Evening briefing: Northern Ireland immigration stats and myths, fuel prices on the move, and Armagh GAA star opens up on injuries
NewsWhat is the truth behind immigration figures in Northern Ireland?Queen’s University political sociologist Katy Hayward explains how misinformation, fear and manipulation fuel unrest across Northern Ireland.Belfast stabbing victim’s condition ‘improving’ and he may soon come out of comaThe condition of the Belfast stabbing victim is “improving” and he could be woken from a coma within the next 48 hours.Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye and suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back in a stabbing attack on Monday which preceded two nights of disorder in Northern Ireland.Belfast knife attack suspect granted asylum under fast-track schemeThe Belfast knife-attack suspect was granted asylum under a fast-track application scheme because of his nationality.Hadi Alodid, 30, only had to complete a Home Office questionnaire rather than attend a face-to-face interview because of the “security and humanitarian situation” in Sudan.He travelled from the north African country to Paris and then on to Dublin before catching a bus to Belfast in February 2023.A ‘depraved’ British soldier allegedly danced on blood-stained clothing of three brothers murdered by loyalist paramilitaries, court toldA “depraved” British soldier allegedly danced on the blood-stained clothing of three County Armagh brothers after they were murdered by loyalist paramilitaries, the High Court heard on Thursday.Their grieving mother was also subjected to humiliating abuse at an army checkpoint as she returned from the mortuary, it was claimed.John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey were all shot at the family’s home in Whitecross back in January 1976.BusinessJet2 cut 20,000 seats from winter programme at Belfast International AirportHoliday airliner Jet2 has announced a reduced winter schedule for 2027/28 from Belfast International Airport.The leisure carrier confirmed flights to Madeira or Palma will not feature in its new winter sun programme in Northern Ireland next year.A total of 155,000 seats have gone on sale for eight holiday destinations from Belfast International.Diesel, petrol and home heating oil prices continue to fall across Northern IrelandThe price of diesel, petrol and home heating oil continues to drop across the north, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.The average price of diesel fell by around 3p per litre over the past seven days to 169.3p, the Consumer Council said on Thursday.That’s the lowest price observed by the survey since the middle of March.SportDaniel Heneghan named Footballer of the Month for MayRoscommonhero Daniel Heneghan has been named the PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Month following a string of good performances in the Connacht andAll-Ireland Football Championships.‘Injuries and disappointments are the only guarantees in sport’: Armagh captain Aidan ForkerIt’s more than a year now since Aidan Forker last started a game for Armagh and he has only played for about five minutes in total in 2026.Injuries - ankle and calf problems - allied to the strength of the Armagh panel, have cost him precious game-time but the 34-year-old remains optimistic.If Kieran McGeeney turns to him for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC Round 2A clash with Louth in sold-out Inniskeen, he’ll be ready to go.
