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Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Crowds enjoy Ballymena Pride while teenager charged over ‘disgusting' slurry incident ahead of parade
Police are treating the incident, which happened overnight, as a hate crime. The parade went ahead this afternoon, with colourful scenes on the streets as hundreds of people took part. Banners and rainbow flags were carried as the procession made its way through the town. A small counter-protest was also staged, with some displaying religious messages on placards. This afternoon the PSNI said the man had been charged in connection with the slurry incident ahead of the parade. 'A 19-year-old man, arrested in the Granville Road area of Ballymena, after slurry was spread on a number of roads in the area on Saturday morning, has been charged with criminal damage, possession of an article with a blade or point and causing material to be deposited on a road. "He is due to appear at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, June 30. "As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.' Political representatives led condemnation of the incident, with one MLA saying it was a 'disgusting' attempt to intimidate those taking part in the Pride parade. Local people and businesses took part in a clean-up operation this morning. The Pride parade started at 2pm and finished up at Greenvale Street, which was one of the areas affected, an hour later. Organisers said the event was an effort to celebrate "diversity, inclusion and cross-community unity.' Scott Cuthbertson from The Rainbow Project thanked local businesses who helped clear the area ahead of the parade. He branded the incident 'disgusting'. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said 'There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration of love, identity and community.' She added: 'Ballymena Pride is a historic and hopeful moment for our town. No amount of hate will drown out the message of inclusion, solidarity, and pride that today represents.' Justice Minister Naomi Long said on X: 'I despair the mentality of those who spread slurry on the streets of their town motivated by hate and bigotry. Disgusting in every sense of the word. 'Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate.' Watch: Belfast Pride Parade 2024 UUP MLA Doug Beattie also condemned what happened. 'I think this is appalling, stupid and a level of hatred not wanted by the majority of people in Ballymena,' he said. Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said: 'This is a disgraceful act, clearly intended to disrupt Ballymena's first pride parade and intimidate those taking part.' SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said it was a 'shameful and targeted act of intimidation'. Ahead of the parade, the PSNI said there would be an increased police presence in Ballymena 'to ensure everyone's safety'. 'Pride is an important event for those in our community who identify as LGBT+ and for those who want to show support for our LGBT+ community,' a spokesperson said. 'We want members of our LGBT+ communities in Mid and East Antrim to feel represented by their Police Service and to know that if they come forward to report an incident, they will be met with fairness and respect, particularly if they have been subject to hate crime in any form.'
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Crowds enjoy Pride parade in Ballymena as teenager charged over slurry incident
Police are treating the incident, which happened overnight, as a hate crime. The parade went ahead this afternoon, with colourful scenes on the streets as hundreds of people took part. Banners and rainbow flags were carried as the procession made its way through the town. A small counter-protest was also staged, with some displaying religious messages on placards. This afternoon the PSNI said the man had been charged in connection with the slurry incident ahead of the parade. 'A 19-year-old man, arrested in the Granville Road area of Ballymena, after slurry was spread on a number of roads in the area on Saturday morning, has been charged with criminal damage, possession of an article with a blade or point and causing material to be deposited on a road. "He is due to appear at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, June 30. "As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.' Political representatives led condemnation of the incident, with one MLA saying it was a 'disgusting' attempt to intimidate those taking part in the Pride parade. Local people and businesses took part in a clean-up operation this morning. The Pride parade started at 2pm and finished up at Greenvale Street, which was one of the areas affected, an hour later. Organisers said the event was an effort to celebrate "diversity, inclusion and cross-community unity.' Scott Cuthbertson from The Rainbow Project thanked local businesses who helped clear the area ahead of the parade. He branded the incident 'disgusting'. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said 'There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration of love, identity and community.' News Catch Up - Friday 27th June She added: 'Ballymena Pride is a historic and hopeful moment for our town. No amount of hate will drown out the message of inclusion, solidarity, and pride that today represents.' Justice Minister Naomi Long said on X: 'I despair the mentality of those who spread slurry on the streets of their town motivated by hate and bigotry. Disgusting in every sense of the word. 'Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate.' UUP MLA Doug Beattie also condemned what happened. 'I think this is appalling, stupid and a level of hatred not wanted by the majority of people in Ballymena,' he said. Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said: 'This is a disgraceful act, clearly intended to disrupt Ballymena's first pride parade and intimidate those taking part.' SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said it was a 'shameful and targeted act of intimidation'. Ahead of the parade, the PSNI said there would be an increased police presence in Ballymena 'to ensure everyone's safety'. 'Pride is an important event for those in our community who identify as LGBT+ and for those who want to show support for our LGBT+ community,' a spokesperson said. 'We want members of our LGBT+ communities in Mid and East Antrim to feel represented by their Police Service and to know that if they come forward to report an incident, they will be met with fairness and respect, particularly if they have been subject to hate crime in any form.'
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Former Mid and East Antrim chief faces prosecution over alleged deleted emails
The former head of Mid and East Antrim Council is facing prosecution in a probe into the alleged deletion of emails. Anne Donaghy has 'denied any wrongdoing during her time in office'. A solicitor of Ms Donaghy added she will 'vehemently contest these three technical offences'. Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday confirmed that it has taken a decision to prosecute two people following a police probe into the alleged deletion of emails related to a freedom of information (FOI) request at the council in 2021. It comes after a BBC Spotlight programme reported police searches of the council offices in October 2021 and April 2022 were connected to an alleged attempt to delete correspondence around a decision to withdraw council staff involved in post-Brexit trade agreement checks at Larne Port. During a time of political tension over the introduction of an 'Irish Sea border', a number of staff were temporarily removed from the posts for their safety following alleged threats from loyalist paramilitaries. Department of Agriculture staff were also withdrawn from the port on February 1 2021 amid security concerns. However police later said they were not aware of any credible threats. A PPS spokesperson said one individual is being prosecuted for three offences under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and a second individual is being prosecuted for one offence under the same Act. 'The charges relate to offences allegedly committed in April 2021 and June 2021,' they said. In total four individuals were reported on a police investigation file submitted to the PPS for consideration. The PPS said a senior prosecutor carefully considered all the available evidence and applied the test for prosecution before taking decisions in relation to the four reported individuals. 'It has been determined that the available evidence in relation to the other two reported individuals is insufficient in order to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction and therefore the test for prosecution is not met in relation to them,' they said. Solicitor Kevin Winters said Ms Donaghy has an outstanding High Court legal action against the council alleging discrimination. 'Today we received notification that she will be prosecuted on three counts of allegedly concealing records, aiding and abetting another person to erase or conceal a record and attempting to erase or conceal a record contrary to FOIA and other legislation,' he said. 'Our client denies any wrongdoing during her time in office and will vehemently contest these three technical offences. 'Central to her defence will be very strong allegations of investigative bias over the manner in which this inquiry has been conducted. 'Those same allegations have been the subject of a long-running complaint to PONI, the out workings of which will feature in any trial, if one is ever directed.' He added: 'Anne Donaghy has an impeccable record and service working for the council. 'She wants to put on record her sincere thanks for the all the support she has received from former colleagues in council and beyond in the wider community. 'Our client takes a lot of strength from this and knows it will serve her well going forward when confronting what are essentially contrived politically motivated allegations.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Former Mid and East Antrim chief faces prosecution over alleged deleted emails
Anne Donaghy has 'denied any wrongdoing during her time in office'. A solicitor of Ms Donaghy added she will 'vehemently contest these three technical offences'. Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday confirmed that it has taken a decision to prosecute two people following a police probe into the alleged deletion of emails related to a freedom of information (FOI) request at the council in 2021. It comes after a BBC Spotlight programme reported police searches of the council offices in October 2021 and April 2022 were connected to an alleged attempt to delete correspondence around a decision to withdraw council staff involved in post-Brexit trade agreement checks at Larne Port. During a time of political tension over the introduction of an 'Irish Sea border', a number of staff were temporarily removed from the posts for their safety following alleged threats from loyalist paramilitaries. Department of Agriculture staff were also withdrawn from the port on February 1 2021 amid security concerns. However police later said they were not aware of any credible threats. A PPS spokesperson said one individual is being prosecuted for three offences under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and a second individual is being prosecuted for one offence under the same Act. 'The charges relate to offences allegedly committed in April 2021 and June 2021,' they said. In total four individuals were reported on a police investigation file submitted to the PPS for consideration. The PPS said a senior prosecutor carefully considered all the available evidence and applied the test for prosecution before taking decisions in relation to the four reported individuals. 'It has been determined that the available evidence in relation to the other two reported individuals is insufficient in order to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction and therefore the test for prosecution is not met in relation to them,' they said. Solicitor Kevin Winters said Ms Donaghy has an outstanding High Court legal action against the council alleging discrimination. 'Today we received notification that she will be prosecuted on three counts of allegedly concealing records, aiding and abetting another person to erase or conceal a record and attempting to erase or conceal a record contrary to FOIA and other legislation,' he said. 'Our client denies any wrongdoing during her time in office and will vehemently contest these three technical offences. 'Central to her defence will be very strong allegations of investigative bias over the manner in which this inquiry has been conducted. 'Those same allegations have been the subject of a long-running complaint to PONI, the out workings of which will feature in any trial, if one is ever directed.' He added: 'Anne Donaghy has an impeccable record and service working for the council. 'She wants to put on record her sincere thanks for the all the support she has received from former colleagues in council and beyond in the wider community. 'Our client takes a lot of strength from this and knows it will serve her well going forward when confronting what are essentially contrived politically motivated allegations.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Former Mid and East Antrim chief faces prosecution over alleged deleted emails
Anne Donaghy has 'denied any wrongdoing during her time in office'. A solicitor of Ms Donaghy added she will 'vehemently contest these three technical offences'. Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday confirmed that it has taken a decision to prosecute two people following a police probe into the alleged deletion of emails related to a freedom of information (FOI) request at the council in 2021. An anti-Northern Ireland Protocol sign close to Larne Port (Liam McBurney/PA) It comes after a BBC Spotlight programme reported police searches of the council offices in October 2021 and April 2022 were connected to an alleged attempt to delete correspondence around a decision to withdraw council staff involved in post-Brexit trade agreement checks at Larne Port. During a time of political tension over the introduction of an 'Irish Sea border', a number of staff were temporarily removed from the posts for their safety following alleged threats from loyalist paramilitaries. Department of Agriculture staff were also withdrawn from the port on February 1 2021 amid security concerns. However police later said they were not aware of any credible threats. A PPS spokesperson said one individual is being prosecuted for three offences under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and a second individual is being prosecuted for one offence under the same Act. 'The charges relate to offences allegedly committed in April 2021 and June 2021,' they said. In total four individuals were reported on a police investigation file submitted to the PPS for consideration. The PPS said a senior prosecutor carefully considered all the available evidence and applied the test for prosecution before taking decisions in relation to the four reported individuals. 'It has been determined that the available evidence in relation to the other two reported individuals is insufficient in order to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction and therefore the test for prosecution is not met in relation to them,' they said. Belfast solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law (Liam McBurney/PA) Solicitor Kevin Winters said Ms Donaghy has an outstanding High Court legal action against the council alleging discrimination. 'Today we received notification that she will be prosecuted on three counts of allegedly concealing records, aiding and abetting another person to erase or conceal a record and attempting to erase or conceal a record contrary to FOIA and other legislation,' he said. 'Our client denies any wrongdoing during her time in office and will vehemently contest these three technical offences. 'Central to her defence will be very strong allegations of investigative bias over the manner in which this inquiry has been conducted. 'Those same allegations have been the subject of a long-running complaint to PONI, the out workings of which will feature in any trial, if one is ever directed.' He added: 'Anne Donaghy has an impeccable record and service working for the council. 'She wants to put on record her sincere thanks for the all the support she has received from former colleagues in council and beyond in the wider community. 'Our client takes a lot of strength from this and knows it will serve her well going forward when confronting what are essentially contrived politically motivated allegations.'
