Latest news with #Donaghadee
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Nama trial: Jamie Bryson denies leaking secret messages to newspaper
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has denied leaking secret messages he exchanged with a Sinn Féin politician to a newspaper to try to cause political his trial at Belfast Crown Court, he said he did not know how private messages on Twitter with Sinn Féin's Daithí McKay in 2015 ended up being published in The Irish News a year Bryson also rejected the accusation that he broke the law in his dealings with Mr McKay who was the chair of the finance committee at Stormont at the time."It was entirely the cut and thrust of politics," he said. "There are many things that go on in the world of politics, day in day out, that would make your hair curl, but they're not criminal offences."Mr Bryson, 35, from Rosepark, Donaghadee denies a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office in September McKay, 43, from Loughan Road, Dunnamanagh, denies a charge of misconduct in public Crown's case is that Mr McKay and Mr Bryson manipulated how evidence was presented to a committee meeting on 23 September the committee, Mr Bryson spoke about how Northern Ireland property loans were handled by the National Asset Management Agency, known as Nama. He made an allegation about the then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Peter Robinson, which was later denied and described by the politician as "scurrilous".The prosecution say Mr Bryson and Mr McKay were involved in an attempt to subvert the rules of the committee, in order to cause "considerable political embarrassment" to a number of people including Mr Robinson. At the centre of the case are screenshots of direct messages said to have been exchanged on Twitter between Mr Bryson and Mr McKay before the committee meeting in question in of their existence first emerged almost a year later when the Irish News published a story by journalist Allison Morris claiming that Sinn Féin had "coached" Mr Bryson before the committee barrister Toby Hedworth KC pressed Mr Bryson on how the Irish News learned of the Twitter messages which were detailed in the newspaper Bryson responded: "I did not provide those messages to Allison Morris."He insisted there was nothing untoward about his contact with Stormont politicians, on all sides, on issues of told the court it was "standard political procedure". Bryson denies any deals with McKay Mr McKay was a high-profile member of Sinn Féin in Bryson has admitted sending him private messages but denied making any deals with court was told that in a police interview during the investigation into the case, Mr Bryson described the screenshots of the messages as "potentially doctored images on social media".In court, Mr Bryson said he accepted that he exchanged messages, the screenshots at the centre of the case were "not a complete transcript, not a complete picture".Another man, who was a Sinn Féin member at the time, is also on O'Hara, 41, from Lisnahunshin Road, Cullybackey, faces a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, which he Crown alleges he, like Mr McKay, was involved in an exchange of messages with Mr Bryson in the run up to the committee Bryson told the court that Mr McKay then put him in contact with Mr O' was suggested that Mr O'Hara's role as a Sinn Féin worker meant he operated as a "back channel" to Mr McKay, but Mr Bryson rejected non-jury trial, in front of Judge Gordon Kerr KC, began last judge has told Mr Bryson to focus on answering the questions which he is asked and not to give trial continues.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Filming gets underway on Hope Street series five
Donaghadee, on Northern Ireland's coastline, will once again be transformed into the fictional Port Devine, a close-knit community where the local police team solves a crime in each episode. In another eventful year of drama, series five also sees the show reach a milestone – its 50th episode. This series introduces two new faces to Port Devine - Constable Donal Gallagher, played by Cameron Cuffe (Krypton) and Doctor Sasha Cookson, played by Jenn Murray (The Lovers). Confident and charming, Donal is a well-known local rugby player, whose career was cut short by injury. As the newest member of the Port Devine Police department, Donal has found a new vigour for life and is soon set to make his mark. Meanwhile Sasha Cookson, a local doctor, has recently taken over her father's GP surgery. Sasha is direct and straight talking, which rubs some people up the wrong way, but it's not a problem for Donal. Even though he's nursing a recently broken heart, when Donal and Sasha meet, sparks immediately begin to fly – but will one of them get burnt? Returning for this eight-part series are Kerri Quinn (Marlene Pettigrew), Tara Lynne O'Neill (Eve Dunlop), Aaron McCusker (Clint Devine-Dunwoody), Niamh McGrady (Nicole Devine-Dunwoody), Marcus Onilude (Luke Jackson), Finnian Garbutt (Ryan Power), Katie Shortt (Brandi McClure), Eleanor Methven (Lois Dunlop), Paddy Jenkins (Seamie McCarthy), RhéAna Kamalu (Chloe Jackson) and Jonny Grogan (Ross Dunlop). Filmed in and around County Down's seaside town of Donaghadee, Hope Street celebrates the wealth of local writing, acting and production talent from Northern Ireland, demonstrating the BBC's commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and storytelling in its nations and regions. Mary McKeagney, Commissioning Editor, BBC Northern Ireland says: 'Hope Street captures the humour and warmth of this place perfectly and it has been great to see it strike a chord with audiences across the UK. 'It's a real milestone for all involved to hit episode 50 and we're very proud of what the series has achieved. 'As ever, we're grateful for the continued collaboration with BBC Daytime and Britbox International, and the support of Northern Ireland Screen, which makes this all possible.' Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor, BBC Daytime, says: 'We are back for series five in beautiful Port Devine! It's a joy to be working again with Long Story and the cast and crew in Northern Ireland who all bring the characters of Hope Street to life so beautifully.' Jess O'Riordan, Commissioning Executive, BritBox International, says: 'We're thrilled to be working with the Long Story team on Hope Street again. The BritBox audience will be delighted to return to Port Devine for a fifth series and be reunited with familiar faces along with some exciting new ones.' Behind the drama are acclaimed producers Paul Marquess and Donna Wiffen from Long Story TV, known for producing London Kills and The Light in The Hall. They will be joined by producer Leon Coole. Writers on this new series are Paul Marquess (co-creator), Stuart Drennan (the Dig), Brian McGilloway (Benedict Devlin Mysteries), Matthew McDevitt (Casualty), Karis Kelly (Consumed), and Noel McCann (Blue Lights). Paul Marquess, from Long Story TV and one of the shows' creators and producers, says: 'We're delighted to invite viewers to spend some more time in beautiful Port Devine. The new series opens with a bang (literally) and - as always – combines relatable crime stories with warm and engaging character drama. 'We're delighted to welcome back so many Hope Street fan favourites – and to introduce a couple of new characters who will really keep the audience guessing…see you in The Commodore!' Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, says: 'We're delighted that Hope Street is returning to Donaghadee for a fifth series. This production continues to deliver storytelling that resonates with audiences both locally and internationally, and we're grateful to Paul and Donna at Long Story TV for their ongoing commitment to the show. 'Hope Street is much more than a popular drama - it's an important platform for nurturing local talent and building skills within Northern Ireland's screen industry. With each new series, it creates career enhancing opportunities for emerging and established professionals across all areas of production. These experiences are essential in strengthening our local talent pipeline and sustaining a thriving screen industry. 'We're also incredibly thankful to the BBC and BritBox for their continued support. And once again - hurrah for Donaghadee!' The drama commissioned by Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning for BBC Northern Ireland and Rob Unsworth, Senior Head of Commissioning for BBC Daytime, is part of the partnership between the BBC and Northern Ireland Screen which continues to support the local screen industry, ensuring Northern Ireland is better represented to audiences across the UK and internationally. Robert Schidhouse General Manager of Britbox International is the commissioner for Britbox. Abacus Media Rights are handling international sales for the series. Filming on Hope Street series five begins in June 2025 and series one, two, three and four are also available to watch now in full on BBC iPlayer, and on BritBox in its international markets. Watch Hope Street on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist ML
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Peter Robinson claims denied in Bryson 'Nama trial'
Controversial claims about Peter Robinson by the loyalist activist Jamie Bryson at a Stormont committee 10 years ago were replayed in court the time, Mr Robinson was First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).He described the allegations made in 2015 by Mr Bryson, about a so-called Nama property deal, as "scurrilous and unfounded" without "one iota of evidence".Mr Bryson, 35, from Rosepark, Donaghadee, is on trial at Belfast Crown Court where he denies a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, related to the Finance Committee meeting a decade ago. Video footage of the hearing, which took place in September 2015, was played in court on day three of the court was shown Mr Bryson's 47-minute appearance at the committee. He spoke about how Northern Ireland property loans were handled by the National Asset Management Agency, known as to follow
