Latest news with #MatthewOToole
BreakingNews.ie
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Concern after Loyalist bonfire in Belfast is sited close to electricity substation
Concern has been expressed over the siting of a loyalist bonfire close to an electricity substation in Belfast. The location of the towering pyre is also close to two major Belfast hospitals. Advertisement NIE Networks said it has put mitigations in place at the substation to reduce the risk of damage, while the Belfast Health Trust said it is working to mitigate any impact on patient care or treatment. Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole, who represents South Belfast, also expressed concern around the presence of asbestos on the site. The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works. There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything. Why not? — Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) July 8, 2025 'The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works,' he said in a post on the social media network X. 'There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything. Why not?' Advertisement In a statement, the Belfast Trust said it is 'currently working to mitigate any impact on patient care or treatment, and has notified NIE of concerns around any potential outage'. 'Senior engineers will remain on site at Belfast City Hospital during the eleventh night,' they added. 'Discussions are ongoing with all relevant agencies.' A bonfire has been built on Broadway Industrial Estate off Donegal Road in south Belfast, ahead of events to mark July 12th. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. NIE Networks said it has met with relevant stakeholders to express its concerns over the bonfire's proximity to the substation causing potential risk to critical infrastructure and power outages. Advertisement 'Mitigations have been put in place, including turning off the transformers adjacent to the bonfire, building scaffolding with metal sheeting around the transformers and placing steel plates on open cable ducts to reduce the risk of fire and damage,' they said. 'Whilst these mitigations are in place, there will be a reduction in security of supply for the area. 'We would remind the public that flames near to power lines and electricity substations pose serious risk to everyone's safety and wellbeing.' The bonfire, just off the Donegall Road, is one of an estimated 300 set to be lit across July 10-11 in Northern Ireland. Advertisement Most of the bonfires, which are normally lit ahead of loyal order parades across the region on July 12, pass off without incident. However the fires, ranging from towering structures to beacons, have sparked anger following the burning of flags, effigies and election posters in the past. One of the tallest bonfires in recent years has been at Craigyhill in Larne, which reportedly reached 62 metres in 2022.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Concern after Loyalist bonfire in Belfast is sited close to electricity substation
Concern has been expressed over the siting of a loyalist bonfire close to an electricity substation in Belfast. The location of the towering pyre is also close to two major Belfast hospitals. NIE Networks said it has put mitigations in place at the substation to reduce the risk of damage, while the Belfast Health Trust said it is working to mitigate any impact on patient care or treatment. Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole, who represents South Belfast, also expressed concern around the presence of asbestos on the site. The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works. There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything. Why not? — Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) July 8, 2025 'The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works,' he said in a post on the social media network X. 'There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything. Why not?' In a statement, the Belfast Trust said it is 'currently working to mitigate any impact on patient care or treatment, and has notified NIE of concerns around any potential outage'. 'Senior engineers will remain on site at Belfast City Hospital during the eleventh night,' they added. 'Discussions are ongoing with all relevant agencies.' NIE Networks said it has met with relevant stakeholders to express its concerns over the bonfire's proximity to the substation causing potential risk to critical infrastructure and power outages. 'Mitigations have been put in place, including turning off the transformers adjacent to the bonfire, building scaffolding with metal sheeting around the transformers and placing steel plates on open cable ducts to reduce the risk of fire and damage,' they said. 'Whilst these mitigations are in place, there will be a reduction in security of supply for the area. 'We would remind the public that flames near to power lines and electricity substations pose serious risk to everyone's safety and wellbeing.' The bonfire, just off the Donegall Road, is one of an estimated 300 set to be lit across July 10-11 in Northern Ireland. Most of the bonfires, which are normally lit ahead of loyal order parades across the region on July 12, pass off without incident. However the fires, ranging from towering structures to beacons, have sparked anger following the burning of flags, effigies and election posters in the past. One of the tallest bonfires in recent years has been at Craigyhill in Larne, which reportedly reached 62 metres in 2022.
BreakingNews.ie
15-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
SDLP calls for ‘clarity' over involvement of loyalist paramilitaries in disorder
The SDLP has called for public clarity over any involvement of loyalist paramilitaries in rioting in Northern Ireland. The official opposition party at Stormont has said it will also 'demand a clear, co-ordinated response from the Executive' to the violence. Advertisement In total, 64 police officers have been injured in disturbances that started on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena and later spread to other areas. The SDLP's Stormont leader Matthew O'Toole said the party will write to PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and the Independent Reporting Commission to 'request public clarity on the involvement of loyalist paramilitaries, either formally or informally, in the violence of the last week'. Mr O'Toole said they would also be asking the police chief about other surges in racially motivated violence, including last summer's riots in Belfast. He said: 'The violence we have seen over the past week has shamed this society. Advertisement 'Words of condemnation are important, and shamefully, certain unionist politicians have found it impossible to even offer condemnation without equivocation or double talk. 'Now the real test of our devolved institutions is whether they can act on the heinous events of the past week.' He added: 'Will we see the Finance Minister work with the Justice Minister to increase PSNI numbers beyond simply the short-term additional funding promised in recent days? 'Will the Justice Minister move to update our outdated hate crime laws, something she said was a priority but has seen no progress since Stormont returned? Advertisement 'When exactly do the First Ministers plan to engage seriously on the epidemic of race hate we are seeing in Northern Ireland given their responsibilities for good relations and racial equality?' Mr O'Toole said he would also be 'insisting on clear accountability' for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who has been criticised for a social media post sent hours ahead of an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre. Mr Lyons has resisted calls for his resignation, stating that the use of the leisure centre to temporarily house families which had fled the violence in Ballymena was already in the public domain before his post. The SDLP has referred the post to the Assembly Standards Commissioner to investigate if a breach of the ministerial code has taken place. Mr O'Toole said: 'The Executive cannot simply let the events of the past week slide by with the kind of inaction and passivity which has become their trademark. 'People's lives are at stake and the SDLP Opposition will be pressing for meaningful action to protect those people and tackle hate in our society.'
BreakingNews.ie
12-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Police come under attack during third night of disorder in Ballymena
Petrol bombs, a hatchet and masonry were among items thrown at police during a third consecutive night of disorder in Ballymena. Officers responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the Co Antrim town. Advertisement Unrest spread to other towns on Wednesday, including Coleraine and Larne, where the leisure centre was set on fire by masked vandals who also smashed windows. A firefighter outside Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism (Liam McBurney/PA) The facility had temporarily been used as emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena earlier in the week. Northern Ireland's Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the NI Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. A fire in Ballymena on Wednesday night (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) SLDP MLA Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer Mr Lyons to the standards commission following the fire. Advertisement Several arrests have been made, and dozens of police officers have been injured during the sustained unrest in Ballymena, which also saw multiple properties and vehicles set on fire. In the town on Wednesday, the PSNI deployed riot police for a third night in a row as hundreds gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. At least one protester was struck by plastic baton rounds fired by police, while officers also used a water cannon on the crowd. PSNI vehicles forming a barricade outside The Braid, Ballymena Town Hall Museum and Arts Centre (Liam McBurney/PA) Officers also used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Advertisement Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them down Bridge Street onto other roadways. They came under sustained attack as those participating in the disorder hurled petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks at police vehicles and officers standing nearby. Rioters smashed the windows of a house on North Street and set multiple fires on streets in the surrounding area. The disorder and stand-off with police continued past midnight. Advertisement The PSNI have also noted scenes of disorder in Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey earlier in the week, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one was charged. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. Rioters attacked police in Ballymena on Tuesday night (Niall Carson/PA) PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Advertisement Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. A second night of violence took place in Ballymena (Niall Carson/PA) NI First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly appeared together on Wednesday to voice their condemnation. Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery'. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly speak to media at the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Wednesday (David Young/PA) With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (third right) during a visit to Clonavon Terrace (Niall Carson/PA) The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Ballymena riots: Leisure centre attacked, petrol bombs thrown in third night of violence
Petrol bombs, a hatchet and masonry were among items thrown at police during a third consecutive night of disorder in Ballymena . Officers responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the Co Antrim town. Unrest spread to other towns on Wednesday, including Coleraine and Larne, 30 minutes away from Ballymena – where the leisure centre was set on fire by masked vandals who also smashed windows. The facility had temporarily been used as emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena earlier in the week. READ MORE Larne Leisure Centre was targeted on Wednesday evening as a third night of unrest unfolds Several arrests have been made and dozens of police officers have been injured during the sustained unrest in Ballymena, which also saw multiple properties and vehicles set on fire. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the leisure centre in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. SLDP MLA Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer Mr Lyons to the standards commission following the fire. Police officers on Clonavon Road in Ballymena following a second night of violence in Ballymena, during a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the Co Antrim town. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire In the town, the PSNI deployed riot police for a third night in a row as hundreds gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. At least one protester was struck by plastic baton rounds fired by police while officers also used a water cannon on the crowd. Officers also used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them down Bridge Street onto other roadways. They came under sustained attack as those participating in disorder hurled petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks at police vehicles and officers standing nearby. Rioters smashed the windows of a house on North Street and set multiple fires on streets in the surrounding area. The disorder and stand-off with police continued past midnight. Elsewhere, social media footage appeared to show an established fire on train tracks running through Coleraine. Earlier, a senior officer said the PSNI had requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following further violence in Ballymena. The PSNI have also noted scenes of disorder in Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey earlier in the week, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one charged. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly appeared together on Wednesday to voice their condemnation. Sinn Fein vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery'. With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged. - Press Association
