“Dangerous and divisive”: owners whose dogs chase squirrel risk imprisonment from latest attempt to ban hunting
Rural campaigners have hit out over a fresh attempt to ban hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland, warning the proposed legalisation risks criminalising anyone involved in any countryside activity if their dog chases a wild mammal.
On Monday evening (27 4 26) a bill to ban hunting was re-introduced nearly five years after it was first rejected by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The private member’s bill is once again being brought by the Alliance Party’s John Blair, but Countryside Alliance Ireland has described it as “dangerous and divisive”.
The organisation says the bill would do nothing for animal welfare but would have a detrimental effect on farming and biodiversity, making predator control almost impossible, posing a grave risk to livestock and ground nesting birds.
Countryside Alliance Ireland director Gary McCartney said people living and working in the countryside were facing “damaging attacks on their livelihoods and local economies”.
He added it was “staggering Mr Blair deems this a priority during a cost-of-living crisis and at a time when the health service is on its knees”.
McCartney urged politicians to focus on “issues that help rural people rather than harming them”.
“This misguided bill is a major threat to anyone taking part in any activity where a dog may end up chasing a squirrel or any other wild mammal.
“It could see farmers, gamekeepers and ramblers imprisoned or fined or both”.
In 2021, a previous bill championed by Mr Blair was defeated by 45 votes to 38. Sinn Féin whipped its assembly members (MLAs) to vote against the legislation, saying it supported regulation over a complete ban.
Last Friday, Sinn Féin members at the party’s annual Ard Fheis (conference) voted by a tight margin to support a ban on fox hunting “for the sole purpose of leisure”, but not for pest control.
There are concerns that this policy could affect the party’s rural vote. Mr McCartney urged Sinn Féin MLAs to “think very carefully about the damage support of this dangerous bill could have on rural people”.
At the time of the previous vote, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) held the agriculture and environment brief in the Northern Ireland Executive and its then-minister Edwin Poots said he would not back the bill either.
The bill was also opposed by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).
In reference to the Bill’s wording: “risks criminalising anyone involved in any countryside activity if their dog chases a wild mammal”.
23A.—(1) For the purposes of this Part a person participates in—
(a) hunting a wild mammal using one or more dogs,
(b) trail hunting,
(c) terrier work,
whether or not the person is responsible for controlling any dog used.
(2) In paragraph (1), the reference to participation includes a reference to
participation in another activity (such as pursuit by a dog of an artificial or
human scent) in the course of which a dog hunts a wild mammal.
The Countryside Alliance Ireland maintain that “in the explanatory notes provided, John Blair wrongly states: ‘a person is not hunting if they are walking their dog and their dog happens to pick up a scent and chases after it’.
“This contradicts the bill and it is the bill that the courts will look at to determine guilt, not Mr Blair’s explanatory notes.”
Outreach office for Community Advice opens in Ballynahinch on last Tuesday of the month
Newry Mourne and Down Community Advice Chief Executive Kellie Murray has announced that there will be a new new outreach advice service that will be delivered at Ballynahinch Community Centre.
She said: “This service aims to provide local residents with free, confidential, independent and impartial advice and support on a range of issues, including benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer etc.
“The outreach will run on the last Tuesday of each month from 12.30-3.30 in Ballynahinch Community Centre and is on today Tuesday 28th April.
“Our goal is to ensure that people in the Ballynahinch area can access high-quality advice within their own community.
“We would greatly appreciate any support in helping to promote this service. In particular, it would be very helpful if you could share this post in social media.
“If you would like any further information, or if you are interested in attending or visiting the service, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
“Thank you for your continued support for local community initiatives and for sharing so widely last month.”
McGrath says Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said a new report from the Independent Autism Reviewer confirms that autism services in Northern Ireland are failing to deliver in practice despite years of commitments.
Colin McGrath MLA said: “This report lays it out in black and white: we have the laws, we have the strategies, but we simply do not have delivery.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath, SDLP Health Opposition spokesperson, is concerned at the shortcomings of support for SEN pupils.
“For too many autistic people and their families, services are fragmented, inconsistent and difficult to navigate.
“They are being left to piece together support themselves, and that is completely unacceptable.
“What is particularly concerning is that government cannot even clearly demonstrate whether it is delivering on its own commitments.
“When monitoring is weak and responsibilities are unclear, accountability disappears and it is families who pay the price.
“The findings around transition into adulthood are especially stark. Young people are effectively falling off a cliff edge between services, with no clear pathway and no single Department taking ownership.
“We are also seeing serious issues in education, respite provision and safeguarding – all pointing to the same underlying problem: a system that is not joined up and not working as it should.
“This report backs up what families have been saying for years. It is not a lack of policy, it is a failure of implementation.
“The Health Minister now needs to step up, take ownership and drive proper cross-government coordination. That means clear responsibility, proper data, and real accountability for outcomes.
“Autistic people and their families deserve more than warm words and strategies, they deserve a system that actually works.”
Trust Kinship Foster Carers praised for providing safe and loving homes
The South Eastern Trust hosted a special appreciation event for Kinship Foster Carers at the picturesque Starfish Café in Bangor, bringing Carers together for a morning of connection, conversation and support.
The event, held as part of Kinship Foster Care Celebration Week, offered Carers the opportunity to meet others with shared experiences, enjoy freshly brewed tea and coffee and reflect on the vital role they play in providing safe and loving homes for children.
Vicky Allen who has been a Kinship Foster Carer for four years, shared how much she had enjoyed the morning. She said: “Becoming a Kinship Foster Carer has been a really good experience for me. At the start, it was a bit scary but I would say to anyone who is
“The Fostering Network Team and my South Eastern Trust Fostering Social Worker Shawneen, have been so helpful, they are invaluable.”
Gary and Daria Gates from Neurodiversity Spark, an organisation that helps understand neuro-divergence in real working environments and works to embed inclusion in ways that are realistic and sustainable, shared their thoughts at the event.
(L-r) Kinship Foster Carer Vicky Allen, Student Social Worker Marni Bingham, Neurodiversity Spark Social Worker Daria Gates, Senior Social Worker Roisin Maguire and Neurodiversity Spark CEO and Co-founder Gary Gates. (Photos courtesy of Southern HSC Trust).
Reflecting on her journey, Vicky added: “It has changed me as a person. It has helped me understand so much more about Neurodiversity. The coffee morning has been great and it is a chance to meet other Carers who are in the same position, to share information and a chance to meet people.
“You are talking to people who are living being a Kinship Foster Carer and understanding it. For me, it is so worth doing.”
South Eastern HSC Trust, Principal Social Worker, Sarah Moore, explained how the coffee morning formed part of their Kinship Foster Care Celebration Week.
She said: “This is a chance for us to celebrate everything our Kinship Foster Carers do and to show our appreciation for the incredible difference they make to children’s lives.
Student Social Worker Marni Bingham, Kinship Foster Carer Gary Peters and Senior Social Worker Roisin Maguire.
“It also gives Carers the opportunity to access support from Neurodiversity Spark and learn more about training and development opportunities within the Fostering Service.”
Sarah added, “We would be lost without our Kinship Foster Carers. If it was not for them, many children would not have the safe and loving homes that they do. It is so important that we bring Carers together when we can.
“They share a unique experience and having the chance to connect, learn and support one another is invaluable.”
There were mixed fortunes for Ballynahinch as they completed the season with three finals. Pride of place went to the 5th XV who defeated a very physical Ballymena side to retain the McCambley Cup and avenge their defeat to the same opponents two years ago writes James Kirk.
Despite going behind early on they handled the hot conditions well and scored tries through Conor Piper, Mark McCormick, Matthew Arniel, Aaron Ferris and skipper James McBriar to win comfortably and return the cup to the Ballymacarn Park trophy cabinet.
The victorious 5th XV squad. (Photos courtesy of Tim Morton.)
The 4th XV’s quest for a league and cup double was thwarted again as they came unstuck against a very strong Academy side in the Forster Cup final.
They took an early lead through skipper Mike Evans but three unanswered academy tries took the game away from them.
A brilliant Simon Jackson score gave them hope but Academy kept the scoreboard moving with three penalties and despite a late surge with another Evans try they ran out of time.
Ballynahinch 5th XV player of the match Chris Napier with coach John Gunson.
Jonny Shannon’s 3rd XV travelled to Omagh for the Crawford Plate final and competed well against a strong home side.
The first quarter of the match was very close with Harry Daniel crossing for a try but by half time Omagh had established a lead and they showed no mercy in the second half with a second Hinch try a mere consolation.
The thirds have had a brilliant second half of the season and can be very proud of their achievements.
James McBriar, Ben Spiers, Niall McBriar enjoy their McCambley Cup win.
Social Media Fest Confirms Final Speaker Line-Up For Belfast Debut
The full line-up of local expert speakers has been announced for the first Social Media Fest taking place in Belfast this week.
The conference, which has become one of the most talked-about events in Ireland, will see 11 speakers take to the stage at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast on Wednesday, 29th April 2026.
Social Media Fest, which has previously run in Wexford and Dublin, will run from 9am to 5pm and is built around the theme ‘Connect, Create, Conquer: Mastering the Social Media Landscape‘.
Aimed at business owners, managers, marketers, freelancers, creators and entrepreneurs who want practical guidance on growing their presence online, the conference will tackle subjects from AI, email marketing and video creation to LinkedIn, Meta ads, websites, sales and marketing strategy.
Conference director Esther Ocampo, who took over the brand in 2025, said the final line-up reflects the practical, local and community-focused nature of the event.
She explained: “We’ve spent four events building something in Dublin and Wexford that people genuinely value, and the appetite from Northern Ireland has been impossible to ignore.
Some of the speakers at the Social Media fest
“Belfast is a city full of ambitious business owners who deserve access to the same quality of conversation and the same practical tools that our southern attendees have been benefiting from.
“Bringing Social Media Fest to Belfast felt like the natural next step.”
The final speaker line-up includes Danielle Serpico from Blackbelt Mastermind, who will deliver ‘The Hidden Psychology Behind Why People Buy’.
Ruth Young from Ruthless Media, who will present ‘Are Your Meta Ads Working Against You?’, and Niamh Cushnahan from Purple Dot Media, who will deliver ‘From Pocket to Performance: Create Videos That Connect and Convert’.
Also joining the Belfast stage will be Niraj Kapur from Everybody Works In Sales with ‘How to write content on LinkedIn people connect with’.
Also, Turan Mirza from Feel Good Hypnosis with ‘Conquer Your Social Media Fears: Mindset Mastery for Creators”‘ and Tina Calder from Entrepreneurs Unleashed will deliver “AI For Marketing”, and Julia Bohnert from HighLevel with ‘The AI Flywheel.’
Conference director Esther Ocampo herself will also take to the stage, delivering ‘Create Loyalty Through Email: The Small Business Advantage”‘on behalf of IPA Group.
The line-up also features Colleen O’Donnell from Marque Digital Marketing with ‘Connect & c’How Smart Automations Make Brands More Human’.
New for the Belfast event, organisers have also confirmed a round table element of the day, designed to encourage connection and conversation as much as learning from the stage.
Round table discussions will include Google Analytics with Amanda Webb from Spiderworking, Podcasting with Melanie Boylan from The Monday Morning Marketing Podcast and STOMP SM Training, and Marketing Strategy with Hanna McDonnell from Hanna McDonnell Marketing.
What organisers say sets this conference apart from others in the sector is its deliberate focus on speakers who understand the specific realities of hyperlocal markets, delivering advice that attendees can act on immediately to make a difference in their business.
Conference director Ester Ocampo.
“Not only do we want to showcase the expertise and talent available in the marketing field across Northern Ireland and Ireland, but we wanted speakers that could show people not only how to shoot for the moon and a global audience but speakers who knew the importance of hyperlocal campaigns and how these can translate into incredibly powerful strategies for standing out in a global market too.”
Rather than drawing in names from outside Ireland who present strategies built around budgets and technologies that most local businesses can’t access, Social Media Fest Belfast will feature speakers rooted in the Northern Ireland and Irish business landscape, offering guidance that translates directly to the challenges facing entrepreneurs here.
Esther added: “There’s a tendency at conferences to bring in people from major cities in England or the US who tell you what is working for brands with enormous budgets, and you sit there thinking, that is never going to apply to my business. That is not what Social Media Fest is about.
“Every speaker at this event understands the local market.
“They know what it takes to build a business here, to reach customers here, and to grow from here. The advice you will hear on the day is advice you can take out of the room and use immediately, whether that means connecting with the person beside you, posting something that afternoon, or finally tackling the platform you have been putting off for months.”
Topics across the day will span the full social media landscape, including artificial intelligence, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, email marketing, video content, SEO and AEO, branding, paid advertising, Google Analytics, podcasting, community building, automation and marketing strategy, with each subject approached through the lens of what is achievable for small and medium-sized businesses today.
Sponsors and partners for the event include IPA Group, The Monday Morning Marketing Podcast, Entrepreneurs Unleashed, Ruthless Media, The Blackbelt Mastermind, FSB and HighLevel. HighLevel’s Julia Bohnert will also take to the stage with “The AI Flywheel”, while attendees will have the chance to win a set of AirPods Max on the day.
The overarching theme of “Connect, Create, Conquer” was chosen deliberately to reflect the journey organisers want attendees to go on across the day: starting with building genuine connections at a local level, developing content and communications that resonate, and ultimately building the kind of online presence that supports business growth at home and beyond.
“The conference follows a clear arc,” said Esther.
“We want people to connect – with the person sitting next to them, with their local community, with the broader island.
“We want them to create – content that actually works, emails that people open, videos that reflect who they really are.
“And then we want them to conquer – starting with their own backyard and then thinking about how to expand beyond it.
“It sounds simple, but most conferences never give you the time or the space to think through all three.”
Previous editions of Social Media Fest have drawn more than 200 in-person attendees, with a further 65 joining virtually, and the event’s hashtag has trended consistently across social platforms.
Testimonials from past attendees point to the atmosphere as much as the content, with one describing the experience as “a day away from the office to surround yourself with like-minded, enthusiastic and empowering people in business.”
Tickets for Social Media Fest Belfast 2026 are on sale now with subsidised tickets available for students, those who are unemployed, economically inactive, disabled or on the Job Start programme as well as registered charities and social enterprises, with organisers encouraging anyone in those categories to get in touch directly for a reduced-price code.
Esther added: “We’re very aware that not everyone has the same budget, and we want Social Media Fest to be genuinely accessible.
“If cost is a barrier, we want to hear from you. There are options, and we don’t want anyone to miss out if we can make something work.
“We also have group tickets and further opportunities for sponsoring elements of the day.”
Social Media Fest 2026 takes place at the Clayton Hotel, Belfast, on Wednesday April 29. Doors open at 8.30am for registration and the conference runs until 5pm. Tickets are available at:
Social Media Fest is a bi-annual conference for creators, entrepreneurs, small business owners and managers, organised by Esther Ocampo, owner of IPA Group. Built around the belief that practical, locally relevant knowledge delivers more value than theory, the event brings together speakers and attendees to share insights, explore trends and collaborate on growing businesses online and beyond.
Since its launch, Social Media Fest has held four events across the Republic of Ireland, including Wexford and Dublin, attracting more than 150 in-person attendees per event with a further 65 joining virtually. The event’s social reach extends to 1.4 million timelines, with its hashtag trending consistently across platforms.
The Belfast 2026 edition, taking place on Wednesday 29 April at the Clayton Hotel, is the first Social Media Fest event to be held in Northern Ireland. Topics covered across the day include artificial intelligence, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, email marketing and community building.
For tickets and further information, visit socialmediafestglobal.com or email:
Banbridge trainer Natalia Lupini takes aim at Naas on Monday with a single runner after bagging two winners last week
County Down trainer Natalia Lupini from Banbridge is targeting Naas’s Monday evening card, where she will send a single runner as she bids to maintain her good recent strike rate.
Read below for a rundown of Lupini’s recent form and her Naas runner courtesy of BetVictor Online Casino.
Natalía Lupini, Banbridge trainer, is looking for a good result for Whistling Jamesie at Naas on Monday night. She is in great form at the moment with a few wins.
Whistling Jamesieis all set to take his place in the in the six furlong handicap at with the three-year-old finishing last of eight last time out in a race at Dundalk which was one by one of his stablemates.
However, Whistling Jamesie did win on his handicap debut for Lupini at Dundalk last October as a 20/1 shot which left his previous form before that well in the rearview mirror so he is not without an each-way chance on Monday’s card.
Bishopton, another Lupini runner, won the race in which Whistling Jamesie finished down the field. However, Bishopton was declared a non-runner having held an entry in the six furlong handicap before being pulled out.
Lupini is currently operating at a 40% strike rate in the last 14 days, with two winners from five runners.
She had a winner on Limerick’s card on Saturday with Hellorhighwater, a nose winner of a mile handicap contest ridden by jockey Leigh Roche, while she also had a winner on Cork’s card on Friday when Zia Zabelwas the winner of a mile auction race for three-year-old’s under jockey Wayne Lordan.
Consultation opens on fisheries management plan for non-quota shellfish such as crabs, lobsters and scallops
A draft fisheries management plan (FMP) which is designed to improve the long-term sustainability of non-quota shellfish stocks in Northern Ireland has opened for public consultation.
The draft FMP sets out the objectives and actions designed to protect stocks of crabs, lobsters and scallops for future generations and ensure the fishing communities that rely on them can continue to thrive.
It is a commitment under the UK Joint Fisheries Statement and has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in close collaboration with the fishing industry, environmental organisations and science partners.
Opening the consultation, Minister Muir said: “The waters around Northern Ireland are home to some of the best wild shellfish and this fisheries management plan is vital for securing the long-term sustainability of the crab, lobster and scallop fisheries that are of significant economic importance for many of our inshore catching fleet and other local seafood businesses.
“This draft plan is the first of four that my Department is responsible for delivering.
“I thank the local fishing industry representatives and other stakeholders who have already been involved in the working groups to shape the draft plan ahead of this consultation.
“I would urge all interested parties to respond to this consultation to help chart the course to ensure these important shellfish fisheries are sustainable for generations to come.”
The public consultation on this draft FMP is open for 12 weeks until 17 July 2026.
The Department is also planning a webinar to take place during this consultation period and details will follow.
The crab and lobster fishermen in Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie will be watching this consultation closely as it could impact directly on their livelihoods. Many of these fishermen were former skippers and boat owners in the prawn fleet and either sold their licences or vessels and scaled down.
Also, the recent pressures on the Irish Sea fishery caused by the IOM asserting its fisheries boundaries means that a scallop fishery once fished close to the IOM is now not accessible for Northen Ireland fishermen unless they are registered and fishing from the IOM.
With the increase in restricted environmental zones in the Irish Sea, the likely growth of windfarms and the very high cost of diesel fuel, and the increased costs andf availability of forwign crews, the NI prawn fishing industy has its back to the wall and this trickles down to the crab and lobster sector.
The options for diversification into other areas of fishing are very limited and highly regulated.
Comber Rec had a two goal lead but Drumaness came with a late goal challenging for a draw
For the first 15 minutes, Comber were pressing Drumaness who tried to ride out the storm. Comber kept up a relentless attack on the visitors who surprisingly held out well writes Jim Masson.
Jack Sharvin made a few good crosses, the first to Sean Paul Holland then one to Callum Dougan but the Comber back line was quite clinical in its clearing up.
Up front, Dylan Donaldson was working hard trying to break down the Drumaness defense and Elliot Wilson and Mathew Tumilson too was making fine runs at the Drumaness goal.
But both teams face a phenomenon they were definitely not used to … heat and good weather. Play became settled as the players paced themselves making frequent use of their waterbottles.
As the game progressed, Drumaness striker Jack Sharvin went down with an injury in the Comber box which seemed to have slowed him down.
Donalson took a snap shot from 40 yards and it almost paid off but was held well by Drumaness keeper Marc Reid. There were a couple of injury stoppages again which the players were glad off in the heat. Play had at times become languid, the players feeling the strain of the long hard season.
As Callum Dougan made a charge towards the Comber box, Kris Gaw took his down and a foul was awarded. Sharvin stepped up to the ball but the shot was eventually held under control by keeper Andrew Topping.
Comber defender Lex Walker cuts into Drumaness winger Adam Kearney as midfielder Kristopher Gaw, right, closes in during the league clash at Park Way.
Then as half-time approached, Comber Captain Simon Hanna launched a low volley which went wide.
The teams went back to the changing rooms at half-time scoreless.
In the second half, Donaldson fired up and tortured the Drumaness defence but Gary Murdoch’s back line held well. Then gradually, Drumaness were finding opportunities to make incursions into the Comber half and the game seemed balanced.
But Jack Sharvin had to be replaced by McGivern on 48 minutes due to injury.
Aaron Mooney hit a screacher at the Comber goal on target but keeper Topping just managed to push it out for a corner. Then Callum Douigan was pressing the Comber goal.
Callum Dougan made a great cross through to Drumaness defender Keegan Domican whose shot flew over the top bar.
Then on another break Donaldson again pressed the Drumaness defenders. But the visitors broke and Domican sent a low voloy across the Comber goal just missing the back post
Drumaness Mills captain Gary Murdoch moves in to challenge Comber Rec top goal scorer James Sofley.
But quickly, the ball went upfield and Comber broke quickly on the attack and a shot at the Drumaness goal bounced off keeper Reid and Simon Hanna was there to collect the rebound and hammer the ball into the middle of the Drumaness net on 57 minutes.
Drumaness fought back but the pressure again built up on the visitors. Then Chris Murray who came on as a sub replacing Elliot Wilson his a powerful volley from outside the box which rose over the Drumaness top bar.
Comber kept up the pressure in the heat and after the water break, Lex Walker passed to Dylan Donaldson who put the ball through to top goal scorer James Sofley whose shot ricocheted off keeper Reid for a corner.
Christopher Murray again sent a Donaldson cross over the top bar. But on the 81st minute he headed the ball home to put Comber two goals ahead.
Drumaness roared back into life albeit late and challenged the Comber goal. Then as the game was almost finished, Callum Dougan popped the ball over the line in a scramble in front of the Comber goal-mouth.
Perhaps another 5 minutes might have seen a draw between the two sides, but Comber had done enough on a hot day with their keeper Corey Pollock still out with a head injury.
Comber sitting mid table have five games left this season and three are against East Belfast, Derriaghy CC and Lisburn Rangers. It will be a hard end of the season but a summer recess will be welcomed to refresh for the 2026-27 season ahead.
Drumaness are positioned third from the bottom, but they are 4 points clear of Mossley and Kilmore Rec is languishing on the bottom of the league, so they should survive in the Premier League to fight another day.
Film Hub NI is to show a special screening of ‘No Ordinary Heist’ in Portaferry at the Ferry Film Club on Thursday, May 7th 2026
Audiences in Portaferry can look forward to enjoying an exclusive screening of No Ordinary Heist, as part of Film Hub NI’s (FHNI) Collective programme, now delivered in partnership with Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT) which brings local films to local places via its network of community cinemas.
Inspired by the extraordinary true story of the Northern Bank robbery, No Ordinary Heist was directed by acclaimed Belfast filmmaker Conor McIvor starring Eddie Marsan and Éanna Hardwicke alongside Coleraine’s Michelle Fairley and Eva Birthistle with supporting roles by Belfast actors Patrick O’Kane, Andrea Irvine and Paddy Jenkins and Enniskillen’s Aislín McGuckin.
Curtis McClements, Chair of Ferry Film Club said: “No Ordinary Heist is a wonderful film featuring so many talented actors from Northern Ireland. We are delighted to be able to show it at Ferry Film Club on Thursday May 7th as part of Film Hub Ni’s first Collective Tour in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast.
Sara Gunn Smith and Joan Parsons announcing the new FHNI and QFT’s Collective partnership.
“It is sure to be a winner with our community audience.”
Sara Gunn-Smith, Marketing and Audiences Officer, Film Hub NI said: “Our new partnership with Queens Film Theatre secures the future of our pioneering Collective programme.
“It is fitting that No Ordinary Heist is our first film tour with QFT as an official partner, as Collective has always been about connecting people and growing audiences for independent film from across the island and ensuring underserved communities continue to access culturally significant cinema.
“Filmed on location in Belfast and Dublin, this film is a gripping account of the largest cash heist in UK and Irish history.”
Joan Parsons, Head of Arts and Culture, QFT added: “By embedding the highly successful Collective initiative within QFT, we are reinforcing our commitment to supporting independent film and ensuring local audiences can continue to access diverse and meaningful cinema.
“By prioritising rural audiences, the Collective also supports QFT’s wider community engagement goals, cementing its role as a cultural hub for the creative industries.”
Colin McIvor, Director, No Ordinary Heist also commented saying:“While living in Belfast, I found myself in the midst of a real-life event that captured my imagination: the largest cash heist in Irish and British history where the robbers never once set foot in the bank.
“A few years later, as a filmmaker, I couldn’t shake the story. I was convinced it had cinematic and global appeal, with the potential to achieve a real permanence in the mind.
“With the story still fresh in my own mind, I quickly wrote a first draft before reaching out to Dublin-based writer Aisling Corristine, to collaborate.
“Together, we were drawn to the human story behind this complex and terrifying event. And so, having been inspired, we set out to use this event as the basis for our own fictionalised drama.
‘No Ordinary Heist’ became a story, which at its core is one of the strength of the human spirit in a terrifying, real life-or-death situation.”
No Ordinary Heist is a Picture Locked production, presented by Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland in association with Screen Ireland, Next Wednesday Films, RTÉ, Epic Pictures Group, Wildcard and Northern Ireland Screen.
Film Hub NI is part of the BFI Film Audience Network supported through National Lottery funding, distributed by the British Film Institute.
No Ordinary Heist will be shown by Ferry Film Club on Thursday May 7th at 7pm. Tickets cost £7 plus booking fee ( which includes tea/coffee after the screening) and can be booked online via :
