“I just always worry that we get ourselves into a situation where we get into conflict with local businesses”

A Co Down councillor has raised concerns that street cafe culture is causing a “daily obstacle course” for blind people.

Disability issues came to light as Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s economy, regeneration and tourism committee this week approved its new cafe pavement policy.

The chamber also heard a “worry” that a potential “conflict” between the council and local business could happen when enforcing policy rules.

READ MORE: Downpatrick set to be World’s 5 Star attraction to St Patrick

READ MORE: Dublin commuter plans face scrutiny amid ‘Free Staters’ priority concerns

Slieve Croob Alliance councillor Helena Young said: “I have recently been contacted by constituents on these matters, with one person being a member of RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), so we are acutely aware of issues around accessibility.

“You have tables and chairs and all sorts out and these kind of obstruct pedestrians from being able to move along the pavement.

“Sometimes there can be a collision hazard for people who cannot see them. Some businesses are not following the council guidelines. Instead of our streets becoming more accessible they are like a daily obstacle course for some people who are blind or partially sighted.

“Can the council confidently state that in light of the equality act requirements that it has a comprehensive understanding on how the policy of granting pavement licenses doesn’t detrimentally affect blind and partially sighted people?”

The council policy provides guidelines to businesses applying for pavement licences and regulations on safeguarding pedestrians.

Crotlieve Sinn Fein councillor Mickey Ruane added: “Obviously, post-Covid, we have seen a lot more of these in our towns.

“I just always worry that we get ourselves into a situation where we get into conflict with local businesses. It’s one of those things that is fine in one street and just round the corner it doesn’t work.

“I think we need to work with businesses as I can just see us as a council getting into conflict with local businesses.

“It’s a difficult one as most of our towns were never built with large footpaths and we need a common sense approach.

“Is it up to us to enforce the policy? Do we go out walking the streets and check where tables and chairs have been placed with a hard and fast approach as I think that will lead to conflict.”

A council officer responded: “There are guidelines to try and strike a balance for the needs of all.

“The policy has been reviewed and has taken on lessons learned to date. The policy has been equality screened and there is guidance in how businesses will be monitored and the necessary visits required for checks.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

When Sir Olly took over at the helm of the Foreign Office in January last year, Lord Mandelson had already gone through the Cabinet Office’s “due diligence” process, the King and the US had given him approval, and he was already being granted access to “highly classified briefings” on a case-by-case basis – without his security clearance being confirmed, he said.

Paul Quinn, now 52, escaped justice at the time for the horrendous rape of a loan woman off a motorway embankment between Little Hulton and Farnworth in 2003.

In what has since become a notorious miscarriage of justice innocent security guard Andrew Malkinson, now 60, went to prison for 17 years for Quinn’s crime.

Asked to describe Quinn, Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, of Greater Manchester Police said: “Disturbing, dangerous, and maybe lacking the full range of human emotions, because I don’t know how you can possess the full range of human emotions if you are firstly able to commit this attack with no regard for the victim, clearly none whatsoever.

“And then watch someone completely innocent sit in prison for 17 years while you go about living your life.”

Andrew Malkinson was finally freed in 2020 (Image: PA)

DCS McKendrick said it was a “distinct possibility” that Quinn has committed other crimes.

Quinn, who worked as a fencer while in Little Hulton, was not arrested until 2022 by which time new DNA and other evidence had connected him to the rape.

What the jury in the most recent trial that convicted Quinn last week could not be told, but is now free to be reported, is that Quinn had already been a convicted sex offender since age 12.

Quinn had been cautioned back in 1986, when he was 12, for two counts of indecent assault on a female.

He was convicted of burglary in 1988 when he was 14 and two counts of assault in October 1992.

A photo of Paul Quinn believed to have taken in 2000 (Image: PA)

In 1992, at the age of 16, Quinn was then convicted of unlawful sex with a 12-year-old girl, an offence that police officers say would now be considered as rape.

He was sent to a young offender’s institute in December 1993 for arson with intent to endanger life after setting fire to a wheelie bin outside a former partner and her children’s house.

Despite this, and despite living in the estate opposite where the notorious rape happened off Cleggs Lane in 2003, he never featured as a person of interest in the original investigation.

Instead, he remained silent while the innocent Mr Malkinson was arrested, tried and convicted for the crime.

Quinn continued to live in Little Hulton years afterwards and in January 2013 he was further convicted of production of cannabis.

In 2017 he moved to Exeter in Devon, a move police believe was brought about because of a drugs related dispute, where he worked as a delivery driver.

But his previous crimes would come back to haunt him, it was his 1992 sex offence that saw Quinn added to a data base of offenders when his DNA was rearrested in 2012.

This, along with his internet searches, would help convict Quinn of the rape that he had allowed Andrew Malkinson to be jailed for all those years ago.

Quinn, of Whipton Barton Road, Exeter, was found guilty of two counts of rape, causing grievous bodily harm and attempting to choke or strangle his victim with intent to rape.

He will be sentenced on Friday June 5.

Jade Lloyd has shared her story of how her postpartum psychosis led her to believe she had done the unthinkable in order to raise awareness surrounding the rare mental illness

A mother has bravely opened up about her battle with postpartum psychosis that left her utterly convinced that she had killed her newborn daughter for weeks.

Jade Lloyd, from Sherbourne in Dorset, was sectioned for four months after giving birth to her daughter, Penelope, in 2020. The 32-year-old suffered with extreme anxiety and intrusive thoughts, culminating in a terrifying episode in which she hallucinated that she had killed her own newborn daughter.

The mother-of-one said: “I became terrified that I’d killed Penelope, and that my husband was keeping me in the spare room to protect me from what I’d done.”

READ MORE: Midwife put ‘blue and floppy’ newborn on mum’s chest and said ‘there’s your baby’, inquest hearsREAD MORE: ‘Flesh-eating bug meant I was in a wheelchair for nine years and couldn’t see my baby’

Postpartum psychosis is a rare and rapid-onset mental health illness that affects around 1 in 1,000 mothers after giving birth. Unlike the milder mood changes of the more common “baby blues”, postpartum psychosis is a severe condition with symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, mania and mood fluctuations.

Due to the risk posed to the safety of the mother and the baby, postpartum psychosis should be treated as a medical emergency, with treatment often requiring hospitalisation of the affected mother. The birth of Jade’s daughter, Penelope, now five, had been a traumatic three-day affair.

While Jade and her husband had initially planned a home birth, Jade ultimately had to receive intensive medical intervention, with her daughter finally arriving via a Vontuse and Forceps delivery. “It was a far cry from what I had planned,” Jade said.

Soon after giving birth, what Jade had initially dismissed as normal mother’s jitters surrounding the safety of her child spiralled into a debilitating paralysis. She said: “I became too anxious to drive, or even go into a supermarket. One day I just started walking towards a train line and had my first suicidal thought.”

After her health visitor suggested that she was likely suffering with post-natal depression, Jade started taking antidepressants. “But they didn’t work,” she said, adding: “I started having intrusive thoughts about Penelope being harmed by myself or other people, I was so worried about her dying.

“I couldn’t sleep and then I began to feel like I didn’t need to sleep, I felt wired all of the time. I was so scared about what was happening in my head, and was worried my daughter would get taken off me.”

Jade’s symptoms continued to escalate and the onset of hallucinations brought her condition to a fever pitch. She recalled: “One night I flung myself backwards off the bed, and leant on Penelope.

“I got up and started hallucinating that I was John Legend, singing on stage. My husband called my mum and she came and spent the night with me in the spare room.”

It was this physical separation from her daughter which caused Jade to believe that she had killed Penelope. The next day, a doctor came to assess the delirious mother and referred her to a Mother and Baby unit (MBU) in Bournemouth.

Here, Jade was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis and sectioned under the Mental Health Act. She spent the first two weeks on the ward convinced that she was in prison for killing her daughter.

When doctors performed an ECG (electrocardiogram) test, to record the electrical activity of her heart, she grew terrified that it was the electric chair, and she was going to be killed. “I would go from being really distressed to be being really happy and singing a lot”, she said.

She spent one month in the mother and baby unit, alongside Penelope, where she was given anti-psychotics, and a sedative, to help her sleep. After being discharged, Jade fell into a “deep depression” which lasted for two years.

“I really struggled with knowing what had actually happened, and what was a hallucination,” she said. With a 50 % chance of postpartum psychosis recurring to those who have had it following another birth, Jade and her husband have since decided not to have any more children.

Since recovering, Jade has been raising awareness for the mental illness on TikTok in a bid to help others where she felt helpless. “After I came out of the mother and baby unit, I looked online, and there was no one talking about postpartum psychosis in a way I could connect to,” she said. “I felt like I needed to be that person, to help show mums that it does get better.”

Gold (Lize Van der Walt) is originally from South Africa where she won a gold medal in the 400 metres at the age of 21.

She moved to the UK, where she started as a fitness trainer, before joining Gladiators in 1997.

Former Gladiator star Gold dies aged 60

Gold (Van der Walt) died at the age of 60 on Sunday (April 19) after a “long and brave” battle with cancer.

A post on the official Gladiators Facebook page said: “We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gladiators’ golden girl, Gold (Lize Van der Walt)

“Lize joined the UK Gladiators in 1997, bringing strength, spirit and determination to the Arena.

“Chosen from thousands of applicants to become one of the show’s new Gladiators, she quickly made her mark.

“Although injury limited her appearances, she showed incredible resilience and when she did compete, she proved that all that glistens truly was Gold.

“Originally from South Africa, Lize was a talented athlete long before Gladiators, excelling in the 400m and relay.

“Her adventurous spirit brought her to the UK, where she became part of Gladiators history.

“She returned to the Arena in 2000 to represent the UK against her home nation. A proud full-circle moment that reflected her strength and character.

“Following her time on Gladiators, Lize returned home to Hermanus in South Africa, a beautiful coastal town known for its breathtaking views and sunsets.

“There, she built a new life as a successful artist, creating seascapes and semi-abstract work inspired by her surroundings.

“After a long and brave battle with cancer, Lize passed away on 19th April in South Africa, aged 60.

“Our thoughts are with her son Michael, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her.

“Thank you for the memories, Lize. You will always be part of Gladiators history.”

Who were the original Gladiators from the 90s?

Gladiators made a successful return to TV in 2024 after being rebooted by the BBC.

The show, hosted by Bradley and Barney Walsh, has just completed its third season and features the likes of Giant, Bionic, Cyclone, and Athena.

The original series aired on ITV between 1992 and 2000, and starred:

• Gold (Lize Van der Walt)
• Wolf (Michael Van Wijk)
• Jet (Diane Youdale)
• Lightning (Kim Betts)
• Rhino (Mark Smith)
• Falcon (Bernadette Hunt)
• Saracen (Mike Lewis)
• Cobra (Michael Willson)
• Shadow (Jefferson King)
• Ace (Warren Furman)
• Nightshade (Judy Simpson)
• Hunter (James Crossley)

Do you remember Gold (Lize Van der Walt) from the 90s series of Gladiators on ITV? Let us know in the comments below.

Scotland are back at the World Cup, after a 28-year hiatus. Steve Clarke’s men will be hoping to make it past the group stages for the first time in the nation’s history, but face a tough task in Group C, which they share with five-time winners Brazil and Africa Cup of Nations champions Morocco, as well as Haiti.

Their away kit comes in a bold coral colour, reminiscent of the Tartan Army’s 1999 away strip.

Two of North Yorkshire’s long-running over-35s football sides, York Dukes FC and Malton Old Boys FC (The MOB) will play at The Young Guns Arena, home of Tadcaster Albion FC on Saturday, April 25.

The match is being played in memory of Steven Bilton, a family member of a York Dukes player. The winning team will lift the inaugural Steven Bilton Trophy, to be presented after the match by David Skaife, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Dave Brown, organiser at York Dukes FC, said: “Steve was a much loved son, brother, uncle and friend to so many and a cornerstone of our team in York. Sadly he lost his battle with mental health last year.

“We’re proud to support Andy’s Man Club and the incredible work they do. This match is about more than football — it’s about raising awareness, encouraging conversations, and showing that no one has to struggle alone.”

Steve Mason of The MOB said: “For more than 13 years we’ve given over-35s the chance to play football against similar teams across the area, and I urge people to support this cause. Our community is impacted hugely; in the UK, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among men under 50. When you’ve been personally touched by tragedy, you realise how prevalent it is — even within your own peer group. One loss is simply too much.”

He added: “Veterans football provides a safe space for this age group to take part in sport for the benefit of both physical and mental health. Being in a team means you are not alone.”

In November 2025, the Mayor Skaife set out plans to build a more supportive and mentally healthy region as part of his £7 million Moving Forward programme, which includes a Men’s Mental Health Programme and the ‘Shift Your Focus’ behaviour-change campaign.

He said: “If we want things to change, we need to put support in the places men already feel comfortable — sports clubs, community groups and workplaces — rather than expecting people to step into a room and open up on day one. Helping men feel connected, even in small ways, is where change starts.”

All proceeds from the day will go to Andy’s Man Club, supporting its free, peer-to-peer groups across the UK where men can speak openly in a safe, non-judgemental space.

The day will include a half-time raffle, food and drink from the clubhouse, music before kick-off and a post-match trophy presentation by the Mayor. Kick-off: 11:00am Tickets are £3, with reduced entry for children under 10 and are available at: www.trybooking.com/uk/fiun

A meeting is set to take place where the petition will be handed over.

More than 1,300 people have now signed the petition for a new walk-in medical centre, with features such as GPs, dentistry, and an ambulance bay suggested.

Paul Whitelegg (right) with Walkden residents (Image: Paul Whitelegg)

Paul Whitelegg, who spearheaded the campaign, said: “This is probably the largest signed petition Walkden has done and the screaming out for this service from residents is clear to see.

“We have now received a case number from the NHS ICB, and they are currently arranging a meeting with politicians, their team, and our steering group to take this even further.

“This is real progress – this is hope.

“We have now gathered over 1,000 signatures from local residents in support of this much-needed service.

“This campaign comes from a genuine place of concern for the health, wellbeing, and security of our community.

“Over the past few weeks, we have held three community meetings, with more than 500 residents attending to express how important accessible, round-the-clock medical care is to them and their families.”

Paul is co-founder of Walkden in Bloom, a community project dedicated to planting, improving, and maintaining green spaces in Walkden and Little Hulton.

Rubbish collected as part of a Walkden in Bloom litter pick (Image: Dan Dougherty)

The walk-in centre project grew directly out of Walkden in Bloom, as group members discussed what changes they would like to see made in the local area.

Walkden used to have a similar service ‘about 20 years ago’, according to Mr Whitelegg, which offered prescriptions, emergency health services, and health consultations.

Dentistry is a particular concern, as many of the local dentists are full, according to Mr Whitelegg.

This forces people out into Swinton, causing extra strain on services in those locations.

Writing in a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.