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Sunday World
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Victims campaigner slams return of notorious ‘terrorist mural' in Belfast
'The only 'war' Mount Vernon were in was the one they waged against their own people and on innocent Catholics.' PACEMAKER BELFAST 27/12/2024: The Loyalist terror mural in north Belfast that was badly damaged buring Storm Darragh. The top of the infamous 'Prepared For Peace, Ready For War' mural at the entrance to Mount Vernon estate in north Belfast was blown off by the high winds. Today the rest of the mural has been demolished. Picture By: /Pacemaker Press Pacemaker Press 20-06-2025: The well known 'Prepared For Peace Ready For War' mural at Mount Vernon in North Belfast damaged by Storm Darragh and is now being rebuilt . Picture By: Pacemaker Press The mural with the test, "Prepared for peace, ready for war." Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images Victims campaigner Raymond McCord has slammed the reappearance of a notorious UVF mural in north Belfast. The infamous 'Ready For Peace Prepared For War' mural is once more set to dominate the entrance to the Mount Vernon estate. A newly constructed wall and freshly painted mural is nearing completion seven months after Storm Darragh brought the original crashing to the ground. It had been hoped that would be the end of the giant image featuring two masked gunmen. Victims campaigner Raymond McCord But now it is back and set to be unveiled in time for the Twelfth celebrations. Mount Vernon UVF carried out the 1997 murder of Mr McCord's son. Everyone of those involved were exposed as RUC Special Branch at they time they lured their victim to a quarry where he was murdered. No one has ever been charged with the murder despite being repeatedly identified as the culprits. Last night Mr McCord said politicians and the Housing Executive on whose property the wall has been built have questions to answer. 'Questions must be asked by those local elected politicians why the drug dealing Special Branch controlled Mount Vernon UVF have been allowed to build a wall with a mural of a terrorist organisation on it,' he said. The mural with the test, "Prepared for peace, ready for war." Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images News in 90 Seconds - June 28th 'The only 'war' Mount Vernon were in was the one they waged against their own people and on innocent Catholics. 'The NIHE has questions to answer regarding permission to build the wall. We all know Mount Vernon UVF are not loyalists but criminals and cowards.' The reappearance of the mural comes as the UVF have given indications they are preparing to disband, but there is little sign of them going away in Mount Vernon. 'The local decent people of Mount Vernon fear them even though there's not a real man among them. 'You cannot support your community and support the UVF. Mount Vernon not only killed my son, they killed their own community with drugs, beatings, extortion and murders. 'The terrorist mural is a reminder to all that we still have the cowards in our unionist community who hide behind a flag of convenience.' Storm Darragh, which struck in December last year, partially destroyed the wall and mural, which also included the logos of the UVF and the Young Citizen Volunteers.
Sunday World
26-06-2025
- Sunday World
ATM stolen in ‘shocking' and ‘reckless' overnight raid at shop
Police and forensic teams remained at the scene this morning and cordoned off the area. Police investigate ATM theft in Greenisland, Co Antrim. Pic by Kirth Ferris/Pacemaker Press. Police at the scene of an ATM theft in Greenisland, Co Antrim. Pic by Kirth Ferris/Pacemaker Press. Forensic detectives gathering evidence at the scene of an ATM raid in Greenisland. Pic by Kirth Ferris/Pacemaker Press. An ATM has been stolen from commercial premises in Co Antrim. Thieves targeted the cash dispenser at Russells Food & Drink store on Upper Road in Greenisland in the early hours of Thursday morning. It's understood a van was involved in the raid which happened just after 1am. Police at the scene of an ATM theft in Greenisland, Co Antrim. Pic by Kirth Ferris/Pacemaker Press. Police and forensic teams remained at the scene this morning and cordoned off the area. Local councillor Aaron Skinner said it's believed the vehicle reversed up to the machine as suspects forced entry and used a hoist system to remove the unit. "Shocking to hear about an ATM theft in Greenisland overnight at Russells on the Upper Road,' he posted on social media. 'A van was used to pull the machine out of the building just after 1am. Forensic detectives gathering evidence at the scene of an ATM raid in Greenisland. Pic by Kirth Ferris/Pacemaker Press. News in 90 Seconds - June 26th "Police have cordoned off the scene and forensics are carrying out investigations. 'This kind of crime is rare in our area, but it's still a big blow for a local shop and the people who rely on it. "It's a reckless and dangerous act that could have easily hurt someone.' The Alliance representative urged anyone who 'saw or heard anything, even if you're not sure it's important' to pass it on to the police via 101. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Detectives are investigating a report of the theft of an ATM from retail premises in the Upper Road area of Greenisland, around 1.30am on Thursday, June 26. 'Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have dash-cam, CCTV or other video footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 84 of 26/6/25.'
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Looks amazing' parents cry as new seafront playground with unreal view & incredible theme opens minutes from busy city
TAKE a look at the new seafront playground with an unreal view that's perfect for a family day out. Located just 13 minutes from Belfast city, the latest addition on Seapark Road in Holywood has lots for little ones to tire themselves out over this summer. Advertisement 3 The latest addition to the Seapark Road is open all year long Credit: Social Media Collect 3 The new park is located within a minute's walking distance of stunning beaches Credit: Pacemaker Press The main parkland and recreational area has a variety of activities including tennis courts, a bowling green and a putting green. And now a new upgraded playground has been installed. One local business shared its excitement about the latest addition to the Holywood area. The post captioned "AHOY! The New Playpark at Seapark is OPEN and looks AMAZING!!!", showed off the new pirate themed park. Advertisement READ MORE ON TRAVEL The company, which posts under the @offthegrid_coffee, said: "I can't wait to get my niece and sister down!" as it gave its 3,000 followers a sneak peek of the latest attraction. "Here's a sneak peek! There are even a few additional benches that have been added so you can all enjoy a coffee while watching the kids play." From slides to seats, the newest playground has many new additions to keep everyone happy this summer. With a pirate style throughout, the play park has all new types of swings, including a hanging basket, baby-safe swing, and the classic swinging style. Advertisement Most read in Travel Keeping on theme, the park features a large playboat with a built-in slide and tightrope walk. Inside the 'world-first' Wallce & Gromit theme park ride Avoid serious injuries this summer, as the ground is made of a squishy material, which is ideal for accident-prone children. And supervise your children in comfort as the area will see the addition of multiple new benches. Many parents were eager to get to the latest location this summer as one commented: "Where is it exactly?" Advertisement Others will love the latest playground all over social media calling it "amazing!" and "very cool". As popular creator The spot is best known for its panoramic views of Belfast Lough and is the starting point for the North Down Coastal Path. PHOENIX PARK And in Dublin, why not take a trip to the playground that was Advertisement Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed public parks in any capital city in Amenities include the popular Dublin Zoo, cafes, and its many fields, making it the perfect place for having a picnic - and there is something for everyone. Visitors can hire bikes, take Dublin Zoo is a favourite among kids of all ages, and is a great way to keep them busy during the Advertisement Also located in Phoenix Park is the perfect thing to help prolong the day while tiring out the little ones before bedtime. To the west of the Victorian Walled Garden at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre is the universal access Opened in 2008, it has been a huge success with The playground is imaginatively themed and designed in a bright and attractive way. Advertisement It features a variety of play units, and is also accessible for children with The famous couple brought their daughter Blue Ivy to play on the swings and slides while in the country for Beyonce's concerts. One onlooker said at the time: "They were dressed down and you had to look twice to see who it was." 3 The playground is pirate themed and included new swings, slides and benches Credit: Advertisement
Sunday World
21-06-2025
- Sunday World
Man arrested under Terrorism Act after viable device thrown inside Belfast Islamic Centre
Police probe potential hate motive as incident is widely condemned Police said a viable device was thrown inside the building. A window was smashed during the incident. One man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act. Kashif Akram said the attack, which happened shortly after 10pm last night, had caused much distress. He told the Belfast Telegraph the centre, on University Road, had to be evacuated, disrupting evening prayers. Political representatives branded it a sinister attack and said it must be strongly condemned. A broken window after an attack at the Belfast Islamic Centre. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Police said one man remained in custody this afternoon. Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said: 'Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm on Friday that an object had been thrown through a window at a property in the University Road area of the city. 'Officers attended and carried out a search of the building where a suspicious device was discovered. 'Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examined the object which was determined as viable and has since been removed for forensic examination. 'A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the scene and remains in police custody at this time. It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established. Police at the scene last night (left) and the Islamic Centre this morning (right) News in 90 Seconds - June 21st 'Detectives from Serious Crime Branch are currently working at pace and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime. 'At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack.' A video from the first floor of the centre, seen by this newspaper, shows a man reaching into the building. . "I saw the flames in his hand from above but couldn't capture it in the video," they said. A pedestrian walking by stopped the suspect from doing any damage. A clip of the incident shows the young man grabbing the suspect and pulling him away. The suspect can be heard telling the pedestrian that he was "trying to save the world" as he was being dragged away. "He was the first to stop him," the witness continued. "Only then did we reach there." Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph today, Mr Akram said he strongly condemned the 'vile attack'. 'During evening prayers last night, one of the windows was broken and a device was thrown inside the building,' he said. Police at the scene of the security alert outside Belfast Islamic Centre (Photo by Kevin Scott) 'Everyone was evacuated from the building and the police were quick to respond. 'We were unable to continue night prayers as the whole area was cordoned off and nobody was allowed near the building. 'A bomb squad eventually removed the device in the early hours of this morning. 'We have had incidents in the past but nothing of this kind.' He said that while members were very angry and upset, the centre has been able to reopen today. South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said she was 'appalled' at the attack. 'I am hugely relieved that no one was seriously injured, but this was a frightening and disturbing experience for the centre's users and for all of us who value a peaceful and shared society,' she said. Read more Hanna added: 'Belfast is an open and welcoming city. No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship.' SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said it was a 'cowardly attack' and 'yet another stark reminder of the very real and growing threat of race hate in our society'. Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said: 'This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time. 'Nevertheless, I am thankful for the intervention of a nearby passer-by and for the work of the police. Those were much more reflective of the true spirit of Belfast, where most people rejoice in diversity.' The Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey said the 'sinister' incident must be strongly condemned. She added: 'No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected. 'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home. 'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.' Green Party councillor Áine Groogan said she was 'horrified', describing it as a "cowardly and vicious act'.
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
My sister died holding hands with best pal in Debs crash – no jail for man driving 150kph before horror adds to our pain
DEBS crash victim Dlava Mohamed's sister has blasted the suspended sentence handed down to a reckless Romanian driver who hit speeds of more than 150kph in the lead-up to the fatal smash. Best pals Dlava, 16, and Kiea McCann, 17, Advertisement 5 Dlava Mohamed's sister has blasted a suspended sentence for another horror driver Credit: Pacemaker Press 5 Dlava and her best pal Kiea McCann died in the crash in Monaghan in 2023 Credit: Pacemaker Press 5 Driver Anthony McGinn was recently sentenced to seven years in jail over the crash Credit: Pacemaker Press Killer driver Anthony McGinn, a friend of Kiea's family who had offered to drive the two teenagers to their school party, A Advertisement Debs chauffeur McGinn was jailed at Monaghan Circuit Court last month after Heartbreaking victim impact statements revealed how Kiea and Dlava died 'holding hands' after McGinn ignored pleas to slow down. He also admitted to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm as Dlava's sister Avin, 19, suffered life-altering injuries. The Debs victims' families Now Advertisement Alin Sorin Gatea, 46, appeared at a sitting of Monaghan District Court on Monday on multiple counts of dangerous driving on the day of the Debs crash. Gatea, of Carn Heights, Clones, Co Monaghan, faced five counts of dangerous driving at various locations between Clones and Monaghan on July 31, 2023. One of the counts related to a charge at Legnakelly, just outside Clones, where Dlava and Kiea lost their lives in the crash en route to their Debs ball in the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan town. Schoolgirl best friends died holding hands in horror crash Monaghan District Court heard father-of-four Gatea hit speeds of more than 150kph in his BMW as it followed McGinn's BMW. On Monday, Judge Raymond Finnegan gave Gatea an 18-month suspended prison sentence and disqualified the factory worker from driving for four years. Advertisement Reacting to the sentence, Dlava's sister Lilav tonight called for tougher sentences for speeding drivers in a bid to reduce fatalities on our roads. 'THERE HAS TO BE CONSEQUENCES' Lilav, 23, told the Irish Sun: 'It is only a suspended sentence. There has to be consequences. 'I'm so confused. Where is the punishment? There has to be a deterrent. 'Maybe more people should die for something to happen? 'The sentence should be stronger to send out a strong message. What about the young people, what does it say to them about speeding? Advertisement 'There definitely has to be stronger consequences.' FAMILY DEVASTATED Emotional Lilav told how the Mohamed clan came to Ireland from war-torn Syria to build their dreams. But with their lives shattered by the road traffic tragedy, Dlava's heartbroken family want lessons to be learned from their devastating loss. Opening up on their pain, anguished Lilav told the Irish Sun: 'It's hard to say how we're coping with it. Of course nothing is the same. 'There have been huge changes in our lives, definitely. So there should be huge changes for people speeding so dangerously and recklessly. Advertisement 'THERE IS ANGER' 'That man (Gatea) got a suspended sentence. What does that say to young people? If they see this kind of news, they're going to be like we're going to be fine if we cross the speed or anything. 'He (Gatea) was speeding like the other man (McGinn). Both of them are adults. 'There is anger, definitely. I want my message to be heard. There should be strong sentences, it could act as a deterrent, it could help save lives.' Monaghan District Court heard Gatea drove at speeds of more than 150kph in his BMW as it followed McGinn's BMW on a wet road. HIGH SPEEDS Dad Gatea had two passengers in his vehicle, his son, who was 19 at the time, and another teenager, who was 18 at the time. Advertisement He was driving both of them to the Debs ball at the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan on the evening of July 31, 2023. The court heard the Romanian travelled at high speeds behind McGinn's BMW prior to the fatal collision. Inspector Ann-Marie Lardner revealed that following forensics of Gatea's dash cam footage, investigators confirmed the Romanian national was travelling at a minimum speed of 145kph and a maximum speed of 151kph at the time. 'I'm so confused. Where is the punishment? There has to be a deterrent." Lilav Mohamed Insp Lardner told Judge Finnegan that these speeds were almost double the speed limit. Defence solicitor, Catherine Taaffe, insisted that there had been 'no joint enterprise' or suggestion that her client had been acting in concert with the other car. Advertisement Ms Taaffe revealed the dash cam footage shown in court was voluntarily supplied by Gatea after he witnessed a serious event ahead of him. Ms Taaffe pointed out that Gatea's dash cam helped the state in bringing someone to justice for a much more serious crime. ANGRY REACTION And the defence solicitor highlighted how the charges before the court were for speeding, saying they had no bearing on the serious fatal collision that occurred that evening. The court was also told that Gatea had shown good levels of cooperation during the investigation. Members of Kiea's family, who attended the sentencing hearing, reacted angrily when it was put to Judge Finnegan there had been no indication of any racing element being involved. Advertisement 'KARMA WILL COME TO YOU' Asked by the judge if the McCann family believed the drivers were racing, Garda Inspector Lardner told the court 'yes they do'. The McCann family tonight joined the Mohamed clan in blasting the sentence given to Gatea. Kiea's dad Frankie stormed: 'Karma will come to you and Anthony.' Kiea's mum Teresa branded both Gatea and McGinn a total disgrace. Teresa rapped: 'Terrible the way the country is run. Advertisement 'TWO GIRLS' LIVES GONE' 'My child Kiea's life and friend Dlava's life taken. . . and this is the outcome of it. Two girls' lives gone. Handing down sentence, Judge Finnegan slammed the way Gatea drove, insisting he clearly put But the judge explained the DPP had directed him over the dangerous driving charges and that he can only act on the counts before him. Judge Finnegan issued three six month suspended sentences and disqualified Gatea from driving for four years. 5 Grieving relatives say they have suffered fresh trauma over the recent sentence Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Advertisement 5 The McCann family tonight joined the Mohamed clan in blasting the sentence Credit: Pacemaker Press
