‘Barry embodied the values of service, kindness, faith, friendship, leadership and community spirit’

Tributes have been paid to a highly-respected Co Tyrone primary school teacher following his sudden passing

Barry Conroy, Principal of St Oliver Plunkett Primary School and Nursery Unit, Beragh, has passed away bringing much sadness to his family, friends and wider community who he had shown “unwavering commitment” to.

Tributes have been paid to the teacher following his passing with many noting his dedication to his pupils and community and was heavily involved in his local GAA club Beragh Red Knights.

In a statement online, The Chair of Board of Governors of St Oliver Plunkett Primary School and Nursery Unit said: “It is with deep sadness that we, the Staff, Pupils and Board of Governors, confirm the sudden passing of Master Barry Conroy, Principal of St Oliver Plunkett Primary School and Nursery Unit, Beragh.

“Barry was a highly respected and dedicated leader who served our school for 27 years as teacher then principal. Throughout that time, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to pupils, staff and the wider community.

“His leadership was characterised by his living out of the School Ethos – Caring, Sharing and Learning every day of his career. Barry’s commitment made a lasting impact on the lives of pupils, past and present.

“It is fitting that last Friday’s note ended with this quote “We continue to carry our loved ones with us in our hearts and their memory remains always alive within us – Pope Leo”

“We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“The Education Authority’s Critical Incident Response Team and CCMS are in attendance at school to provide support to pupils and staff.

“Arrangements regarding Barry’s funeral will be communicated when appropriate.”

Beragh Red Knights GAA paid tribute to their long time member who has played and coached for the club who influenced people across the local community with his dedication, kindness and leadership.

It said in a statement online: “It is with profound sadness that everyone at Beragh Red Knights GAA learned this morning of the untimely passing of our dear friend and club stalwart, Barry Conroy.

“Barry devoted so much of his life to our club and community. As a former player, Club Secretary for 13 years, and current manager of our U16 Ladies team, he gave very generously of his time, energy and commitment, always placing others before himself.

His skills on the football fields of his beloved Tyrone saw Barry win an All-Ireland Vocational Schools medal with St Ciaran’s College, Ballygawley, in 1993, and in 2000 he was a member of the Red Knights Championship and League double-winning team. His exemplary administrative skills were recognised by Tyrone GAA when he was recruited to become a member of the Youth Committee in 2007 and the Competitions Control Committee in 2008. He also participated in the Thír Eoghain Cumann na mBunscol Committee for many years.

“His contribution to Beragh Red Knights and Tyrone GAA has been immense, and his loss will be felt deeply throughout every corner of our club and far beyond.

“Beyond the GAA, Barry was a highly respected school principal at St Oliver Plunkett’s, Beragh. His dedication to young people, education, staff and community life touched countless families across our parish.

“Most importantly, Barry was a devoted husband to Fiona (née McCann) and a loving father to Aoibhe, Tomás and Cliodhna, all of whom are valued members of our club family. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with Fiona, the children, Barry’s mother and father, John and Christina, brother Justin (Donna), sister Julie (Francis), his nieces and nephews, the wider Conroy and McCann families, friends, work colleagues, and all who had the great privilege of knowing him.

“Barry embodied the values of service, kindness, faith, friendship, leadership and community spirit. His presence enriched our club and our parish, and his legacy will live on for many years through the countless lives he influenced and through the generations of young people he encouraged, supported and inspired.

“All club activities are cancelled until after Barry’s funeral. Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.”

Sinn Fein MLA Órfhlaith Begley said: “A community in mourning today as we come to terms with the deeply sad news of the passing of Barry Conroy.

“Barry was at the heart of St Oliver Plunkett’s, and whenever I visited the school, he always offered a warm welcome and a friendly presence.

“A highly respected figure in the local community and a committed Gael with Beragh Red Knights.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the pupils, staff, governors, and the entire Beragh community as they come to terms with such a profound loss.

“Rest in peace, Barry.”

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Vatican City has become a popular destination for Illinois dignitaries since Chicago native Robert Prevost ascended to the papacy last year, now known as Pope Leo XIV. While many have arrived bearing gifts, Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs presented the pontiff with a unique offering: a certificate to reclaim $8.65 of his own money.

Leaders from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to Governor JB Pritzker have visited, bringing tokens like Chicago-brewed “Da Pope” beer, city-sourced giardiniera, an Illini No. 14 jersey and Chicago White Sox gear.

Frerichs’ gift, however, was perhaps the most on-brand. He delivered the certificate for Pope Leo XIV to recover $8.65 from a now-closed PayPal account.

This sum had been held in Illinois’ unclaimed property account, which Frerichs administers, and he has been working to return it.

“We found this money last year after he became pope,” Frerichs told Capitol News Illinois in a phone call Thursday morning while still in Italy. “We reached out to the local archdiocese trying to get him to claim it, and it fell through the cracks.”

Plan B? “Well, let’s deliver it in person,” he said.

That opportunity came to fruition on Wednesday.

He was invited to accompany a delegation organized by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and he and his wife Erica decided to make it a personal trip. He was raised Lutheran, she’s Catholic.

They paid for the trip personally, he said, using no campaign or state funds.

“My wife and I came together and made it a bit of a longer trip,” he said. “But I figured when I had the opportunity to meet the pope, you would take it.”

He also gifted the pontiff a commemorative Abraham Lincoln coin from a leftover supply the treasurer’s office had minted years ago, and a book about Chicago history. Erica Frerichs brought some of her family’s rosaries for the pope to bless.

As for the $8.65, Frerichs acknowledged that it’s garnered good press. It’s an election year, and Frerichs is slated to face Max Solomon in the general election, who won the GOP nod as a write-in candidate.

But his marketing of unclaimed property is nothing new.

“We know when people hear about our unclaimed property department, when they see an example of a real person getting money, more people visit our website, and when more people visit our website, we return more money,” he said. “Part of the reason we have smashed records on unclaimed property is because of how we market it differently.”

Frerichs first became treasurer in 2015, and his office has since returned more than $2.5 billion to more than 2.5 million people. That means Pope Leo’s PayPal windfall accounts for roughly 0.00000034% of the money returned.

“Some of them are amazing,” he said of the returns of unclaimed property. “We have an $11 million return, which is the largest in U.S. history. We’ve had million-dollar returns, half million. And some for only $8.65 actually probably will be the most memorable ones of my time in office.”

Upon receipt of the certificate from Frerichs, the pope chuckled and shared a now oft-repeated anecdote about calling his bank to close an account, only to be hung up on when revealing himself to be Pope Leo.

“It’s a true, slightly modified, but true story,” the pope can be heard saying in a video of the interaction. “A bank in Illinois.”

Frerichs told CNI he “completely understood that.”

He shared an anecdote from a few years back, when he had an issue with a bank that threatened to turn a sum of money over to the state’s unclaimed property administrator.

“I said, ‘Sure, go ahead and do that,’ and they said, ‘Sir, we don’t think you understand, it’ll be more work to claim it from your state’s unclaimed property administrator than to do what we’re asking you to do,’” he said.

“And I said, ‘No, I think I understand our state’s unclaimed property pretty well, go ahead and send it. … You’ll be sending it to me, because I am the state’s unclaimed property administrator,’” he said. “And then there was a pause, and they said, ‘Let me get a manager.’”

So, what’s next for Pope Leo?

“He just has to give us an address to mail the check to,” Frerichs said.

Any Illinoisan can check to see if they have unclaimed property on the treasurer’s website, icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/.

Nearly 1,700 runners took to the streets of Bolton this evening as the Ironman Night Run returned to launch a packed weekend of sporting action in the town.

Participants gathered in Bolton town centre to tackle either a 5km or 10km route, setting off from Le Mans Crescent at 7pm to the sound of an air horn..

Crowds turned up to cheer on loved ones (Image: NQ)

The event, which serves as the traditional curtain-raiser to Ironman weekend, saw runners race through the town centre before finishing in Victoria Square, where crowds gathered to cheer them home.

Harry Moxham was the first runner across the finish line in the 5km race, recording a time of 16 minutes and 14 seconds.

Harry won the 5k this year (Image: NQ)

Rachel Sidebotham was the first female finisher in the 5km, crossing the line in 19 minutes and 13 seconds to claim her third consecutive Night Run title after winning in 2024 and 2025.

Three in a row for Rachel! (Image: NQ)

She said: “I’m tired.

“I’ve been doing it a while now but, yeah, it feels amazing to win for a third time in a row.

“There’s been lots of training and it’s paid off.”

Alex Lowe claimed victory in the men’s 10km race with a time of 34 minutes and 13 seconds.

Alex won the 10k for his first ever Bolton night run (Image: NQ)

The Bolton runner said: “I’m from Bolton so it’s always special winning a hometown race.

“This is my first time doing the Night Run as well.

“Training has just been consistent – 50 miles a week and having a good group of people by your side spurs you on.

“I run for Horwich Harriers so they’re great – up the Horwich.”

Georgia Elizabeth Heath was the first female finisher in the 10km race, completing the course in 42 minutes and 27 seconds.

Elizabeth was all smiles after her women’s 10k win (Image: NQ)

The Mayor Mohammed Iqbal and Mayoress Sayda , joined organisers in handing out medals to runners after the event.

Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton handed out medals to the runners (Image: NQ)

The Night Run marks the start of Bolton’s Ironman weekend, with the world’s largest IronKids event set to take place on Saturday (June 6) involving around 6,000 participants before Ironman 70.3 returns on Sunday (June 7).

Jhané, Kristen and Matt went head to head to impress MasterChef judges Grace Dent and Anna Haugh

The winner of MasterChef 2026 has officially been crowned.

Judges Grace Dent and Anna Haugh have spent weeks testing 48 of the nation’s best amateur cooks, with just three having made it to the final.

Hoping to make it into the MasterChef hall of fame, Jhané, Kristen and Matt went head to head.

Who won MasterChef 2026?

Jhané was crowned winner of MasterChef 2026.

Speechless, Jhané was heard saying “What? This is ridiculous,” as she was hugged by her two co-competitors, while Anna commented on how difficult the decision had been.

After her win, Jhané said: “This is incredible.”

Anna praised the “magic in her fingertips”, while Grace hailed Jhané’s “gift for communicating things she’s got inside of her onto a plate”.

She added: “Jhané is an incredible talent, and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future.”

Jhané also said: “To anyone watching this, you can genuinely put anything you put your mind to.

“One foot in front of the other, and you end up with a trophy!”

After making it into the final four, alongside Antos who was eliminated just before the final, Jhané had said: “It’s so surreal to be able to call myself a MasterChef finalist! At the start of the show I just wanted to get an apron, now I’m in the final four.

“It has taken so much hard work to get here, I’ve learned so much throughout the competition and made so many new friends along the way. I feel like I’ve pushed my cooking to a whole new level and I’m not ready for it to end.”

Kristen added: “Making the final four is surreal. At each stage of the competition, I could only focus on the challenge that was in front of me.

“Reaching this stage, getting to know my fellow finalists so well, having more time with the judges and mentor chefs has been extraordinary.”

Matt also said: “It feels amazing! Particularly knowing that we’re heading to Antigua. Every single time you get through you think that the competition can’t surprise you any more and then they drop that you’re heading off to the Caribbean!

“It’s been such a brilliant journey so far and I feel very lucky to be able to continue into finals week. I don’t want it to end.”

The BBC competition has faced a significant shake-up in recent months, after scandals left both Gregg Wallace and John Torode axed from the programme.

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It was later confirmed Grace would be joined by Anna, and she’ll now appear alongside Giorgio Locatelli on Celebrity MasterChef, which has already been filmed.

He said joining the show was “a real honour”, adding: “I can’t wait for you to see what our celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, as we are really putting their culinary skills to the test in this series.”

MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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Six postcodes from the region won £1,000 each in recent draws, with cash prizes going to residents in Middlesbrough, Guisborough, Wynyard, Sunderland, Hexham, and Borrowby in North Yorkshire.

The People’s Postcode Lottery is a subscription lottery which aims to raise money for charities while also bringing cash prizes to homes across the UK.

Players enter using their postcode as a ticket and pay £12.50 a month to take part in each draw.

It unveils daily prizes for postcodes across the UK, including £30,000 jackpots for every winning ticket in a postcode on weekends, and £1,000 prizes for 20 different postcodes every day.

The lottery not only gives cash prizes but also helps raise funds for charities in the UK and beyond.

To date, players have raised more than £1.7 billion for thousands of charities and community projects, with winners changing every day.

Featured in the list of supported charities are Maggie’s, Dogs Trust and the NSPCC, who have all benefited from funding.

The Postcode Lottery winners and prize amounts this week are:

• TS6 9RG – Middlesbrough – £1,000
• TS14 7DY – Guisborough – £1,000
• TS22 5SZ – Wynyard – £1,000
• SR4 7QL – Sunderland – £1,000
• NE46 3SA – Hexham – £1,000
• YO7 4AW – Borrowby, North Yorkshire – £1,000

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were ordered to shelter inside the Dragon spacecraft today due to a worsening air leak.

NASA said the issue is affecting part of the station’s Russian segment – the Zvezda service module transfer tunnel – a narrow, pressurised passageway at the back of the ISS.

This area has suffered from cracks and leaks which have worsened over time since 2019, forcing NASA to classify it as the station’s highest-level safety risk.

A crew member had been attempting repairs today while astronauts were told prepare for a possible evacuation if the situation deteriorated further.

Around two hours later, NASA paused repair efforts and said crew members sheltering on the Dragon spacecraft have been told to return to the ISS.

NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said Russia’s cosmonauts trying to fix the problem had paused their attempts while “more measurements and data is assessed.”

She said: “We look forward to working with Roscosmos on a collaborative approach to address the leaks.”

Russia’s Roscosmos space agency said earlier that two leaks had been identified on board the ISS – and that one has already been fixed – according to the country’s Interfax news outlet.

The full impact of the air leak remains unclear.

Manchester United will be keeping a close eye on developments over the future of academy graduate Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood could provide a financial boost to Manchester United, with Fenerbahce claimed to have reached an agreement with the forward. Greenwood’s future has been the subject of speculation for some time.

The former United man has impressed for Marseille since making the move to France from Old Trafford in 2024. In the season just gone, he scored 16 goals and provided seven assists in 32 Ligue 1 appearances.

Greenwood is expected to move on this summer after Marseille missed out on Champions League qualification. Roma, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are all linked with an interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

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His future will be a subject that United will be keeping a close eye on over the next couple of weeks and months. The club included a substantial 40 per cent sell-on clause in the £26 million deal that saw him move to Marseille.

It seems that a move from France to Turkey could be on the cards, with Fenerbahce presidential candidate Hakan Safi announcing that the club have reached an agreement with Greenwood over personal terms.

“We have signed a four-year agreement with Mason Greenwood,” he said. He has proven himself at the highest level of European football.

“He has agreed to join Fenerbahçe during the most valuable and productive years of his career.

“I said I would bring a star player. Today, I am experiencing the justified pride of keeping my promise.”

While personal terms have reportedly been agreed, Fenerbache may still have to come to an agreement with Marseille over a fee. It’s reported that the French club are looking for a fee of around £47.5 million for the 24-year-old.

If the clause sees United get 40 per cent of the full fee, that price would earn United around £19 million.

Speaking about Greenwood’s future, Marseille sporting director Gregory Lorenzi told L’Equipe: “He [Greenwood] is one of the players that we are really thinking about [with regard to] their future. If an opportunity presents itself, naturally, we will think about it.

“But there is the club’s position [and] that of the player. It is also up to us to manage internally to find the best possible solution for all parties.”

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England have a golden opportunity for victory in the first Test against New Zealand despite a chaotic collapse of four wickets for one run in 11 balls on the second day at Lord’s.

After 16 wickets fell on day one, another 17 came on Friday on a devilishly difficult surface for batting – an alarming amount of uneven bounce has been added to the sideways movement.

At the end of it all, New Zealand are 36-3 in pursuit of a victory target of 254. Captain Tom Latham was out to the third ball of the chase and, crucially, Kane Williamson was palpably lbw to Josh Tongue, before Gus Atkinson cleaned up nightwatchman Will O’Rourke.

Though the weather forecast for Saturday and Monday is poor, there will be a result in this match, with England strong favourites to secure a morale-boosting win following their heavy Ashes loss.

Ollie Robinson marked his comeback with best Test figures of 5-39, taking the final wicket as New Zealand were bowled out for 113 in their first innings – an England advantage of 27.

England, helped by Emilio Gay’s half-century on debut and more New Zealand dropped catches, steadily built what looked to be an imposing lead. Gay was put down and could have been out lbw in his 57.

When Gay eventually fell, it began the carnage. Harry Brook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes all followed inside two overs. While an England implosion was familiar, perhaps only Stokes was culpable for his dismissal.

England’s lead was 154, with four wickets in hand. They were in danger of handing the initiative to New Zealand, only for important runs from the lower-order. Jamie Smith made 39, Atkinson 14 and Robinson swiped 29.

The hosts were eventually bowled out for 226, New Zealand’s Nathan Smith outstanding for his six wickets.

It comes as the South Eastern Trust marks 70 years of its Volunteer Service

A woman from Northern Ireland has spoken about her love for volunteering after 46 years spent dedicating her time at a Co Down hospital.

Angela Martin is a member of the Ards Hospital Ladies Committee, and is one of the South Eastern Trust’s longest-serving volunteers. This week the committee joined the Trust for a special afternoon tea at the Ulster Hospital to mark 70 years of volunteering with the Trust’s Volunteer Service.

For 70 years, members of the Ards Hospital Ladies Committee have dedicated their time to supporting patients and raising funds for vital medical equipment for use in hospital wards, outpatient clinics, and departments throughout Ards Hospital.

Angela joined the Committee in 1980 and explained that volunteering has always been an important part of her life. She said: “I was brought up in a family where people volunteered. Everybody was involved in something and gave their time to the community.

“I always felt that if you can give back to the community, you should. We have fundraised over the years for patient comforts to furniture for the Nurse’s homes at that time to early detection cancer equipment, wheelchairs, trolleys, pulse oximeters and medical equipment.

“I am very proud to have volunteered these 46 years, I enjoy telling people in the Outpatients in Ards Hospital that some of the equipment you are using we fundraised to buy it.”

When asked if she was going to volunteer for another 46 years, the 82-year-old replied: “I hope so, but I don’t think so!”

She added: “I’ve been Chair of the Committee on three different occasions now and also held the role of Secretary. I’m still going strong and you make the most of it. Ards Hospital is there for everybody and by volunteering you are helping the whole community.”

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Treasurer of the Committee, Concepta Meredith explained how the Committee has spent £60,000 over the past ten years in purchasing medical equipment for the hospital. “We raised it by hosting coffee mornings and myself and another Volunteer, Julia Henderson counted it on my dining room table!” laughed Concepta.

“I am very proud to be a Volunteer, it helps and that is what it is all about. It is very important that the Committee continues, we have purchased ECG machines, blood pressure machines, loads of stuff and that keeps people out of hospital.

“I would encourage young and old, those who are retired, to Volunteer as it is so rewarding.”

Volunteer, Maureen Boyd, who joined in 2020, explained how her mother-in-law, Helen was a founding member of the original committee.

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She said: “It is fantastic to look over the old photos, there are so many stories behind them in terms of getting together to organise things. Generations of our family have been involved as Volunteers and it means an awful lot to me.

“There is great camaraderie with the Committee and knowing that what you are doing, is benefitting someone, is big thing.”

South Eastern Trust Chairman, Jonathan Patton shared how it is a “privilege” to meet Trust Volunteers and to share a cup of tea with members from Ards Hospital Ladies Committee.

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He said: “It is incredible how our hospitals have benefitted from our Volunteers who are working for patients, working for staff and raising funds that have provided equipment and assistance to so many people.

“I am incredibly privileged in the role, as Chairman, to meet our Volunteers, to see their passion, and to work alongside them and hear their stories.

“I think it is vital that we find the next generation of Volunteers. Volunteers have been the life blood of this hospital and Trust for so many years, and I would love to find the next generation of Volunteers coming forward offering some time, an hour, a day that could help us, support us and our staff deliver the care that we do.”

South Eastern Trust, Volunteer Services Manager, Sonya Duffy added: “It is such an amazing feeling to be able to work with people, who are so kind and who are so generous. They do so much for our patients and clients.

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“We have 370 volunteers with an age range of 16-25 who are keen to help and learn and then we have our older, more mature Volunteers who come with a wealth of life experience and skills. It is really important to our society that we have people volunteering to help others and for our younger generation to see the generosity and thoughtfulness shown for other people.

“It is amazing to mark seven decades of volunteering in the South Eastern Trust, I am so proud of that and I am so proud of our Volunteers, we want them to stay with us forever as they make such a difference to our patients and clients.”

If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Team at volunteer@setrust.hscni.net or call (028) 9056 4817 to find out more.

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