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Irish Post
2 days ago
- Irish Post
Councillor blames people 'fuelled by conspiracies' after latest spate of attacks on Belfast 5G masts
A SINN FÉIN councillor has blamed people who are 'fuelled by conspiracies' for another spate of attacks on 5G masts in Belfast. Ciaran Beattie was speaking after a mast was set alight in the Beechmount area of west Belfast in the early hours of Saturday morning, the third such fire in as many days. Police have appealed for information as they warn of the dangers to those carrying out the attacks as well as the risks posed to those affected. On Wednesday evening, a mast was set on fire in the Annadale Embankment area of south Belfast in an incident police are treating as arson. The following evening, a mast was targeted in the Glen Road area of west Belfast before the latest fire in Beechmount. 'Lives could be lost' "These vital pieces of infrastructure keep thousands of homes, businesses and public services connected across our city," said Councillor Beattie. "The campaign against 5G masts, driven by a small minority and fuelled by conspiracies, must end. "Anyone with information should contact the PSNI. Those responsible must face the full force of the law." Party colleague Councillor Ronan McLaughlin warned that the ongoing attacks could cost lives. Speaking after Thursday's fire, he said: "That these arsonists feel comfortable carrying out these acts in broad daylight on a main road is deeply concerning, and is an indictment of the lack of action taken to date. "With poor connectivity now common in west Belfast, there is a real risk lives could be lost because of weak phone signal. "It's time for those involved to face justice and be taken off our streets." Hospitals affected Police have warned that some of the damage caused has led to hospitals experiencing communication difficulties in contacting patients and managing critical on-call arrangements. They added that vulnerable members of the public are being left in a position where they are unable to make emergency calls or contact family. Speaking after the latest fire, Detective Inspector Wilson of the PSNI said they were treating the 'extremely reckless' attack as arson. "This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire recently and I cannot emphasise enough the dangers of lighting fire to electrical equipment," he said. "This is extremely reckless, and those responsible are putting themselves and members of the public at serious risk."
The Journal
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Mary Lou McDonald appears on Good Morning Britain to call for a border poll
SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain this morning to call for a border poll and stress her party's commitment to Irish reunification. McDonald made her case for the reunification of the island of Ireland and fielded questions regarding Northern Ireland's economic state on the programme. 'We are now 27 years on from since the Good Friday Agreement, as we all know, a historic moment where we settle on the institutional arrangements to end what was a conflict that ran for centuries,' she said. 'And at the heart of that agreement is a commitment to referendums to make the decision on partition. Just remember, more than a century ago Ireland was partitioned down the barrel of a British gun. There was no democracy involved, it was imposed on the island.' Advertisement She said that partition has been 'deeply damaging' for Ireland and has damaged the relationship between Britain and Ireland. Given Ireland's economic position, McDonald said, 'Irish unity makes sense.' When it was put to her that Northern Ireland is economically effectively 'running at a loss', McDonald said that the six-county region is not economically viable as it is 'cut off from its natural political, social, and economic engine'. She said that 'it makes no sense to partition' the country given its small size. Sinn Féin have long stressed that they want a border poll to happen within the decade. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Sinn Féin to lead protest outside GPO today over plans for more shops and offices on site
SINN FÉIN IS holding a protest today in Dublin over proposed changes to the GPO that involve opening more shops and offices on the site. The controversial plans are part of wider efforts to revamp the city centre. However, Sinn Féin has hit out at the , saying it would be better to take a 'visionary approach' to the redesign. Dublin South-Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh told The Journal that if the site is to be repurposed, it should only be for historical and cultural uses, because of it's central role in the Easter Rising of 1916. 'The public are adamant that the GPO is hallowed ground and should be respected, and can play a part in telling our story,' he said. He wasn't prescriptive about the specifics of what should be done with the site, saying instead that a conversation should be had. The GPO already has retail units that open onto Henry Street, which are rented by businesses. There were a number of ideas about what could be a better use of the complex, including a suggestion that it become home to RTÉ. The idea was shot down. Ó Snodaigh says the government needs to be 'imaginative'. 'What Irish people, I believe, are saying is this space should be different to the retail and office space around it. Advertisement 'It could help regenerate and revitalise that part of the city if it was approached properly,' he said. 'There are a lot of cultural institutions around the city that don't have enough space. There are artists with no space. They can't display their wares, they can't do their work. There's a shortage of small venues in the evening time.' The protest, which kicks off at 1pm time today, coincides with the All-Ireland hurling semi-final. Ó Snodaigh hopes the sporting event combined with the good weather will encourage people to join the rally. Revitalising the city centre Bringing the GPO proposal to cabinet last month, the Taoiseach said Dublin has become 'less welcoming' since the pandemic. He said that in recent years safety concerns in the capital have been highlighted. To address this, the Taoiseach proposed that a Designated Activity Company be set up to regenerate parts of the city, similar to the approach taken in the 1990s when Temple Bar was redeveloped. While that is being set up, a Project Management Office will be established by the council to begin the work urgently. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described the GPO revamp as 'another shameful betrayal of Ireland's proud revolutionary history'. Junior Minister for Heritage Christopher O'Sullivan said some of the points made by her party in opposing the plan are 'absolutely outrageous' . The Cork South West TD argued that his party and Fine Gael have invested in commemorating the early revolutionary period of the Irish State and noted that €10m has already been invested in the current GPO experience and exhibition. 'We absolutely hold this period of Ireland's history dear to our hearts…Sinn Féin don't own this. They don't own the narrative. We all have a connection to that revolutionary period,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Bill to introduce 'iatrogenic suicide' as verdict option for coroners reaches second stage in Dáil
A SINN FÉIN Bill that would allow a coroner to return a verdict of 'iatrogenic suicide' passed first stage in the Dáil this afternoon. The Bill, known as Jake's Amendment, would amend the Coroners Act to introduce the term Iatrogenic Suicide, when a prescription drug is the primary cause in a person taking their life. The Bill is named after Jake McGill-Lynch, a young boy who took his life shortly after being prescribed an antidepressant. Jake was a constituent of Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward in Dublin Mid West, who introduced the Bill in the Dáil today while Jake's parents watched on from the public gallery. 'Jake's parents Stephanie and John have been campaigning to change the law so that the coroner can note iatrogenic suicide as a cause of death,' Ward told the Dáil. 'Jake McGill-Lynch died in 2013 at the age of 14. He had been prescribed anti-depressant medication in the weeks before he took his own life. Ward told the Dáil that Jake's mother was of the view that he was not depressed but had anxiety related to his exams. She was not aware at the time of the side effects associated with the medication he was prescribed, including suicide ideation. 'Jake was also diagnosed with Asperger's and despite research stating that there was no benefit of this drug on children with Asperger's and despite evidence of harm, he was still prescribed this drug,' Ward said. The coroner returned an open verdict in Jake's death. This was welcomed by Jake's family who believed 'death by suicide' didn't reflect their son's death, which they believe was drug-induced. Ward also welcomed Jim and Vera Connell to the Dáil. Advertisement The couple, who watched on from the public gallery, lost their son Darren, who died at the age of 17 after being prescribed acne medication. 'At Darren's inquest into his sudden death the Coroner described the evidence put before him as compelling and made a recommendation to investigate the safety of this medication. 'He went onto say that Darren had no intention to die by suicide,' Ward said. He concluded: 'The ruling of suicide for families who have suffered such loss is hurtful as they know that the medication was the primary cause in their children's death. 'I am hoping that this Bill will give families peace of mind in these situations.' Ward's colleague, TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke, told the Dáil that he personally knew Darren. 'He was a great footballer. He played with Meath U14s, right up to Minors. He was friends with my own son, he was looked up to by everyone,' an emotional Guirke said. 'He probably would be in Croke Park with the Meath team next Sunday if he was still around,' he added. Guirke said this Bill would give closure to families like Darren's as it would give them closure by having the right verdict into their loved one's death recorded. The Bill was not opposed by government and will now proceed to second stage. If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, you can reach out for support through the following helplines. These organisations also put people in touch with long-term supports: Samaritans- 116 123 or email jo@ (suicide, crisis support) Text About It- text HELLO to 50808 (mental health issues) Pieta House – 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 – (suicide, self-harm) Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Up to 150 Sinn Féin members expected to attend conference on party's gender policy
SINN FÉIN IS holding a key meeting today for its members where they are to help decide on the party's position on gender identity issues. It follows disputes in the party north and south as it has attempted to toe a line on topics like healthcare for transgender youth between the different jurisdictions. This morning's party gathering meeting in Drumcondra will be attended by 150 members from across the island where they will debate the 'issue of gender identity', according to the Sinn Féin press office. Afterwards a report on the meeting will go to the party's ruling Ard Chomhairle for a final decision. A spokesperson told The Journal that the meeting is taking place as a result of a motion to its last Ard Fheis 'asking for a conference on the issue of gender identity to allow members to discuss these issues in order to inform future policy positions'. 'It is an opportunity for members to share their views and to listen to views of others,' the spokesperson added. Advertisement The issue blew up for the party in the aftermath of the UK Supreme Court ruling in April which said that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the UK Equality Act do not include transgender women – senior figures including leader Mary Lou McDonald and health spokesperson David Cullinane weighed in at different points in its aftermath. Weeks later , a number of current and former party members spoke out over a belief that Sinn Féin was set to water down its support for LGBT+ issues, in particular on trans rights. The party's grappling with the issue can be partly traced back to the Cass Review , a key UK report which found that thousands of young people questioning their gender identity had been let down by the National Health Service. The reaction to the Cass report in Ireland has been mixed – it has been welcomed here by some but has been heavily disputed by others . One topic expected to feature in today's discussions by Sinn Féin are that of the role of puberty blockers, a form of hormone treatment. The Cass Review also said there was a lack of evidence on the impacts of puberty blockers. These findings preceded the Stormont executive in Belfast – where Sinn Féin holds several key positions – supporting a temporary ban on the medication for transgender youth. Trans advocacy groups have long maintained that puberty blockers are an important part of some people's treatment, with Sinn Féin's support of the ban in the North prompting criticism over the past year. Such groups have also been concerned over the waiting times for transgender and non-binary people seeking specific healthcare, with some pursuing it outside of the official channels, as revealed by The Journal Investigates last May . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
