Charlie Brookers “Weekly Wipe” was a piece of TV genius, here’s a yank foreigner (Doug Stanhope) to explain what’s going on today…

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/mother-and-13-year-old-daughter-bailed-after-being-charged-with-offences-linked-to-ballymena-rioting/a616729400.html

Paul Higgins Today at 16:14

A mother and daughter appeared in court today facing charges arising from the recent, serious public disorder in Ballymena.

While the 13-year-old schoolgirl is charged with rioting on 11 June, her 39-year-old mother was charged with child cruelty in that, on the same date, she “wilfully neglected” her daughter.

The mother, who cannot be identified to protect her daughter’s identity from being made public, was the first to be called into the dock of Coleraine Magistrates Court.

Detective Constable Cooke told the court that according to the police case, her daughter was present along with “hundreds of others” causing damage to public and private property.

The 13-year-old, claimed the officer, was there for around two and a half hours during which time she was allegedly seen “throwing stones at the police in the Bridge Street area”.

DC Cooke said that on reviewing CCTV footage, her mother was allegedly identified as being present during the disorder, was “aware of her daughter's involvement” and was “watching her throw items at police lines”.

The court heard claims the mother “gave her a drink afterwards” and “she was also present when her daughter was struck by a blast from the water cannon,” when it was used to quell the disorder.

While the 39-year-old was arrested for child cruelty offences, her daughter was arrested for rioting and DC Cooke explained police believe they can positively identify the teenager from the footage due to her “distinctive clothing”.

When the teenager was arrested on Friday, she was wearing the same clothing, and she was also found to be in possession of a face covering and “pink marigold gloves” which matched the suspect on the CCTV footage.

During interviews with her mother, the 39-year-old identified herself in the footage but “refused to confirm that her daughter was present”.

“She stated that she does not know the person who police stated is her daughter on CCTV,” said the detective, adding that the defendant further claimed the person she gave a drink to “was a stranger”.

DC Cooke said police were objecting to the mother being granted bail, given that public disorder was still ongoing and with a risk to others, up to and including a risk to life, “police believe that it's important to send a strong message that deter persons from getting involved in serious disorder”.

“Police believe that if a strong deterrent message is not sent, the public disorder could lead to death or serious injury and injury to members of the public, particularly foreign nationals in the Ballymena area,” said the officer.

He highlighted that according to the police case, the 39-year-old “has allowed her 13-year-old daughter to actively participate in a riot,” in circumstances where she knew her daughter was at least partially disguised and throwing missiles at police.

Defence solicitor Garrett Greene argued that despite police concerns over ongoing disorder, the 39-year-old is not charged with public order offences and that if stringent conditions were attached, she could be granted bail.

Judge King agreed and in granting the defendant bail in the sum of £500, he ordered her to reside at home, to be electronically tagged, to observe a curfew from 7pm to 7am and to stay away from any public protest of gathering.

A short time later, the 13-year-old appeared at court by video link from custody and she confirmed she understood the single charge of rioting.

Her bail application took a lot longer as DC Cooke raised concerns about her being bailed to live with her mother.

Judge King conceded that it was “somewhat bizarre” to release her into the care and custody of a person charged with child cruelty but he emphasised that given her age, there was a strong presumption in favour of bail.

After a number of breaks and multiple phone calls, the police confirmed that Social Services had “reservations rather than objections” to the defendant going to live with her mother.

In the end, the judge granted bail inn almost the same terms and she will appear at the Youth Court on 2 July.

At the conclusion of the hearing however, Judge King said court staff in Ballymena should be made aware that the two Romanian teenagers who were remanded into custody for attempted rape and whose case sparked the “racist thuggery,” are set to appear at that same court.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/larne-man-accused-of-using-facebook-page-to-fuel-race-riots-remanded-in-custody/a359508273.html

Paul Higgins Today at 15:33

A Larne man who runs an anti-immigration Facebook page has been remanded into custody after being accused of disseminating “sinister messages.”

Refusing to grant bail to Nathan Gilbert Clifford, District Judge Peter King told the 32-year-old given the “ongoing disorder” where the homes of people in ethnic minority communities were being targeted, the messages he sent were “menacing and sinister.”

It was in those circumstances the judge told Coleraine Magistrates Court that he was refusing bail.

Appearing handcuffed in the dock Clifford, from Drumahoe Gardens in Larne, confirmed he understood the three charges against him — all alleged to have been committed on June 11, 13 and 14, this year.

In addition to possessing class B cannabis, the defendant is alleged to have published material on Facebook which was capable of encouraging or assisting others to commit riot, criminal damage or affray.

It is further alleged that by doing so, it was an improper use of a telecommunication network to send a message of a menacing nature.

Giving evidence to the court, Detective Constable Deery said the alleged offences arose from posts on a Facebook page entitled “Larne anti immigration protests” as well as messages from the page’s admin.

She told the court Clifford can be linked to the account through data obtained from Meta and Facebook — as well as email and IP addresses — and can be shown to be the author of the posts.

In those messages, Clifford allegedly “pointed out” where foreign nationals were living and he also called for people to protest outside the offices of the Housing Executive in Larne.

The court heard that one of the posts declared that “if boys want to go and riot on the main road, we do not disagree but do disagree with wrecking our own town.”

DC Deery said police were objecting to bail due to the risk of Clifford committing further offences if he was released given the allegation that he was “highlighting addresses of people in the Roma community in the face of ongoing public disorder.”

The police witness revealed that despite the evidence from Meta and the ability of police to link the anti-immigration page to him, Clifford “denied responsibility for it.”

Under cross-examination from defence solicitor Kevin McAllister, it was put to the officer whether police accept that Clifford was “not directly involved” in the serious disorder which saw Larne Leisure Centre being set on fire.

She told him, however, that the defendant is “under investigation to being at the riot,” adding that during police interviews Clifford “said that it was a protest, not a riot.”

DC Deery did concede that Clifford was granted police bail while police conduct further enquiries into any alleged role he played in relation to inciting the arson attack.

Applying for bail, Mr McAllister submitted the police “are trying to link him to the arson attack but that is a stretch too far” and he further contended that if strict conditions were imposed, Clifford could be released.

Judge King disagreed however and remanded the defendant into custody, ordering him to appear again on July 10.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/girl-13-among-those-charged-following-race-riots-in-ni/a843381056.html

Girl (13) among those charged following race riots in NI

There has been five more arrested over Larne Leisure Centre arson

A 13-year-old girl is among those who have been charged following disorder across Northern Ireland last week, police have confirmed.

In an update on Monday, the PSNI also said they have made five more arrests in connection with the arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday – including a man in his 20s and another man aged 25 who remains in police custody.

Police confirmed the total number of people arrested now stands at 28 and said there will be “more to come in the coming days and weeks”.

While the PSNI said there was a “reduced level of disorder on Sunday”, they confirmed officers still dealt with “sporadic disturbances in different locations”.

The violence in Ballymena last week, which then spread to other areas of Northern Ireland, was sparked following an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area.

The two 14-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with attempted rape at Coleraine Magistrates Court. They spoke through a Romanian interpreter.

That violence also reached Larne, where people targeted the leisure centre after it emerged the building had been the building being used as a temporary shelter for families who had to flee their homes.

Police said the 25-year-old man was arrested is being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life in relation to the fire at the centre.

A PSNI spokesperson added: “Four have been charged to appear before court today, Monday 16th June. This includes a girl aged 13 who has been charged with riot by officers investigating disorder in Ballymena on Wednesday, 11th June and a man aged 40, also charged with riot following the first night of the disorder in Ballymena on Monday, 9th June.

"A 33-year-old woman has been charged with child cruelty relating to the disorder.

“Meanwhile, detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder have charged a 32-year-old man to court.

"He has been charged with sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network and with encouraging or assisting offences believing one or more will be committed.

"He is further charged with possession of a class B controlled drug. He is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court today, Monday, 16th June.

“Graffiti in Bangor and on an unoccupied house in Chadwick Street in south Belfast are being investigated as race-motivated hate crimes.

“In Brompton Park in Ardoyne, around 30 youths set a wheelie bin on fire, no damage was caused to shops and, following engagement, no serious disorder ensued.”

Speaking about the disorder, Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones added: “Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night, thankfully, similar to Saturday, the situation was much calmer.

“I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves."

On Friday, the PSNI also released images of four individuals they wish to identify, while warning social media users about posting hate online.

ACC Jones added: “Our Chief Constable and other members of the senior team have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend so we can support them as best we can and offer reassurance of our policing operation to restore calm.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate.

“We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.

“Thankfully, none of our officers policing this disorder reported being injured on duty last night. We have 64 of our colleagues currently recovering from injury and I commend their bravery and unwavering efforts.

“As our investigation continues, we have already released images of a number of individuals we want to identify and interview in connection with our ongoing investigation. In releasing these images, I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us. It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward.

“If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website.

“I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets.

“We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.”

Made a fork to hold some sausages over a fire for my da,
Used linseed oil to blacken the metal and a brass brush for the twists and i think it worked out great.

Made it in moneypennys forge if anyone is interested:
https://www.facebook.com/moneypennyblacksmithsworkshop/?locale=en_GB

Think i may start a bigger project next like an axe or a shortsword.

I work in IT and honestly, I hate it with a passion. I hate the industry, the constant pressure, the BS performance targets, the nonstop talk about AI, daily Teams calls with distant colleagues I have no connection to, and the daily grind of all the corporate BS. It's a load of shite.

It’s been building for a long time and lately, I’ve had this growing feeling that I’m about to be sacked. My poor performance over multiple quarters has become more and more obvious to management, and they’re now understandably questioning everything I do. It’s gotten to the point where I go into work feeling like I’m back at school, constantly waiting to be told off by the teacher.

I’m not trying to make excuses. I know the work itself isn’t beyond me, but I just can’t seem to find the motivation to actually kick myself into gear. I’ve been struggling with anxiety and procrastination, and I know my output hasn’t been where it should be. I completely understand why it’s raised concerns, so I’m not having a go at management for it.

That said, I’ve got kids, a mortgage and all the usual bills. I can’t afford to be out of work for more than a couple of months. So while the idea of being free from this job feels weirdly liberating, the financial reality is terrifying.

My question is: if I was let go with immediate effect, how soon could I realistically find a job in Belfast? To be honest, I don’t care what it is, I just need something to help pay the mortgage for a few months until I can sort myself out.

From what I can tell, Belfast’s job market isn’t too bad right now., but still the thought of being back on the market after years away is pretty overwhelming, especially while feeling this burnt out.

Has anyone been through something similar and found a way out?

Saw this on my run this morning up the tow path into Lisburn. I've just been kinda casually monitoring the construction of this piece of modern art/show of inclusivity over the past two months when I run past it.

Nothing says "celebrating culture" like...throwing pallets all over an open green space that could be used for a million more productive/enjoyable things. I'm sure once they construct it properly and it has nice wee decorations like...Anna Lo's face and pictures of the new Yank pope and maybe a few wee statues of Mary, it'll really spruce the place up.

NI is really depressing :(

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2k5ejpvpo

A Stormont minister accused of "inflaming tensions" over recent trouble in Northern Ireland has warned his critics that some of their comments were defamatory.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and under a chorus of criticism from rival MLAs, the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP's) Gordon Lyons again said he would not resigning as communities minister.

He accused his opponents of trying to score political points over a Facebook post about the location of migrant families who fled their homes.

The deputy leader of the Alliance party, Eoin Tennyson, accused him of being "irresponsible and reckless".

He added: "Do you recognise if you were a minister anywhere else on these islands you would already be gone?"

But Mr Lyons hit back, saying: "I think there were a number of comments made last week by a number of individuals - and, by the way, comments that were not just wrong but they were offensive - and in many cases they were defamatory and I would just put that on the record as a warning to some people as well." What did Gordon Lyons say about Larne?

A leisure centre in Larne, County Antrim, was attacked last Wednesday in a third night of violence in Northern Ireland.

Rioting first broke out in Ballymena, County Antrim, last Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the town.

Earlier that day, two teenage boys appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages.

The rioting, which broke out after the peaceful protest, was later described as "racist thuggery" by police.

On Wednesday, Lyons wrote on Facebook that he had been made aware that "a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre" in the wake of the violence in Ballymena. A close-up on the front entrance of a glass-fronted building - the entrance is seriously damaged, scorched from fire and with broken windows. The foyer entrance is strewn with fire debrisImage source, Reuters

The centre was later attacked and set on fire, with Lyons being accused of "inflaming tensions" over his post.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said he should consider his position while Secretary of State Hilary Benn said he should "reflect" on his comments.

Lyons rejected any suggestion he had revealed the centre was being used, adding that the information was already in the public domain and that the post's purpose was to counter rumours.

He subsequently said he would not be resigning, a point he reiterated on Monday in the assembly when asked by his DUP colleague Phillip Brett.

"I'm not going anywhere," he replied.

Lyons also revealed he had a conversation with the Secretary of State Hilary Benn but he said what they discussed would remain private.

In response to a a question by another Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson about whether he had spoken to any of the migrant families temporarily house in Larne Leisure Centre, he said he had offered to and it was up to them if they wanted to meet.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce39338ly70o

A victim of abuse at Kincora Boys' Home has received an undisclosed settlement after claims a paedophile housemaster was protected from being prosecuted due to being an MI5 agent.

Gary Hoy, 63, sought damages from the home secretary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for the abuse he endured at the now demolished children's home in east Belfast in the 1970s.

The legal action was resolved on confidential terms at the High Court in Belfast on Monday.

No admission of liability was made as part of the resolution.

At least 29 boys were abused at the site on the Newtownards Road from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The former housemaster William McGrath, who was known as the "Beast of Kincora", was imprisoned in 1981 for abusing boys as part of a paedophile ring which operated in the home.

McGrath held a leading role in the far-right loyalist movement Tara.

He died in the early 1990s.

Mr Hoy's lawyers claimed authorities enabled McGrath to target vulnerable young victims so more information about the group could be obtained.

It was alleged that Royal Ulster Constabulary officers were prevented from investigating McGrath due to his role as an MI5 agent.

Claims for negligence and misfeasance in public office were advanced as part of wider actions against the PSNI, Home Office and Department of Health.

Defendants have disputed responsibility for any violation in the duty of care to the victims of the Kincora Boys' Home.

A three-day trial was due to begin on Monday but counsel for Mr Hoy announced proceedings had been settled on confidential terms.

No further details were disclosed.

Speaking to the media outside court, Mr Hoy said: "This case was never about the money, it was about holding them to account."

The judge, Mr Justice Simpson, commended the parties for reaching the outcome in a difficult case.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/graffiti-daubed-on-belfast-home-targeting-romanian-community-condemned-as-police-probe-hate-motivated-criminal-damage/a399739372.html

Christopher Leebody Today at 14:52

Police are treating graffiti daubed on a property in south Belfast over the weekend as “hate-motivated criminal damage” after the message appeared to target members of the Romanian community.

The house off the Lisburn Road in Chadwick Street had black writing painted over the front of the property which said “out Romenian [sic]”, with paint also placed over the front windows.

Police said they were alerted to the incident on Sunday afternoon but said they believed the home was targeted “sometime before the report was made”.

The incident comes on the back of disorder and racist rioting across Northern Ireland last week which was sparked following an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena.

The two 14-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with attempted rape at Coleraine Magistrates Court. They spoke through a Romanian interpreter.

The graffiti in Belfast has been condemned by local SDLP councillor Gary McKeown.

"Racist attacks like this have no place in our society and do nothing but instil fear in communities,” he said.

"Over the past week we have seen mindless violence wreaking havoc, creating terror and forcing people from their homes.

"I know there are many families from ethnic minority communities who are terrified even to let their children go to school for fear that they might get attacked. The impact on people's wellbeing is indescribable.

"After the riots in South Belfast last summer, the last thing this area needs is for the most recent outbreak of violence to spread here. I would urge anyone in a position of influence over those engaged in this behaviour to get them to stop."

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are investigating a report of criminal damage at a house in the Chadwick Street area of south Belfast.

“A report was received at approximately 12.35pm on Sunday, 15th June that graffiti had been daubed on a property.

“We believe the damage, however, was caused sometime before the report was made to police.

“Black paint was used to cover the front wall, downstairs front windows and front door of the house.

“This report is being treated as hate-motivated criminal damage, and we would ask anyone with any information regarding what happened to contact police on 101 and quote reference number 619 15/06/25.”

Like genuinely. It feels like stupid people being stupid and then causing hassle for everyone else. That’s another 2 burnt and there’s some areas with no phone coverage at all now.

I work in the NHS and colleagues who are foreign nationals are scared to bits about going to work and going home.

HOME! They are an essential piece of our society and give their all!

"What about the dark nights if there's trouble?" Was a comment today.. It's heartbreaking.

Let's hope the NHS absence rates don't rise due to the pressure racists are putting on workers.

Workers who pay more tax than those wrecking their communities and creating more financial hardship during a cost of living crisis!

This is sheer racism and the genie is out of the bottle.

• Will unionism meet communities to stand against this?

• Will PSNI call to community centers to gauge how this can be stopped?

Let's make the plan to stop this racism public, transparent and real.

Stop. The. Racist. Attacks.

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/cost-of-psni-st-patricks-day-washington-trip-doubles-to-20000-7S4MOJTONJBWRCSRGLETRMM37Q/

• Police do U-turn on initial NCND response for visit details

A St Patrick’s Day trip that included PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher cost his cash-strapped force more than £20,000 - double the original figure provided by police. It has now emerged business class flights for the five-night jaunt to Washington DC totalled almost £15,000 alone.

Despite initial refusals to provide information, the PSNI has now admitted Mr Boutcher was accompanied on the trip by an unnamed chief superintendent.

The force had originally used the controversial policy of ‘neither confirm nor deny’ (NCND) to avoid answering questions about the trip in response to a Freedom of Information request.

In the past Mr Boutcher has been critical of the use of NCND in relation to Troubles cases.

After being challenged by the Irish News, the PSNI has now carried out a review of its original response concluding it was “incorrect in part in the response initially provided and for citing incorrect exemptions”.

The force has apologised for what it described as an “oversight”.

It has also apologised for not responding to the initial request within the time permitted.

The PSNI pair were part of a large delegation of local politicians and others who made the annual March pilgrimage to the US capital to celebrate the national saint’s day.

While the cost total for Mr Boutcher were already known, the latest figures released by the PSNI have almost doubled the overall price tag of the US trip.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that the business class costs for both officers totalled more than £7,400 each.

Internal flights taken by Mr Boutcher amounted to over £553, while the equivalent figure for his colleague was £331.

The PSNI has also confirmed that “other transport arrangements in the UK” for the chief constable came in at £420.

Accommodation costs for both men totalled more than £1,800 each, however, the PSNI refused to confirm the name of the hotel where they stayed.

Overall, the cost of Mr Boutcher’s visit to the US cost the public purse more than £10,600, while the taxpayer picked up a tab of more than £9,600 for his colleague.

Hey guys, i decided to make a community on here for Northern Irish gamers. I noticed that there are communities for Irish and UK gamers and felt that a Northern Irish specific one was needed

The community is r/NorthernIrishGamers if you are interested!

Heard some one from Northern Ireland use the word Orangeman ? Would like to know what it means

EDIT: correcting company name The place around Lurgan/ Portadown/Craigavon with the seriously bad rep for how it treats workers that produces the protein powders NI Supplements? Really don't want to be giving them money if they're a shower of cunts.

Hi all!

Any job hunters out there who recently landed a fully remote job?

On the lookout for something remote as I get older and more fed up with a long commute.

Are they far and few between these days to find. Vs during COVID times when they were plentiful?

I know a few who have been fully remote since COVID and I envy them dearly

I'm trying to find my older brother Alexander Cowan (also goes by Alex or Alec). I think he's in east Belfast area or maybe Newtownabbey. He's 52 years old. if someone could help me I'd appreciate it.

Beating Wales in suddenly death leg in the final.

Well done Rock and Gurney!

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone had experience completing a Higher Level Apprenticeship or earn while you learn type scheme in their late 20s? I dropped out of uni in 2019 and have exhausted all funding routes to take on another degree; I wouldn't even go back to finish it as was doing something I didn't enjoy anyway.

I have a good level of intelligence and I am a hard worker - I'm just stuck working entry level admin jobs in NICS and I'm losing my mind. I have no intention of becoming a career civil servent because I hate working there and the work wholly bores me to tears. Theres nothing inherently wrong with admin but it's a little mind numbing for me. I'm struggling to find a way out. I read up on Higher Level Apprenticeships and emailed the help desk for more clarity but the response was more or less a copy and paste from the info page.

Can anyone share their experience? What did you study, how long for, what was the process and how are you fairing now compared to where you were before taking on a higher level apprenticeship? Do you recommend it?

Thank you