North Belfast News

Claims that loyalists made five finger gestures passing Lower Ormeau bookmakers

CALLS have been made for the PSNI and Translink to investigate claims that loyalist bandsmen made sectarian gestures while onboard a bus travelling through the Lower Ormean Road. Last month the Parades Commission banned an Apprentice Boys parade from crossing into the nationalist area which became a parading flashpoint after five Catholic men and boys were murdered by the UFF in the Sean Grahams bookmakers in 1992. Loyal Order parades have been prevented from proceeding over the Ormeau Bridge since 1999. Gerard Rice from the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community said that loyalists who boarded buses across the bridge on the Ormeau Road gave five finger gestures at their bus drove past the bookmakers on Saturday morning. In recent months a memorial to the victims of the massacre has been attacked on two occasions. Sinn Féin MLA for South Belfast, Deirdre Hargey, said the reports of sectarian taunts “are extremely concerning” and called for answers from the PSNI and Translink. “Tensions in this community are already high, with the memorial to the five victims attacked twice in recent months," she said. “More than 30 years after the massacre, families are still having to put up with sectarian intimidation. “The PSNI and Translink must ensure these reports are urgently investigated. The people of the lower Ormeau Road deserve to live in peace, free from sectarian harassment".

Gaelic Games: Sarsfields bow out of Ulster Championship in defeat to Swatragh

Ulster Junior Hurling ChampionshipSarsfields 1-13Swatragh 1-22At Dunsilly

Soccer: Cliftonville secure third win on the spin with victory over Larne

NIFL PremiershipCliftonville 4Larne 2At Solitude

John Mallon launches 'Beauty on Our Doorstep' calendar for 2027

FIFTEEN years on, our island is still as beautiful as ever says photographer John Mallon as he launched the latest edition of his ‘Beauty on Our Doorstep’ calendar.

Ardoyne man jailed for 20 years for murder of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery

AN Ardoyne man who beat a pregnant mother-of-two to death has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years in jail.

Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes new framework for Catholic schools

EDUCATION Minister Paul Givan has welcomed a new framework for Catholic schools, during its launch at St Mary’s University College on the Falls Road. Catholic education leaders, school representatives, and policymakers gathered at the launch of A Vision for Catholic Schools in Ireland, which is designed to articulate and strengthen the shared mission of Catholic schools across the island. Developed by the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) and approved by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Vision provides a common statement of purpose for Catholic schools while recognising the distinctive history, traditions and local contexts of individual school communities. St Mary's University College, Principal Professor Peter Finn KSG, highlighted the enduring relevance of educational provision in Catholic schools in helping young people develop academically, personally and spiritually. "The College warmly welcomes and endorses the new Vision and looks forward to supporting its implementation through our continuing work in teacher education, research, widening participation and engagement with schools and communities,” he said. Archbishop Eamon Martin emphasised the fundamental belief that underpins Catholic education. "At the heart of Catholic education is our belief that every child is created in the image and likeness of God, infinitely loved and possessed of a dignity that can never be earned or lost. Our schools seek to help young people discover their gifts, grow in faith and wisdom, and find meaning and purpose in their lives." The Vision highlights the importance of strong partnerships between schools, families and communities, while encouraging respect for people of all faith traditions and secular worldviews. It also identifies prayer, reflection, reconciliation, social justice and environmental stewardship as essential elements of Catholic education. The publication follows an extensive process of consultation and engagement involving educators, school leaders, clergy, parents and education partners from across Ireland.

HEALTHWISE: It’s all about the dose with chemicals and additives

THERE are lots of different chemicals or food additives used in our food chain for different reasons, from preserving food to sweetening it, thickening it or colouring it.All chemicals are tested for safety and when it has been proven that they are safe through robust safety evaluations they are given an ‘E’ number or European number.  

DÚLRA: Brent Geese are a symbol of Irish-Canadian friendship

THESE birds should be a symbol of Irish-Canadian friendship, with a logo of them appearing each time both countries are mentioned.

ROBIN LIVINGSTONE: No brake on DUP’s corporate incompetence

AS the DUP whirls ever-deeper into what former party big beast Jim Wells thinks may well be a death spiral, the corporate incompetence presided over by Gavin Robinson that has brought unionism’s biggest party to perhaps its lowest point is continuing to take a dread toll.

SQUINTER: Visitors are low-hanging fruit for Glasgow wit

GLASGOW’S Squinter’s kind of city. In a world full of hate, despair and danger, its baseline offer remains reassuringly unchanged every time you go back: It’s a city powered by a winning combination of absolutely sound human beings and weapons-grade weed.

WE SAY: DUP cynicism trumps honour

WE’VE had some memorable Remembrance Sundays down through the years in the city of Belfast, but this year’s promises to be the most divisive, strange and confusing of the lot.

Gerry Adams: Finally Micheál Martin is beginning to get the unity message

WATCH: Rozkvet is a story that needed to be told about the forgotten Roma Holocaust

A NEW film portraying the forgotten story of the persecution of Romani people during the Holocaust has debuted in Belfast.

Story of 1983 Long Kesh IRA prison escape to hit cinemas this month

A NEW documentary about the 1983 IRA prisoners' escape from Long Kesh is set to screen in cinemas before being broadcast on the BBC early next year.

SOCCER: Magilton looking forward to Larne challenge under the Solitude lights

CLIFTONVILLE manager Jim Magilton is hoping that his side can learn their lessons from their previous display against Larne.