Sinn Féin To Host Irish Unity Event At Oireachtas na Samhna Festival

Sinn Féin's National Party Chair and Chair of the party's Commission on the Future of Ireland, Declan Kearney MLA, has announced details of a key event taking place during the Oireachtas na Samhna festival in Belfast.

The event, entitled Ról Na nGael i dTógáil Éire Nua (The Role of the Gaels in Building the New Ireland), will be held entirely through the medium of the Irish language and is scheduled for 11am on Friday, 31 October 2025, at the ICC (International Convention Centre), Belfast.

Oireachtas na Samhna is the oldest Irish language and arts festival in Ireland, celebrating the Irish language, arts, and traditions. It is expected to draw thousands of gaeilgeoirí (Irish speakers) from across the island and beyond to Belfast between Wednesday, 29 October, and Sunday, 2 November 2025.

Mr Kearney stated that securing the festival is a "testimony to the strength of the Irish language sector in Belfast." The Commission's event will examine the important role of Irish speakers in the work of building a new Ireland, reflecting the significant increase in public debate on Irish Unity in recent months. The public conversation is open to all who wish to discuss the issue.

UUP Demands Prison Smoking Ban To Protect Officers' Health

North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has raised serious concerns regarding the exposure of Northern Ireland's prison officers to second-hand smoke, noting that Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom without a smoking ban in its prisons. The Ulster Unionist Party member stated that it is "unjustifiable" that officers must endure passive smoking in their workplace. The party is now demanding that the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Prison Service take immediate policy and operational steps to safeguard the health of frontline staff.

Mr Burrows pointed out that the smoking ban implemented across Great Britain has been a "clear success, improving the health of both prisoners and prison staff."

The UUP has submitted urgent questions to the Department of Justice to determine why Northern Ireland is lagging behind on this crucial issue, vowing to continue pressing for swift action.

MLA 'Horrified' By BBC Dog Fighting Investigation

Alliance MLA John Blair, Chair of Stormont's All-Party Group on Animal Welfare, has expressed his horror following the BBC Spotlight investigation that exposed a Europe-wide dog fighting network operating across Northern Ireland.

The South Antrim MLA stressed that the dogs involved are victims, forced into brutal confrontations resulting in severe injury and death, which he described as "inherently evil."

Mr Blair thanked the USPCA, the League Against Cruel Sports, and the BBC team for uncovering the international ring, which is linked to organised crime.

Responding to the findings, Mr Blair announced he is introducing a Private Member’s Bill to ban hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland. The legislation aims to protect not only wild mammals, such as foxes, from inhumane treatment but also to prevent the abuse of the hunting dogs themselves, which often sustain injuries without proper care.

He urged anyone with information on dog fighting or animal cruelty to contact the USPCA, the League Against Cruel Sports, or the PSNI.