Latest news

Local house prices amongs lowest in the North

HOUSE PRICES IN North Belfast are among the lowest in the north of Ireland despite rising slightly in the last quarter, according to the  latest report on market conditions. The University of Ulster’s Quartely House Price Index, which was released on Wednesday, found that prices here are the fourth lowest in the North, with only Derry/Strabane, Craigavon/Armagh and East Antrim lower. In the second quarter of 2010 the average price of a house in North Belfast was £129,699 - up...

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'Please don't do it'

The heartbroken best friend of Christopher 'Chricky' Scott-Ferrin who took his own life two weeks ago has poured out his heart over the loss of his friend and pleaded with other young people affected by his death to talk to someone.  In an open letter given to the North Belfast News, 20 year old Ryan Fleuty talks about his friend's problems with alcohol and drugs, including so-called blue bombers, and how his best mate was threatened by dealers.  The heartbroken...

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Leave my son alone, dad says after teen gun threat

THE FATHER of a teenager who Óglaigh na hÉireann tried to enlist as a tout has joined the local CRJ group in calling for ONH to back off and leave the boy alone. The teenager was ordered to meet members of the group last week in a West Belfast park. When he arrived he was told to return tonight (Thursday) with a list of the names and addresses of drug dealers in the St James’ area.  The 17-year-old, who wishes...

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Undercover unit watched murder of local boy (17)

A BRITISH army undercover surveillance team watched the murder of a Poleglass teenager yet did nothing to intervene, a report into the killing has confirmed. Damien Walsh was gunned down by the UFF as he worked at a unit in the Dairy Farm in March 1993. A report into the 17-year-old’s murder by the Historical Enquiries Team was handed over to the Walsh family on Tuesday. While the report states there was no collusion in the case, the Walsh family...

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Council expenses go online after our report

Expenses for Castlereagh councillors have been made available on the council’s website, days after the South Belfast News highlighted the issue. In last week’s edition, we revealed the data was not publicly available on the site, despite the council’s pledge to be more transparent after the Iris Robinson scandal earlier this year. That was despite the Information Commissioner’s Office – the independent authority that regulates openness by public bodies – recommending all expenses paid to councillors should be made available...

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Back-to-school robbery

HEARTLESS thieves have made off with cash owed to a local primary school after breaking into a shop on the Ormeau Road.  The culprits forced their way into Truly Fare, which supplies hundreds of school uniforms to local children, on Monday night (August 30) – just one day before the new school term was due to begin.  Entry to the store, which is opposite a police station, was gained via a back door sometime after 6.40pm. Shop owner Francesca Cahill...

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