15-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Diary: A Linen Hall mouthful, bollards and war planes
People Before Profit's Michael Collins tabled a motion asking the council to note its 'alarm' at the airport being used as a transit point for US military aircraft and cargo destined for Europe and the Middle East.
'As reported, over 60 military flights have been detected using Aldergrove airport as a transit point during the 18 months of Israel's assault on Gaza,' Mr Collins said.
'Over a dozen of these flights were found to have travelled to Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar: a key transfer point for large-scale munitions between the US and Israel.
'The council notes its grave concern that these flights were, therefore, likely carrying weapons and munitions which were used in the Israeli genocide in Gaza.'
In response, TUV councillor Ron McDowell said the motion was 'nothing to do with Belfast', but was a global political issue.
There's another reason it could be argued that the motion had nothing to do with Belfast. Namely, Belfast International Airport isn't actually in the city, but in the village of Aldergrove, which is in Co Antrim.
Indeed, it used to be called Aldergrove Airport until its name was changed in 1983.
Hill Street blues just won't end
The glacial pace of pedestrianising Hill Street in Belfast is showing no signs of speeding up.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has been asked for an update on the long-awaited plans.
'I can advise that officials will undertake further engagement with relevant stakeholders in the coming weeks to determine a scheme that works for all,' Ms Kimmins replied.
'These discussions will better inform my department on what should be included in the experimental scheme.'
Surely 'what should be included' is a couple of bollards, so the scheme can finally be realised.
Old name mouthful
For all its faults, every now and again, social media can throw up interesting historical stories.
This week, just such a fun fact relating to the Linen Hall Library came to light, thanks to its official X account.
It turns out the 237-year-old institution wasn't always known as that, but had a different name.
In 1792, it was officially called the Belfast Library and Society for Promoting Knowledge.
Bit of a mouthful, so it's understandable why that title didn't stick.
