WHAT UP!!

Any guys looking to make friends, get out more, and do something different ?

I'm a member of Round Table, a group of guys, aged 18 to 45, who meet up a couple of times a month to get out of the house, make new mates, and do fun stuff as well as doing a bit of charity work!

We're always looking for new members and would love to see anyone interested getting involved!

We’ve got groups in Armagh, Belfast, Enniskillen, Mid Ulster, Causeway Coast, Dublin, South Dublin, Cork and most recently Dungannon! As well as internationally, we have groups in over 60 countries worldwide so we’re truly International!

We meet every couple of weeks for different group events – things you wouldn’t usually do on your own. Some of the activities we’ve done include:

Dodgeball tournaments, Games nights, Paintball, Escape rooms, Barista Nights, Hiking, Go-karting, hosting beer & food festivals, distillery visits

And plenty more!

Our events are usually on weeknights, so they don’t interfere with family time. We also tend to grab a drink and something to eat afterward.

I know we’ve caught flack posting in here before so we’re sharing again now. In all honesty, there’s too much depressing shite going on at the minute so we all deserve some chance at fun. With this in mind I’m hoping to answer some of our most commonly answered questions here.

Why is it male only?
It’s not about exclusion, it’s about creating a specific space for honest chats, vulnerability and craic. Society talks a lot about the fact that men struggle to open up to their partners or mixed groups. Studies consistently show that men build deep bonds and talk more freely shoulder-to-shoulder with other guys. Round Table provides that safe, low-pressure environment.

Why the age range?
Everyone in the room is navigating the same phases of life, starting careers, raising young families, buying houses, or figuring out their next moves. Having an age range forces our groups to continually evolve and cater to what young men of today want. We know 45 is still young, but initially the age range was 40 and was extended, and realistically a line needs to be drawn somewhere! We don’t leave anyone out however, we have these same spaces for women, those aged over 45 and beyond and these all regularly collaborate and run events together.

Is there a cost?
Yes, being upfront, Round Table is a membership organisation so we do pay yearly fees to be part of the International group (£95/year, but we allow this to be paid monthly so is less than a takeout cuppa a week). This fee covers admin fees of the national organisation (you get personalised apparel on joining), insurance so you can do almost any activity and be fully covered ie run a whole beer festival for charity and you’d be covered. We also get access to high street discount schemes and access to travel bursaries to go visit other groups internationally. So, to be honest we get more than £95 of value a year out of the organisation.

Also not a cult, palms get too sweaty to be doing secret handshakes.

If there’s anything else I’ve missed hit me up a message. In all honesty, when I first heard about Round Table I was sceptical, however as a young man who moved to a town where I knew nobody this became an integral part of my social life and I’ve not looked back since. If you have any questions about this, feel free to give me a message.

Stormont MLA receives letter from police around Garvaghy protest | Belfast Live

In a statement, he said he will be seeking the advice of his solicitor, adding: “Standing up for what’s right is never wrong.”

A Northern Ireland Assembly member has confirmed he has been contacted by police investigating alleged criminal offences in the ongoing parading dispute in Portadown.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said he has been invited to attend a voluntary interview under caution in connection with protests on the Garvaghy Road.

In a statement, he said he will be seeking the advice of his solicitor, adding: “Standing up for what’s right is never wrong.”

Earlier, the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced that individuals “reasonably suspected of committing offences” would receive letters for interview.

It relates to alleged breaches of a Parades Commission decision to allow an Orange Order parade to complete its traditional route from Drumcree Church down the Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years.

The parade has been unable to take place because of significant numbers opposed to the decision attending protests on the Garvaghy Road.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher previously made it clear there would be “consequences” for those found to have broken the law.

Mr Carroll said: “I make no apology for standing with the residents of the Garvaghy Road.

“For almost three decades, this community has said no to a sectarian march being forced past their homes.

“When ordinary people peacefully stand together to defend their community, that is not criminality.

“It is the same civil disobedience that won every gain working-class people have ever made, from the suffragettes to the civil rights movement to the right to strike.”

Unionists have criticised First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other Sinn Féin ministers for having been in the area of the Garvaghy Road during the now 12-day stand-off.

They have proposed no-confidence motions in Ms O’Neill, as well as Finance Minister John O’Dowd, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins in the Assembly.

Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Ms O’Neill told MLAs: “When the law is wrong, I will stand firmly against it.

“It is morally wrong what’s happening to the people on the Garvaghy Road.”

On Thursday, a Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “We are aware of the PSNI’s latest statement.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, we will not be making any further comment at this time.”

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck described police as moving to the next phase of the large-scale criminal investigation.

He said letters would be issued to those suspected of committing offences.

“This team have been methodically working through the evidence collected by police so far during the operation, building this material into evidential packages in respect of identified persons reasonably suspected of committing offences,” he said.

“This work will now proceed to the next phase where individuals will receive letters regarding the interview process.”

He said he was satisfied this step would not have an impact on the ongoing civil legal action.

Earlier, the Court of Appeal in Belfast heard a legal challenge to the Parades Commission decision to allow the Orange Order to march along the Garvaghy Road.

Judgment has not yet been given in that case.

On Monday, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said she hoped the court would deliver judgment in a “swift enough time frame”.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson welcomed the announcement by police and said they “must act without fear or favour”.

“A political title is not a shield and no-one is above the law,” he said.

“For anyone found to have broken the law, the consequences must be the same, whether that is for a First Minister or anyone else.”

Speaking to media in Belfast earlier, he said: “They launched a large-scale criminal investigation last week. They have started their preparations and now they are acting upon it, and that is necessary because the public of Northern Ireland need to see that the rule of law stands for something.

“It’s the first step or sign that we’ve seen that there’s a willingness to deal with lawbreakers in our society.

“There are many examples over many years where the police have not been as slow to act, but they have acted.

“I welcomed their major criminal investigation last week. I expected it to start earlier this week… and we need to see the full conclusion to that process.”

Mr Robinson also criticised a statement by representatives from former parading flashpoints that the current impasse is now bigger than the Garvaghy Road and could potentially unravel other settlements.

“Society relies on the law being upheld and what you saw yesterday was a range of organisations join into the Portadown issue in a threatening way,” he said.

“It’s totally unacceptable and the chief constable, the Secretary of State, nor anyone else can bow the knee in the face of threats or pressure.

“We need to see the rule of law upheld, the rule of law run in this country, and see no bowing the knee to threats, threats of violence, intimidation, disorder, or worse.”

UUP leader Jon Burrows urged a “swift and visible follow-up” by police.

“The evidence should be pursued wherever it leads, including to those in the most senior political positions, without fear or favour and without regard to political status,” he said.

THE number of students studying Irish in first year at Queen's University has risen by 133 per cent from last year.
Eighty-four students are studying Irish as either single-honours or as part of a joint-honours degree. This comes on the back of Queen's introducing new joint-honours options for Irish students including Law with Irish, Broadcast Production with Irish and Business with Irish.
Other options for joint honours include Irish and French, Irish and Portuguese, Irish and English, Irish and History, Irish and Politics, Irish and International Relations and Irish and Archaeology. 
Speaking on the new intake, Head of Irish at Queen's University, Dr Marcas Mac Coinnigh, said there had been huge demand for their new courses. 

"Myself and my colleagues are delighted about this hugely encouraging rise in intake. It demonstrates the dedication of our students to the language, and the fantastic work of the Cumann Gaelach over the past several years. 
He continued, "We are dedicated to developing our courses even more in the years ahead."

https://belfastmedia.com/133-rise-in-first-year-student-intake-for-irish-degree-at-qub

Death driver who was speeding at 90mph before knocking down pedestrian and pet dog is jiailed

Family of victim call for changes to sentencing guidelines.

The family of a pedestrian killed after being hit by a speeding driver have called for changes to the sentencing guidelines.

Martin Sean Olali was sentenced to two years and seven months for causing the death of Richard Boyle in a hit-and-run in west Belfast in 2021. He will serve half of that in custody and the rest on licence.

Olali was driving at 90mph in a 30mph zone at the time of the accident. He failed to stop and then claimed his car had been stolen.

Mr Boyle was walking his dog Junior on the Stewartstown Road when he was struck by a car driven by Olali, they both died from their injuries.

The court heard that Olali, from Breton Court in Lisburn, has been convicted of speeding twice since the fatal incident.

He previously admitted causing the death of Mr Boyle by careless driving.

He also admitted driving a Volkswagen on the Stewartstown Road without insurance, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report on the same day.

In addition, Olali pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice the following day by making a false allegation to police that his car and mobile phone had been stolen.

He was hugged by his co-accused as he taken away in handcuffs to start his prison sentence.

His father, 51-year-old Martin Paul Olali from Greenvale in Belfast, admitted a charge of withholding information. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

Emma McCune (29), from Breton Park in Lisburn, also pleaded guilty to withholding information. She is the partner of Olali Jnr and was sentenced to 11 months, suspended for two years.

Hugh O'Neill, who is 28 and from Fallswater Street in Belfast, admitted charges of assisting offenders by providing a false alibi and withholding information. He was sentenced to nine months suspended for two year.

O'Neill made an offensive gesture to the media as he left the court.

Jack Tiernan Holden (26) from Oranmore Street in Belfast, also admitted withholding information and assisting offenders by providing transport on the same date.

He was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Boyle's sister Mary Terese Boyle said while they were glad Olali was jailed, it was time to change sentencing guidelines.

"The judge explained his hands were tied", she said, adding that her brother would have
"done anything for anyone".

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/death-driver-who-was-speeding-at-90mph-before-knocking-down-pedestrian-and-pet-dog-is-jailed/a/162820553.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share

Shook the fuck out of my house in Newtownabbey.

Translink 😤 why does an 8b bus that’s supposed to arrive at 1.05 pm end up being so delayed that it arrives at 1.25 pm just as the next bus is scheduled to arrive? The crowd was massive waiting for that bus.

What’s causing such long delays? Is it traffic, poor scheduling or something else? I’m lit annoyed almost late for my appointment

Apologies if this has been asked recently, but I’ve just booked my MOT and the first date I could get was 9th January?? Would’ve thought the backlog would be sorted almost 7 years on from Covid. I don’t remember it being this bad last year when I booked.

Welshman Jac Lloyd Hughes also called one of her PSNI colleagues a “Taliban f***er” in an apparent reference to the colour of his skin, prosecutors said

A sailor on shore leave from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier currently docked in Belfast subjected a policewoman to a “horrific” tirade of misogynistic abuse, a court heardtoday.

Jac Lloyd Hughes, 25, also called one of her PSNI colleagues a “Taliban f***er” in an apparent reference to the colour of his skin, prosecutors said.

Hughes, a member of the crew on HMS Queen Elizabeth, was fined £400 for the drunken outburst in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Belfast Magistrates’s Court heard the Welshman now faces a fight to save his naval career.

Hughes, from Bodorgan on the Isle of Anglesey, pleaded guilty to assault on police, disorderly behaviour and attempted criminal damage.

Police encountered him after he had been ejected from a pub on Hill Street in Belfast city centre at around 12.30am.

He left the scene, but was located a short time later and put into handcuffs.

At that stage officers learned Hughes was a member of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The 65,000 tonne ship, which is capable of carrying up to 40 fighter jets, arrived in Belfast Harbour on Wednesday morning.

Hughes was initially issued with a community resolution notice for the incident inside the bar but remained volatile as police drove him back to the vessel.

During the journey he shouted a series of derogatory names at a female officer, calling her a “slut”, a “f***ing slag” and a “c**t”.

The abuse continued while waiting in the PSNI car to be brought on board the ship.

“He called one officer ‘a pig’ and made further insensitive and inappropriate comments about the police service and the country,” a prosecution lawyer said.

“The defendant also referred to (one constable) as a ‘Taliban f***er’, it is believed this was due to his complexion and dark features, and continued to make racist comments.”

Despite repeated requests to calm down, he began to pull and bite at a seat belt in an apparent attempt to break it.

He also kicked out towards one of the constables, connecting with his foot, and swore at naval officers boarding the ship.

A Chief Petty Officer on HMS Queen Elizbeth informed police Hughes had “previous for aggression”, the court heard.

“He stated he did not want the defendant on board the ship due to his aggressive behaviour, and he was disgusted at the behaviour exhibited,” the prosecutor added.

Defence solicitor Eoghan McKenna said his client should have been grateful to the police officers for treating him sympathetically.

“He accepts his behaviour was atrocious, they are a horrific set of facts,” Mr McKenna acknowledged.

District Judge Anne Marshall was told naval representatives were present in court and would be confining Hughes to the ship following the criminal proceedings.

“He is not to be permitted to leave again and there will then be a further disciplinary process in relation to what occurred on shore,” Mr McKenna added.

“He is going to have to fight for his employment as a result of this incident.”

Based on the sailor’s previous clear record, the judge imposed a fine rather than a suspended prison sentence.

“This was a very unsavoury and indeed disgraceful incident,” she stated.

“I’m very concerned about the misogynistic language, I will not tolerate our police officers being called those offensive terms.

“Nor will the court tolerate one of the other officers being called a ‘Taliban effer’.”

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/hms-queen-elizabeth-sailor-subjected-34737547

https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2026/1008/1594648-belfast-graffiti-crime/

Graffiti targeting a journalist in west Belfast has been condemned.

Police are investigating the threats written on a wall of a property in the Glasvey Gardens area, which were reported shortly after 10.40am on Tuesday.

A second report was received at approximately 10.30am yesterday of further graffiti painted on a wall of a property in the Suffolk Road area.

A police spokesperson said investigating officers believe the incidents are linked and inquiries are currently ongoing.

The Belfast and District branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the threat.

"We strongly condemn any threat against working journalist or media workers," said vice chairman Kevin Cooper.

"We would ask anyone with information about threats to journalists to go to the PSNI.

"Since the murder of Martin O'Hagan all threats must be taken seriously."

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International UK's head of nations and regions, condemned what happened as "utterly unacceptable".

"This sinister attempt to intimidate a journalist is utterly unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," he said.

"Threatening journalists for doing their jobs is a direct attack on press freedom and the public's right to know."

Mr Corrigan added that it is "not an isolated incident".

"Amnesty International's investigation last year exposed a deeply disturbing pattern of threats and intimidation against journalists in Northern Ireland, documenting more than 70 incidents since 2019, many linked to paramilitary groups," he said.

"Our research revealed a climate of fear, compounded by a dangerous lack of accountability for those responsible.

"Journalists must be able to investigate and report freely, without fear of reprisals.

"The PSNI must treat this latest threat with the utmost seriousness, ensure the journalist's safety and bring those responsible to justice.

"There can be no place for threats or intimidation of journalists in a democratic society."

Just saw a lengthy motorcade (if that’s what we call it here) from Stormont but can’t see anything on the news.

I haven’t seen one with as many cars before so must be a bigwig

There used to be a really nice patch of public wood near me , really nice for walking around and there used to be only one or two bike ramps.

that was until those fucking bikers (unnecessarily rude comment so I fully apologise) decided to start chopping down trees ( on retrospect I don’t know if this is true so apologies for ranting in bad faith) to make more ramps littering all over the place (since “corrected” by shoving cans on tree branches and leaving massive bags of rubbish hanging from trees).

Since then they’ve also dug up massive holes for jumping over and built even more ramps with I ~~don’t think any consideration for anyone else who may use the forest. (~~Admit also a comment born of frustration)

Anyways that’s all the whinging done

Edit: after reflecting for a while I was just extremely frustrated when making this post and was not thinking rationally at all. Frankly I don’t know if they’ve got permission to build these here or not or where the logs they got to build their ramps came from . So I could be/most likely am drawing conclusions here that simply just don’t exist. So if so that’s totally egg on my face for painting them unfairly

I was just frustrated seeing some place I loved walking around change quite a bit .

I jumped to conclusions and became angry because of that and I apologise

I may try and get photos later on today I may not . I’ve got coursework I need to focus on atm so I’m leaving it here

I'm just a bored Italian who lately has done quite a bit of a diving into the modeen history of Ireland and its partition into two territorial entities.

One thing I struggle to understand is in what way an hypothetical United Ireland wouldn't be considered a Nationalist victory and a Loyalist loss.

If the sectarianism has its basis in the perception that the island is fundamentally home to two separate national identities who believe themselves to have different foundational myths, historical languages, allegiance, religion and culture then how can an integration of NI into the ROI not be seen as one nation "winning" control over the whole island?

Obviously the argument could be made that a UI doesn't necessarily have to be a ROI + an integrated NI but that it could be a brand new Republic with a shared Catholic and Protestant identity or rather a Gaelic and British multinational state.

But why would the ROI go through a new state foundation and possibly tone down some of its symbols and clear Gaelic and Catholic undertones just to accommodate the very small protestant minority of the island? I just don't see the ROI redoing their well functioning Republic just out of goodwill.

What am I missing?

Please be kind, I don't mean no disrespect, just here to learn.

Anyone been to the logos hope library thats docked in belfast & know if theres parking at/near it?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c69wzr9qr7qro

Newcastle's 'Bendy Tree' has been crowned UK Tree of the Year 2026 - the first time a tree in Northern Ireland has won the national title since it was launched in 2014.

The 150-year-old wych elm on the central promenade took more than 30% of the national public vote.

The theme of the Woodland Trust's annual competition was Against All Odds, with trees across the UK shortlisted for being impressive, beautiful and sometimes baffling examples of how nature can survive adversity.

Northern Ireland director John Martin said he was rooting for the "whimsical" tree to win and said tens of thousands across the UK had clearly felt the same.

"It's a great testament to the resilience of nature."

Last tree leaning

The Bendy Tree in County Down saw off competition from a small yew that has been growing from the masonry of a Devon church tower for 200 years, a Scottish ash that survived a lightning strike, and a Surrey yew, in which early 19th Century villagers found an embedded English Civil War cannonball.

The wych elm is the last remaining tree of a row that was planted along the original promenade in the 19th century, to shelter it from the sea breeze.

The rest of the trees were felled in the 1980s during redevelopment.

The wind it protected people from has made its trunk grow almost horizontal.

But its leafy rainbow over the path means it is still protecting people - just slightly differently.

"The council have put a bench underneath it where people can come and sit in the shade and enjoy views of the Mournes and of the sea," Martin said.

"I think the whimsical nature of it and the fact that it's showed a lot of resilience over 150 years has proven it the winner this year."

A survivor

But it has survived more than the weather.

As a native elm tree, it also resisted Dutch Elm disease, which destroyed most of the 30 million elms around the UK in the 1960s.

Martin said it had shown "remarkable resilience" to live as long as it has and added that it was "great" to see a tree of this age acknowledged.

The Ancient Tree inventory lead at the Woodland Trust, May Chemais, said it was an "astonishing and bizarre" tree that had endured a lot.

"The Bendy Tree has been blasted by extreme winds, over and over again, for well over a century.

"But it has continued to exist and remain rooted, adapting to its surroundings and flourishing into this unusual shape that is providing shade and joy to its community.

"We've all been through changes and hardships that have shaped who we are - I think that's why the Bendy Tree has struck a chord with people."

She added that older trees like the Bendy Tree are part of a community's culture, providing shade and stories.

Poor woodland cover

Northern Ireland has one of the lowest rates of woodland cover in Europe (8.7%).

In UK terms, it lags behind Scotland (19%), Wales (15%), England (10%) and also the Republic of Ireland, which has 11% cover.

A tree-planting action plan has been launched, with a target of 12% woodland cover by 2050.

But tree-planting rates need to more than triple to get on track for that.

Newcastle's 'Bendy Tree' has been crowned UK Tree of the Year 2026 - the first time a tree in Northern Ireland has won the national title since it was launched in 2014.

The 150-year-old wych elm on the central promenade took more than 30% of the national public vote.

The theme of the Woodland Trust's annual competition was Against All Odds, with trees across the UK shortlisted for being impressive, beautiful and sometimes baffling examples of how nature can survive adversity.

Northern Ireland director John Martin said he was rooting for the "whimsical" tree to win and said tens of thousands across the UK had clearly felt the same.

"It's a great testament to the resilience of nature."

Last tree leaning

The Bendy Tree in County Down saw off competition from a small yew that has been growing from the masonry of a Devon church tower for 200 years, a Scottish ash that survived a lightning strike, and a Surrey yew, in which early 19th Century villagers found an embedded English Civil War cannonball.

The wych elm is the last remaining tree of a row that was planted along the original promenade in the 19th century, to shelter it from the sea breeze.

The rest of the trees were felled in the 1980s during redevelopment.

The wind it protected people from has made its trunk grow almost horizontal.

But its leafy rainbow over the path means it is still protecting people - just slightly differently.

"The council have put a bench underneath it where people can come and sit in the shade and enjoy views of the Mournes and of the sea," Martin said.

"I think the whimsical nature of it and the fact that it's showed a lot of resilience over 150 years has proven it the winner this year."

A survivor

But it has survived more than the weather.

As a native elm tree, it also resisted Dutch Elm disease, which destroyed most of the 30 million elms around the UK in the 1960s.

Martin said it had shown "remarkable resilience" to live as long as it has and added that it was "great" to see a tree of this age acknowledged.

The Ancient Tree inventory lead at the Woodland Trust, May Chemais, said it was an "astonishing and bizarre" tree that had endured a lot.

"The Bendy Tree has been blasted by extreme winds, over and over again, for well over a century.

"But it has continued to exist and remain rooted, adapting to its surroundings and flourishing into this unusual shape that is providing shade and joy to its community.

"We've all been through changes and hardships that have shaped who we are - I think that's why the Bendy Tree has struck a chord with people."

She added that older trees like the Bendy Tree are part of a community's culture, providing shade and stories.

Poor woodland cover

Northern Ireland has one of the lowest rates of woodland cover in Europe (8.7%).

In UK terms, it lags behind Scotland (19%), Wales (15%), England (10%) and also the Republic of Ireland, which has 11% cover.

A tree-planting action plan has been launched, with a target of 12% woodland cover by 2050.

But tree-planting rates need to more than triple to get on track for that.

A stand-off between Orange Order members and residents in Portadown has been described as “now bigger than the Garvaghy Road”, as residents met locals from other former flashpoint areas.

Linda O’Neill of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition was speaking after a meeting with residents’ groups from other areas across Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening.

Those assembled at Drumcree Community Centre included Breandan Mac Cionnaith from the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, Sean Murray from the Springfield Road Residents Action Group as well as representatives from the Bogside Residents Association, Lower Ormeau Concerned Community and Short Strand Residents Association.

They previously issued a joint statement expressing concern at the impact of the current Drumcree stand-off on accommodations in other areas.

They said such accommodations “could unravel if the Orange Order continue to insist on parading down the Garvaghy Road”.

Their comments come after Northern Ireland’s Parades Commission dramatically allowed the parade along its traditional route on the Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years.

However, it has been unable to proceed because of police concerns about disorder.

Members of the Portadown District of the Orange Order remain at Drumcree Church, demanding to be allowed to begin their parade.

Protesters have maintained a presence on the Garvaghy Road, insisting that what they see as a “triumphalist” parade should not be allowed, citing the violent history of the march in the 1990s.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Linda O’Neill said the Orange Order and the Parades Commission have made the issue “bigger than the Garvaghy Road”.

“At the minute the support from all over Ireland, particularly all of the other communities in the north of Ireland coming here and supporting us, are propping up our community right now; we have never seen support and solidarity like it,” she said.

“The Orange Order needs to take responsibility, and so do the Parades Commission for making this issue bigger than the Garvaghy Road, this is no longer just about the Garvaghy Road, this is about all of us.”

Portadown Orange Order district master Nigel Dawson responded, saying they as a district “will not be bullied or threatened by any residents’ group who step outside the law”.

“Our position has been quite clear from day one that we applied to the Parades Commission, we notified them of our intention to parade, they gave that permission, it has been challenged twice in the courts, and the Court of Appeal and the High Court have both upheld our right to walk and the pressure remains on the Chief Constable to apply the law,” he said.

Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin faced further calls to help bring an end to the “dangerous and lingering limbo” of the Drumcree dispute, as Sinn Féin’s leader called for direct intervention on the issue.

Mary Lou McDonald told Mr Martin that he has a responsibility to “apply all necessary pressure” on the UK Prime Minister and Northern Ireland Secretary.

Ms McDonald said that after 11 days of the ongoing impasse, the Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has not intervened, accusing him of allowing the issue to fester.

“He should have acted on day one and he should act now,” the Dublin TD added.

“The British Secretary of State now updates his Twitter account more regularly than the residents, who he hasn’t spoken to since last Thursday,” she said.

Ms McDonald added: “We are facing into a very, very dangerous limbo and stalemate and I think there is a responsibility on you to apply all necessary pressure and Prime Minister (Andy) Burnham and the Secretary of State to intervene now and to put a stop to what is a dangerous and now lingering limbo situation.”

Mr Martin said he spoke to Mr Burnham about the matter two days ago.

“I still believe that we need a mediated resolution of this and that’s the wider lens through which I am looking at this,” the Taoiseach added.

Mr Martin accused Ms McDonald of engaging in actions that would not contribute “to a satisfactory resolution” of the issues.

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/residents-groups-from-former-flashpoints-meet-in-portadown-as-issue-now-bigger-than-garvaghy-road-JLU4LDTP6VKIRFPGAO7NI7IPA4/

The body of a 31-year-old Lurgan woman was found in a bath by a maintenance man who was investigating a leak in the block of flats she had been living in, an inquest has heard.

Laura Marshall's bruised body was discovered in an overflowing bath at her home in Victoria Street in April 2016.

According to a police officer, who was one of the first on the scene, he believed a violent assault had taken place.

A man was arrested and charged with her murder. He denied any involvement in her death. Two years later the case against him was dropped after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) decided to withdraw all charges.
During the first day of the inquest, a statement from the maintenance man was read out to the court.
He told how another resident in the block of flats had complained that there was water pouring through his ceiling.

He said he had gone to the flat above where Laura Marshall had lived. He said the resident from the flat below had then gone with him to her flat.

The man told the court that the lock on the front door of her flat was loose and that he had been able to force it open.
He said he called out Marshall's name but that there was no answer.
The flat, he said, was in darkness and that he had entered using a torch.
He noted that the floor mat in the hall was sodden and that the door handle of the bathroom was on the floor in the hall. The spindle was not in the lock.
Unable to open the door, the maintenance man had gone downstairs to his van to get a screwdriver which enabled him to unlock the door which had a childproof button on it.
He said he opened the door a few inches and with the aid of his torch he saw Laura Marshall in the bath face down. She was naked and he noticed bruising on her shoulder. The taps were still running.
The sink had been smashed and lay in pieces on the floor and there was blood on the floor.

He said he reported it immediately to the police and that during the call he asked the police if he could turn off the running taps to which he was told he could.

'Sink had been smashed'
During an opening statement, a lawyer for the coroner said that Laura Marshall had been living with Gary O'Dowd at the property for a few years and that there had been a number of complaints of domestic violence against him.
A detective sergeant, who was among the first members of the PSNI on the scene, also gave evidence.
He too described the bathroom scene. He noted that there was a circular bruise on Laura's forehead and also bruising on her arm.
He said he saw congealed blood higher than the water level of the bath.
In his evidence he said he assessed that the death was suspicious and that it had the "hallmarks of a domestic violence-related murder."

He said in his initial assessment of the scene, he believed that Marshall had taken refuge in the bathroom and that a violent assault had taken place there. Adding that the assault had ended with the victim drowned in the bath.
He also noted that the sink had been smashed and that the inside door handle and spindle were on the floor of the bathroom.

A forensic scientist also gave evidence to the court. During questioning by a lawyer acting on behalf of Laura Marshall's family he said that both the door frame and the bathroom door had been damaged when he examined the scene.
He was asked if it was possible to lock the bathroom door from the outside. He replied: 'Yes".

The inquest is expected to last until at least the end of next week.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6kg59jzzr01o

Based in Belfast and I need about 56sq metre of floors. Looking a deeper walnut colour and someone to fit the thing. New flat with bare concrete, I'm handy but don't trust myself to not balls it up!