The cross-border service doing more to break down barriers than all the north-south bodies combined
Service has done more to break down barriers on this island than all 1998 Agreement's north-south bodies combined
In 1998, one of the most contentious aspects of the Good Friday Agreement was cross-border bodies.
Having himself helped pull down power-sharing in 1974 over the Council of Ireland, David Trimble was intensely nervous about how many north-south bodies there would be, how powerful they'd be and who'd control them.
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Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
The cross-border service doing more to break down barriers than all the north-south bodies combined
Service has done more to break down barriers on this island than all 1998 Agreement's north-south bodies combined In 1998, one of the most contentious aspects of the Good Friday Agreement was cross-border bodies. Having himself helped pull down power-sharing in 1974 over the Council of Ireland, David Trimble was intensely nervous about how many north-south bodies there would be, how powerful they'd be and who'd control them.
ITV News
5 days ago
- ITV News
Sinn Féin challenges PSNI over ‘reluctance' to blame paramilitaries for North Belfast homes' attacks
The police say they have conflicting reports about the involvement of paramilitaries in attacks on the homes of a number of families in north Belfast. The incidents were raised at a meeting of the policing board on Thursday where Sinn Féin suggested there was a reluctance by the PSNI to say paramilitaries were present. Sinn Fein Policing Board member Gerry Kelly said it almost seemed like there was an 'avoidance' of blaming terrorist groups, after an officer said there had been conflicting reports over their involvement. There was widespread political condemnation following the attacks on homes in May, when masonry was thrown at a number of properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street. Clanmil Housing Association, which operates the housing scheme in the area, said the attacks were a 'sectarian-motivated hate crime', and police have said they have stepped up patrols in the area. Alliance Party member Nuala McAllister asked about the policing response to the attacks. She said: 'A number of us political representatives have met with these families and sat with them and they have been understandably very upset and scared. 'We would like to think that it is 2025, this long after the Good Friday Agreement and actually we could have families living in shared neighbourhoods welcomed by all. 'There is a minority who are frightening others for the aim to get them to move out of their area and it is not acceptable.' Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said he wanted to publicly condemn the 'hate-filled abhorrent behaviour' last month. He said: 'That day we saw attacks on houses, windows broken and clearly a sectarian attempt to intimidate people out of their homes. 'That has no place in our society and should not be tolerated. We will bring all of our investigative powers to bring people to justice.' He said the police investigation is continuing and a man had been charged over damage to properties. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said there are 'significant tensions in the area primarily around the issue around housing'. He added: 'What we are picking up in terms of local information, and there has been some conflicting reporting, some of that reporting indicated persons linked to paramilitary groups have been involved in the activity, however other reports indicate that the attacks have stemmed from a much more community level, rather than an organisation. 'That is similar to what we saw around August last year and the disorder as well. We will continue to monitor that situation.' Mr Kelly responded: 'I find it quite hard to begin to accept that when a number of houses are done, when it is co-ordinated, when there was a number of people in masks standing around for two hours before it and all this information was given to the police, that at this stage it almost seems like an avoidance of saying there was paramilitary involvement here. 'To say that there is tension around housing doesn't say it. This is sectarianism.' Mr Kelly added: 'There seems to be a reluctance in these things, not just this, if it is paramilitary, of let's not say it is paramilitary and I don't know what the fear is. 'I am certain and everybody in that area is certain it is paramilitary.' The Sinn Fein representative added: 'People need to know that you are not trying to avoid saying what this is really about because they want to know if they are safe going back in there, is there an organisation which is going to attack them again.' Mr Beck said: 'From a factual basis I have indicated what information we have at this moment in time and there are conflicts around that. 'But that does include that there are indications that there were persons involved who were linked to terrorist and paramilitary organisations as well.' Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Glasgow Times
02-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Sinn Fein minister urges BBC to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel case
Stormont's Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he welcomed the outcome of the high-profile case. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded Mr Adams 100,000 euro (£84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome, warning it could have 'profound implications and potentially 'hinder freedom of expression'. Following the jury's decision, Mr Adams said his case had been about 'putting manners' on the BBC. The veteran republican claimed the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland and was 'out of sync' on many fronts in relation to the Good Friday peace agreement. The National Union of Journalists has described those remarks as 'chilling'. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, also said the case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws. Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin after he was awarded 100,000 euro (£84,000) in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC (Brian Lawless/PA) However, Mr O'Dowd said the BBC reaction to the case indicated it was 'unwilling to learn lessons'. 'I welcome the judgment,' he told BBC Radio Ulster. 'I think it's a timely reminder that everyone has the right to defend their name in court. Gerry has been successful in his case and I think the BBC have lessons to learn, and they should instead of the knee-jerk reaction that we've heard thus far from them, I think they should take a time of reflection and reflect on that court judgment.' The minister was asked if Mr Adams' claims about the BBC upholding the ethos of the British state and being out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement reflected Sinn Fein's position on the broadcaster. 'I think it's a position that many in society hold,' he replied. 'There are many, many fine journalists from the BBC – there's no question about that. But I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that they're unwilling to learn lessons. 'They're unwilling to reflect on their own role and responsibility. So, I think … this is a time for the BBC to reflect, and the upper echelons of the BBC to reflect, rather than some of the knee-jerk reactions we've seen from them thus far.'
