Minutes:
The Lord Mayor referred to an unprovoked attack on three members of Council staff which had occurred in central Belfast on 31st January. She condemned the incident and added that her thoughts and prayers were with the members of staff. A number of Members concurred with the Lord Mayor’s comments and extended their best wishes to the staff members.
The Lord Mayor referred also to the recent retirements of long-standing staff members Mr. Cormac McCann and Ms. Mary McKenna. She thanked them both for their dedication to service and, on behalf of the Council, wished them well in retirement.
Councillor R. Brooks paid tribute to Mr. Jonathan McAlpine of the Eastside Partnership on the successful hosting the Eastside Awards and congratulated those groups and individuals who had been nominated. In particular, she referred Mr. Gregor Galway of Templemore Baths, Ms. Dot Blackburn from the Cregagh Estate and the Titanic Gentlemen’s Club, all of whom had received awards. At Councillor R. Brooks’ request, the Lord Mayor agreed to write to congratulate the individuals and the club mentioned.
Councillor Dornan referred to the recent passing of Ms. Violet Larmour, who was a past member of Council staff. Councillor Larmour paid tribute to Ms. Larmour’s loyalty and community activism and added that she would be dearly missed within the wider Shankill area. At Councillor Dornan’s request, the Lord Mayor agreed to write to Ms. Larmour’s family to express condolences on behalf of the Council.
Councillor Groogan referred to recent revelations which had linked the former Senator George Mitchell, who had been made a Freeman of the City in 2018, to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She added that she had requested that the Chief Executive put in place a review of the former Senator’s status as a Freeman of the City and to make appropriate changes to demonstrate the Council's commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity. In response, the Chief Executive indicated that legal advice had been sought in the matter.
Councillor McKeown congratulated Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School on their winning of the MacLarnon Cup when they had defeated St Eunan’s of Letterkenny in the final on 5th February. In addition, Councillor McKeown expressed his gratitude to those staff members who had overseen the work associated with the opening of the dedicated dog park within Ormeau Park.
Councillor Long thanked all those staff members who had been involved in the delivery of the Council’s first-ever epilepsy awareness session, which had taken place to coincide with International Epilepsy Day earlier that morning. Councillor S. Douglas concurred with the comments of Councillor Long.
Councillor Meenahan referred to the recent passing of Mr. Danny Hale, who had been a prolific goal scorer for, amongst other clubs, Cliftonville, Crusaders and Derry City throughout the 1960s. At Councillor Meenahan’s request, the Lord Mayor agreed to write to Mr. Hale’s family to express condolences on behalf of the Council.
Alderman Copeland congratulated Mr. A. J. Carlisle and Ms. Emma Kincaid of the St John’s Ambulance - Grove Cadets Division, who had both received the Knight Commander’s Certificate of Commendation for the “professionalism and selflessness” they had displayed during a medical emergency which had occurred at the Asda store on the Shore Road in November, 2025. The Lord Mayor agreed to write to congratulate both cadets and to consider hosting an event to recognise the wider achievements of young people across Belfast.
In response to a request from Councillor Lyons, the Lord Mayor undertook to write a letter of condolence to the family of Mr. Petesy Burns on his recent passing. Mr. Burns had been a stalwart of the Belfast music scene for more than forty years, and as a community activist who had helped found the Belfast Music Collective in the 1980s.
Councillor S. Douglas referred to the recent reopening of the Better Gym at Connswater, which represented one of the largest investments ever made by Greenwich Leisure Limited. The Lord Mayor agreed to write to the Chief Executive of Greenwich Leisure Limited to express the Council’s gratitude for the investment in a centre which would, he added, prove to be of great benefit, particularly to the people of east Belfast.