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Olympic torch begins Northern Ireland relay

Karen Marshall was the first torch-bearer in the Northern Ireland relay
Karen Marshall was the first torch-bearer in the Northern Ireland relay

The Olympic Torch will visit the Belfast slipways where the Titanic was built as it begins its five-day relay through Northern Ireland.

The Co Antrim coastline and the setting for this year's golf Irish Open, Royal Portrush, are also on the itinerary.

Former Olympic champion Dame Mary Peters, who won the pentathlon in 1972, carried the torch through a packed Belfast City Airport last night after it landed from the Isle of Man.

The first torch bearer was Karen Marshall, who has had Crohn's disease for 14 years.

She works full-time with marginalised young people, volunteers for her local church, for REACT (Reconciliation Education and Community Training) and is a member of the local District Policing Partnership.

Ice skater Dempsey Andrews, 15, from East Belfast, carried the torch through part of Co Down.

The torch will also be relayed through Dublin on Wednesday.