We’re now at the end of the first week of the new year, and there’s been no shortage of news and features as we kick off 2025.
It’s a week that has seen everything from searches continuing for a missing Belfast man in Spain, to a family rescuing a puppy from a canal.
It can be, at times, hard to keep up with the news so we have put together a weekly round-up of some big stories this week you may have missed from around Northern Ireland.
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Here are some stories from the first week of 2025.
Young person ‘struck by vehicle’ as youths gather at Broadway interface
Police in the Broadway area
(Image: Declan Roughan / Press Eye)
On Monday, it was reported that a young person was “struck by a vehicle” after a number of youths gathered at the area of the Broadway roundabout at the interface of South and West Belfast the previous evening.
Police were called to the scene after 8.25pm following reports of two large gatherings of young people. The PSNI says it is also aware of video footage circulating online showing an individual on a bike, who is believed to have been struck by a vehicle while cycling in the area.
Read the full story here.
Police Ombudsman statement after incident involving autistic teenager
Police and her dad take the teenager from the Lisburn shop
(Image: Family footage)
The Police Ombudsman’s Office said it is currently assessing a range of information about an incident involving police and a young girl with special needs at a shop in Lisburn.
Footage of the incident, which happened on December 22, had been posted on social media, and the Police Ombudsman’s Office was also notified about the incident by the PSNI.
In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson for PONI issued an update into their investigation of the incident.
Read the full story here.
PSNI charge man over shopping centre “incident” after video circulated
The Erneside shopping centre in Enniskillen
(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Police are investigating an “incident” at a Northern Ireland shopping centre after video footage was circulated on social media.
In the video a confrontation unfolds outside what appears to be a shopping centre involving a man, a security guard and a number of young people. The sound quality is poor but it appears that accusations are being made regarding the use of a mobile phone at changing rooms in Erneside Shopping Centre.
The man later appeared in court to face a charge of voyeurism.
Read the full story here.
Sydenham Bypass roadworks to resume after Christmas break
A £3.8million road improvement scheme is underway on the Sydenham Bypass in Belfast
(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
This week, the Department for Infrastructure confirmed the date it will resume essential £3.8m resurfacing works on the A2 Sydenham Bypass
The work along the citybound lanes of the A2 Sydenham Bypass, between Tillysburn junction and the start of the M3, started on Wednesday, September 25.
Work is set to be undertaken during weeknights and weekends to minimise disruption. Completion is expected by early March 2025, subject to favourable weather conditions.
Read the full story here.
Tributes to boy who died in NI quad accident
Tiarnán Trainor
(Image: Funeral Times)
On Friday, we covered the sad news that 13-year-old Tiarnán Trainor had been killed in a collision involving a quad bike in Killeavy.
Tributes flooded in for the young boy, described as “much-loved and popular.” He played for Killeavy GAA and had been a member of 12th Armagh Slieve Gullion Cubs.
The schoolboy has been described as the loved and cherished son of Conor and Majella Campbell, Conor’s partner Sharon and Majella’s partner Scott, as well as a much loved brother of Aimee and Ellie-Mae and devoted grandson of Donal and Mary Trainor and Gervase and Teresa Campbell.
Read the full story here.
Sister of Belfast man missing in Spain believes ‘friend’ behind killing
John George has been missing from Spain since December 14
(Image: Family Photo)
The sister of a missing Belfast man said she believes he was killed by a “friend” in Spain who may have already left the country.
Courtney George has travelled to Alicante with groups from Northern Ireland to help search for her brother John George, also known as John Hardy, who has been missing in the country since before Christmas.
John’s family believe he was shot dead and his body has been hidden. Police in Spain are still treating the case as a missing persons investigation.
Read the full story here.
NI family come to aid of puppy found clinging for life in canal
The McCullough family have given the little puppy its new forever home
(Image: Mid Ulster Rehoming Centre for Dogs)
This week we covered the story of how a family from Co Tyrone saved a puppy’s life after they found it clinging to the banks of a canal.
Louise and Michael McCullough were out for their daily walk with their kids along Coalisland Canal the day after Boxing Day, when they heard cries coming from the water. When they got closer, they realised it was a tiny puppy, a suspected beagle, freezing and exhausted, clinging on for its life.
An appeal to find the pup’s owner was issued, with nobody coming forward, and the family giving the dog a forever home.
Read the full story here.
Tributes paid to Irish League footballers
Michael Newberry’s Cliftonville shirts placed in the centre circle at Solitude ahead of the match
(Image: INPHO/Brian Little)
This week, tributes were paid to Irish League footballers Michael Newberry and Michael Downey.
On Monday, it was reported that Cliftonville FC player Michael Newberry had passed away suddenly at the age of 27. On Wednesday, January 1, it was reported that former Lurgan Celtic FC captain Michael Downey had passed away suddenly.
You can read full tributes for the two men by clicking here and here.
Kneecap film longlisted for seven BAFTA Awards
Kneecap at The Kennedy Centre
(Image: Justin Kernoghan/ Belfast Live)
Kneecap has been longlisted in seven categories for the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards. On Friday, January 3, the longlists of films and talent advancing to round two of voting for the awards were announced.
Kneecap, a film set in West Belfast in 2019 about the origins of the local rap trio, features in seven categories including the prestigious Best Film list alongisde the likes of Wicked, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, and A Complete Unknown.
Read the full story here.
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