Victims campaigner’s appeal for Stormont leaders’ to show solidarity with Oldpark victims ignored
John Manley, Political Correpondent, Irish News, September 2nd, 2025
A VICTIMS campaigner has said his appeal for Stormont’s leaders to show solidarity with families being forced from their homes in north Belfast went unanswered.
Raymond McCord said he contacted both First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly in June urging them to visit householders in the Oldpark area whose homes were attacked.
The west Belfast UDA is understood to have been behind the intimidation and attacks on Catholic and minority ethnic families in Annalee Street and Alloa Street.
Mr McCord, whose son Raymond Jnr was killed by the UVF in 1997, had been involved in brokering a “short term deal” that would see the householders left alone until they found alternative accommodation.
In June, he emailed Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly appealing to them to show support to the families facing forced eviction at the hands of paramilitaries.
“I felt it was important that our political leaders stood shoulder to shoulder with these vulnerable people and showed the thugs that their violence wouldn’t work,” Mr McCord told The Irish News.
But despite sending “three separate emails” and speaking to the deputy first minister’s secretary, the victims campaigner said he had yet to receive any response.
“So far, I’ve heard nothing and in the meantime the threats have escalated and these people feel more vulnerable than ever,” Mr McCord said.
“To say I’m disappointed at the lack of any response is an understatement.”
The Irish News contacted the Executive Office but has yet to receive a response.
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said party representatives “have been engaging directly with the families”.
“Michelle O’Neill stands firmly against this criminality,” the spokesperson said.
“There must be a united response from all political parties and relevant agencies to support the victims. Residents have the right to live safely, free from intimidation and violence.”
The DUP was also approached for comment.
Just one Catholic family left in ‘mixed’ area blighted by UDA threats
A CLIMATE of fear fills the air around Belfast’s Annalee Street where it’s understood just one Catholic family remains following intimidation and attacks by loyalist paramilitaries.
Boarded up chipboard covers the windows of what were supposed to be bright and welcoming homes for families from both sides of the community.
In gardens there are children’s toys left behind, while one house has disused furniture left behind, its former occupants presumably taking refuge somewhere safer.
When families moved into the Clanmil Housing development in November 2024 it was seen as an opportunity to revitalise the area as part of the Lower Oldpark regeneration initiative.
Less than a year later, any positivity and hope has long been sapped away and residents from both communities live in fear in loyalist paramilitaries.
When the Irish News visited the area yesterday, there was an atmosphere of fear and dread with residents from both sides of the community declining to speak for fear of reprisals.
One source familiar with the area told The Irish News that just one Catholic family remains in the street and that they are packing up and moving to accommodation elsewhere in the wake of the violence, threats and intimidation.
The mood on the street once filled with hope is now one of fear and silence.
Now almost every lamppost in the street is draped in a union or paramilitary flag, not for the marching season or a leftover remnant of the weekend’s Last Saturday parades, but to send a message to unwelcome residents.
Speaking in hushed tones, one Protestant living in a nearby street, said that they and many others did not agree with what was happening but that they were terrified to speak out in case it brought the wrath of loyalist paramilitaries to their door.
It has been suggested that deal had been brokered between the loyalists and an intermediary acting for residents at Annalee and Alloa Streets.
In May, a number of homes occupied by Catholic families were targeted by masked men, with windows smashed in and cars damaged.
A number of people were arrested after families were forced to flee their homes.
Following meetings between the west Belfast UDA and victims rights campaigner Raymond McCord, it was agreed residents would be allowed time to be rehoused without the risk of further attacks.
However, the agreement has now fallen apart and Catholic residents are being forced out again.
In recent days it was reported that four Catholic families living in the estate have been told to leave immediately.
In the wake of May’s attacks the PSNI released statements vowing to protect the Catholic families living on the street and increase patrols in the area.
A multi-agency meeting is set to be held this morning to discuss the problem.
UDA denies intimidation as Catholic families flee
Allison Morris, Belfast Telegraph, September 2nd, 2025
RESIDENTS OF DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH BELFAST LEAVE AFTER HOMES TARGETED
Only one Catholic family remains in a north Belfast development where houses had been allocated to people from different communities.
A number of families have fled the properties at Alloa Street in the Oldpark area.
Shortly after residents moved into the homes last November, flags were placed on lampposts in the street, which is near the Manor Street interface.
An event held last December to welcome residents was attended by Brian Kingston, the DUP MLA for North Belfast.
It was claimed locally there were issues with one family allocated a house in the development of 12 properties. This started with an attack on that family in May and a threat being issued.
However, they remained at the property after what this newspaper understands was an approach made to loyalists locally by someone known to the female tenant. That has since been reported as a “deal” with the West Belfast UDA, something local politicians said yesterday they have no knowledge of.
Last night a senior UDA source denied any involvement in either the threats or any talks with mediators linked to the Clanmil Housing development.
“The UDA has not issued any threats nor been involved in any attacks; this can be confirmed by the statutory agencies,” they said.
Houses in Annalee Street were also targeted in May.
Last Thursday, the situation escalated with three homes targeted and those families packing up and leaving the area in fear for their lives.
Of the four Catholic families originally allocated houses, one remains.
One home is boarded up after being attacked, with another lying empty having been previously occupied by a young family.
In Manor Street, the home of a migrant family was also attacked, with 'Locals Only' painted on a garage door.
Windows were smashed and a car belonging to the occupants was vandalised.
Call for United Front
North Belfast MP John Finucane yesterday called for a united front in response to the intimidation. He said he would host a meeting today with agencies and politicians to address the latest incidents in the Lower Oldpark area.
“On Monday, fellow Sinn Fein North Belfast representatives, Gerry Kelly MLA and Councillor Tomás O'Neill met with community activists in the area,” he said.
“Elected representatives, community activists and statutory agencies will come together and it is important that we send a strong and united message that racist and sectarian intimidation will not be tolerated. The vast majority of people in north Belfast want to live in peace and for those responsible for these incidents, they do not represent these communities.”
Alliance Party MLA Nuala McAllister said she was unaware of any “deal” with the UDA and that she had spoken to police who said they would “step up patrols” in the area.
The total cost of the development was £2.6m, including grant funding of £1.6m from the Department for Communities through the Housing Executive.
The homes were allocated to people on the social housing waiting list and include three two-bedroom houses, seven three-bedroom houses, one three-bedroom wheelchair accessible bungalow, and one two-bedroom wheelchair accessible bungalow.
‘Lifetime homes’
Marketed as “lifetime homes”, they can be adapted if people's needs change over time. The homes also have safety and security features built into the design and construction, with enhanced lighting and security measures.
On BBC Talkback, Mr Kingston also said he had no knowledge of any “deal”, adding: “The development at Annalee Street… wasn't designated as a shared housing development. I understand people will say all housing should be shared and so on — there are extra arrangements [that] go into place, there is more working with the local community.
“That was not the case… it wasn't designated as a shared development. There would have been extra resources and extra preparation done for that.
“It is important to recognise some communities are very close-knit and an area like Lower Oldpark has itself suffered multiple sectarian attacks over the years. Homes of residents have been subject to attack from nationalist youths… there are grills on windows still because of those attacks.
“I am absolutely opposed to any attack. I condemn what happened on Thursday evening, which does on the face of it appear to have a racial motivation.”
A spokesperson for Clanmil Housing said: “Everyone should be allowed to live in peace and feel safe in their home, free from intimidation or threat.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers at Annalee Street and Alloa Street remain our priority and we are continuing to do all we can to support them. We have also been continuing to work with the PSNI, local community and political representatives and other statutory agencies, both to support our customers and towards ensuring that these homes are safe and welcoming for everyone.”
The PSNI said it had “strengthened our policing footprint in the area”.
Justice Minister calls for collective action in wake of racist attacks on homes
Rebecca Black, Belfast Telegraph and Irish News, September 2nd, 2025
Northern Ireland's Justice Minister has urged others to “do more” in the aftermath of a spate of racially motivated attacks on homes.
Naomi Long was speaking as police investigate racially motivated criminal damage on three houses in the Manor Street and Summerhill Court areas of north Belfast.
Police said that on August 28 it had been reported that graffiti was painted on a house in the Manor Street area.
Chief Inspector Mullan said: “As well as a number of windows smashed at the property, a car parked nearby was also damaged during the incident. Another property in the Manor Street area had graffiti painted on it.
“A vacant property located in the Summerhill Court area of north Belfast was also damaged. Enquiries are continuing and, at this stage, police are investigating a potential link between all three incidents.
“There is no place in our society for this type of intimidating behaviour and we will continue to engage with local representatives and partner agencies around community safety.”
Police are also investigating an attack on a house in the Killaughey Road area of Donaghadee on Saturday during which a window was smashed and graffiti daubed on a wall. It is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.
Inspector Van Der Schyff said: “Just before 9.55pm, we were advised that a window had been smashed and graffiti daubed on a wall at a residential property in the Killaughey Road area.”
Inspector Van Der Schyff added that those present in the house at the time had not been injured.
“I know these actions do not represent the feelings of the local residents, many of whom approached our officers to condemn this crime and show their support for the family affected,” Inspector Van Der Schyff continued.
“Everyone, no matter what their background, has the right to feel safe in their home. We are tireless in our pursuit of those responsible for any hate crime.”
Highest race related crimes recorded
Police figures released last week indicated there were 2,049 race incidents and 1,329 race crimes in the 12 months from July 1 last year to June 30, 2025.
These are the highest figures since such data began to be collated and reported by the PSNI in 2004-05.
Ms Long condemned the incidents as “disgusting”.
“It is not acceptable. It's not acceptable to make excuses or try and rationalise it. It needs to be condemned and it needs to stop,” she said.
Ms Long said she is working on what she can do, and urged others to do more.
She also criticised the fact that no other Executive ministers spoke on the matter on BBC Radio Ulster yesterday morning.
“Those elements that fall to me as Justice Minister I have been working on over the last 12 months,” she told the Good Morning Ulster programme.
“Could we all do more? Of course we could, and we will, which is why I'm bringing forward two major pieces of legislation that will include provision for hate crime. But I can't deal with all of the other issues that are being raised by others. For example, the need for an anti-racism strategy, the need for proper integration — those are issues that I have raised with colleagues.”
Ms Long cautioned against the rhetoric used around migration, asking: “Should we be surprised that people who listen to that daily diet of misinformation and negative connotations around migration end up in situations where they feel radicalised into this kind of violent action against migrants?
Every public figure needs to consider their language
“I think every politician and every public figure needs to look at the language that they're using; needs to look at the issues that they're campaigning on. Because these are 'othering' people in our society, treating them as less than human and creating the conditions in which this kind of violence will flourish.
“That's a job that I'm willing to take on with my colleagues, but we need every single politician and every single public figure to take that as seriously as I do.”
Independent councillor Paul McCusker said there has been an “escalation in this type of behaviour which needs called out”. He also urged leadership from the PUL (Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist) community.
“We need to see more unionists politicians come out to call this what it is. It's wrong. People should be able to live where they want to live,” he said.
“We're seeing people having to move out, and people living in fear every single day. We're talking about families here, children, people who want to move on with their lives, but we have people who want to hold us back.”
DUP councillor Jordan Doran said there are major issues around a lack of housing and under-investment in the area, and he called for a multi-agency meeting.
“I stand absolutely against any and all forms of criminality without reservation or hesitation,” he said.
“I don't believe that this requires only PUL leadership, because I'm absolutely on the ground in Lower Oldpark.
“I've been speaking with residents in Lower Oldpark. There is great work happening from community leaders in the area.
“They [the residents] don't want their community to be seen as racist, because that's simply not true.
“What we now need is real action and not just words. The area is chronically under-invested in.
“There is a major lack of housing, there is a lack of much-needed regeneration. And while, quite frankly, it is easy to come out and condemn, something now needs to be done.”
Royal Black chief urged to 'rethink divisive language' following speech
Liam Tunney, Belfast Telegraph, September 2nd, 2025
HE DESCRIBED NI AS BEING 'OVERRUN' AT LAST SATURDAY CELEBRATIONS
The leader of the Royal Black Institution has been urged to “rethink divisive language” after he described Northern Ireland as “being overrun”.
Reverend William Anderson made the comments while addressing a thousands-strong crowd at a Last Saturday event in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Last Saturday marks the end of the traditional marching season in Northern Ireland.
The loyal order's Sovereign Grand Master said: “Unless you live in a parallel universe, you can't help but wonder what is going on in our world today.
“We struggle from one crisis to the next, we no longer trust our political leaders, our country is being overrun, and our national government lacks the will to deal with our problems.
“The biggest casualty is trust... (which creates) an air of hopelessness.”
The comments came as Northern Ireland experienced a spike in racist attacks over the weekend, although there is no suggestion they were linked to Mr Anderson's speech.
Police have confirmed they are investigating racially-motivated criminal damage on three houses in the Manor Street and Summerhill Court areas of north Belfast.
Windows were also smashed and graffiti daubed on the wall during an incident in the Killaughey Road area of Donaghadee on Saturday. Police are treating it as a racially-motivated hate crime.
Police figures released last week indicated there were 2,049 race incidents and 1,329 race crimes in the 12 months from July 1 last year to June 30, 2025.
These are the highest figures since such data began to be collated and reported by the PSNI in 2004-05.
Immigrant advocacy group End Deportations Belfast (EDB) has urged public figures to tone down their language over divisive issues.
“We question the use of the word 'overrun' and urge a rethink of such divisive language,” said a spokesperson.
“We are indeed experiencing many issues here in Northern Ireland — housing, health care, mental health, poverty — that Stormont stubbornly refuses to address.
“By recent calculations, the fertility rate for Northern Ireland is 1.71, and this is expected to drop. This means a shrinking population.
“With an ageing population, and a growing shortage of people moving into the labour market, a regular flow of migration is essential to maintain public services and the economy in general.
“The UK is the sixth largest economy in the world. The hardships experienced by people here are not down to a small demographic change. To suggest so lets politicians here who have failed to deliver for decades off the hook.
“We don't just depend on immigration for our agrifood industry, but also for tech, creative industries, and universities - some of the most dynamic sectors of the UK economy.
“Overall, migration has created jobs, boosted innovation and enriched our culture.”
The Royal Black Institution has been approached for comment.
Yesterday morning, Justice Minister Naomi Long also warned against the use of rhetoric in discussions on immigration.
The long search for answers cannot create new divides
Pro Patria, Pro Fide, Irish News, September 2nd, 2025
FOR decades, the shadow of the Glenanne Gang has loomed over families across Tyrone, Armagh and beyond. This loyalist network – made up of members of the RUC, UDR and UVF – is believed to have murdered more than 120 people in the 1970s, leaving devastation that still scars communities.
Its links to the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the single deadliest day of the Troubles, underline the scale of its brutality.
Half a century on, survivors and relatives of victims continue to carry both grief and unanswered questions. That is why Operation Denton, the Kenova team’s long-running investigation into the gang’s activities, matters so deeply. Its findings are not merely historical. They are about truth, accountability and dignity for those who lost loved ones.
“ Her plea is simple but powerful: openness, transparency, and equality must go hand in hand. Families who suffered at the hands of the same gang should not feel divided by access to information
Yet controversy now surrounds how a draft report has been circulated.
It has emerged that some organisations, including the Pat Finucane Centre and Justice for the Forgotten, were shown the draft ahead of publication, while others were not. For campaigner Denise Mullen, whose father Denis was murdered at their home near the Moy in 1975, this decision has been deeply wounding.
Ms Mullen has spoken with painful clarity about her father’s killing, recalling in an interview with this newspaper how she was only three years old when she sat beside his body in a blood-stained nightdress.
Her criticism is not aimed at the groups who have seen the report but at the process itself, which she fears creates a “hierarchy of victims”. In her words, “we are all in this together”.
Justice must be dispensed fairly
Her plea is simple but powerful: openness, transparency, and equality must go hand in hand. Families who suffered at the hands of the same gang should not feel divided by access to information. To allow such divisions to arise risks compounding old wounds rather than helping to heal them.
The Kenova team has stressed that those consulted had no editorial control and were only assisting with factual accuracy.
This is an important clarification. But perception matters as much as process, particularly in such a fraught and sensitive area. If families believe they are being treated unequally, trust in the entire endeavour is weakened.
As the Operation Denton report nears publication, it must be remembered that behind the statistics are human lives and broken families.
All victims deserve the same respect, the same transparency and the same opportunity to prepare for what the report will reveal.
Truth should not be rationed, nor should dignity be tiered.
Orange Order chief calls for ‘justice for families of our Troubles victims’
Act of remembrance as organisation honours 344 members killed
Jonathan McCambridge, Irish News, September 2nd, 2025
FAMILIES of many Protestant loyal order members murdered during the Troubles are still searching for justice, the head of the Orange Order has said.
An act of remembrance took place in Loughgall, Co Armagh, yesterday morning where wreaths were laid in memory of 344 Orange Order members who were killed.
The event took place on the 50th anniversary of the murder of five Orangemen in Tullyvallen Orange Hall, the biggest single loss of life suffered by the order during the Troubles.
Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson said all the members who lost their lives should never be forgotten.
He said: “Today is the day we remember the 343 members of our institution and the one lady member who were murdered during the years of the Troubles.
“This is something we set up six or seven years ago to perpetuate their memory and to know that they wouldn’t be forgotten.
Edward Stevenson, grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, during the act of remembrance
“They gave their all to protect the rest of us and many of them, young members with families, with fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, their families are still suffering the loss of their family members.
“Out of those 343 men I knew quite a few of them and some of them were personal friends, neighbours even that were murdered.
“Neighbours were murdered in the farm next to me where I lived in Co Tyrone.
“To come to this act of remembrance it helps me to remember and think of the sacrifice they made on our behalf.”
Mr Stevenson said everything possible should be done to bring those responsible for Troubles murders to justice.
He added: “We know as time goes on it is getting harder and harder to achieve justice but that is what we would like to see happen, that those that have perpetrated these hideous acts would be brought to justice.”
Role of ICRIR
Mr Stevenson said it was not clear yet whether the new legacy body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) would be able to bring answers for families.
He said: “Some families have already brought closure to their mourning but others would like to see answers, we hope as the ICRIR works, they will see justice in the time to come.
“Stormont can seek to support all means of bringing these terrorists to justice and former terrorists and hopefully that will bring closure to the families in time to come.”
Also attending the remembrance service was Rev William Anderson, the Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution.
He said: “Unfortunately, during the genocide of the Troubles in Northern Ireland lots of our members lost their lives simply because of their faith.
“It is important that we do remember them today.
“They were faithful members of our institutions and therefore it is important that the loyal orders, as a fraternal organisation, continue to support the families in remembrance of their loved ones.”
A service of remembrance was due to take place last night at Tullyvallen Orange Hall with a moment of silence at 9.30pm, the time of the attack 50 years ago.
Police make fresh appeal over boy's 1973 murder
Gabrielle Swan, Belfast Telegraph, September 2nd, 2025
Police have made a fresh appeal for information about the murder of a young east Belfast boy 52 years ago today in what would become known as one of the most notorious unsolved murders of the Troubles.
Ten-year-old Brian McDermott was last seen in Ormeau Park on September 2, 1973.
He had left his home on Well Street on the lower Woodstock Road at around 12.30pm that day.
Brian would fail to return to home for his Sunday dinner, having last been seen playing on his own in the park from 1pm to 3pm.
A week later, his mutilated and burned remains were recovered from the River Lagan, near the Belfast Boat Club.
The search party recovered a sack containing his torso, arms and other charred remains.
The investigation that followed saw Brian's 16-year-old brother, William, questioned over the brutal killing of the youngster.
The former soldier would be questioned in 1976 and again in 2004. Both times he was released without charge.
Insisting on his innocence, he changed his name via a deed poll to avoid the stigma of blame.
Then in January 2008, McDermott's ex-wife Sarah MacLeod gave a statement to Worchester Court in England. She alleged that prior to their separation in 2003, her ex-husband confessed that he had killed his younger brother.
McDermott denied the allegations.
“My mother seemed to believe right to her very end that I might have been responsible. It's horrendous. I don't keep in touch, speak or communicate with the other members of my family. They have ostracised me. They think I did it. They think I was responsible,” he told the BBC on the 40th anniversary of his brother's death.
A possible link to the Kincora Boys' Home in east Belfast, which was at the centre of a child abuse scandal, was also investigated in 1982.
A link to the paedophile ring at Kincora was discussed at a meeting between the Secretary of State at the time, Jim Prior, the Lord Chancellor Quintin McGarel Hogg and the Attorney General Michael Havers.
Three former employees of the home were jailed for four to six years for abusing young boys.
A 2023 documentary named loyalist firebrand pastor and far-right extremist Alan Campbell as the lead suspect. Campbell died in 2017 aged 67.
Fifty-two years since the disappearance of the schoolboy, police have renewed their appeal for information. Detective Chief Inspector Byrne said the PSNI are “acutely aware of the pain and suffering” of Brian's family.
“Despite the passage of time, this murder case has never been closed and I am hopeful that someone may be able to provide information, no matter how small, which may open a new line of enquiry, or add a new dimension to information already available,” said the DCI. “It is also possible that someone, who did not volunteer information at the time, may be willing to speak with police now. Legacy Investigation Branch detectives will consider all investigative opportunities as part of the review into Brian's murder.
“If anyone has any information in relation to Brian's murder we would ask them to contact Legacy Investigation Branch where all information will be assessed and considered by investigators.”
Terminally-ill republican in final plea to Catholic Church to allow tricolour on his coffin
Connla Young, Irish News, September 2nd, 2025
A WELL-KNOWN north Belfast republican diagnosed with terminal cancer has made a final appeal to the Catholic Church to allow the tricolour to be placed on his coffin during Requiem Mass.
New Lodge man Seamus McAloran (75) was diagnosed last October and told by doctors he had between three and six months to live. While Mr McAloran continues to defy medical predictions, his health is in decline.
The former republican prisoner previously urged church leaders to allow the national flag to be placed on his coffin when it is carried to the altar during his funeral.
A church ban on placing the tricolour and other flags on coffins inside churches during Requiem Mass has been in force since the 1980s.
The controversial approach has in the past caused friction between some members of the clergy and relatives.
Martin McGuinness
Exceptions to the rule include the 2007 funeral of former Sinn Féin and Provisional IRA leader Martin McGuinness, who’s tricolour-draped coffin was allowed into a Derry church.
While the contentious directive is ignored by some members of the clergy, others insist the rules are strictly followed.
In most cases the flag is voluntarily removed before a coffin enters the church.
Mr McAloran, a member of flag campaign group Dignity, is also a daily Mass goer.
His family has strong links to St Patrick’s Church on Donegall Street on the edge of Belfast city centre and he received all the sacraments there.
The campaigner has met church representatives on several occasions and recently wrote to parish officials reiterating a compromise he hopes will prompt a breakthrough.
The pensioner has suggested that his flag-draped coffin be carried into the church before it is removed and replaced with a bible and pall “out of respect and the solemnity of the funeral Mass”.
He was later told the position of the church has not changed.
Mr McAloran says that in the absence of a compromise he has now made arrangements for a funeral service to be held at his home instead of the traditional Requiem Mass.
“I really want my Requiem Mass, it’s very important to me,” he said. “I am not taking the flag off just to gain entry to my church.” Mr McAloran said he is aware that other republicans have recently taken a similar stand on the flag issue.
Mr McAloran was told by doctors yesterday there is nothing more they can do for him.
“I am well past my time,” he said. “I still can’t believe I’m still here.” The pensioner revealed that as he continues to fight his condition he joins in the Rosary broadcast from Lourdes every night.
“I do that every night after Mass and go into a deep sleep and it comforts me until the next morning,” he said.
He believes the church approach to the flag is “political”.
Fr Eddie Magee, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Connor, said that in the “Catholic funeral rite, the central focus of the liturgy is on praying for the happy repose of the soul of the deceased person and entrusting the person to the love and mercy of God as well as praying for the consolation of the grieving family”.
He added that “the funeral ritual… places a central focus on the baptismal identity of the person, rather than any civic identity”.
He said that during Requiem Mass the only symbols placed on the coffin are Book of the Gospels and Crucifix, while sometimes a white pall is added.
“The unadorned coffin laying before the altar reminds Catholics that we are making an act of complete submission to God and that we return to God leaving behind this life,” he said.
“The absence of all other symbols on the coffin, personal, civic or otherwise, implies no disrespect for any other symbols with which any individual Catholic might identify.
“Usually, these other symbols are respectfully placed on a table near the coffin during the ceremony.”
Irish presidency is next logical step for Sinn Fein with one obvious candidate
Malachi O’Doherty, Belfast Telegraph, September 2nd, 2025
Much of the speculation has been that they will not field a candidate, but will back someone else's.
But if the Shinners are more or less indifferent to who becomes president, don't have a strong preference, then they may come across as devaluing the office of the presidency itself.
And a party that would not even give itself a chance to shape the presidency might suffer a dent to its own prestige from that.
True, other big parties have stayed out of it in the past but they held other offices of state.
Sinn Fein, recovering from a poor result in the last general election, has a chance to elevate itself in the public mind by running a presidential campaign and, of course, winning it.
There's always the danger that they would lose and that would be humiliating.
Especially if they had run Mary Lou McDonald, and they would have to run her to get their best chance.
There is, reportedly, an argument within the party that she would be the best candidate, but that this is the wrong time. She is needed in the Dail.
That's not an idea that has been well thought through. She is 56 years old now. The next candidate might take two terms. That has become the norm, in which case Mary Lou won't get a shot at it until she is 70, in 2039.
She must think that being president at the time of a border poll would be a huge advantage for the united Ireland project, unless she made a hash of it, of course. Which is always a possibility. She expects a border poll well within that timeframe and she is probably right.
Border Poll
Holding the presidency at the time of a border poll would be a huge boost to the united Ireland project.
Or maybe she would prefer to fight the border poll as a party leader and then stand to be the first president of a united Ireland. Maybe that's her dream.
Last week, she chose a hunger strike commemoration event to argue that the next president must push for Irish unity. But, if that's what the next president must do, how can she entrust that responsibility to someone from another party?
And it is significant that she was speaking at an event to honour the IRA dead.
A core value for Sinn Fein is endorsement of the IRA campaign. That's the scary part of a Sinn Fein presidency.
She would give equal standing to Patrick Pearse and Bobby Sands, to Countess Markievicz and Mairead Farrell.
The party wants a firm retrospective acknowledgement that the campaign of the Provos was an inevitable and honourable extension of the war of independence.
That is what the whole lawfare campaign was about.
The success of Gerry Adams in his libel action against the BBC was a big step forward in registering in the public consciousness a sense that the Provos were good people doing only what had to be done at the time.
I suspect that when Gerry Kelly sued me and others for saying he had shot a prison officer during his escape from the Maze prison in 1983 he had the same objective.
The case wasn't about arguing that a nice man like Gerry Kelly wasn't the type who would shoot somebody.
It was about getting a jury to rule that reminding the world of his past conduct was actually a slight on his character as a decent republican.
Getting a court to rule on that would have established that the 'ooh aah' generation is in the ascendancy and that the sins of the past are annulled.
Only the prospect of that goal explains the tenacity with which he clung so long to a flimsy case against me, Ruth Dudley Edwards and a young man who has preferred to keep his name out of the public domain.
And where he failed, Gerry Adams succeeded. Kelly's sticking with a case which was ultimately dismissed as vexatious should have been a warning to the BBC that Adams would not fold.
He aspired to and achieved a ruling that he was a fine man with a solid reputation as a peacemaker, with nothing that happened before the broadcast of the programme counting against him.
The Sinn Fein vision is of an Ireland in which the IRA is honoured as much in public life as it is in the Felons Club.
Adams' court victory was a step towards that and the logical next step is taking the presidency, thereby bringing the honouring of the Provos close to the centre of political and cultural life.
Ideally, of course, the candidate would be Gerry Adams himself, but he's unlikely to have two terms in him. In 2039, he'll be 91.
It has to be Mary Lou.
Antisocial behaviour hotspot is one of the north’s wealthiest areas
Conor Sheils, Irish News, September 2nd, 2025
South Belfast dwarfs the north, east and west of the city when it comes to incidents of antisocial behaviour.
ONE of Northern Ireland’s wealthiest areas has become the north’s hotspot for antiscocial behaviour, according to the latest PSNI statistics.
The latest figures, covering from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025 show that south Belfast alone had 4,675 reported antisocial behaviour incidents.
This represents an increase of 5.6% on the year previous.
The statistics show that the south of the city dwarfs north, east, and west Belfast when it comes to antisocial incidents.
In fact, this pocket of Belfast, which includes some of the north’s most expensive houses had almost as many antisocial behaviour incidents as the entire Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) council area (4,904) which had the highest number of instances on the list outside of Belfast.
Elsewhere in Belfast, the area with the second highest number of antisocial behaviour instances was north Belfast (4,283), followed by east Belfast (2,704) and west Belfast (2,608).
Overall, the Belfast City Council area had the highest number of reported incidents (14,270) – a 5.8% increase on the 12 months previous.
Next up was Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon at 4,904 and representing a 3.9% increase on the year previous.
This is followed by the Newry, Mourne and Down council area (4,007) which saw a 6.1% increase on the prior 12 months.
Derry City and Strabane was next at 3,512 incidents – however, this area saw a 2.8% rise in antisocial behaviour incidences when compared with the previous year.
Ards and North Down (3,220), Causeway Coast and Glens (2,904), Antrim and Newtownabbey (2,783), Mid and East Antrim (2,696) were next in line.
The districts with the next highest figures were Lisburn and Castlereagh City (2,654), Mid Ulster (2,132) and Fermanagh and Omagh (1,730).
North Belfast had the highest percentage increase when it came to antisocial behaviour with a 9.1% increase on the year previous.
Newry, Mourne and Down (6.1%), East Belfast (6%), Belfast City council area (5.8%) and south Belfast (5.6%) also saw increases.
The area that saw the lowest increase on the table was west Belfast – with just a 1.1% rise.
Meanwhile, the largest percentage decreases were in Mid and East Antrim (-9.1%), Fermanagh and Omagh (-9%), Derry and Strabane (-2.8%).
There were also decreases in antisocial behaviour in Lisburn and Castlereagh City (-1.2%) and Ards and North Down (-1%).
Overall, there were 44,821 anti-social behaviour incidents in Northern Ireland, an increase of 925 (2.1%) when compared with the previous 12 months.
Despite the increase, police say that this remains one of the lowest 12 month figures since the data series began in 2006/07.
All eleven policing districts experienced an increase in levels of antisocial behaviour between June and July 2025
Filipino tenants feared for their lives in 'racially-motivated hate crime'
By Gemma Murray, Belfast News Letter, September 2nd, 2025
A landlord has told how his tenants feared for their lives during a ‘racially-motivated hate crime’ where six of their cars were burned out.
Businessman Sam Carson, who is housing Filipino workers in a number of properties near Ballymena, Co Antrim, has said he feared for his own safety and theirs.
Mr Carson spoke out after six vehicles were burnt and destroyed outside a house in the Lisnevenagh Road area.
The tenants, who are employed by Wrightbus were inside the property when the cars were targeted on Sunday night.
Police are treating the arson attack as a racially-motivated hate crime.
When asked for a comment on the incident a PSNI spokesman said they were appealing for information and witnesses following a report of six vehicles on fire in the Lisnevenagh Road area of Ballymena on Sunday night, 31st August.
“We received a report at around 10.10pm that six vehicles had been set alight and were destroyed,” he said.
"Our enquiries are ongoing and, at this time, we are treating this as arson with a racially-motivated hate element.
"We are appealing to anyone who might have any information which may assist us, to get in touch.
“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1473 31/08/25.”
Mr Carson, a farmer and a landlord, said he has been the victim of an "online hate campaign" and thinks the attack is related to his decision to house Filipinos.
He said the tenants have lived in the house for two years and described them as "peaceful people, working hard".
Speaking to BBC News NI he said he had never experienced any trouble, until the Ballymena riots in June.
Hate campaign on TikTok
"Since the riots, we've had a hate campaign on TikTok, against myself and against my tenants, but thought nothing of it.
"Some people in Ballymena do not like foreign nationals, even though they are good working people, they don't understand that."
He added: "Social media has a real problem with misinformation, and there seems there is nothing the police can do."
UUP MLA Jon Burrows said: “This was a disgraceful attack on law abiding and hard working people who make a significant contribution to the local economy.
"I will be reaching out to Sam Carson today and also checking with the PSNI on the progress of their investigation and requesting additional patrols in order to reassure the local community and deter further attacks.
"I appeal to anyone with information about this crime to contact the PSNI or if they feel they cannot do so - to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111"
And TUV North Antrim MP Jim Allister said: “I want to underscore that this was a highly dangerous and distressing incident.
"Six cars were deliberately set alight while the tenants were inside — a situation that could have tragically resulted in serious injuries or worse.
“Once a car is set on fire you have no telling what could happen.
"Quite apart from the destruction of the vehicle, the fire could easily have spread.
“It is also important to stress that this is not a case of illegal immigration.
"These individuals have come to Northern Ireland to work and to take up employment.
"They are here legally and are contributing to the local economy.”
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston added: “I have met with the landlord, spoken to the employer, and remain in contact with people on the ground.
“The PSNI is actively investigating this matter, and I would urge anyone with information to speak directly to the police.
“Our focus at this point must be on ensuring the safety and support of those affected.
"Unverified claims circulating on social media are not helpful, and it is vital that we allow due process to unfold.”
Nigel Farage should 'set aside minor part' of Belfast Agreement on immigration
By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, September 2nd, 2025.
Sammy Wilson says Nigel Farage should be prepared to “set aside a minor part” of the Belfast Agreement if he wins power.
Nigel Farage should resist arguments from the “pro-immigration establishment” and be prepared to “set aside a minor part” of the Belfast Agreement if he wins power, Sammy Wilson has said.
Writing in today’s News Letter, the DUP MP also says that Ireland will either have to co-operate with any future Reform UK government on immigration, “or face disruption to the common travel arrangements”.
The East Antrim MP argues that as “the treacherous Tories proved” -only a parliamentary majority and political will is required “to change the very fundamentals of the Belfast Agreement”.
His comments come amid a growing debate within unionism about what a withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) would mean for Northern Ireland.
It was prompted by an assertion by the Reform UK leader last week that it would take longer for Northern Ireland to leave the treaty under his immigration plans, as he would “renegotiate” part of the deal.
The 1998 peace accord references the ECHR – and says Northern Ireland Assembly legislation must be in line with it. At the weekend, the think tank Policy Exchange said there is nothing in the deal which prevents the UK from leaving the convention, and that legislation such as the Human Rights Act could continue to apply in the province.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has urged caution over ECHR withdrawal, saying that any attempts to deal with illegal immigration need to be practical, achievable and not damage the unity of the country.
He said “efforts shouldn’t be pursued, or supported if they would separate Northern Ireland, and actually see this part of the UK become a magnet for illegal migration”.
UUP MLA Doug Beattie has said such a policy would result in an immigration border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain – and accused DUP politicians such as Mr Wilson of repeating the mistakes of Brexit by supporting Nigel Farage’s policy of pulling the UK out of the ECHR. However, Mr Wilson says there is an incentive for both sides to avoid this and as a unionist he “would be totally opposed to the introduction of travel restrictions from NI to GB”.
'You're anti-Irish' – row erupts between SF and DUP over £1.9m for Irish language policy
Conor McParland, Belfast Media, September 2nd, 2025
A ROW erupted at Belfast City Council on Monday night after Sinn Féin accused the DUP of being "anti-Irish" over their opposition to a draft Irish language policy.
Councillors were discussing progress made on the draft policy which was submitted to the Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee last month when tempers flared.
The aim of this draft policy is to set out how Belfast City Council will promote Irish and use Irish across Council services. This includes interpreting and translation of key documents and publications, the council website, signage on facilities and within corporate identity, including the Council logo.
DUP councillor Sarah Bunting spoke to oppose the policy and called for it to be deferred.
"This draft Irish language policy is being pushed forward following a consultation that isn't worth the paper it is written on," she said. "We also don't know what this will cost the Belfast ratepayer. Belfast does not need this."
She called for the policy to be deferred until concrete details of consultation are known as well as costs.
Sinn Féin group leader Ciarán Beattie questioned why there is always pushback from the DUP when it comes to the Irish language.
"This is about promoting the language," he said.
Cllr Beattie said the DUP "do not like Irish" and suggested many people might deem their approach "racist".
He said the DUP's opposition to the use of Irish language had cost ratepayers "probably hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal fees".
In response the DUP's Dean McCullough said: "You are not anti-Irish if you don't want to wear a uniform because you don't identify with it."
"Are you saying we're racist?"
"You're anti-Irish," replied Cllr Beattie.
Cllr McCullough asked again: "Are you saying we're racist?"
"You're anti-Irish," repeated the Sinn Féin man.
‘Not a football match’
Intervening, Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly said: "We're not at a football match, boys."
SDLP Cllr Séamas de Faoite described the exchange as an "embarrassing bunfight".
"This is not a final decision on the policy. It is a positive step forward and includes more engagement moving forward," he stated.
"It is disrespectful to the Irish language community to see their language treated like this."
A vote on whether to defer the draft policy was shut down with 15 votes for and 40 against.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Beattie welcomed the development of Belfast City Council’s Irish language policy and the commitment of £1.9 million towards the implementation plan.
"I want to thank all the groups and residents who have contributed towards the consultation," he added. "With £1.9 million already invested to support the initial implementation, further investment will ensure the Irish language will continue to thrive in the city.
"This will support key developments in this policy over the coming months, in what will be an exciting time for the language in this city.
“Sinn Féin look forward to working with the Irish language community and others in the weeks and months ahead to finalise this game-changing policy.
“This will be transformative for Gaeilgeoirí across the city, and I look forward to its finalisation and rollout.”
