Council completes probe into ‘near miss' lion incident at Belfast Zoo but refuses to disclose details
Belfast City Council has completed its probe into a 'near miss' incident which involved a young trainee being locked in the lion enclosure last summer — but is refusing to share any details with the public due to commercial concerns among other considerations.
The Belfast Telegraph has made repeated queries about the investigation that was launched in August 2024 after an individual on a training scheme managed by the Department for Communities was left in the company of a pride of Barbary lions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Parents need to stand up before a child is killed': Residents speak out after second night of violence in Derry
A second night of riots took place at Nailors Row beside the city's historic walls in what the PSNI has branded 'blatant sectarian violence'. Fourteen officers were injured as petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry, planks of wood and bricks were hurled at police lines. It resulted in 11 people being arrested including eight male teenagers aged between 14 and 17 and three men aged, 29, 30 and 47. Violence persisted from around 7.30pm to 1am on Tuesday night during which one rubber bullet was fired by the PSNI. The road where it occurred runs adjacent to Alexander House, sheltered accommodation for older people, and close to the Bishop Street and Fountain interface. Fountain resident, Donna Best, said tensions have been heightened for months. Her sister lives close to the 'peace wall' and she said bricks, bottles and eggs have been thrown over. Ms Best also made reference to a threatening TikTok post which has caused widespread consternation in the Fountain community. With an Irish tricolour background and burning Union Jack, the post said: 'Need as many heads in the Fountain as possible Monday, half 4, getting them out once and for all. 'There will be no changes to this, it is going ahead no matter what, please everyone send this around and information will be put up on where everyone should meet up.' The concerned resident said attacks are being 'pre-organised and arranged' and believes it could be 'fuelled by adults in the background'. 'I would say to parents,' Ms Best added, 'as someone who has been through this for years, where are they? If my child came in smelling of petrol… parents need to take responsibility, before some child is killed. 'They could risk getting a criminal record and destroying their futures. Parents need to stand up.' Ms Best was critical of all politicians, including unionist parties, who she said were in the area for interviews on Wednesday but 'didn't take the time to check on residents or assure them'. In Alexander House where there is sheltered accommodation for tenants over 60 years of age, Joe Grant spoke to the Belfast Telegraph saying that he believed the PSNI response was 'heavy handed' as Land Rovers lined the street. 'All I could hear was the police dogs and sirens blaring all night,' he recalled. 'They brought them before after one of the marches and they were barking non-stop.' Mr Grant said there are young people in both communities who goad one another. A resident whose flat faces on to Nailors Row, where trouble raged the night before, estimated that there must have been around 80 police officers. Given his proximity to the disorder he was able to witness events as they unfolded. 'It was mad,' he said, while describing how bricks and fireworks aimed at police officers almost hit his own window. Wishing to remain anonymous, he expressed fears that his window could be smashed. Recalling the scenes, the resident said PSNI officers who had hold of aggressive dogs would extend the leash to disperse the young people. He also witnessed injured officers who'd been struck with masonry or petrol bombs being helped from the scene by their colleagues and 'saw about six of them having to be pulled into the jeeps'. As a tenant of four years he said that trouble generally flares during the loyalist marching season. 'I don't want to see this at all again tonight,' he said, 'especially not for some of the older people who live here. They don't need that.' On the other side of an interface fence, a resident who has lived in the Fountain estate since 1985 also shared frustrations. His wife has a disability and the couple are 'worried' about the situation 'getting out of hand'. The sinister TikTok post was at the forefront of his mind as he demanded police and the media call it what it is. 'Sectarianism,' he said. 'This is the only Protestant enclave, people can't say this is not a sectarian attack. This was a threat to burn people out.' He pointed to baton rounds and water canon being deployed against racist rioters in Ballymena and said the same tactics should be used against youths in Derry. 'You can't have baton rounds for one crowd and not for another. Petrol bombs are extremely dangerous. It's two-tier policing,' he continued. The man was also critical of politicians and community representatives in the Bogside and Brandywell, suggesting Sinn Féin has 'lost control of it'. Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has condemned the incidents and appealed for calm. The sentiments of the Fountain resident were shared by individuals from the nationalist community who said that most community workers in the area are members of Sinn Féin which can reduce the impact they have. There are also concerns that dissident elements are orchestrating some of the violence. The Irish Republican Socialist Party has called on young people attacking the Fountain estate to 'desist immediately' condemning the those behind the violence as 'wrong and sectarian and in essence are anti-Republican'. In a statement the group sought to distance bonfire builders from the disorder and pointed to young people in both communities carrying out attacks. It also accused the PSNI of 'provocative behaviour towards the young people'. One resident said he hoped the move would make a difference as he criticised politicians from all parties saying he only sees them at election time. But he too warned that if the disorder continues, it could lead to 'someone being injured or killed'.
Belfast Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Police confirm the identity of remains found in Co Down river
A post-mortem examination has found the remains to be that of Gary Patterson who went missing from his hometown of Larne in October of last year. The 45-year-old was last caught on CCTV leaving his flat in Priory Gardens and withdrew £100 from a cash machine in the Co Antrim town on October 12 at 10.30am Detective Inspector Lyttle said: 'Mr Patterson, who was reported missing to police, was last seen in the Larne area on Saturday, 12th October 2024 . Our thoughts are with Gary's family at this sad time, and we express our heartfelt condolences to them. 'We would also like to thank the public for all of their assistance throughout this difficult time with searches and subsequent enquiries.' Gary's disappearance sparked a multi-agency search operation with rivers, forests and the Larne Lough with his heartbroken brother, Simon Patterson, accepting they were 'looking for a body.' Remains that were subsequently discovered in a river Crawfordsburn near the Ballyrobert Road area on Saturday have been found to be that of Gary's. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Simon expressed his relief at finding the body and said he received a call from the police detailing the remains were found alongside his brothers possessions. 'I first got the news on Sunday while we were doing a search and we received a phone call from police in CID [Criminal Investigation Department] asking them to come across to speak to us,' Simon said. 'There was that much information in the call [with the police], we sort of knew because the coat and his wallet had actually been found with the body. News Catch Up - Tuesday 10th June 'We're just going through the motions. Because we have known for a wee while, we've sort of contacted funeral homes and stuff to have ourselves organized whenever the body is released. 'At the end of the day, our priority is to get closure and get him laid to rest.' Throughout the months his brother was missing, Simon employed specialist diving squads with a submersible Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to search enclaves in Larne Lough. Simon told this newspaper he had been conducting searches 'religiously' every week and pledged not to stop until his brother was found. Gary was described an avid collector of DVDs, quiet and 'a wee bit of a loner', by his brother. He was known to be proud of his flat where he lived alone and 'was set in his routine', usually returning home by 4pm. His distraught brother also labelled his sibling as a 'kind' man who 'never took a drink or drugs' and loved to frequent charity shops in his hometown.
Belfast Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Missiles thrown at police in Ballymena as water cannon requested in second day of disorder
At least four armoured vehicles have been deployed in the Clonavon area of the Co Antrim town as masked youths partake in the disorder. Police sources have told the Belfast Telegraph a water cannon has been authorised for use. Officers have additionally warned rioters they plan to fire baton rounds. Around 300 hundred protestors have also gathered in the area. It comes after a vigil was held over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in Ballymena flared into a riot yesterday evening. Two teenage boys, both 14, were arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault and have been jointly charged with the attempted oral rape of the girl on June 7. The public disorder on Monday evening resulted in 15 police officers suffering injuries with four homes in the area being set alight. Translink has also suspended bus services in several areas of Belfast due to protests, as police confirm they are currently 'monitoring' the situation across Northern Ireland. Services on the Shore Road in north Belfast remain at a standstill due to protestors blocking roadways along bus routes. Bus services along the Ravenhill Road between the east and south of the city have also been diverted towards the Ormeau Embankment due to ongoing demonstrations. Protestors had previously blocked roads at Carlisle Circus which have since dispersed. It's understood a crowd of around 50 gathered at the area holding placards saying: 'Protect Our Children.' Shankill Road bus services have since been restored the public transport operator said. A Translink spokesperson said: 'Metro 11 Shankill services have been restored. Shore road services currently suspended until further notice due to protests on the routes. 'Metro 6D services Diverted out and in via the Ormeau Road via the Embankment due to a protest on the Ravenhill Road.' A PSNI spokesperson said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of several protests across Northern Ireland this evening, Tuesday 10th June. Officers are in attendance and will continue to monitor the situation." News Catch Up - Tuesday 10th June
