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Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Migrant boat' bonfire set alight in Tyrone as PSNI probe 'hate incident'
The placing of a controversial effigy of a migrant boat on a bonfire in Co Tyrone is being investigated as a "hate incident" by the PSNI. The towering pyre, which has stirred anger in previous years, was again the centre of fresh outrage after it was decorated with a model of a small boat with several figures inside along with anti-immigration placards. One sign on the structure read "stop the boats" while another declared "veterans before refugees." The PSNI said that they "have received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material that has been placed upon it". "Police are investigating this hate incident," a PSNI spokesperson said in a statement. "Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe. "We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists." Police have asked anyone with information on the signage to contact them. There has been widespread criticism of the display, with politicians and religious authorities condemning the structure. Claire Hanna, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), described the effigy as "disgusting". She said: "It would be ludicrous to call it art in any sense. "In terms of life imitating art, not three weeks ago, we had actual human beings being burned out by probably some of the same elements involved in this bonfire in Ballymena, it's a deeply dehumanising provocation." Meanwhile John McDowell, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, condemned the effigy as "racist, threatening and offensive". Quoting words from scripture, he added: "'The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:34).' "These are the words from the Law of God to his people. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we compare them with the effigy of a boat of migrants which sits, to our humiliation and lasting shame, on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, it exposes that effigy for what it is – racist, threatening and offensive. "It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. "I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours."
Metro
04-07-2025
- Metro
'Beautiful and much-loved' mum and daughter, 6, killed in car crash named
A nurse and her daughter who died in a car crash in Co Donegal have been named locally. Six-year-old Ella McLaughlin died at the scene of the crash, which involved a car and a van on the R240 at Glentogher, Carndonagh, on Wednesday. Her mum, Natalie, and her dad and little sister were taken to a hospital across the border in Derry, Northern Ireland. But Natalie, a nurse in her 20s, died yesterday afternoon. Ella's father, Tyrone Irwin, and little sister Rhea Rose both remain in the hospital. Tributes have described the mother and daughter as 'beautiful'. An obituary for them reads: 'Much loved mother and sister of Rhea-Rose and cherished daughter and granddaughter of Joanne and Danny and adored sister and niece of Lara, Tiarnan and Ryan. 'Deeply regretted and sadly missed by their grandparents and great grandparents, Lynn and Anthony Noone and Margaret and Hugh McLaughlin, Natalie's partner Tyrone, nieces and nephews, wider family circle, friends and neighbours. 'May Ella and Natalie Rest In Eternal Peace.' St Patrick's Girls National School, which Natalie and Ella both attended, called their deaths an 'unimaginable tragedy'. The school said: 'We are heartbroken, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Ella and Natalie's family – including Ella's baby sister, Natalie's partner, parents and siblings – and their many friends. 'Ella was a joyful and much-loved pupil in our school.' Mark Durkan, the Social Democratic and Labour Party leader for Foyle, saidNatalie was 'well known and respected in the area'. Parish Priest Fr Con McLaughlin said Natalie and Ella's deaths have shaken the local community. He told UTV: 'When it comes to children dying, it touches our heartstrings, but to think of a family wiped out like that is something we just can't begin to comprehend.' Gardai have asked anyone with dashcam footage or information to come forward. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The origin story of Baby Guinness reveals you've been doing the shots all wrong MORE: Irish musician and comedian cancels all of his gigs for the year MORE: Rail ticket gives unlimited travel in 24 countries from £34 — but you need to be quick
Leader Live
04-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Gaza facing ‘dark days', Starmer says, as he vows to consider ‘further action'
At the despatch box, Sir Keir Starmer described the Israeli government's conduct in the 25 mile-long strip as 'counterproductive and intolerable'. He made his comments after an Israeli and US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, paused food delivery at its three distribution sites in Gaza on Wednesday, after health officials said at least 27 Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week. A post shared by Ms Rachel (@msrachelforlittles) Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland Claire Hanna claimed there was 'more moral clarity coming from Ms Rachel on YouTube than there is from many world leaders who are complicit in silence', referring to the star educator who has called on leaders to 'be so ashamed' of what she described as their 'anti-Palestinian racism'. Ms Hanna told the Commons: 'The Prime Minister said this week that Britain must be ready for war and, I ask, after tens of thousands of deaths, after a generation of Gazans stunted by hunger and trauma, when will it be ready for peace? 'When will it help to stop this genocide? When will it hold the Israeli government to account, and when will it recognise the state of Palestine?' Sir Keir replied: 'She's absolutely right to describe this as dark days. Despite ever-increasing challenges and forced displacement in the #Gaza Strip, UNRWA teams continue to provide health consultations daily, including for children. Medical services are still critically under-resourced, while life-saving aid sits in UNRWA warehouses in the region… — UNRWA (@UNRWA) June 4, 2025 'Israel's recent action is appalling and in my view counterproductive and intolerable, and we have strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence, and the blocking of humanitarian aid.' The Prime Minister added: 'You will have seen we've suspended the FTA (free trade agreement) talks and sanctioned extremists supporting violence in the West Bank. 'We will keep looking at further action along with our allies, including sanctions, but let me be absolutely clear: we need to get back to a ceasefire. 'We need the hostages who've been held for a very long time to be released, and we desperately need more aid at speed and at volume into Gaza, because it's an appalling and intolerable situation.' Several MPs wearing red badges, including John McDonnell, the independent MP for Hayes and Harlington, and Labour's MPs for Alloa and Grangemouth and Nottingham East Brian Leishman and Nadia Whittome silently left the chamber after the exchange. The PM told me today that he would do everything he can to get desperately needed aid into Gaza, but words are not enough and I will hold him to account until we see action. — Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) June 4, 2025 Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has asked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer whether he will 'push at the UN Security Council for humanitarian corridors to get the desperately needed aid urgently into Gaza'. He told the Commons: 'The US-Israeli programme is clearly failing and nothing short of lifting the full blockade on aid will do, but given the (Benjamin) Netanyahu government refuses to do that, will the Prime Minister take more decisive action today?' Sir Keir said that the Government is 'working at pace with our allies on that very issue, to take whatever measures we can to get that humanitarian aid in'. He gave Sir Ed his 'assurance we'll continue to do that because that aid needs to get in at speed and at volume'. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer later told the Commons that Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery in Gaza are 'inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians'. He said: 'We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. 'Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families. We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events for the perpetrators to be held to account.' Mr Falconer said it is 'deeply disturbing' that the incidents happened near the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution sites, adding: 'Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery are inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians. 'Israel's unjustified block on aid into Gaza needs to end – it is inhumane. Israel must immediately allow the United Nations and aid partners to safely deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.' Mr Falconer said the UN Security Council on Wednesday is expected to consider a resolution which calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid. He said: 'We will once again use our vote in support of these goals.'
Powys County Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Gaza facing ‘dark days', Starmer says, as he vows to consider ‘further action'
Gaza is facing 'dark days', the Prime Minister has said, as he vowed to consider 'further action' against Israel. At the despatch box, Sir Keir Starmer described the Israeli government's conduct in the 25 mile-long strip as 'counterproductive and intolerable'. He made his comments after an Israeli and US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, paused food delivery at its three distribution sites in Gaza on Wednesday, after health officials said at least 27 Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ms Rachel (@msrachelforlittles) Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland Claire Hanna claimed there was 'more moral clarity coming from Ms Rachel on YouTube than there is from many world leaders who are complicit in silence', referring to the star educator who has called on leaders to 'be so ashamed' of what she described as their 'anti-Palestinian racism'. Ms Hanna told the Commons: 'The Prime Minister said this week that Britain must be ready for war and, I ask, after tens of thousands of deaths, after a generation of Gazans stunted by hunger and trauma, when will it be ready for peace? 'When will it help to stop this genocide? When will it hold the Israeli government to account, and when will it recognise the state of Palestine?' Sir Keir replied: 'She's absolutely right to describe this as dark days. Despite ever-increasing challenges and forced displacement in the #Gaza Strip, UNRWA teams continue to provide health consultations daily, including for children. Medical services are still critically under-resourced, while life-saving aid sits in UNRWA warehouses in the region… — UNRWA (@UNRWA) June 4, 2025 'Israel's recent action is appalling and in my view counterproductive and intolerable, and we have strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence, and the blocking of humanitarian aid.' The Prime Minister added: 'You will have seen we've suspended the FTA (free trade agreement) talks and sanctioned extremists supporting violence in the West Bank. 'We will keep looking at further action along with our allies, including sanctions, but let me be absolutely clear: we need to get back to a ceasefire. 'We need the hostages who've been held for a very long time to be released, and we desperately need more aid at speed and at volume into Gaza, because it's an appalling and intolerable situation.' Several MPs wearing red badges, including John McDonnell, the independent MP for Hayes and Harlington, and Labour's MPs for Alloa and Grangemouth and Nottingham East Brian Leishman and Nadia Whittome silently left the chamber after the exchange. The PM told me today that he would do everything he can to get desperately needed aid into Gaza, but words are not enough and I will hold him to account until we see action. — Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) June 4, 2025 Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has asked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer whether he will 'push at the UN Security Council for humanitarian corridors to get the desperately needed aid urgently into Gaza'. He told the Commons: 'The US-Israeli programme is clearly failing and nothing short of lifting the full blockade on aid will do, but given the (Benjamin) Netanyahu government refuses to do that, will the Prime Minister take more decisive action today?' Sir Keir said that the Government is 'working at pace with our allies on that very issue, to take whatever measures we can to get that humanitarian aid in'. He gave Sir Ed his 'assurance we'll continue to do that because that aid needs to get in at speed and at volume'. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer later told the Commons that Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery in Gaza are 'inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians'. He said: 'We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. 'Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families. We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events for the perpetrators to be held to account.' Mr Falconer said it is 'deeply disturbing' that the incidents happened near the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution sites, adding: 'Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery are inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians. 'Israel's unjustified block on aid into Gaza needs to end – it is inhumane. Israel must immediately allow the United Nations and aid partners to safely deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.' Mr Falconer said the UN Security Council on Wednesday is expected to consider a resolution which calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Evening Standard
04-06-2025
- General
- Evening Standard
Pro-Palestine protesters block Parliament ahead of bill demanding probe into UK ‘complicity' with Israel
Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland Claire Hanna claimed there was "more moral clarity coming from Ms Rachel on YouTube than there is from many world leaders who are complicit in silence", referring to the star educator who has called on leaders to "be so ashamed" of what she described as their "anti-Palestinian racism".
