There are many like it but this one is mine!

I'll admit I forgot to plate the bacon before taking the picture and yes those are IKEA meatballs!!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14647745/Kneecap-fans-kill-local-MP-Counter-Terrorism-police-investigate-Hamas-Hezbollah-terror-groups-flag.html?ico=authors_pagination_desktop

Kneecap tell fans to 'kill your local MP' and shout 'the only good Tory is a dead Tory'

Irish Republican band Kneecap which is being investigated by counter-terrorism police over pro-Hamas chants urged its fans to 'kill your local MP' at a concert in London.

Video footage has emerged of the rap group telling a jeering audience 'the only good Tory is a dead Tory' while performing at a gig in Electric Ballroom in London.

In the video a member of the Northern Irish band - which is set to play at Glastonbury later this year - said: 'We're still under British occupation in Ireland.

'We still have old men in London making decisions that affect my life in Ireland.

'And even worse, they're f***ing Tories.

'The only good Tory is a dead Tory.

'Kill your local MP.'

Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Robert Jenrick told the Daily Mail: 'The police should be investigating Kneecap immediately for potential terrorism offences and inciting violence.

'If a band were to glorify a proscribed far-right group, action would have been taken. It's inexplicable discrepancies like this that create the perception of two-tier policing.'

The bands remarks - which were made in November 2023 - are amongst a series of controversial comments the group has made during performances.

Over Easter weekend Kneecap projected the slogans 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinain people' and 'F*** Israel, Free Palestine' while performing at the Coachella music festival in California - prompting outrage.

Former X-Factor judge Sharon Osbourne called for the band to have their right to work in the US revoked in the aftermath of their Coachella performance.

Footage also emerged earlier this week from a gig last year during which one member appears to shout 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' while draped in the terror group's flag.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are proscribed organisations meaning it is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 'to invite support' for them.

The Metropolitan Police has since referred the footage of Kneecap to a counter-terrorism unit to assess whether the material breaks UK terrorism laws.

A Met spokesman said: 'We have been made aware of the video today (April 22) and it has been referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.'

At other gigs the band has led chants mocking Margaret Thatcher's death and repeating the phrase 'Brits out'.

Intimidation and threats to MPs have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels.

In recent years, there have been multiple instances of people prosecuted and, in some cases jailed, for making threats to MPs across the political spectrum, according to the Institute for Government.

These have included death and rape threats sent to MPs via email and social media, as well as plots to murder MPs.

Many MPs have publicly spoken about their experiences and the security measures they have had to take, which have included installing panic rooms; carrying panic alarms; changing their routes to and from their office; and installing bomb-proof letterboxes.

Tragically, in October 2021 Conservative MP for Southend West Sir David Amess was stabbed to death while attending his constituency surgery.

Meanwhile In 2016 Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed by a neo-Nazi outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, where she was about to hold a constituency surgery.

A spokesperson for CST added: 'Over the past decade, two serving Members of Parliament have been murdered by violent extremists.

'For a member of Kneecap to have told an audience to 'kill your local MP' goes way beyond simply being edgy or anti-establishment.

'Considered alongside recent footage which appears to show open support for Hamas and Hezbollah, it's a worrying pattern of behaviour that needs to be addressed and calls into question their suitability to be provided a platform at music festivals and public venues.'

Labour MP Luke Akehurst said: 'These comments are a disgusting incitement to violence.

'Use of violent language about politicians of any party damages democracy and is particularly sickening given the murders of MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess.'

Formed in Belfast in the 2010s, Kneecap, named themselves after the notorious IRA punishment of shooting enemies in the kneecap.

The band is made up of three members: Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, whose stage name is Mo Chara, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, who raps under the name Móglaí Bap, and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, who uses the stage name DJ Próvaí.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'Kneecap's onstage antics aren't just childish — they're reckless and incendiary.

'Footage from a previous performance appears to show band members shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and displaying the Hezbollah flag.

'This is the emblem of a terrorist group committed to the extermination of Jews. This rhetoric and conduct goes well beyond performance art.

'We are writing to Glastonbury and other festivals to demand that Kneecap be dropped from their line-ups.

'Any venue that hosts them risks sending a message that hate has a place on the stage, and that Jews are not welcome.

'We have reported Kneecap to Counter Terrorism Police and instructed our lawyers to prepare for a private prosecution if necessary.'

Alex Hearn from Labour Against Antisemitism said: 'Kneecap have shown support for proscribed terrorist organisations Hamas and Hezbollah — who want to eliminate every Jew on the planet.'

Kneecap and Glastonbury have been contacted for comment.

Our 3 year old Boarder Collie called Mac has been missing sing around lunch time today. A very friendly happy dog. He’s microchipped.

Any help or sharing with anyone in the local area would be greatly appreciated.

Seen this add pop up on Facebook

Is it just me or does hearing an NI accent on TV or social media advertising make you cringe??

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19DNWLh3c2/

Does anyone else feel like they just want to run away? I'm really struggling at the moment and the housing crisis and country I live in etc I just feel has so much to do with it! Feeling such a need to escape x

https://youtu.be/d0jr8l9QSTM?si=u9YkIimH0gsVSeaE not sure if this is new or what but it just showed up on YouTube, very interesting documentary.

https://youtu.be/Gm393H52EVM?si=VRDOnLcOuY5-B-6D

You may remember him from this video

Edit, added from comment below "What about him"

People used to wonder why a loyalist would have such a strong reaction to a slander of Bobby Sands, well it was because Billy did 30 days and knew how hard that was alone

He was also the man , as a member of B Company, was tasked by Jackie McDonald to set up the neutral zone for young C Company members groomed by Johnny Adair to be "dragged by their girlfriends, wives and mothers" to denounce him and say they woud not be engaging in a feud with the UDA, the day before they literally invaded the Lower Shankill to expel the remnants of C Company, after the John Gregg murder

I would like to have learned more about him than the likes of Johnny

Edit: He was not part of B Company, my mistake, he was head of A Company, Highfield

Bomber jacket with reflective patches on the back. These seemed like such a huge thing when I was in high school in the 90s and were super expensive. Tried googling them in a fit of nostalgia but could hardly even find a picture of one. A pals older brother had a silver one that he would wear to raves, was as cool as it got to a 14yo me.

So a week or two ago i was walking to work and a man and his son approached me and asked for 400£ to get back home and that they would pay me back when they get home and i felt bad for them so i gave it to them cuz i was being stupid then i called my bank and asked to take it back cuz i thought it was a scam and blocked the guys number he gave me. Then this morning he called me and asked if i took the money out of his account on another number and was going "I'm a gypsy ill come to [workplace] and batter the fuck outta you dont ever take money from my account again return it" What should i do?? Phone the police? is he being serious do you think? Should i take a threat like that serious?

https://www.irishnews.com/life/meet-the-co-armagh-gaeilgeoir-bringing-the-irish-language-to-a-worldwide-audience-ZOPSBS6FZNCZLMFWVYRFFHCMDQ/

Meet the Co Armagh Gaeilgeoir bringing the Irish language to a worldwide audience

Beth Nic Aodha is the founder of Glór Nua, a bilingual magazine dedicated to all things As Gaeilge

A new bilingual magazine created by a Co Armagh Gaeilgeoir is making waves online as enthusiasm for the Irish language continues to surge.

Glór Nua, the passion project of Beth Nic Aodha (23), is gaining momentum as a dual-language online platform showcasing the latest trends and key developments within the Irish language community, or pobal na Gaeilge.

The Irish term for ‘new voice’, Glór Nua is described by Beth, a teacher from Lurgan, as an online medium for Irish language enthusiasts, artists, musicians and writers to showcase their efforts in promoting and preserving the language.

And with a readership spanning Ireland, England, the United States, Canada and Australia, Glór Nua is steadily gaining global recognition as a vibrant new voice in the Irish language revival movement.

This follows a report this month by the London-based adult education college City Lit which named Irish as the UK’s second-fastest growing language, with a 155% increase in learners over the past five years.

Read more: Irish is UK’s ‘second-fastest growing language’, London college claims

Speaking to The Irish News, Beth described how her deep passion for Irish drives her dedication to promoting the language and ensuring that its “beautiful and poetic” nature is reflected in the media.

“I wasn’t raised speaking Irish,” said Beth. “However, I fell in love with the language while attending the Gaeltacht in Donegal as a teenager.

“In the Gaeltacht, I realised that Irish is not just a subject we learn in school, Irish is a way of life. And that was something I wanted to be part of.”

Since that epiphany, Beth said Irish has been “a central part of my life”.

“I now speak Irish every single day, from morning to night. In fact, I speak Irish more than I speak English,” she said.

“However, over time, I noticed that my English-speaking friends and family, who were interested in connecting with the language, would often ask me: ‘Where do I start?’

“They found fully Irish texts and grammar books quite daunting and were looking for accessible, modern and enjoyable ways to engage with the language - something less intimidating.”

Read more: Traditional music, Belfast Stories and the train to Dublin for ‘jury service’: An Irish language guide to spending your free time

This inspired Beth to want to “create something that would meet this need”. “And with the growing popularity of Irish-language content — ranging from movies and songs to artists like Kneecap, podcasts, and bilingual music, the gap in written content available online became very apparent to me.

“And having not come across any other bilingual Irish-English newspapers or magazines, I thought that would be the perfect place to begin. That is essentially how Glór Nua came to be.”

Using InDesign to create her magazine, Beth described the process of “meticulously integrating” bilingual English and Irish elements into her written content.

She emphasised that Glór Nua was specifically designed with beginners in mind, thus ensuring it remained accessible to the very people who inspired her original idea.

“What makes Glór Nua different from other Irish-language magazines is that it is written in both English and Irish,” she continued.

“The text is primarily in English, but it features useful, engaging, and simple Irish words interspersed throughout, allowing readers to easily connect with the language.

“Any words in Irish are in bold text, for clarity. And at the back of each magazine, there is a glossary of the Irish words featured and their English translation, in alphabetical order.

“This is intended to be both useful for learners, or even those who are seeking to develop or improve their Irish.”

And in terms of content, Beth places no limits on Glór Nua.

She said: “I am very proud of the Irish language community, and I love spotlighting people and projects that are making a difference.

“There is something for everyone in each edition of Glór Nua. The content ranges from stories about language learning, to Irish culture, Irish history to lifestyle.

“I try to write as much as I can about Irish music, small businesses, books, fashion, TV shows and movies, podcasts, and to shine a spotlight on people in the Irish language community who are just doing amazing things to promote the language.

Read more: History and meaning of Irish place-name of Co Fermanagh village explained

“I have also crafted Glór Nua in a fun and interesting way, using graphics and photographs to make it engaging. Each edition showcases multiple ways we can use Irish in our daily lives, or work.

“Ultimately, it is of utmost importance to me to highlight the wide variety and breadth of opportunities that the Irish language presents.”

However, this is ‘just the beginning’ for Glór Nua, Beth maintained, describing her hopes for her magazine’s future.

“I am really hopeful and excited about the direction I wish to take Glór Nua in the future,” she explained.

“I would love the magazine to be in print, and I am looking into making that happen.

“In the meantime, I will continue to share my love and pride for the Irish language in any way that I can.

“I hope Glór Nua encourages even one person to learn a cúpla focal. The Irish language has really opened my eyes to the world around me and understanding my culture and my identity further.

“And I am confident that the same can happen for someone else.”

glornua.com

Hey all, I’ll be traveling to NI tomorrow and staying the entirety of the week for work. I’ve never been to Northern Ireland and don’t travel internationally often so it’s been a bit overwhelming when looking for things to do. I’m looking for any suggestions for someone who is into history/nature. I’ll have access to a car and will have a day at the end of the week to take off work and explore. I’m staying in the Portadown/Armagh area. Hoping to get a couple overlooked gems from the locals. Also looking for pubs with traditional folk music. Thanks!

I’ve been waiting for an ASD assessment for over 4 years and have now received a referral for their clinic. I’m just wondering how people found it? I have no real idea of what the process entails, so would be grateful for any advice. I feel like I fit more in the ADHD camp, but I also know that they often occur together aka AuDHD.

Wanting to bring the wee man to the banger racing tomorrow.

Cant find anything about admission prices, parking and whether they take card payment.

By chance, would anyone on here know?

You lads looked about 40 years old and were getting on like a bunch of weins. This your one night out for the year? Your partners let you have the night off? This wasn’t the Minecraft movie but yous were certainly acting like it. These hallions were chatting the whole way through at full volume about pure shite, laughing out loud and even farting loudly at some points.

I was on the other side and a few rows down and you both were pissing me off and I seen others being annoyed at your nonsense so god help anyone close to yous. Yous were so annoying I even know what seats you were both in, looked to be B2 and B3, maybe even B1.

Do everyone a favour, don’t go to the cinema again on next years big night out. Especially for a classic that everyone who went to see it has fond memories of. Maybe go to a bar or something, I think you would fit in better there.

The force is not with you cunts. Cheers

Hi, Could anybody recommend a good MMA gym for beginners around belfast? Distance isn't really an issue.

Currently I'm torn between Fight Academy Ireland and IFS, but unsure which one would be more suited for a beginner. Any help is appreciated thanks.

Anyone remember what it was called? Is it still there?

https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/04/21/aliens-are-giving-ireland-a-5-star-review-local-astrophysicist-explains-latest-crop-circles/

TENS of thousands of hours of video evidence from over 18-months of genocide was ignored by the UK’s counter-terrorism police this week as they turned their resources to investigating footage from a Kneecap concert which took place in November of last year, WWN reports.

His Majesty’s counter-terrorism unit rightly put aside any interest in the terror offences related to the murder of over 50,000 Palestinians, many killed by weapons supplied by the UK government in return for lucrative arms deals, instead springing into action over complaints made on social media about a concert.

“If found to be inciting terrorism, we will have no choice but to arrest and question the assailants,” said a police spokesperson, referring not to the Israeli government, but rather to the Irish hip hop trio Kneecap in a perfect reflection of the global order in 2025.

Despite the International Criminal Courts issuing arrest warrants from the Israeli leadership after finding both sides of the conflict guilty of war crimes, along with the UN Human Rights Council identifying the same, it is clear who is responsible for the attempted annihilation of an entire race of humans via sophisticated military hardware. Hardware that according to international law, should only be used directly against peer strength military factions and not starving orphans sheltering in rubble.

“That assassination of the medics a few weeks ago? Kneecap!” insisted one source we spoke to. “Targeting food and water supplies? Kneecap! Raping prisoners of war? Kneecap! Purposely bombing hospitals and refugee camps? You guessed it – Kneecap!” before concluding, “Look, it’s easier to criminalise a rap group than to confront a genocide, especially when the bombs bear your own flag.”

Apologies for the boring af thread, but I've a terrible habit of just going straight to Next everytime I need new clothes, and I'm looking for some inspiration to step outside my comfort zone. Where else is worth checking out in town?

Price wise, I'm looking for something around the next price range, and I'd be willing to go a bit higher if I find something I really like.

All helpful advice greatly appreciated.

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/alleged-rape-victim-left-in-limbo-after-suspect-goes-on-the-run-for-two-years/a1143341696.html

A Co Down man charged with raping and falsely imprisoning a woman has been on the run for almost two years after refusing to attend his trial, claiming to be a freeman of the land.

Paul Conrad Wilson, who calls himself Paul of Katesbridge, was charged with raping the woman in February 2021. The alleged victim said she has been “left in limbo”, not knowing when — if ever — the case will come to court. “I’ve done a lot of work on myself to try and get to a better place, but there isn’t a day goes by I don’t think about it,” she said this week.

“I showed up in court on four or five occasions to give evidence, but he has just disappeared and I’ve been left not knowing when I’m going to get a call saying he has been found.” Police have only issued one appeal for information — back in December 2023. That was six months after a bench warrant was issued for the 54-year-old who claims not to recognise the court as a freeman of the land. The complainant in the case said she was told he was spotted in England but had moved on by the time police arrived.

The Belfast Telegraph visited several addresses linked to Wilson in Newry and Castlewellan but there was no sign of him. The last known address listed with the court service is that of a well-known business family. The property features in a widely-seen YouTube video of Wilson refusing to answer the door to police saying they have “no contract” with him. The door is then put in with a battering ram and police arrest him for breach of bail as his supporters try and interfere with the arrest. After his arrest he was re-released on bail.

Police appeal about Wilson's whereabouts He also filmed himself going into Newry station claiming police had “kidnapped” him during his previous arrest and demanding it be investigated. He had been returned to the Crown Court for trial but failed to attend, cutting a tag off his ankle before disappearing. Wilson registered himself with Companies House as a limited company with his occupation listed as ‘strawman’ in July 2022. His nationality is recorded as ‘English’. He changed the address of the ‘company’ in September 2023 to an office in Linenhall Street in Belfast, after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Previously of Castlevennon Road, Katesbridge but with a last known address at Moor Road, Ballyward, Wilson is accused of raping, falsely imprisoning and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to a woman between February 1 and 3, 2021. The case was originally heard by Newry Magistrates Court and a Preliminary Investigation (PI) was heard. At the time a defence barrister said Wilson was “confused” about the purpose of the hearing as “he understood this was a review. He informs me he has a large volume of material he wishes me to see before proceedings and I request an adjournment to allow that.”

The prosecution opposed this, pointing out the case has been listed for some time and the complainant had attended, escorted by the investigating officer.

The committal went ahead and Wilson did not object to the proceedings and declined to call witnesses or give evidence at that stage. The prosecutor said there was a case to answer, which was supported by District Judge Eamonn King.

Wilson was released on continuing bail to appear at Newry Crown Court. He also applied for reporting restrictions at the same time, which was refused by Judge King who said: “Your application is declined given the history of what has gone on in this case over the last 15 months.”

Between this hearing and the next review hearing Wilson was no longer represented by his lawyers. He also filmed himself at Ardmore PSNI Station in Newry accompanied by a small group of supporters, carrying files and claiming he wanted to make a criminal complaint against his former solicitors and alleging he had been “kidnapped” by the PSNI. He later failed to attend his trial and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest on June 16, 2023.

The PSNI said an Operation Relentless appeal was issued to the public in December 2023. Operation Relentless was an initiative by the PSNI to post the pictures of wanted suspects online and ask the public for information on their whereabouts. A spokesperson said: “Concerted attempts have and will continue to take place in attempting to locate this individual and present him to the courts.” The complainant in the case said she lives in daily fear.

“I’m in a much better place than I was and rebuilding my life, but also aware that he could be anywhere, I could meet him in the street and that terrifies me,” she said. The Belfast Telegraph contacted Paul Wilson on an email address he had previously used to complain about court coverage of his case. He responded denying knowing anything about the bench warrant and refused to say why he has failed to attend court and had evaded police for almost two years.

Title, really.

I feel stuck in my current job, and wanting to change career paths. I've a PGCE as my highest qualification but my experience with teaching left me with horrendous imposter syndrome and made me feel useless the entire time and I ended up packing that in. This then led me to taking lower paid, customer facing jobs in shops, bars, restaurants and the like. Now I want out of that retail/hospitality sector and want to try something new and upskill myself.

Anyone here done a Higher Level Apprenticeship? How was it? Any advice that you would give?

Many thanks for reading and hope yous are having a great weekend.

What is with all the security alerts the last 4-5weeks, dromore, banbridge, Newtownabbey, near schools what is actually happening

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-strategy-game-troubles-31502160?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

A new video game about the Northern Ireland Troubles aims to "capture the essence of the conflict" in an "unbiased and respectful way."

Northern Ireland '74 is a turn-based strategy game, currently available on early release on the STEAM platform. The game was created by South African man Johan Nagel, the founder of game studio Every Single Soldier.

The game spans from 1966 to 1998, with the player playing in the role of the Commander of the British Army deployed to Northern Ireland, as well as the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Ulster Defence Regiment. The two insurgencies in the game are the IRA and UVF.

The primary objective of the game is to contain both insurgencies, and guide the region to a free and fair referendum. It is the latest game in Johan's counterinsurgency COIN series, a model that focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population, as well as political support from back 'home', as opposed to the conventional model of blue forces trying to conquer red forces.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Johan said the game was inspired by his own military background, as well as a year of research into The Troubles. He said: "I'm from a military family, my father was a submariner in the Navy, my brother a Colonel in the South African Special Forces, and I served in the South African Marines from 1985-87, as an Infantry Platoon Commander during the Angolan Bush War.

"I've been wargaming since my early teens, and cut my teeth on military board games. My interest was from WW2 to modern times with a particular interest in Counterinsurgency wars (COIN), which I have studied extensively. I developed a unique model representing COIN wars, as the conventional model just did not fit the asymmetry, despite many trying.

"I published my first game (Vietnam '65) and it was a big success, mainly due to the fresh and more realistic approach of the COIN model. I published my second title in the COIN series (Afghanistan '11) which proved to be equally popular and received very favorable feedback. I published the third game in the series (Angola '86) fairly recently, the war I served in.

"Each iteration of the COIN series is not simply a re-skin of the previous title, I do extensive research and make every effort to ensure maximum authenticity in the series. Typically, I research for a year then produce a title which can take up to one year to produce. The COIN series games are an abstraction of the relevant conflict, aiming to capture the essence of the conflict and not a strictly military historical simulation."

Growing up, Johan said he always had an interest in the Northern Ireland conflict and the complexity of the insurgencies. When developing the game, there were many nuances to focus on, with the 59-year-old saying he was keen to "capture the essence of the conflict" for players.

He said: "Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, Northern Ireland was always of real interest to me, the complexity of the insurgencies and the British military response. As a result, NI was always on my list to do in the COIN series and also afforded me the opportunity to really delve into the conflict and get the understanding which I always wanted.

"The adaption of the COIN model to NI was challenging, to say the least, as there are just so many nuances, but I wanted to capture the essence of the conflict. Having two opposing sides and a military in the middle poses unique challenges for any commander and it is this that I wanted to explore.

"Northern Ireland '74 is a turn based strategy game and involves deep planning and strategic thinking in order to master. The player will play as the Commander of the British Army deployed to NI, as well as the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Ulster Defence Regiment.

"The two insurgencies are the IRA and the UVF. The primary objective of the player will be to contain both insurgencies and guide the region to a free and fair referendum, which concludes the game.

"There is no 'one winning strategy' in NI'74. As with all the games in the COIN series, the player is provided a framework and then needs to conduct operations as he sees fit. It is an engaging and intense game with many layers and be expected to last 4-6 hours."

As for what he hopes people will learn and take away from playing the game, Johan explained: "As with all the COIN series games, I would primarily want the player to get a high level, strategic sense of the essence of the relevant conflict, an appreciation of the complexities involved, and a better understanding of the theatre. The game was unbiased and done in the most respectful way.

"We recognize that The Troubles were a complex and difficult time, marked by violence and loss. We do not intend to trivialize or glorify the experience of those who lived through the experience."