Proud to stand in solidarity with survivors of Grenfell tonight. Really positive engagement from fans with many agreeing @UlsterRugby needs to #KickOutKingspan
Over 400 leaflets distributed and plenty of conversations with the fans.
Stand Up For the 72. Kick Out Kingspan.
Proud to stand in solidarity with survivors of Grenfell tonight. Really positive engagement from fans with many agreeing @UlsterRugby needs to #KickOutKingspan
Over 400 leaflets distributed and plenty of conversations with the fans.
#Kingspan unchallenged as sponsors of #UlsterRugby
💚https://twitter.com/BelfastEnd/status/1338195014388617216?t=GyFXCV7JsBmrlX1T_tFwbg&s=09 #Grenfell – still no justice.
#Kingspan unchallenged as sponsors of #UlsterRugby
It’s time the stadium name was returned to Ravenhill. I have not followed them for some time since I can’t see their matches on TV without taking another subscription out.
#IStandWithGrenfell #RemoveKingspan
It's time the stadium name was returned to Ravenhill. I have not followed them for some time since I can't see their matches on TV without taking another subscription out. #IStandWithGrenfell#RemoveKingspan
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This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
Scotland, Wales and the North of Ireland have refused to give consent to Brexit – but Westminster and the DUP isn’t listening!!!
This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
Connor spoke of her connections with Republican Network for Unity which is known as the political wing of ONH
Christine Connor found guilty of attempted murder. Image copyrightPACEMAKERA judge has found Christine Connor guilty of attempting to kill a police officer after luring him and a colleague with hoax phone calls.
At Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday the 35-year-old was convicted of four offences, including two counts of causing an explosion.
The charges relate to two incidents in north Belfast in May 2013.
The judge remanded Connor in custody and said sentencing will take place on 20 August.
The court previously heard that Connor made bogus 999 calls to police on two separate occasions.
Image copyrightPACEMAKERImage captionConnor was linked to the charges with DNA from clothing.
In the first incident on 16 May, Connor made a trial run and threw a pipe bomb on the Ligoniel Road.
Later, on 28 May, she lured police to the Crumlin Road before attacking them from an alleyway with two pipe bombs.
In the second hoax call Connor tearfully claimed her name was Gemma and she was the victim of domestic abuse.
Police attended a house on the Crumlin Road, and as one officer was knocking the front door, a pipe bomb was thrown at another officer from a nearby alleyway.
As he tried to evade the explosion, the officer tripped on a kerb and as he lay prone, a second pipe bomb was thrown onto the road.
‘Evasive and argumentative’
Connor was first convicted in 2017 and jailed for 16 years, but was released in December 2018 after appeal judges overturned her conviction and ordered a retrial.
Connor, whose address is subject to a reporting restriction, denied the offences.
She was found guilty of one count of attempted murder, one count of preparation of terrorist acts and two counts of causing explosion likely to endanger life.
Connor was linked to the charges with DNA evidence from clothing as well as mobile phone evidence and CCTV.
The judge said the prosecution’s case was built on a “combination of circumstantial, physical and forensic evidence” and that he was satisfied that Connor has searched online for how to make pipe bombs.
He ruled that she was “clearly involved in the planning, making and deployment of the pipe bombs,” and that her intention was to kill the police officer.
Connor stood trial in a non-jury hearing at the end of 2019.
Giving his ruling on Wednesday, the judge said that having had “the benefit of seeing and hearing the defendant give evidence and be cross-examined…I found her evasive, argumentative and, when it suited her, refused to answer questions.”
A woman has described as “ridiculous” an allegation that she transported pipe bombs in a supermarket bag just prior to an attack on police.
Christine Connor, 34, whose address is subject to a reporting restriction, is on trial before Belfast Crown Court.
She denies six charges arising from two incidents in the north of the city in May 2013.
The first occurred on 16 May, with the second taking place on 28 May.
Ms Connor, who was called to the witness box on Tuesday, has been charged with, and denies, two counts of possessing explosives with intent, two counts of causing an explosion with intent to endanger life, attempting to murder a police constable and the preparation of terrorist acts.
Under questioning from her barrister, Tim Moloney QC, Ms Connor spoke of her republican background and her involvement with the Republican Network for Unity (RNU).
When questioned about the two incidents in north Belfast, Connor admitted she was out for an early morning walk in the area at the time of the second incident, but denied involvement in both.
Mr Moloney asked his client about her education, family background and employment history.
She was then asked whether republican politics was an important part of her upbringing, to which she said “yes, very much so”.
Ms Connor said that around late 2012 and early 2013, she was actively involved with RNU which she described as “a political organisation, not an armed group”.
Ms Connor said she and other members took part in protests, pickets and camp outs “to highlight the plight of republican prisoners”, with one such protest taking place outside the Alliance Party headquarters in south Belfast as at that time the party’s David Ford was justice minister.
She was asked about former co-accused Stuart Downes, who was charged with offences linked to the incident.
Downes, who the Crown say assisted Ms Connor by purchasing component parts for the pipe bombs and ensuring they were delivered to Northern Ireland, died in June 2016.
Ms Connor denied communicating with Mr Downes and when she was asked if she ever pretended to be Swedish model Sanne Andersson, she replied “no”.
Mr Moloney then questioned his client about movie clips – one of which was found on Mr Downes’ phone and another on a laptop found in a mattress in her bedroom.
It is the Crown’s case that one of the clips is Ms Connor conducting a “dry-run” of the route she planned to take before launching the first pipe bomb attack on 16 May.
Laganside Courts in Belfast
Connor was convicted at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday
Connor was charged alongside Stuart Downes from Shrewsbury.
The 31-year old was subsequently granted bail and was found dead in woodland near his home in June 2016.
The judge said that between February and May 2013 “they researched pipe bombs, with Downes purchasing component parts and ensuring they were dispatched to and received in Northern Ireland where they were deployed by Connor.”
During the trial, the prosecution said Connor and Downes met online and established a relationship when Connor was posing as a blonde Swedish model called Sanne Anderson.
When arrested, Connor denied she knew Downes and rejected claims she communicated with him.
She continued these denials during the trial, but in his ruling the judge said there was overwhelming evidence to suggest otherwise.
The court heard that the month before the two explosions, an “intense relationship” via SMS and Facebook messages developed between Connor and Downes as they researched information on pipe bombs.
Image copyrightPACEMAKERImage captionLaptops belonging to Connor were found in a mattress at her house
During her arrest on 29 May 2013 police searched Connor’s home and found two laptops and a phone hidden in a mattress in a bedroom.
When these devices were examined a movie file was located which depicted a woman walking in north Belfast and talking about police.
This video was described as a ‘practice run’ and despite denials she had made the video, it was ruled that it was Connor in the film. This same clip was also located on Downes’ mobile.
The judge also ruled that the laptops found in the mattress were linked to Connor, and that prior to the May 2013 explosions, online searches such as ‘how to make pipe bombs in your kitchen’ had been made.
Speaking outside court, Det Supt Richard Campbell described the case as “hugely complex and unusual” with several UK police services working together to gather evidence.
“This was an attack on police officers, who were carrying out their role of protecting communities,” he said.
“I would like to pay particular thanks to them. This was a traumatic experience for them and I acknowledge that as victims they have waited a very long time for today’s outcome.
“Today’s conviction is the result of excellent joint working between the PSNI and West Mercia Police alongside the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit and we will now await the sentencing.”
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He was travelling to Cave Hill country park to meet friends on the day of his disappearance, the Irish News has reported.
A spokesperson for his family said the “post-mortem raises more questions than answers”.
Andree Murphy, from Relatives for Justice, told BBC News NI that the family are asking for anyone with information, particularly CCTV footage that might track his movements, to come forward.
Mourners lined the streets to pay their respect to the popular St Malachy’s College pupil.
‘Meeting friends’
According to the Irish News, Noah was doing work towards his Duke of Edinburgh award on the day he went missing and it is believed he brought his laptop to gain extra credits during his time off school.
Noah’s phone and laptop were also recovered by police and the family are keen to have these returned to them, the Irish News said.
They have not yet been told if the PSNI have examined the phone’s GPS, the newspaper added.
The family believe the phone’s mapping system may have information on the final movements of the teenager. The disappearance of the grammar school pupil caused a widespread outpouring of grief and sympathy.
Supt Muir Clark said that police “continue to investigate the tragic death of Noah on behalf of the coroner.”
He said police were finalising a leaflet appealing for information.
It will be distributed to households where the occupants were unavailable to speak to police during the initial stages when Noah disappeared.
“We are aware of media reports stating that the family had been told this proposed leaflet drop had already been undertaken. This is not the case. This may have arisen through a misunderstanding,” he said.
“While respecting that this is a very painful time, police are in contact with Noah’s mother to ensure that she is up to date on the investigation,” he added.
Noah playing the guitar on Mother’s Day
In his death notice, Noah’s family said his “beautiful, pure young soul fills the hearts of his mother Fiona, his aunts Niamh and Shona, their beautiful children and his uncle Gearoid”.
In a tribute to those who helped to search for the schoolboy, the message added: “Noah’s love was great enough to reach the selfless hearts of north Belfast and beyond as they showed overwhelming compassion and empathy in bringing Noah home. Love has no boundaries.”
The Donohoe family say a clip of Noah playing the guitar on Mother’s Day is how he should be remembered.
Ms Murphy has again appealed on behalf of the family for anyone with information to come forward.
“We would like to make another appeal to the public, on behalf of the family, please bring forward any information they may have, particularly any CCTV on the evening of Fathers Day,” Ms Murphy said.
With many thanks to: BBC NewsNI for the original story
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“It is crucial that we have changes to the laws”-Allision Morris
An Irish News journalist has revealed that she was harassed by her former partner for four years.
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Allison Morris called for stalking legislation to be extended to Northern Ireland.
It comes days after Fernando Murphy, of Balholm Drive, in Belfast, was jailed for 10 offences, including harassment and breaching a restraining order.
“I was full of anxiety, my hair was falling out with stress,” the security correspondent said about her ordeal.
Murphy, 42, was handed a 14-month sentence at Belfast Magistrates’ Court last Thursday. He will spend half his sentence in prison and the other half on licence.
During four years of abuse, Ms Morris was subjected to “humiliating” behaviour, including Murphy coming to the Irish News and “shouting and screaming”.
Dissident Republican Fernando Murphy was handed a 14-month sentence last week
“I sort of broke after that,” she said.
“I could take the abuse when it was me but when it was my daughter it was different.
“He knew that saying horrible, sexual, things about me wasn’t getting a reaction so he moved on to my family, and the targets became my children and my father, who is very ill, and my work.”
‘A big step’
Ms Morris said going to the police was “a big step”.
Dissident Republican Fernando Murphy and Allison Morris
“As someone who is a crime and security correspondent, I deal with the police on a professional basis quite regularly, often quite critically and I hold them to account in a lot of cases, and I just really didn’t feel comfortable,” she said.
“I didn’t want people to think that I was weak, I didn’t want, in a very Belfast way, for people to know my business.”
Northern Ireland is the only region of UK or Ireland without stalking legislation and Ms Morris says she hopes that sharing her experience will change things.
“It made me angry because I was struggling to navigate it and through my work, I know the legal system.
“I thought ‘what must this be like for someone who doesn’t have this knowledge or support or wouldn’t know where to go to complain or appeal or to push things along?’ It’s such an emotionally destroying process that is desperately in need of change.”
The North of Ireland is the only region of the UK or Ireland without stalking legislation Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Writing on Twitter on Monday afternoon, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said it was “brave and courageous” for Ms Morris to “make her terrible experience public”.
I commend @AllisonMorris1 for her brave and courageous decision to make her terrible experience public. I fully support efforts to urgently update existing legislation to create a specific stalking offence in NI. #keepingpeoplesafe
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Nigel Dodds said the DUP had nothing to do with the banner. Anything personally offensive, smearing and inaccurate of any candidate in the Westminster election must be condemned, DUP “Deputy Dog” Dodds has said.
It follows the removal of a banner which targeted Belfast’s Lord Mayor John Finucane on Monday
The banner, in Belfast’s Tiger’s Bay area, contained allegations about the Sinn Féin North Belfast election candidate and his family.
Mr Dodds said the DUP had nothing to do with the banner.
He said the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) had been “crystal clear” on the use of violence and the activity of those who take part in “vile internet trolling” of victims and some unionist politicians.
However, he also challenged Sinn Féin not to be selective, calling on republicans to “stop eulogising the violent perpetrators of the IRA” including the gunman who shot a police officer guarding him when he was visiting his seriously ill son in hospital in 1996.
Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aitken said the banners “need to come down, no two ways about it”.
Belfast City Council workers were flanked by police as they removed the banner on Monday.
One of the sectarian Anti-Finucane banners targeting John Finucane’s father Pat who was murdered by loyalist Paramilitaries at his home in North Belfast in 1989
Supt Melanie Jones said police were in attendance “to ensure the safety of persons removing a banner from council property”.
“Enquiries are under way to establish if these banners constitute any criminal offence or offences, including a hate incident or hate crime,” added Supt Jones.
‘Hatred and division’
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said there had been an “appalling and dangerous” campaign of “harassment, intimidation and threats against John Finucane and his family”.
He is a candidate in next month’s Westminster election in the North Belfast constituency, which is also being contested by outgoing DUP MP Mr Dodds and Nuala McAllister of the Alliance Party.
Mr Finucane’s father, Pat, was a solicitor who was shot dead by loyalists at his home in north Belfast in 1989.
The PSNI said it had also received reports about banners erected in south Belfast, adding enquiries were being made.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said banners targeted at candidate Claire Hanna had appeared in south Belfast.
“The banners that have been erected in Belfast targeting John Finucane and Claire Hanna seeking to sow hatred and division are disgusting,” said Mr Eastwood.
“Those responsible are cynically using, abusing and retraumatising victims for narrow political purposes.”
With many thanks to: BBC NewsNI for the original story
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seachranaidhe1 
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