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23/06/2009
High Drama On Belfast's Big Wheel
A man has been arrested after he climbed up the 60 metres high Belfast Wheel and balanced on top, halting the wheel and trapping passengers for a time.
The 38-year-old, who was stripped off to nothing but shorts, scaled to the top of the wheel on Monday evening.
Specially trained police negotiators were called in and after two and a half hours, a specialist team of firefighters climbed up and led the man to safety.
It is understood the man was a member of the Traveller community who had been involved in a protest at City Hall.
There was some disruption as roads around the city hall were closed and a large crowd gathered as emergency services arrived at the scene.
A number of people were trapped inside some of the pods on the wheel during the safety operation as it couldn't be moved to release them during the incident.
The man climbed the wheel around 6.30pm and came down about 8.30pm, when he was arrested.
Councillor Pat McCarthy told today's Belfast News Letter that the man had previously been protesting at the front of City Hall.
"Apparently Roads Service told him he had to vacate his caravan from the front of City Hall," he said.
Mr McCarthy said there were five fire tenders at the scene and that, when firefighters began climbing up to rescue him, the protester began to climb down.
"Last week we had the rights of immigrants highlighted in Belfast and I think this highlights the rights of Travellers this week," said Mr McCarthy.
(BMcC/JM)
The 38-year-old, who was stripped off to nothing but shorts, scaled to the top of the wheel on Monday evening.
Specially trained police negotiators were called in and after two and a half hours, a specialist team of firefighters climbed up and led the man to safety.
It is understood the man was a member of the Traveller community who had been involved in a protest at City Hall.
There was some disruption as roads around the city hall were closed and a large crowd gathered as emergency services arrived at the scene.
A number of people were trapped inside some of the pods on the wheel during the safety operation as it couldn't be moved to release them during the incident.
The man climbed the wheel around 6.30pm and came down about 8.30pm, when he was arrested.
Councillor Pat McCarthy told today's Belfast News Letter that the man had previously been protesting at the front of City Hall.
"Apparently Roads Service told him he had to vacate his caravan from the front of City Hall," he said.
Mr McCarthy said there were five fire tenders at the scene and that, when firefighters began climbing up to rescue him, the protester began to climb down.
"Last week we had the rights of immigrants highlighted in Belfast and I think this highlights the rights of Travellers this week," said Mr McCarthy.
(BMcC/JM)
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Big Wheel Man Remanded
A 38-year-old man who climbed 200ft to the top of Belfast's big wheel has been refused bail. Patrick Joyce, of no fixed abode, was in court today charged with disorderly behaviour after the Belfast Eye in the grounds of the City Hall was brought to a standstill when he scaled the structure.
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A 38-year-old man who climbed 200ft to the top of Belfast's big wheel has been refused bail. Patrick Joyce, of no fixed abode, was in court today charged with disorderly behaviour after the Belfast Eye in the grounds of the City Hall was brought to a standstill when he scaled the structure.
27 April 2021
Modern Tyres To Create Over 20 New Jobs
Modern Tyres has announced it is to create over 20 new jobs. The jobs are part of a £5.6million investment to diversify its commercial products and services offering. The company has established a new division, Modern Wheel Solutions, which will be situated at its new 81,000 sq. ft. purpose-built factory in Carnbane Business Park in Newry.
Modern Tyres To Create Over 20 New Jobs
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25 June 2009
City Hall Caravan 'Protest' Continues
There was no change today as moves to tow-away 'protest' caravans parked at the iconic Belfast City Hall ground to a halt. Official plans to remove caravans parked in a protest over Travellers rights were called off at the last minute when the enforcement officers concerned aborted the move after some of the occupiers unexpectedly turned up.
City Hall Caravan 'Protest' Continues
There was no change today as moves to tow-away 'protest' caravans parked at the iconic Belfast City Hall ground to a halt. Official plans to remove caravans parked in a protest over Travellers rights were called off at the last minute when the enforcement officers concerned aborted the move after some of the occupiers unexpectedly turned up.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
