Man Charged Following Sectarian Crime Reports In North Belfast

Police investigating reports of sectarian motivated crime in north Belfast on Wednesday 21 May, have made an arrest.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday 03 June, in connection with the incidents. He has since been charged with criminal damage.

The accused is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday 01 July.

As is standard procedure, all charges will undergo review by the Public Prosecution Service.

Lisburn To Honour Abolitionist Frederick Douglass with Stained-Glass Window

SDLP Lisburn North councillor Pat Catney has welcomed the approval of a £25,000 stained-glass window at Lisburn First Presbyterian Church, which will commemorate the visit of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass to the city in 1845.

Douglass delivered a speech in Lisburn on 29 December 1845, as part of his visit to Ireland seeking support for the anti-slavery movement. The proposed stained-glass window will also recognise the visits of two other African American abolitionists, Reverend Henry Highland Garnet and James Watkins, who spoke locally in the mid-1800s.

The approval follows a motion put forward by Councillor Catney last year, proposing a commemoration for Douglass.

Councillor Catney expressed his pride in the city's decision: "It fills me with pride that Lisburn is taking this step to remember the day Frederick Douglass stood in our city and raised his voice against the horrors of slavery. This stained-glass window will be more than a memorial, it will be a symbol of Lisburn's connection to a worldwide struggle for justice."

He further highlighted the historical significance of the moment: "Douglass' speech in Lisburn happened at a time when our churches and public spaces were part of international debates about freedom, equality and human dignity. By commemorating that moment, we are also telling our own story, of a city that welcomed powerful voices for change. It also recognises the increasing diversity in Lisburn and the history that we share."

Councillor Catney extended his thanks to all those who supported the proposal, including museum staff, church leaders, and council officers. "This project gives us the chance to educate future generations about our rich and sometimes overlooked history," he concluded.

Alliance Councillors Propose Free Leisure Activity for Belfast Residents

Alliance Belfast City Councillors Hedley Abernethy and Micky Murray are campaigning for a new scheme that would offer Belfast residents one free leisure activity, with the goal of encouraging greater participation in physical activity across the city.

The proposal, which forms part of Alliance's '100 Goals for Belfast', was presented to the People and Communities Committee by Ormiston Councillor Abernethy in May 2025.

Councillor Abernethy explained the initiative's core objective: "Our proposal for one free leisure activity would enable Belfast residents to participate in activities at council leisure facilities, creating opportunities to either re-engage with physical activity or try something new." He added that as part of this scheme, the Council would also "explore ways to engage with residents who are less likely to participate in health and wellbeing interventions, and work to increase accessibility to Belfast City Council activities."

Councillor Murray further supported the proposal, highlighting its potential benefits. "We hope that through the introduction of this scheme, we can remove some barriers to health and fitness that many people face and allow more residents to enjoy our council leisure facilities across the city and inspire new interests in activities," he said.

Councillor Murray also noted that the proposal aligns with Belfast City Council's overarching community plan, which aims to enhance the health and well-being of all residents by 2035. The initiative seeks to make council leisure facilities more accessible and encourage a healthier, more active lifestyle for the city's population.