Latest news with #GoodFridayAgreement
RTÉ News
16 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
29th North South Ministerial Council meeting to take place in Co Armagh
The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and other Cabinet members are due to attend a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Co Armagh. They will meet Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers and other members of the Stormont Executive for discussions on a wide range of issues. It will be the 29th plenary meeting of the body established by the Good Friday Agreement. Business and trade, including the potential impact of US tariffs and increasing uncertainty across international markets, is expected to top the agenda. There will also be discussions on infrastructure and investment, including the upgrade to the A5 road, the Narrow Water Bridge project to link counties Down and Louth, and the ongoing saga of Casement Park in west Belfast. Mother and Baby homes, Magdalene laundries and cross border efforts to end violence against women and girls will also feature.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Johnny ‘Mad Dog' Adair's second-hand suit among merch up for sale online
Johnny Adair told the Sunday World, he was every bit as surprised as everyone else, when he saw his second-hand clothes being offered for sale on a social media market place. A suit worn by Johnny Adair and autograph has gone up for sale with a £500 price tag. A second-hand suit once worn by former loyalist terror chief Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair, is being offered for sale for hundreds of pounds, the Sunday World has learned. A Johnny Adair Memorabilia page has popped up on the social media market place Etsy. And items which once owned by the infamous former loyalist leader and personally authenticated by him as genuine, are now being offered for sale for big money. A low-end signed photograph of Adair will set you back a mere £30. Former UDA boss Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair. But if you want to get your hands on a second-hand dress suit - by Burton the Tailor - and once owned by the UDA's self-proclaimed Director of Terrorism, you will need to shell out a whopping £500! Last Saturday, Johnny Adair told the Sunday World, he was every bit as surprised as everyone else, when he saw his second-hand clothes being offered for sale on a social media market place. Johnny Adair's suit is up for sale News in 90 Seconds - June 19th He said: 'I get requests to meet up with people all the time. 'Sometimes, its people with a genuine interest in the Northern Ireland situation. Often they want to understand my views on the political situation. And if they are genuine and polite, then I'm happy to discuss it with them. 'But in this case, what happened was, a man called to see me asking if I would sign a few glossy pictures of myself. I agreed and I signed around six or so. 'But he kept on bringing out more and more pictures and I kept on signing them. I think I must have signed around 60 of them. 'Then he asked me if I would give him an old suit which I no longer wear.' Johnny Adair's suit. 'I had a light grey suit in my wardrobe which I had bought for a wedding, but no longer wore. He asked me to put it on and to pose for a picture wearing it, so as he could prove it once belonged to me. 'And the next thing I knew was people were stopping me in the street and asking me if I was selling my old clothes on the internet.' said the former UDA leader. A suit worn by Johnny Adair and autograph has gone up for sale with a £500 price tag. And he added: 'I didn't know there was money in selling second-hand clothes.' A one-time UDA Brigadier - jailed for 16 years for directing loyalist terrorism - Johnny Adair has been living in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland, for around 20 years. Adair was released from prison early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. And after a short stint in England, he moved to Ayrshire where his close friend and fellow loyalist, Sam 'Skelly' McCrory had settled after serving 16 years for conspiracy to murder a senior IRA man. Both ardent football fans, the pair followed Glasgow Rangers. And during trips to Ibrox Stadium, Adair was regularly besieged by supporters, well-wishers and autograph hunters. And last year, when Adair attended a football function at Ayr Racecourse, the MC had to appeal for people to take their seats after the for UDA boss was surrounded. 'You can say what you like, but in certain circles, Johnny Adair definitely possesses a celebrity factor.' said one of the organisers.'
The Age
a day ago
- Politics
- The Age
Diplomacy, de-escalation the only way out of danger
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. WAR Any nation deploying a nuclear bomb is guaranteed complete destruction of its own people. In this day and age, the ownership of such destructive weapons seems to be the big stick the bullies of this world wave and threaten. Trump's ever-changing story and threats to Iran seem to respond to the immediate (for example, the complete evacuation of Tehran's 10 million citizens) with little thought to the future. Where are the voices of thinking leaders and their governments? Surely, they are not all short-sighted. The solution rests with the citizens of these nations to rise up, take to the streets in their millions and remove these blinkered madmen and bring some order to humankind. De-escalation and diplomacy are the only way out of these dangerous days, and governments must lead and bring peaceful solutions to the world. Unfortunately, the UN seems powerless. Ron Reynolds, Templestowe None of our business We are best reminded that in 2003 America waged war on Iraq based on it having ″weapons of mass destruction″. This was false information and many an Australian lost their life or received horrific injuries including their mental health through John Howard sending troops. In late March this year, the American security agencies stated Iran was not building nuclear weapons. A week or so ago it was revealed Iran wasn't fully complying with its obligations to open its files up. Despite the US intelligence service's advice, Israel 'knows' Iraq is preparing nuclear weapons. No evidence presented, just us relying on their version of truth. Sound familiar? Now the blundering President Trump has announced he might even go to war with Iran over Israel's claim. Undoubtedly, if he does, he will call on other nations to join him – even after he spreads doom and gloom through his never-quite-finalised tariffs. Let's hope our government and the Coalition see though this madness and not join in what really isn't our business. John Rome, Mt Lawley, WA Learn from Good Friday Agreement Thank you to your correspondent (Letters, 18/6) for referencing the current events in the Middle East to both Greek tragedy and the Irish Troubles. These themes are also linked by the Northern Ireland poet Michael Longley in his poem Ceasefire, which was coincidentally published on the eve of the Good Friday Agreement in 1994 also uses the imagery of The Trojan Wars. When tired of the carnage due to the conflict, the Trojan King, Priam, meets Achilles, who had killed Priam's son Hector in retaliation for Hector killing Patroclus, who was Achilles lifelong friend. King Priam sighs: 'I get down on my knees and do what must be done, and kiss Achilles' hand, the killer of my son'. Unlike Northern Ireland, as yet it appears no one in the current conflict is capable of the insight or courage to do the same. Jill Grogan, Albert Park Chilling replay of 2003 Gulf War The latest dismissal by Trump of the advice from various independent sources and his own spy chief that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon seems to be a chilling replay of the events preceding the Gulf war in 2003. The power vacuum in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein led, despite the fall of the despot, to a boom in extremism by Al-Qaeda and the rise of ISIS. We can expect again the destruction of a country, the misery of its people and the probable subsequent ominous rise of a new regime that could be even more dangerous to peace in the region. We require an immediate ceasefire, followed by a comprehensive political solution to a festering issue plaguing the Middle East. If Trump can bring this off, instead of escalating the violence, hats off to him. Trichur Vidyasagar, Doncaster THE FORUM Practical, not ideological Re ″If it acts like a public utility, why the outsourcing?″ (Letters, 19/6). The metro rail transport system and its physical assets remain in public ownership. The system is operated under franchise by a privately-owned company heavily-conditioned by the contracts it entered into with the government. Your correspondents have not complained about the service, which is generally good. The issue seems to be ″ownership″ with your correspondents, favouring public operation of the system for reasons which are not especially clear, although I detect disaffection with profit-making. For me, the tests are practical, not ideological. If the test is service, which is good; and price, which is set by the government at a reasonable rate with an increasing range of free journeys; then the case for continuing private operation seems quite strong. Those favouring public operation of the system will have to demonstrate that a public service department could operate the system better and more cheaply than the private operator. Michael Angwin, Hawthorn Lower the fares If we hadn't privatised public transport it would have been an easy step to implement a low flat fare, or even make some travel free, as the Queensland government has done. This would negate the need for ticket inspectors and be a win for commuters, traffic flow and the environment as more commuters use the service. Vikki O'Neill, Ashburton
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Cross-border entrepreneurs now welcome to apply for €500,000 in prizes at new business awards
The mission of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is to support as diverse a range of charitable activities, primarily in places where the founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and his family have lived and worked, which includes Ireland, the UK, Monaco, France, Greece, and Cyprus. Since 2011, Sir Stelios and easyGroup (his for-profit business) have donated to the Stelios Foundation, a UK-registered charity, more than €110 million. These donations have helped to support those who create a business which has both education and cross-community cooperation at its core, as well as promoting innovation, further job creation, and an enduring cooperation between communities. The Foundation is known for supporting both high-impact charities and grassroots initiatives, with a consistent focus on entrepreneurship, education, disability rights, food security, and cross-community peace. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands - including easyJet and easyHotel, (for more info, see and - has launched several awards for entrepreneurs in these countries. Moreover, easyJet in 1998, then a small private airline owned by Stelios, launched its first flights from Luton airport to Belfast just months after the Good Friday Agreement, making the move one of the first tangible peace dividends. EasyJet now holds a 70% market share at Belfast International Airport. These awards are designed to foster entrepreneurship and to show how entrepreneurs can create and support economic opportunities, mutual engagement, and reciprocal success The latest addition to the philanthropic initiatives supported by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is the North–South Business Cooperation Awards, which has been created specifically to help celebrate and inspire innovative cross-border entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. These awards are being organised in conjunction with Co-operation Ireland, an all-island peace-building organisation, which has decades of experience in promoting cross-community and cross-border activities in support of peace and reconciliation. These awards will support Co-operation Ireland's work in building a shared and cohesive society by facilitating contact and collaboration between people from different backgrounds across the island of Ireland. The North–South Business Cooperation Awards draw inspiration from a similar initiative long supported by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation in Cyprus. Since 2009, the Stelios Bi-communal Cyprus Awards have encouraged collaboration between Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot entrepreneurs. The success of this model in Cyprus has demonstrated the power of entrepreneurship in bridging divides and now forms the blueprint for this all-island initiative in Ireland. With a total prize fund of €500,000, this new awards scheme is looking to reward and nurture entrepreneurs who have developed cross-border business. By promoting entrepreneurial start-ups on the island of Ireland, the Awards aim to fuel job creation and deepen economic interaction across communities to the benefit of all. Speaking following the launch of the Awards, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: 'These Awards represent more than just recognition - they embody a commitment to building a better, more connected future on the island of Ireland. When businesses from both sides of the border collaborate, they do more than drive economic growth; they build trust, create lasting jobs, and strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities. 'Just as easyJet brought people together across Europe, these Awards bring businesses together across the island of Ireland - empowering them to grow, hire and contribute to a stronger all-island economy. I look forward to meeting the finalists and recognising their achievements at Castle Leslie in October 2025.' For those who are interested in entering, the application process is open right now, and the deadline for entering is Tuesday 16 September 2025. The total prize fund of €500,000 in cash prizes will be broken down as follows: the overall Gold winning team will receive €150,000, two Silver winning teams will receive €100,000 per team, and six Bronze winning teams will receive €25,000 per team to invest in their businesses. The prizes can be paid in Sterling or Euro at the exchange rate on the date of the awards ceremony. The awards themselves will be given out on Thursday 30 October 2025, when Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou will personally present the awards and meet the finalists. This ceremony will take place within the historic surroundings of the Castle Leslie Estate, just off the banks of Glaslough Lake in County Monaghan. This location, so close to the border, has been specifically chosen in honour of the cross-community partnership at the core of this new award. More specific details on the criteria and additional requirements for prospective entrants of the inaugural North–South Business Cooperation Awards Ireland, can be found here: Eligibility criteria – Each company must be: Each team should preferably comprise of a company registered in the Companies Registration Office ( in Ireland and a company registered with Companies House (Belfast) with the registered office being in Northern Ireland. Both companies must be start-ups incorporated in the last five years, 2019 or later. Each company should have an entrepreneur, founder, or shareholder who owns at least 50% of the shares. The two entrepreneurs must be working in a joint business activity on the island of Ireland, across any sector of the economy. Each company must have a minimum annual turnover of €200,000 / £160,000 and must employ at least three other staff members, not including the owner. Alternatively, companies can apply on their own (without a second team member) if they can demonstrate significant cross-border economic activity, including a customer base in both markets. Other requirements: Only applications completed on the official form in typed format will be accepted. Handwritten applications will not be accepted. Attendance at the Awards Ceremony is required for winners. The winners will be announced by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou at a ceremony at the historic Castle Leslie to be followed by a luncheon on Thursday 30 October 2025. Applicants will be asked about their interest in potentially joining the 'easy' family of brands Judging decisions are made by Sir Stelios and are final
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Alliance leader Sean Neeson dies
Former Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson has died at the age of 79. Mr Neeson served as leader of the party from 1998 to 2001. He was elected as party leader following Lord Alderdice's resignation. Mr Neeson served as a Stormont assembly member for East Antrim for more than a decade and was active in politics for decades. Alliance leader Naomi Long paid tribute to Mr Neeson and said he had shown leadership "at a time when the party needed it, and we will always be grateful to him for that". "Known for getting things done, Sean was a dedicated public servant who delivered for everyone in Carrickfergus as a councillor and then the wider East Antrim area when he became an MLA, a role he was delighted to take on," she added. "In later years, Sean's passion for Alliance and Northern Ireland as a whole continued, and I was delighted he was well enough to join us at conference just last year." Mr Neeson was also a member of the Northern Ireland Forum in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement and served as mayor of Carrickfergus from 1993 to 1994. A former teacher, he was Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 1982 to 1986. He was also a member of the Northern Ireland Police Authority from 1991 to 1997. One of his predecessors as Alliance leader, John Cushnahan, said he was mourning someone "who was not only a close political colleague but, more importantly, a close friend for over five decades". He added that Mr Neeson's political contribution had "often been underestimated and his record of public service, has not been given the true credit it deserved". Lord Weir, of the Democratic Unionist Party, said Mr Neeson was a "good public representative and a decent man". Neeson stands down from assembly
