Latest news with #BBCNorthernIreland
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams wins libel case against BBC over claim he sanctioned killing
Advertisement In the BBC program, broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Adams gave 'the final say.' Adams denies involvement and called the allegation a 'grievous smear.' Adams' lawyer, Paul Tweed, said outside the court that his client was 'relieved and satisfied' that jurors had reached 'the unequivocal conclusion that the subject allegation was highly defamatory.' Adams, 76, is one of the most influential figures of Northern Ireland's decades of conflict, and its peace process. He led Sinn Fein, the party linked to the Irish Republican Army, between 1983 and 2018. He has always denied being an IRA member, though former colleagues have said he was one of its leaders. Advertisement Speaking after the ruling, Adams said: 'I've always been satisfied with my reputation. Obviously, like yourself, we all have flaws in our character, but the jury made the decision and let's accept the outcome, and I think let's accept what the jury said.' Adams was able to sue in the Republic of Ireland because people there could watch the BBC Northern Ireland program. Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said the program had been made with 'careful editorial processes and journalistic diligence.' He said the implications of the jury's verdict were 'profound.' 'As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it is hard to see how anyone's could, and they warned how today's decision would hinder freedom of expression,' Smyth said. Around 3,600 people were killed in 'the Troubles,' Northern Ireland's three decades of violence involving Irish republican and British loyalist militants and U.K. soldiers. The IRA stopped fighting and disarmed after the 1998 Good Friday peace accord largely ended the violence, though small splinter groups opposed to the peace process continued to mount occasional attacks. A splinter group known as the Real IRA claimed responsibility in 2009 for killing Donaldson. An Irish police investigation remains ongoing. Lawyers for the BBC argued that the documentary didn't claim that Adams had sanctioned murder, merely putting that forward as an allegation alongside Adams' denial. They also argued the program didn't harm Adams' reputation, because he was widely considered to have been an IRA commander and so had little reputation to lose.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Netflix star of Fool Me Once to star in new BBC series
The Powys star of hit Netflix show Fool Me Once will be starring in a new BBC feel-good series which boasts a top tier cast. Laurie Kynaston, who hails from Llanfyllin, is currently filming in Dublin a six-part series based on the award-winning, bestselling novel Leonard and Hungry Paul. The story follows two unique board-gaming friends meandering through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves, and the expansion of the Universe. Laurie, 31, stars alongside Derry Girls ' Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and The End of the F***ing World's Alex Lawther in the series which has been filmed throughout May in Ireland. "Having the time of me little life over in Dublin with this lot," Laurie shared in a post on social media which was liked by fellow Fool Me Once star Michelle Keegan. "Leonard and Hungry Paul are fantastic people and we couldn't be making this show with a better bunch." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laurie Kynaston (@lauriekynaston) The former Llanfyllin High School pupil has been hailed as an emerging talent after winning an Evening Standard Theatre Award for his performance in The Son and also receiving a WhatsOnStage Award nomination. Most recently, he has starred in Harlen Coben's Fool Me Once mystery-drama Netflix mini-series alongside Dame Joanna Lumley and in the Disney+ drama about Anne Franks, A Small Light. In 2015, Laurie returned to Llanfyllin High School to take acting workshops with several drama students and visit his drama teacher Mandy Saunders who described her former student as 'always hardworking and disciplined' who paid 'meticulous attention to detail'. 'It is wonderful to see how his hard work has paid off and we are all so proud of his success- he deserves it!' she added. Llanfyllin High School also boasts an Oscar winner among its former pupils. Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain-raised cinematographer Lol Crawley won the prestigious award for his work in the epic period drama The Brutalist starring Adrien Brody. Speaking about Leonard and Hungry Paul, Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, said : 'This series promises something special and is full of charm and poignant moments that encapsulate ordinary life. 'With a stellar cast bringing this acclaimed novel to the screen, it will make an exciting addition to BBC Northern Ireland's offering this year.'
Irish Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell joins cast of new BBC comedy being filmed in Dublin
JAMIE-LEE O'DONNELL is among the cast of a new BBC comedy which is being filmed in Dublin. The actor, who shot to fame in the hit series Derry Girls, will star alongside the likes of Alex Lawther and Laurie Kynaston in Leonard and Hungry Paul. Filming has now begun on the six-part series being produced by Subotica for the BBC, which is based on the best-selling debut novel of the same name by Irish author Rónán Hession. Laurie Kynaston, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and Alex Lawther star in Leonard and Hungry Paul The story, which has been adapted by writers Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, follows two board-gaming friends as they meander through life in their leafy suburban neighbourhood. 'At a time when most shows involve dragons, detectives, or existential dread, Leonard and Hungry Paul takes a slower route - through kindness, the quiet gravity of small things, and the occasional game of backgammon,' director Andrew Chaplin says of the show. 'Which is proof that not all heroes shout - some just know when to stay quiet.' Hession said he is 'delighted' to see his book adapted for the screen. 'It's a real privilege as a writer to see my work being brought to life in a different creative form,' he explained. Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning for BBC Northern Ireland, says the series 'promises something special'. 'It is full of charm and poignant moments that encapsulate ordinary life,' he adds. 'With a stellar cast bringing this acclaimed novel to the screen, it will make an exciting addition to BBC Northern Ireland's offering this year.' See More: BBC, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Leonard And Hungry Paul
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Liverpool FC parade crash victim shares 'absolute agony' after being hit by car at event
Jack Trotter was one of the 40-plus people injured in a car crash in Liverpool on Monday evening, at the end of the team's trophy parade following their Champions League win A man from Northern Ireland has recounted the excruciating pain he endured after being struck by a vehicle during the Liverpool FC trophy parade mayhem on Monday evening in their native city. Jack Trotter, originating from Newtownards in County Down, was at the victory procession in Liverpool with his partner Abbie Gallagher and friends when the incident occurred around 6pm as the team's bus tour was nearing its end on Blundell Street, near the city's waterfront. While speaking to BBC Northern Ireland from his hospital bed, Jack confessed to suffering "absolute agony" following the collision by the car, which resulted in numerous people being hurt in the horrifying event. Alongside his interview with the BBC, Jack offered a personal account on social media, commenting that things might have been "much worse" had he not managed to evade in time. On his social media platform, he addressed his many concerned friends, saying: "I'm writing this because I've got a million texts asking me if I'm okay and it's crazy over here and I've barely any service," reports Belfast Live. He described the terrifying moment of impact further, stating: "The parade was going unreal until the very end, some absolute lunatic decided to floor it and drive his car through everyone. Unfortunately I was hit, however I'm extremely lucky as I dodged the car just in time, however still got hit." Reflecting on the event's unforeseen and tragic downturn, he described his astonishment, stating: "In absolute shock how an event like this can turn to such a tragedy. ". Nevertheless, he was able to end his message on an uplifting note, sharing with his followers: "I'm okay everyone, getting looked after now, just mental how it could've been a lot worse." Merseyside Police verified the apprehension of a 53 year old white British male from Liverpool following the incident that resulted in over 40 individuals being injured, including four children. During a 10:30pm media briefing, North West Ambulance Service reported that 20 casualties received treatment at the scene, and an additional 27 were transported to the hospital by ambulance, two of whom are seriously hurt. Furthermore, an ambulance paramedic who was impacted at the scene fortunately did not suffer any injuries. Authorities have now initiated a probe into the events leading up to the incident.
Irish Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
‘Funboys forever': Stars react as comedy commissioned for a second series
BBC comedy series Funboys has been commissioned for a second series, much to the delight of its stars. The show follows Callum (Ryan Dylan), Jordan (Rian Lennon) and Lorcan (Lee R. James) as they attempt to navigate the hardships of life in small-town Northern Ireland. From first girlfriends to dead pet pigs, it takes a fly-on-the-wall approach, prioritising authentic, naturalistic comedy. 'Series Two is here,' Dlyan said as the news spread. Funboys series two has been commissioned 'We've learned nothing, grown less and legally can't be left alone,' he added, 'Funboys forever.' Fellow star Lennon said: 'Our show is like what if the teletubbies took off the dang suits and got real for a second. 'We don't pull punches, we've written a show that's hard as rocks. 'And if you don't like it you can jog the frigging hell on.' Filmed in rural Northern Ireland, the series started as a BBC Comedy Short Film before securing a full series commission which launched to critical acclaim in February this year. Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning for BBC Northern Ireland, said it is a 'real treat to be able to serve audiences another portion of Funboys with Ryan, Rian and Lee'. 'This backs our commitment to giving a platform to new comedy voices and local talent, and we can't wait to see what the boys from Ballymacnoose have up their sleeves for series two,' he added. Critics described the first series of Funboys as 'some of the most fearless comedy in years' and 'beautifully bonkers'. The second four-episode series is being produced by Mayhay Studios for BBC Three and iPlayer. The show is written by Lennon and Dylan, and directed by Lennon. They also serve as executive producers alongside Mayhay's Simon Mayhew-Archer.
