News
Family of third woman to die after cervical screening error demand full inquiry
The family of a third woman in Northern Ireland known to die after an incorrect cervical screening have spoken for the first time of their loss.
Louise-Corbett Gibbons (24) from Co Down died in June 2008, shortly after she had married her husband Neville.
With a new home in Rathfriland and dreams of a career in social work, their time together was tragically cut short after her diagnosis.
Noel Gallagher, Madness frontman Suggs and Hollywood star Susan Sarandon line up behind Garvaghy Road residents
Oasis star Noel Gallagher, Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr are among dozens of big names from music, film and the arts who have thrown their weight behind Garvaghy Road residents amid the Drumcree stand-off.
Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar, Derry Girls actor Siobhán McSweeney, Paul Weller and all three members of Kneecap have also signed an open letter to the Secretary of State saying the Portadown community must be protected from any forced march.
A5 victory but drivers will wait years for the new road, expert warns
Drivers are unlikely to be using the first stretch of the new A5 before 2030, a leading roads expert has said, despite the Court of Appeal clearing the way for the long-delayed cross-border route.
Wesley Johnston, who runs the Northern Ireland Roads website, said work on the road linking Derry and Donegal with Dublin is unlikely to begin before next year, and warned the legal battle may not be over.
He was speaking after Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan overturned last year’s High Court ruling that had quashed approval for the £1.7 billion scheme, towards which the Irish government has pledged more than €600 million.
‘No issues’ with £1.7billion funding for A5 road, Infrastructure minister says
Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins has said there are “no issues” with the funding for the A5 road, which was given the green light following a Court of Appeal decision on Tuesday.
The current estimated cost of the proposed road upgrade currently sits at £1.7billion.
SDLP councillor threatened with being ‘shot in the head’ over Garvaghy Road support
A SDLP councillor threatened with being ‘shot in the head’ over his support for Garvaghy Road has vowed he will not to be silenced.
North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte was speaking after he was threatened over social media in recent days.
Mr Whyte, who has attended the nationalist Garvaghy Road in support of local residents, has reported the threat to the PSNI.
Campaign asks for specialist cancer treatment in Ireland after Newry woman had to travel to London
Vulnerable cancer patients in Northern Ireland should not have to travel to England for a specialist treatment that is available “a mile down the road” in Dublin, the Assembly has heard.
CAR T-cell therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) is a complex individual treatment that uses gene therapy for some specific cancers, allowing the patient’s own immune system to attack cancer cells.
It was a treatment that Newry woman Catherine Sherry (42) had received in London before her death in May last year.
Woman who saw colleague viewing pornography on work computer told to delete phone pic evidence over ‘data protection’ concerns
A “shocked and disturbed” female Department of Education employee was told to delete evidence of pornography allegedly viewed by a senior male colleague – due to claimed data protection concerns.
The woman, after telling management of her concerns, was also told she could work from home or an alternative location if she no longer wanted to continue working alongside the man.
Details of the case were revealed by the Equality Commission on Tuesday after the woman settled an Industrial Tribunal sexual harassment action for £25,000 but without an admission of liability by the department.
Belfast city centre bus stop festooned with stories of how Translink cuts will impact people’s lives
A Belfast city centre bus stop has been festooned with stories of how cuts to Translink services will impact people’s lives.
From pensioners worried about isolation to pub workers concerned people may stop visiting the city centre for nights out and putting their jobs at risk, the anecdotes form part of a new campaign to resist proposed cuts to services.
Campaign group Act Now organised the action and says more than 2,500 people have signed its petition opposing the cuts.
Belfast councillors clash over motion on far right radicalisation in young men
A debate over the radicalisation of young men has divided politicians along non-unionist and unionist lines at Belfast City Council.
A successful motion debated at Belfast City Hall, aiming to steer young men away from extreme right wing thinking, was supported by all non-unionist parties, but rejected by the DUP, UUP and TUV.
The motion, forwarded by SDLP councillor Carl Whyte, is calling on the Stormont Executive Office and Department of Justice to develop a new, evidence-based approach to preventing radicalisation and supporting the de-radicalisation of young men.
Business
Belfast’s £100m ‘Factory of the Future’ opens with pledge to create 1,500 jobs
Located at Global Point in Newtownabbey, the so-called ‘Factory of the Future’ is expected to create up to 1,500 jobs, contribute £1.3 billion to the north’s economy, and support the training of 300 apprentices by 2050.
The research, development and industrial‑innovation hub is led by Queen’s University Belfast, with support from Invest NI and Belfast Region City Deal partners.
Sport
‘I will decide when I retire’: James McClean says he’s fit to play as contract row with Derry City deepens
Not for the first time this season, James McClean has dominated the headlines in the build‑up to a big Derry City game.
On Tuesday morning just hours before City’s press conference for Saturday’s Club Orange FAI Cup semi-final at Galway United – the winger issued a statement through the PFA Ireland.
In it, he claimed he joined his hometown club without undergoing a medical, insisted he is fit to play, and apologised for airing grievances publicly.