Monthly Archives: August 2015

The newly-reinstated Gobbins cliff path is proving to be a big hit with visitors, topping Tourism NI’s chart of things to do in Northern Ireland. The Islandmagee attraction, which gives unequalled access to stunning coastal views, shot into the Top 10 just days after its grand opening. The Gobbins cliff path offers stunning coatal views. INLT 35-659-CON After years of anticipation, eager thrill-seekers finally have the chance to uncover the once-hidden wonder of the Antrim coast and indulge in an exhilarating cliff path walk. The long-awaited opening of the facility on Wednesday, August 19, marked the first time visitors had officially set foot on the historic path for more than half a century. The level of interest was not hard to gauge on opening day, with phone lines jammed as council staff were inundated with hundreds of booking queries. The Gobbins was originally installed in 1902 by railway engineer Berkeley … Continue reading →

A political row has broken out over comments made on social media by Sinn Fein’s Oliver McMullan regarding the murder of Kevin McGuigan. Mr McGuigan died after he was shot at his home in the Short Strand area of Belfast earlier this month. In the wake of the killing, PSNI chief constable George Hamilton said the Provisional IRA still exists and that some of its members were involved in the murder. Following the headline-making statement by the Chief constable, a comment was posted on East Antrim MLA Oliver McMullan’s Twitter account reading: “RUC/PSNI should deal in facts not speculation.” The message, which has since been deleted, caused a storm on social media and Mr McMullan has been roundly criticised. Mid and East Antrim UUP councillor Andy P Wilson posted: “Local MLA hedges his bets on murder.#disgrace.” Fellow Ulster Unionist representative, East Antim MLA Roy Beggs has challenged Mr McMullan to … Continue reading →

A unionist MLA has challenged a Sinn Fein figure who referred to Northern Ireland’s police force as “the RUC/PSNI”. East Antrim UUP MLA Roy Beggs questioned the comments made late on Thursday night by Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan, noting that Sinn Fein violently opposed the RUC. He had written on the website Twitter: “RUC/PSNI should deal in facts not speculation”. It is believed the comments were made in relation to news surrounding the murder of Kevin McGuigan. In a statement Mr Beggs said: “Mr McMullan needs to tell us what he means by his statement. “Firstly, why is he using the phrase RUC/PSNI? “This is explicitly linking the PSNI with the RUC. Sinn Fein were meant to have signed up to policing and support for the PSNI. “They did not support the RUC, and of course the Provisional IRA – to whom Sinn Fein were inextricably linked – killed … Continue reading →

Councillors who quit politics when the new ‘super councils’ launched this year received almost £2m in golden handshakes, it can be revealed Kieran McCarthy MLA Maurice Mills Councillors who quit politics when the new ‘super councils’ launched this year received almost £2m in golden handshakes, it can be revealed. ‘; } s += ‘ Ads by Google ‘; if (google_ads[0].bidtype == “CPC”) { google_adnum = google_adnum + google_ads.length; } s += ‘ ‘; document.write(s); return; } window.google_adnum = window.google_adnum || null; google_ad_client = “ca-pub-1729148518344007”; google_ad_output = “js”; google_ad_type = “text”; google_ad_channel = ‘2905088926+3455374145’; google_max_num_ads = ‘2’; google_skip = window.google_adnum; /* insert this snippet for each ad call */ According to official figures, the largest payout of £35,000 was handed to five long-serving councillors – two DUP, two SDLP and one Ulster Unionist. The 26 old councils were merged into 11 as part of a massive public service cost-saving exercise, and … Continue reading →