logo
Deputy first minister 'deeply saddened' by summer camp cancellation

Deputy first minister 'deeply saddened' by summer camp cancellation

BBC News17-07-2025
The deputy first minister has said she is "deeply saddened" that the organisers of a cross-community sports summer camp felt the need to cancel an event after an Orange lodge opposed the involvement of a "small group of children from a GAA club".Emma Little-Pengelly said there was "legitimate discussion to be had" about the GAA's levels of inclusivity - but that this was not "the time or the place".North Down Cricket Club had planned to host the event for young people from varied backgrounds, including some from East Belfast GAA, on Friday.The lodge said there were concerns about the "perceived move of the GAA into the local community", which it said had come from some local residents.
North Down Cricket Club then decided not to go ahead with the original event after it said the "spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost".Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Little-Pengelly said "cricket is a sport that brings people together" and summer camps like the one planned were for "children to get to know each other and work with each other."She said she had spoken to the club, which is based in Comber in County Down.Cricket Ireland said on Wednesday it hoped to move the event to Stormont in July.
'Totally unacceptable' - first minister
Also speaking to Good Morning Ulster the First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the cancellation was "so disappointing"."I am actually quite dismayed that anyone would think that young people coming together through the medium of sport, just because they come from a GAA background, that that is not appropriate," she said."I just think that is just totally unacceptable by anybody's standards."She added "sport should be something that unifies people, no one should be excluded that they come from a Gaelic background."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Emma Little-Pengelly: DUP defends minister's Wimbledon trip
Emma Little-Pengelly: DUP defends minister's Wimbledon trip

BBC News

time3 hours ago

  • BBC News

Emma Little-Pengelly: DUP defends minister's Wimbledon trip

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has moved to defend the deputy first minister over a publicly-funded trip with her husband to £1,000 was spent on flights and accommodation when Emma Little-Pengelly and Education Authority (EA) chief executive Richard Pengelly attended the tennis Stormont parties have criticised the spending, but The Executive Office (TEO) said it was in line with civil service policy and "no additional expenditure" was incurred on behalf of her a fresh statement to BBC News NI, the DUP said the invitation was issued "in her capacity as deputy first minister and it will be registered in the normal way". The EA said Mr Pengelly attended while on leave and "no spend was incurred" by the education than £980 was spent on the trip, according to a Freedom of Information request revealed last month by The Irish couple were pictured in the Royal box at centre court alongside celebrities including American pop star Olivia Rodrigo, professional wrestler John Cena and former England football manager Roy posted photos online, describing the invitation as the "honour of a lifetime".The DUP minister and First Minister Michelle O'Neill were invited by the All-England Club, but O'Neill did not take up the invitation. Register of interests Members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) declare any gifts or hospitality they receive worth more than £250 on a public register of is "including those received in a ministerial capacity", according to assembly the DUP said the Wimbledon invite did not need to be declared on the assembly register.A party spokesman said: "The invitation was issued to Emma Little-Pengelly in her capacity as deputy first minister and it will be registered in the normal way via the department in the register of ministers' gifts and hospitality."Because invitations to the Royal box are never offered for sale it is not possible to put a value on this and therefore does not meet the threshold for inclusion in the register of members' interests."The only comparable price available is for the price of a centre court ticket for the relevant day of attendance, which does not meet the threshold for inclusion."Tickets for centre court seats on 2 July cost between £95 and £120, according to Wimbledon's website.A spokesman for the club in south London said Royal box tickets "are not commercially available". 'Beggars belief' Several Stormont parties have criticised the Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MLA Matthew O'Toole, leader of the opposition, said it "beggars belief"."The idea that official business was conducted in the Royal box at Wimbledon insults the intelligence of the public here," he Party MLA Paula Bradshaw, chair of the assembly's Executive Office scrutiny committee, said she would be raising Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Timothy Gaston, a member of the committee, also questioned the "justification for the public paying the bill". A spokesman for TEO said: "Details of gifts and hospitality received by ministers are recorded on the 'Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality Received' which is published on a quarterly basis."In a previous statement, The Executive Office said the deputy first minister "flew economy"."While she was accompanied in her official capacity by her spouse, no additional expenditure was incurred by TEO on behalf of her guest," a spokeswoman said."The travel and accommodation costs incurred by the deputy first minister are in line with NICS (Northern Ireland Civil Service) policy."The EA said "no spend was incurred" by it and the trip was "made in a personal capacity" while Mr Pengelly was on annual Executive Office said while the first minister declined the Wimbledon invite, she attended the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) football all-Ireland semi-final later in said there were "no costs" associated with O'Neill's attendance at the match between Tyrone and Kerry at Croke Park in Féin said O'Neill attended the semi-final "at the invitation of the GAA" and there were "zero costs to the department".

Coleen Rooney picks up a bottle of vodka as she calls into her village shop after trip to Ireland with husband Wayne and son Kai
Coleen Rooney picks up a bottle of vodka as she calls into her village shop after trip to Ireland with husband Wayne and son Kai

Daily Mail​

time11 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Coleen Rooney picks up a bottle of vodka as she calls into her village shop after trip to Ireland with husband Wayne and son Kai

Coleen Roone y nipped to her local shop on Wednesday, shortly after returning from a trip to Ireland with son Wayne and eldest son Kai. The mother-of-four, 39, was spotted leaving a village store in leafy Cheshire - where the family own a sprawling new-build mansion - after picking up a bottle of Smirnoff vodka. The brand's distinctive logo was visible through the plastic bag she carried while making her way back to her car. Coleen looked relaxed in a plain white T-shirt and dark blue skinny jeans as she exited the shop with a white carrier bag in hand. Keeping things casual, she slipped on a pair of nude flip-flops and accessorised simply with a wristwatch. Her outing comes after she and her husband Wayne Rooney, 39, were every inch the supportive parents as they watched their son Kai play for Manchester United in the 2025 Super Cup NI. The Rooney's travelled to Coleraine, Northern Ireland, to stand pitchside and watch Kai, 15, play in the youth football tournament, which kicked off last week. The married couple also took their younger sons - Kit, eight, and Cass, six - to watch their older brother in action ahead of Man United's match against Co Tyrone. Ahead of the game, Wayne and Coleen were pictured looking every inch the supportive parents as they smiled for the cameras alongside their younger sons. Wayne, who also shares son Klay, 11, with Coleen, cut a casual figure in an all-black ensemble and flashed a huge smile as he stepped out to show his support for Kai. Meanwhile, Coleen looked stylish in a pink T-shirt and jeans, which she styled with a burgundy jacket. Kai took to the field when Man United played against Co Tyrone at the Riada Stadium at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, Kai secured a huge achievement as he nabbed a goal in a 3-0 win over West Cork Academy. Wayne himself played in the Super Cup NI before shooting to stardom and shared some words of support for his son. When asked if he gives Kai any tips, Wayne said he simply 'lets him play and watch' and praised his son for handling the added attention because of his surname 'well'. Speaking to Super Cup NI, Wayne shared: 'He just plays, that's what he's done this whole time playing, I think it's very unfair for anyone to expect him to go and do all kinds, he's just playing as a young boy, he's 15, just playing and doing it. 'But of course he gets different attention to his teammates, but he handles that really well.' Wayne played in the Super Cup - formerly the Milk Cup - himself in 2000 for Everton's Under-14 side and described the time as some of his 'greatest memories'. The Super Cup is renowned for showcasing young and upcoming footballing talents. Kai has been showing off his burgeoning football talent all season, and recently took part in a match against Glasgow Rangers in the Super Cup NI. United beat Rangers 2-0 as they continue their trajectory towards the top of Group C of the Premier section. Both goals were scored by Abdoulaye Douka Nkoto. Manchester United have been One of the goals was scored by Kai, who has been making waves at the tournament as one of the younger players to watch for the future.

Glenavon sign former Portadown goalkeeper Carney
Glenavon sign former Portadown goalkeeper Carney

BBC News

time11 hours ago

  • BBC News

Glenavon sign former Portadown goalkeeper Carney

Goalkeeper Jacob Carney is the latest arrival at Glenavon, following his release from Newport 24-year-old enjoyed a previous spell in the Irish League when on loan at Portadown in 2021, but this time moves to the blue side of the Mid-Ulster began his career with Manchester United's academy, spending time on loan with Stocksbridge Park Steels and Brighouse Town before making a permanent switch to Sunderland. A move to Castellón in Spain followed before spending last season at Rotherham native is delighted to return to the NIFL Premiership and team up with manager Paddy McLaughlin at Mourneview Park."I loved my time in the Irish League previously," he said."The physicality and the fact that every game is different gives you something to look forward to.""He (McLaughlin) rang me and talked to me about what he wants to do with the club and I was excited by what he had to say. The last couple of years I've had in football haven't been great, so I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to come here and play and help the team."Carney made 22 league appearances during his time with Portadown and his performances did not go unnoticed by McLaughlin who is delighted to have captured his signature."It was clear to see Jacob's quality when he played in the league before," said the Glenavon boss."He was one of the best in the division and we're delighted to get the deal over the line."It's no secret that I like my teams to play good football and that includes build up from the back. You can see that in the other players we've brought in. Jacob fits that perfectly. He's good with his feet and will help us with that dimension of our game."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store