Latest news with #Protestants'
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Far-right agitator calls for Catholics and Protestants to unite against 'invasion'
A Far-right agitator and failed election candidate who has been sharing footage of rioting that erupted in the North this week has called on 'Catholics and Protestants' to 'unite against the invasion of our island'. Niall McConnell, a sheep farmer from Castlefinn, Co. Donegal, shared footage of the violence that unfolded in Ballymena, Co. Antrim, taken by a prominent former Loyalist terrorist, whom he later hosted live on his YouTube channel. The 36-year-old also wrote a series of posts in which he appeared to celebrate the shocking scenes in the North, which police said were instigated by 'racists and bigots'. Police line up to face riots in Northern Ireland. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire McConnell's online activity comes as far-right protests were staged in Limerick and Ardee, Co. Louth, over the weekend. In one message accompanying shared video footage of rioters burning down a property housing migrants, he wrote: 'Locals in Ballymena set migrants house on fire after local girls got raped! 'Enough is enough! Share this video to stop the chaos in our streets!' He went on to warn 'Ireland is at a breaking point!' and urged followers to join his political movement, Síol na hÉireann. In another post, he wrote: 'Tensions are high after two [REDACTED] raped local young girl! Protestants & Catholics MUST UNITE [sic] against the invasion of our island.' He also shared footage taken by former loyalist terrorist Mark Sinclair and urged followers to play their part in 'stopping the mass immigration invasion into Ireland' by joining his 'Christian nationalist movement'. Last month, reported how former loyalist terrorists attended an anti-immigration protest in Dublin as they continued to forge an unlikely alliance with tricolour-waving far-right nationalists in the Republic. Pic:) Although both groups are traditionally regarded as natural enemies, former UVF member and convicted armed robber Mark Sinclair told 'I'm making new brothers and sisters who are Catholic for the first time, it's amazing.' Sinclair – who has three previous convictions for armed robbery – said of the growing alliance: 'It's a big step in the right direction for an ex-loyalist and Protestant to be able to stand in Dublin amongst all those republicans with tricolour.' This week, the unlikely alliance continued as McConnell, who was eliminated on the 10th count in last year's general election, hosted Sinclair on his YouTube channel. McConnell referred to migrants, who contribute an estimated €3.7bn annually, primarily through taxes, PRSI, and work permits, to the economy, as the 'enemies of our island' and claimed they want Irish people to be 'annihilated'. Speaking on the live stream, Sinclair described himself as an 'ex loyalist prisoner' and said Catholics and Protestants need to come together as 'we cannot do this on our own'. Pic: PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images McConnell agreed, saying the two communities need to 'move forward'. He said: 'The enemies of our island couldn't care less if we are Protestant or Catholic, they hate us because we're white. They want us annihilated. That is the goal. There has to be unity. 'The same people who say 'Brits out, Africans in', I cannot understand the mental gymnastics.' PSNI chief Jon Boutcher this week warned his officers will be coming after the 'bigots and racists' behind multiple nights of disorder in the North. He said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena – an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence – had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting. Forty-one officers have been injured in the unrest, with riotous behaviour resulting in vandalism, vehicles burned, and arson attacks on properties in several towns. McConnell has been advertising 'says no' protests in Ardee and Limerick in recent days.
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ryan Reynolds splashes out £500k to send Wrexham squad to Las Vegas for third year in a row
ACTOR Ryan Reynolds is splashing out £500,000 to send his Wrexham squad on a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate promotion — for the third year in a row. He and fellow owner Advertisement 3 Ryan Reynolds is splashing out £500,000 to send his Wrexham squad on a trip to Las Vegas Credit: AP 3 Defender Max Cleworth is looking forward to the Vegas trip Credit: AP Defender Max Cleworth said: 'I can't wait. 'That's the main thing this week. 'I don't think I'll sleep until we go.' It will be his first trip to Sin City in Nevada but Advertisement read more on wrexham Wrexham was a non-league club when the two actors Next season, the Welsh side will be in the second tier of English football. Manager 'I'll be turning my phone off. Advertisement Most read in Football Latest 'I just want a message when they're all back in the country in one piece.' Celebrity Wrexham owner spotted in retro Celtic strip as he asks 'are they Catholics or Protestants' 3 Ryan and Rob McElhenney promised to reward the players and staff if they made it to the Championship. Credit: Reuters Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic fans troll Rangers ultras by unfurling stolen flags and banners on their return to Ibrox
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC fans were back at a league match at Ibrox for the first time since early 2023. And a section of Hoops fans arrived armed with flags and banners belonging to the RANGERS ultras. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Several Rangers banners were displayed in the Celtic end at Ibrox Credit: Rex 2 A huge display was unfurled at the other end Credit: Reuters In the final Old Firm clash of the season, Rangers and Celtic played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. Cyriel Dessers' opening goal was cancelled-out by an Adam Idah equaliser and there wasn't to be a winner. The game saw Celtic fans return to Ibrox for the first time in more than two years. A 2-2 draw in January 2023 was the last time Hoops supporters were at the Gers' home stadium. It was also the last game before the away fans' lockout began, a lockout that only ended at the last derby at Parkhead back in March. Late last year, a section of the Celtic ultras group the Green Brigade posed with an array of flags and banners they'd seemingly stolen from the Union Bears, the leading Rangers ultras group. Several months on, many of those same items appeared to have been brought into Ibrox this afternoon. The Green Brigade banner, seen at every Celtic game, was hung over the advertising hoardings in front of the away section. At one point, several stolen flags were held aloft behind it. One of the flags, a yellow and black display reading 'warning pyrotechnics incoming' was visible when the Green Brigade posted a previous image back in September. Celebrity Wrexham owner spotted in retro Celtic strip as he asks 'are they Catholics or Protestants' Several other flags also appearing to have belonged to the Gers ultras group the Union Bears were also waved. At the start of the match, a giant display was unfurled at the other end of the stadium. It contained an image of Rangers legend Graeme Souness holding a shotgun, which is a real picture from the early 1980s. The gun on the display appeared to be aimed towards the corner housing the Celtic fans. Along the bottom of the banner, the words "take aim against the rebel scum" could be seen. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Liam Scales launches defence of Adam Idah as Ireland star backs Celtic teammate to make big impact against Rangers
LIAM SCALES branded criticism of £9million Celtic striker Adam Idah as harsh. And the Hoops defender reckons his fellow Ireland international could be the Old Firm match-winner at Ibrox today. 2 Liam Scales has launched a defence of Adam Idah Credit: Kenny Ramsay - Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow 2 Idah has scored 17 goals this season Credit: Kenny Ramsay - Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow Scales hailed Corkman Idah for his 17-goal contribution to Celtic's Scottish title win and insists the 24-year-old will be even better next season. The 'The criticism maybe came during that little run he went on without scoring. But that happens to every striker . 'It was just unfortunate with the timing of it, but look at his numbers overall. Read More on Celtic 'Even last year, you look at the massive goals he scored. 'I think the criticism has been harsh and the only reason I can see is that spell where he didn't score. 'But then you look at the way he has bounced back and scored goals in the last few weeks. 'He's also had big goals in games against Most read in Football Idah had a disrupted pre-season as strike a deal with summer . And centre-back Scales expects big things from his compatriot when he returns for the new campaign. Celebrity Wrexham owner spotted in retro Celtic strip as he asks 'are they Catholics or Protestants' He said: 'Adam has done really well for us but will be even better next season. 'He is still young and has so much potential. 'Look at all the attributes he has to be a top striker — he's strong, powerful and he can finish. 'He can finish off both feet and the longer he is here, the better he will get. 'Working with the coaches here, in this system, I can see him kicking on again.'
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Forgotten Celtic star shines for loan club as fans say Jota's injury could ‘open doors'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC are still reeling from the news that Jota could be out for up to NINE months with an ACL injury. The winger's horror knock could force Brendan Rodgers into a hunt for replacements as it could be 2026 before the Portuguese returns. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 3 Jota's long-term injury could force Celtic into a search for his replacement Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 One of the Hoops' loanees is a winger and is set to return to Parkhead this summer Credit: Willie Vass 3 Marco Tilio scored another goal for Melbourne City last night Credit: Getty One wideman still on Celtic's books is Marco Tilio. The Australian signed for Celts from Melbourne City back in summer 2023, but made just two appearances before injury troubles of his own derailed his start to life at Parkhead. He returned to Melbourne on loan, but is set to return to Glasgow in the summer and could be under consideration to reinforce the Hoops on the flanks. He hit his latest A-League goal last night, taking him to five for the season, with some impressed fans taking to X, formerly Twitter, to discuss the 23-year-old's prospects. One supporter said: "Jota's injury is horrific both for himself and us but perhaps a door opens for someone else." Another posted: "This is lovely from Marco Tilio, so good to see him fit and scoring goals again. "Great for him and Celtic." A third said: "He looks to be a player every time I watch him." Tilio had previously opened up on his struggles with being out of the Celtic team with a bad hamstring injury, and his ambition to return strongly. He reflected: "It was hard. Celebrity Wrexham owner spotted in retro Celtic strip as he asks 'are they Catholics or Protestants' "In my head I thought I would only be out a week or so, and up until that point I had never been injured in my career, so I thought I would be fine. "But then, when I came back to London and did a medical, they said I had done a grade three hamstring tear, so that was a 12-week injury, and I did that rehab all through the Celtic pre-season. "Being injured was new to me, I did not know the whole rehab side of it and how you approach it, but obviously I learnt it very quickly. "It does build up and get a lot [mentally], but it also fuels you, you want to stay out there and play. "I thought 'enough is enough', I want to do everything I can to make sure I am there playing, and if I am playing consistently, I know what I'm capable of. "I'd like to think [next season] I am playing consistently over in Europe." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
