Vincent Kearney

Northern Editor

Co Armagh schoolteacher Ruth Norton took up weightlifting four years ago when struggling with depression

'I wanted me back' - Armagh teacher to powerlift for NI

A Co Armagh school teacher who took up weightlifting to help combat depression caused by menopause is flying to South Africa on Monday to represent Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.

Ulster • 28 Sep 24

The former Fine Gael leader said, he believes unification "is likely in the coming decades but by no means certain."

Varadkar urges parties to make unification an 'objective'

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged all political parties contesting the next Irish general election to have a manifesto commitment to make a United Ireland an "objective" rather than an "aspiration".

Politics • 26 Sep 24

Varadkar urges parties to make unification an 'objective'

Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged all political parties contesting the next Irish general election to have a manifesto commitment to make a United Ireland an "objective" rather than an "aspiration".

Politics • 26 Sep 24

The Taoiseach's first engagement was a meeting at the Guildhall with the SDLP's Lillian Seenoi-Barr, who in June became the first black mayor of a council in Northern Ireland

Simon Harris visits Derry for first time as Taoiseach

Taoiseach Simon Harris is visiting Derry for the first time as leader for a series of engagements with political, civic society and community leaders.

Ulster • 16 Sep 24

Sean Brown was abducted and killed by loyalists in May 1997

Call for public inquiry into Sean Brown murder rejected

The family of murdered Co Derry GAA official Sean Brown has been told the British government will not establish a public inquiry into the killing.

Ulster • 13 Sep 24

Pat Finucane was shot by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his family in 1989

Finucane murder inquiry announced by UK govt

The British government has confirmed that it will establish a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

Ulster • 12 Sep 24

Jeffrey Donaldson is pictured as he arrived for the arraignment hearing at Newry Court

Jeffrey Donaldson pleads not guilty to 18 sex offences

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 sex offence charges, including one count of rape.

Courts • 10 Sep 24

The carnival parade marked the start of the nine-day Belfast Mela Festival

Carnival parade kicks off Belfast Mela Festival

More than a thousand people have taken part in a carnival parade through Belfast city centre to mark the start of a nine-day festival to celebrate global cultures and diversity.

Ulster • 19 Aug 24

The Gambling With Lives charity organised a football match hours ahead of the new Premier League season, which brings with it adverts and sponsorship related to gambling

Sports clubs urged to raise awareness of gambling harms

Sports clubs across Ireland are being encouraged to help raise awareness about the harm caused by gambling and to sign up to prevention programmes. The initiative has been launched by Gambling With Lives, a charity set up by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide.

Ulster • 16 Aug 24

Denis Donaldson was shot dead in a remote cottage in Glenties in April 2006

McEntee rejects call for inquiry into Donaldson murder

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has rejected a call to establish a judge-led commission of inquiry into the murder of a former senior Sinn Féin official and MI5 agent in Co Donegal 18 years ago.

Ulster • 16 Aug 24