13/05/2025
Other News In Brief
Man Charged With Trading In Counterfeit Football Kits
A 38-year-old man has been charged with trading in counterfeit products, police have confirmed.
He is scheduled to appear at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on Monday, 9th June. As is standard procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
The charge relates to the online advertising and sale of counterfeit football kits. It follows a search and arrest operation that was conducted in February 2025.
Green Party Accuses Executive Of "Selling Off Land For Dirty Profit"
Green Party leader Mal O'Hara has strongly condemned the granting of seven new mineral licences in the West of Northern Ireland, accusing Sinn Féin's Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald and the Executive of "selling off our land for dirty profit" and ignoring public objections.
In a statement, O'Hara highlighted that the licences are being granted under a 1969 law and despite over 2,000 public objections.
"The parties who let Lough Neagh die are now selling off our land for dirty profit, ignoring residents, campaigners, and the environment," Mr O'Hara stated. "Their promises to protect nature are as fake as plastic grass-looks good from far away, but up close, it's toxic."
The Green Party leader also criticised the Alliance Party and its Environment Minister, Andrew Muir, asserting they "have shown themselves to be ineffective at standing up to big business and protecting our shared environment from profiteering."
Mr O'Hara concluded with a call for greater environmental protection: "Enough is enough. Our land, habitats, and communities are not commodities for the Crown Estate and mining companies. We demand real protection, not more destruction."
Sinn Féin Mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia And Transphobia
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has marked the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), which takes place this Saturday, 17th May.
The Mid Ulster MLA was speaking during an Assembly debate yesterday (Monday, 12th May) to acknowledge the significance of the international awareness day.
Ms Sheerin stated that in recent months, Sinn Féin has undertaken extensive engagement with the LGBTQIA+ community to listen to and address their concerns.
"Sinn Féin envisages a society underpinned by equality, respect and inclusion for all our citizens," said Ms Sheerin.
"We must continue to make the case for people’s rights to be respected. And we must stand firm and ensure that toxic discourse, which has prevailed elsewhere, does not become mainstream in society here."
She described IDAHOBIT as "an opportunity to celebrate progress towards a more progressive, accepting and compassionate society, and stand with the LGBTQIA+ community."
"As political representatives, we must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and other vile, hate-fuelled behaviours whenever they arise," the MLA urged.
"My party will continue to stand with our LGBTQIA+ community and against those who seek to marginalise, undermine and divide this solidarity."
A 38-year-old man has been charged with trading in counterfeit products, police have confirmed.
He is scheduled to appear at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on Monday, 9th June. As is standard procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
The charge relates to the online advertising and sale of counterfeit football kits. It follows a search and arrest operation that was conducted in February 2025.
Green Party Accuses Executive Of "Selling Off Land For Dirty Profit"
Green Party leader Mal O'Hara has strongly condemned the granting of seven new mineral licences in the West of Northern Ireland, accusing Sinn Féin's Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald and the Executive of "selling off our land for dirty profit" and ignoring public objections.
In a statement, O'Hara highlighted that the licences are being granted under a 1969 law and despite over 2,000 public objections.
"The parties who let Lough Neagh die are now selling off our land for dirty profit, ignoring residents, campaigners, and the environment," Mr O'Hara stated. "Their promises to protect nature are as fake as plastic grass-looks good from far away, but up close, it's toxic."
The Green Party leader also criticised the Alliance Party and its Environment Minister, Andrew Muir, asserting they "have shown themselves to be ineffective at standing up to big business and protecting our shared environment from profiteering."
Sinn Féin Mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia And Transphobia
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has marked the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), which takes place this Saturday, 17th May.
The Mid Ulster MLA was speaking during an Assembly debate yesterday (Monday, 12th May) to acknowledge the significance of the international awareness day.
Ms Sheerin stated that in recent months, Sinn Féin has undertaken extensive engagement with the LGBTQIA+ community to listen to and address their concerns.
"Sinn Féin envisages a society underpinned by equality, respect and inclusion for all our citizens," said Ms Sheerin.
"We must continue to make the case for people’s rights to be respected. And we must stand firm and ensure that toxic discourse, which has prevailed elsewhere, does not become mainstream in society here."
She described IDAHOBIT as "an opportunity to celebrate progress towards a more progressive, accepting and compassionate society, and stand with the LGBTQIA+ community."
"As political representatives, we must redouble our efforts to stamp out homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and other vile, hate-fuelled behaviours whenever they arise," the MLA urged.
"My party will continue to stand with our LGBTQIA+ community and against those who seek to marginalise, undermine and divide this solidarity."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 November 2003
SF election candidate in police controversy
Lagan Valley Sinn Féin representative Paul Butler was at the centre of controversy today after his election motorcade was stopped by police following acting on information that one of the vehicles had been stolen in the Irish Republic.
SF election candidate in police controversy
Lagan Valley Sinn Féin representative Paul Butler was at the centre of controversy today after his election motorcade was stopped by police following acting on information that one of the vehicles had been stolen in the Irish Republic.
19 August 2024
Doug Beattie Resigns As UUP Leader
Doug Beattie has announced his resignation as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), citing "irreconcilable differences" with party officers.
Doug Beattie Resigns As UUP Leader
Doug Beattie has announced his resignation as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), citing "irreconcilable differences" with party officers.
05 July 2017
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
05 July 2024
Sinn Féin Become NI's Largest Party At Westminster
Sinn Féin has become the largest Northern Irish party at Westminster as it retains its seven parliamentary seats. The results see the nationalist party make history, becoming the largest party at Westminster, at Stormont and across NI councils. NI's second largest political party, the DUP returned with 5 Westminster seats, a lose of 3.
Sinn Féin Become NI's Largest Party At Westminster
Sinn Féin has become the largest Northern Irish party at Westminster as it retains its seven parliamentary seats. The results see the nationalist party make history, becoming the largest party at Westminster, at Stormont and across NI councils. NI's second largest political party, the DUP returned with 5 Westminster seats, a lose of 3.
09 May 2022
Sinn Féin Elected As NI's Largest Party
Sinn Féin have been elected as Northern Ireland's largest party winning 27 of Stormont's 90 seats. The DUP won 25 seats, losing 3 seats, with Alliance more than doubling its share with 17, up from 8 in the last election.
Sinn Féin Elected As NI's Largest Party
Sinn Féin have been elected as Northern Ireland's largest party winning 27 of Stormont's 90 seats. The DUP won 25 seats, losing 3 seats, with Alliance more than doubling its share with 17, up from 8 in the last election.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.