Monthly Archives: July 2017
Beggs shocked at extent of ex-Royal Marines’ terrorist activity
East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party Assemblyman Roy Beggs has spoken of his shock at the extent of the list of terrorist activity which has been made public prior to sentencing of the former Larne man Ciaran Maxwell, the ex-Royal Marine who has pleaded guilty to charges relating to terrorism, fraud and drugs offences. Roy Beggs MLA said “It is clear from the list of evidence presented prior to sentencing, that Ciaran Maxwell had the means and intent to kill or seriously injure a wide range of people. As well as uncovering an extensive arsenal of weaponry, evidence of his planning and targeting of security officers and other properties has been disclosed. Significant terrorists deserve a significant sentence.” Files in Ciaran Maxwell’s possession included names and contact details of PSNI officers and a police/MI5 officer in the UK. Satellite map images of power stations in Northern Ireland were uncovered. Larne police … Continue reading
Cloughfern to host Twelfth celebration
Cloughfern in Newtownabbey will be the venue for this year’s East Antrim Combine Twelfth demonstration to be held next Wednesday. Brethren, sisters and bands from Larne will be among a 4,000 strong parade commemorating the 327th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. The Combine is made up of nine district lodges, with more than 70 private lodges. As well as Larne, the districts are Cloughfern, Randalstown, Staffordstown, Killead, Antrim, Sixmilewater, Carnmoney, and Carrickfergus. The lodges will be joined by upwards of 40 bands from across Northern Ireland and Scotland, adding to the spectacle of the day. Several thousand spectators are expected to watch the parade along the route. The main parade will leave from Cloughfern Protestant Hall at 11am. The parade will proceed along the Doagh Road, Shore Road, Rathcoole Drive, West Crescent and Church Road to the demonstration field at the Valley Leisure Centre. Stepping out for their … Continue reading
Decision on Irish language should wait: MLA
An Ulster Unionist MLA has urged the DUP and Sinn Fein to shelve discussions over an Irish language act and revisit the issue later in the year. The DUP and Sinn Fein continue to tussle over the republican party’s demand for statutory protection of the Irish language, which remains one of the main obstacles in the way of a deal to restore power-sharing. While Sinn Fein and many Irish language groups have insisted that only a ‘stand-alone’ Irish language act would be acceptable, some leading DUP figures – including former leader Peter Robinson – have suggested that a ‘culture act’, encompassing both Irish and Ulster Scots, might be an appropriate compromise. But UUP MLA Roy Beggs has said the issue should not be a priority for the parties, adding that other matters such as hospital waiting lists and pressures on school budgets should be much higher on the agenda. The … Continue reading