It’s a major bone of contention for many frustrated drivers who struggle to find a free parent and child spot at their local supermarket or shopping centre

Three out of five Northern Ireland drivers believe people who misuse parent and child parking spaces should face fines, new research has revealed.

A survey of 700 motorists found that 59% support car park operators issuing penalties to drivers who wrongly use the designated bays.

The findings by CompareNI.com highlight what has become a major bone of contention for many frustrated drivers who struggle to find a free parent and child spot at their local supermarket or shopping centre.

While these reserved bays provide extra space to allow parents or guardians to get their children in and out of a vehicle safely, two thirds (66%) of those surveyed said they have seen a driver without a child using them.

Despite this, only 28% of respondents said they would feel comfortable confronting someone over their misuse of a parent and child bay.

Car insurance experts have warned that drivers who abuse these designated spaces are forcing parents to use narrower bays, which can see unintended damage caused to vehicles as parents attempt to remove bulky and heavy pushchairs or car seats – potentially leading to costly and avoidable insurance claims.

Some major supermarkets have begun clamping down on improper use of these special spaces, with signs warning motorists that misuse could result in parking charges of up to £100.

The apparent abuse of parent and child spaces has sparked widespread debate online, with disagreements over who should qualify to use them – including whether heavily pregnant women and parents with older children should be permitted to park in these spots.

Unlike disabled parking bays, there is currently no national law governing the use of parent and child spaces. Because the bays are usually located on private land, such as supermarket car parks, the rules are set by individual retailers and parking operators – meaning policies can varies from site to site.

While many operators allow parents with children aged up to 12 to use the spaces, others restrict access to those travelling with babies or toddlers.

Rules around expectant mothers also differ, with some car parks permitting heavily pregnant women to use the bays while others do not. It is important for drivers to always check the management signage in each car park to avoid being caught out.

While parent and child spaces are typically found in supermarkets or shopping centre car parks, there have been growing calls for more of these accessible bays to be introduced at council-owned parking facilities.

Many off-street car parks in Northern Ireland do not offer family-friendly parking, as councils are not legally obligated to provide them.

Campaigners have successfully lobbied some local authorities to expand the number of parent and child spaces, highlighting how the lack of these dedicated bays is not only creating a safety issue, but is also driving some people away from town centres and impacting high street footfall.

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “The misuse of parent and child parking spaces is a major bugbear for many motorists, with our research showing strong public support for tougher action against drivers who flout the rules.

“Accessible parking is very important for parents, helping them get young children into and out of cars safely, as well as manoeuvre heavy pushchairs and bulky carrier seats. These bays are also usually positioned closer to store entrances, allowing parents to avoid navigating busy car parks with small children.

“Abusing these spaces not only causes unnecessary difficulties for parents who genuinely need them by forcing them into narrower bays, it also increases the risk of accidental vehicle damage. Parents could damage their own vehicles trying to remove a car seat, or scratch or dent a neighbouring car, leading to costly repairs.

“Busy car parks, particularly at supermarkets and shopping centres, are some of the most common places for minor bumps and scrapes, accounting for a fifth of car insurance claims each year.

“Even minor incidents can lead to claims, ultimately contributing to higher insurance costs across the board. Respecting designated parking spaces can help improve safety for everyone, reduce unnecessary accidents and lower insurance premiums.”

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States bombed Iranian radar and drone control sites in Iran after Tehran shot down an American MQ-1 Predator drone this weekend, the American military said Monday. Iran acknowledged launching a retaliatory strike, while Kuwait said it was intercepting incoming drone and missile fire.

The dueling attacks reflect the fragility of a weekslong ceasefire in the Iran war, which has seen repeated attacks even as American and Iranian officials try to negotiate a deal to extend it. Iran has maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz in the meantime, disrupting global energy supplies as a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded once passed through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, fighting continues to escalate as Israel extends its occupation of Lebanon beyond the Litani River and as the militant group Hezbollah continues to launch drones into Israel.

US military attacks Iran

The U.S. military’s Central Command said it carried out the strikes in Iran on Saturday and Sunday around the city of Geruk and on Qeshm Island.

“The measured and deliberate strikes occurred … in response to aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a U.S. MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters,” Central Command said.

“U.S. fighter aircraft swiftly responded by eliminating Iranian air defenses, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones that posed clear threats to ships transiting regional waters.”

The Predator has been phased out of service by the U.S. Air Force, which now flies the MQ-9 Reaper, though the U.S. Army still flies the Predator. The U.S. military said no American troops were hurt in the attacks.

Kuwait reports incoming fire

Kuwait meanwhile said its air defenses had opened fire early Monday morning to intercept incoming drone and missile fire. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency that U.S. forces had targeted a telecommunications tower.

The Guard said it responded with an attack without saying where, likely referring to the attack on Kuwait. The country is home to U.S. Army Central, the Mideast forward command for the Army.

Iranian state television later shared footage of the ballistic missile launch, including a close-up showing a sticker on its body depicting a bruised U.S. President Donald Trump overlaid on a “closed” Strait of Hormuz with the caption: “Until the last American soldier leaves the region.”

Attacks rattle ceasefire talks

The attacks represent the latest escalation between the U.S. and Iran, even as both have insisted they are continuing to negotiate, particularly over Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Over the weekend, the U.S. fired a missile into the engine room of a Gambia-flagged cargo ship trying to break its blockade of Iranian ports.

A trickle of ships have made it out of the strait, but pressure continues on global energy supplies, as well as chemical fertilizer which has led to fears of food shortages. The Gulf region produces 30% of globally traded chemical fertilizers.

Trump met with advisers on Friday but has yet to decide on whether to move ahead with a deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait. Iran has said the deal had not been finalized.

Trump expressed optimism about the talks in a post on his Truth Social platform early Monday in Washington, mocking critics without addressing the ongoing crossfire.

“Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us,” he wrote. “Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end — It always does!”

Stuart Grehan aced the demanding 17th hole at Baltray before parring the last to finish the tournament on 17-under-par

This is the moment Stuart Grehan made a hole-in-one on his way to claiming the East of Ireland Amateur Championship title for the second time.

Amidst tremendous cheers from the spectators at his home course, the County Louth golfer aced the challenging 17th hole at Baltray before parring the final hole to finish the tournament on 17 under par.

Grehan, who previously secured the title in 2015, finished six strokes ahead of fellow former champion Caolan Rafferty from Dundalk.

The Tullamore native has established himself as a formidable competitor since rejoining the amateur circuit in 2025 following several years as a professional touring player.

He represented GB&I in the Walker Cup last year, but achieving a hole-in-one while winning the East of Ireland at his adopted home club must surely be amongst the pinnacle moments of his golfing journey.

The remarkable moment was filmed and shared on social media by Irish Amateur Golf Info:

Grehan posted rounds of 70, 69, 67 and 65, and was one of three Baltray members to place within the top five at this esteemed amateur competition, which has previously been won by numerous legendary figures in Irish golf, including Joe Carr and Darren Clarke.

Gerard Dunne, who has previously come close to winning the competition on several occasions, recorded rounds of 77, 69, 66 and 70 to finish in a tie for third place with Joshua Hill on nine under par.

Meanwhile, promising young talent Gavin Tiernan, also a Baltray member, secured fifth place on five under par.

The findings come despite Welsh Government figures showing a 25 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or injured on low-speed roads since the policy was introduced there.

Drivers in Northern Ireland could react negatively to the introduction of more 20mph speed limits, according to new research carried out in Wales, where similar restrictions have already been introduced.

The warning comes after the Department for Infrastructure completed a 14-week consultation on plans to introduce reduced speed limits in targeted areas across Northern Ireland.

The issue has already sparked debate locally following the introduction of part-time 20mph zones outside 40 schools in June last year.

Insurance broker Sterling Insurance surveyed almost 1,500 Welsh drivers to gauge attitudes towards 20mph limits following their rollout in Wales more than two years ago. The survey found that seven in 10 motorists wanted the reduced limits reversed and restored to 30mph.

Men were more likely to oppose the changes, with 72 per cent supporting a return to 30mph limits compared to 63 per cent of women surveyed.

The findings come despite Welsh Government figures showing a 25 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or injured on low-speed roads since the policy was introduced.

According to the data, 2,638 people were hurt or killed in the most recent 18-month period compared to 3,520 in the period before the changes came into force.

Sterling Insurance general manager Peter Cook said improved safety statistics were “encouraging” but acknowledged many drivers remained unhappy with the restrictions.

“While safety remains paramount, it was interesting to see how many people are not in favour of the changes and we suspect the consultation may have discovered some similar responses,” he said.

“But these results are even more telling given they’ve come from drivers who have experienced these changes already.”

The survey also found 64 per cent of respondents wished the limits had never been introduced, while 62 per cent described them as an inconvenience.

More than half of drivers surveyed said they did not feel safer on the roads despite the lower limits.

Meanwhile, 83 per cent said they were watching their speedometer more frequently and 59 per cent reported feeling more stressed or anxious while driving.

Sterling said it had recorded a 60 per cent drop in accidents among its Welsh customers since the changes were introduced, alongside a 59 per cent reduction in speeding convictions and 57 per cent fewer insurance claims.

The debate comes amid a rise in motoring offences in Northern Ireland.

PSNI figures show motoring offences increased by 1 per cent in 2025, rising from 36,837 to 37,120. Speeding accounted for 4,513 offences, representing around 12 per cent of the total.

Northern Ireland currently has 20mph schemes operating in 20 locations, alongside around 33 advisory zones and approximately 700 roads featuring traffic-calming measures.

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Pep Guardiola has said farewell to Manchester City and talk has now turned to how the club will fare without the legendary manager.

From returning club legends to a message from Neil Warnock, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City farewell threw up more than its fair share of surprises but was a fitting way to say goodbye to one of the greatest managers the Premier League has ever seen.

With the ticker tape swept up and the bunting back in the cupboard, talk has already turned to what the post-Pep era will look like. Enzo Maresca is set to replace Guardiola in the Etihad hotseat as he seeks to continue the incredible success the Catalan coach has delivered over the past decade.

While City’s rivals are licking their lips in the hope of a United-esque drop-off following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the set-up at the Etihad should ensure no such prediction comes to pass, although the task of following a manager who delivered 20 trophies in 10 years cannot be underestimated.

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Our City writers discussed the challenge facing Maresca in the latest episode of the Talking City podcast, with Chief Manchester City Writer Simon Bajkowski confident there will be enough motivation in the squad to prove they are not reliant on Guardiola to deliver success.

“I think there’s going to be a sea change but Erling Haaland said at the after party ‘We want to win the biggest titles and we didn’t win them this year, we want to fight for those titles’. So the players that are still here will be determined to improve on last year,” he said.

“Everyone thinks there’s going to be a drop-off after Pep – it would be weird if there wasn’t – but you’ve got Enzo Maresca coming in who is determined there won’t be, and the players as well, they don’t want to be seen as players who are nothing without Pep.

“If we’re being honest, a lot of them want to win the World Cup and do as well as they can for their countries, but when they come back there will be a different level of motivation from them.”

As cha cha closer to Strictly Come Dancing season once more, speculation on who could be taking part is red hot.

Last series saw Lioness Karen Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu take home the trophy, and there will surely be a string of celebrities keen to replicate their success.

And to say the new cast will be joining Strictly at an important time would be an understatement, as there’ll have been plenty of big changes by the time the BBC flagship show returns to screens.

Following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, we’ll have new hosts, with broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and pro dancer Johannes Radebe now confirmed to be taking charge.

What’s more, the pro dancer roster will be wildly different, as Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez have departed, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be ‘benched’ without a partner.

So, as bosses look to fill the gaps and carry Strictly into a new era – hopefully free from scandals and internal investigations – let’s take a look at the rumoured line-up for 2026.

Lacey Turner

She’s been playing EastEnders’ favourite Stacey Slater for over 20 years, but now Lacey Turner could be set to appear on the BBC in a very different way.

According to reports, the 38-year-old soap actress is looking to use her break from Albert Square to pursue new ventures, with a TV source spilling to The Sun: ‘Strictly bosses are delighted to snap Lacey up for the series, especially as she has such a huge fan base from her time on the soap.

‘She’s down to earth, and viewers will be excited to get to know her personality away from Albert Square.’

They added: ‘She has loved having some quality time off screen to focus on parenting, but feels like now is the perfect time to learn to dance and try something different before she reprises her role in EastEnders.’

It wouldn’t be the first time an EastEnders icon has appeared on Strictly – who could forget Jake Wood (aka Max Branning) with his Mambo No. 5 salsa?

Josie Gibson

She rose to fame as a Big Brother winner and has since cemented herself as a British TV favourite.

Josie Gibson is now often seen presenting on This Morning, and, in 2023, she placed fourth in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

If reports are to be believed, though, she could be looking to at least earn herself a place on the podium by signing up to Strictly and wowing on the dance floor.

‘Josie has been on the BBC’s radar for a while, and they’ve not given up their pursuit,’ said a source.

They added to The Sun that the ball is has already started: ‘They’re hoping this year is the year, and talks are progressing well.’

‘Bosses are convinced her down-to-earth charm will be the boost this year’s new-look show needs,’ the insider also claimed. ‘Warm and engaging, she’s just what they require right now and will be a sure-fire hit with fans.’

Josie, 41, certainly wouldn’t be the first ITV daytime star to tackle Strictly, with previous series signing up the likes of Alison Hammond, Ruth Langsford, Charlotte Hawkins, and, who could forget, Ed Balls.

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Delta Goodrem

Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem has also reportedly been on the Strictly bosses’ wish list for ‘years’.

A source told the Daily Mail that her signing this time is ‘all but a done deal’.

‘They’ve been trying to get her for years. Obviously, she is a good name for the show.’

The 41-year-old is no stranger to live performances thanks to her music career, having been signed in the early 2000s and released a string of hits Down Under. Her debut album, Innocent Eyes, charted at number two in the UK.

Delta has also dabbled in acting, having played Nina Tucker in Neighbours.

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Having sold nine million records, Delta knows a thing or two about success – but could she add another accolade to her name and become a Strictly champion?

If she does ultimately sign on the dotted line, 2026 will prove to be a very busy year for her, as Delta represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with her song Eclipse, which saw her finish fourth.

Dani Dyer

Poor Dani Dyer had one of the briefest Strictly stints ever last year, as she was forced to withdraw shortly after the launch show due to an ankle fracture.

Partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, he went on to reach the final with Amber Davies, while Dani had to watch on from home while recovering.

The former Love Islander has already expressed interest in returning for a proper attempt, and it wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened, as Jamie Laing famously returned the following year after an injury early on made him pull out.

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Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show after her premature exit, Dani said she would ‘love to do’ Strictly again.

‘If they rang me, I’d answer the phone,’ she shared. ‘I was devastated.

‘It was hell for me when I hurt my foot; I was so sad.’

When contacted previously for comments, a BBC spokesperson told Metro that plans for the new series of Strictly will be confirmed ‘in due course’.

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Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC in September.

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Before their performance, the group described Clarkson as their “biggest cheerleader” and added they “couldn’t thank him enough”, while judge KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, said he wanted to add their original song, This Is Home, to his Spotify playlist after they performed it.

Hannah Brooks, 37 and from Darcy Lever, dog Shadow died afrer he had swallowed a stone which got stuck in his intestine.

After anxious days and hours through the night, Shadow died with brain damage despite treatment. The bill was around £4,000, with her insurance taking a cushion of £1,000 for her.

Shadow the dog died from swallowing a stone. (Image: Hannah Brooks)

It leaves Mrs Brooks with £3,000 that her family are trying to raise, as her husband works, all while she’s caring after her son Elliott, who has neurodivergence.

She said: “It’s a massive hit and such a shock to lose a pet and all that money on top.

“My son keeps asking for him back, and he just cries. He doesn’t understand that he’s dead.”

The family is trying to get the community together to raise the funds, as they said they couldn’t be able to do it on their own. So far, they’ve raised £100.

Shadow the dog, 2. (Image: Hannah Brooks)

Shadow was only two years old and woke up poorly last Monday, 25 May and died later that week.

Elliott was Shadow’s best friend. (Image: Hannah Brooks)

Mrs Brooks said the hardest challenge is trying to raise money, while just trying to grieve their family pet, and much loved dog by her son Elliott.

To support the family visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/saving-shadow-t5t3k?

She added: “It would just mean everything.  It’s massive to actually do it all in one go.

“It takes the stress off so we can just grieve. We just want to be able to grieve.”

He is also getting to perform infront of some of his family for the first time in Galway this summer

An NI student who found his feet during lockdown is now performing on one of London’s most prestigious stages.

Patrick Adair is celebrating a major milestone in his training, having only taken up formal dance training when he was 18 years old.

Growing up in Dunmurry, he had always loved music and appeared in amateur musical theatre productions but it was only when the world was faced by a global pandemic that he began following his passion.

He said: “When the pandemic stopped the world, I found myself dancing.”

He went on to study musical theatre at Performers College in Essex, where he trained in ballet, tap, jazz, singing and acting. During his studies, he developed a passion for contemporary dance after seeing Message In A Bottle by ZooNation.

“The narrative spoke to me without needing words,” he explained.

“It showed me how movement could tell such a compelling story.”

Encouraged by his teachers, Patrick successfully auditioned to join the BA programme at London Contemporary Dance School, where he is now completing his training.

This summer, he will perform in Colossus at the Southbank Centre, a large-scale production featuring his entire graduating cohort and created in collaboration with the renowned Australian Stephanie Lake Company.

Patrick added: “Finishing my time at The Place by performing at the Southbank Centre is pretty next level.”

Patrick is also excited that the production will tour to Galway as part of the Galway Arts Festival, marking his first major performance on home soil.

“My family are coming to see me, and for a lot of them it will be their first time seeing me dance – that’s both exciting and nerve-wracking.

“As I’ve grown, I’ve realised my family just want me to be happy

“And dancing makes me happy.”

Reflecting on his journey, Patrick hopes other young people from Northern Ireland will feel encouraged to pursue ambitious creative goals.

“You’re not defined by where you’re from,” he said. “You can make your own story, but be proud of where you’ve come from and what you carry with you.”

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