Monthly Archives: May 2016

The discovery of two terrorist arms dumps near Larne raises the question of how many more could be out there, an East Antrim MLA has said. Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs was commenting after the PSNI uncovered “one of the most significant seizures of munitions” in recent years in Northern Ireland at the weekend, On Saturday, two members of the public discovered suspicious objects at Capanagh Forest, leading police to locate three purpose-built barrel hides buried in the ground. The haul they contained included: an explosively formed projectile (EFP); two claymore anti-personnel mines; several pipe bombs; quantities of explosives and ammunition; command wire and component parts to construct a substantial number of explosive devices. Two months ago, police were alerted to the presence of barrels buried at Carnfunnock Country Park and recovered what they described as “a significant amount of bomb making components including partially constructed devices and a small quantity … Continue reading →

A child could have been killed had they come across bomb parts left by terrorists in a forest near Larne, it has been claimed. Two members of the public were walking in Capanagh Wood on Saturday evening when they discovered a cache of bomb-making parts. Detectives are now working to establish if the weekend’s sinister discovery is linked to a terrorist hide found at nearby Carnfunnock Country Park in March. The latest haul has been described by local politicians as an “extremely worrying” development. East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson said those who had stored the deadly items at the popular dog walking spot were employing a “highly dangerous tactic which is putting innocent lives at risk”. “There is an element of trying to hide these items under the noses of the people of East Antrim, in places which are well-used by members of the public,” the Alliance representative added. “The … Continue reading →

Stewart Dickson of Alliance celebrates with wife Sandra For some time it had looked as if East Antrim would become the first constituency in Northern Ireland to elect a Ukip MLA. It was the party’s Noel Jordan who came closest to causing a political upset by threatening to steal Alastair Ross’ seat from the DUP. By the end of the count on Friday David Hilditch and Gordon Lyons of the DUP had been elected, along with the UUP’s Roy Beggs jnr. Early on Saturday they were followed by the Alliance’s Stewart Dickson, leaving a scrap for the final two seats between Sinn Fein’s Oliver McMullan, the DUP’s Mr Ross, UUP’s John Stewart and Ukip’s Mr Jordan. Ukip leader David McNarry arrived at the count to support his candidate, but in the end it was Mr McMullan and Mr Ross who retained their seats. Parliamentary reports show first speaker only – … Continue reading →

Tánaiste and Labour party leader Joan Burton says her party “are up for a fight” after a leaked opinion poll revealed a huge drop in Labour support. She was speaking on Saturday after a leaked Behaviour Attitudes opinion poll, commissioned for The Sunday Times, showed the Labour Party is facing a collapse in support. Details of the poll were leaked online last night and were published in the Times (Ireland edition) epaper on Saturday morning. It shows Labour’s support at 4 per cent, down from 8 per cent and the party’s lowest level in a BA poll. Speaking in Waterford today Ms Burton told RTE news she does not normally comment on polls but said the Labour Party would rebound. “I’m a fighter and I’m up for a fight. I’ve never stood back from a fight.That’s what the Labour Party is about and we’re about making people and families lives … Continue reading →

Stewart Dickson of Alliance celebrates with wife Sandra For some time it had looked as if East Antrim would become the first constituency in Northern Ireland to elect a Ukip MLA. It was the party’s Noel Jordan who came closest to causing a political upset by threatening to steal Alastair Ross’ seat from the DUP. By the end of the count on Friday David Hilditch and Gordon Lyons of the DUP had been elected, along with the UUP’s Roy Beggs jnr. Early on Saturday they were followed by the Alliance’s Stewart Dickson, leaving a scrap for the final two seats between Sinn Fein’s Oliver McMullan, the DUP’s Mr Ross, UUP’s John Stewart and Ukip’s Mr Jordan. Ukip leader David McNarry arrived at the count to support his candidate, but in the end it was Mr McMullan and Mr Ross who retained their seats. Parliamentary reports show first speaker only – … Continue reading →