Latest news with #RonanMcLaughlin
BreakingNews.ie
18-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Dismay after statue of Mary Ann McCracken damaged
Dismay has been expressed after a statue of social activist and campaigner Mary Ann McCracken was damaged. A panel on the base of the statue in the grounds of Belfast City Council was discovered to have been removed on Friday morning, however, it is not known when the damage was caused. Advertisement A Belfast City Council spokesperson said they are aware of the damage and have reported it to police. Damage to part of a base of a statue of Mary Ann McCracken at Belfast City Hall is being investigated (Rebecca Black/PA) 'This will be looked into and replaced as soon as possible,' they said. The statue was unveiled on International Women's Day in March 2024 to recognise Ms McCracken's contribution to the city. Born in the Northern Ireland capital in 1770, Ms McCracken was part of the revival of the Irish language and a supporter of the United Irishmen movement. Advertisement She also worked to help those in poverty, particularly women and children, and campaigned against slavery. Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin described the damage to the statue as 'disgraceful', and said it is understood the section removed was written in Irish. 'Even more concerning is that the damage appears to have been aimed specifically at the section inscribed as Gaeilge,' he said. 'This statue stands proudly at City Hall in memory of a remarkable anti-slavery campaigner and Irish republican. Advertisement 'I have spoken with council officials and called for a full investigation into the damage. I have also asked that the matter be referred to the PSNI. 'Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions to ensure this intolerant behaviour is not repeated. People taking photos during the unveiling of the statue in March 2024 (Liam McBurney/PA) 'Sinn Fein is calling for repairs to be carried out as quickly as possible so the statue can continue to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.' Belfast SDLP councillor Gary McKeown also condemned the damage. Advertisement 'The vandalism of the Mary Ann McCracken statue is disgusting and will appall people right across Belfast and beyond,' he said. 'It's really important that this is fully investigated and I have spoken to the council to ask that the signage is fixed as soon as possible. 'Belfast has an embarrassingly low number of statues dedicated to women, so the unveiling of this one in the grounds of City Hall last year was particularly welcome and I was delighted to be in attendance. 'This makes it all the more shocking that it appears that someone has attacked it. It's also notable that it was an Irish language inspection on the statue that was targeted, showing even more intolerance. Advertisement 'Mary Ann was an inspirational figure whose contribution to our city still resonates to this day, particularly around her work as a social reformer and opponent of slavery. The principles she stood for remain relevant two centuries later.' Alliance councillor Michael Long said he was disgusted by the damage to the statue. 'Mary Ann McCracken represents everything that is good about the shared history of our city. I was delighted when my proposal for the statue was backed by all parties four years ago, as she speaks to the ideals we all should live up to,' he said. 'Statues such as those of Mary Ann showcase the new, diverse Belfast by looking back to those who took stands and laid the foundations for the freedoms we enjoy today. It makes me despair how anyone could damage a memorial dedicated to someone held in such high regard by so many people. 'I appeal to anyone who has information on this incident to contact police with it immediately.' A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police received a report at around 12.55pm on Friday, July 18 of suspected criminal damage to a statue in the Donegall Square North area of Belfast. 'Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on the 101 number, quoting reference 687 of 18/07/25.'
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Spike in arson attacks on 5G masts 'impacting thousands'
Police are engaging in "proactive patrolling" at the locations of 5G network masts in order to "provide greater security" around these sites after a spate of arson attacks mostly in west Belfast. A sixth arson attack on 5G towers in three weeks was reported on June 2023, 16 arson attacks on 5G towers took place in west Belfast, with the most recent attack near the Rathcoole estate, in Newtownabbey, bringing the total to 17. Sinn Féin councillor, and lifelong west Belfast resident, Ronan McLaughlin said the attacks are being driven by "dangerous conspiracy theories online". McLaughlin has been critical of the police's response to the west Belfast said there had been a "spate of attacks" in the last three weeks and he had "not seen one arrest". The PSNI "need to do much better", he said."You can see the majority of the masts that have been burned have been in the Colin area, I would hope that this is a small minority of individuals."The PSNI said local neighbourhood policing teams are "actively engaging with communities in the area and have increased police visibility around the affected areas".It added that detectives were pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and were "committed to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice".A recent survey carried out by Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey found that out of 2,602 people who responded, 87% described phone signal in west Belfast as poor or very poor, with only 3% saying it was good or excellent. Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Doherty, from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), said this type of digital infrastructure is "key to everyday life now" and is "impacting thousands of people". He told BBC News NI that the lack of phone signal in west Belfast in particular is having a serious impact on "elderly and vulnerable people", who could find themselves having a fall or becoming seriously ill but are "not able to pick up the phone to emergency services"."The fact that there is CCTV cameras, dashcam footage, Translink cameras up and down these stretches of road and we have seen no evidence and no arrests, people are very much frustrated as a result." Why are 5G masts being attacked? 5G masts or network towers carry signal for internet phone network connectivity. While the direct motive of the recent spate of attacks has not been identified by police, both McLaughlin and Doherty cite the spreading of "dangerous misinformation" and "conspiracy theories" online. Cornerstone, the firm responsible for maintaining the physical masts which provide signal for network providers, previously told BBC News NI it was aware that some people have concerns about mobile phone base stations."The strong consensus of expert groups and public health agencies, such as the World Health Organization, is that no health risks have been established from exposure to the low-level radio signals used by these base stations," Cornerstone said. Speaking to the Nolan Show on Tuesday, Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said "there is absolutely no evidence from any properly controlled study that the use of any mobile phone technology of any sort is a risk"."5G masts emit a low dose of radiation" but "simply isn't powerful enough to cause any problems", he added. PSNI Det Insp McAnee said the police were taking the issue in West Belfast very PSNI said it was important that the companies who own and operate the masts take "active steps to secure their infrastructure and commercial assets"."Hospitals that are affected are experiencing communication difficulties in contacting patients and managing critical on-call arrangements, and members of the public—particularly those who are vulnerable—are being left in a position where they are unable to make emergency calls or contact family."They are appealing to members of the public to help by coming forward with any information they may have.
Belfast Telegraph
10-06-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Council confirm Belfast Zoo closed due to E-coli detected in water sample
Earlier today, the zoo announced it would be temporarily closed on Tuesday due to an 'urgent maintenance issue'. In an update, a Belfast City Council spokesperson said: 'Following a routine inspection, a small amount of E-coli has been detected in a water sample taken from the Belfast Zoo site,' they told Belfast Telegraph. 'The Zoo has been closed to visitors today as a precautionary measure while we work with the NI Environment Agency and the council's own environmental health team to carry out additional sampling. 'The safety of our visitors and animals remains our top priority, and we hope to reopen the Zoo for visiting as soon as possible. The Zoo's dedicated team remain on site today and are continuing to care for the animals. 'Further updates on reopening will be provided via the Zoo's website and social media channels (@belfastzoo on Facebook and Instagram). 'We are sorry for any disappointment to those with pre-booked tickets for Belfast Zoo today, including school groups. Ticketholders can contact the Zoo on 028 9077 6277 for a full refund.' It follows reports that the 90-year-old zoo lost about £1.9m in the last year and an additional £2m being earmarked for safety works over the next four years. News Catch Up - Tuesday 10th June Sinn Fein councillor Ronan McLaughlin said 'something needs to be done' to turn things around. 'We are now in a non-sustainable position and I believe there is now the political consensus to try to bring some investment to the zoo,' he told this newspaper last week. 'We need to bring the zoo to a sustainable model that doesn't lose the council any money.' Meanwhile SDLP councillor Carl Whyte pointed out that, although it is operating at a loss, the zoo generates around £2m a year, and what needs to be examined are its running costs.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Belfast Zoo is 'completely unsustainable'
It would be "incredibly wasteful" for the council to keep running Belfast Zoo as it is, according to a councillor. Councillor Ronan McLaughlin said the zoo had lost about £1.9m in the past year, with an additional £2m earmarked in the past week for safety works in the next four years. McLaughlin, who sits on the council's strategic policy and resources committee, said "we have reached the point now where this is completely unsustainable". A spokesman for the Zoo said that "it continues to operate in a challenging environment, due to a general increase in the cost of goods, services and utilities, and continued competition from other venues and visitor attractions". It added: "The zoo offers a range of promotions, offers and events all year around to appeal to visitors, and the dedicated team remain focused on enhancing the visitor experience, improving the health and safety of our operation and protecting the animals within their care." Sinn Féin councillor McLaughlin said: "Every single councillor has a duty to get as much value for the ratepayer as possible. "This is not about simply just closing the zoo. What we would like to do is to bring the zoo to a sustainable model." He also said the £1.9m figure "doesn't include any capital expenditure committed at the zoo". There had been safety work and improvements to the lion enclosure, he added. The zoo, which is situated at Cave Hill in north Belfast, opened in 1934. It has faced criticism in recent years, with animal rights' groups saying the environment was not right for many of the species. Donncha Murphy, from just outside Castlewellan, in County Down, said he had been to Belfast Zoo more times than he could count, and he last went just after the Covid pandemic. He said "it was a wee bit dead". "Places were shut down, but I don't think it should close at all, because on one hand, what's going to happen to all the animals? "There should be a big drive to try and promote it and get more people into it. Maybe new enclosures if we can afford it. "It's a great place to go out for a family day out [and] school trips." Louise O'Neill, from Dungannon in County Tyrone, said she loves the zoo. "The zoo's a great place to take kids to learn about animals or even just a fun day out with your family. "You learn so much that you wouldn't learn about anywhere else." Amanda Tannahall, from Dunmurry, said she has not been to the zoo in years. w "It is good, all the animals and stuff, I took a load of wee kids with me," she said. She said part of the reason it had been so long since she visited was because it was "so uphill". While there is nowhere else like Belfast Zoo, she added: "I mean you can only go to the zoo so many times." McLaughlin said he wanted to start a conversation about the future of the zoo. "Ultimately it is residents and ratepayers who are footing the bill for this, so they should be as much in the conversation about what the future of the zoo may look like, but for me, it needs to be on a sustainable position," he added. Belfast Lord Mayor, Tracy Kelly, said that the city's zoo was very important and it deserves support. "I'm sure a lot of things in Belfast are not making money but they still continue," she told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme. Kelly said the zoo does "an awful lot of good work", but that no council can afford to lose money. "We see so many people going there and yes it's losing money at the moment, but they are trying lots of different options to bring more and more footfall in," she added. Calls to close 'peep show' zoo Trainee was locked in with lions at Belfast Zoo Belfast Zoo's elephants pack their trunks
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Belfast Zoo is completely unsustainable, says councillor
It would be "incredibly wasteful" for the council to keep running Belfast Zoo as it is, according to a Ronan McLaughlin said the zoo had lost about £1.9m in the past year, with an additional £2m earmarked in the past week for safety works in the next four years. McLaughlin, who sits on the council's strategic policy and resources committee, said "we have reached the point now where this is completely unsustainable".A spokesman for the Zoo said that "it continues to operate in a challenging environment, due to a general increase in the cost of goods, services and utilities, and continued competition from other venues and visitor attractions". It added: "The zoo offers a range of promotions, offers and events all year around to appeal to visitors, and the dedicated team remain focused on enhancing the visitor experience, improving the health and safety of our operation and protecting the animals within their care." Sinn Féin councillor McLaughlin said: "Every single councillor has a duty to get as much value for the ratepayer as possible."This is not about simply just closing the zoo. What we would like to do is to bring the zoo to a sustainable model."He also said the £1.9m figure "doesn't include any capital expenditure committed at the zoo". There had been safety work and improvements to the lion enclosure, he zoo, which is situated at Cave Hill in north Belfast, opened in has faced criticism in recent years, with animal rights' groups saying the environment was not right for many of the species. 'A great place to take kids' Donncha Murphy, from just outside Castlewellan, in County Down, said he had been to Belfast Zoo more times than he could count, and he last went just after the Covid said "it was a wee bit dead"."Places were shut down, but I don't think it should close at all, because on one hand, what's going to happen to all the animals?"There should be a big drive to try and promote it and get more people into it. Maybe new enclosures if we can afford it."It's a great place to go out for a family day out [and] school trips." Louise O'Neill, from Dungannon in County Tyrone, said she loves the zoo."The zoo's a great place to take kids to learn about animals or even just a fun day out with your family."You learn so much that you wouldn't learn about anywhere else." Amanda Tannahall, from Dunmurry, said she has not been to the zoo in years. w"It is good, all the animals and stuff, I took a load of wee kids with me," she said part of the reason it had been so long since she visited was because it was "so uphill".While there is nowhere else like Belfast Zoo, she added: "I mean you can only go to the zoo so many times." McLaughlin said he wanted to start a conversation about the future of the zoo."Ultimately it is residents and ratepayers who are footing the bill for this, so they should be as much in the conversation about what the future of the zoo may look like, but for me, it needs to be on a sustainable position," he added.
