Monthly Archives: March 2017

The revelation that a £150m critical care building in Belfast remains largely closed to the public five years after it was due to open has been met with shock and outrage by politicians. The state-of-the-art facility at the Royal Victoria Hospital was due to open its doors in 2012. But the BBC has reported that 10 of the 12 floors of the high-rise building are still awaiting patients and staff. Despite the huge investment in the facility, it is understood that millions of pounds are needed to make the building fit for purpose. The facility was hailed as a “beacon” for the local construction industry, but it has been plagued with delays. According to the BBC, a raft of construction problems have held up completion of the building, including plumbing, waste and electrical systems. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said the Belfast Health Trust, which has responsibility for the building, … Continue reading →

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man shot in a gun attack in Carrickfergus has died. The victim had been named locally as Geordie Gilmore. He was blasted as he sat in a car in the Pinewood Avenue area of Carrick at around 2.15pm yesterday. The gunman is believed to have fled the scene on foot. He had been a well-known figure in the Co Antrim town and his murder has sparked fears of a bloody feud erupting. Police have confirmed they have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 44-year-old man who was shot in Carrickfergus yesterday afternoon. Geordie Gilmore Head of Serious Crime Branch Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said: “Our thoughts are with the Gilmore family at this time as they come to terms with their loss. “We are still at an early stage of the investigation, which is now a murder investigation, … Continue reading →

Appeal: Roy Beggs Vandals who threw stones onto a railway platform in Carrickfergus could have derailed a train, the PSNI have said. Police say that stones were removed from the walls around Clipperstown Halt and thrown down steps on to the station platform sometime between the evening of Saturday, March 18 and early on Sunday, March 19. They are now appealing for information following a report of suspicious activity on the railway tracks. Sergeant Emma Spence warned that those involved were putting lives at risk. “This is such a potentially dangerous and foolhardy activity and those involved are putting their lives and the lives of other rail users at risk,” she said. “If one of the stones had fallen onto the track, there is a possibility it could have derailed a train. “The last thing any of us wants to see is a tragedy on our railways.” Translink inspector Colin … Continue reading →

Gun victim Geordie Gilmore The son of Carrickfergus shooting victim Geordie Gilmore has branded those behind his father’s murder as “cowards”. Mr Gilmore was shot in the neck as he sat in a car in the Pinewood Avenue area of the Co Antrim town on Monday at around 2.15pm. The 44-year-old is believed to have been involved in a loyalist feud in the town. Geordie Gilmore’s son in online tribute following his father’s murder. He was rushed to hospital in a serious condition and put into intensive care, he later passed away. The gunman is thought to have made off on foot from the scene. On Tuesday police launched a murder investigation describing the killing as a ruthless attack in broad daylight. On Sunday night, the former UDA ‘commander’ taunted paramilitaries. He posted on Facebook: “The day of the UDA putting people out of Carrick are over.” Following his death, … Continue reading →

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man shot in a gun attack in Carrickfergus has died. The victim had been named locally as Geordie Gilmore. He was blasted as he sat in a car in the Pinewood Avenue area of Carrick at around 2.15pm yesterday. The gunman is believed to have fled the scene on foot. He had been a well-known figure in the Co Antrim town and his murder has sparked fears of a bloody feud erupting. Police have confirmed they have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 44-year-old man who was shot in Carrickfergus yesterday afternoon. Geordie Gilmore Head of Serious Crime Branch Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said: “Our thoughts are with the Gilmore family at this time as they come to terms with their loss. “We are still at an early stage of the investigation, which is now a murder investigation, … Continue reading →