James McCarthy
@jamesmccarthy97.bsky.social
Political Reporter | Belfast Live and Daily Mirror NI | DMs open RTs ≠ endorsements | Views are my own etc
James.McCarthy@reachplc.com
James.McCarthy@reachplc.com
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Catherine Connolly inauguration LIVE: Ireland's 10th president to be sworn in at Dublin Castle
Live from Dublin Castle as Catherine Connolly is inaugurated
The Galway woman takes over from Michael D. Higgins, who left Áras an Uachtaráin for the final time on Monday evening
www.belfastlive.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Catherine Connolly inauguration LIVE: Ireland's 10th president to be sworn in at Dublin Castle
Opinion: Stormont's no-confidence vote shows how broken the system is
Opinion: Stormont's no-confidence vote shows how broken the system is
"Monday's Vote of No Confidence will expose, in real-time, how Stormont’s system prevents meaningful accountability from taking hold."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Opinion: Stormont's no-confidence vote shows how broken the system is
Deputy First Minister to miss Catherine Connolly's inauguration
Deputy First Minister to miss Catherine Connolly's inauguration
"I wish Catherine Connolly well as she takes up office, recognising that this is undoubtedly a significant personal honour for her, and I hope to speak with her personally in the next number of days."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Deputy First Minister to miss Catherine Connolly's inauguration
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly has confirmed she won't attend the inauguration of Catherine Connolly due to prior commitments @BelfastLive
November 7, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly has confirmed she won't attend the inauguration of Catherine Connolly due to prior commitments @BelfastLive
Givan accused of 'laughing like a Disney villain' as he faced scrutiny over trip
Givan accused of 'laughing like a Disney villain' as he faced scrutiny over trip
"This isn’t about being orange or green... This is about being pro-human rights. It's about being pro-humanity"
www.belfastlive.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Givan accused of 'laughing like a Disney villain' as he faced scrutiny over trip
Opinion: Understanding a conflict requires exposure to more than one narrative
Opinion: Understanding a conflict requires exposure to more than one narrative
"A minister can’t be blamed for wanting to see things first-hand. But he can be judged on how he uses that opportunity."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Opinion: Understanding a conflict requires exposure to more than one narrative
Secrecy from the Head of Civil Service sparks concern over education probe
Secrecy from the Head of Civil Service sparks concern over education probe
"If investigations into these matters are indeed being undertaken, the public are entitled to know about it"
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Secrecy from the Head of Civil Service sparks concern over education probe
Mayor 'shoved with a placard' as councillors 'verbally accosted'
Mayor 'shoved with a placard' as councillors 'verbally accosted'
Among those present at the protest was former UVF bank robber turned so-called "citizen journalist", Mark Sinclair, AKA Freedom Dad
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Mayor 'shoved with a placard' as councillors 'verbally accosted'
Protesters host 'game show' outside Stormont
Protesters host 'game show' outside Stormont
The stunt coincided with a petition containing thousands of signatures being submitted to the Assembly
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Protesters host 'game show' outside Stormont
Minister's statement on Israel "wholly appropriate" says Michelle O'Neill
Minister's statement on Israel "wholly appropriate" says Michelle O'Neill
The Minister is facing the prospect of legal action following the announcement she made last week
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Minister's statement on Israel "wholly appropriate" says Michelle O'Neill
Opinion: Caoimhe Archibald's Israeli trade stance is nothing more than symbolic
Opinion: Caoimhe Archibald's Israeli trade stance is nothing more than symbolic
"Northern Ireland Ministers do not have legal authority to decide whether the UK engages in trade negotiations with another country."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Opinion: Caoimhe Archibald's Israeli trade stance is nothing more than symbolic
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has confirmed that Northern Ireland will not participate in the British Government's trade negotiations with Israel
Stormont will not participate in trade negotiations with Israel, says Minister
The Economy Minister was responding to the publication of a review into Invest NI investments
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has confirmed that Northern Ireland will not participate in the British Government's trade negotiations with Israel
NI prep school could close following Labour's VAT on private schools
NI prep school could close following Labour's VAT on private schools
The school's deficit is expected to exceed £1million by 2027
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 9:51 PM
NI prep school could close following Labour's VAT on private schools
Inside Northern Ireland's Secret Slave Trade: Woman trafficked to NI speaks out
Inside Northern Ireland's Secret Slave Trade: Woman trafficked to NI speaks out
"The false promises became lies... They wanted a slave."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Inside Northern Ireland's Secret Slave Trade: Woman trafficked to NI speaks out
Inside NI's Secret Slave Trade: Why NI's sex buying law is failing
Inside NI's Secret Slave Trade: Why NI's sex buying law is failing
Despite there being more than 100 arrests since the law was introduced a decade ago, only 18 people have been convicted in court
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Inside NI's Secret Slave Trade: Why NI's sex buying law is failing
While there were 99 arrests, just 16 people were convicted of human trafficking offences in NI between 2015 and 2024
Inside Northern Ireland's Secret Slave Trade: Why traffickers are walking free
Out of 99 arrests, just 16 people have been convicted at the Crown Court of human trafficking offences between 2015 and 2024
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
While there were 99 arrests, just 16 people were convicted of human trafficking offences in NI between 2015 and 2024
Exclusive figures obtained by Belfast Live show that the number of people referred as potential victims of human trafficking in Northern Ireland has increased tenfold in just five years
Inside Northern Ireland’s Secret Slave Trade: The Hidden Scale of Trafficking
Exclusive figures obtained by Belfast Live show that the number of people referred as potential victims of human trafficking in Northern Ireland has increased tenfold in just five years
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Exclusive figures obtained by Belfast Live show that the number of people referred as potential victims of human trafficking in Northern Ireland has increased tenfold in just five years
Opinion: Public anger does not justify threats at a politician's home
Opinion: Public anger does not justify threats at a politician's home
"Protest is part of what keeps politics honest. But where and how it’s done matters."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 11, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Opinion: Public anger does not justify threats at a politician's home
MLAs write to UK Government to raise concerns about Fujitsu contracts
MLAs write to UK Government to raise concerns about Fujitsu contracts
The letter, which has been seen by Belfast Live, calls on the government to start an immediate review of Fujitsu's eligibility to bid for critical public services
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
MLAs write to UK Government to raise concerns about Fujitsu contracts
'Self-interest' preventing realignment within unionism, says Mike Nesbitt
'Self-interest' preventing realignment within unionism, says Mike Nesbitt
"If there is a border poll, who on earth is going to vote for the uncertainty of constitutional change? They’re gonna say, I’ll tell you what, just give me more of the same, please."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 8:53 AM
'Self-interest' preventing realignment within unionism, says Mike Nesbitt
The Ulster Unionist Party leader was speaking to Belfast Live ahead of his party conference this weekend
UUP 'stable and ready' for next election, says Mike Nesbitt
The Ulster Unionist Party leader was speaking to Belfast Live ahead of his party conference this weekend
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The Ulster Unionist Party leader was speaking to Belfast Live ahead of his party conference this weekend
Puberty blocker ban 'part of a series of attacks on Trans people' says Hanna
Puberty blocker ban 'part of a series of attacks on Trans people' says Hanna
Claire Hanna was responding to a question on whether her party would have supported the move if it had held a ministerial post.
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Puberty blocker ban 'part of a series of attacks on Trans people' says Hanna
Opinion: Claire Hanna gives the SDLP its first glimmer of revival in years
Opinion: Claire Hanna gives the SDLP its first glimmer of revival in years
"Last year, I wrote that the SDLP’s survival depended on whether it had the will to revive itself. Under Claire Hanna, there is evidence that it has found that will."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Opinion: Claire Hanna gives the SDLP its first glimmer of revival in years
As the SDLP gathers for its annual conference this weekend, party leader Claire Hanna is eager to put constitutional change at the heart of discussions.
'Planning for a New Ireland must start now' says Claire Hanna
"We think setting arbitrary dates is not that helpful … but we are also very, very clear that it's entirely compatible with the Good Friday Agreement to properly plan and engage now.”
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 9:23 AM
As the SDLP gathers for its annual conference this weekend, party leader Claire Hanna is eager to put constitutional change at the heart of discussions.
As the SDLP gathers for its annual conference this weekend, party leader Claire Hanna sat down for a chat with me and insists the mood inside the party is shifting and rediscovering a sense of purpose
SDLP leader Claire Hanna says party is finding momentum after 'tough years'
"Politics isn't just about a soft play area for the MLAs to go and keep them occupied during the week."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
As the SDLP gathers for its annual conference this weekend, party leader Claire Hanna sat down for a chat with me and insists the mood inside the party is shifting and rediscovering a sense of purpose