Latest news with #TwelfthofJuly
Irish Post
23 minutes ago
- Politics
- Irish Post
Police treat paint attack on Orange Hall in Co. Antrim as hate crime
THE PSNI has said it is treating a paint attack on an Orange Hall in Rasharkin, Co. Antrim as a hate crime. Paint was thrown over the front of the building and graffiti daubed on walls opposite ahead of a Twelfth of July parade in the town. The force has also said it is treating the controversial Moygashel bonfire in Co. Tyrone as a hate incident. Police said they received a report of criminal damage caused to the Orange Hall in Rasharkin shortly after 1.20am on Saturday. "We are treating this criminal damage as a sectarian-motivated hate crime," said Superintendent Sinead McIldowney. "The Police Service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable." Earlier this week, the bonfire at Moygashel caused controversy after effigies of refugees in a boat were placed on top. Before the bonfire was lit on Thursday night, an Irish flag was also placed on the structure. A statement from the PSNI on Friday said they were investigating the matter as a hate incident, adding 'police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe'. 'Sectarian and racist hatred' Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemned a bonfire in the Highfield area of Belfast that had numerous Irish Tricolours placed on it. There were also signs reading 'KAT' and 'Stop the Boats'. "Such open and sickening displays of sectarian and racist hatred have absolutely no place in our society," said the West Belfast MP. "Political unionism must speak out and demand the removal of these offensive materials. "Real leadership is needed, although it has been sorely lacking in these communities for some time. "This is clearly a hate crime, and I have reported it to the PSNI." Party colleague Pat Sheehan has also criticised the PSNI over a bonfire in the Village area of Belfast despite concerns about asbestos on the site and its proximity to electrical substations that provide power to two hospitals. The PSNI said it refused a request from Belfast City Council to remove the bonfire following a multi-agency meeting. "The consensus of the meeting was that the risk of the bonfire proceeding as planned was lower and more manageable than the intervention of contractors and the proposed methodology of dismantling the bonfire," said the force. Speaking before the bonfire was lit, Mr Sheehan said: "This would not be allowed to happen anywhere else; I certainly would not be letting my children anywhere near this hazard. "There are questions for the PSNI on how they have come to a decision not to intervene. All steps should be taken to protect public health." See More: Eleventh Night, Moygashel Bonfire, Rasharkin, Twelfth Of July
Belfast Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
NI records warmest day in almost three years as fire service warn of gorse fire risk
After basking in heatwave conditions since Wednesday, a top temperature of 30C has been recorded in Magiligan, Co Londonderry, on Saturday. It marks the first time the milestone has been reached in NI since July 18 2022. Scotland recorded its highest temperature since 2023, as the mercury reached 32C at Aviemore, only the seventh time the temperature has been recorded since 1961. "We are encouraging everyone to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside' – NIFRS Highs of 34C have also been recorded in England, though the country's current record of 35.8C is unlikely to be broken. Amber heat warnings remain in place for the Midlands as well as parts of southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday morning. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "Yesterday was Wales' highest temperature of the year so far, so it'd be a similar value, so we'll keep an eye on that today. "And then Northern Ireland and Scotland, I think the highest of the year is just shy of 30C so for both of them, it could be slightly higher than those values. "So quite, quite possible to see the highest temperatures of the year so far for parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland and Wales too, but England unlikely." On Saturday, those taking part in the annual Twelfth of July celebrations battled with the heat as parades took place at 19 different locations across NI to mark the 335th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. GB News presented coverage of the parades from Coleraine, with Dame Arlene Foster and former Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson leading the programme. It comes after the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) issued a warning over potential gorse fires, having attended several incidents in the last few days. "Firefighters attended a range of emergency calls, including a number of wildfires with five fire appliances at the Bloody Bridge area of Newcastle, a three-vehicle road traffic collision in Rathfriland with ten casualties, and a shed fire in Castlederg,' said Area Commander Andy Burns. 'With high temperatures and dry weather this bank holiday weekend, a further period of heightened operational activity is expected over the coming days. Watch: Twelfth celebrations take place across Northern Ireland "We are prepared and ready to respond and are encouraging everyone to stay vigilant to the risk of fire in the countryside and to follow our advice to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe.' NI has so far avoided the hosepipe bans that have been enforced in parts of England. Yorkshire Water brought in restrictions on using hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, cleaning cars and filling paddling pools, while South East Water also implemented hosepipe restrictions. NI Water did issue advice on Friday for businesses closing over the bank holiday weekend; the guidelines were aimed at reducing water waste during a time of increased demand.
Glasgow Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Tens of thousands take part in Twelfth celebrations in scorching temperatures
Crowds lined the streets in cities, towns and villages across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades. This year's events have heard calls for unionist political parties to work together. NI deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attending the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn, Co Antrim (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) The festivities have been spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. The parades consist of Orange lodges accompanied by marching bands and supported by spectators along the routes. When the parades reach demonstration fields, a religious service is observed and speeches delivered before the march home. This year's celebrations took place with temperatures above 25C right across Northern Ireland. DUP leader Gavin Robinson addressed the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivered a speech at the Lisburn parade. Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann spoke at the parade in Carnlough, Co Antrim. The Twelfth demonstrations took place in hot weather (Mark Marlow/PA) Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning told the parade in Maghera, Co Londonderry, that unionist political parties had to work together. He said: 'The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government. 'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged – more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self -interest. 'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.' Yvonne McDonnell from Ballinderry attending the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) One of the largest parades took place in Keady, Co Armagh, where Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson spoke about the strengths of the union. He said: 'We need to promote the union at every opportunity – a union that has stood the test of time and continues to offer its citizens stability, opportunity, and purpose. 'At its heart, the United Kingdom is more than just a political entity. 'It is a partnership of four nations England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – each with its own identity, traditions, and strengths. 'Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans.' A car carrying water bottles during a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast (Mark Marlow/PA) On Saturday morning, an Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident. On Sunday, a return parade will return past the shops – but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. The Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was 'very disappointed' that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the site. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff are working on July 12. On the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events.
ITV News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Tens of thousands take part in Twelfth of July celebrations across Northern Ireland
Tens of thousands of people have been taking part in Twelfth of July celebrations in scorching temperatures throughout Northern lined the streets in cities, towns and villages across the region for the traditional Orange Order year's events have heard calls for unionist political parties to work together. The festivities have been spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James parades consist of Orange lodges accompanied by marching bands and supported by spectators along the the parades reach demonstration fields, a religious service is observed and speeches delivered before the march year's celebrations took place with temperatures above 25C right across Northern leader Gavin Robinson addressed the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivered a speech at the Lisburn parade. Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann spoke at the parade in Carnlough, Co Order deputy grand master Harold Henning told the parade in Maghera, Co Londonderry, that unionist political parties had to work said: 'The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government.'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged – more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self -interest.'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.'One of the largest parades took place in Keady, Co Armagh, where Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson spoke about the strengths of the said: 'We need to promote the union at every opportunity – a union that has stood the test of time and continues to offer its citizens stability, opportunity, and purpose.'At its heart, the United Kingdom is more than just a political entity.'It is a partnership of four nations England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – each with its own identity, traditions, and strengths.'Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans.'On Saturday morning, an Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without Sunday, a return parade will return past the shops – but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was 'very disappointed' that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and than 4,000 police officers and police staff are working on July the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Western Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Tens of thousands take part in Twelfth celebrations in scorching temperatures
Crowds lined the streets in cities, towns and villages across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades. This year's events have heard calls for unionist political parties to work together. NI deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attending the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn, Co Antrim (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) The festivities have been spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. The parades consist of Orange lodges accompanied by marching bands and supported by spectators along the routes. When the parades reach demonstration fields, a religious service is observed and speeches delivered before the march home. This year's celebrations took place with temperatures above 25C right across Northern Ireland. DUP leader Gavin Robinson addressed the parade in Belfast, while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivered a speech at the Lisburn parade. Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann spoke at the parade in Carnlough, Co Antrim. The Twelfth demonstrations took place in hot weather (Mark Marlow/PA) Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning told the parade in Maghera, Co Londonderry, that unionist political parties had to work together. He said: 'The leadership of this institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government. 'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged – more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self -interest. 'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.' Yvonne McDonnell from Ballinderry attending the Twelfth of July celebrations in Lisburn (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) One of the largest parades took place in Keady, Co Armagh, where Orange Order grand secretary Mervyn Gibson spoke about the strengths of the union. He said: 'We need to promote the union at every opportunity – a union that has stood the test of time and continues to offer its citizens stability, opportunity, and purpose. 'At its heart, the United Kingdom is more than just a political entity. 'It is a partnership of four nations England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – each with its own identity, traditions, and strengths. 'Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans.' A car carrying water bottles during a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast (Mark Marlow/PA) On Saturday morning, an Orange Order feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast without incident. On Sunday, a return parade will return past the shops – but will be restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. The Twelfth celebrations come after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with a 'challenging' situation and one firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir said he was 'very disappointed' that a controversial bonfire in south Belfast was lit despite warnings of asbestos on the site. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, about 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff are working on July 12. On the 11th night, about 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is because of falling police numbers and the resulting increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events.
