06/08/2003

PUP councillor evades abduction attempt

Police are investigating a claim by Belfast Progressive Unionist Party councillor Billy Hutchinson that an attempt was made to abduct him this morning.

Mr Hutchinson said that four men tried to drag him into a car that that pulled up beside him when he was out for an early morning jog in west Belfast. He escaped by running off.

Mr Hutchinson, a loyalist councillor for North Belfast, said that he believed that the men were from the nationalist Ardoyne area.

He said that he would now be examining his personal security following the incident.

(SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 June 2018
Monkey 'Clipped By Car' In North Belfast Dies
A male spider monkey, which escaped from Belfast Zoo on Saturday, 09 June, has died after being struck by a car. He was "clipped by a car" on the M2 in north Belfast. The monkey was being tracked by zoo keepers. A spokesperson said: "We are currently investigating how the escape occurred from the monkey island on which the animals are kept.
08 July 2003
Three Belfast men receive jail sentences in France
Three Belfast men have been sentenced to six months in jail by a French judge following an incident outside a nightclub in Lille. The men were members of a group who had travelled to France to take part in the Battle of the Somme commemorations.
04 July 2014
West Belfast Mural Condemned
A paramilitary mural in west Belfast that shows gunmen firing shots over a coffin draped in an Irish tricolour has been condemned. The image has appeared at Slemish Way off the Andersonstown Road.
01 March 2024
Belfast Region City Deal Investment Creates 'Significant Opportunities'
Belfast City Council has hosted an event for business leaders to learn more about the opportunities being created by the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment – and how they can connect to, and benefit from them.
20 August 2019
NI Set To Host UEFA Championship
Northern Ireland is gearing up to host the 2020 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals next year. In a first for the region, the eight-team tournament will be played in Belfast, Ballymena, Lurgan and Portadown from 19 July to 01 August.