VJ Randle: ‘Whenever I’m stuck on a book, I take myself back to the fundamentals of storytelling and arrive at The Odyssey’

Give My Head Peace: Comedies axed as BBC makes deep cuts

Perforated Ulster, Give My Head Peace, and The Long and the Short of it, all produced by the Hole in the Wall gang are being axed by the BBC. The Blame Game has also been culled.The BBC is making major cuts across the corporation as budget cuts take hold.BBC bosses say they have to make difficult decisions – but the cuts mean there will be no more local comedy on our screens.Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Tim McGarry and Damon Quinn and Michael McDowell from the Hole in the Wall Gang.

Ammi Burke: Solicitor's legal showdown with her former employer

The Burkes are back, but this time it’s not Enoch grabbing the headlines, it’s his sister Ammi.In 2019, Ammi Burke was dismissed from her role at one of Ireland’s most prestigious law firms, Arthur Cox, after just over three years with the company.Seven years, multiple legal battles and countless court appearances later, Ms Burke wants her job back. She and her former employer are facing off at the Workplace Relations Commission.So, what exactly happened between the two sides? And why is a dispute that began years ago still rumbling on in court today?Tessa Fleming is joined by court reporter Seán McCárthaigh as Ammi Burke takes on her old employer.

Jeffrey Donaldson’s victims in their own words

The PSNI has released the audio statements of Jeffrey Donaldson’s victims, Victim A and Victim B.Their voices have been artificially generated to protect the victims’ identity.On Thursday, the former DUP leader was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of 18 charges of child sex abuse.

Jeffrey Donaldson given 15 years - but will be out in seven

Jeffrey Donaldson received a 15 year sentence in prison for his crimes. He was given 11 years for rape against Victim B and four years for all offences against Victim A, to be served consecutively.The former MP and ex-DUP leader was sentenced in Newry Courthouse on Thursday morning.However, later on Thursday after the Lady Chief Justice confirmed Donaldson will actually walk free in seven-and-a-half years.That is because the crimes were committed before the law changed in 2008, so he will automatically be entitled to 50pc remission of his sentence.He was found guilty of 18 child sex abuse charges, including rape, in June.Donaldson is trying to win an appeal, and his denials were an aggravating factor in the sentencing.However, as it stands, the 63-year-old will emerge from prison as a 78-year-old pensioner.Ciarán Dunbar spoke to Allison Morris outside Newry Crown Court.

Olympian swimmer Rebecca Adlington opens new kids' pool in Newtownabbey

Olympian Rebecca Adlington has said her new Northern Ireland-based swimming pool has received more than 1,000 sign-ups before opening.The retired athlete, who won two Olympic gold medals and two bronze medals over her career, said the amount of interest shown indicates a “dire need” for more pools here.She also said the success of her business and getting more young people to swim means more than her Olympic medals.Adlington’s company Swim! will open its latest venture in Newtownabbey’s Longwood Retail Park.

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‘We’re bringing it back to life’: Telling the story of the Brontë family’s Co Down heritage

The famous Bronte sisters’ links to Co Down are to be brought to life in the former church near Rathfriland where their clergyman father preached as a young man.Although the local council took over the Drumballyroney Church building in the 90s and turned it into the Bronte Interpretive Centre, financial constraints meant it opened infrequently, leaving fans of the literary family, who travelled to the church, often disappointed to find the doors locked.However, that is about to change thanks to a local heritage group.

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Carla Lockhart has quit a DUP role, but what’s Haribo got to do with it?

UP MP Carla Lockhart has resigned as a party officer amid a deepening row with the leadership over the future of Stormont. Ms Lockhart’s move, which was first reported by the Belfast Telegraph, comes amid a difference of opinion between her and DUP leader Gavin Robinson on whether the party should withdraw deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the powersharing executive. Upper Bann MP Ms Lockhart has argued that the party should pull Ms Little-Pengelly from her post as it would automatically remove Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill from her position in the joint office they lead together.

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MLAs Gerry Kelly and Deirdre Hargey arrive at Musgrave Police Station for interviews over Garvaghy Road protest

MLAs Gerry Kelly and Deirdre Hargey arrived at Musgrave Police Station on Friday morning for interviews over a protest on the Garvaghy Road last month. Gerry Kelly maintained that taking part in the protest was “the right thing to do”, while MLA Deirdre Hargey said that taking part in the interviews is following the “due process”.

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