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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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
Six ways Belfast Live's journalism made an impact in 2025
Six ways Belfast Live's journalism made an impact in 2025
From uncovering withheld government documents to shining a light on long-hidden crimes, these are some of the stories which kept Belfast Live as Northern Ireland's most read news site in 2025
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Six ways Belfast Live's journalism made an impact in 2025
Pensioners left without domiciliary care over festive period
Pensioners left without domiciliary care over festive period
Belfast Live understands that some families were given less than two hours' notice that their care packages had been suspended
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Pensioners left without domiciliary care over festive period
10 stand out political moments from 2025
10 stand out political moments from 2025
At least once a week, something happened in or around Parliament Buildings that made even the most jaded journalists look up from their laptops and think ‘only here’.
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM
10 stand out political moments from 2025
Gavin Robinson: Christmas reminds us that hope must endure in hard times
Gavin Robinson: Christmas reminds us that hope must endure in hard times
Writing for Belfast Live, DUP Leader Gavin Robinson reflects on 2025 and the party's plans for 2026
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Gavin Robinson: Christmas reminds us that hope must endure in hard times
Michelle O'Neill: We must work together for a better future this Christmas
Michelle O'Neill: We must work together for a better future this Christmas
Writing for Belfast Live, First Minister Michelle O'Neill reflects on what has been achieved this year, and what comes next
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Michelle O'Neill: We must work together for a better future this Christmas
Writing for Belfast Live this Christmas Eve, NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn reflects on how Christmas should be a time for peace, prosperity and cooperation in Northern Ireland
Hilary Benn: Christmas is a time to look forward, together
Writing for Belfast Live, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, reflects on how Christmas should be a moment to recommit to peace, prosperity and cooperation in Northern Ireland
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Writing for Belfast Live this Christmas Eve, NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn reflects on how Christmas should be a time for peace, prosperity and cooperation in Northern Ireland
Opinion: Airport rail link could transform daily travel
Opinion: Airport rail link could transform daily travel
"If I am working in the office until around seven o’clock, I have no option but to drive or wait until 10 pm for the next bus"
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Opinion: Airport rail link could transform daily travel
Department of Justice explain Minister's absence from Executive meeting
Department of Justice explain Minister's absence from Executive meeting
A spokesperson said that the meeting was rescheduled without consultation
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Department of Justice explain Minister's absence from Executive meeting
Opinion: 2026 is shaping up as Naomi Long's natural exit point
Opinion: 2026 is shaping up as Naomi Long's natural exit point
"Internally, frustration has been growing, which is not unusual after a long period under a single leader as fatigue sets in, disagreements accumulate, and ambition begins to stir."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Opinion: 2026 is shaping up as Naomi Long's natural exit point
EA paying £29 a day to taxi lunches across NI school playground as annual taxi spend reaches more than £42m
EA paying £29 a day to taxi lunches across NI school playground
This revelation comes as the EA wrote to taxi drivers who transport children to school, asking them to reduce their rates by 10% or risk having their contract for the work terminated.
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
EA paying £29 a day to taxi lunches across NI school playground as annual taxi spend reaches more than £42m
Wes Streeting delayed review on Puberty Blocker ban to avoid NI Assembly Election clash
Delayed review on Puberty Blocker ban to avoid Assembly Election clash
This comes as the Executive Office reversed its decision to withhold the Ministerial paper that sought Executive approval for the indefinite ban on puberty blockers
www.belfastlive.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Wes Streeting delayed review on Puberty Blocker ban to avoid NI Assembly Election clash
Ten things in Budget 2025 that apply to Northern Ireland
Ten things in Budget 2025 that apply to Northern Ireland
From an additional £370m for the NI Executive to money to scrap the 'two-child limit' here are some of the biggest things for NI in the budget
www.belfastlive.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Ten things in Budget 2025 that apply to Northern Ireland
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