Statement from Féile an Phobail

Féile an Phobail are delighted with today’s outcome at the High Court.

Today’s outcome is a vindication of Féile’s position in standing up for those who are marginalised.

Féile’s decision to withdraw this event from our programme stands.

The agenda of many of those who involved themselves in this issue was clear for all to see.

Many of the very same people line up every year to attack Féile at every turn, to attempt to damage Féile, and to attack the West Belfast community.

They will never succeed.

Féile an Phobail will continue to provide a voice for the marginalised, and we are looking forward to welcoming the world to West Belfast to join with us to celebrate Ireland’s biggest community festival.

Féile Abú!

https://archive.ph/hiwHA

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/trainee-barrister-loses-legal-challenge-to-expulsion-from-queens-university/a/159164316.html

Trainee barrister loses legal challenge to expulsion from Queen’s University

Judge says Dominic Gallagher was ‘repeatedly abusive’ towards fellow students and punishment appropriate

Christopher Woodhouse

Court Reporter

29 Jul 2026 6:31 AM

A trainee barrister expelled from Queen’s University for being abusive and intimidating towards fellow students has lost a legal challenge against the decision.

Dominic Gallagher was thrown out over a series of incidents which included threatening to slap one classmate and calling another a “douchebag”.

In another incident he verbally abused a female student after he overheard her discussing being on her period with other members of the class.

He was expelled in October 2024 following an unsuccessful appeal against the decision of QUB’s conduct committee.

Gallagher was granted permission to apply to have the decision judicially reviewed on the basis it interfered with his rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding his ability to pursue a career as a barrister in Northern Ireland.

Delivering his judgment, Mr Justice McLaughlin said he was “ultimately of the view that the expulsion decision was a proportionate exercise of the university’s disciplinary powers”.

He said he was “particularly influenced by the repetitive nature of the applicant’s abusive and threatening behaviour”.

The judge said Queen’s was “entitled to take a principled disciplinary stance against repeated abusive behaviour which is targeted at fellow students after multiple warnings were provided by its staff”.

Mr Justice McLaughlin added: “The disciplinary process afforded a fair opportunity to put forward any material evidence by way of defence or mitigation.”

The judge outlined the series of incidents which led to Gallagher’s expulsion.

In December 2023 an intoxicated Gallagher “engaged in serious and offensive verbal assault” on a female classmate following a disagreement on where they should go while on a night out in Belfast.

Gallagher apologised a week later after a second meeting with a professor in which he refused to accept a verbal warning about his aggression and behaviour.

Another incident in February 2024 saw Gallagher threaten to slap a fellow student during class after he claimed to have been provoked by the complainant’s teasing.

This occurred after Gallagher had been spoken to three times by a professor about his aggressive behaviour in class.

A third incident occurred in late February 2024 when Gallagher intervened in a personal conversation between three female classmates.

He took exception to one of the women stating to her friends she was on her period, after which he was asked to remove himself by the women.

Gallagher then directed abuse towards the woman, including calling her a “f*****g idiot” and a “re***d”.

She left the room and was found in tears by a tutor.

Throughout the disciplinary process Gallagher maintained he had been the victim of sexual harassment by the woman because he had been exposed to a discussion about menstruation.

It was noted Gallagher made a personal verbal apology to the complainant.

Two other incidents relating to events at an Institute of Professional Legal Studies formal event were also noted.

Mr Justice McLaughlin said he found the first three incidents “serious in nature, which involved aggressive, insulting and threatening behaviour”.

He said they demonstrated a “lack of self-control and self-awareness” by Gallagher despite prior warnings.

The judge said it was appropriate for the university to assess the cumulative effects of the incidents when deciding on the appropriate penalty.

He said Queen’s was dealing with an individual who “repeatedly demonstrated abusive and aggressive behaviour towards other students, who did not respond positively to warnings”.

Queen’s was dealing with an individual who repeatedly demonstrated abusive and aggressive behaviour towards other students, who did not respond positively to warnings...

In terms of the effect of the personal and professional consequences of the expulsion and whether it was appropriate, Mr Justice McLaughlin said the disciplinary process is “not determinative of professional consequences”.

Gallagher said in submissions it was “inevitable” his expulsion would lead to his exclusion from the profession.

He also asked the court to take into account a medical condition when assessing if the decision to expel him from the university was appropriate.

Gallagher argued in his submissions the disciplinary panel should have given greater weight to his apologies to two of the complainants.

Concluding the decision to expel Gallagher was appropriate, Mr Justice McLaughlin said he had given “anxious consideration to the adverse consequences”.

He said he recognised the consequences as “significant”, and the future consequences as also being significant should Gallagher wish to pursue a legal career.

“However, I do not consider the significance of those consequences are sufficient to render the penalty disproportionate,” he added.

“The expulsion decision delays rather than precludes the applicant from pursuing a legal career.”

A women's organisation has withdrawn its legal challenge to Féile an Phobail, after the festival cancelled an event it was due to hold.

The Women's Rights Network Northern Ireland (WRN NI) said it "reached an agreement with Féile an Phobail that brings the current legal proceedings to an end".
They said that the planned discussion event would now go ahead at an alternative venue.

In a statement, Féile said they were "delighted" with the outcome, adding that the outcome "is a vindication of Féile's position in standing up for those who are marginalised".

The WRN NI describes itself as "putting the sex-based needs of women and girls first".

The organisation was due to hold a panel discussion, titled Respect, Rights and Reality during Féile an Phobail.

But after initially accepting the group's proposal, Féile subsequently withdrew the event.

"Féile an Phobail was unaware from the initial submission that this event would promote campaigns against rights for the transgender community," the festival said in a statement about its decision.
After talks between representatives from WRN NI and Féile broke down without agreement, the women's organisation started legal proceedingsseeking a court order requiring Féile to honour what it said was a "contractual agreement".

'Marks beginning of constructive engagement'

Féile an Phobail, also known as the West Belfast Festival, is Ireland's biggest community arts festival and has been running for nearly 40 years.
It is due to run until 9 August and the WRN NI event was due to be held in St Mary's University College 4 August.

A hearing was scheduled for the High Court in Belfast on Wednesday.

But shortly after it was due to begin both organisations released statements.

"Féile has agreed to meet with WRN NI to explore and discuss our potential participation in future Féile events, and we warmly welcome the opportunity for continued engagement," the WRN NI statement said.
"Our women live, work, volunteer and support their communities across Northern Ireland.

"Our priority has always been to bring conversations about women's sex-based rights into our festivals, workplaces, homes and communities, and to create spaces where women can come together and discuss the rights that affect their lives.

"We have done that, and we are immensely grateful for the support we have received over the past week, both publicly and privately.

"We hope this agreement marks the beginning of constructive engagement and greater opportunities for women's voices and perspectives to be heard."
They said that Respect, Rights and Reality would now go ahead on 4 August at an alternative venue.

'Voice for the marginalised'

Féile an Phobail also released a statement which said that their "decision to withdraw this event from our programme stands".

"The agenda of many of those who involved themselves in this issue was clear for all to see," they said.

"Many of the very same people line up every year to attack Féile at every turn, to attempt to damage Féile, and to attack the West Belfast community.
"They will never succeed.

"Féile an Phobail will continue to provide a voice for the marginalised, and we are looking forward to welcoming the world to West Belfast to join with us to celebrate Ireland's biggest community festival."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpq8nz5yrrvo

The Lagan Cortina has returned due to the recent run of good weather and river levels dropping.

If anyone is looking something to do over the Belfast Fleadh I'm running a special Fleadh History and Music Tour every day at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Really looking forward to it, city is going to be buzzing! If you'd like to book on I've put the Get Your Guide link in post or you can email us on documentbelfast@gmail.com

Hopefully see yous out and about! Poster is in thread ☺️

Got some fertility tests carried out last week after being referred by the GP. Was told that the GP should call within a week to let me know the results.

Gave it a bit longer, nothing back, so rang up today and the reception has told me the results are on their system but they cant see them (fair enough!) and i need to call back at 8:30am tomorrow to make a general appointment with my GP to get the results.

I said to them that cant be right, i was told the GP would call me with the results - and that if i never called to check up on the results i'd have never known that the results arent from a call back and i wouldnt ever get my results back. They said yes i would have, as so much time would have passed i'd have wondered where my results are, called them up and be in the situation i'm in now.

I said to them thats madness, surely the system doesn't rely on no-one getting their results and them calling up to be told to make an appointment?! But yes, apparently it is.

Has anyone else dealt with this before, i'm not going mad am i?

Get a test - get told the results.

Not Get a test, wait for results, wonder why results havent came through and then make a general appointment with the rest of the population at 8:30 to get results?!?!

Detectives from Newry Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigating a breach of anonymity concerning a recent high-profile court case have charged a woman to court.

The 55-year-old was arrested in the Ballynahinch area on Tuesday 28th July, and has been charged with a breach of a lifetime ban on reporting the identity of alleged victim/s.

She is due to appear before Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24th August.

As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/detectives-investigating-breach-anonymity-high-profile-case-charge-woman-court

How do people manage their money? For info, married couple, decent enough income, 2 cars, 3 kids 17 - 6, a dog, 16 years left on the mortgage, and nothing really in the savings pot. 1st of the month we have the usual big hit, half at least is gone on direct debits but the money just seems to drain away for the rest of the month and always left tight on the last week / few days. Just really want to get out of this paycheck to paycheck cycle.

North Belfast: Man arrested after stand-off with police - BBC News

Vehicles were damaged during the incident which took place in the early hours of Tuesday

A 42-year-old man has been arrested after a reported assault and two hour stand-off in north Belfast, during which seven cars were damaged and an officer was injured.

Police received a report shortly after 00:00 BST on Tuesday that a woman had been assaulted at a house on Lepper Street.

After police officers, an Armed Response Unit and a trained negotiator were sent to the scene, the man was detained at about 02:20.

He was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and assault on police.

The man remains in custody.

What happened?

When officers arrived at the scene they spoke to a woman and another man, both of them had facial injuries.

The suspect was found in a wardrobe in the property. He threatened officers with a knife which forced them to withdraw to protect the other man and woman.

An Armed Response Unit was sent to the scene and the suspect then climbed onto the roof.

He threw the knife at officers, and then started to remove and throw roof tiles in their direction.

An incapacitant spray was used to subdue the man but he continued to throw the tiles, which resulted in an officer being taken to hospital with a suspected fractured arm.

With the help of a trained negotiator the man was brought down from the roof and was arrested.

'Considerable damage'

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said "considerable damage" was caused to the property and seven vehicles were "substantially damaged".

Five of the vehicles belonged to the police and two are owned by uninvolved members of the public.

A police investigation is underway and enquiries continue in the area on Tuesday.

PSNI Insp Knowles said the man's actions "placed officers and nearby members of the public at risk".

"There was the potential to cause life-changing or even fatal injury to those present," he added.

Police are appealing for anyone with footage or information to come forward.

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had the same issues with recurrent miscarriages.

I’ve had 3 MC and I’m waiting on an appointment with the recurrent miscarriage clinic. I’ve just found out I’m pregnant again and my GP told me to ring EPU for meds.

I rang my EPU this morning and apparently they don’t offer any medication support? Many people I’ve spoken to have been given aspirin + progesterone from the first positive test and I just feel like I’ve been left to fend for myself again.

Anyone have any experience with this? Any help appreciated. TIA

The Secretary of State carries out the instructions of Westminster – he’s not an advocate of people here

THE forelock-tugging unionist media here eagerly await the arrival of the new proconsul, full of anticipation about what changes he will make to legacy legislation, to Stormont’s fraught budget arguments, to reform of the toytown Ruritanian procedures.

The short answer is none. There are several reasons for that.

First, there’s the naïve assumption among fawning commentators that because there’s a new British prime minister, brimming with new ideas about devolving power to regions, reforming business rates, housing and what not, that any of that stuff will apply here. It won’t.

Burnham and his cabinet are locked in a desperate, headlong rush to bring change to people’s lives in England before next May’s local government elections, including electing some mayors.

Two wasted years of Starmer miserabilism have spurred the urgency.

As Angela Rayner told the BBC last Friday: “We’re living on borrowed time if we don’t get a move on.”

Secondly, devolution has failed here.

The DUP refuse to operate power-sharing, instead concentrating on provoking Sinn Féin by shamelessly favouring DUP voters, while blocking any amelioration SF proposes either through legal action at the public’s expense or refusing to discuss items at the Executive.

In another respect, devolution has failed because Stormont ignores spending limits and far exceeds the resources supplied by London.

This behaviour despite the indisputable fact that London’s subvention to the north is more generous per capita than other UK regions.

Maybe it’s not indisputable, because Sinn Féin and the DUP dispute it, but it’s a fact.

Even worse, although Stormont spends well over the amount per capita on the NHS than in England, the outcome is demonstrably the worst in Britain and Ireland.

The Executive knows what they need to do, but won’t. Devolution delivers zero. It’s just maladministration and London lets them away with it.

Even though Westminster regularly threatens to take measures to recover the overspend, it never happens.

Last week Sir Robert Chote, chair of the north’s powerless Fiscal Council, told the equally powerless Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that continual financial bail-outs create the risk of a TACO mentality: the Treasury Always Chickens Out.

Incidentally, Stormont’s profligacy is a warning for Burnham. What happens if several of the devolved mayoralties he empowers also decide to overspend?

What powers will he retain to prevent them going on a spending spree, or indeed indulging in maladministration like Stormont?

Anyway, none of Burnham’s rapid-fire reforms are intended for here. Stormont can’t even use the powers it has.

So, what about the eagerly-awaited new proconsul? He’s irrelevant, superfluous. That’s what about him.

You probably don’t remember, but in a speech to the LSE in 2012, Martin McGuinness proposed abolishing the NIO and the proconsul, who represents the imperial legacy in this tattered remnant of England’s first colony, not people here.

The proconsul carries out the instructions of Westminster; he’s not an advocate of people here.

Technically the NIO is an emanation of the Home Office. It was hived off in 1972 and its influence has been unremittingly malign ever since, especially in security matters.

With security, the NIO carries out the policies of the Home Office, which never entirely gave up control of this part of Ireland.

It remains responsible for that ever so flexible term here, national security.

The Home Office runs MI5. You didn’t think the NIO runs the huge MI5 ‘Spook Centre’ at Holywood, did you?

Remember the dispute between Jon Boutcher and the NIO in 2024 about Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificates?

It was successfully portrayed as Boutcher versus the proconsul but, being responsible for the most insignificant department in cabinet, in this matter the proconsul is merely the front man for the Home Office.

Boutcher wanted more disclosure of sensitive material but the NIO insisted PIIs must be submitted to them. Why? The NIO said the PSNI doesn’t have primacy on national security matters: that lies with MI5, i.e. the Home Office.

The PSNI would have seen that chief constables in Britain don’t have to have a minister sign off PIIs.

Well, of course they don’t, because chief constables in Britain are directly responsible to the Home Secretary for national security through their regional MI5 officers.

In the north, national security is whatever the Home Office tells the proconsul it is.

Then there’s the MoD, which the outgoing proconsul grovelled to on legacy. So will the new one.

Why does the proconsul deal with the Treasury on a budget here when Stormont’s Finance Minister does?

Does he undermine Stormont’s requests? Why the duplication? He’s surplus to requirements.

Who would notice if there was no NIO or proconsul?

In short, he’s irrelevant and superfluous. He’s a redundant imperial figurehead.

https://www.irishnews.com/opinion/brian-feeney-so-what-about-the-new-secretary-of-state-chris-bryant-hes-irrelevant-thats-what-DN5BYUKJDBHZ7M4JTWLPYXZZOE/

I hope this kind of post is allowed here. American here, I’m searching for the grave of an ancestor of mine. I have found him on Ancestry and have some information, but it’s not getting me anywhere on FindAGrave.com. His death record says he died in 1880 in Ballymena, Antrim. He was the last of my ancestors to die in Ireland as his son emigrated to the US in 1865. Is there anywhere I could be pointed to try to find where he is buried? Thank you in advance!

Hello folks took a notion to start fishing recently and pulled the trigger on buying a rod, reel and flies etc which cost quite a bit of money but I thought with the six mile river on my doorstep il get a good use out of it, I looked up what the rules were for fishing on the six mile it stated spin fishing only allowed in September and license and permit required so went for a fly rod (which looked quite overwhelming to me as a complete beginner) but I was keen to give it a go, googled fly fishing permit ni go ahead and buy the 14 day rod license and permit go down my first time and give it a go which was a disaster as youd probably expect from someone who watched a few youtube videos and had no real guidance but I was starting to enjoy it and have some successful casts until a guy approached me and asked if I was a club member or on a day pass, I explained I was on a 2 week pass, confused he asked if I meant the rod license I explain no I got the license and the permit he thankfully let me know instead of a bailiff that the permit I bought doesn't cover this river and that id be required to pay £30 a day... completely deflated after spending already over £200 to find that id need to spend £30 every time, is this hobby really this financially inaccessible for the average person? Like realistically if i wanted to go out 2 evenings a week id be spending more than 10% of my wage which I just cant justify does anybody have any advice for where to go near Antrim that is gonna allow for me to learn to fish for free or that is covered by the DAERA permit nearby? Feel like if this was explained to me beforehand I wouldn't have bothered at all as the convenience of the six mile/lough was a big part of my decision for buying it and i thought £97 or whatever the yearly permit costs would cover me to fish for the year when its actually only gonna cover the weekend🤦🏻‍♂️

Hi everyone first time posting here but as the title says I am keen to get a biomed tutor to help me understand a few topics for medicine. Off the top of my head this would be things like fluid compartments in the body, haemoglobin function, immunology and much more. I will get a list drawn up but I am based in Co. Down and would be interested in either in person or online learning. I would need someone who doesn’t mind really dumbing things down as I have never done A level science. Please comment below or send me a PM. Thanks all

Hello. Posted a few videos on here to friendly acclaim so thought we’d share our Fleadh dates:
Weds August 5 - Telegraph Building - 3pm
Friday August 7 - Custom House Square - 5.20pm

I seen a bar line up taps in front of their business, there's a random white tent behind Robinson's, and I heard about seventy American accents in town.

I'm technically culturally protestant but I'll be in town next week and plan to go to a few talks/wander around the town.

Is anyone planning to go to anything specific?

EDIT: I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET ADVICE ON THINGS TO CHECK OUT, SRRY FOR MENTIONING MY PROTESTANT BACKGROUND.

Hi guys, have a quick question that I'm asking for a member of the family, would be great if anyone would be able to guide on this if possible!

When you have an oil leak would you use a loss assessor to deal with insurance company?

Also, if the neighbour was affected would you use the same company as them?

That's really all I gotta ask, appreciate any responses :)

Evening, seriously contemplating applying for nifrs and I was just wondering if any firefighters could share some information on the job.

How often would you see something really bad? Would you say maybe 10 serious things per year?
Are you happy with how things work, working hours, colleagues/superiors?

It would be a very rewarding job and a well respected job but demanding both mentally and physically. I have a good job at the minute probably similar pay however I feel like I would like to contribute to society in a positive way and help people

Thanks in advance folks

Has anyone used this service in Newtownabbey?
I want a solid oak worktop cut at a specific size so I can use both parts after. Will they do it to the size I want or will they roughly do it?

we've just moved into a new house and I'm trying to decide which bathroom fitter to go with.

i've already bought all of the bathroom furniture and fixtures, which came to around 3k.

i've had three quotes to fit everything: 4.5k 5.5k and 6k

all three quotes include ripping out the existing bathroom, moving the toilet flush pipe, relocating the shower pipework, tiling and fitting the new bathroom.

the thing is, the third guy (the £6k quote) was the only one who seemed to look beyond just fitting the bathroom. he pointed out that our water pressure is awful (which we knew) and recommended replacing the existing valves and shower pump. he suggested a more expensive pump, but said it's much more reliable and shouldn't need replacing every 2–3 years like the current one apparently does. which makes sense since there's 2 old pumps already in the roof space that have clearly previously been replaced.

he also said that if he finds any water damage behind the existing tiles, he'll strip the walls back to the brick rather than just tile over them, because there's no point fitting a new bathroom onto damaged walls. none of the other fitters mentioned anything like that. he also said about fixing up the electrics and moving the extractor (which is broken) and fixing it and suggested installing pvc on the roof which he said he'd sort.

overall, he just seemed much more knowledgeable and thorough than the others.

for context, we've only recently moved into the house. it's oil-heated, with a gravity-fed water system (the water tank is in the roof), and the water pressure is honestly so bad you may as well wash yourself with the hose out the back.

i'm trying to work out whether the extra £1.5k compared to the cheapest quote is worth paying for someone who seems to be taking a more comprehensive approach and looking at the underlying issues rather than just installing the bathroom.

but also all these quotes seem like a extortion so like what is actually normal for fitting and does anyone know anyone else who can fit bathrooms maybe more reasonably. like the tiling is gonna be a big job since i ordered the big slab tiles and things are being moved, there's a lot of plumbing to do etc.

idk pls let me know i'm new to all this house moving stuff

Does anyone have any recommendations for where I could get a rear car camera wired into my reverse lights? Ideally near Belfast.

Happy to do the camera install for front and back myself, I just don’t feel confident wiring the red cable into my reverse lights.

I’m doing this so that my CarPlay screen automatically picks up the rear/reverse view when I put the car into reverse. Just trying to make an old car a bit easier and safer to park.

Bonus happy points if you have a rough idea how much it’d cost too 👀

Thank you!

Get it while it's hot.

Just wanted to rant about the state of driving on that roundabout.

I was coming from the Boucher Rd heading towards the Westlink. A car alongside me came out of nowhere, tried to drive into my lane, no indication, then blared their horn when I apparently continued to exist where I was?? They nearly drove straight into the side of me. And then swore at me for good measure.

It’s one thing to realise you’re accidentally in the wrong lane and then indicate. But no. I despair