Home abuse figures rise as men come forward

A RISE in reported domestic abuse incidents in South Belfast scotches the myth that such violence only happens in working class areas, it’s been claimed.

Crime is falling in West Belfast

THE LATEST police figures have revealed that crime is dropping in West Belfast. The statistics, which cover the 2011/12 financial year, show that crime has dropped in the West by 0.2 per cent and also that crime detection rates have improved by 3.1 per cent.

New York priest hears victims’ stories

VictimS’ group Relatives for Justice have welcomed New York Franciscan priest Fr Brian Jordan to their offices, to hear at first hand how families who have lost loved ones at the hands of the British Army continue to struggle for truth and justice.

Recent News

‘Dark tourism’ could be a shining light for city

IN 2012, Belfast’s tourism scene is more about Titanic than the Troubles, but the city would be wise not to forget the political and historical value of what was once dubbed “dark tourism”.

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Gasworks goes into administration

A LAGANBANK councillor has expressed his surprise and disappointment at the announcement that Ormeau Gasworks Limited has gone into administration.

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Carryduff celebrate ruby anniversary

Carryduff GAC is celebrating 40 years of Gaelic games and culture at the South Belfast club. The celebrations commenced with the first ever ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ on 13 April, which was sponsored by Sentel Ltd.

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Robot dinosaurs invade museum

The Ulster Museum has welcomed several large new arrivals including a terrifying Tarbosaurus, as part of a new dinosaur exhibition.

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John’s musical walk proves a big hit and brings Lisburn to the fore

A QUEENS University student has been hitting all the right notes in his latest album release aimed at schoolchildren.

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Cafés up in arms over proposed street licence

ENJOYING your cup of tea or coffee outside on a pavement café as you watch the world go by could soon be a thing of the past if new legislation is introduced. Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has confirmed that legislation will be introduced to allow district councils to promote street cafés, but businesses will have to cough up for the privilege.

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Job cut fears at FG Wilson plant

STAFF at FG Wilson’s Springvale plant have “real concerns for their jobs” as rumours circulate that the company is set to make 40 redundancies among its agency workers. An FG Wilson employee contacted this paper about the jobs fears after a recent company briefing was given to staff which failed to address their concerns, leaving them in a state of limbo.

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You haven’t lost a bridge, have you?

Never mind the Bridge Over The River Kwai, people in Poleglass are calling this the Bridge Over The River, Why? Shocked residents of Poleglass awoke this week to find a large metal bridge dumped in a field near their homes. Situated at Woodside Hill, the dumped half-ton bridge has left local people scratching their heads.

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An opening, a step forward, a passing

THE NAME is awful and the artificial flowers and fish tank quite disconcerting, but fundamentally the E3 Belfast MET building at Springvale is a gamechanger for the city. Ducking the squalls this week, I joined Patricia Flanagan to view the spanking new facility on the Springfield Road peaceline. 20 years ago, there were promises – ultimately unfulfilled – to locate a university at this site in a dramatic move which would have turbo-charged the faltering economy of North/West Belfast

Lock us up and swallow the key!

I was in Donegal at the weekend and I asked a man how he planned to vote in the south’s up-coming referendum. “Well,” he told me, “ if Sinn Féin say no about something, I say yes”.

Big man of GAA celebrates in style

Veni, Vidi, Vinci . I came, I saw, I conquered, was the powerful message sent back to Rome by Julius Caesar when he won a war in Zela (currently known as Zile in Turkey. After spending two days with the Gaels of Glengormley, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh might well have sent a similar message back to headquarters. Throughout the two days he won the hearts of all who met him as he demonstrated his love and passion for the Irish language and Gaelic games.

That’s not the way to do it as summer nears

THERE’S nothing funnier for children to watch than a long-suffering wife getting battered with a cudgel by a short-tempered violent husband – or so you’d think if you watched a seaside Punch and Judy show.

Blues make it a double

Linfield replicated their end of season celebrations from 12 months ago as they lifted their second trophy in the space of a week, defeating Crusaders 4-1 in Saturday’s Irish Cup final.

My marathon highs and lows

HIGHLIGHTS 1. Sheltering in City Hall with marathon veteran from New York Fr Brian Jordan — chaplain to the trade unions of the Big Apple — before the 9am start while thousands were getting drenched outside waiting for the Lord Mayor Niall Óg to sound the starting horn (gun for off apparently decommissioned).