James McCarthy
@jamesmccarthy97.bsky.social
Political Reporter | Belfast Live and Daily Mirror NI | DMs open RTs ≠ endorsements | Views are my own etc
https://linktr.ee/James.mccarthy
https://linktr.ee/James.mccarthy
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Opinion: O'Dowd's revaluation climbdown leaves fewer options for Stormont
Opinion: O'Dowd's revaluation climbdown leaves fewer options for Stormont
"John O'Dowd's U-turn has narrowed the range of credible choices available to the Executive, while reinforcing the perception that when fiscal reality collides with political pressure, fiscal reality ...
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Opinion: O'Dowd's revaluation climbdown leaves fewer options for Stormont
Sir David Davis failed to mention that he had accepted a £250k donation from a company owned by a former SAS soldier to campaign against the prosecution of NI veterans during a Troubles Legacy debate.
Tory MP to correct record after omitting £250k donation during NI legacy debate
David Davis accepted £250,000 to campaign against the prosecution of NI veterans from the travel firm, which is owned by a former SAS soldier
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Sir David Davis failed to mention that he had accepted a £250k donation from a company owned by a former SAS soldier to campaign against the prosecution of NI veterans during a Troubles Legacy debate.
Bev Craig had been tipped to be the Labour candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election after the NEC refused to allow Andy Burnham to stand. Sitting down with Belfast Live, the NI woman explained why she didn't put herself forward
Meet the NI woman rising through the ranks of the Labour Party
Bev Craig had been tipped to be the Labour candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election after the NEC refused to allow Andy Burnham to stand. Sitting down with Belfast Live, she explained why she di...
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Bev Craig had been tipped to be the Labour candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election after the NEC refused to allow Andy Burnham to stand. Sitting down with Belfast Live, the NI woman explained why she didn't put herself forward
Civil Service failing to demonstrate value for money according to Audit Office
Civil Service failing to demonstrate value for money according to Audit Office
The NICS pay bill has grown substantially, exceeding £1.27 billion
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Civil Service failing to demonstrate value for money according to Audit Office
Covid vaccine injury charity urges people in NI to come forward
Covid vaccine injury charity urges people in NI to come forward
The charity are due to meet Health Minister Mike Nesbitt later this year
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Covid vaccine injury charity urges people in NI to come forward
Opinion: Cooperation within unionism is required now more than ever
Opinion: Cooperation within unionism is required now more than ever
"Across Northern Ireland, the 2027 elections will require a move toward running fewer candidates and managing resources with a level of discipline that has often eluded unionism."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Opinion: Cooperation within unionism is required now more than ever
Commissioner finds Gordon Lyons broke Ministerial Code over Leisure Centre post
Commissioner finds Gordon Lyons broke Ministerial Code over Leisure Centre post
The Standards Commissioner received 65 complaints following the incident
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Commissioner finds Gordon Lyons broke Ministerial Code over Leisure Centre post
A cross-party meeting convened by Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín brought together voluntary organisations, outreach workers and statutory bodies to discuss rough sleeping and chronic homelessness in the Belfast
January 22, 2026 at 7:45 PM
A cross-party meeting convened by Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín brought together voluntary organisations, outreach workers and statutory bodies to discuss rough sleeping and chronic homelessness in the Belfast
If you know someone who eats fish on a Friday, holidays in Bundoran, keeps their toaster on the counter or LOVES ABBA, then you might just need to ring the Fenian hotline 📿⛪️
Mysterious 'Fenian hotline' van appears across Belfast
When called the automated voicemail thanks the caller for their "service for king and country"
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 PM
If you know someone who eats fish on a Friday, holidays in Bundoran, keeps their toaster on the counter or LOVES ABBA, then you might just need to ring the Fenian hotline 📿⛪️
Naomi Long's 'blank diary' contradicts excuse for missing £119m PSNI funding meeting
Long's 'blank diary' contradicts excuse for missing £119m PSNI funding meeting
The Department of Justice previously claimed that the Minister was unable to attend the meeting due to a "diary clash"
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Naomi Long's 'blank diary' contradicts excuse for missing £119m PSNI funding meeting
Everything you need to know as Govt moves to scrap Troubles immunity laws
Everything you need to know as Govt moves to scrap Troubles immunity laws
The House of Commons will vote on a Remedial Order to remove the provisions on Wednesday evening
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Everything you need to know as Govt moves to scrap Troubles immunity laws
Everything you need to know as work to commence next week on Casement Park redevelopment
Everything you need to know as work to begin on Casement Park
West Belfast MP Paul Maskey described the development as a "positive milestone"
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Everything you need to know as work to commence next week on Casement Park redevelopment
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has said that Donald Trump's threat of additional tariffs on the UK and other countries in an attempt to aquire Greenland is "outrageous".
She confirmed that she will convene a meeting of NI's Tariffs Working Group later this week @belfastlive.co.uk
She confirmed that she will convene a meeting of NI's Tariffs Working Group later this week @belfastlive.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has said that Donald Trump's threat of additional tariffs on the UK and other countries in an attempt to aquire Greenland is "outrageous".
She confirmed that she will convene a meeting of NI's Tariffs Working Group later this week @belfastlive.co.uk
She confirmed that she will convene a meeting of NI's Tariffs Working Group later this week @belfastlive.co.uk
Opinion: The UUP avoided a fight, but not its leadership problem
Opinion: The UUP avoided a fight, but not its leadership problem
"By avoiding a contest, the UUP has avoided an immediate row. It has not avoided the deeper questions about direction and credibility."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Opinion: The UUP avoided a fight, but not its leadership problem
Michelle O'Neill leads tributes to former Sinn Fein MP and MLA Mickey Brady
Michelle O'Neill leads tributes to former Sinn Fein MP and MLA Mickey Brady
Mickey Brady passed away on January 16, aged 75
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Michelle O'Neill leads tributes to former Sinn Fein MP and MLA Mickey Brady
A former nurse who was diagnosed with ME after being given the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has described how she felt like "collateral damage"
January 16, 2026 at 7:01 PM
A former nurse who was diagnosed with ME after being given the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has described how she felt like "collateral damage"
Breaking: Robbie Butler has confirmed that he will not enter the UUP leadership race ahead of nominations closing later today, leaving Jon Burrows as the only declared candidate
January 15, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Breaking: Robbie Butler has confirmed that he will not enter the UUP leadership race ahead of nominations closing later today, leaving Jon Burrows as the only declared candidate
PSNI operation underway after threats to councillors
PSNI operation underway after threats to councillors
Last year audio messages were sent to a number of elected members of Sinn Fein, Alliance and the SDLP identifying them as "legitimate targets"
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 12:40 PM
PSNI operation underway after threats to councillors
Belfast student's fears for family as Iran is plunged into blackout
Belfast student's fears for family as Iran is plunged into blackout
The Human Rights Activist News Agency has estimated that there have been at least 10,600 people reportedly arrested, and 496 protesters killed since the protests in Iran began on December 28.
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Belfast student's fears for family as Iran is plunged into blackout
Opinion: O'Dowd's Budget blames Westminster while sidestepping tough choices
Opinion: O'Dowd's Budget blames Westminster while sidestepping tough choices
The publication of the draft Budget and its fallout demonstrate that effective government in Northern Ireland continues to be the exception rather than the rule.
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Opinion: O'Dowd's Budget blames Westminster while sidestepping tough choices
Jon Burrows and Diana Armstrong launch bid for UUP leadership
Jon Burrows and Diana Armstrong launch bid for UUP leadership
Neither Mr Burrows nor Mrs Armstrong has been elected to the Assembly
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Jon Burrows and Diana Armstrong launch bid for UUP leadership
Opinion: Mike Nesbitt's departure closes a chapter the UUP never meant to reopen
Opinion: Mike Nesbitt's departure closes a chapter the UUP never meant to reopen
The last time the UUP held a contested leadership election, in 2012, it followed Tom Elliott’s surprise resignation and ended with Mike Nesbitt defeating John McCallister.
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Opinion: Mike Nesbitt's departure closes a chapter the UUP never meant to reopen
Have your say on who should be the next UUP leader
Have your say on who should be the next UUP leader
Mike Nesbitt announced on Friday that he intends to stand down as party leader
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Have your say on who should be the next UUP leader
Pride organisers call on LGBT reps and members to quit five main parties
Pride organisers call on LGBT reps and members to quit five main parties
The group said that "this position was forced, not chosen. Warnings were given. Patience was exhausted."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Pride organisers call on LGBT reps and members to quit five main parties
Mike Nesbitt quits UUP leadership for second time after 16 months in post
Mike Nesbitt quits UUP leadership for second time after 16 months in post
The Strangford MLA had previously said he would announce a decision on his future as leader in January
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Mike Nesbitt quits UUP leadership for second time after 16 months in post