Monthly Archives: May 2019

Roy Carroll Joy and despair: Andy Waterworth and Chris Casement celebrate Linfield’s second goal last night as Glentoran’s Joe Crowe, who was later sent off, is left frustrated By Steven Beacom January 29 2019 Linfield manager David Healy admitted he was gutted to lose goalkeeper Roy Carroll to a serious injury for the rest of the season which could potentially end his career after watching the Blues defeat Glentoran 4-2 at Windsor Park. Healy was thrilled by the “class and character” of his side in a thrilling victory which took them six points clear of second-placed Ballymena United in the title race but his thoughts were also with the unfortunate Carroll. The Blues triumphed through a penalty from Jordan Stewart, a Calum Birney own goal and late strikes from Chris Casement and substitute Michael O’Connor in a cracking derby. Curtis Allen and Robbie McDaid had drawn the Glens level at … Continue reading →

By David O’Dornan April 16 2019 You would be forgiven for thinking that being the leader of Northern Ireland’s biggest political party at a time of unprecedented political turmoil would mean Arlene Foster has enough on her plate. But despite challenges such as the long-running Stormont stand-off, a looming RHI Inquiry report and the uncertainty over Brexit, Mrs Foster has added to her workload. She is acting as the election agent for six candidates bidding to win seats on Fermanagh and Omagh Council in the May local elections. But it is not just a case of Mrs Foster leading from the front – she is just one of 23 MLAs signed up as an election agent. That represents just over a quarter of all of Stormont’s elected politicians. The MLAs are acting as agents for a total of 56 candidates and those from the DUP are taking on the most. … Continue reading →

Richard Department of Health permanent secretary Richard Pengelly A new cancer strategy for Northern Ireland has been welcomed by charities – even though a Health Minister minister needs to be in place to decide how it will be implemented. The local cancer strategy was last updated in 2008. Department of Health permanent secretary Richard Pengelly said: “Significant progress has been made over the past 20 years in developing cancer services in Northern Ireland. “This has involved investing in a wide range of preventative, treatment and care programmes that have contributed to improvements in survival rates for cancer patients. “However, the anticipated demographic change in forthcoming years means there is likely to be a significant growth in demand for cancer services, and we must prepare for these challenges. “A new strategy would help us do that.” In an announcement yesterday, the Department of Health said: “The central goal of the new … Continue reading →

Kilroot power station should be kept open because of a energy reduction at a nuclear power plant in Scotland, an MLA has said. Roy Beggs called for the retention of the Co Antrim station after it emerged that there were cracks in the reactor at Hunterston B plant in Ayrshire. Electricity generation from Hunterston B could fall by 40% this year after the cracks were discovered. A planned inspection of the graphite bricks that make up the core of Reactor 3 in March uncovered new “keyway root cracks”. Kilroot was facing closure in 2024 for environmental reasons related to its coal-burning technology, but its owner AES said earlier this year that it will in fact close at the end of this month. The closure will lead to the loss of 270 jobs. The cracks at Hunterston B were found to be developing at a slightly higher rate than anticipated, operator … Continue reading →

Roddensvale School has bade farewell to a former member of staff as she stepped down from her teaching role after 15 years. Friends and colleagues gathered at the end of June to mark the retirement of Larne woman, Mrs Mary Howie. Paying tribute to Mrs Howie was John Madden, principal of Roddensvale School. “Mary came to us from Downshire School and I think she has found her time at Roddensvale very rewarding,” he said. “She has always had an affinity for working with young people with a range of additional needs, including some with complex medical needs. More recently, she had been working with young people on the autistic spectrum. “She is quite an active person and assisted greatly with co-ordinating PE and the swimming programme at Larne pool. “Mary has fantastic organisational skills and was great at mobilising people; in fact she ran Sports Day like a military operation! … Continue reading →