Anthony Neeson began his career in journalism with the Tyrone Times in Dungannon in 1995 before freelancing with Belfast daily and Sunday titles in both news and sport. He joined the Andersonstown News as Sports Editor, before moving across to the News Desk as a reporter, eventually becoming Deputy Editor. Anthony also spent time as Deputy Editor of Daily Ireland and was appointed Editor of the Andersonstown News in 2016. Anthony is also the Ireland correspondent with the Irish Echo in New York.
JEFFREY Donaldson has been charged with historical sexual offences and has stepped down as DUP leader.In a statement the DUP said: "The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.
AN SDLP councillor is calling for a statue to anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass to be erected in Lisburn.
Over 4,500 runners — and not a few leprechauns — got St Patrick's Day off to a speedy start today at the tenth annual SPAR Craic 10K.
COMMUNITIES Minister Gordon Lyons has yet to bring a report to the Stormont Executive regarding the cost of the Casement Park redevelopment.
Rhythm Speaks, an annual celebration of Indian Culture, has raised over £2,500 for Action Cancer.
The annual Blackboard Awards gala has been told teachers here are paid less than their counterparts across these islands.
WEST Belfast MLA Pat Sheehan believes that the momentum is now behind the redevelopment of Casement Park in Andersonstown and that the stadium is on track to be completed on schedule for Euro 2028. The Sinn Féin man, who played minor football for Antrim and even spent two years being taught below the stands at Casement when St Gall’s Primary School was being redeveloped in the late 1960s, said attention has now turned to the overall cost of the project that will transform the Andersonstown area. With work beginning last week to clear the site in preparation for building works, and with the Irish government pledging €50m for the redevelopment, all eyes turned to UEFA's visit to the West Belfast venue this week, as pressure mounts on the British government to bring some clarity to their own financial contributions and costing. "Basically, we’re waiting on a definite cost," said Pat. "What’s it going to cost to complete this project and can it be completed in time? I think it can be completed on time if the necessary funding is put in place. “Now, I don’t know what the figure is, but [Secretary of State Chris] Heaton-Harris said last year that whatever money was needed would be found. “What I think should happen is the British government, the Irish government, the Executive, the GAA and the IFA – because they have skin in the game too in terms of the Euros coming in 2028 – should all get into a room and work out how the funding is going to be delivered, because remember this is the last of a three-pronged project after the Maze-Long Kesh project fell apart, probably as a result of the DUP not wanting it. It was then decided that there would be stadiums for rugby, soccer and GAA. “Rugby and soccer have got their stadiums now and this is the last one to be delivered, and the funding needs to be put in place. “I’m confident that there will be a contractor appointed before the end of this year and that gives two-and-a-half years at least to do the project and I think that’s time enough. “It heartening to see that work has started and UEFA are coming – I presume to get an update on where everything stands and also to have a look about Casement. There’s a lot of momentum now and hopefully that momentum will carry on.”
THE brother of a West Belfast man who was shot dead by the UDA in 1994, says he is concerned that “the clock is being run down” in his brother’s case as his inquest is further delayed.
New York City Police Benevolent Fund President Pat Hendry has welcomed Irish Echo publisher Máirtin Ó Muilleoir to the PBA headquarters on the Broad Street waterfront in downtown Manhattan, New York.
RACIST posters in South Belfast are being treated as a "hate incident" by police.
MEMBERS of the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee have attended the inquest in Belfast into the Springhill/Westrock Massacre.
STORMONT'S new Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA has welcomed the Irish Government’s commitment of €800 million for cross-border projects.
THE Irish government has pledged €50 million for the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast.
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has fired his first salvo over the long-promised rebuilding of Casement Park by instructing staff not to use the word football when referring to Gaelic games.
Artemis Technologies, the pioneering force in maritime design and applied technologies located in the Titanic Quarter, is encouraging potential employees to attend its Careers Open Night. The event will be hosted on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Belfast's former shipyard site and will build on the success of last year's inaugural event which drew over 250 prospective job candidates attending.