Latest news with #NaomiLong
Sunday World
11 hours ago
- General
- Sunday World
UDA vows to keep up attacks on Catholic homes in new housing development
The Sunday World can reveal the terror group has no intention of letting up West Belfast UDA has vowed to maintain its attacks on a mixed housing development in the north of the city. Residents in a new project in Alloa and Annalee streets in the Oldpark area have had the run the gauntlet of a series of attacks on their homes over the last few weeks. The Sunday World can reveal the terror group has no intention of letting up. A number of homes have been attacked windows broken and residents at the Clanmill Housing Association development being warned that they risk being burned out if they refuse to leave. Some of the homes that were targeted There have been a series of public meetings and this week the First and Deputy First Ministers condemned the attacks. We can also reveal that Justice Minister Naomi Long is to meet a delegation early next week, including independent City Councillor Paul McCusker who has been a vocal advocate for the targeted families. He will be joined by victims campaigner Raymond McCord, who has been in constant contact with families over the period of the attacks. Two others, representatives of the residents, are also expected to attend. According to sources, the campaign is being waged by long-time drug dealer Mo Courtney with the blessing of alleged West Belfast Brigadier Matt Kincaid and support from convicted extortionist Geordie Taggart who lives close to the targeted development. Some of the homes that were targeted According to loyalist sources, Courtney has boasted that he has no intention of letting up — and has vowed to step up attacks. 'He has said he will keep going until they've gone,' said our source. The Sunday World understands there is a UDA drug house in the area and the terror mob is concerned an influx of people from outside the area may compromise its safety. The local population has lived under UDA threats and intimidation for decades. 'It's about control, total control — they will do anything to protect their drugs trade, the arrival of outsiders brings with it the possibility of questions being asked.' Read more Five Catholic families refuse to flee after new homes smashed up by UDA thugs Convicted killer and lower Shankill UFF boss Courtney has had an iron grip on the area's drug trade for years. Close associate Taggart has been identified as a main player in the attacks on houses. He is believed to have sanctioned the intimidation after discovering Catholic families moved into Alloa Street and Annalee Street, off Manor Street. UDA sources have told the Sunday World the associates of the 63-year-old launched the sectarian attacks spree with the approval of the leadership. The group started by spreading false stories of people playing loud 'rebel music'' and of kids wearing GAA tops. 'GAA tops? How can grown men be afraid of kids wearing sports tops? Anyway, it was all lies. Pathetic.' Three of the families targeted in the UDA attacks fled their homes permanently. They have been offered temporary accommodation in a local hotel and face the prospect of going back to the bottom of housing waiting lists. At a meeting with other targeted families, they were told the PSNI had intelligence the properties were to be petrol-bombed that evening. Police have confirmed the motive behind the Alloa Street and Annalee Street attacks is sectarian and were treating the incidents as hate crime. Geordie Taggart, who sources have linked to the attacks, has managed to keep a particularly low profile but is understood to lead the UDA in the lower Oldpark area. He was jailed in 2000 for running protection rackets for the terror group. Taggart was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted on eight counts of blackmail at Belfast Crown Court. The case centred on an attempt to extort £3,000 from a building contractor operating in the north Belfast area. The trio are also closely associated with alleged drug dealer Roy Douglas, also believed to live close to the targeted streets. He is a close associated of Courtney's and has been under investigation by the PSNI for alleged drug dealing. The 60-year-old's home has been searched twice by officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force as part of anti-UDA drug-dealing operations. He was never charged and has previously denied any involvement in terrorism or drugs. Homes on Annalee Street News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 In a separate development, the north Belfast attacks are to be discussed at a specially convened meeting of the Irish government's Good Friday Implementation Committee. Raymond McCord, who sits on the government-appointed body, said the issue of sectarian attacks is as prevalent today as it was decades ago. He said the committee is also to consider the flow of Irish taxpayers' money to grant aid community projects in loyalist areas. 'Many of the people behind these attacks are growing fat on the back of public funds yet continue to carry out these attacks. It's wrong and has to stop, starting with their funding.' The north Belfast attacks comes weeks after a similar UDA campaign of intimidation aimed at families in a mixed housing development in Lisburn. And in recent weeks two Catholic families have been forced to quit their homes in the Skegoneill area of north Belfast after being targeted by a known UDA drug dealer. In all instances the PSNI has appealed for information.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Ombudsman has received 40 complains of ‘police predatory behaviour'
Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman has received 40 reports alleging 'police predatory behaviour', Stormont has heard. Justice Minister Naomi Long said the Ombudsman Marie Anderson's office receive around eight such complaints a year, and has not indicated that the number is increasing, but that there is a 'steady flow'. Ms Long was speaking during Assembly Questions for her department. Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker put to her that a recent Criminal Justice Inspection report noted that as of July 2024, the Police Ombudsman's Office had 19 active investigations of abuse of position for sexual purposes. He asked whether the minister intended to introduce a 'more comprehensive vetting process and a code of conduct'. Ms Long pointed out that the employment of police officers and vetting is not a matter for her department. She said: 'However when you look to this report, abuse of position, concerns and complaints, there are recommendations on how justice organisations should address matters and the timeframes within which they should do so. 'The PSNI, Police Ombudsman Northern Ireland and Public Prosecution Service all have responsibilities in addressing the abuse of position that referenced. 'Given that those organisations are operationally independent from me as justice minister and my department, I can't comment on progress of the recommendations, however I do agree that it is important that robust and effective processes are in place to ensure accountability and safe guarding. 'Given the vulnerability of some of the people in contact with police, it is important that we have absolute confidence that those individuals involved in that unethical behaviour do not draw other ethical officers into disrepute.' Asked by Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers for the number of cases of abuse of position for sexual purposes that have been investigated in the last 12 months, compared to the previous 12 months, Ms Long said she would not have access to that information directly. 'However since 2021, PONI has advised me that they have received around 40 complaints of what they described as police predatory behaviour, and say that they continue to receive an average of eight cases per year,' she said 'So they have not suggested that that has significantly increased but there has certainly been a steady flow.'
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Ombudsman has received 40 complains of ‘police predatory behaviour'
Justice Minister Naomi Long said the Ombudsman Marie Anderson's office receive around eight such complaints a year, and has not indicated that the number is increasing, but that there is a 'steady flow'. Ms Long was speaking during Assembly Questions for her department. Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker put to her that a recent Criminal Justice Inspection report noted that as of July 2024, the Police Ombudsman's Office had 19 active investigations of abuse of position for sexual purposes. He asked whether the minister intended to introduce a 'more comprehensive vetting process and a code of conduct'. Ms Long pointed out that the employment of police officers and vetting is not a matter for her department. She said: 'However when you look to this report, abuse of position, concerns and complaints, there are recommendations on how justice organisations should address matters and the timeframes within which they should do so. 'The PSNI, Police Ombudsman Northern Ireland and Public Prosecution Service all have responsibilities in addressing the abuse of position that referenced. 'Given that those organisations are operationally independent from me as justice minister and my department, I can't comment on progress of the recommendations, however I do agree that it is important that robust and effective processes are in place to ensure accountability and safe guarding. 'Given the vulnerability of some of the people in contact with police, it is important that we have absolute confidence that those individuals involved in that unethical behaviour do not draw other ethical officers into disrepute.' Asked by Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers for the number of cases of abuse of position for sexual purposes that have been investigated in the last 12 months, compared to the previous 12 months, Ms Long said she would not have access to that information directly. 'However since 2021, PONI has advised me that they have received around 40 complaints of what they described as police predatory behaviour, and say that they continue to receive an average of eight cases per year,' she said 'So they have not suggested that that has significantly increased but there has certainly been a steady flow.'
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
NI Ombudsman has received 40 complains of ‘police predatory behaviour'
Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman has received 40 reports alleging 'police predatory behaviour', Stormont has heard. NI Justice Minister Naomi Long said the Ombudsman Marie Anderson's office receive around eight such complaints a year, and has not indicated that the number is increasing, but that there is a 'steady flow'. Advertisement Ms Long was speaking during Assembly Questions for her department. Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker put to her that a recent Criminal Justice Inspection report noted that as of July 2024, the Police Ombudsman's Office had 19 active investigations of abuse of position for sexual purposes. He asked whether the minister intended to introduce a 'more comprehensive vetting process and a code of conduct'. Ms Long pointed out that the employment of police officers and vetting is not a matter for her department. Advertisement She said: 'However when you look to this report, abuse of position, concerns and complaints, there are recommendations on how justice organisations should address matters and the timeframes within which they should do so. 'The PSNI, Police Ombudsman Northern Ireland and Public Prosecution Service all have responsibilities in addressing the abuse of position that referenced. 'Given that those organisations are operationally independent from me as justice minister and my department, I can't comment on progress of the recommendations, however I do agree that it is important that robust and effective processes are in place to ensure accountability and safe guarding. 'Given the vulnerability of some of the people in contact with police, it is important that we have absolute confidence that those individuals involved in that unethical behaviour do not draw other ethical officers into disrepute.' Advertisement Asked by Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers for the number of cases of abuse of position for sexual purposes that have been investigated in the last 12 months, compared to the previous 12 months, Ms Long said she would not have access to that information directly. 'However since 2021, PONI has advised me that they have received around 40 complaints of what they described as police predatory behaviour, and say that they continue to receive an average of eight cases per year,' she said 'So they have not suggested that that has significantly increased but there has certainly been a steady flow.'
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Tributes paid after death of former NI Civil Service chief Kenneth Bloomfield
Tributes have been paid to the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who has died at the age of 94. Stormont's Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'. His career in public service began in the 1950s and he was cabinet secretary to the 1974 Stormont powersharing executive, and head of the NI Civil Service from 1984 to 1991. The IRA tried to kill Sir Kenneth at his home in Co Down in 1988 but his family survived the bomb attack. READ MORE Later, he took on a number of other roles including victims' commissioner and co-commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. He was knighted in 1987. Alliance Party leader and Minister for Justice Naomi Long said: 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as victims' commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'.' Ms Long added: 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss.' In a statement on X, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'Sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. 'A great intellect, public servant and one of our finest. 'Among many other things he paved the way for the setting up of the Commission for Victims and Survivors where I served before politics.' Belfast Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle wrote: 'Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humanity to public life. 'To his wife Elizabeth, daughter and son, my sincere condolences.' A post from the Belfast office of the US consulate said: 'We offer our condolences to the family of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to others, including those injured and bereaved during NI's troubled past.' Sir Nigel Hamilton, another former head of the NI Civil Service, told the BBC he would remember Sir Kenneth as the 'most important, the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation'. He added: 'From the 1960s right up to 1991 he was the leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire.'
