Latest news with #DonalMcKeown
Irish Post
11-05-2025
- Irish Post
Community 'devastated beyond words' as second teenager dies following Co. Donegal swimming tragedy
THE COMMUNITY in Buncrana is 'devastated beyond words' with news that a second teenager has died following a swimming tragedy in Co. Donegal yesterday. Emergency services responded at around 4pm to reports that three teenagers, aged between 16 and 19, had gotten into difficulty while swimming in Lough Swilly. Sadly, the Coast Guard recovered the body of one teenager from the water between Ned's Point and Fahan at around 9pm. Earlier, one of the group managed to swim ashore, while another was rescued from the water before being taken to Letterkenny General Hospital in a 'very serious' condition. It has since been revealed that he has passed away. A prayer vigil is due to be held at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana at 4pm today, overseen by Bishop of Derry Fr Donal McKeown. 'We will stand together' Buncrana-based Donegal County Councillor Joy Beard described the tragedy as an 'unimaginable loss'. "This morning we awoke to the devastating news that a second teenager involved in yesterday's tragic events has sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning," she posted on Facebook. "As a community, we are devastated beyond words to have lost two young lives so full of promise. "We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to their families, friends and all those affected by this unimaginable loss. "In the days ahead, we will stand together to support one another in grief and in love." 'Our hearts are broken' Derry-based Sinn Féin councillor Aisling Hutton described news of the second teen's death as 'devastating'. "My thoughts and prayers are with the young boys' families and friends," she added in a post on social media. "This unimaginable loss has shaken the entire community. We stand together in grief, offering our love, prayers and support to the families affected. "May their memories be a blessing, and may we hold our loved ones a little closer today." Meanwhile, the SDLP's Colum Eastwood posted: "Our hearts are broken for the families in Buncrana this morning. "There are just no words for how devastating a tragedy like this is. "Please keep them, and the brave emergency service workers who fought hard to rescue the boys, in your thoughts and prayers." See More: Buncrana, Donegal, Lough Swilly
Belfast Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
'The war is over here but the conflict is alive and well – it's a battle for NI's future'
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown believes that the ongoing division in society is to the benefit of some people while he insists that due to changing demographics the Good Friday Agreement is now outdated, writes Garrett Hargan The Good Friday Agreement is 'outdated', Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown has said, as he pointed to entrenched sectarianism and the 'reality of people who like to promote tribalism' in Northern Ireland. Addressing the prospect of a united Ireland, the Church leader said there is a challenge for politicians north and south to convince the population of how a change to the border would not only benefit the economy, but improve the 'quality of life' for those currently on the margins of society.
Belfast Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Bishop of Derry: ‘NI is a tribal society, and in a democracy you need the tribal vote to come out'
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown believes that the ongoing division in society is to the benefit of some people while he insists that due to changing demographics the Good Friday Agreement is now outdated, writes Garrett Hargan The Good Friday Agreement is 'outdated', Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown has said, as he pointed to entrenched sectarianism and the 'reality of people who like to promote tribalism' in Northern Ireland. Addressing the prospect of a united Ireland, the Church leader said there is a challenge for politicians north and south to convince the population of how a change to the border would not only benefit the economy, but improve the 'quality of life' for those currently on the margins of society.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Historic monument targeted in sectarian attack
A historic monument on Londonderry's Walls has been damaged by paint in what police are treating as a sectarian hate crime. The attack on Walker's Plinth happened sometime between 18:20 and 18:40 BST on Thursday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) a number of individuals are believed to have been involved. It is the latest in a series of incidents in the city over recent days, which are being investigated as sectarian hate crimes. Democratic Unionist Party MLA Gary Middleton has said the spate of attacks needs to stop. "The sectarianism happening right across this city needs to end," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. "As I said in the assembly chamber on Monday, this will ultimately end in somebody being seriously injured or a death." The attack on the plinth comes after an assault on two teenagers in the Waterside, an attack on a bus in the Gobnascale area and an attack on a mural in the Fountain estate. Those incidents sparked calls from the Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Andrew Forster for no further escalation. The SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan said he was "sickened" by the attack on the teenagers and Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson appealed for calm. Then, shortly after midnight on Monday, a 21-year-old autistic man was set upon by a group of men in the city's Waterside and needed hospital treatment for his injuries. "We have seen young people attacked, property damaged, that is something that just can not be tolerated, it is important that all of us collectively speak out," Middleton added. "Police have assured me they are putting in the resources necessary to try and address what has been unfortunately over the last number of days a sectarian campaign right across the board." The city's deputy Mayor Darren Guy works in the Siege Museum near the plinth. He told BBC Radio Foyle a video being circulated on social media appeared to show six or seven youths approaching the monument with bottles filled with paint. The Ulster Unionist councillor also called for an end to the attacks. "This has to stop," he said. "When sides goad each other, no one comes out a winner, something serious is going to happen." Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident on the Walls to come forward. The plinth is located on an area of the Walls overlooking the nationalist Bogside. It is all that remains of the statue of George Walker, built in 1826 to commemorate his role in the Siege of Derry. Reverend Walker governed the city during the 1689 siege. The statue stood on the plinth for almost 150 years until it was blown up by the IRA in 1973. It was also targeted in a similar attack in July 2024. Son 'scared to return home' after sectarian attack Church leaders appeal for calm over Derry attacks
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Derry's Walls: Walker's Plinty targeted in sectarian attack
A historic monument on Londonderry's Walls has been damaged by paint in what police are treating as a sectarian hate attack on Walker's Plinth happened sometime between 18:20 and 18:40 BST on Thursday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) a number of individuals are believed to have been is the latest in a series of incidents in the city over recent days, which are being investigated as sectarian hate crimes. Democratic Unionist Party MLA Gary Middleton has said the spate of attacks needs to stop."The sectarianism happening right across this city needs to end," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme."As I said in the assembly chamber on Monday, this will ultimately end in somebody being seriously injured or a death." The attack on the plinth comes after an assault on two teenagers in the Waterside, an attack on a bus in the Gobnascale area and an attack on a mural in the Fountain estate. Those incidents sparked calls from the Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Andrew Forster for no further SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan said he was "sickened" by the attack on the teenagers and Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson appealed for shortly after midnight on Monday, a 21-year-old autistic man was set upon by a group of men in the city's Waterside and needed hospital treatment for his injuries. 'Sectarian campaign' "We have seen young people attacked, property damaged, that is something that just can not be tolerated, it is important that all of us collectively speak out," Middleton added."Police have assured me they are putting in the resources necessary to try and address what has been unfortunately over the last number of days a sectarian campaign right across the board." The city's deputy Mayor Darren Guy works in the Siege Museum near the told BBC Radio Foyle a video being circulated on social media appeared to show six or seven youths approaching the monument with bottles filled with Ulster Unionist councillor also called for an end to the attacks."This has to stop," he said. "When sides goad each other, no one comes out a winner, something serious is going to happen."Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident on the Walls to come forward. What is Walker's Plinth on Derry's Walls? The plinth is located on an area of the Walls overlooking the nationalist is all that remains of the statue of George Walker, built in 1826 to commemorate his role in the Siege of Walker governed the city during the 1689 statue stood on the plinth for almost 150 years until it was blown up by the IRA in was also targeted in a similar attack in July 2024.
