The Belfast Giants can confirm the signing of 35-year-old netminder Alex Caffi for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
From Varese in Northern Italy, the Italian Austrian dual-national joins the Giants from Pioneers Vorarlberg of the Austrian ICEHL, where he made over 95 appearances between 2022 and 2026.
Prior to joining the Pioneers, Caffi iced for teams across Switzerland, Italy, and the United States, including HC Lugano, HC Ceresio, Milano Rossoblu, VEU Feldkirch, and the Mississippi RiverKings.
Alex Coffi from Italy is to mind the Giant’s nets for the rest of the season.
Adam Keefe, Head Coach of the Belfast Giants, said: “Throughout his career, Alex has gained a lot of invaluable experience across some great teams and leagues, and has proven himself to be a reliable, well-rounded netminder.
“Alex joins us at a critical point in the season where we need as many healthy bodies and as much roster depth as possible, so to bring in a player of Alex’s pedigree is a big boost.”
Caffi also boasts international experience, having made 10 appearances for the Italian national team between 2014 and 2019, including the 2014 IIHF World Championship.
Commenting on joining the Belfast Giants, Alex Caffi said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Giants family.
“I’m looking forward to getting to Belfast, meeting the fans, and helping the team finish the season as strongly as possible.”
The Giants kickstart a big week of home fixtures on Wednesday 4 March, taking on the Coventry Blaze in the re-arranged second leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final.
Adam Keefe’s side then welcome the Cardiff Devils to The SSE Arena, Belfast for a big double-header weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March. Limited tickets remain for these three fixtureshere.
McGrath to host cross-border healthcare discussion in Warrenpoint’sWhistledown Hotelon 19th March at 7pm
Colin McGrath MLA, SDLP Health Spokesperson, will host a public panel discussion bringing together leading healthcare and political voices from across the island to discuss the future of health services.
The event, Healthcare at the Crossroads, will take place on Thursday 19 March at 7pm in the Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint.
Panelists include Professor Gabriel Scally, a leading public health expert; Dr Frances O’Hagan, Chair of the BMA Northern Ireland GP Committee; Claire Hanna MP, Leader of the SDLP; and Ged Nash TD, Irish Labour TD for Louth.
Mr McGrath said the discussion will bring together a range of expertise at a critical time for healthcare.
He said: “Our health service is under enormous pressure and people across our communities are worried about what the future holds. Patients are waiting too long for treatment and staff are working under extraordinary strain.
“This event is about creating space for an honest conversation about where we are and where we need to go next.
“We have brought together voices with deep experience across public health, frontline medicine and political leadership. That range of expertise is important because there are no simple solutions to the challenges facing healthcare.
“What we do know is that continuing as we are is not an option. We need serious discussion about reform, workforce pressures and how we build services that are sustainable for the future.
“I hope people will come along, listen to the discussion and be part of an important conversation about the future of healthcare across our island.”
The event is free to attend and members of the public are encouraged to register in advance through Colin McGrath’s office at:
Kimmins launches two new hard hitting road safety campaigns
Minister for Infrastructure Liz Kimmins has launched two powerful new road safety campaigns which will go live on television screens today (Thursday 5th March 2026)).
The hard-hitting campaigns – called ‘Priority List’ and ‘Control or Speed’ – address two of the main causes of deaths and serious injuries on our roads – speeding and, more generally, driver behaviour.
Launching the campaigns the Minister said: “Too many people are dying on our roads, something that has been brought into sharp focus within recent weeks. We are only just into the third month of 2026 and, tragically, 15 people have lost their lives.
“We must all do everything we can to ensure no more families are plunged into the unimaginable and life changing grief that road deaths bring to their door.
“As Minister, I want to do all I can to ensure everyone who uses our roads, does so safely.
Infrastructure Minister is pictured with PSNI Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson at the launch of two new hard hitting road safety campaigns called ‘Priority List’ and ‘Control or Speed’ which aim to address two of the main causes of deaths and serious injuries on our roads – speeding and, more generally, driver behaviour.
“To help drive real behavioural change on our roads we need a societal conversation about how we all behave when we are travelling. Today I am launching two new powerful and hard-hitting advertisements to help stimulate that conversation.
“The first campaign, ‘Priority List’ challenges the everyday choices drivers make that lead to collisions – inattention, driving too close, and momentary distractions.
These may seem minor in the moment, but they can have devastating, life‑changing consequences. The campaign highlights how a split‑second decision to take a risk can end in tragedy, a scenario many of us will sadly recognise.
“The second camaign addresses excessive speed, which remains a major factor in deaths and serious injuries, particularly on rural roads where you are likely to encounter more difficulties. Despite the risks, many drivers believe they are in control when speeding.
However, evidence shows that speed reduces reaction time, increases stopping distances, and leads to more severe outcomes. The message of this campaign, entitled ‘Control or Speed’, is simple: you can have control, or you can have speed – but you cannot have both.”
Minister Kimmins added: “The campaigns will run across TV, radio, digital platforms, and outdoor media, with a focus on raising awareness among all drivers with a particular focus on younger drivers.
“Alongside this work, my Department is reviewing several speed‑related matters, including national speed limits on rural roads and dual carriageways, HGV limits, and the wider use of 20mph zones. A public consultation is now open, and I encourage you to take part and make your views heard.”
These latest road safety campaigns complement recent work undertaken by the Department for Infrastructure to improve road safety behaviour.
urrent campaigns include safety around school buses for childre, Be Bold.
Agriculture key to delivering economic growth says UFU President William Irvine
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is urging the UK Government to recognise the role farmers can play in supporting economic growth, following Tuesday’s spring statement by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, which focused heavily on boosting growth across the UK economy but made no mention of agriculture or the family farm tax.
UFU president William Irvine said that while the Chancellor’s spring statement was not intended to introduce major new policy measures.
He said that the Government will only deliver one fiscal event per year, and the Chancellor must not overlook the role that farmers can play in supporting economic growth and development if given freedom to invest without the burden of the family farm tax.
UFU President William Irvine says the UK hancellor must recognise the role farmers play in the economy.
“The Chancellor spoke extensively in her spring statement about the need to drive economic growth, but agriculture and the wider agri-food industry were not mentioned once.
“This is disappointing given the important role our sector plays in rural economies, food production, employment, and economic growth,” said Mr Irvine.
“Farmers are ready to invest and grow their businesses, but they need the right conditions to do so.”
The UFU welcomed Government’s IHT announcement in December which saw the 100% agricultural property relief threshold increase from the proposed £1 million to £2.5 million, transferable between partners, from April 2026, but argue that the tax must be completely overturned in the long-term.
“Many family farms will still face substantial inheritance tax bills, and instead of investing in new technology, improving and expanding their business, or supporting their workforce, farmers will now have to focus on setting significant sums of money aside in anticipation of a future tax bill that they were not prepared for and told for decades that they would never have to pay,” explained the president.
“If the Chancellor is serious about delivering long-term economic growth, she must ensure that agriculture and wider agri-food industry are a part of the conversation.
“And she must recognise the contribution farmers can make, and provide the tax environment conducive to sustainable economic growth and rural development.”
The UFU continues to call for the complete removal of the family farm tax.
Police appear to be making progress on the Lisa Dorrian disappearance in 2005
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team, investigating the disappearance and murder of Lisa Dorrian, have made a further arrest.
A 48-year-old man was arrested in the Craigavon area on Thursday 5th March.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders and preventing a lawful and decent burial.
Detective Chief inspector Kerrie Foreman said: “Twenty-one years ago a loving family were robbed of their daughter and sister.
“Lisa, who was from Bangor, was last seen alive on the night of Sunday 27 February 2005 in Ballyhalbert. It’s believed she was murdered that night or in the early hours of the following morning.
Police have arrested several people so far in the murder and disappearance of Lisa Dorrian from Bangor last seen at a caravan site at a party in Ballyhalbert in 2005.
“Our investigation is ongoing and we remain determined to provide answers, closure and justice.”
• A woman, aged 40, and a man, aged 42, arrested on Wednesday 25 February on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial were later released on bail pending further enquiries.
• A 40-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday 4 March on suspicion of assisting offenders and withholding information. He was later released on bail pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 101. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at:
Twenty Years On And Police Determined To Crack The Missing Lisa Dorrian Case
Detectives investigating the murder of Lisa Dorrian have today, 27 February, made a renewed appeal for information on her disappearance and murder.
The appeal comes on the 20th anniversary of Lisa’s disappearance and is supported by a reward from the independent charity Crimestoppers.
Additionally, detectives have, for the first time, released CCTV footage, which is the last known footage of Lisa in the days before her disappearance.
Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman, from the Police Service’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Lisa Dorrian was a young woman – just 25 years old – when she was murdered.
“Lisa, who was from Bangor, was last seen alive on the night of Sunday 27 February 2005 at a party in Ballyhalbert Caravan Park. It’s believed she was murdered that night or in the early hours of the following morning.
“Despite hundreds of extensive search operations and thousands of lines of enquiries completed, Lisa’s body has not been found, and those responsible for her murder have not yet been held to account.
“Twenty years have now passed. That’s 20 long years of unimaginable torment for a loving family. Yet, despite their pain, they’ve never given up their search for answers and, likewise, our determination has remained steadfast.
“We’re releasing CCTV footage, along with still images1. This is the last known footage of Lisa in the run-up to her disappearance. My hope is to jog memories, and to encourage anyone with information to speak up.”
Detective Chief Inspector Foreman said: “Lisa wasn’t just a name or an image on a photo or screen. She was a real person – a young woman with a family that love and continue to miss her dearly. They deserve to know what happened to her and they deserve justice.
“Those who have information, but who are reluctant or frightened to come forward, must surely have a troubled conscience. I am asking you to take this opportunity to do the right thing and speak up. Keep in mind that two decades have now passed. People’s circumstances may have changed, and allegiances may have changed.
“Please be assured that information can be passed, with 100% anonymity, to the independent charity Crimestoppers. The charity is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information given directly to them that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Lisa’s murder or, noteworthy, for information that results in the recovery of her body.
“With Crimestoppers, calls are never recorded, there’s no caller line display or 1471 facility, and computer IP addresses can never be traced.”
She added: “As a Police Service, we are committed to creating an environment where women and girls can feel safe and be safe.
“We promised that years one and two of our dedicated action plan were only the beginning of the journey, and the launch of a behavioural change campaign was a promise that we’re pleased to have recently delivered on.
“We want to help start a new narrative where we are all braver in challenging negative attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls. The harrowing statistics show that if we allow misogyny to fester in our communities any longer, more women and girls will suffer as a result.”
Anyone with information on the murder of Lisa Dorrian is asked to contact detectives on 101. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at:
McGrath says long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has said that the latest hospital waiting list figures underline the staggering situation facing patients across Northern Ireland.
He said it raises serious questions about whether tackling the backlog is truly a priority for the Executive.
The newest statistics show that more than 542,000 people are now waiting for a first outpatient appointment across the health service.
Of those, over 174,000 patients have been waiting longer than two years to be seen.
Mr McGrath said the numbers reveal a system where far too many people are left waiting while their conditions worsen.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “Hundreds of thousands of people are sitting in limbo, waiting for the phone call or the letter that tells them when they will finally be seen.
“For many of them that wait has stretched into years. That means people are living with pain, uncertainty, and conditions that are often getting worse while they wait for help.
“For a long time, the conversation around waiting lists has centred on money. While funding is part of the picture, we also need to change the way our health service operates. When we see figures like these it raises a broader issue about priorities.
“If reducing waiting lists was truly being treated as an urgent priority across the Executive, people would expect to see a much clearer and more determined plan to bring them down.
“People want to see progress and at the moment it doesn’t always feel like the system is moving in the right direction.
“We have heard from the Health Minister that waiting lists are being reduced, but at the moment far too many people still feel like they have simply been left waiting indefinitely.”
Funding Boost for District’s Community Transport Providers
Newry Mourne and Down District Council has helped drive the success of two local transport providers connecting people and communities.
The Council’s partnership with the voluntary sector helped pave the way for Down Community Transport and Newry and Mourne Community Transport to secure £200,000 from the Social Supermarket Fund (SSF) to each purchase a new mini bus and employ an additional driver to meet a growing demand for services.
The additional minibuses have not only had a positive impact on drivers and staff, but individuals and community groups. Over the past year, the transport providers carried almost 11,000 passengers on nearly 3,400 journeys, helping address social isolation and enhance community well-being.
Together, they employ 16 drivers, have 19 mini buses and a number of volunteer drivers, making a positive difference in people’s lives and ensuring they can remain active in their respective communities by getting out and about, with the Dial-A-Lift (DAL) service assisting those who find it challenging to access public transport.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell (second left), with Chris Moore (left) from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which, supported by the Strategic Stakeholder Forum, provided funding for two new minibuses and drivers for Down Community Transport and Newry and Mourne Community Transport. Included are Down Community Transport manager Shelieen Brady and Newry and Mourne and Community Transport Chief Executive Stephen Yeomans.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said: “Community transport providers play an invaluable role, particularly at the heart of rural communities. For many with mobility needs, the community transport service is a lifeline.
“The organisations have faced significant funding pressures in the past and I am delighted the service is going from strength-to-strength.
“Transporting almost 11,000 passengers in a year shows the reliance people place on this invaluable service which is staffed by committed individuals, providing access for a wide group of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, Special Education Needs and community group members.”
The Council Chairperson added: “Community transport providers are making a positive difference across Newry, Mourne and Down and an important contribution to people’s overall health and wellbeing, with their staff among the many unsung heroes who work across our district.”
Down Community Transport manager, Sheileen Brady, thanked Newry Mourne and Down District Council for its support and funding provided through the SSF.
She said: “This investment has made a genuine and measurable difference across the district. The funding has enabled both organisations to introduce two new accessible buses, strengthen DAL and group hire services and respond to growing community demand,” she said.
“The funding has enabled fleet modernisation and the recruitment of an additional driver, increasing our teams to 16 drivers and expanding our fleet to 19 buses.
“This has improved reliability, comfort, safety, and service flexibility while creating local employment. The impact goes far beyond transport alone, with the buses reducing isolation, increasing independence, and strengthening community wellbeing.”
Newry and Mourne Community Transport chief executive, Stephen Yeomans, said the funding it received had an exceptionally positive impact on the organisation and many individuals and community groups across the Council area.
Stephen added: “The additional finance has enabled us to deliver affordable and accessible transport, reducing social isolation and allowing more people with mobility needs to participate in social, recreational and community services.
“The funding has allowed us to modernise our ageing fleet. With a dependable vehicle and additional driver, we have been able to extend our services, respond more flexibly to community need and support increased volunteering and partnership working.”
Re-opening Tollymore Outdoor Centre is a priority for Sinn Féin says Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has repeated his commitment to the future of the Tollymore Outdoor Centre following a recent meeting to discuss the centre’s re-opening and long-term sustainability.
The South Down MP said: “The reopening of Tollymore Outdoor Centre in Bryansford is a priority for Sinn Féin.
“During a recent meeting with Sports Council CEO Richard Archibald to discuss the ongoing review of the Centre, I reiterated the need to develop a sustainable future for Tollymore which benefits Ireland’s outdoor recreation sector, and our local community alike.
South Down MP Chris Hazzard, centre, pictured with Cllr Niall Lawlor and Sports Council CEO Chris Archibald, right, at Tollymore Outdoor Centre near Newcastle. Chris Hazzard has committed to see the re-opening of the centre.
“This world-class asset located in the heart of the Mournes should also not exist in isolation from the growing tourism and visitor product in the local area.
“It should not be beyond the scope of possibilities to develop a model that meets all these needs.
“Significantly, the new operating model must recognise that the mountain leadership and safety training delivered at Tollymore is about saving lives.
“This is an essential public service that cannot be measured by simple profit margins. Protecting the integrity of this safety training must be a key focus.
Mr Hazzard added: “Sinn Féin look forward to our engagement with those charged with reviewing the Tollymore Centre, and the outdoor recreation sector who have hitherto been responsible for the training on offer.
“We also look forward to the public consultation which will commence shortly, which will offer our local community an important opportunity to have their say on the future of the Tollymore Outdoor Centre.”
Downpatrick biker Aidan Flanagan gives thumbs up for bikers’ run in support of Heart Failure Warriors NI starting from Ballygowan
Aidan Flanagan (67) from Downpatrick is very thankful to Heart Failure Warriors NI for the advice and support the group has given him on his journey coping with heart failure.
He suggested organising a motorbike event on Sunday 12th April starting at 10am from the Olivet House in Ballygowan and the idea went into top gear right away catching the imagination. The bikes will leave Ballygowan and do a lap of County Down and finish off beside Cloud 9 restaurant beside Ulster Flying Club, Newtownards.
Aidan said: “I suffered from heart failure when I was 46. I was a non-smoker and had a good diet and didn’t drink, yet it affected me very significantly.
“I thought nothing of a cough I had for a few weeks, but fluid had built up in my lungs. I had a viral infection in my heart and my lungs were not clearing fluid to my bladder quickly enough. My heart was racing at 260. It was quite a dangerous situation even back then. I’m lucky to have got through it all.
“I came across Heart Failure Warriors NI on the internet and I met up with Nicole McKelvie, one of the co-founders of the organisation, and went to a meeting up in Ards.
Aidan Flanagan is delighted that the County Down Marshals and Heart Failure NI are working on his idea of a fund-raising bike run from Ballygowan to Ards. (Ai Generated).
“Quite quickly I got on to the right track after a number of years of just taking the same medication without being re-assessed.
“I tended to sleep quite a bit to recharge. I was taking a lot of tablets back then and still do. And after all those years I went back to doc for an up-to-date examination. I hadn’t seen a cardiologist for over 15 years back in those days.
Aidan said that the last time he had an echocardiogram was in 2017. So everything began to change for the better for him after joining the group.
‘”After I initially came out of hospital after the serious illness, the nurses put me through a course and gave me my meds but things fell away from then on. It was just a question of taking my tablets. I also had a serious thyroid problem at one stage. I take Apixaban now which is a different blood thinner from warfarin.
“Being in a group of people sharing the same issues helped me get to grips with heart failure. I became more confident and asked for help and I got it.
“The Heart Failure Warriors NI helped build my confidence and it eventually helped improve my life chances and made me feel more hopeful. It was all about getting useful, up-to-date information from the group and the right level of support and encouragement.”
Aidan said he attends the support group in Ards once a month on a Monday evening and says it is a life-line for its members. It provides useful information and helps keep his confidence up and keeps him in contact with others all suffering from heart failure.
He added: “Nicole and her colleagues and volunteers have done an excellent job in setting up Heart Failure Warriors NI in many bases across Northern Ireland and across County Down from Newry to Ards to Banbridge.”
Nicole McKelvie, Co-Founder of Heart Failure Warriors, said: “There are over 23,000 people in Northern Ireland diagnosed with heart failure but there are more un-diagnosed or mis-diagnosed.
“I was personally diagnosed with it in 2023 when I thought I was suffering from asthma. I was rushed to hospital in a very ill state.
“What Aidan said is correct about post-hospital care. When you are finished with the heart failure team you may often feel left on your own. It is quite frightening.
“So I decided along with my sister and others to set up Heart Failure Warriors NI to provide support for those people who seem to fall between the stones.
‘We aim to provide support and advice for sufferers, families, friends and carers. We are open to all people suffering from heart issues. We cover heart failure support, pre and post-transplant advice and support, and those who have had heart devices fitted.
“So we are looking forward to the motorbiking event on Sunday 12th April starting in Ballygowan. It will raise important funds but also importantly raise awareness of the issues around heart failure.”
Essential sewer improvements to get underway in Solitude Park, Banbridge
NI Water is set to begin a programme of sewer relining works in the Solitude Park area of Banbridge later this month. Solitude Park will remain open throughout the works, with path diversions in place around any working area.
The work, which is aimed at strengthening the local sewer network and reducing the risk of out-of-sewer flooding, is due to get underway on Monday 16th March and will take approximately 10 days to complete.
Traffic management will be required on Rathfriland Street between the hours of 09:30 and 16:30 each day to complete the work as safely as possible and facilitate the positioning of construction machinery.
Speaking about the work and associated traffic management, Robert McLean, NI Water Senior Project Manager, said: “Through the relining and strengthening of existing sewers, this NI Water investment will help the system to work more reliably, reducing the likelihood of blockages while helping to protect the local environment against out-of-sewer flooding.
Screenshot
“The work will be carried out from existing manholes, thereby avoiding the need for extensive excavation. However, to facilitate the machinery required to support these works – including large tankers – the following traffic management will be in place on Rathfriland Street between 09:30 and 16:30 each day.”
Traffic management is as follows:
Rathfriland Street will be closed to through traffic between Erinvale Terrace and Rathfriland Road/Kenlis Street from Monday 16th March to Thursday 19th March, with a signed diversion in place via Erinvale Terrace, Townsend Street and Kenlis Street.
A lane closure will then be in operation on Rathfriland Street, from Erinvale Terrace to Rathfriland Road from Thursday 19th March to Wednesday 25th March.
No works will take place on Tuesday 17th March, and Rathfriland Street will be open as normal.
Robert added: “All traffic management will be removed at 16:30 each day. Access to properties will be maintained throughout the works, although some minor delays may be experienced. Pedestrian access will also be available along Rathfriland Street and within Solitude Park.
“We would ask the public to follow any diversion signposted and be mindful of construction traffic in the area mid to late March.
“NI Water and our project team from AECOM and GEDA thank residents, businesses, park users and motorists for their patience while this essential work is completed.”
