05/09/2025
Lurgan Man Jailed For Sexual Abuse Of Six Children
A man from Lurgan has been sentenced to five years in prison for the sexual abuse of six children.
Patrick Lavery, aged 40, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Thursday, 4 September 2025, after being found guilty of multiple offences including gross indecency and indecent assault.
The abuse took place over a decade, between 1999 and 2009, when the victims were as young as six years old. Lavery was arrested in February 2024 and, following a trial, was convicted in June. He will serve half of his sentence in custody and the remainder on licence.
Detective Inspector Chris Flemming described Lavery as a "cold, calculating and incredibly manipulative child predator." He praised the "bravery of the victims" for coming forward and said that the sentence, he hoped, would give others who have suffered the confidence to break their silence.
A Sexual Offences Prevention Order has also been imposed on Lavery for a period of ten years, and he will be placed on the sex offenders register for the remainder of his life. Police are continuing to encourage anyone with information to contact them on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Patrick Lavery, aged 40, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Thursday, 4 September 2025, after being found guilty of multiple offences including gross indecency and indecent assault.
The abuse took place over a decade, between 1999 and 2009, when the victims were as young as six years old. Lavery was arrested in February 2024 and, following a trial, was convicted in June. He will serve half of his sentence in custody and the remainder on licence.
A Sexual Offences Prevention Order has also been imposed on Lavery for a period of ten years, and he will be placed on the sex offenders register for the remainder of his life. Police are continuing to encourage anyone with information to contact them on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Latest Northern Ireland News
05 September 2025
Lurgan Man Jailed For Sexual Abuse Of Six Children
A man from Lurgan has been sentenced to five years in prison for the sexual abuse of six children. Patrick Lavery, aged 40, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Thursday, 4 September 2025, after being found guilty of multiple offences including gross indecency and indecent assault.
Lurgan Man Jailed For Sexual Abuse Of Six Children
A man from Lurgan has been sentenced to five years in prison for the sexual abuse of six children. Patrick Lavery, aged 40, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Thursday, 4 September 2025, after being found guilty of multiple offences including gross indecency and indecent assault.
05 September 2025
Baroness Cass To Assess Gender Identity Services In NI
Baroness Hilary Cass, who led the national Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People, has been asked by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to conduct an assessment of the provision of gender identity services in Northern Ireland.
Baroness Cass To Assess Gender Identity Services In NI
Baroness Hilary Cass, who led the national Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People, has been asked by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to conduct an assessment of the provision of gender identity services in Northern Ireland.
05 September 2025
NI Executive Condemns Racism And Sectarianism
The Northern Ireland Executive has issued a strong statement condemning all forms of racism, sectarianism, and hostility towards individuals of different backgrounds. The Executive has called for calm across all communities, stating that all acts of violence and intimidation are "abhorrent" and must "stop immediately".
NI Executive Condemns Racism And Sectarianism
The Northern Ireland Executive has issued a strong statement condemning all forms of racism, sectarianism, and hostility towards individuals of different backgrounds. The Executive has called for calm across all communities, stating that all acts of violence and intimidation are "abhorrent" and must "stop immediately".
05 September 2025
Justice Minister Meets New Therapy Dog
A new therapy dog named Sebastian is helping to make the court experience less intimidating for children and young people. The two-year-old St Bernard x Bernese Mountain Dog works with the NSPCC Young Witness Service to support young people who are preparing to attend court.
Justice Minister Meets New Therapy Dog
A new therapy dog named Sebastian is helping to make the court experience less intimidating for children and young people. The two-year-old St Bernard x Bernese Mountain Dog works with the NSPCC Young Witness Service to support young people who are preparing to attend court.
05 September 2025
Road Disruption Expected In L'Derry This Weekend
Motorists in the Derry City & Strabane area should expect traffic disruption this weekend due to a number of planned parades. A band parade is scheduled for this evening, Friday, 5 September, in Newbuildings. A smaller parade will take place from 7.30pm to 8.15pm, followed by a larger one from 8.30pm until 11pm.
Road Disruption Expected In L'Derry This Weekend
Motorists in the Derry City & Strabane area should expect traffic disruption this weekend due to a number of planned parades. A band parade is scheduled for this evening, Friday, 5 September, in Newbuildings. A smaller parade will take place from 7.30pm to 8.15pm, followed by a larger one from 8.30pm until 11pm.
05 September 2025
Murder Inquiry Launched After Man Dies In Mountnorris
Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Mountnorris. A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody, assisting detectives with their enquiries.
Murder Inquiry Launched After Man Dies In Mountnorris
Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Mountnorris. A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody, assisting detectives with their enquiries.
05 September 2025
Man Arrested In Belfast Over 'Grandparent Scam'
The PSNI have arrested a 24-year-old man in east Belfast, wanted to face fraud charges in Hungary. He was detained on a Hungarian extradition warrant and is due to appear before Laganside Extradition Court later today, Friday, 5 September 2025.
Man Arrested In Belfast Over 'Grandparent Scam'
The PSNI have arrested a 24-year-old man in east Belfast, wanted to face fraud charges in Hungary. He was detained on a Hungarian extradition warrant and is due to appear before Laganside Extradition Court later today, Friday, 5 September 2025.
05 September 2025
Other News In Brief
UUP Does Not Support Councillor Strike Action The Ulster Unionist Party's Councillors Association has stated that the party does not support any suggestion of strike action or work-to-rule. The move follows the Ministerial Review of the Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors in Northern Ireland.
Other News In Brief
UUP Does Not Support Councillor Strike Action The Ulster Unionist Party's Councillors Association has stated that the party does not support any suggestion of strike action or work-to-rule. The move follows the Ministerial Review of the Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors in Northern Ireland.
04 September 2025
Warning After Victim Loses £20,000 In Online Course Scam
A member of the public in Ards and North Down recently lost £20 thousand in an online scam that promised a personal development language certificate. Police have issued a warning to the public to be cautious of fraudulent websites and online advertisements following the report.
Warning After Victim Loses £20,000 In Online Course Scam
A member of the public in Ards and North Down recently lost £20 thousand in an online scam that promised a personal development language certificate. Police have issued a warning to the public to be cautious of fraudulent websites and online advertisements following the report.
04 September 2025
More Than 2,100 Motoring Offences Over Bank Holiday Weekend
Figures released by the Police Service have revealed that more than 2,100 motoring offences were detected in Northern Ireland during a three-day road safety operation over the summer bank holiday weekend, from Saturday, 23 August to Monday, 25 August 2025.
More Than 2,100 Motoring Offences Over Bank Holiday Weekend
Figures released by the Police Service have revealed that more than 2,100 motoring offences were detected in Northern Ireland during a three-day road safety operation over the summer bank holiday weekend, from Saturday, 23 August to Monday, 25 August 2025.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.