Co Down road closed after serious two-vehicle crash
It is understood the incident in Newtownards involved a car and a motorbike and took place last night.
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A spokesperson for the PSNI said: 'Road users are advised to avoid Church Street in Newtownards, which is currently closed as police attend a report of a two vehicle road traffic collision.
'Access to the hospital is still possible, however, road users are encouraged to seek an alternative route where possible.'
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Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
M2 fully reopens after major crash causes hours of delays in Belfast city centre
The collision happened on the motorway leaving Belfast just after York Street shortly after 11am this morning. Traffic was moving through a single left-hand lane by 3.30pm, an hour after the road was completely closed for a second time, to allow for an investigation at the scene of the collision and clean-up. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and PSNI confirmed three lanes had reopened at 4pm, while the remaining two lanes had also reopened to traffic by 4.30pm. A DfI spokesperson added that there were 'still some knock-on delays within the city centre diversion route for the M3 bridge closure as traffic queues clear.' It comes on a weekend when work on the M3 Bridge is set to cause disruption for motorists. Meanwhile, a male pedestrian died after a hit and run in a separate incident in Ballyclare on Friday evening. In further travel disruption, there has been disruption to the Belfast to Bangor train line this morning. At least one service has been cancelled. Translink had said a number of services between Belfast and Bangor would be affected due to a broken-down train. It later said some services had been reinstated. It came as an SDLP councillor warned the M3 bridge works could lead to a 'full weekend of disruption' and called for last minute measures to alleviate the issue. North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte said he fears the second phase of a £400k maintenance project on the M3 bridge could lead to 'lengthy delays'. The closure will be in force on the westbound carriageway of the bridge from 9pm on Friday August 15 until 6am on Monday August 18.' Why is the M3 closed this weekend ? As a result, the M3 itself will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass. Traffic will be required to leave at Bridge End Flyover. No access to the M3 will be available from Middlepath Street on-slip during this period, with diversions in place. A similar closure at the start of the month caused traffic chaos across the entire weekend in Belfast, with long queues forming at pinch points across the city. On top of the work taking place, there is expected to be further congestion in the city with several road closures to accommodate the multi-cultural Mela carnival. Mr Whyte said: 'This will lead to lengthy delays for motorists in what is set to be a busy weekend in the city, with a series of large events taking place and people enjoying the good weather. 'There were scenes of absolute chaos in our city two weekends ago due to a similar closure, but it once again appears that the Infrastructure Minister and her department have failed to learn any lessons about the impact of these closures and the knock-on impact this work will have. 'While this work does need carried out, there is no extra public transport services to alleviate congestion, no contraflow system in operation and no clear plan from DfI or the police, about how they plan to manage the inevitable gridlock in east and north Belfast. 'With over 90,000 vehicles using this route daily and major events taking place in the city this weekend, the Minister and department must explain why they continue to fail to learn the lessons from past traffic gridlock.' The Department for infrastructure have urged motorists to plan their journey in advance this weekend. 'During this time [Friday to Monday] the M3 will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass with all traffic required to leave at Bridge End Flyover,' a DfI spokesperson said. 'If you are travelling to Belfast International Airport or north or west please ask yourself do you need to drive across Belfast or can you take another route such as via the A55 outer Ring. 'If you are travelling into the city to enjoy some shopping or leisure , or if you are attending an event at Custom House Square or Belfast Mela, remember to factor the bridge closure into your travel plans. "Allow extra time, look at the alternative routes or consider using public transport if you can. You can plan your public transport journey at 'The Department would like to thank the travelling public for their patience and cooperation while these important bridge safety works are completed.'
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Stephen Brannigan remembered as ‘kind and thoughtful' person at funeral
The body of Stephen Brannigan, 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on the afternoon of Sunday August 10. On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and attempted murder of Fr Murray. Mr Brannigan's funeral mass took place at St Brigid's Church, Downpatrick, on Saturday. Stephen Brannigan was found dead in a house in Downpatrick (PSNI/PA) The service was attended by his family members, neighbours, public representatives and emergency service workers. In a homily, Fr Timothy Bartlett said the community had been left 'numb, dazed, and brokenhearted' following the events of the previous weekend. He said: 'Last Sunday, as news of the tragic events of Stephen's murder, and Fr John's attempted murder, began to break, what a very different, what a shocking and very brutal world confronted us.' He said Mr Brannigan lived a life marked by a 'remarkable kindness'. The funeral heard one of his hobbies was flying planes online 'often into the early hours of the morning' and that he was being buried in the new, as yet unreleased, third kit of his 'beloved Liverpool Football Club'. 'So, if there is a kit clash in heaven today, Stephen will be unmistakable as a definite Liverpool FC man. I am sure he would be very pleased about that.' The coffin is carried in to the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan would 'be the first to admit' he was not a 'perfect human being'. However, he added: 'The more recent years of his life were marked by a remarkable kindness, a gentle neighbourliness and a deep love for those who were close to him. 'Yes, Stephen literally went around this historic town of Downpatrick doing good, often quietly, with no fuss and no expectation of return. Stephen loved and Stephen was loved.' Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan and his late wife Dorenda's greatest joy in life were their daughters Ciara and Gemma, and through them their 'beloved grandchildren' Sophie, Lily, Conor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi. He also read out tributes from Mr Brannigan's grandchildren, who remembered him as 'the best granddad' who he had 'spoiled' them – and made a great shepherd's pie. He called on those gathered to remember the words of You'll Never Walk Alone, adding: 'As we say our earthly farewell, we say to you Stephen, 'walk on'.' The order of service for the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) In relation to Fr Murray, Fr Bartlett said the hearts of the community were broken that 'such a gentle and prayerful man should have been subjected' to attack. 'As you continue to recover in hospital, we send you our love, our thoughts and our prayers.' Fr Bartlett also criticised a 'disease of unease and anxiety that is paralysing' society in Northern Ireland, adding that services which previously provided a culture of safety and respect are 'under-resourced and broke'. He said: 'Am I the only who feels that there is growing culture of aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society, in which nothing and no-one is sacred any more? 'Am I the only one who yearns for a little more gentleness, a little more civility, a little more courtesy, a little more neighbourliness and community, and a little more compassion and care?' Fr Bartlett said it was time to ask hard questions about how to address violence in society, questioning why a civic forum envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement should be convened. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and the attempted murder of Fr Murray.
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Stephen Brannigan remembered as ‘kind and thoughtful' person at funeral
The body of Stephen Brannigan, 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on the afternoon of Sunday August 10. On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and attempted murder of Fr Murray. Mr Brannigan's funeral mass took place at St Brigid's Church, Downpatrick, on Saturday. Stephen Brannigan was found dead in a house in Downpatrick (PSNI/PA) The service was attended by his family members, neighbours, public representatives and emergency service workers. In a homily, Fr Timothy Bartlett said the community had been left 'numb, dazed, and brokenhearted' following the events of the previous weekend. He said: 'Last Sunday, as news of the tragic events of Stephen's murder, and Fr John's attempted murder, began to break, what a very different, what a shocking and very brutal world confronted us.' He said Mr Brannigan lived a life marked by a 'remarkable kindness'. The funeral heard one of his hobbies was flying planes online 'often into the early hours of the morning' and that he was being buried in the new, as yet unreleased, third kit of his 'beloved Liverpool Football Club'. 'So, if there is a kit clash in heaven today, Stephen will be unmistakable as a definite Liverpool FC man. I am sure he would be very pleased about that.' The coffin is carried in to the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan would 'be the first to admit' he was not a 'perfect human being'. However, he added: 'The more recent years of his life were marked by a remarkable kindness, a gentle neighbourliness and a deep love for those who were close to him. 'Yes, Stephen literally went around this historic town of Downpatrick doing good, often quietly, with no fuss and no expectation of return. Stephen loved and Stephen was loved.' Fr Bartlett said Mr Brannigan and his late wife Dorenda's greatest joy in life were their daughters Ciara and Gemma, and through them their 'beloved grandchildren' Sophie, Lily, Conor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi. He also read out tributes from Mr Brannigan's grandchildren, who remembered him as 'the best granddad' who he had 'spoiled' them – and made a great shepherd's pie. He called on those gathered to remember the words of You'll Never Walk Alone, adding: 'As we say our earthly farewell, we say to you Stephen, 'walk on'.' The order of service for the funeral of Stephen Brannigan (Mark Marlow/PA) In relation to Fr Murray, Fr Bartlett said the hearts of the community were broken that 'such a gentle and prayerful man should have been subjected' to attack. 'As you continue to recover in hospital, we send you our love, our thoughts and our prayers.' Fr Bartlett also criticised a 'disease of unease and anxiety that is paralysing' society in Northern Ireland, adding that services which previously provided a culture of safety and respect are 'under-resourced and broke'. He said: 'Am I the only who feels that there is growing culture of aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society, in which nothing and no-one is sacred any more? 'Am I the only one who yearns for a little more gentleness, a little more civility, a little more courtesy, a little more neighbourliness and community, and a little more compassion and care?' Fr Bartlett said it was time to ask hard questions about how to address violence in society, questioning why a civic forum envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement should be convened. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and the attempted murder of Fr Murray.
