Brian O'Neill

From Mark Simpson at the BBC: The chances of Northern Ireland hosting matches at the Euro 2028 football tournament appear to have gone. The UK government announced on Friday night that the estimated cost of rebuilding Casement Park stadium in Belfast has “risen dramatically” to more than £400m. The government said it will not be providing funding to redevelop the stadium in time for the tournament. It said there was a “significant risk” that the stadium would not be built …

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The BBC are reporting that the new Labour government has paused the City Deals. From the report: The deals are bespoke packages of funding and decision-making powers negotiated between central government and local authorities. The implications of the pause are not yet clear, but Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill described it as “unacceptable and deplorable”. There are four deals in Northern Ireland: the Belfast City region, Derry City and Strabane, Mid South West region, and Causeway Coast and Glens. …

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The BBC reports that Staff at The City Hospital were disciplined after a plaque marking its formal opening by the Duke of York went missing. From the article: The plaque sparked an investigation by health officials after it was removed without permission from Belfast City Hospital in January 2022. It came after Prince Andrew faced civil action in the US over sexual assault allegations – claims he has denied. The Belfast Trust said the plaque has since been recovered, staff …

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The Irish News reports on a new exhibition at the MAC Belfast by Khaled Barakeh, a Syrian multidisciplinary conceptual artist, activist, and cultural director based in Berlin. A ‘multidisciplinary conceptual artist’ is the coolest job title I have ever heard. Anyhoo, as Sophie Clarke reports: IN 1992 Maurice Harron’s iconic public sculpture, Hands Across the Divide, was erected in Derry. The work sees two figures extending out the hand of friendship but not quite managing to meet, raising questions around …

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As you may know, both airports charge £3 for drop-off or pick-up. But there is a straightforward way to avoid the fees. The long-stay carpark in both airports lets you stay for 10 minutes for free. It is as close as the paid drop-off points; I have walked it many times, and it’s only a minute or two to the terminal. When picking up at either airport, just park nearby and get the person to call you when they have …

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The Secretary of State Hilary Benn has ordered a public enquiry into the controversial murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. Today is for my father, Pat Finucane. The announcement that there will now be a public inquiry into his murder is very much welcomed by our family. Led by my mother Geraldine, we have campaigned for decades to uncover the truth behind my father’s murder. I want to thank… pic.twitter.com/NWl3ikaSF6 — John Finucane MP (@johnfinucane) September 11, 2024 Brian O'NeillI …

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The US Presidental just gets weirder and weirder. During the Trump-Harris debate last night, the strangest moment was Trump’s claim that illegal immigrants were eating pets. You can literally pinpoint the exact moment where Trump lost the debate. pic.twitter.com/yzNV9BCpu9 — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) September 11, 2024 The consensus is that Harris ran rings around Trump. Holy cow. Chris Wallace just totally summarized the debate perfectly: “Tonight was just devastating. It was a shutout on almost every subject I can …

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Like many things in Northern Ireland, the Irish language can divide opinion. I understand the reasons for this but it is unfortunate as language is a crucial part of our identity. Over the past few decades, tremendous progress has been made in revitalising the Irish Language. Several Irish-medium primary and secondary schools across Northern Ireland educate thousands of kids through the Irish medium. Excellent work is being done by Linda Irvine and others, showing that Irish is not just for …

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I was passing one of the Go stations and noticed petrol was down to £1.29. That’s the lowest it’s been since the pandemic and all our cars became expensive inanimate objects. Home heating oil is also at a low. Clickoil offering 500 litres for £285. When prices are low I like to stock up on petrol. I store it in old 2 litre milk cartons under the stairs next to the electric meter and those fireworks I have been storing …

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After losing his North Down seat to independent unionist Alex Easton, Stephen Farry seems to be taking a break from politics*. Over the past eight years, I have been honoured to be Alliance Party Deputy Leader. This is my personal statement as I announce that I am stepping down from this role. I want to thank everyone for their support over this time, and look forward to new opportunities. pic.twitter.com/VUrvt90hhh — Dr Stephen Farry (@StephenFarryND) September 8, 2024 In my …

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The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily …

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In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not …

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As she is the only candidate, it’s more a coronation than election, but still it’s a good achievement for the popular South Belfast MP. She will now proceed for ratification by party members at the SDLP conference on 5 October. Claire is a strong media performer, more importantly she has the likability factor that’s political gold. Will she be able to turn around the fortunes of the ailing SDLP? What advice would you give her?     Brian O'NeillI help …

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To help out our executive, here are some ideas. I will start with education. learning stops at lunchtime. After lunch is for activities like music, sport, art, etc These activities should be taken by lay people or parents, teachers should use this time to prepare lessons, have a nap, drink tea and bitch about colleagues, go home The following activities are to be included: dancing. With weekly dances self defence public speaking story telling singing cooking debating Maths can go …

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After 7 months, Stormont has agreed a draft Programme For Government. The nine priorities for the government are: grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy deliver affordable childcare, cut health waiting times end violence against women and girls better support for children and young people with special educational needs provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing safer communities protect Lough Neagh and the environment reform and transformation of public services. All very worthy but a the devil is in the …

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The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily …

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In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillI help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not …

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A bit of an aul Who reference there for the music fans. Mike Nesbitt is the only candidate for Ulster Unionist leader so far, seven years after he first stood down from the position. Can he do any better this time or will it be a case of we won’t get fooled again? Mike is an expert on media relations, but could I suggest he liven up the next UUP Party Conference by smashing a Fender Stratocaster to bits on …

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Davy Adams is a man who has had quite a journey. From being a loyalist paramilitary in Belfast to working for the Dublin-based charity Goal, where he worked in many countries across Africa and the Middle East. His newspaper columns are always worth reading for their reflective nature on our various issues, he really should write an autobiography. Anyway, his latest column for the Beltel reflected on the recent race riots. Some extracts: In Belfast and elsewhere in NI, supposed …

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One of the more infamous killings of the Troubles is back in the news. A new search has begun for the body of Capt Robert Nairac, from the BBC: An area of farmland in County Louth is being examined for the remains of Captain Robert Nairac, who was abducted and murdered by the IRA while working undercover. It is the first search for his remains since he was shot and secretly buried in May 1977. The search has been organised …

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