Northern Irish unionist politician and barrister, DUP leader since March 2024
The Drumcree dispute remains central as a High Court ruling has quashed the Parades Commission’s ban on the Orange Order marching down Garvaghy Road. Unionists demand sweeping reforms or resignations, while nationalists warn of renewed tensions. Officials seek to restore confidence and plan a fresh determination for future parades.
The former Democratic Unionist Party leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, is standing trial in Newry Crown Court on 18 charges spanning 1985 to 2008, including a rape count. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, faces separate charges. Both deny the allegations as the case proceeds.
Protests in Belfast — sparked by a knife attack in which a Sudanese national is charged with attempted murder — have erupted into violence across multiple districts. Rioters have set vehicles and buildings alight, with police deploying water cannon and crews working to protect residents amid rising tensions tied to immigration debates.
Protesters in Belfast torch vehicles and buildings after a Sudanese man is arrested for a knife attack that left a man severely injured. Police declare a critical incident and call for calm as political leaders condemn the violence.
The new Labour government is taking office as Northern Ireland faces a looming Stormont budget shortfall and ongoing talks with local parties. Benn says the onus is on the executive to seal a budget, while Sinn Féin and other parties call for early engagement and reform. Public services are operating under contingency measures as the budget stalemate continues.
Gardaí have charged a woman in her 20s after a vehicle containing a suspected advanced explosive was intercepted near Carrickmacross. The device is described as highly significant, with investigations focusing on dissident republican activity. A separate man in his 40s remains in custody as more details surface from the operation taxied by the Garda Special Detective Unit.
North Devon District Hospital's maternity services have been suspended due to staffing shortages. Expectant mothers face long journeys to Exeter or Taunton for birth while councils, NHS bodies and locals weigh contingency plans. Authorities say the move is to ensure safe care.