Ireland Archives - Hoang Viet

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Feb 10 2024

Man charged with attempted murder of senior Northern Ireland police detective | UK News

A 44-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Co Tyrone last year.

The man was arrested in the Dungannon area on Thursday and charged on Friday evening.

He has been charged with attempted murder, directing terrorism and preparation of terrorist acts.

The man is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

The senior officer was seriously injured after he was shot several times in front of his son at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on 22 February 2023.

The detective, who had investigated a number of high-profile murder cases, spent several weeks in intensive care.

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A typed message, purportedly from the New IRA, was posted on a wall in Londonderry and said the group was responsible for the shooting.

Police have said the New IRA is the main line of inquiry in the investigation.

A number of people have previously appeared in court charged in connection with Mr Caldwell’s shooting and on charges around the claim of responsibility.

Mr Caldwell suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack.

He made his first public appearance since the shooting in May – when he attended a garden party in Co Down with the King and Queen.

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Feb 3 2024

Police in Northern Ireland arrest five males in murder investigation after boy, 17, stabbed to death in Limvady | UK News

A murder investigation has been launched after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Northern Ireland.

The boy was stabbed in the Woodland Walk area of Limavady, a town in County Londonderry/Derry, at around 9.30pm on Friday night.

He later died in hospital from his injuries.

Another man, in his 50s, was also taken to hospital. Police said he was in a stable condition.

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Five males have been arrested as part of a murder investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the force said.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Mark Gibson said the five are helping police with their inquiries.

Police also appealed for anyone with information about what happened to contact them.

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Feb 3 2024

Power-sharing to return to Northern Ireland as Michelle O’Neill becomes first nationalist first minister | Politics News

A power-sharing government will return to Northern Ireland today, as Michelle O’Neill makes history as the first nationalist first minister.

Politicians will gather at Stormont later for a sitting at which a series of ministers will be appointed to the executive, bringing an end to a two-year political quagmire.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the country’s largest unionist party, had signalled it was ready for the recall of the political institutions after forging a deal with the UK government on post-Brexit trade, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

Two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons on Thursday, paving the way for the Assembly at Stormont to return.

MLAs (members of the legislative assembly) will elect a new Stormont speaker, followed by nominations for the offices of first and deputy first minister.

Sinn Fein’s Ms O’Neill will take the first minister role, but the DUP has not yet said who it will nominate for deputy first minister. Under the Good Friday Agreement, the deputy has an authority equal to that of the first minister.

The power-sharing arrangement brought in by the agreement played a key role in ending the sectarian violence of the Troubles.

A series of ministerial positions across Stormont will also be filled.

After a meeting of party leaders at Stormont Castle on Friday, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey said: “It is important when the executive meets that we have a real sense of what those priorities are for everyone in Northern Ireland.

“We are looking forward to the Assembly meeting, going through the formalities, getting devolution restored.”

Read more:
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Budget crisis is key priority

A key priority will be dealing with the budget crisis affecting public services in Northern Ireland.

The UK government has offered a £3.3bn package to secure Northern Ireland’s finances when the Assembly returns, including £600m to settle public sector pay claims.

But Sir Jeffrey indicated the parties would work together to secure more money from the Treasury, adding: “The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish.”

Ms O’Neill’s selection as first minister, made possible after she led Sinn Feinn to victory in the 2022 Assembly elections, will mark the first time the post has been held by a nationalist committed to seeing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland united as one country.

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Jan 30 2024

Northern Ireland: Protests outside and leaks from inside but the deal to restore power-sharing is done | UK News

There were protestors outside the talks and someone was leaking secret talks from inside but it did not thwart breakthrough.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson emerged from a lengthy meeting of the DUP Executive with support for a deal to restore power-sharing.

He said his party would end its boycott of devolved government once the UK government honoured commitments it has made.

The government is now expected to table legislation to address Unionist concerns about the Brexit border in the Irish Sea.

The legislation is designed to strengthen Northern Ireland’s place in the UK and limit the impact of the trade border.

The agreement is set to end two years of stalemate at Stormont and comes after months and months of negotiation.

Unionists felt betrayed when Boris Johnson agreed to a trade border between GB and Northern Ireland to “get Brexit done”.

The previous year, he had told the DUP conference that no British prime minister could ever countenance such a move.

Frustrated by what they regarded as a threat to Northern Ireland’s position within the UK, Unionists pulled out of power-sharing.

Rishi Sunak’s new deal with the EU – the Windsor Framework – addressed some, but not all, of their concerns about sovereignty.

Read more: 150,000 public sector workers walk out in Northern Ireland’s biggest strike in recent history

But a crisis in public services in Northern Ireland has piled pressure on the Democratic Unionists to restore devolved government.

Earlier this month, the UK government pledged an eye-watering £3.3 billion to support the efforts of any new Stormont administration.

Rishi Sunak can take much credit but this complex deal represents a huge leap of faith by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

Jamie Bryson, a loyalist activist and fierce opponent of compromise, was live tweeting from a DUP source inside the meeting.

But the party leader has faced down his critics to restore the power-sharing at the heart of the peace process.

“It’s all over bar the shouting,” one DUP source said, and there will be plenty of noise about this decision.

But Northern Ireland seems set to have a devolved government in place within days and that signals a historic moment.

Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill, who topped the poll in the election, is poised to become the first Nationalist First Minister.

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Dec 27 2023

Princess Diana had ‘obvious ignorance of’ Northern Ireland, unsealed Irish note says | UK News

Princess Diana showed an “obvious ignorance of, or disregard for” Northern Ireland being distinct from Ireland, according to a newly unsealed note from an ambassador written in 1993.

Joseph Small, the then Irish ambassador in London, wrote the claim about the then Princess of Wales in a briefing document before President Mary Robinson’s visit to Buckingham Palace.

“Whenever we meet Prince Charles, he invariably says that he would love to visit Ireland,” Mr Small’s note dated 21 May 1993, said.

“He is, of course, a regular visit (sic) to Northern Ireland. Princess Diana has also been there.

“Early last year she said to me, with obvious ignorance of, or disregard for, constitutional niceties: ‘I was in your country yesterday!'”

Read more:
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Other unsealed documents show that the Irish president Patrick Hillery’s decision to decline an invitation to the wedding of Charles and Diana sparked concern from officials in June 1981.

A briefing note on how to respond to the invite asked whether a reply should be issued after the Irish general election, or whether it would be “discourteous” to do so.

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The note also considered that as it was a “negative” reply, “it would seem desirable to offer a diplomatic excuse”, as no decent reason being given could be “misinterpreted both domestically and internationally”.

“The press will certainly ask the reason for the non-attendance,” it added.

The wedding invitations were issued a month after IRA prisoner Bobby Sands died following a 66-day-long hunger strike, while campaigning to be treated as a political prisoner.

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Sep 25 2023

Tomb older than the pyramids moved to new home in Northern Ireland | UK News

A Neolithic tomb that predates the pyramids of Ancient Egypt has been put on permanent display at a museum in Northern Ireland.

It dates back more than 6,000 years and was discovered in Ballintaggart in Co Armagh.

The Ballintaggart Court Tomb is a series of upright stones with a semicircular courtyard shape at the entrance to the burial chambers where human remains would have been left and is one of about 400 of its type on the island.

It was dug up from its original location in 1966 after being put at risk from the expansion of a nearby quarry and taken to Ulster Museum.

Now the stones have been rehomed at Ulster Folk Museum where the structure has been recreated outside the attraction with the use of 3D modelling.

Dr Greer Ramsey, curator of archaeology at National Museums NI, said the large structures became more popular in the country as ancient people created permanent settlements.

“Court tombs take their name from a semicircular arc of upright stones marking the entrance to the burial chambers,” he said.

“The Neolithic period to which they belong was revolutionary as it marked the end to a nomadic or hunter-gatherer way of life.

“New settlers arrived about 6,000 years ago, bringing with them farming skills and many of the plants and domestic animals we are familiar with today.

“With a more secure food supply, people could live for longer in one place and invest in larger, more permanent structures, such as tombs.”

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William Blair, director of collections at National Museums NI, said: “It is a brilliant illustration of how the museum can connect Ulster’s unique heritage spanning thousands of years to the present day. We are grateful to our project partners for their input and support.”

The tomb’s arrival at the venue comes as Ulster Folk Museum revealed its investment plans which included widening access to its collection.

Visitors can see the structure outside in the rural section of the museum as part of a regular admission ticket.

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Aug 16 2023

Bank of Ireland glitch ‘allowed customers with no money to withdraw funds from ATM’ | World News

A glitch with Bank of Ireland’s online app reportedly allowed customers with no money to transfer funds and withdraw it from an ATM.

The technical blunder meant people were able to put money into a Revolut digital account and then withdraw it from a cash point.

Some claimed that they were able to access as much as €1,000 (£859), but the bank insisted the daily withdrawal limit is €500 (£429), according to Independent.ie.

Various videos circulating on social media showed long queues at ATMs in various cities, as well as some police guarding pay points.

The bank confirmed it was working on a technical issue that was impacting multiple services, including the mobile app and online banking portal, 365Online, on Tuesday.

It warned customers that any money transferred or withdrawn over normal limits “will be debited from their account”.

“We are conscious customers may not be able to check balances, but should not withdraw/transfer if they are likely to become overdrawn,” it said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Apologising for the disruption, the bank said both the app and 365Online, were back working on Wednesday, and that overnight payments “may appear throughout the day”.

“We are aware that the technical issue meant some customers were able to withdraw or transfer funds above their normal limits. These transfers and withdrawals will be applied to customers’ accounts today,” it said in a statement.

“We urge any customer who may find themselves in financial difficulty due to overdrawing on their account to contact us.”

The issue comes after another IT outage at the bank in June, according to Independent.ie.

This did not result in people getting access to funds they did not have in their accounts.

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Jul 7 2023

John Caldwell: Three charged with terror offence over attempted murder of senior Northern Ireland police detective | UK News

Detectives investigating the shooting of a senior police detective in Northern Ireland have charged three men with possessing articles for use in terrorism.

Police said it was “in connection with the claim of responsibility made following the attack” on Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot several times in Omagh, Co Tyrone on 22 February.

The men, aged 23, 25 and 36, are due to appear in court on Friday.

It comes after seven men were charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting.

DCI Caldwell, who suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack, was released from hospital in April.

He was shot while putting balls in a car, after coaching a youth football team, in front of his young son and other children.

The senior officer made his first public appearance since the attack in May when he attended a garden party in Co Down with the King and Queen.

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May 30 2023

Asda owners to buy EG Group’s UK and Ireland petrol stations for £2.27bn | Business News

Asda Group has said it will acquire petrol station operator EG Group’s UK and Ireland business, creating a company with combined revenues of nearly £30bn.

The news confirms a report by Sky News City editor Mark Kleinman last week, which said the “finishing touches” were being put on the deal.

Asda is the UK’s third-largest supermarket, and – like EG – is owned by brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity group TDR Capital.

The £2.27bn deal will mean the acquisition of around 350 petrol stations and more than 1,000 food-to-go locations.

The resulting behemoth will have around 170,000 employees, nearly 600 supermarkets and 700 petrol forecourts.

Asda chairman Stuart Rose said: “Asda’s acquisition of EG UK and Ireland will create a consumer champion like the UK has never seen.

“Throughout my career in retail, one thing has always been true – that meeting the evolving needs of customers is the route to growth.

“This transaction is all about driving growth by bringing Asda’s heritage in value to even more communities and accelerating the growth of its convenience retail business.”

Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa said that the deal would be “positive news for motorists, as we will be able to bring Asda’s highly competitive fuel offer to even more customers”.

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Talks about a combination of Asda and EG UK have been under way for more than six months, and were initially reported by The Sunday Times in January.

The GMB union raised concerns in April and earlier this month that the tie-up could threaten food supplies, increase fuel prices and would only benefit the “super-wealthy elite”.

Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “The billionaire Issa Brothers and the elite multi-millionaire private equity fund managers at TDR capital want to use ASDA as a cash cow to pay off their debts.

“This merger is wrong on so many levels – it is wrong for consumers and will increase food prices, it is wrong for drivers with a chilling effect on fuel prices, it is wrong for ASDA’s workers and it is wrong for ASDA’s business.”

The Competition and Markets Authority said the ultimate owners of Asda are the same ultimate owners in the same proportion of ownership as EG Group and, therefore, the merger would not qualify for a CMA review.

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May 28 2023

Seven men charged over attempted murder of senior police detective in Northern Ireland | UK News

Seven men have been charged over the attempted murder of a senior police detective in Northern Ireland.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on 22 February, where he had been coaching a youth football team.

Police announced on Saturday night that seven men had been charged with attempted murder.

Two of them are also charged with membership of the IRA, and three with preparation of terrorist acts.

The statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland says that all seven men are expected to appear before Dungannon Magistrates Court via video link on Monday.

It gives the ages of the men as 28, 28, 33, 38, 45, 47 and 72.

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DCI Caldwell, who suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack, was released from hospital in April.

Earlier this week, he attended a garden party in Co Down with the King and Queen in his first public appearance since the attack.

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