A LOCAL man has launched a petition in a last-ditch effort to save a historic old building that has played a part in the lives of countless Belfast people.
RIRA headstone smashed
The destruction of a republican grave in the City Cemetery has been strongly condemned. The headstone at the resting place of Ballymurphy man Joe O’Connor, a member of the RIRA, was smashed in the early hours of Tuesday morning. It’s not the first time that the grave of the 26 year-old, who was shot dead in Ballymurphy in October 2000, has been targeted.
Ban angers sunbed salon owners
The owner of a local tanning salon has described new legislation on the use of sunbeds as “draconian”. The legislation, which bans people under the age of 18 from using, hiring or buying sunbeds, came into effect this week. As of Tuesday, any business found to be permitting under-18s to use, buy or hire sunbeds may be prosecuted.
West Belfast girl crowned Miss Ireland
A West Belfast girl has won the coveted Miss Ireland 2012 crown after a sensational weekend win in Dublin. Rebecca Maguire, a model with The Style Academy Model Agency in Belfast, will now represent Ireland in China at the Miss World contest in four months time.
Local schools set to merge
Two West Belfast primary schools are set to amalgamate. St Aidan’s and St Bernadette’s, in the Upper Springfield, will merge from the beginning of the next school year. Education Minister John O’Dowd this week approved the proposal to amalgamate the two schools with effect from September 1, 2012, or as soon as is practical thereafter. The new single co-educational school will be located on the current site of St Aidan’s at the top of the Whiterock Road.
Bus driver battered by taxi man
POLICE are hunting a private taxi driver after a bus driver was brutally beaten in a shocking broad daylight road rage attack after he was pursued into the Falls Road Translink depot. The employee needed hospital treatment following the weekend assault which we’ve been told was carried out by a driver working for a non-local firm.