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27/05/2011
Sinn Fein Man Is Youngest Belfast Mayor
Northern Ireland's capital city has a new civic leader, a 25-year-old Sinn Fein activist who was only recently elected as a new member of Belfast City Council.
Last night, Niall Ó Donnghaile became Belfast's youngest ever Lord Mayor as the city's councillors held their Annual General Meeting (AGM).
He was already a full time party activist, joining the party at the age of 16, and was Sinn Fein's Press Officer in the Stormont Assembly.
Educated through the Irish Medium sector, Councillor Ó Donnghaile is a politics graduate and fluent Irish speaker who actively campaigns on language rights and equality.
He was born and bred in the Short Strand area of the city where he is well known for his community work. He is a member of the Short Strand Partnership Board, which lobbies for economic and social regeneration in east Belfast.
A GAA enthusiast, Councillor Ó Donnghaile is an avid support of the County Down football team.
Councillor Ó Donnghaile succeeds the SDLP's Pat Convery who handed over the chain of office at last night's AGM in Belfast City Hall.
He becomes the city's third Sinn Fein Lord Mayor, following in the footsteps of Alex Maskey in 2002 and Tom Hartley in 2008.
Councillor Ruth Patterson from the DUP was elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.
(BMcC/GK)
Last night, Niall Ó Donnghaile became Belfast's youngest ever Lord Mayor as the city's councillors held their Annual General Meeting (AGM).
He was already a full time party activist, joining the party at the age of 16, and was Sinn Fein's Press Officer in the Stormont Assembly.
Educated through the Irish Medium sector, Councillor Ó Donnghaile is a politics graduate and fluent Irish speaker who actively campaigns on language rights and equality.
He was born and bred in the Short Strand area of the city where he is well known for his community work. He is a member of the Short Strand Partnership Board, which lobbies for economic and social regeneration in east Belfast.
A GAA enthusiast, Councillor Ó Donnghaile is an avid support of the County Down football team.
Councillor Ó Donnghaile succeeds the SDLP's Pat Convery who handed over the chain of office at last night's AGM in Belfast City Hall.
He becomes the city's third Sinn Fein Lord Mayor, following in the footsteps of Alex Maskey in 2002 and Tom Hartley in 2008.
Councillor Ruth Patterson from the DUP was elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.
(BMcC/GK)
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14 January 2011
Body Of Michaela McAreavey Arrives Home
The body of Michaela McAreavey has now arrived home to Northern Ireland. Members of the Harte and McAreavey families met with the plane carrying her body at George Best Belfast City Airport. Michaela, 27, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic Football Manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled on Monday while on honeymoon.
Body Of Michaela McAreavey Arrives Home
The body of Michaela McAreavey has now arrived home to Northern Ireland. Members of the Harte and McAreavey families met with the plane carrying her body at George Best Belfast City Airport. Michaela, 27, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic Football Manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled on Monday while on honeymoon.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
