Paul Doherty

Independent Cllr West Belfast | Founder @Foodstock__ | Right to Food Commissioner | Former Deputy Mayor of Belfast | Anti-Poverty Campaigner |

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

Thinking of the Springhill-Westrock families today.

Today’s apology is long overdue - and it should shame the British state that families had to wait more than five decades for the truth to be acknowledged.

The British Army murdered innocent people on the streets of West Belfast. No apology can undo that. No apology can give families back what was stolen from them.

But this apology matters because it confirms what this community always knew: the families were right, their loved ones were innocent, and the cover-up failed.

The truth did not come from the British state - it came because these families never stopped fighting.

[Andersonstown News @ATownNews]

Doherty not Keane on Robbie appointment as new Celtic manager
https://t.co/MjLIsef0ob

[Multi-Ethnic Sports and Cultures NI (MSCNI) @MSCNI16]

🎉 Huge success at our Intercultural Children’s Day at Lorag.
Hundreds of children from diverse communities enjoyed multisport activities as part of our ICIP programme funded by @PEACEPLUS @SEUPB
Great to welcome outgoing Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Paul Doherty.
@belfastcc @_SportNI

[Dama Damaris @Blest_to_bless]

High Commissioner Amb. M. Makoloo UK, Amb. G. Orina Dublin & Cllr Paul Doherty graced our Madaraka Day celebration/Awards event in Belfast.

[Andersonstown News @ATownNews]

Paul Doherty to run as Independent in next year's Assembly election
https://t.co/ZN02JLrgS8

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

Some news...

#Independent
#WestBelfast

[Stephen Nolan @StephenNolan]

"This will arrive at your door - either the death of your child - or the death of someone else"

Cllr Paul Doherty says police need the power to permanently seize scrambler bikes and e-scooters

@PaulDoherty___ | @BBCSounds

[Stephen Nolan @StephenNolan]

"A family could have been preparing for a child's funeral today"

Cllr Paul Doherty reacts as 4 year old boy knocked down by e-scooter in west Belfast saying it should "shake and shame people" over reckless use of these vehicles

@PaulDoherty___ | @BBCSounds

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

@nofkngd The point is here though that once they are seized - a flaw in the system allows these vehicles back on the road within a numbers of days. This is frustrating to say the least and updated legislation required.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

People have had enough.

Communities are crying out for action on scramblers, e-scooters and dangerous anti-social vehicle use - and this cannot be left any longer.

I have brought this issue forward, secured cross-party support, and helped put clear proposals on the table. Now the Department of Justice must act.

We need stronger powers to remove dangerous vehicles from our communities. The current system is failing when owners, and in some cases parents, can simply collect scramblers and e-scooters days after they have been used to put lives at risk.

We need legislation that means these vehicles are either diverted into approved community safety programmes, or they are impounded. No more revolving door.

Current unfunded preventative community initiatives, working alongside local schools, youth clubs and community organisations, are seeing up to a 90% DROP in ASB linked to scramblers and e-scooters.

That should be impossible for the Department of Justice to ignore. These programmes must be scaled up, properly funded and supported with dedicated sites where young people can be diverted away from streets, parks and residential areas.

No more delay. No more dithering.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

@EimhearMurphy Absolutely- parents need held accountable too for putting these things on the roads and not taking responsibility when their young people are causing chaos.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

@mauradalton121 They cannot pursue in police vehicles. Limited powers when it comes to taking these away also and impounding where necessary. Change in legislation needed immediately.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

@Carolin55162028 It's insane and can't go on any longer.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

In my last week as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, it was a real honour to take to the stage and open The Gathering 2026 at the Lyric Theatre today.

A landmark event bringing artists, arts workers and organisations together from across the island of Ireland and beyond - celebrating creativity, connection and the power of the arts.

Belfast has talent in spades and a proud cultural heartbeat. Events like this show the strength, creativity and collaboration that continue to shape our city.

Wishing everyone involved a brilliant two days of networking, inspiration and performance.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

A dementia-friendly Belfast starts with community. 🤝

Proud to launch the new Dementia Information and Support Services Booklet at City Hall today.

This is about making sure people living with dementia, their families and carers know where to turn, feel supported, and are never left to face things alone.

Built on partnership, lived experience and compassion - this is another important step forward in making sure people are not left behind after diagnosis.

#Community #Belfast #DementiaFriendlyBelfast

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

Onwards! 🌱

Positive first step tonight as my motion passes its first stage of approval at council.

It is clear we need to build more homes - but when we do, we should also be building stronger, healthier and more food-resilient communities.

This is not about restricting or limiting new housing developments. It is about changing the mindset and looking at practical ways the planning process can help tackle poverty, food insecurity and poor access to healthy food.

As a Right to Food City, Belfast should lead the way.

#RightToFood

[Andersonstown News @ATownNews]

Lenadoon protest after funding application is rejected by Belfast City Council
https://t.co/CjB0nR0ORo

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

This vital work in the community must be protected.

[Belfast Live @BelfastLive]

A protest was held at a West Belfast community centre this morning by "disappointed" local residents after it was denied funding by Belfast City Council
https://t.co/VzhC0S5Al7

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

This vital work must be protected.

Proud to stand in solidarity with the Glen Parent Group today.

For decades, they have been at the heart of Lenadoon - supporting families, young people and local groups through real community development on the ground.

The resilience shown by the staff, volunteers and service users is powerful.

Glen Parent has stood by this community for years, and now the community is standing with them.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

@herevvego This is not about reducing housing or restricting delivery. It’s about making sure new developments use space well - creating homes while also supporting health, food resilience and stronger communities.

[Paul Doherty @PaulDoherty___]

What if every new housing development in Belfast going forward included space for people to grow their own food? 🌱

Greater access to fresh, healthy, nutritious food for people, families and communities, more green spaces and practical steps to tackle food insecurity and poverty.

That’s the proposal I’m bringing to Belfast City Council - to look at how community food-growing spaces can be embedded within our planning process.

As a Right to Food City, Belfast has an opportunity to now lead the way.

Do you suppprt this? Let me know your thoughts!