Legacy Act Reform faces Veterans Roadblock
The Legacy Act
The British government’s plan to repeal the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act has run into a predictable roadblock in the form of backbench MPs who represent important constituencies with significant numbers of former soldiers.
The backbenchers have threatened to vote against the repeal legislation being brought forward by Hilary Benn, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, because of concerns that it would leave former members of the security forces at risk of being pursued over actions taken while serving in Northern Ireland. The UK’s veterans minister, Alistair Carns, has said he will resign if it is passed.
The exposure of former and current service personal – and by extension the British state – was uppermost in the mind of the Conservative government when it brought in the Legacy Act in September 2023, despite the opposition of all political parties in Northern Ireland.
The Act put an end to any civil actions and independent inquests into Troubles-related deaths. It offered an alternative route by which victims and their families could seek answers. An independent information recovery body – the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery – was established and given the power to grants amnesties to those who cooperated with it. This would have offered former security force personnel and other participants protection.
This power to grant amnesties was subsequently found by the British courts to be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and the British government’s commitments under the Windsor Framework, agreed with the EU as part of the Brexit process.
Labour committed to repealing the Legacy Act in its election manifesto and Benn initiated the process last December by announcing legislation to remove the conditional immunity clause from the Act and also allow new civil actions and inquests to proceed. Cross party opposition to Benn’s plans coalesced around a parliamentary petition instigated by a former British Army officer which has garnered close to 180,000 signatures, triggering a heated debate in the House of Commons last week.
British prime minster Kier Starmer is still licking his wounds after his backbenchers forced a climb-down over welfare reforms. He may well be tempted to long finger the Legacy Act reforms. The contradictory stance of some Unionist politicians may well give him some cover. Having opposed the Legacy Act, they are now opposing its repeal over fears that members of the security forces could be prosecuted.
The Taoiseach is due to discuss the issues with the British prime minister, but it remains to be seen whether Starmer has the stomach to face down his backbenchers over the issue.
Former Police Ombudsman has new concerns over independence of PSNI watchdog.
Connla Young, Irish News, July 21st, 2025
FORMER Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan has raised unprecedented concerns about the independence of the critical PSNI watchdog.
The unusual intervention comes after the current ombudsman Marie Anderson stood down last month with authority delegated to the organisation’s chief executive Hugh Hume, a former RUC and PSNI officer, and other senior staff members.
Mr Hume, who retired from the PSNI in 2017, has previously worked with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and had previously served with its inspectorate.
He joined the ombudsman’s office in July last year.
It is understood he is a former head of intelligence at the PSNI’s C3 unit – often referred to as Special Branch.
Baroness O’Loan has also raised fresh concerns about the British government established Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
Its commissioner for investigations is former RUC officer and PSNI assistant chief constable Peter Sheridan.
Mr Sheridan is a an exhead of the PSNI’s Crime Operations Department, which included the C3 intelligence unit.
Speaking to The Irish News last week, Baroness O’Loan said the controversial legacy body cannot “ensure proper, impartial investigations and accountability” – a suggestion it has rejected.
Last year The Court of Appeal found that a British government veto over sensitive material that can be disclosed by the commission is not compatible with human rights laws.
O’Loan raises concern over oversight body
The ICRIR was established as part of the Legacy Act, which ended all inquests and civil cases, along with introducing conditional immunity.
Many victims and relatives of those who died during the Troubles are strongly opposed to the commission and believe it is designed to protect state participants from accountability.
Responsibility for investigating the past also transferred from the ombudsman’s office and PSNI to the ICRIR.
Temporary Absence
Last month Marie Anderson took a “temporary leave of absence” days after an investigation file linked to an alleged domestic incident was passed to prosecutors.
The development came after West Midland Police completed an investigation, at the request of the PSNI, into an alleged domestic incident at Ms Anderson’s Co Down home in September 2023.
In a statement Ms Anderson said that in her absence, “I am delegating authority to my chief executive and senior staff as appropriate”.
The ombudsman’s office was established as part of the Patten reforms, which were linked to the emerging peace process.
Baroness O’Loan was the north’s first Police Ombudsman and held the post between 1999-2007.
During that time, she was involved in several major investigations including a probe into the 1998 Omagh bombing and oversaw Operation Ballast, which exposed collusion between the RUC and the UVF.
Subsequent ombudsman investigations also found evidence of collusion between the police and loyalists murder squads.
Baroness O’Loan has now voiced significant concerns about the ombudsman’s office.
“I also have a concern about the office of the Police Ombudsman, which is now, in Marie Anderson’s absence, being run, and this is no reflection on the individual concerned at all, but it is actually now being run by a former RUC/PSNI officer,” she said.
“That is a concern to me because when these institutions were established, they were to provide independent, impartial investigations.”
The former ombudsman said she has been reluctant to speak out in the past.
Independence and impartiality
“The perception of the independence and impartiality is damaged when somebody who has held high rank in a police service which is being investigated, the RUC/PSNI, is running the office of the Police Ombudsman,” she said.
“I have hesitated to comment on the running of the office, which I formerly held, but I think the situation has now got to the stage where there now is actively no ombudsman, the powers appear to have been delegated to somebody who was a former senior RUC/PSNI officer.”
Baroness O’Loan said there doesn’t appear to be any separation between investigative bodies and policing. “I think when you bring together the operation of the ICRIR and the construct of it, and the fact that ICRIR investigations are led by a former RUC/PSNI officer and the fact that the Police Ombudsman’s office is now run by a former RUC/ PSNI officer, you are in a position in which the independence of these institutions from policing certainly doesn’t appear to exist,” she said.
“This is no comment on the individuals, or the integrity of the individuals concerned, it’s simply a matter of fact and perception.”
In a statement, the Police Ombudsman’s Office said it was “independent from police and has processes in place to ensure that its investigations are conducted impartially”.
It added that it was important to note that the chief executive was not responsible for the day-to-day operational management of any Police Ombudsman investigation.
“[Mr Hume] has been involved in police accountability since 2017, when he was appointed deputy chief inspector of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate,” a spokesperson said.
“In 2021 he became a commissioner with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, a body which was largely equivalent to the Police Ombudsman’s Office. He performed this role until joining the Police Ombudsman’s Office last year.
“From 2021 until being appointed chief executive, Mr Hume was a member of the management board of the European Partners against Corruption, and Deputy Vice-President of the European contact-point network against corruption, with responsibility for Policing Oversight. These networks are made up of 100 anti-corruption and police oversight bodies from across Europe.”
They added that his appointment as chief executive followed a rigorous public competition for the post.
“Any potential conflicts of interest, including those associated with his policing career, were thoroughly explored as part of that recruitment process.
“In addition, any actual, perceived or potential conflicts of interest identified, or arising, in any investigation are subject to scrutiny in line with our Conflict of Interest Policy to ensure that the independence and impartiality which are fundamental to our investigations are robustly maintained.
“On a number of occasions to date, Mr Hume has removed himself from any involvement in cases where he recognised that there may be a perceived conflict of interest. He did so to protect the integrity of those investigations, and the real independence and impartiality of the office.”
Ulster University academic Heenan looks set to enter race for Irish presidency
Allison Morris, Belfast Telegraph and Irish Independent, July 21st, 2025
CO DOWN-BORN PROFESSOR IS TIPPED TO BE FIANNA FAIL'S CHOICE AS CANDIDATE
Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan is the front-runner to be Fianna Fail's candidate for this year's Irish presidential election.
She is said to be in the final stages of negotiations to contest the autumn poll.
Prof Heenan said she could “neither confirm nor deny” that she had been approached by the party.
However, sources say the former provost and dean of academic development at the Magee campus is leading the race as the preferred candidate of Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
Fianna Fail is keen to replicate the success of Belfast lawyer and academic Mary McAleese, who was Irish president from 1997 to 2011.
Michael D Higgins' term ends in October and he is not eligible to stand again.
Prof Heenan is a former member of President Higgins' council of state (An Chomhairle Stait), an advisory body primarily consulted on matters related to the president's discretionary powers.
From Annaclone, Co Down, she was educated at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University. She lives in Derry with her husband and three sons.
28 years since FF ran candidate
It is 28 years since Fianna Fail contested a presidential election, with Mrs McAleese in 1997.
She is the only president to have come from Northern Ireland.
Up until 1990 every president had been a Fianna Fail nominee: Douglas Hyde, Sean T O'Kelly, Eamon de Valera, Erskine Childers, Cearbhall O Dalaigh and Patrick Hillery.
Mary Robinson was elected in 1990 as a Labour candidate, backed by the Workers' Party and the Green Party.
To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen and 35 or over.
They must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities.
So far two candidates have been announced.
Catherine Connolly, an Independent TD for Galway West, has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, as well as independent TDs and senators.
She resigned from Labour after being turned down as a running mate for Mr Higgins in 2007's general election. She later entered the Dail as an independent.
Mairead McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the Fine Gael nominee.
Also potential candidates
However, other major parties have yet to state their intentions.
At the weekend former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said he was open to considering a run for the presidency.
Mr Rabbitte headed the party between 2002 and 2007, and served as minister for communications, energy and natural resources between 2011 and 2014.
The Irish Mail On Sunday reported former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has also not ruled out seeking a nomination.
Riverdance star Michael Flatley is tipped as a potential candidate too.
Speaking on RTE radio, Flatley said he had spent the last 30 years of his life “touring the world promoting Ireland and Irish culture”.
He said the presidency was a statesman's role and he was “not sure we need another politician”.
Although born in Chicago, Flatley would be eligible to run as he has Irish citizenship.
He said he was consulting with a “team of advisers” ahead of making a final decision.
Last month former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said he was considering entering the race. The Foyle MP added people had urged him to stand.
“There's very few candidates in the field right now. It's something that needs a lot of consideration,” he said.
However, Mr Martin said he was surprised to hear that Mr Eastwood was considering running.
“It's open to everyone to put themselves forward, Colum's a very capable, effective parliamentarian,” he said.
“But we will make our choice as a party and we have not concluded deliberations at all.”
Sources say Fianna Fail is keen on a “fresh face”, and not a current or former politician, and that Prof Heenan has been approached directly. Fianna Fail has been contacted for comment.
Sinn Fein has yet to say if it will nominate a member, or instead back Connolly as a Left-leaning candidate.
Mary Lou McDonald appeared to suggest she was considering standing.
Asked earlier this month, she said: “We are not ruling anything in or anything out.”
This is a shift from her position in March when she said she would not be running.
However, an internal discussion document seen by the Belfast Telegraph distributed among Sinn Fein members states that a preferred candidate would be someone from this side of the border, as part of the party's all-island strategy.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill, the vice-president, has also not ruled herself out of the race.
She said last month: “We are working our way through our deliberations in terms of the presidential race itself.”
In February former Economy Minister Conor Murphy joked there was more chance of DUP leader Gavin Robinson running for the Irish presidency than Ms O'Neill.
Professor from Belfast is in advanced talks to be FF Áras candidate
Allison, Morris, Irish Independent, July 21st, 2025
Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan is being tipped as Fianna Fáil's candidate for the presidential election.
She is said to be in the final stages of negotiations to contest the autumn poll.
Prof Heenan said she could "neither confirm nor deny” that she had been approached by the party.
However, sources say the former provost and dean of academic development at the Magee campus is leading the race as the preferred candidate of Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Fianna Fáil is keen to replicate the success of Belfast lawyer and academic Mary McAleese, who was president from 1997 to 2011.
Shambles at SWAH is a case study on how not to transform healthcare
Deirdre Heenan, Irish News, July 21st, 2025
There has been anger at plans to permanently move emergency general surgery services from the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen to Altnagelvin in Derry
IT IS a scandal that thanks to the ill-judged Private Finance Initiative, the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) in Enniskillen which opened in 2012 will cost the taxpayer three times more than the building is worth.
To add insult to injury, the complete mismanagement of services by the western trust has led to fundamental questions about the future status of SWAH.
Medics have raised a string of issues around management, understaffing, an inability to recruit and retain staff, poor morale, over-reliance on expensive locum cover, under-utilisation of operating theatres, a toxic culture and a lack of certainty about the viability of the hospital.
The attempted removal of emergency general surgery (EGS) from this beleaguered SWAH could be a case study in how not to transform healthcare. From the outset, the handling has been utterly shambolic.
The ham-fisted approach taken by the western trust has damaged and eroded confidence in the management of health and social care. Transparency, accountability and a partnership approach are essential when dealing with these difficult, complex decisions.
On the one hand the decision to suspend EGS in December 2022 was described as ‘temporary’ and ‘unplanned’ due to an inability to recruit and retain surgical staff, whilst on the other hand it was suggested that the permanent removal of EGS was necessary to ensure better outcomes.
Information Vacuum
Predictably, in the absence of robust, reliable information, rumours took hold. These included that this was the beginning of the end for the Enniskillen hospital, that other services were under threat.
The public were understandably angry and dismayed at their legitimate concerns being dismissed or ignored. In an information vacuum and dealing with an unresponsive system, many were convinced that this was the thin end of the wedge.
Earlier this month at a trust board meeting, a consultation on the permanent transfer of EGS to Derry was agreed. Given the strength of feeling that was already evident on this highly emotive issue, unbelievably just two face-to-face public consultation events were organised.
Confronted with overwhelming demand to attend, the trust decided to postpone these events “in the interest of public safety”.
In a highly unusual move, the Patient and Client Council (PCC), a body which represents the interests of the public in the health and social care system, raised concerns about the consultation process.
It said it was “disappointed with how PCC’s early conversation with the trust has been reflected in response to concerns about the consultation, including in the media”.
Ministerial intervention
In the latest tumultuous week for SWAH, the health minister Mike Nesbitt intervened, asking the trust to pause the proposed consultation.
While the management of this process is the responsibility of the trust, any permanent change to EGS must be signed off by the minister.
From the outset, it is hard to imagine how such a sensitive, emotive issue could have been handled any worse. The years of dithering and mixed messaging have made a bad situation immeasurably worse.
Much of the current fear and alarm could have been avoided by management of the trust working collaboratively with all stakeholders, levelling with the public. Outlining clearly what this means for the hospital and equally important what it does not mean.
Where is the evidence-based plan setting out in detail the future of acute services in this trust area and specifically the services delivered in this hospital?
What is impact of proposed changes on Altnagelvin? Is there a plan to develop a regional specialised elective surgical centre? If so, what service and when?
What will the removal of this EGS mean for other services? How does the trust intend to address on-going problems with the recruitment and retention of staff?
Those charged with overseeing this fiasco are hugely misguided and deluded if they cannot acknowledge that this has been disastrous. Even at this stage management appear to be surprised at the strength of feeling generated by this issue.
The days of being grateful for a paternalist healthcare system managed by those who know what’s best for us are over.
Patients are not passive recipients of care. They rightly expect to be fully informed and involved in decisions about current and future healthcare.
Those charged with delivering transformation in healthcare need to understand public involvement as an intrinsic part of change, rather than as a communications issue that must be dealt with.
Most people accept that not everything can be done in every hospital, but more than two decades after discussions about transformation began, we are none the wiser about what will happen where, why and how.
When are we going to have this much needed national conversation?
Over 1,400 looked-after children reported missing since 2020
Allan Preston, Irish News, July 21st, 2025
OVER 1,400 looked after children in Northern Ireland have been reported missing from care over the past five years, new figures show.
An assembly question to the health minister Mike Nesbitt from Alliance MLA Michelle Guy showed the total between April 2020 to March 2025 was 1,427.
With 265 across Northern Ireland in the last year alone, Belfast trust had the highest figure at 198.
Further detail from the department also showed that most of the missing children over five years (1,148) had been considered at risk from Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
In 2024/25, this accounted for 232 children of which 187 were in the Belfast trust area.
The five-year total of children missing from care for over 24 hours was 279, with 33 in the last year.
Mr Nesbitt said the “significantly higher” numbers of children affected in the Belfast trust could be influenced by the urban environment and differences of “operational cultures” between trusts.
Public holidays and civil unrest
Another possible factor was significant public holidays like the Twelfth and “periods of civil unrest”.
He added that “robust safeguarding arrangements” between the department, health trusts and other agencies included the Regional Missing Children Oversight Group, which meets twice a year to ensure any gaps in the system are properly addressed.
The department did not have data on the exact length of missing periods, which is held by health trusts who have statutory responsibility for each of the young people.
Ms Guy called the figures “deeply concerning” and said she had further questions about the number of children missing in education.
“The Department of Education have stated they do not know the number of children currently missing in education and I’ve been made aware there is no data sharing agreement in place between the Department of Education and the Department of Health. This needs to be urgently addressed by both ministers.”
He said young people were now more vulnerable due to a record number in care (around 4,000) as well as serious difficulties in recruiting enough social workers.
“The challenges are nothing new, particularly when looking after young people in adolescence wanting to assert their independence,” he said.
“Society is also much more complex these days. You’re going to have issues with mental health and addiction and many of them will be at risk of sexual exploitation as well.”
Since the publication of a major report into child services two years ago, with expert Professor Ray Jones suggesting a low-cost way to overhaul services, Mr Maguire said there had been “no substantive progress.”“Young people with complex lives can face issues of abandonment. Very often social workers are the most stable person in their life,” he said.
Difficulty retaining staff
“But now you have staff retiring and it’s more difficult to retain workers. That means young people might be seeing a number of different social workers, so it becomes more difficult to build relationships.”
Commissioner for Children and Young People Chris Quinn told The Irish News he was “profoundly concerned” by the figures.
“This is particularly worrying when one considers the risk of these vulnerable children being criminally or sexually exploited,” he said.
“Understanding the circumstances behind children affected needs to be addressed urgently and getting to the source of the issue should be an absolute priority for government and statutory agencies.”
He said key recommendations from Professor Jones’ report highlighted “fragmented data” across health trusts, the need for better information sharing and a region-wide arms length body for children’s social care.
“Children can wait no longer. The independent review was published over two years ago, and I am concerned that progress has been slow,” he said.
Mr Quinn said a positive aspect was the Children’s Social Care Reform Programme to better understand children’s residential needs, which was connected to the Child Criminal Exploitation Plan.
“Our aim to fully incorporate the UN Convention on Rights of a Child into domestic law could have a massive positive impact on all babies, children and young people, particularly those must vulnerable, including those missing from care, whose rights are being so shamefully violated.”
‘The Tunnel is a snapshot of a pivotal moment in the Troubles’
David Roy chats to Belfast-born Oscar-winner about an incredible career in film and bringing his debut play The Tunnel to the stage.
Irish News, July 21st, 2025
IT’S a scorching hot day in west Belfast when we visit Terry George at Brassneck Theatre Co HQ during rehearsals for The Tunnel, a revival of his debut play which was staged in New York for the first and – until now – last time nearly 40 years ago.
Written in 1986 and set 10-years beforehand, the play is based on the Oscar-winner’s experience of being imprisoned in Long Kesh.
George (72) served three years for possession of a weapon – a charge he has always denied.
The Tunnel centres on a group of republican prisoners plotting a jailbreak under the wire of the prison camp as the possibility of losing their ‘political status’ looms, along with the construction of new maximum security H-Blocks.
The writer/director followed up his play by embarking on a successful film career, working with Oscar-winning actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Helen Mirren, Dustin Hoffman, Brendan Fraser, Joaquin Phoenix and Christian Bale, along with winning his own Academy Award in 2012 as writer/ producer of The Shore, a short film directed by daughter Oorlagh (who also received an Oscar) and shot at the family’s cottage at Coney Island in Co Down.
Now, New York-based George is looking forward to bringing The Tunnel back to the stage in the city of his birth.
“Having written it 40 years ago, it’s really interesting to look back at what the dynamic [of the Troubles] was around 1976, 1977,” he tells me as we shelter from the sun in the cool of Brassneck’s canteen.
“I realise now that within the story of these men is the fundamental change that took place in the Troubles during those years.
“By ‘76, the IRA had gone to what became known as the ‘long war’ strategy. The British suddenly realised the same thing and the criminalisation policy came in.
“Everybody was sort of settling down for the long haul – although none of us fathomed that it would be 20 years long.
Snapshot of movement
“So it’s really interesting to look at The Tunnel now, because I’ve barely changed a word. I decided to leave it as a snapshot of a moment in history.”
Following his release from Long Kesh in 1978, George moved to New York and eventually found his way into journalism, working for top publications including New York Magazine and Rolling Stone during the early 1980s.
Originally staged in 1986 at the Hell’s Kitchen-based Irish Arts Center (IAC), The Tunnel marked George’s transition from fact-based print to fact-inspired drama: it was also the catalyst for perhaps his most significant professional relationship.
The Tunnel was directed by Jim Sheridan, the Dublin -born writer/director then serving as artistic director of IAC, with whom he would go on to make three major films between 1993 and 1997.
The first, In The Name of The Father, was directed by Sheridan and starred Daniel Day-Lewis as Guildford Four man Gerry Conlon. Based on Conlon’s memoir, it saw both film-makers co-nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.
Starring Helen Mirren, the Hunger Strike-themed Some Mother’s Son marked George’s debut as director, with Sheridan co-writing and producing.
Next, the pair teamed up to co-write The Boxer, again directed by Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis.
However, before all that, there was The Tunnel.
“This was my first dabbling in drama,” recalls George as the current cast of The Tunnel – which includes Martin McCann, Chris Corrigan and Ciaran Nolan – run through scenes in preparation for opening night at the Lyric theatre on July 31, where the play is running as part of Féile an Phobail.
“At that time I was a fact-checker for New York Magazine and doing research for some pretty famous writers like Pete Hamill, Jimmy Breslin and Shana Alexander.
“I was lucky enough to meet Jim Sheridan and persuaded him to direct the play. Then, in the middle of rehearsals, the lead actor dropped out – so as well as directing, Jim took over as one of the lead characters, Harry.
“That became the start of our relationship.”
Despite garnering decent reviews, The Tunnel’s inaugural production proved to be its last – until now.
“It ran for about six months through ‘86 and into ‘87,” recalls George.
the originally staged The Tunnel was directed by Jim Sheridan.
Wrong footed
“Towards the end of its run, Noel Pearson [famous Irish producer, then director of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre] had actually come to see the play, and at one point wanted to bring it to the Abbey – but apparently the Abbey found it politically incorrect or too political.
“Then Jim went off to write what became My Left Foot.”
Of bringing The Tunnel back to the stage in Belfast, he observes: “Actually, the only new thing I’ve brought to the play is a better understanding of drama.
“Obviously, having now spent 40 years in television and film, I can better see what’s kind of universal in stories and how to sell that, you know?
“So I’m really interested in the audience’s reaction and how it plays as a piece of drama outside the Troubles.”
Along with reviving The Tunnel, George will also be introducing a special 20th anniversary screening of his film Hotel Rwanda at the Féile.
Set in 1994 during the Rwandan genocide, it’s based on the true story of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (portrayed by Don Cheadle) refugees from being slaughtered by the rampaging Hutu militia.
“From the moment I wrote Hotel Rwanda, I wanted Don Cheadle,” says George of the film which earned him his second Oscar nod.
“I saw him playing Sammy Davis Jr in an HBO TV thing about the Rat Pack and thought ‘this guy is a genius’.
“Don wanted to do it, but the studios were like ‘we’ll only do it if Denzel [Washington] will do it’. And then there was a big push for Cuba Gooding jnr.
“Luckily, [Hollywood producer] Bingham Ray, God rest his soul, really believed in the script and was willing to get behind it with Don.
“All of the cast, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Joaquin [Phoenix] and David O’Hara, were just great.
“And the vibe of the thing – it’s very strange that how much joy you have in making a film is often in direct opposition to how horrific the story is.
“That was certainly true with Hotel Rwanda, In The Name of The Father and Some Mother’s Son, which were joyous experiences, for sure.”
On the subject of joyous experiences, the Oscar-winner has loved reviving The Tunnel with a local cast.
He enthuses: “What I love about coming back to theatre is that it lives and breathes with each performance, whereas a film is a glorified corpse that’s been dead for six months or a year.
“Theatre is a visceral thing, so it’s been great to come back to basics here working with these fantastic actors.
“I’m happy and anxious and looking forward to just sitting at the back of the theatre on opening night.”
The Tunnel is on from July 31 to August 16 at Belfast’s Lyric theatre. Tickets via lyrictheatre. co.uk. Full Féile programme at feilebelfast.com.
‘Rory did win. He brought the Open to Portrush’: High praise for local hero
Freya McClements, Irish Times, July 21st, 2025
There have been many winners from the town of Portrush to Northern Ireland
All week, all month, all year, Portrush has talked about only one winner of the Open: Rory McIlroy.
Though it was not to be for McIlroy, who tied for seventh place – the claret jug went to the world number one Scottie Scheffler – in the end, nobody really minded.
As McIlroy walked on to the 18th hole in the Sunday evening sun, he did so to a standing ovation; there were Irish flags, Northern Irish flags, and everywhere, people were on their feet, showing their appreciation for their hero by applauding him home.
“None of us could live with what he [Scheffler] had this week,” McIlroy told the media afterwards, “but for me, to be in front of everyone here at home and to get that reception up the last, absolutely incredible. I’ll remember that for a long time.”
“Rory did win,” said Brian McDermott, from Moville, Co Donegal. “He brought the Open to Portrush. The Open would not be here without him, so that is a win.
“Six years ago, he missed the cut, so to get him, and to watch him, and to see him finish – that is a win.
“Seeing him come into the 18th, and everybody in that grandstand get up and applaud him – that is a win, for Ireland and for Rory McIlroy.”
Many winners
There have been many winners from this Open; add to that list Royal Portrush Golf Club, the town of Portrush, and Northern Ireland.
Though official figures are yet to follow, the predictions themselves were impressive: an economic boost to Northern Ireland of £213 million just from Open week alone.
Yet this does not include the impact that will continue to be felt long after the Open has packed up and left town.
Just one example is the announcement by the Galgorm hotel group that it is to spend more than £30 million creating a new golf course at Bellarena, Co Derry – about half an hour from Royal Portrush – an investment that it said will “help to cement the region’s reputation as a world-class golfing destination”.
At Royal Portrush, “I reckon it’s going to take us into the top 10 in the world now in the rankings,” said the club’s ladies captain, Naoimh Quigg, while there is also the prospect of the first Open ever to be held south of the Border, potentially through the inclusion of Portmarnock in Co Dublin on the Open roster.
Taking the Open south
“They’re already talking about Portmarnock because we’ve been so successful here, and that conversation down South, moving it out of the UK, that’s positive, and it’s going to be great for the South, for Dublin, for the whole of the country,” she said.
As the spectators drift towards the exits, there is the hope that the Open will also come back to the north coast; in the clubhouse, “we’re looking forward to getting back to what we do best, which is being Royal Portrush Golf Club again, and getting to play our course.
“Personally, I would love to see a world class women’s event here, either the AIG Women’s Open or the Curtis Cup . . . to showcase a world class women’s event in this country would be, I think, the next positive move for this club to work towards,” said Quigg.
“For a small country to be able to achieve what we’ve achieved, and as a town, for us to host this and put this on – I was thinking, if this does come back, it’s scary to think how big we could go.”
The anticipation has begun – and maybe, next time, McIlroy might lift that claret jug after all.
