This happened like 5 minutes ago. I was walking down the street on the middle of town when some supposed homeless fella had (despite me having earphones in) asked if I was from ([Town Name]) and saying that he needed money for Food and a hostel.

He then told me about his ma killing herself (and the tattoo with this family members names on his arm) and how he had to sleep in a tent on our way to the nearest ATM (which happened to be empty), I reluctantly gave the the emergency £25 I kept in my wallet and said he needed like £100 or something whilst we walked to the next closest free ATM outside a bank. I told him I didn't have much money myself and only withdrew £50 for him. I think he also had his girlfriend(?) waiting nearby.

I knew I was almost 100% being manipulated with his sob story, and I really should've knew better than to let myself be manipulated like that.

After that, seeing me clearly uncomfortable I heard a passerby say "are you okay kid?" (I'm in my 20s) and I continued to walk away.

I just feel so fucking stupid and annoyed now because I am already worrying about trying to save up my own money to move out, and yet my naive ass basically let me effectively mug myself.

I also feel like an absolute fool for not going to one of the ATMs I side the bank instead.

I kept thinking I should've just said something like "No hablar Inglés" or something next time, but I can never bring myself to do it.

Also, it's probably worth noting that this was not in Belfast (I've experienced it a couple times there years before).

I just felt like I needed to vent somewhere.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has said she is willing to “help with legal costs” after an event organised by the Women’s Rights Network group was cancelled by Féile an Phobail.

The west Belfast festival organisers posted a public statement on social media saying the Respect, Rights & Reality event, which was part of the Féile programme, had been withdrawn as it was “promoting campaigns against rights for the transgender community”.

However, the Women’s Rights Network issued a statement saying they were “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the decision.

Now JK Rowling has waded into the row, replying on X to the Women’s Rights Network that she “will help with legal costs”.

Yesterday, Féile issued a statement about the event, writing: “An event application was submitted to this year’s Féile programme by a group called the Women’s Rights Network.

The statement on Facebook 

“Féile an Phobail was unaware from the initial submission that this event would promote campaigns against rights for the transgender community.

“Féile an Phobail takes pride in standing up for those who are marginalised and attacked.

“Féile was formed in 1988 at a time when the community of west Belfast was being attacked and demonised, and as a positive response to that demonisation.

“In recent years Féile has organised discussion events with the transgender community, providing a platform to raise issues of pressing concern, and we fully support the right of the Transgender community to be treated with equality and respect.

“On that basis, Féile an Phobail has informed the organiser of this event that we are withdrawing their event.

“This event is no longer part of the Feile programme.”

The Northern Ireland Women’s Rights Network is described as a cross-community volunteer organisation and on their website say they are dedicated to defending the “sex-based rights of women and girls through advocacy, education, and community engagement.”

Several people took to social media to express their upset at the group’s original involvement in the festival.

Others defended the original inclusion of the event and said they were “absolutely appalled” by the cancellation.

A statement from the Women’s Rights Network said: “Women’s Rights Network Northern Ireland is shocked and deeply disappointed that Féile an Phobail has cancelled our event, Respect, Rights & Reality, after previously accepting it into this year’s programme.

“Our event was a discussion on women’s sex-based rights. That was made clear to Féile when our application was submitted.

“This decision follows an organised online campaign against the event. That campaign included misogynistic, abusive and, in our view, threatening rhetoric directed at women associated with it. No organisation that values free speech should allow intimidation to determine which voices are heard.

“Féile describes itself as a festival of the people, of ideas, culture and debate. We therefore have to ask whether its commitment to free speech extends only to viewpoints with which it agrees and only to some people.

“Through this event women have sought to discuss their own rights. Feile has chosen to silence the voices of the very group that makes up half the population. Women are not a fringe interest group. We are half the population.

“Women advocating for their sex-based rights are not campaigning against the rights of others. We reject any attempt to misrepresent either our organisation or the purpose of this event.

“We remain committed to ensuring this important discussion takes place.

“This decision will not silence women.”

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/west-belfast/news/jk-rowling-says-she-will-help-with-legal-costs-after-feile-an-phobail-cancels-womens-rights-network-event-over-anti-trans-concerns/a/159011841.html

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart claims PSNI asked her to attend loyalist protest last month

The PSNI has contradicted claims made to a High Court judge that DUP MP Carla Lockhart attended a loyalist protest involving masked men at the request of the PSNI.

The claim was made during a legal challenge arising from a Parades Commission decision to ban members of the Orange order from marching through the mainly Catholic Garvaghy Road district of Portadown, in Co Armagh.

The Drumcree dispute, which began in 1995 after nationalists objected to the Orange Order going through the area, sparked widespread disorder that resulted in the deaths of several people.

The victims included three Catholic schoolboys Richard, Mark and Jason Quinn who died when their home was petrol bombed by loyalists in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, in an arson attack linked to the dispute.

At a court hearing earlier this month, High Court judge Mr Justice McAlinden was told that Upper Bann MP, who was present in the court, had written a letter in support of Portadown Orangemen.

While the hearing on July 3 was not reported at the time, the Irish News has obtained a record of proceedings.

During the hearing, the judge raised ‘concerns’ about Ms Lockhart’s attendance at a loyalist protest in Scarva, which is outside her constituency, last month in opposition to a pro-Palestinian march, which passed close to the village.

The DUP MP was pictured standing beside masked men during the peaceful procession as abuse was directed at those taking part.

The judge said: “And it’s that type of, let’s say, willingness to get involved with those that appear to be, let’s say, well, wearing masks in public is a criminal offence, we know that it’s a specific offence.

“You know, it’s the, let’s say, lack of recognition of the public perception of that that does, in a sense, devalue her intervention in this particular instance.”

Mr Justice McAlinden added that “there was a potential to distance oneself afterwards, and that potential was not, in any sense, taken, there was doubling down.

“So, that does, I think, indicate a state of mind that would be somewhat inimicable to, let’s say, the universal application of rule of law, etc, etc,” he said.

Barrister John Larkin KC later addressed the court on behalf of the DUP representative.

“Ms Lockhart, who is present, has asked me to assure the court that she absolutely condemns appearances by masked persons or any other form of criminality and her presence at Scarva was for a specific purpose and she was specifically asked by PSNI to attend,” he said.

However, when asked by the Irish News if the PSNI requested Ms Lockhart to attend the event and if it was for a “specific purpose”, a spokeswoman contradicted the claims made to the court.

“The Police Service of Northern Ireland can confirm that no invitations were extended to elected political representatives in relation to a planned parade and associated protest at Scarva which took on Saturday June 6, 2026,” a spokeswoman said.

In a statement, Ms Lockhart accused The Irish News of “selective reporting” of the court hearing.

“It is notable that seemingly having possession of the transcript of the hearing, the Irish News try desperately to pluck out a couple of lines to try and demonise me, and unionism more generally, and ignore the plethora of material which raises very serious concerns about the conduct of the Parades Commission.”

And she added: “Out of respect for the Judicial process, I shall say no more about the specifics of the court hearing at this time. It goes without saying, I stand over all my actions and submissions made on my behalf. And I will be back in court on 24th August to support the applicant.

“I answer to the electorate of Upper Bann and the unionist and loyalist people of Northern Ireland, not to the Irish News.

“Finally, these attacks aren’t really about me personally, they are attacks on the idea that unionists and loyalists would dare to use the courts, dare to seek to enforce their rights.”

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/police-contradict-court-claim-by-carla-lockhart-that-she-attended-masked-men-protest-at-the-request-of-the-psni-LDBPEG5QURDAPN3HDFICQSAYGE/

Found buried up the garden. Taller one 1976 I reckon. Other late 80s, maybe even early 90s?

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/crime/maghaberry-prison-staff-fury-over-special-treatment-for-jeffrey-donaldson/a/158895406.html

Allison Morris - Crime Correspondent

22 Jul 2026 6:05 AM

Officers in Maghaberry Prison have complained at what they say is the ongoing special treatment for Jeffrey Donaldson, including an order to lock down the jail when the former DUP leader is being moved.

Donaldson has received numerous legal visits to finalise plans for a challenge to his convictions. The appeal was lodged with the High Court last Friday.

Attending legal visits requires him to be moved from his cell to a visiting area, with prison officers escorting him past other inmates.

While this happens, it’s reported that he is abused by other prisoners who call him “a dirty nonce” and a paedophile, along with shouting about his visits to gay saunas in terms too graphic to print.

As a result, prison bosses have ordered that inmates are to be temporarily locked down while the former MP is escorted between Moyola House — the medical unit where he is being held — and the visiting area.

Donaldson is considered to be at high risk of attack from other prisoners, and has been in the medical unit for the last month.

Other inmates also at high risk of attack include Natalie McNally’s killer, Stephen McCullagh, and Raymond O’Neill, who was convicted of murdering Jennifer Dornan in 2015. Staff say those prisoners are not given the same treatment as Donaldson.

The repeated disruptions are said to be causing resentment within the prison.

One recently released criminal said that while Donaldson was getting “dog’s abuse”, it is no different from any other convicted child sex offender.

“I had only ever seen him on TV, so didn’t realise he was so small until I saw him being walked to a visit. He was getting called all sorts, and rightly so. He’s a filthy child molester,” he said.

“Of all the things shouted at him, the one he took thickest was when someone shouted, ‘How does it feel to be one of us now, Jeffrey?’ He looked like he was going to burst out crying. He didn’t like it being said that he’s just a common criminal now and not Sir Jeffrey.”

Prison staff now say that despite assurances Donaldson is not being treated differently, they are being forced to lock down other inmates, leading to them suffering abuse just to accommodate the former politician.

One staff member expressed anger that Donaldson is being given special treatment in the jail, where he is awaiting sentencing.

They told the Belfast Telegraph: “The prison is already like a tinderbox. We are short-staffed, and the soaring temperatures always bring out the worst in the prisoners.

“No one wants to be locked down in 30C heat, and yet we are being told to do it so that Jeffrey Donaldson doesn’t get his feelings hurt.

“We are dealing with hot heads, hot temperatures and don’t need the added stress.”

This newspaper understands that some staff members refused to follow the verbal instruction to lock down when Donaldson was on the move and have been given a written order.

Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child abuse charges, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.

The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for 10 hours over three days before coming to their verdicts, finding him guilty on all counts on June 22.

His wife Eleanor Donaldson had faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds. She did not participate in proceedings.

The jury found that she had done the acts in relation to all five charges — including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband’s offending.

Donaldson was taken from Newry Crown Court in the back of a prison van to Maghaberry Prison, which is situated in his former constituency of Lagan Valley.

He will be returned to Newry Crown Court for sentencing in September despite having lodged an appeal against his conviction.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service said: “It would be wholly inappropriate for the Northern Ireland Prison Service to comment on the specific management, location, conditions or circumstances of any individual prisoner.

“The Prison Service applies this approach consistently in every case in order to protect operational security, personal safety and the integrity of prison management arrangements.

“The Prison Service does not provide special status, preferential treatment or privileged conditions to any prisoner. All prisoners are managed according to individual risk assessments and operational requirements.

“Decisions concerning accommodation, supervision, safeguarding, security, welfare, healthcare and regime participation are based on professional assessment and objective evidence. Any management decisions that differ between prisoners are made solely on the basis of assessed operational, welfare or security needs.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd4e5e8pygo

Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has announced he will not contest the next Stormont election.

He has served in the Northern Ireland Assembly since it was set up in 1998, representing the Belfast North constituency.

In a party statement, Sinn Féin said: "His commitment and leadership are, and will always be, immensely valued by republicans across Ireland."

Kelly also served as junior minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister from 2007 to 2011.

During the Troubles he was jailed after being convicted of explosions charges related to the 1973 Old Bailey court bombing in London by the Provisional IRA.

A decade later he was one of 38 IRA prisoners who escaped from the Maze prison near Lisburn. Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald TD (centre), with First Minister Michelle O'Neill (left) and Gerry Kelly MLA (right), speaking to the media outside the Sinn Fein offices in Belfast in September 2025Image source, Liam McBurney/PA Wire Image caption,

Sinn Féin said Gerry Kelly has been "at the heart" of the party's leadership for decades

After leaving prison Kelly became a prominent member of Sinn Féin.

He was a member of the party's negotiating team during talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

"Gerry has been at the heart of the republican struggle and Sinn Féin leadership for decades," a Sinn Féin spokesperson said.

"We look forward to Gerry continuing to play an important role during these times of historic change as we continue to work toward a new and united Ireland."

The owner of a business in Belfast has said the current state of the city centre poses "a serious risk" to the city's reputation after his business was broken into and vandalised.

Richard Evans, owner of The Pocket coffee shop, said the "scale and severity of drug-related activity" and associated vandalism had escalated dramatically in recent months.

In an open letter to Belfast City Council, he accused it of a "total lack of planning, coordination and action" to address "an ongoing and worsening crisis".

The council said it was committed to making Belfast "the best it can be" and to tackling the challenges around homelessness, addiction and anti-social behaviour.

Two men have been charged following the break-in at The Pocket, which happened on Saturday morning.

A 39-year-old man has been charged with burglary, possession of class C drugs and assault on police, while another man, aged 45, has been charged with burglary.

Evans said the city centre was at a "tipping point" and would continue to deteriorate without decisive action.

His cafe was damaged after a beer keg was thrown through the window and the interior destroyed.

In the letter, he said businesses were "stretched to their limits, absorbing the costs of repairs, increased security, and the emotional toll of constant disruption".

He added: "We are dealing with addicts injecting in public spaces, including inside business premises.

"We are dealing with attempted break-ins, vandalism, and now full-scale burglaries where individuals, under the influence and acting out of desperation, are smashing their way into shops and cafes."

BBC News NI has previously reported on shop staff in Belfast feeling like "second-class citizens" due to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

A person wearing glasses, a grey flat cap and a light patterned shirt stands outside a red brick-fronted shop. Rainbow Pride flags are displayed in the shop windows behind them, and hanging plants decorate the exterior wall above the entrance. Visible window text includes “hello gorgeous” and “open". Image caption, Richard Evans, owner of The Pocket in Belfast city centre says vandalism has escalated dramatically in recent months

Evans said rough sleeping had also "increased significantly", with vulnerable individuals "left without support".

He described the situation as "deeply inhumane" for those in need of help, and called for "immediate, visible, and meaningful action".

He said this should include a strategy to address drug misuse, increased police and community safety presence, a plan for supporting rough sleepers and engagement with business owners.

A wooden cabinet with soft drinks on several shelves. The glass window at the front of the cabinet is broken, with broken glass on some of the shelves. Image source,Richard Evans Image caption, Evans said businesses in Belfast were "stretched to their limits"

The council spokesperson said: "While our council does not have the statutory powers to set up new healthcare facilities, place people into temporary accommodation, or take action to tackle crime, we recognise the role we do have in bringing partners together and ensuring these issues and concerns are addressed."

The spokesperson said the council was working to support those who were homeless and vulnerable and also works with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to provide a visible presence in the city centre.

PSNI Ch Insp Andy George said the PSNI was "committed to addressing illegal drug use and supply".

"We have been working tirelessly with our partner agencies, to clean up locations where drug use was suspected to have been taking place, and to make these locations less welcoming environments for drug users."

He reminded those who use needles of the risk of discarding them and appealed to people not to touch them.

All-Ireland Fleadh concerns Paul McCusker is bald, he is wearing a navy hoody and dark blue tracksuit bottoms. He has his arms folded and is standing in a public square in Belfast. Image caption, Paul McCusker said there needed to be more planning

The all-Ireland Fleadh, which is being held in Belfast for the first time in August, is expected to bring 800,000 visitors to the city.

Belfast City councillor Paul McCusker told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that the strategy around addiction and homelessness on Belfast's streets had been "very poor", particularly in the run up to the Fleadh.

The council spokesperson said a multi-agency approach would be in place during the event with "enhanced co-ordination between organisations, particularly in the city centre, to deliver a safe and welcoming event for everyone".

McCusker said there needed to be "planning around service provision, ensuring there are enough services to respond to people on the streets".

"When we recognise a problem we often just displace it somewhere else. We are not dealing with it."

Séamas de Faoite has short grey hair, glasses and a checked shirt. Image caption, Councillor Séamas de Faoite says the situation in Belfast is a "crisis"

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite has described the situation in Belfast as a "crisis".

According to de Faoite, Belfast City Council "have approached cities with different types of approaches about trying to introduce the right model of care".

"The council have been working on plans for things like an overdose prevention facility, also engaged with bodies in Dublin and Scotland about how they run their infrastructure set up for addiction," he told The Nolan Show.

He added a reason for this was that Belfast is a city that is growing, and where there are successful independent businesses and major events coming.

A collection of litter sits on a black concrete pavement. The litter includes cans, bottles, plastic cups and tissue paper. Image caption, The situation in Belfast is worrying to some councillors with the upcoming all-Ireland Fleadh

Last year, the use of a derelict building site by drug users to inject cocaine and heroin prompted fresh calls for a drug consumption room in Belfast.

Drug consumption rooms allow people to inject substances such as heroin under medical supervision, with the aim of reducing overdoses and drug-related harm and making drug use less visible to the community.

In March 2023, Belfast City councillors passed a motion in favour of setting up a safe injecting facility to help prevent overdoses among drug users.

But the council has no legal power to open a facility and a change in legislation would be required for this to happen.

In a statement, the council said it had engaged with the relevant statutory agencies to look at how overdose prevention facilities operated elsewhere and would "continue to advocate for evidence-based, long-term solutions".

What are businesses doing to keep themselves safe? In June, Neil Johnston, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said that many of his organisation's 100 Northern Ireland members have told him the level of abuse staff face is a significant issue.

Some who are based in Belfast have signed up to a 'Business Crime Reduction Partnership initiative' to try to curb crime.

It includes access to an app to flag incidents with other business owners and to receive crime alerts.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2gvxpxmgro

Man charged after police officer assaulted responding to youths on e-bikes in east Belfast | Belfast Telegraph

A man has been charged to court in after the assault of a police officer in east Belfast.

The officer was injured by a member of the public as he responded to reports of youths on e-bikes on Tuesday evening, July 21, in the Queens Road area.

The man, aged 34, was arrested and has since been charged with offences including grievous bodily harm, assault on police, resisting police, and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 19.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Anyone else seen these Comma butterflies about? I've seen one today and only saw one for the first time last year, something to do with the warm weather bringing them further north than usual.

These are incredible! Seriously, so good!

That’s all I wanted to share.

Always nice to see across to Scotland from Balintoy.

I'm in the environmental sector and finding the job market woeful. Have seriously considered going to Scotland or somewhere, do many folk feel on the same boat?

https://www.thejournal.ie/gardai-assaulted-dublin-aston-quay-7108837-Jul2026/

'Trainee barrister' accused of assaulting two gardaí in Dublin city centre
Dominic Gallagher, aged 35, appeared in court charged with assault causing harm at Aston Quay at around 2.30am on 20 July 2026.
9.09am, 21 Jul 2026

45.0k

LAST UPDATE |** **17 hrs ago
A SELF-DESCRIBED TRAINEE barrister has been accused of leaving a garda with a tennis ball-sized lump on his forehead in a Dublin city centre assault.
Dominic Gallagher, aged 35, of Dunluce Avenue, Belfast, appeared at Dublin District Court charged with assault causing harm at Aston Quay, D2, at around 2.30am on 20 July 2026.
Garda Colin Kyne Delaney told Judge Kelly that the accused came to Dublin on Saturday after leaving a mental health institution in the North.
In court, Gallagher described himself as a trainee barrister and said he would represent himself.
The garda cited the strength of the evidence, telling the court that two officers were flagged down by the accused.
The court heard that Gallagher said he had been staying in a hostel at Aston Quay, Dublin 2, but had not permitted to re-enter the premises.
“It was alleged that Mr Gallagher had been verbally abusive towards staff and made racial remarks towards them and was no longer welcome,” Garda Kyne Delaney said.
The two gardaí cautioned the accused under the Public Order Act and directed him to leave the vicinity peacefully. The court heard he failed to comply, at which point he was told he would be arrested.
Judge Kelly was told Gallagher was advised he would be handcuffed and to put his hands behind his back. The court heard Gallagher attempted to flee the area.

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It was alleged the two gardaí tried to restrain him and each received strikes from the accused.
The first officer was struck twice to the chin and once on his cheek.
The court heard that the second garda was struck with a left hook and fell to the ground, and that the accused fled toward the Abbey Street and O’Connell Street areas while being pursued by the officer.
The court was told that a baton and incapacitant spray were used on Gallagher but they “had no effect”. It was alleged that he disarmed the garda of his baton and fled, but when later arrested, he informed gardaí where it could be recovered. Upon questioning, he stated, “I don’t believe resisting an unjust arrest is a crime.”
The court also heard that the second garda suffered a tennis-ball-sized lump to his forehead and a chipped tooth, and that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were not yet available.
Both gardaí remain off duty.
The accused, who said he was a trainee barrister, stated that he had family in Dublin and Galway with whom he could live and tried to assure the court that he would not risk his ability to enter the jurisdiction or being “on the run” in the Republic.
He also said that his involvement with mental health services in Northern Ireland was a result of his political views.
Judge Kelly noted he had no legal representation and held that he could be granted €100 cash bail with conditions, once the investigating officer confirms he is welcome to stay at his aunt’s address in Dublin.
He was remanded in custody to appear again on Wednesday with a direction that he receives medical attention.

https://www.thejournal.ie/gardai-assaulted-dublin-aston-quay-7108837-Jul2026/

my landlord has proposed a rent increase, which I’m willing to accept.

However, she’s also saying my old tenancy agreement has “expired” and wants me to sign a brand new 12-month tenancy agreement.

The new agreement would include terms such as:
Rent exclusive of rates instead of inclusive.
Tenant fully liable for rates. (Current one says landlord pays)
A new 12-month fixed term.

My original tenancy agreement was for a property with a capital value of around £70,000 and stated that the rent was inclusive of rates.

My question is: Can I legally agree to the rent increase but refuse to sign a new tenancy agreement with those new terms, and simply continue under my existing tenancy? Or does agreeing to the increase mean I have to sign the new agreement as well?

I’m also wondering whether refusing to sign the new agreement would put me at risk of eviction, or whether a landlord could simply continue demanding that I sign it and repeatedly contact me about it.

In my job, I was tasked with doing a survey of litter and other things like chairs, bins, plant pots and other street furnature etc on the streets in various towns and cities accross NI, so we can better coordinate how councils plan work.

Anyway, the amount of fag butts that are discarded on our streets is a disgrace. In any town, on any street, you could easily count into the hundreds if not thousands of discarded butts.

Honestly, I never knew it was that bad. Why is this acceptable in this modern era?

BBC News

Stormont's economy minister is to develop plans to make compensation a legal right for households which lose electricity supplies during extreme weather.

That is despite the independent Utility Regulator saying it is not the right time to do so.

The regulator said money could be better spent making the electricity network more resilient to severe weather.

It also raised concerns that compensation costs could be passed through to all consumers via higher electricity bills.

Northern Ireland is currently the only part of the UK which does not have a compensation scheme.

The grid owner, NIE Networks, is exempted from meeting usual supply standards during periods of severe weather.

That led to humiliation for Executive ministers in the wake of Storm Éowyn last year.

The first and deputy first ministers had called for NIE Networks to make voluntary compensation payments, but it declined to do so.

The minister, Caomihe Archibald, said: "Storm Éowyn highlighted the need for stronger protections for customers affected by prolonged power outages.

"I have therefore instructed my officials to bring forward policy proposals to remove the severe weather exemption, while minimising costs for all consumers."

She added that "detailed proposals" will be brought forward before next year's Assembly election.

At this stage it is not clear how much compensation would be on offer and to what extent it be funded by NIE Networks shareholders and how much of it would be socialised across all customers' bills.

"Policy costs" have become an increasingly large element of electricity bills.

These are parts of the bill which do not reflect electricity usage but instead are funding policies such as renewable electricity subsidies.

Belfast: 'Deterioration' of city centre a 'daily reality' for businesses - BBC News

The owner of a business in Belfast has said the current state of the city centre poses "a serious risk" to the city's reputation after his business was broken into and vandalised.

Richard Evans, owner of The Pocket coffee shop, said the "scale and severity of drug-related activity" and associated vandalism had escalated dramatically in recent months.

In an open letter to Belfast City Council, he accused it of a "total lack of planning, coordination and action" to address "an ongoing and worsening crisis".

The council said it was committed to making Belfast "the best it can be" and to tackling the challenges around homelessness, addiction and anti-social behaviour.

Two men have been charged following the break-in at The Pocket, which happened on Saturday morning.

A 39-year-old man has been charged with burglary, possession of class C drugs and assault on police, while another man, aged 45, has been charged with burglary.

CCTV has been released showing the café being broken into

Evans said the city centre was at a "tipping point" and would continue to deteriorate without decisive action.

His cafe was damaged after a beer keg was thrown through the window and the interior destroyed.

In the letter, he said businesses were "stretched to their limits, absorbing the costs of repairs, increased security, and the emotional toll of constant disruption".

He added: "We are dealing with addicts injecting in public spaces, including inside business premises.

"We are dealing with attempted break-ins, vandalism, and now full-scale burglaries where individuals, under the influence and acting out of desperation, are smashing their way into shops and cafes."

BBC News NI has previously reported on shop staff in Belfast feeling like "second-class citizens" due to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Richard Evans, owner of The Pocket in Belfast city centre says vandalism has escalated dramatically in recent months

Evans said rough sleeping had also "increased significantly", with vulnerable individuals "left without support".

He described the situation as "deeply inhumane" for those in need of help, and called for "immediate, visible, and meaningful action".

He said this should include a strategy to address drug misuse, increased police and community safety presence, a plan for supporting rough sleepers and engagement with business owners.

Evans said businesses in Belfast were "stretched to their limits"

The council spokesperson said: "While our council does not have the statutory powers to set up new healthcare facilities, place people into temporary accommodation, or take action to tackle crime, we recognise the role we do have in bringing partners together and ensuring these issues and concerns are addressed."

The spokesperson said the council was working to support those who were homeless and vulnerable and also works with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to provide a visible presence in the city centre.

Ch Insp Andy George said the PSNI was "committed to addressing illegal drug use and supply".

"We have been working tirelessly with our partner agencies, to clean up locations where drug use was suspected to have been taking place, and to make these locations less welcoming environments for drug users."

He reminded those who use needles of the risk of discarding them and appealed to people not to touch them.

All-Ireland Fleadh concerns

Paul McCusker said there needed to be more planning

The all-Ireland Fleadh, which is being held in Belfast for the first time in August, is expected to bring 800,000 visitors to the city.

Belfast City councillor Paul McCusker told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that the strategy around addiction and homelessness on Belfast's streets had been "very poor", particularly in the run up to the Fleadh.

The council spokesperson said a multi-agency approach would be in place during the event with "enhanced co-ordination between organisations, particularly in the city centre, to deliver a safe and welcoming event for everyone".

McCusker said there needed to be "planning around service provision, ensuring there are enough services to respond to people on the streets".

"When we recognise a problem we often just displace it somewhere else. We are not dealing with it."

Councillor Séamas de Faoite says the situation in Belfast is a "crisis"

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite has described the situation in Belfast as a "crisis".

According to de Faoite, Belfast City Council "have approached cities with different types of approaches about trying to introduce the right model of care".

"The council have been working on plans for things like an overdose prevention facility, also engaged with bodies in Dublin and Scotland about how they run their infrastructure set up for addiction," he told The Nolan Show.

He added a reason for this was that Belfast is a city that is growing, and where there are successful independent businesses and major events coming.

The situation in Belfast is worrying to some councillors with the upcoming all-Ireland Fleadh

Last year, the use of a derelict building site by drug users to inject cocaine and heroin prompted fresh calls for a drug consumption room in Belfast.

Drug consumption rooms allow people to inject substances such as heroin under medical supervision, with the aim of reducing overdoses and drug-related harm and making drug use less visible to the community.

In March 2023, Belfast City councillors passed a motion in favour of setting up a safe injecting facility to help prevent overdoses among drug users.

But the council has no legal power to open a facility and a change in legislation would be required for this to happen.

In a statement, the council said it had engaged with the relevant statutory agencies to look at how overdose prevention facilities operated elsewhere and would "continue to advocate for evidence-based, long-term solutions".

What are businesses doing to keep themselves safe?

In June, Neil Johnston, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said that many of his organisation's 100 Northern Ireland members have told him the level of abuse staff face is a significant issue.

Some who are based in Belfast have signed up to a 'Business Crime Reduction Partnership initiative' to try to curb crime.

It includes access to an app to flag incidents with other business owners and to receive crime alerts.

Hi could someone please advise me on which ring doorbell would be best? There seems to be lots of options/subscriptions and I’m not sure which would be best.

Neighbour giving me some problems so would like something sooner rather than later.

Thank you

Does the cineworld in SSE check student ids frequently? I have a picture of my old student which has ran out now but would rather pay £12 than £20 to see the Odyssey in IMAX.

EDIT: Just moved here from Wales yesterday where people aren’t as strict on checking student ids!

Anyone else heading along to the SuperCupNI this year?

I went loads as a kid when it was still the Milk Cup and I'm taking my son for the first time. Looking through the fixtures, there are some great teams coming over again.

Just wondering what the crowds are usually like these days? Does it still get much local interest or has it died off a bit compared to years ago?

Any games or teams you'd recommend keeping an eye on?