TikTok network used as rioting surges at south Belfast flashpoint
By Conor Sheils, Irish News, April 8th, 2025
A Belfast councillor has claimed that increasing violence around a south Belfast interface is being fuelled by TikTok taunting between children as young as 10.
Tracy Kelly, a DUP councillor for the Village area of south Belfast, made the comments just days after a 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital after being hit in the head by a brick during sectarian rioting near the Broadway interface.
“Social media is the cause of a lot of these problems,” she told The Irish News.
“The generation now are taunting each other on TikTok and that is what is causing it.”
Recent months have seen a major upsurge in violence in the area, which includes the loyalist Village and the nearby nationalist St James’s area.
Last week, a 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital for treatment after the incident on Tuesday night.
Police later confirmed they were treating the incident as a ‘sectarian hate crime’.
A boy, also 15, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Days earlier a 14-year-old boy was attacked by a gang of youths while walking in the area.
On December 30 last year, a cyclist was struck by a car during disturbances when two gangs of youths gathered in the area.
“It is awful to see teenagers in 2025 partaking in sectarian rioting,” said Ms Kelly.
“They really should be growing up in a Northern Ireland that is different from the one that we grew up in.
“For a long time, it has been quite peaceful between the two communities in this area.
“We have seen three kids injured at this interface since Christmas already, and if it doesn’t stop, then somebody is going to be killed.”
She also claimed that children as young as 10 or 11 are coming from across Belfast to take part in the recreational rioting.
“Some of these kids are as young as 10 or 11, so it really does come down to parents,” she said.
“A lot of these teenagers are not even from the area – they are coming from other parts of Belfast and causing trouble here.
“I think that some of it comes down to the parents, and parents really need to know where their kids are – and out here along the interface really isn’t where that should be.
“It is awful for the local residents in the area.
“The police are doing their best with the limited resources that they have, but there is only so much that they can do.”
Only a full inquiry will do, insist Sean Brown’s family
Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent, Irish News, April 8th, 2025
THE family of Co Derry GAA official Sean Brown say they will not accept a de Silva style review into his murder and that only a full inquiry will provide them with answers.
Mr Brown’s daughter was speaking after the Court of Appeal ruled the British government’s refusal to hold a public inquiry “cannot stand and is unlawful”.
The court found it breaches Article Two obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect the right to life.
In May 1997 Mr Brown (61) was beaten and abducted by an LVF gang as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC. He was later shot dead near Randalstown, Co Antrim.
The British government appealed after a High Court judge ordered a public inquiry into the murder, which involved state agents. During last week’s hearing the Labour government was given four weeks to “reflect upon the judgment” of the appeal court.
A spokesman for Secretary of State Hilary Benn said he “wants to see a full investigation”. His use of that term rather than “inquiry” has raised concerns that British officials may propose a remedy which falls short of that demanded by the Brown family and the wider nationalist community.
The government has pulled up short on legacy issues in the past. A review of the 1989 loyalist murder of Pat Finucane by barrister Sir Desmond de Silva QC was later branded a “sham” and a “whitewash” by the Belfast solicitor’s family. An independent public inquiry into the murder, which involved collusion, was finally announced last year.
Brown family: A half-way review is not acceptable
In 2004 retired Canadian judge Peter Cory’s report focused on six Troubles-related incidents suspected of involving suspected collusion on both sides of the border and resulted in the establishment of the Smithwick Tribunal by the Irish government. It focused on the IRA killing of RUC members Harry Breen and Robert Buchanan near the border in 1989 as they returned from a meeting at Dundalk Garda station.
Cory further ordered inquiries into the Finucane case, which was delayed, and that of loyalist commander Billy Wright in 1997.
Inquiries were also ordered into the death of Robert Hamill in Portadown in the same year and the loyalist killing of solicitor Rosemary Nelson in Lurgan in 1999.
Mr Brown’s daughter Siobhan said her family, who have attended almost 60 hearings to date, want a thorough investigation.
“For us it would have to be a full inquiry,” she said.
“There’s no halfway house that we would be looking at.
“They need to give us the full thing, because… we’ve waited enough time, we’re nearly 28 years down the line and we are not going accept anything other than the full blown inquiry.”
After last week’s hearing Mr Brown’s 87-year-old widow Bridie urged Mr Benn to “do the right thing”.
It emerged during an abandoned inquest hearing into his death last year that more than 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents.
A suspect in the murder was believed to be a serving member of the Royal Irish Regiment, while another held a personal protection weapon and was regularly visited by a police officer at his home.
It is also known that an RUC surveillance operation on Mark ‘Swinger’ Fulton, a notorious Mid Ulster LVF member, was halted the night before the murder and picked up again the following morning.
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.
O'Hagans - Our engagement with fraud suspect was always with a strong sense of critical awareness
FAMILY OF JOURNALIST MURDERED BY LVF 'CLARIFY POSITION' AFTER FRAUD CHARGE
Liam Tunney, Belfast Telegraph, April 8th, 2025
The family of murdered journalist Martin O'Hagan said they brought “a strong sense of critical awareness” to their engagement with a man accused of fraud linked to a £50,000 reward for bringing the killer to justice.
It comes after 42-year-old Michael Kingsberry was charged in connection with fraudulent activity in relation to Mr O'Hagan's murder in 2001.
The Sunday World journalist was aged 51 when he was killed by the LVF as he walked home with his wife, Marie, from a pub in Lurgan on September 28, 2001.
Kingsberry, also known as William Kingsberry, allegedly tried to trick the O'Hagan family into thinking he was an undercover military agent within the LVF at the time of the fatal shooting.
He claimed to have a document that showed there was an 'out of bounds' order in place on the night in question and that he had told his Army 'handlers' that the murder was going to take place but they did nothing to stop it.
The claims are now alleged to be entirely fabricated.
Yesterday, the Belfast Telegraph reported that the defendant was about to be paid a £50,000 reward for providing the information about Mr O'Hagan's murder and that a contract had been drawn up before suspicions about his account were raised.
Mr O'Hagan's family has moved to clarify their position on the reward ahead of Kingsberry's appearance at Craigavon Magistrates' Court next month.
“The prosecution arises from our announcement of a reward for information that would lead to the conviction of anyone connected to Martin's murder,” said a lawyer representing the O'Hagan family.
“Whilst we welcome the decision to charge Mr Kingsberry, we require to clarify our position. Our engagement with Mr Kingsberry was always with a strong sense of critical awareness.
“At no stage did we agree to pay, or actually pay, any reward to Mr Kingsberry. Whereas he presented as convincing as to his military service in the RIR, we look forward to the actual facts of his service as being clarified in open court.
Renewed call for information
“We take this opportunity to renew our public appeal for information and further confirm that the original reward still stands. However, this is only redeemable upon successful prosecution for the murder of our brother.”
Kingsberry was arrested in Sheffield on Thursday with the assistance of Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police.
Following his arrest, he was taken to Northern Ireland for questioning at Musgrave Police Station in Belfast.
A search of a property in Sheffield was also carried out as part of the operation.
Though Kingsberry was in the Army, he served only briefly.
The prosecution case against Kingsberry is that he is a fantasist who only briefly served in the Army and was never a member of the LVF.
Kingsberry was so committed to the story that in March 2022 he appeared in a BBC Spotlight investigation.
He claimed that three days before the murder, he warned Army intelligence Mr O'Hagan was going to be killed.
He also claimed he was assured the attack would be stopped.
Police told the O'Hagan family at the time that after accessing the former soldier's Army records, they believed he was lying.
Police believe the entire account was fabricated and that Kingsberry was a fantasist who was at first addicted to the attention he was receiving over the allegations and later tried to exploit the murdered journalist's family for financial gain.
He is due to appear before Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 2nd
Watchdog: No credible evidence teen shot dead had tried to surrender
Andrew Madden, Belfast Telegraph, April 8th, 2025
OMBUDSMAN DISMISSES CLAIMS LINKED TO RUC HAYSHED INCIDENT
There is “no credible evidence” to support the claim that a teenager shot dead by the RUC in 1982 tried to surrender before he was killed, the Police Ombudsman has found.
The killing of 17-year-old Michael Tighe is one of the most controversial incidents of the Troubles and was previously examined in the Stalker/Sampson investigation, which looked into claims of an RUC “shoot-to-kill” policy.
No police officer has ever been prosecuted in relation to the killing, which took place in a hayshed in Co Armagh on November 24, 1982, during a covert RUC surveillance operation. Another man was shot and injured.
Security forces believed the hayshed was being used by republican paramilitaries to store explosives.
At the time of the fatal shooting, RUC officers involved said they challenged the two men inside the hayshed before firing shots at them.
In 2021, the Police Ombudsman received a referral from the PSNI in which a member of the public provided information about the shooting.
The information included a manuscript allegedly written by the member of the public's ex-wife, detailing her experiences when deployed as a military officer in Northern Ireland.
The manuscript referred to an RUC officer who shot Mr Tighe and an admission that “even though Tighe had put his arms up as a sign that he was surrendering he had shot him”.
After assessing the evidence, the Police Ombudsman launched a formal investigation and a number of witnesses were interviewed.
The woman alleged to have written the manuscript spoke to Ombudsman investigators and refuted the allegation that the police officer had told her Mr Tighe had tried to surrender.
Investigators found no other evidence to support the version of events described in the manuscript. Ombudsman Marie Anderson said she can only open a new investigation if fresh evidence comes to light and she cannot probe matters outside the statutory timeframe, unless it is “grave or exceptional”.
“Given the matter was grave and there was new evidence, I decided to commence an investigation into the matters referred by the Chief Constable,” she said.
Reluctant witness
“My investigation was hampered in a number of respects. Firstly, there was a reluctance by the woman who authored the manuscript to constructively engage with my investigators.
“Secondly, the provenance of the documentation which was provided to PSNI could not be established.
“I was also concerned about the credibility and motivation of the man making the allegations.
“The shooting of Michael Tighe has been the subject of a number of police investigations, including the Stalker/Sampson investigation, none of which have led to the prosecution of any police officer in respect of the fatal shooting.
“Nor is there any credible evidence to establish the veracity of the comment in the manuscript that Michael Tighe was trying to surrender when fatally shot by police.
“Given these facts, there was no basis on which to pursue the investigation of this matter further.”
The killing of Mr Tighe was investigated at the time by the RUC's complaints and discipline department and a file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which directed that no officer involved be prosecuted.
It was also further investigated by deputy Chief Constable John Stalker of Greater Manchester Police and Chief Constable Colin Sampson of West Yorkshire Police. Again, no prosecutions followed, but it was revealed publicly that there was an eavesdropping operation at the hayshed at the time.
Prison Service files moved from Dundonald House as precaution after break-ins
Rebecca Black, Belfast Telegraph, April 8th, 2025
Prison service files have been relocated from a property on the Stormont estate following recent break-ins.
Dundonald House, which previously housed the headquarters of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, is described as “largely vacated since June 2023” due to health and safety concerns.
However, the Department of Justice said some areas remained in use until last month.
Following recent break-ins at the building, the department confirmed files have been moved to a storage location within the prison estate.
In response to an Assembly question asked by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, the department said no files at Dundonald House were compromised although they have been relocated as a precaution.
Mr Gaston had asked Justice Minister Naomi Long in the written question for her assessment on whether the building was a “suitable location” to store sensitive information owned by her department.
The response details that between June 2023 and March 2025, the NI Prison Service used some areas of the building to hold personnel and other files.
“These areas had appropriate and specific security measures in place to ensure that information was held safely and securely,” the response sets out.
“The Prison Service also had a reasonable expectation that all government buildings, particularly those on the Stormont estate, are protected and secure from this type of activity.”
The response continued: “Whilst no files held in Dundonald House were compromised, following the recent incidents of unauthorised access to Dundonald House a further risk assessment was undertaken and the decision taken to relocate all prison service files to a storage location within the prison estate.”
The PSNI said they “have received reports of burglary and illegal trespass” at an office building on a number of dates between March 16 and March 20.
They said inquiries are ongoing.
“Entering grounds or buildings without the owner's consent is both illegal and dangerous,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
“Climbing up onto roofs and other high surfaces is fraught with danger. A young person could easily slip or lose their footing and end up with serious, permanent injuries or worse.
“Being caught inside a building without permission is burglary and could end with a visit to a magistrates' court.
“Our inquiries into the incidents are ongoing and I would ask anyone with any information or who may be able to help with our investigation, to call police at Strandtown on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form.”
Lyra McKee murder trial hears police interviews with accused
Ashleigh McDonald, Belfast Telegraph, April 8th, 2025
SUSPECTS SAY THEY PLAYED NO ROLE IN RIOT OR SHOOTING OF JOURNALIST IN DERRY
Police interviews conducted with a number of men from Derry who were arrested in the aftermath of journalist Lyra McKee's murder were disclosed in court yesterday.
Ms McKee lost her life after being struck by a bullet fired at police during a riot in the Creggan area of Derry on the evening of April 18, 2019.
Nine men from the city are currently on trial at Belfast Crown Court on charges arising from the riot, which they all deny. A 10th defendant passed away earlier this year.
Three of the accused have been charged with murdering Ms McKee, possessing a firearm and ammunition and other linked offences including rioting and both possessing and throwing petrol bombs.
The trio are Paul McIntyre (57) from Kells Walk, 24-year-old Jordan Devine from Bishop Street and Peter Cavanagh (36) from Mary Street.
Six co-accused were charged with offences including rioting and throwing petrol bombs.
They are Christopher Gillen (44) from Balbane Pass, Joseph Campbell (24) from Gosheden Cottages, 32-year-old Patrick Gallagher from John Field Place, Jude McCrory (27) from Gartan Square, Joseph Barr (36) from Sandringham Drive and 56-year-old Kieran McCool from Ballymagowan Gardens.
During yesterday's hearing, the non-jury trial heard 'agreed' evidence regarding police interviews conducted with several defendants following their arrests.
Refused to answer questions
Jordan Devine was interviewed in April 2019 and again in September 2021 and refused to answer all questions.
A Crown barrister said these questions included being asked what his role was in the disorder which killed Ms McKee, both the identity of the gunman and his interaction with him and whether he lifted any shell casings following the discharge of shots.
During his interview in September 2021, Peter Cavanagh didn't respond to any questions which included his whereabouts on the evening of the riot and his involvement in the preparation of disorder.
The Crown barrister said: “When being shown footage of a man picking up petrol bombs from a crate, Mr Cavanagh put his head down and refused to watch the footage.”
Cavanagh was also asked about his knowledge of interaction with the gunman and why his DNA was discovered on a jacket set on fire and found close to a hijacked vehicle.
Christopher Gillen was interviewed in May 2019 and did not respond to questions such as accounting for his movements on the evening of the riot and whether he was involved in hijacking vehicles. Judge Patricia Smyth was told by the Crown barrister that when shown footage of the incident “at one stage Mr Gillen shielded his eyes and would not look at the video”.
At a first interview in April 2019, Joseph Campbell gave a signed statement to police in which he stated on the evening of April 18 he was at home with his aunt and uncle and got a Chinese takeaway.
He was interviewed again in May 2019, September 2021 and March 2022 and didn't answer any questions which included his knowledge of the murder of Ms McKee, whether he was under duress and whether he supported Saoradh.
Denies criminal activity
Following his arrest, Patrick Gallagher was interviewed in September 2021 and in a prepared statement, he said, “I deny any involvement in any criminal activity on 18 April 2019.”
He did not respond to a series of questions including his knowledge of the murder, the presence of masked men and the use of petrol bombs and firearms, whether he directed the disorder, his contact with the MTV crew (who had been in the city filming for a documentary on the day of the disorder) and whether he warned them “there could be armed men.”
Jude McCrory was also interviewed in September 2021 and in a prepared statement, he denied committing any criminal offences. In a second statement, he said he had no prior knowledge of the riot and denied participating in it.
Like his co-accused, McCrory made no response when he was questioned on his involvement with Saoradh and his interaction with the MTV crew.
Interviewed in November 2021, Joseph Barr didn't respond to questions including his knowledge of Ms McKee's murder, the identity of the gunman or his role within Saoradh.
The Crown barrister said that when he was being questioned about the MTV footage and whether he played a part in organising the riot for the cameras, he denied it and said the suggestions were “pure Alice in Wonderland stuff.”
McCool was interviewed in October 2021 and didn't answer questions on the disorder and his knowledge of Saoradh.
He did, however, provide a statement which said he, like a large number of Creggan residents, was aware of the riot and was in the area but “I, in no way, shape or form took part in the disorder or directed it, furthermore, I, in no way, shape or form took part in the shooting that took place that night.”
Items of clothing and footwear seized during searches of some of the defendant's homes were shown to Judge Smyth.
At hearing.
Stormont spending £1k a week on photos as financial crisis bites
... AND THAT'S WITHOUT THE FIRST AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTERS REVEALING WHAT THEIR BILL IS
Andrew Madden, Belfast Telegraph, April 8th, 2025
Stormont is spending more than £1,000 a week on photographers, despite heavy demands on the public purse.
Since the restoration of the Executive in February last year, the eight departments that provided data spent a combined £60,675 on photographers.
The Executive Office (TEO) failed to provide its spending figure.
The biggest spend was £16,478 in the Department for Communities, headed by the DUP's Gordon Lyons.
Alliance leader Naomi Long's justice department was second, with £11,311 spent on photographers.
The Department of Finance, where the minister is Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd, had the lowest spending at £2,155.
The figures were received following questions by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, who hit out at TEO not providing its figures.
“The Executive Office was required by Assembly standing orders to respond a month ago,” he said.
“However, as so often happens with the Executive Office, Ms O'Neill and Ms Pengelly have simply ignored their duty to respond to the question within the required time frame.”
