Monthly Archives: December 2019

<!– –> FOUR DUP members have quit the party over its selection of an openly gay election candidate, Jim Wells has claimed. The DUP MLA said all four are from the North Antrim area and had been party members for decades. He said they include retired Free Presbyterian minister Rev James Beggs, who confirmed his resignation to The Irish News last week. Mr Wells declined to name the others. It emerges amid silence over a meeting held by the DUP in North Antrim on Wednesday night which is believed to have discussed Alison Bennington’s selection. Ms Bennington became the DUP’s first openly gay elected representative earlier this month after securing a council seat in Antrim and Newtownabbey. Her election is being seen as a significant step for the DUP, a party with a history of hostility towards LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people. But internal tensions have surfaced, with … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has responded to comments from a Mid and East Antrim Sinn Fein councillor and the subsequent vandalism of the “Ghost Tommy” silhouette in Cairncastle, outside Larne. In a statement, Mr. Beggs said: ““The Sinn Fein political representative has tried to politicise WW1 commemorations and the Ghost Tommy silhouettes which remember those who did not return. “By his reckless remarks, he has increased community tensions. This is in stark contrast to the increased recognition from the Irish government that huge losses were occurred from all sections of the community. “Many young men left Cairncastle never to return. Republicans need to learn to have tolerance and respect for others.” Sinn Fein councillor James McKeown said that he had been contacted by a number of residents who were unhappy with the Armistice centenary sculptures appearing in the Cairncastle area saying that it showed a “total disregard” for nationalists. … Continue reading →

A teenage girl’s death after falling into a Co Antrim river has been described as an “unimaginable loss”. The 14-year-old died after falling into the Inver River in Larne at around 9pm on Tuesday. She has been named locally as Gracie Gordon who lived in the town and attended St Killian’s College. A huge rescue mission was launched involving police, coastguard crews and the ambulance service. The police helicopter also provided air support. It’s understood Gracie was pulled from the water and taken to Antrim Area Hospital where she tragically passed away. There was speculation she had been out with friends when she tripped and fell while she walked along the river bank. After a post mortem yesterday, police ruled out foul play in the death. Shock gripped the community in Larne as news of the death spread. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mayor Maureen Morrow said that despite … Continue reading →

A company which operates a car park in Larne has urged anyone who feels they have been incorrectly charged following the introduction of time limits at the site to contact them. Smart Parking issued the advice after concerns were voiced about the recently introduced restrictions at the Latharna Retail Park in Larne. In a statement issued to the Times, a Smart Parking spokesperson said: “To counter high levels of parking abuse, in October we introduced a new state of the art ANPR parking management system to insure genuine customers can always find a place to park. “As part of this we installed 26 signs across the site which clearly highlight the new term and conditions of use, and the vast majority of motorists who use the car park have done so without any issues. However, it is important to say that when parking on private land motorists should always check … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs met with senior PSNI officers this morning (Tuesday) to raise concerns over policing following the “detention” of Clyde Valley Flute Band on its return from the Apprentice Boys parade in Londonderry on Saturday. A bus, in which band members, who had been wearing a Parachute Regiment motif on their shirt sleeves, was returning to Larne when it was stopped by PSNI officers at Limavady Road. ‘Soldier F’ is the only former member of the regiment to face prosecution over the Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry. In a statement, Mr. Beggs said: “There was no determination or conditions set by the Parades Commission for the recent Apprentice Boys’ parade. “So I fail to understand how the Larne-based Clyde Valley band’s 2019 uniform which included a Parachute Regiment insignia on their sleeve, could have breached the law.” Commenting on a recent PSNI operation in north Belfast, which … Continue reading →