Latest news with #Lurgan
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Report highlights more than 70 threats or attacks on journalists
There have been 71 attacks or threats on journalists in Northern Ireland since 2019, a report by Amnesty International has found. The report features 26 interviews, including 22 with journalists in which they recounted their experiences of being told they will be shot or stabbed, and threatened with bombs under their also said that many journalists no longer report threats due to "time consuming processes and lack of action or positive outcome".Patrick Corrigan, the human rights organisation's Northern Ireland director, said Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in the UK for journalists. The report is dedicated to Martin O'Hagan and Lyra McKee, two journalists who were killed in 2001 and 2019 O'Hagan, who was a journalist for the Sunday World newspaper, was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) in Lurgan, County Armagh, in McKee died after being struck by a bullet while observing rioting in Creggan in Londonderry in 2019. Lack of prosecutions The report said petrol bombs had been thrown at journalists' cars, and pipe bombs left close to their homes. It added that "several journalists report that they are receiving more threats in recent years than ever before".These threats were said to be primarily from armed paramilitaries, as well as organised crime journalists told the organisation they had "lost count" of the threats they have report said since June 2022, only two people have been successfully prosecuted for threats against journalists, none of which were made by paramilitary groups. It also reported that one media company has spent tens of thousands of pounds on ensuring journalists' homes are protected. Mr Corrigan said threats created "a climate of fear that many assumed was consigned to history"."When journalists are under attack, press freedom is under attack," he added. National Union of Journalists (NUJ) assistant general secretary Seamus Dooley said that in "what is supposed to be normalised society, post the peace process, journalists are living in fear and behind high-security measures."That really is not the sign of a normal functioning democracy."Among the journalists interviewed, was Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent Allison Morris, who police visited on nine occasions between December 2023 and October 2024 to deliver threats from paramilitary or criminal Morris told the report: "I'm convinced someone's going to kill me at some point. "Most of the time, I pretend that the threats don't annoy me, but clearly, they do. Sunday World Northern Editor Richard Sullivan said threats included being "given 48 hours to get out of the country or I'd be shot".Photographer Kevin Scott, from the Belfast Telegraph, said he has three cars and alternates his use of them for safety Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have been asked for a response to the report. Report recommendations The report makes a number of recommendations including:asking the justice minister to establish and chair a new Media Safety Group, with representatives from the PSNI, Public Prosecution Service, media organisations and the NUJ, to deliver a new journalist safety strategysaying the PSNI must review its procedural response to threats and attacks against journalists and conduct investigations capable of leading to successful prosecutionscalling on the PSNI to produce new guidance and training for officers on the protection of journalists during public disordersaying the Northern Ireland Office and Department of Justice should ensure at-risk journalists can access the Home Protection Schemecalling on the UK government to establish an independent public inquiry into the murder of Martin O'Hagan "if the expected Police Ombudsman's investigation finds serious failings or wrongdoing by the police"
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Glenavon's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 10thPlayer of the year: Barney McKeownThe appointment of Paddy McLaughlin in November helped to steady the ship at Glenavon after a disappointing start to the season had them languishing close to Stephen McDonnell, the Lurgan Blues went seven games without a win in all competitions and slipped to 11th in the table, four points off safety before he was relieved of his McLaughlin could only help them to finish one place higher, they were 14 points better off than Carrick Rangers below aim will be to build upon a solid foundation in which the Lurgan Blues became harder to beat and start challenging for seventh have already been busy in the transfer market, bringing in the experienced Kris Lowe from Cliftonville and youngsters Jordan McMullan and Oran O'Kane.2025-26 signings so far: Kris Lowe (Cliftonville), Jordan McMullan (Ballymena United), Oran O'Kane (H&W Welders)2025-26 departures so far: Mark Haughey (unattached), Harry Murphy (Glentoran, end of loan)
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Shane Whitla: Man denies murdering father of four in Lurgan
A 30-year old man has pleaded not guilty to the January 2023 murder of father-of-four Shane Whitla, who was 39, was shot dead in an alleyway in the Woodville Street area of Joseph O'Brien, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry and who is formerly of Church Walk in Lurgan, appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he was arraigned on two charges arising from the fatal well as Mr Whitla's murder, Mr O'Brien is accused of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life on the same date. After being asked how he pleaded to the second charge, O'Brien again replied "not guilty".Mr O'Brien's barrister told the judge the defence would be seeking a number of expert reports ahead of the he said, included instructing a medical expert, a firearms expert and "potentially" an imagery expert.A co-defendant appeared in court last September and was charged with murdering Mr Whitla and possessing firearms and ammunition with Adam Cotter, 32, from Glenalina Road in Belfast, entered "not guilty" pleas to both charges.A third man who was charged with Mr Whitla's murder was later shot Conway, 26, of Deeny Walk in Lurgan was killed at a bail address in the Greenan area of Andersonstown in west Belfast on 9 date for the murder trial to commence was set today but Mr Justice O'Hara said he would review the case on 20 this, O'Brien was remanded back into custody.
BreakingNews.ie
16-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Rescue operation to free 40 cows after lorry overturns on motorway
An operation is continuing to free cattle from a livestock lorry which overturned on the M1. The motorway remains closed in both directions near Lurgan, Co Armagh, following the incident which involved about 40 cows on Friday morning. Advertisement David Doherty, area commander for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), said the driver 'is safe and well'. He told the BBC Nolan Show: 'At the minute, we have 30 firefighters on scene, we have appliances form Dungannon, Portadown and Armagh. 'We have two specialist animal rescue teams…and we have our specialist rescue team. 'We have an overturned lorry. Thankfully, the driver is safe and well. Advertisement 'There are 40 cattle trapped in the lorry, we are carrying out an extraction of those animals. 'We have a rescue plan in place we are off-loading those animals into another vehicle and we will transport them away safely. 'It is a challenging operation at the moment. Unfortunately, both ways of the motorway are currently closed, and may be for several hours.' He added: 'We have vets on scene at the minute to do an assessment on the animals. Advertisement 'It is a multi-agency programme, and we have DAERA looking after the animal welfare. 'It will be a protracted operation. A large vehicle like this with two decks, which has obviously been affected by the impact of the crash. 'It is quite a comprehensive operation, that is why our specialist crew are here assisting our normal crews. 'It is quite a complex task for our firefighters.' Advertisement Mr Doherty said rescue workers were moving as quickly as possible to free the cows. He said: 'We have to bring them out onto a safe environment, where we can put them onto another vehicle where they won't be exposed to any further harm.' The PSNI said the motorway closure is in place from junction 12 at Birches off the Dungannon Road junction and junction 13, known as Beatties junction, near the Black Island Road turn-off. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'A closure remains in place on the M1 following an overturned lorry near junction 13 between Tamnamore and The Birches. Advertisement 'Motorists travelling city-bound on the M1 are advised to leave the motorway at junction 15, the Moy Road roundabout, and travel through Armagh before joining the M12 at Portadown. 'The opposite applies to those travelling countrywards.' A Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: 'The department is aware of the accident and whilst our vets are not required on the scene at the moment, we have offered support and resources to those on the ground. 'The incident remains ongoing.' Ireland New date set for trial of former DUP leader Jeffre... Read More In a separate incident, the M1 is also closed following a collision closer to Belfast. A PSNI statement said: 'Road users are advised that a collision on the M1 eastbound, between Finaghy and the Blacks Road, city-bound, is causing delays. 'Please seek an alternative route if possible.'
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lowe departs Cliftonville and joins Glenavon
Midfielder Kris Lowe has left Cliftonville will join fellow Irish Premiership side Glenavon upon the expiration of his contract with the 29-year-old spent four and a half years with the north Belfast side after being signed by Paddy McLaughlin from Dungannon Swifts in January won the Irish Cup and two BetMcLean League Cups during his time at previously spent eight years with the Swifts where he also won a League Cup in will be reunited with McLaughlin at the Lurgan Blues and becomes their third signing after Oran O'Kane joined from H&W Welders and Jordan McMullen arrived from said he was "absolutely delighted" with the addition of Lowe to his squad as they look to build on their 10th place finish last year."I've worked with him before and I'm a huge admirer of his qualities. He can play at a high level in a number of positions. Essentially, he's a midfielder but he can operate at right-back and centre-half as well with no problem," McLaughlin told the Glenavon website."His quality has been evident, but his calmness, his positivity and his athleticism are also great attributes to have."As a part-time club it's important that we stay in touch as much as possible with the full-time teams and bringing in someone like Kris will help us do that."
