The Belfast Desk

News from Belfast and Beyond

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

Plans for an £89m magnet recycling plant in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter would create 55 jobs and safeguard another 25.

The Ionic Technologies proposal has appeared in the council’s latest planning notices.

https://t.co/eSzeZSmMyk

#Belfast #Business

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT | COUNTY DOWN
The Newcastle Road in Clough, near Downpatrick, has been closed following a four-vehicle collision.

🚗 Police have confirmed diversions are in place.

Motorists are advised to expect disruption and follow local diversion signs.

#Downpatrick #Clough #CountyDown #TrafficNI

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🗳️ Sian Mulholland has been selected as Alliance's North Antrim candidate for the 2027 Assembly election.
The sitting MLA says tackling household costs, improving childcare and strengthening women's healthcare will be among her priorities.
#NorthAntrim #AllianceParty #Stormont
https://t.co/ysjYmxTeT3

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🧸 Oh bother!
NI Water has recalled the bizarre discovery of Winnie-the-Pooh stuck in a Ballymoney sewer!
The toy was found in 2008 and took workers TWO HOURS to remove.
The story has resurfaced as the famous bear celebrates his 100th birthday.
#WinnieThePooh #Ballymoney #NIWater
https://t.co/qI8fsakKKo

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🏗️ A new future for St Lucia Barracks?
Plans to transform the historic Omagh site into a business and innovation park have been discussed by ministers.
The proposals could bring investment, jobs and new life to the former military site.
#Omagh #NorthernIreland #Regeneration
Northern Ireland co-operatives contribute £1.5bn to economy, new research finds
https://t.co/wd7lz3xjB2

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🏆 International recognition for @UlsterGAA
The Sporting Nature project has won a major sustainability award after helping 32 GAA clubs protect wildlife, improve biodiversity and safeguard waterways.
🌿 A second consecutive international award!
#UlsterGAA #SportingNature #Sustainability #NorthernIreland
https://t.co/0yVmkc9xDR

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🏛️ STORMONT BUDGET DEADLOCK
Northern Ireland ministers have failed to reach agreement on the Executive's budget following further talks with the UK Government.
Finance Minister John O'Dowd says more funding is needed for public services and public sector pay.
https://t.co/EimYgJd0ss
#Stormont #NorthernIreland #Politics

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🚨 PSNI INVESTIGATES SIX PROCESSIONS
Police have launched investigations into six unnotified processions across Northern Ireland.
Locations include Shankill Road and Tennent Street in Belfast, alongside Bangor, Newtownabbey, Dunloy and Derry.
https://t.co/SUvmpGN94b
#Belfast #PSNI #NorthernIreland

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🚧 BELFAST ROAD CLOSURES
Three nights of road closures are planned around Sandy Row and Grand Central Station next week.
Hope Street, Boyne Bridge Place and Linfield Road will also be affected.
📅 21–23 October
🕖 7pm–6am each night
Full details 👇
https://t.co/BKevGWA5iq
#belfast #SandyRow #trafficni

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🏥 NEW CHIEF SCIENTIFIC ADVISER APPOINTED
Belfast professor Danny McAuley has been appointed Northern Ireland's new Chief Scientific Adviser. The Queen's University Belfast academic and Royal Victoria Hospital consultant will help shape healthcare research and policy.
Full story 👇
https://t.co/HYxmrZMxZR
#NorthernIreland #Belfast #Health #QUB

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

Larne host Premiership leaders Coleraine in the weekend’s headline NIFL fixture, while Annagh United and Glenavon continue their Championship title challenge. Here’s the full guide to 14 matches on 16–17 October.
https://t.co/hv3psiaDVW
#NIFL #IrishLeague #NorthernIrelandFootball

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

Northern Ireland hospital doctors announce November strike dates over pay.

Resident doctors plan a 24-hour walkout on 20 November, with consultants and SAS doctors providing Christmas Day cover on 23 November.

https://t.co/C76s0IRm26

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

💼 AI AND GREEN SKILLS IN FOCUS
The Northern Ireland Skills Council has been relaunched, with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence, digital skills, green technology and advanced manufacturing. The council will help shape workforce skills for future jobs.
Full story 👇
https://t.co/wZz69GfP3F
#northernireland #ArtificialIntelligence #skills

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🎭 £750,000 FUNDING BOOST FOR NI ARTS
A new £750,000 grants programme has been launched to help arts organisations across Northern Ireland purchase equipment, improve facilities and increase accessibility.
Applications close on 16 November.
Full details 👇
https://t.co/URgyikS4rZ
#northernireland #arts #funding

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🚨 EXPLOSION IN NORTH BELFAST
Residents have been evacuated following an explosion at a house in Stanhope Street. A local councillor has described the incident as a pipe bomb attack and confirmed no injuries have been reported.
Full story 👇
https://t.co/Rv8AQUDXTR
#belfast #northbelfast #Psni

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🚨 MAN CHARGED WITH CYBERCRIME AND BOMB HOAX OFFENCES
A 21-year-old man has been charged with seven offences, including blackmail, computer misuse, bomb hoaxes and threatening communications. The charges follow a PSNI investigation involving international law enforcement partners.
Full details 👇
https://t.co/AAPMaRb3u2
#PSNI #Cybercrime #NorthernIreland

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🚧 Using York Street or Dock Street in Belfast?
Read the details of roadworks in the area: https://t.co/wMeJqLVXHB
#Belfast #Roadworks #Traffic

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

New research examines cardiac arrests and CPR in Northern Ireland.
Read the findings: https://t.co/3DQCZBBM0Q
#NorthernIreland #CPR #CardiacArrest

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

🎓 What does the 85% graduate retention figure mean for Northern Ireland?
Read more:
https://t.co/ROekYMXXtk
#NorthernIreland #HigherEducation

[The Belfast Desk @BelfastDesk]

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of 18 historical child sexual abuse offences, including rape.
The former Lagan Valley MP was sentenced at Newry Crown Court.
Full story 👇 https://t.co/DnwDnZTp6J
#JeffreyDonaldson #NorthernIreland #DUP