Monthly Archives: February 2019

UKIP’s dreams of being elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly have been dashed – although they came within striking distance of knocking out a DUP candidate. The constituency now has exactly the same political make-up as it did in 2011 when the last Assembly elections were held. East Antrim Alliance candidate Stewart Dickson has been returned safely The winning candidates, in order of election, are as follows: David Hilditch, DUP. Gordon Lyons, DUP, and Roy Beggs, UUP (announced at the same time). Stewart Dickson, Alliance. The DUP’s David Hilditch elected in East Antrim, topping the poll. Alastair Ross, DUP, and Oliver McMullan, Sinn Fein. The vote-counting had ended at about 10pm on Friday with only the first three candidates revealed. It resumed at around 9am on Saturday, and shortly afterwards Stewart Dickson secured a seat. However, as midday approached it still looked touch-and-go for the DUP. Noel Jordan of UKIP, … Continue reading →

Two men were arrested under the terrorism act (stock photo) January 19 2019 Two men have been arrested after a van driver was robbed at gunpoint in Londonderry. The arrests come after detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit (TIU) carried out searches in the Creggan and Strand Road areas of the city on Saturday morning. The pair, aged 49 and 41, were detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act. They will be questioned on suspicion of robbing the driver of a read Volkswagen Caddy van at gunpoint on Meadowbank Avenue on January 15. Belfast Telegraph Digital Parliamentary reports show first speaker only – follow this lnk for the full transcription. Articles may come from parliamentary reports, various public news feeds and Google News Search. Content is republished here for context. Copyright is respected and remains with the original author at all times. Original Article:https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/terrorism-detectives-arrest-two-men-after-van-driver-robbed-at-gunpoint-37727983.html

The Westbrook Court area of Coleraine. Credit: Google. January 22 2019 A teenager was left shaken after being attacked with a hammer during an aggravated burglary in Coleraine. The incident took place at the Westbrook Court area of Coleraine on Monday night. At around 7:15pm  it was reported that two men forced their way into a house in the area with one man armed with a hammer. It is believed that one man was wearing a hi-vis style jacket. One male occupant in his late teens, who was inside the house at the time of the incident was assaulted and an attempt was made to tie him up with cable ties. It is believed that a sum of money was taken during the incident. The male occupant is not believed to have been seriously injured but was left badly shaken. “Enquiries are continuing and we are appealing for information if … Continue reading →

Oliver Gibson By Gareth Cross April 28 2018 A former MLA who lost a relative in the Omagh bombing has died. Oliver Gibson, who represented the West Tyrone constituency and was a founding member of the DUP, was aged 83. A death notice said he passed away peacefully at his home at Mountview Heights, Ballybogey, Ballymoney. Mr Gibson served as MLA for West Tyrone from 1998 to 2003. He also served on Omagh District Council for a number of years. His niece, Esther Gibson, was one of the 29 victims killed in the 1998 Omagh bombing. Born in Beragh, Co Tyrone he attended Queen’s University Belfast, worked as a teacher and also served in the Ulster Defence Regiment. He was also a member of the Orange Order and the Apprentice Boys of Derry. DUP leader Arlene Foster led the tribute. She said the party was grateful for the work done … Continue reading →

Dylan Quinn, founder of the ‘We Deserve Better’ campaign (Brian Lawless/PA) January 6 2019 An Enniskillen man is walking to Stormont in protest at the lack of a functioning government in Northern Ireland. Dylan Quinn is traversing 90 miles to vent his frustration at the non-governance. He started his trek on Saturday morning from his home in Enniskillen and is aiming to reach Stormont on Monday evening. The father-of-four described the political system in Northern Ireland as “dysfunctional”. Dylan Quinn, founder of the ‘We Deserve Better’ campaign (Brian Lawless/PA) He is hoping to encourage political discourse and wants people to realise that they have the power to change the situation. Mr Quinn said: “It is about raising the issue so that when we next go to the ballot box maybe we’ll start to choose a little bit wiser. “But also maybe the MLAs and the politicians and the political parties … Continue reading →