Are you playing along with Pete, Paulo & Rebecca's Sounds Grand competition each day? ๐ We've had some interesting wrong answers so far...take a look back ๐
https://t.co/ZtwYTkrb7r
The legendary Derry Halloween Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, as the Walled City prepares to come alive with a spectacular celebration of all things spooky ๐งโโ๏ธ๐๐
DISCOVER MORE: https://t.co/FxKHWCXpYh
JUST ANNOUNCED ๐จ @samfendermusic 's bringing his PROPER MASSIVE tour to Ireland next summer ๐ท๐๐ธ
We've got all the gig/ticket info below โฌ๏ธ
https://t.co/MifCGj1EDi
๐ฅโ๏ธ BREAKING GARVAGHY: Secretary of State Sir @RhonddaBryant has BANNED the parade.
Statement from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Chris Bryant MP:
โEveryone wants to see an end to the stand-off between the Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge and the residents of the Garvaghy Road as soon as possible.
โI have spent the last fortnight trying to get a mutually acceptable agreement between the two sides, hosting several rounds of negotiations at Hillsborough Castle last week and maintaining frequent contact with both sides since then.
โUnfortunately it has not been possible to achieve a local resolution. I have therefore been intensively considering all options for bringing this dispute to an end.
โI donโt think anyone wants to see the stand-off continue into another weekend, with the consequent risk of protests spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland and the further deterioration of community relations. Nobody wants a return to the past, which is why people want this stand-off to end - and end soon.
โEarlier today the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland made an application to me under Section 9 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act.
โAs required by law, I have now reviewed the initial determination made by the Parades Commission relating to the application made by the Portadown District for 27 September, 2026.
โI have consulted the Chief Constable and the Parades Commission.
โThe Chief Constable has advised me that it would not be possible to enable the procession to happen without a major intervention which would carry an unacceptable risk of serious injury, disorder and a wider contagion effect across Northern Ireland.
โThe Parades Commission have also advised me that โWhile ultimately a matter for the courts to determine, the Commission is of the view that, in light of this current assessment by the Chief Constable, the original determination does not now have enduring legal effect.
โConsequently, and in the interests of wider public interest and safety, Iโve come to the conclusion that the circumstances under which that decision was made have now changed considerably.
โAs a result, the procession cannot go ahead as it was determined.
โI have not taken this decision lightly. As the courts affirmed, the Portadown District had a lawful determination from the Parades Commission allowing the procession. I want to thank the Portadown LOL No 1 for their peaceful and law-abiding approach and their co-operation at all points with the PSNI.
โRespect for the rule of law is fundamental to our society and I am grateful to those who have behaved peacefully and legally and sought to ease tensions in their respective communities. Those who have acted unlawfully should face the consequences of their actions.
โI am also grateful to all those who took part in good faith in the negotiations at Hillsborough. I heard the concerns of people on all sides and I only regret that we could not reach a compromise on a way forward and that many residents across Portadown have felt anxious and worried.
โWith this in mind, I call for all protests, rallies and demonstrations to be stood down. There is no excuse for a continued ratcheting up of tensions.
โThe community in Portadown has been on the sharp end of intense attention for a number of weeks. It will take time to rebuild relations. The least we can all do now is give them breathing space. Looking ahead we will need to work together to help repair the damage that has been done and to resolve this issue.
"I will continue to do all I can to bring the community together over the coming weeks and months."
The Prince and Princess of Wales are in Belfast today for engagements focused on the Homewards initiative
The pair will meet organisations working together to create pathways to employment, stability, belonging and opportunity for those at risk of homelessness.
๐ธ PRESS EYE
Things are getting a little spooky around here ๐ป Check out our 'freaky list' of local Halloween events this October across NI ๐
https://t.co/UbSZjFMxel
One of the Royal Navy's biggest warships, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has arrived in Belfast today โ๏ธ
The 65,000 tonne warship can carry up to 40 aircraft, including a mix of Lightning fighter jets and helicopters ๐
Full story below ๐
https://t.co/aBq6gtErWp
๐ท Press Eye
Blue Lights stars Nathan Braniff & Neil Keery joined Pete, Paulo & Rebecca to chat about the latest series of the hit police drama ๐๐จ๐ฎโโ๏ธ
You can listen back to their full interview on The Craic podcast on Rayo - linked below ๐
https://t.co/KvgFqynHSn