A Newtownabbey community worker has accused the Housing Executive of ignoring their responsibilities after they rejected a deal that would see the removal of around 200 tyres from a notorious bonfire site in the heart of Rathcoole. Last year the bonfire, located in green space on the East Way road, gained massive media attention after […]
‘Why was our offer to end tyre-burning on bonfire turned down?’
Belfast university threatened with closure outperforms Oxford in prestigious league table
The principal of St Mary’s University College said their high ranking in a prestigious university league table is is a vindication after a difficult year in which they faced closure. Professor Peter Finn was speaking after the Falls Road university was placed number two in the Guardian newspaper’s league table for universities. St Mary’s came […]
Belfast shop’s same-sex referendum display turns into a window on the world
A Belfast shop window display celebrating the equal marriage referendum result has created an internet sensation and even attracted interest from news giant CNN. Staff from Noel Grimley Electrics on the Andersonstown Road marked the ‘Yes’ to same-sex marriage by creating a display of two Henry Hoovers with a ‘Just Married’ balloon, flowers and congratulations […]
Tense wait as Villiers weighs up DUP offer to take over responsibility for welfare from Stormont
THE DUP has urged London to take over responsibility for welfare from the Assembly after the party’s bid to push through the Welfare Bill failed after a lengthy debate yesterday. A petition of concern tabled by Sinn Féin and backed by the SDLP and the Greens ensured that the bill would be blocked, opening the […]
Stormont on brink of collapse
As First Minister Peter Robinson recovers in the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast from a suspected heart attack, his party colleagues will today bring forward a Welfare Bill which could trigger the collapse of the Stormont Executive. Having abandoned talks with Sinn Féin to close the gap between the two big parties on protections […]
Narrower pavements for new transit system must mean lower speed limits, says urban campaigner
An architect and campaigner has called for a reduction in the speed limit on one of the city’s main roads to reduce safety fears around the new Rapid Transit System. Declan Hill from the Forum for an Alternative Belfast says the narrowing of pavements on the Falls Road represents a danger to pedestrians and has […]