Two arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing PSNI officers
CHRISTOPHER LEEBODY, Belfast Telegraph, November 28th, 2025
FIRST AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTERS SHOCKED BY ATTACK IN LONDONDERRY
The First and Deputy First Ministers have led condemnations after two police officers were stabbed in a “brutal and barbaric attack” in Londonderry.
Two men have been arrested on arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over the incident on Collon Lane early yesterday.
Three officers and a custody officer were assaulted in the course of apprehending the suspects.
One officer was taken to hospital after being stabbed in a leg. A second was stabbed in the chest but was wearing protective equipment.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: “The stabbing and attempted murder of police officers in Derry is completely and utterly reprehensible. This appalling act in no way reflects the people of Derry.
“I want to extend my best wishes to both officers as they recover, and to their families and colleagues, who will be deeply affected by this incident.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly added: “Appalled to hear of the violent attacks on the PSNI officers.
“Our police officers do an incredible and difficult job, stepping up to keep people safe across all communities in every part of Northern Ireland. It is simply unacceptable that they face violence when trying to carry out their duties.
“My thoughts are with those attacked and with the injured officer, wishing a swift recovery.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “I strongly condemn the violent assault on PSNI officers.
‘It has to stop’
“One attack on a police officer is one attack too many. It has to stop. My thoughts are with the officers affected, and I wish them a full, speedy recovery.”
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood described the stabbings as a “vicious attack” which could have had “horrific consequences”.
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said the incident was “utterly reprehensible”.
Deputy PSNI Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the officers had been conducting checks over a wanted person when the attack happened.
He added: “One officer was speaking with a man at the property when he became aggressive, swinging out at him, and striking him to his face, resulting in a bloodied nose. Police attempted to arrest the suspect inside the flat, and due to his violent actions, it was necessary to deploy PAVA spray.
“The suspect refused to show his hands, and subsequently produced a knife and attempted to stab an officer. Had the officer not been wearing protective body equipment, the consequences could have been far more serious.
“While the 21-year-old suspect was being detained, an officer suffered a stab wound to the leg, causing a laceration that required stitches in hospital.[The suspect] was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.
“Officers entered the kitchen area of the flat, and located a man wanted by police in relation to breach of bail.
“When police attempted to speak with the 20-year-old, he struck out at two officers with his hand.
“Once detained, he spat on an officer's glasses and was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.
“When taken to custody, he spat again at an officer and assaulted a custody detention officer as he was taken to his cell.
A, B and C category drugs seized
“Following a search of the property, class A, B and C drugs were located and [were] removed for examination.
“Both suspects remain in custody as our enquiries continue, and these shameful attacks on our officers will be investigated rigorously.
“Officers put themselves on the front line to help keep people safe. They do not deserve to be assaulted for simply doing their job.
“The officer who was stabbed in the leg was very fortunate. This disgusting attack had the clear potential to cause life-changing or even fatal injuries.
“We are ensuring all the officers assaulted are being supported and offered welfare services as they recover.
Over 2,500 assaults in twelve months
“Just last week, we highlighted there were over 2,500 assaults on officers and staff in the last 12 months, and now we are dealing with another violent attack. This is totally unacceptable and must stop.”
The Police Federation of Northern Ireland also condemned the “shocking, brutal and barbaric attack”.
Treasurer Elaine McCormill said: “They [the officers] were set upon with a frightening viciousness.
“One sustained a stab injury and required hospital treatment. The other was attacked at chest height, but their protective vest prevented serious injury.
“We could be looking at a much more serious outcome had it not been for the training, restraint and professionalism [of] our officers.
“Only last week, we talked about the risks officers confront as they work to safeguard communities, apprehend lawbreakers and help vulnerable people.
‘Let them protect’ campaign
“Our recent Let Them Protect campaign sought to enlist the backing of the community and create greater awareness of the vital work our colleagues do.
“We are seeing some results, but this latest, very worrying incident means there can be no letting up in our efforts.
“I want to wish our colleagues well as they recover from this frightening ordeal.
“This federation believes the full weight of the law should be brought down on attackers, and that must mean meaningful sentences.”
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said: “I am shocked and appalled to learn that a police officer was stabbed on duty.
“I have spoken directly to the Chief Superintendent to convey my full support for the injured officer.
“My thoughts are also with the other officers and staff who were assaulted during this serious incident.
“Officers go out every day to keep our community safe, and they should be able to do so without fear of violence.”
O’Neill faces new questions on damaged portrait of former Unionist Lord Mayor
By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, November 28th, 2025
Michelle O’Neill is facing renewed questions about why she told the Assembly about a former Sinn Fein employee’s “involvement in an incident” regarding a portrait in Belfast City Hall – after the man’s solicitors said claims he was involved are “entirely false, baseless, and malicious”.
It follows the naming of the son of Sinn Fein MLA Carál Ní Chuilín in the Assembly on Wednesday by the TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, under privilege.
Mr Gaston cited online claims about Naoise Ó Cuilin – claims his lawyers have described as “false, erroneous and irresponsible”.
It relates to an escalating political row over the vandalism of a portrait of a former DUP lord mayor in October 2024 – an incident police treated as a hate crime.
This week, the Public Prosecution Service said there was no reasonable prospect of conviction for any criminal offence on the evidence available.
Prosecutors cited a lack of CCTV and witnesses, an inability to secure a list of attendees from the group hosting the event and a statement from the Sinn Fein chief whip – the only witness evidence available – that the man had “made no admission to being at the event and had denied any knowledge of the damage”.
After the naming of Mr Ó Cuilin in the Executive Office committee in Wednesday, KRW Law said the allegation that he was “involved in the damage” is “entirely false, baseless, and malicious”.
‘False and malicious’ allegations
The law firm said: “For absolute clarity, and on our client’s behalf, I state unequivocally that our client did not cause any damage whatsoever to the portrait of Lord Wallace Browne. Any suggestion to the contrary is wholly unfounded.
“Our client responded positively to a request by police to attend voluntarily for police interview and was prepared to give an account. However, the paucity of evidence against our client was such that I advised him that there was nothing requiring an account, and that he should therefore exercise his lawful right to silence. This statutory protection exists for all citizens”.
They said it is “deeply improper that certain parties are now attempting to misrepresent the exercise of this legal right as implying guilt” – an insinuation which is “entirely rejected”.
Days after the 2024 incident in Belfast City Hall, the First Minister told the Assembly that the then-unnamed individual had made the party aware of his “involvement in an incident regarding a portrait in Belfast City Hall”.
Michelle O’Neill said that he was “immediately suspended” and the party notified police. She told MLAs that he had resigned from both his party membership and his employment.
Speaking to the BBC’s Nolan Show on Thursday, the DUP’s Phillip Brett said he took the statement from Mr Ó Cuilin’s lawyers as a “direct contradiction, and indeed a direct attack upon the First Minister”.
The North Belfast MLA said Ms O’Neill was “the first person in Northern Ireland to claim that this person resigned from their job as a result of their involvement in the incident”.
Conflicting statements by O’Neill and Ó Cuilin
“Serious questions that we've raised at the start of the week in relation to what the First Minister knew and didn't know, why she then came to the assembly and stated that Mr [Ó Cuilin] was involved in the incident… Why then the chief whip followed that up with an email to the Police Service of Northern Ireland stating that the resignation was a result of the incident.
“So the claims that Mr Ó Cuilin has made are a complete contradiction to what the First Minister told the assembly – and what the chief whip of Sinn Fein told the Police Service of Northern Ireland. So there are serious questions for Sinn Fein on this”, Mr Brett said.
The News Letter asked Sinn Fein if Michelle O'Neill could explain why she told the Assembly that the former SF employee and party member had made the party aware of his “involvement in an incident regarding a portrait in Belfast City Hall” – and what precisely she believed his “involvement” was when she addressed the Assembly.
At the time of going to print, Sinn Fein had not responded.
Earlier this week, the News Letter asked why Sinn Fein accepted the resignation of the man who, according to the PPS, had made “no admission to being at the event and had denied any knowledge of the damage” to the party’s chief whip. The party did not respond.
Sudanese family targeted in Derry speak of ‘fear’ at race-hate attack
MARK ROBINSON m.robinson@irishnews.com, Irish News, November 28th, 2025
A SUDANESE family living in Derry have told of their upset and anger after their home was targeted with racist graffiti overnight on Tuesday.
The front of their home was damaged with ‘Local Only’ graffiti alongside a crosshair in what police are investigating as a race hate crime incident.
It has been widely condemned by political representatives in the city.
The family of four have been living in the Fountain area since last December after fleeing their native Sudan.
Civil war in the country has resulted in the deaths of at least 150,000 people and forced a further 12 million to leave since April 2023.
The United Nations has described the situation as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Graffiti spray painted on the family’s home in the Fountain estate
Speaking to The Irish News, Hala Ahmed said that her family felt both “upset and angry” following the incident.
“It was a real shock. It made me feel full of anger and it brought to my memory bad memories which I faced in Sudan during the war,” she said.
“I couldn’t imagine someone would write such bad words like that against us.
“I don’t even know who it is. I’m sure whoever they are, they don’t even know us, so why do something like that?”
Ms Ahmed said that the graffiti was discovered by her 16-yearold daughter when she left to go to school on Wednesday morning.
“She called me. I was thinking maybe she missed the bus or she wants to tell me something,” she said.
“She was crying and I said, ‘What’s going on?’ and she said, ‘Just come out and have a look at what is written there’.
“I just told her don’t worry, just go on and catch your bus and don’t think anything.”
She added that she has been left feeling a “bit scared”.
“I couldn’t sleep yesterday well. Every now and then I get up and check on the windows and things like that,” she said.
Despite the incident, Ms Ahmed said that it will “never change” how she feels about living in the area.
“I consider this individual behaviour,” she said.
“Since I came, nothing like that has happened.
“What happened made me really know the people who I’m living among – they’re all supporting me and they keep sending me text messages, they’ve been calling me and asking me if I need any support or any help.
“I really appreciate what they are doing for me.”
Ms Ahmed said that everyone in the community and city has been supporting her and her family, from the local community centre to the North West Migrant Forum (NWMF) and her daughter’s school.
The family has been involved in volunteering at both the local youth club and NWMF since they moved to the city.
“It took us a long, horrible time until we came and settled here,” she said. “I just feel safe. Being safe is the most important thing.
“I’m not intending to harm anybody. I just want to live safely, me and my family.”
Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact police on 101, quoting RM25072583.
Racial crime figures ‘third highest ever’
REBECCA BLACK, Irish News and Belfast Telegraph, November 28th, 2025
THE number of race-hate incidents recorded in Northern Ireland over the last year is the third highest on record, according to police figures.
Across the board, the number of race, sexual orientation and transgender identity incidents were up from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 compared to the previous 12 months.
However crimes with race-hate motivation saw the biggest increase, according to the figures published on Thursday.
The 12-month period included a period of rioting across Northern Ireland in June, which came after two Romanian-speaking teenagers were charged with attempted rape after allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Ballymena.
Across the 12 months, the Police Service of Northern Ireland recorded 270 more race incidents and 112 more race crimes.
They found the number of both race incidents (2,048) and race crimes (1,280) are the third highest 12-month levels recorded since the data series began in 2004/05.
Four of the five highest monthly levels of race incidents were recorded between June and September 2025 which coincides with disorder spreading from Ballymena, to Larne, Belfast and Portadown.
According to the statistics, the 347 race incidents recorded in June 2025 were the second highest monthly level in the data series, two lower than the 349 race incidents recorded in August 2024.
The number of sexual orientation incidents rose from 359 to 363 and crimes fell from 221 to 215, and transgender identity incidents and crimes rose from 61 to 68 and from 31 to 39 respectively.
Decline in sectarian attacks
Elsewhere, there was a decrease of five sectarian incidents, while the number of crimes rose by 22, disability incidents decreased by one from 78 to 77 and crimes increased from 42 to 45.
Faith/religion incidents and crimes fell from 109 to 76 and from 74 to 54 respectively.
Amnesty International slammed a “shameful year” and urged Stormont to author a new anti-racism strategy.
“This has been a shameful year of racist violence – from the targeting of families in Ballymena and other towns this summer to daily attacks on homes right across Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Behind every shocking statistic, there is a real person or family left living in fear.
“Yet too many politicians have echoed anti-migrant misinformation that provides the backdrop to these attacks, rather than stand with the victims of hate crimes.
“Too many politicians have echoed anti-migrant misinformation that provides the backdrop to these attacks, rather than stand with the victims of hate crimes
Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International
“Meanwhile, the Executive’s under-powered 2015-25 Race Equality Strategy has been a dismal failure. It expires in a month, with no agreed plan in place to follow.
“We urgently need a bold action plan to confront and dismantle the toxic prejudice that has been allowed to take root across Northern Ireland.”
Number of asylum seekers in local hotels drops again, statistics show
LIAM TUNNEY, Belfast Telegraph, November 29th, 2025
LESS INDIVIDUALS IN ACCOMMODATION TYPE THAN SOME GB COUNCIL AREAS
The number of asylum seekers being accommodated in Northern Ireland hotels has fallen again, with the total for the whole region now lower than many council areas across the UK.
Some 242 people seeking asylum were being housed in hotel accommodation in three council areas on September 30.
The total is down by four since similar figures were published in June, but has plummeted by more than 41% since the end of last year, when 413 were being housed in hotels here.
The largest concentration is in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, where 133 individuals are being accommodated, an increase of nine since June.
Some 72 are being housed in the Antrim and Newtownabbey area — a reduction of six on previous figures — while hotel accommodation is being provided for 41 people (-4) in the Ards and North Down area.
Hotel accommodation is not being provided for asylum seekers in any of the other eight council areas of NI, with Derry City and Strabane, which previously had three individuals, now recording a figure of zero.
NI's decrease is out of step with the overall UK figure for hotel accommodation, which rose by 13% from 32,041 to 36,273.
There are currently 42 councils across the UK providing hotel accommodation for more asylum seekers than in the whole of Northern Ireland.
London boroughs Hillingdon and Hounslow have the highest figures — 1,977 and 1,704 respectively, with Birmingham (1,193), Manchester (1,181) and City of Bristol (888) making up the top five.
The overall number of asylum seekers in Northern Ireland has increased by 1% — from 2,535 in June 2025 to 2,566 in September, a rise of 31 individuals.
Some 2,240 are in dispersal accommodation, which is used on a longer-term basis while asylum claims are processed and relies heavily on the private rental sector. That figure has increased by 0.5% from 2,228 in June.
Some 67 people are in initial accommodation — other than hotels — while 17 are in receipt of subsistence-only support, given to those who have somewhere to stay but no means of affording essential costs.
Overall figures reveal a 5.2% increase in the number of asylum seekers currently in the UK, rising from 106,075 in June to 111,651 in September. The largest number (66,232) are in dispersal accommodation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced yesterday that he was “determined to close all asylum hotels”.
A Home Office spokesperson added: “There are fewer than 200 (hotels) in use and we will close every single one.
“Last week we set out the most sweeping reforms in modern times to restore order and control to our borders,” they added.
“We will remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to the UK and make it easier to remove and deport them.”
It comes after a number of NI councils said planning enforcement investigations into asylum seeker hotels remained ongoing.
The investigations in the Causeway Coast and Glens, Ards and North Down, and Antrim and Newtownabbey areas were sparked by a court ruling that granted a temporary injunction to block asylum seekers staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
A Court of Appeal judge overturned the ruling, with Epping Forest District Council then losing a High Court battle to reinstate the injunction. The council this week announced it would be continuing its legal action on the case.
Statements on migration must be rooted in the facts
Irish News, November 28th, 2025
Pro Fide et Patria
IT is regularly suggested by right-wing voices, particularly in the Reform party as well as in sections of both the Conservatives and the DUP, that a major tide of migration is changing the UK beyond recognition.
Yesterday’s data from Britain’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) paints a very different picture, confirming that the relevant figures have actually been dropping for some time and are at their lowest level since 2021.
According to the ONS report, the latest fall in the level of net migration, which is the difference between people coming to the UK and those leaving, is a result of significantly fewer arrivals.
It is down by nearly 70 per cent on last year, by almost 80 per cent since the previous year and is now at the lowest rate since the pandemic, with an overall present population of 70m growing annually by just over 200,000 or less than 0.4 per cent.
“The decrease is being driven by fewer people from outside the EU coming to the UK for work or to study, the ONS said
The decrease is being driven by fewer people from outside the EU coming to the UK for work or to study, the ONS said, although separate opinion polls indicate that a majority of those questioned wrongly believe that immigration is still going up.
While there is plainly a sharp conflict between perceptions and reality, the report also shows that the number of asylum seekers in the UK, which involves a range of different criteria, is rising and now stands at 110,000.
Northern Ireland’s latest official survey, released in September, said that net migration has fallen by just over 2,000 compared to the previous year, with the wider population of the region only growing marginally by 0.4 per cent, in line with the general UK trend.
The Irish government said earlier this week that the Republic’s population is rising at a rate of 1.5% each year, which is seven times the European Union average, and signalled that it must make decisions on migration that take account of this “extraordinary growth”.
Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan defended proposed changes to existing guidelines, and rejected criticism that the tightening of rules is disproportionately focused on asylum seekers, but it is clear his administration faces difficult decisions.
He also said that a striking 87 per cent of asylum seekers in the Republic had crossed the border from the north, illustrating the complexity of the all-Ireland debate on the issue.
It cannot be ignored that blatantly racist attacks on homes have taken place in both Belfast and Derry over recent days, demonstrating again that hate crimes are fuelled by misinformation, so it is essential that statements on migration by elected representatives in Ireland, both north and south, are both responsible and factually based at all times.
In 1999 we were given hope. Today there is only toxicity
ALEX KANE, Irish News, November 28th, 2025
ON November 29 1999 – exactly 26 years ago tomorrow – the first executive of the new Good Friday Agreement institutions was nominated.
It was an extraordinary day, not least because it was the first time Sinn Féin had agreed, in cooperation with unionist parties, to govern Northern Ireland; a country it long argued had no legitimacy.
It was also, and a lot of people forget this, the first time that a unionist party other than the UUP had been a member of a governing cabinet or executive here.
During the initial stages of nomination, there was a moment when it looked like the entire process would collapse without completion.
That moment was the appointment of Martin McGuinness as Minister of Education.
I still remember the frisson rumbling across the unionist benches; since he, much more so than Gerry Adams, was the real bogeyman for unionism, primarily because he never denied his role in the IRA.
“So, Trimble has delivered a terrorist to be in charge of our children,” was the comment from the person sitting next to me.
I wondered how the DUP would respond. Their entire anti-GFA referendum campaign had been built on the agreement being a concession to the IRA and a facilitation of an eventual united Ireland.
Had the DUP walked at that point, it’s likely that their 20 MLAs would have been joined by the UKUP’s 5, the Independent Unionists’ 3 and possibly even as many as 5 from the UUP itself.
Trimble, like Faulkner in 1974, would have been destroyed because he would no longer have led the majority of unionists.
DUP stayed in the game
Surprisingly, though, the DUP stayed in the game, nominating two of its biggest players – Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds – to the roles of Regional Development and Social Development.
Fair enough, they sat in a room outside the executive room when the first meeting took place on December 2; but that, while both churlish and pointless, was a long way away from the wrecking-ball strategy some feared they would deploy.
Also interesting – and another sign of the party’s seriousness – was the appointment of Ian Paisley as the chair of the Agriculture Committee; meetings he attended with the Sinn Féin committee members in the same room at the same time.
For a few weeks at least there was a genuine sense of optimism. The mere fact of getting the main parties of unionism and nationalism (and with support from the IRA and loyalist paramilitaries) around the table was an astonishing development.
Some dared to hope that something resembling trust would develop, from which would flow genuine cooperation and good government for all.
But it wasn’t to be. The flow was interrupted by three periods of suspension, and then complete collapse in October 2002 after the ‘Stormontgate’ spy ring scandal.
Again, there were concerns that the DUP and other unionists would use that as their excuse to walk away.
But the DUP hung on, having clearly and accurately calculated that there would be no wiping of the white board or rewriting the GFA.
If nothing else, the DUP had learned the lessons from Sunningdale, the Convention and the Anglo-Irish Agreement: don’t walk or protest if you haven’t got a viable and available alternative to hand.
For the DUP it all depended on pounding Trimble every day until the next assembly election and emerging as the largest party.
That’s exactly what it did on November 26 2003, winning 30 seats to the UUP’s 27 and then consolidating the victory with the defection of Jeffrey Donaldson, Arlene Foster and Norah Beare shortly afterwards, giving it 33 to the UUP’s 24.
But off-setting that victory was the emergence of Sinn Féin as the largest party of nationalism (24 to the SDLP’s 18). This meant an entirely new game to restore the executive, one which would have to be negotiated between the DUP and SF.
The parties pulled it off, although not until May 2007 with the Paisley/ McGuinness deal; although it was a deal which destroyed Paisley in both the party and the Free Presbyterian Church within a year.
“It won’t and can’t get better. I can’t think of anything which could even dilute the poison, let alone get rid of it altogether
McGuinness and Peter Robinson managed to keep what I’ve described as their ‘ourselves together’ deal on the road for a decade.
Again, quite extraordinary in the circumstances, but not a deal that was remotely built on trust, cooperation, all-party accountability or a prioritised Programme of Government. And it did have an ongoing series of destabilising crises.
Like November 1999, May 2007 looked like another moment of hope; yet it fell apart. As has every attempt since then.
There is no optimism and no expectation of optimism. What we have now is toxic: utterly, utterly poisonous politics.
It won’t and can’t get better. I can’t think of anything which could even dilute the poison, let alone get rid of it altogether.
Council votes to add Daniel Wiffen’s name to village sign
FRANCOIS VINCENT LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER, Belfast Telegraph, November 28th, 2025
A plaque is to be erected in honour of Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen at Craigavon's South Lake Leisure Centre, where the Magheralin athlete trains when he is at home.
The 800m freestyle champ's name will also be added to Magheralin's village sign.
A motion calling for the gold medallist to be formally honoured was unanimously backed at Monday's (November 24) meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
It was worded as follows: “This council formally recognises the outstanding sporting achievements of Daniel Wiffen, from Magheralin, who won a gold medal in the men's 800-metre freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an individual Olympic gold medal since 1972.
“This council approves the installation of a recognition plaque at South Lake Leisure Centre, where Daniel trains when at home, to honour his historic accomplishment, and to inspire future generations of local athletes.
“This council agrees to update the council boundary signage for Magheralin to include the words 'Home of Olympic Gold Medallist Daniel Wiffen', in recognition of his contribution to local, national, and international sports.”
The motion was proposed by DUP councillor Peter Haire and seconded by his party colleague and Lord Mayor Stephen Moutray.
Presenting his motion, Mr Haire stated: “The Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon area continuously punches above its weight in sport, producing champions across many disciplines.
“At the 2024 Paris Olympics, several of our athletes shone, but one achievement stands above the rest. Daniel Wiffen, from Magheralin, made history by winning in the Men's 800 metres freestyle, becoming the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an individual Olympic gold since 1972.
“He joins the ranks of icons like Lady Mary Peters. At just 23 years old, Daniel's achievements are already remarkable.”
The Lord Mayor expressed similar support for the motion, stating: “I am delighted to second this. Daniel has done himself proud, his family proud, the village of Magheralin — where he emanates from — proud, and indeed this borough.”
Sinn Fein and Alliance councillors support motion
Sinn Fein councillor Keith Haughian had many reasons to be proud of the young athlete, and not least of all the fact that they are both former students of St Patrick's College in Armagh.
“Our party group are more than happy to support this. He's also an ex-student at St Patrick's in Armagh, which I went to myself,” he said.
Alliance's Peter Lavery said he had fond recollections of seeing Daniel win one of his Olympic medals.
He said “On behalf of the Alliance Party, we'll be supporting this motion. Daniel has done the village proud, the borough proud, and most of all his family proud, given all his hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Daniel and his family, and I look forward to seeing this in Magheralin and South Lake Leisure Centre.”
SDLP councillor Thomas O'Hanlon praised the young athlete's generosity, which he felt said so much about him as a person.
“First of all, I want to agree with the sentiments of the motion, and I'm happy to support,” he said.
“But what I would also note is the measure of the young fellow. The prize money that came with it, he donated it to his college in St Patrick's in Armagh.
“That was invested in gym equipment in the school, and to me that tells me more about that young lad than any gold medals or anything that he has around his neck.”
UUP councillor Kyle Savage, who lives close to Magheralin, recalled how the entire community came together to welcome the gold medallist back home.
“It's great to see [such] a fantastic achievement for Daniel and for the village of Magheralin,” he said.
“I was part of the welcoming home party for Daniel that night in Magheralin, and it's great to see the community from all backgrounds coming out and supporting Daniel and his family.”
Belfast Council won’t comment on Palestinian flag proposal at City Hall
The Palestinian flag was due to be flown above City Hall this Saturday
Michael Kenwood, Irish News, November 27th, 2025
Belfast City Council says it is “not appropriate” to comment on a process which is determining whether or not the Palestinian flag can be flown from City Hall this Saturday.
Earlier this month at a meeting of the full Belfast City Council, a majority of elected representatives approved a Sinn Féin proposal to erect the national flag of Palestine above City Hall this Saturday November 29, the International Day for Solidarity with the People of Palestine.
A vote on the proposal saw 41 in favour from Sinn Féin, Alliance, the SDLP, the Green Party and People Before Profit, and 15 against from the DUP, the UUP and the TUV. The proposal was carried.
This decision was subsequently “called in” by unionists – information relating to the number of elected representatives who called it in and the party or parties they represent has not been furnished by the council.
According to local government law, only 15 per cent of a council is required to call in a decision, setting off independent legal examination, a potential equality impact assessment, then a redetermination of the decision.
If the call-in is seen as competent, it will go back to the full council, where the original proposal has to then pass an 80 percent threshold of the vote to be successful.
With the call-in process still underway, and no council meetings timetabled before next Monday, question marks remain over whether the flag will be flown this Saturday.
Councillors have to give reasons for any call-in, explaining why they believe the decision “was not arrived at after a proper consideration of the relevant facts and issues” and why they believe the decision “would disproportionately affect adversely any section of the inhabitants of the district.”
Legal advice has been sought by the council as a result of the call-in, and it has been reported that some issues have been raised relating to actions taken or not taken before the vote to fly the flag.
No legal breaches have been confirmed or suggested thus far.
‘Call-in’ vote
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “A call-in requisition in relation to the decision to fly the national flag of Palestine at City Hall on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, was received. As this process is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
A parade has been organised in Belfast by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, moving from Donegall Street and City Hall this Saturday afternoon, with 2,000 plus people expected to take part.
Sinn Féin Councillor Ryan Murphy said at the full council meeting on November 3: “We have a so-called ceasefire where we have over 230 Palestinian people killed. Francesa Albanese, the UN Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories summed it up best when she said what the ceasefire means to the Israelis is “you cease, and we keep firing.
“With that still taking place, I have had people contacting me, wondering what they can do to get involved in efforts to try and highlight those ongoing human rights abuses, and to try and support the people of Palestine in whatever way they can. That includes people attending demonstrations and protests, people fundraising locally in my own area.”
He added: “It is also about what we do in here. One of the reasons we are flying those flags on December 10 for human rights, is because we can’t light City Hall up due to the Christmas lights.
“So I would like to propose on November 29, which is the International Day for Solidarity with the People of Palestine that Belfast City Hall will have the national flag of Palestine erected above the building.”
West Belfast school distances itself from weapons company after recruitment information shared
BRETT CAMPBELL, Belfast Telegraph, November 28th, 2025
ANGRY PARENTS TOLD RECRUITMENT ADVERT WAS FOR 'AWARENESS PURPOSES ONLY'
A grammar school for girls in west Belfast is seeking to distance itself from a weapons company after it shared information on recruitment with parents.
It's after parents raised concerns when St Dominic's Grammar School, on the Falls Road, circulated an advertisement for Thales, an east Belfast-based weapons plant.
In a letter to parents signed by principal Orla O'Neill and the chair of the Board of Governors, they insisted the details were for “career awareness” purposes only.
It did acknowledge complaints.
“Concerns have been received regarding the inclusion of such an advertisement which the school received from Thales in a recent app message,” the letter continued.
Thales not invited to event
“For the avoidance of doubt this company has not been invited to participate in any events in St Dominic's nor are St Dominic's taking part in any virtual events organised by the company.
“There is no affiliation between this company and our school.”
It stated that the careers department “routinely receives information and flyers from a wide variety of Northern Ireland companies” promoting apprenticeship schemes which are shared with parents “for information purposes” via an internal school communication app.
Mrs O'Neill did not answer questions from the Belfast Telegraph and instead referred this newspaper to the letter sent to parents.
Thales, which employs 800 people in east Belfast and has benefited from a cash injection of £1.6bn for its arms factory here from the UK Government for air defence missiles for Ukraine, was contacted for comment.
The French multinational aerospace weapons maker is closely linked to Elbit Systems UK and a joint venture to manufacture and supply drones which are believed to have been used by Israel in the latest conflict.
Facebook based boycott campaign
Among those criticising the school was political group Glór na hÓglaigh, who took to social media.
The self-described “revolutionary republican socialist party with grassroots republican values” claimed the school was set to welcome Thales weapons manufacturer in a bid to encourage young females to work at the firm.
In a Facebook post it urged parents of pupils to make their opposition known.
“Thales is directly supplying Israel with weapons to commit genocide in Gaza,” it wrote online.
“Right now, as you read this, Thales weapons are killing young Palestinian women who aren't lucky enough to go to St Dominic's. Why are they less valuable than our young women?”
The group — which has 344 followers on the social media platform — later updated the post to congratulate parents for speaking out.
“Due to concerns raised to St Dominic's regarding Thales we can gladly confirm they will not be involved in the virtual recruitment exercise, previously stated on the advertisement,” it read.
While a number of social media users welcomed the clarification in the letter from the school, others were critical of the original post by Glór na hÓglaigh.
“Why are schools making political judgments on what jobs their pupils should receive information on?” one person asked.
“So now you want to tell people were they can work,” another noted before asking “are you going to provide people with a job they want?”
Dublin City Council not to remove Tricolours flown by anti-immigration groups
Erection of flags echoes similar campaign by far-right in UK that critics say is designed to intimidate immigrants
Conor Gallagher, Irish Times, November 28th, 2025
Dublin City Council has decided it will not remove the hundreds of Tricolours erected by anti-immigration groups around the capital and will instead launch initiatives to “promote a deeper understanding of the Irish flag”.
Far-right groups and individuals, along with members of local communities, began erecting Irish flags in large numbers on lamp-posts during the summer, echoing the Raise the Colours campaign in the UK.
Supporters of the flags say they represent patriotism and national pride. Opponents say they are designed to intimidate immigrants and that use of the national flag in such a way is disrespectful.
Dublin City Council began facing calls from councillors and members of the public to remove the flags shortly after they began appearing in large numbers in August.
“You can’t just erect a flag on every lamp-post or pole” Minister of Justice Jim O’Callaghan said in September. However he said authorities “need to be sensitive” in their approach.
Council officials, along with Lord Mayor Ray McAdam, met senior gardaí on several occasions to discuss an appropriate solution and the risks involved.
It is understood officials were warned by gardaí that any large-scale removal of the flags would likely provoke an angry response from some sectors and may place council workers in physical danger.
Council workers tasked with removing flags would also likely be filmed and their identities published on social media, creating significant safety concerns, gardaí told officials.
A number of individuals involved in the erection of flags have a history of violence and criminal involvement.
Following these meetings, the council decided to take no action regarding the flags.
“Dublin City Council has engaged with stakeholders and reviewed the factors and risks associated with the ongoing issue of flags on public lighting poles,” a spokeswoman told The Irish Times.
“Following this, the council has concluded that removing such flags at this time would be counterproductive.”
She said the council will instead “take a positive and proactive approach” that “celebrates our collective sense of belonging to this city”.
The council will work with local communities to “promote a deeper understanding of the Irish flag – its history, its meaning, and its enduring message of inclusion, equality and respect”.
“The Irish flag is a unifying symbol for all who call Dublin home. It represents peace, togetherness and the shared responsibility we each have in building an inclusive and welcoming city.”
While there will be no large-scale removal of Tricolours, any flags that create “a hazard or risk to public safety” will be removed during the normal course of council operations, she said.
“Dublin is a city for everyone – a city where community, respect and belonging remain at the heart of all we do.”
Tricolours remain a common sight on lamp-posts in some areas of the capital, although many are now in a poor condition.
In recent weeks, anti-racism activists have been removing the flags in some areas or erecting additional flags designed to make immigrants feel welcome. Brazilian, Palestinian and Ukrainian flags have begun to appear on lamp-posts alongside Irish flags.
In some cases, activists disguise themselves as council or utility workers to remove the flags without drawing unwanted attention.
Ceann Comhairle excuse on photo 'hard to accept', says FG MEP
Doherty criticises Murphy over her response to abuse victim Cahill
MARY REGAN, Irish Independent, November 28th, 2025
Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has said it is "hard to accept” the explanation from Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy about her decision to pose for a photograph with Sinn Féin TDs and senators.
Dublin MEP Ms Doherty, who is a former government chief whip, added that a response from Ms Murphy to abuse victim Máiría Cahill about the photo was "wholly inadequate”.
Sinn Féin removed a social media post on Tuesday night at the request of the Ceann Comhairle, who claimed she had been misled about the intentions of the photo opportunity on the Dáil plinth.
In the now-deleted post, the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: "Tonight the Dáil will debate Sinn Féin's bill which would allow a court to impose a restraining order on someone convicted of sexual assault which would prevent them from approaching the victim when released from prison.
"This is a really important piece of legislation which needs to pass quickly. Victims can't wait any longer. We stand together to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.”
This was followed by an orange heart and a picture of a number of Sinn Féin TDs and senators, as well as Ms McDonald and the Ceann Comhairle wearing orange to represent the colour of the Elimination of Violence Against Women Day.
Ms Murphy was standing in the front row, beside the Sinn Féin leader who was holding up a party document with the wording "Sinn Féin Access to Justice”.
Máiría Cahill
In a letter to the Ceann Comhairle, former senator Ms Cahill asked whether Ms Murphy "saw the document everyone around her in the photo is holding”.
Ms Cahill waived her right to anonymity in 2014 to go public with allegations that she was subjected to an IRA "kangaroo court” when she came forward with claims she was raped by an IRA member.
Ms Cahill said: "Any reasonable person seeing that photograph would assume that the Ceann Comhairle supported the bill. Everyone around her is holding it up for the camera.
"That is why there is a real difficulty for the Houses of the Oireachtas and the office of Ceann Comhairle with the decision to attend the event in the first instance - and in not excusing herself from the photograph when it became apparent that she was being used.”
In response, the Ceann Comhairle's office said she "believed the photo call was a cross-party photo call” and "it was on that basis that the Ceann Comhairle was photographed”.
The statement said her participation in the photo call "was not in anticipation of such use”, adding: "To suggest that the Ceann Comhairle was photographed in support of a Sinn Féin bill is absolutely inaccurate and seriously misleading.”
Speaking to the Irish Independent at the European Parliament in Strasbourg last night, Ms Doherty said she "absolutely” believed that the Ceann Comhairle initially thought it was a cross-party event.
"But it's absolutely hard to believe that when she stood for the photograph that she didn't realise that every single person in the photograph, bar the victims, were from Sinn Féin and every single one of them was holding the document. That stretches credulity,” she said.
Ms Doherty said the Ceann Comhairle's office was "supposed to be impartial”.
‘Error of Judgement’
She said: "I don't think in the history of the Dáil any ceann comhairle ever issued utterance of support for a private members' bill or a government bill before the Dáil, so that was a great error of judgment. Whether she knowingly did it or not is open.”
Ms Doherty, who said she is a "good pal” of Ms Murphy, "only asked Sinn Féin to take the post down after Máiría made the complaint, and I would suggest that the response from the Ceann Comhairle, to Máiría, who is the victim, was wholly unsatisfactory”.
She said: "Apart from the impartiality and upholding the office that she holds, it doesn't take an awful lot for victims of sexual violence to be retraumatised.”
Sinn Féin and other opposition parties tabled a no-confidence motion in Ms Murphy in April following a long-running row over the granting of Dáil speaking rights to Independent TDs who were supporting the Government, including Michael Lowry.
After winning the vote, the Ceann Comhairle said she bore "no ill will and my door is always open”.
She added: "I will continue to uphold my solemn declaration to vindicate the rights of all members and administer the rules chosen by members of this house impartially and fairly alongside the independent, loyal and hard-working staff of my office.”
(see www.Truthrecoveryprocess.ie November 26th, 2025)
