
Jonathan McCambridge, Belfast Telegraph and Irish News, June 10th, 2025
NO “SPECIAL case” should be created to fund one particular organisation or sport in Northern Ireland, Deputy First Minister Emma Little -Pengelly has said.
The DUP minister was speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly as she was challenged over whether she would support the rebuilding of GAA stadium Casement Park in west Belfast.
The UK government has indicated that this week’s Spending Review will be the juncture when it confirms whether or not it will make a financial contribution to help deliver the stalled plans to redevelop the derelict Gaelic games venue.
Plans for a 34,000-capacity stadium remain mired in uncertainty because of a major funding gap of around £150 million.
Speaking during ministerial question time at Stormont, opposition leader Matthew O’Toole said it was 12 years since a match was last played at Casement.
He said: “Gaels and GAA fans throughout Ulster and Ireland now have a real expectation that on Wednesday additional funding to rebuild Casement Park will be allocated.
“Can I ask whether you support additional funding, more importantly, if additional funding is forthcoming from the UK government will you work to facilitate extra funding and will you react positively to the rebuilding of Casement Park?”
Ms Little-Pengelly said the Casement project had not progressed previously “not because of a lack of political will but because of a lengthy process in terms of planning challenges and logistical issues which were outside the control of the Northern Ireland Executive”.
12 years derelict
Casement Park is currently derelict as it awaits redevelopment
The Stormont Executive committed to redevelop Casement Park in 2011, as part of a strategy to revamp football’s Windsor Park and the rugby ground at Ravenhill.
While the two other Belfast-based projects went ahead, the redevelopment of Casement, which is currently derelict, was delayed because of legal challenges by local residents.
Ms Little-Pengelly added: “At the time the allocation was made to rugby, to football and to the GAA that was done in a fair and equitable way which recognises the relative strength of each of those organisations.
“It is important as we move forward that we do so on a fair and equitable basis as sport right throughout Northern Ireland and many different areas are crying out for that support and that funding to enable them to reach their full potential.
“We want that to be inclusive, but in that inclusivity it must be fair and equitable, it cannot just be a special case for one particular organisation or sport.”
Mr O’Toole said the deputy first minister had not answered his question.
He said: “Casement Park has lain idle for 12 years. If I were a unionist I would think the best possible way of demonstrating to nationalists that Northern Ireland is working is building a world-class GAA stadium in the middle of west Belfast.
“Do you support it being built? Will you work in the executive to get it built, including with additional funding if necessary?”
£62.5 million offer still stands
Ms Little-Pengelly said the executive stood by its original commitment of £62.5m for the GAA stadium.
She added: “Since that, for reasons outside the control of the executive or any political party, the Casement project did not proceed at the time it was anticipated to do so.
“That project is now significantly bigger than the original application.
“There are many, many pressures right across government, that includes those that are sitting in pain on waiting lists, that includes children who need special educational needs assessments, that includes really vital things.
“In all things we have to look at moving forward to meet those needs. Of course we want our sporting stadia and facilities to be fit for purpose and indeed to make sure any allocation of funding is done in a fair and equitable way.”
Last September, the UK government ended hopes that the west Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 games when it said it would not bridge a funding gap to deliver the redevelopment in time.
As well as the Stormont contribution of £62.5m, the Irish government has offered roughly £42m and the GAA has pledged to contribute £15m.
It has been reported that the cost of the project has fallen to £270m since it was confirmed the ground would not host Euros matches, still leaving a funding shortfall of about £150m.
Bryson denies breaking law before testifying at Stormont
Ashleigh McDonald, Irish News, June 10th, 2025
Riot in Ballymena ‘deeply concerning' says TUV MP Jim Allister and 'violence serves no cause'
By Gemma Murray, Belfast News Letter, June 10th, 2025
North Antrim MP Jim Allister has called for an end to disorder in Ballymena after unrest in the area last night. "The scenes of disorder in Ballymena are deeply concerning,” he said.
"Violence on our streets is not only wrong—it undermines the legitimate anger felt over the horrific sexual assault of a young girl and the growing local concern about unchecked immigration into the town”.
He added that the “reported racial dimension of Saturday night’s attack has acted as a catalyst for public outrage, drawing attention to long-standing frustrations”.
A number of missiles were thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties. Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk. Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”
A number of missiles were thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties. Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk. Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”
"The large turnout this evening demonstrates the strength of feeling in the local community—feelings which were, in the main, expressed peacefully.
"Sadly, the actions of a small number have cast a shadow over what was, for most, a lawful protest.
"Evidence suggests that individuals from outside the area came with the express purpose of causing disruption”.
‘Influx of Roma’
Mr Allister said that “influx of Roma, in particular, into Ballymena in recent years—often arriving freely from the Republic under EU movement rules, while the UK’s internal border remains neglected—has driven rapid demographic change”.
Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk. Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”
Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk. Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”
"The failure of successive authorities to manage integration or address local concerns has left many residents feeling ignored and disrespected.
“Nevertheless, violence serves no cause. It does not help the young girl or her family, and it distracts from the very real grievances being voiced. It must stop — and be condemned by all.”
Earlier Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly.
"Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk.
"Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”
'Ballymena Protestant Boys condemn the violence that happened last night'
By Gemma Murray, Belfast News Letter, June 10th, 2025
Popular North Antrim flute band, Ballymena Protestant Boys have called for a cessation of violence in the town after the disorder last night.
Police have appealed for calm after serious disorder broke out in the Co Antrim town on Monday night, with masked youths attacking police and properties damaged.
In a statement online Ballymena Protestant Boys said: ‘Last night the band fully supported the peaceful protest which took part in Harryville supporting the family of the victim who was attacked at the weekend.
‘I'm sure the family was overwhelmed with the support they received with everyone showing up’.
They added that: ‘We have to remember, that members of our own community and family members of the band live within the area.
‘We are calling for it to stop.
‘We understand people's frustrations, but we can't have this violence continuing and causing chaos to our own community’.
A number of missiles have been thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties.
And when asked on social media if there will be another protest tonight, the band, who had cancelled practice last night for members to attend the rally, said they would not be involved in any protest.
