Barney Morgan

This is the abandoned half built ‘dream home’ of Ulster’s King Coke – Barney ‘Rubble’ Morgan.

Barney Morgan's rotting half built mansion

 The forlorn pile of bricks has lain untouched for almost four years, since the Sunday World first revealed the border drug dealer was pouring his ill gotten gains into building the mansion in the countryside outside Newry.

Work halted at the Ballykeel Road site when we revealed the true extent of Morgan’s criminal empire.

A succession of building firms refused to work on the house after it emerged the site was owned by a cocaine peddling gangster.

And now the house is unlikely to ever be completed. Morgan’s marriage to childhood sweetheart Joanne has turned sour and while the couple still share a house at Willow Grove on the fringes of the border city, they lead separate lives.

The Sunday World understands Morgan is currently in a relationship with the former girlfriend of a rival drug dealer.

He has been flaunting his new love around Newry, much to the annoyance of rival dealer The Chocolate.

The pair have been deadly rivals for years, at one stage The Chocolate threatened to usurp Morgan as top dog in the border city. He had the protection of a criminal gang and a number of Morgan’s crew had ‘defected’ to his side.

But the Sunday World can reveal that the tables have turned. The Chocolate had been bankrolled by a gang of self-styled republican criminals which had loose connections with the Official Republican Movement, a splinter group which broke away from the Official IRA.

The gang began to distance themselves from The Chocolate after the dealer’s behaviour became more and more unpredictable. 

He was involved in a series of violent confrontations including an incident involving the driver of Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy in which a man was beaten in broad daylight in the middle of Newry.

He was also involved in furious outburst with a leading member of the republican gang.

The criminal outfit has switched sides and is now providing protection for Morgan.

The Sunday World is aware of the identity of the senior criminal figure who, in return for a slice of Morgan’s profits provides the drug dealer with a bodyguard.

The Chocolate has now gone to ground.

Petrolhead Morgan, below, who runs a tyre depot on the outskirts of Newry as well as buying and selling cars, has spent years building up an extensive criminal empire. 

Sources have told us his drug running and tobacco smuggling operation is worth more than £30 million a year.

Despite a penchant for fast cars, the drug lord maintains a low profile around Newry and was seen this week 

driving a black Skoda. We understand he has access to up to 15 different vehicles and is never seen in the same car if he can arrange it.

And we can also reveal that has only returned this week from a fresh tobacco buying trip to the continent.

Morgan and his gangster nephew John ‘Flo Jo’ Morgan are regulars at an underground bookies being run from a house in The Meadows estate in Newry, laundering thousands of pounds from Barney’s drugs empire.

Flo Jo phones in a series of bets, placing money on every horse on the card guaranteeing a pay out. The bookie receives a “fee” in return for taking the bets.

“You’ll never see Barney or Flo Jo at the house, they have too many enemies in the estate and would end up getting a kicking. But that doesn’t stop them doing business there,” a well-placed source told us.

John 'Flo Jo' Morgan

It is understood the pair will be betting heavily this week as the Cheltenham Festival gets under way.

Flo Jo has been brought back into the fold after the pair had a violent parting of the ways last summer.

Barney battered his nephew after Flo Jo taunted him about his wife and a Limerick-based crime boss.

Colin 'Meerkat' Fulton

Colin ‘Meerkat’ Fulton has failed to gag the Sunday World from reporting on his UVF membership.

High Court judge Mr Justice Gillen ruled on Thursday that death threats directed at Fulton, who this newspaper has repeatedly linked to the UVF, were due to his own association with paramilitaries, and not as a result of Sunday World reportage. 

Judge Gillen said: “His (Mr Fulton's) continued association with alleged notorious UVF members and his consequent public exposure, notwithstanding the early threats to his life, suggests that he may be drawn inexorably to activity which generates the threat to his life which he most fears.”

The court heard that Fulton, who argued that he is not a member of the UVF, flew a UVF flag from the front of his south Belfast house.

Fulton, who claimed he had never been arrested, was found to be lying on the matter, with Justice Gillen stating that he had "some difficulties with the boundaries between fact and fiction.”

Northern Editor of the Sunday World, Jim McDowell said: "The message needs to be sent out; criminals and their associates cannot hide behind the law.

"By dismissing another attempt at gagging the media, the courts have underlined the absolute public interest in uncovering and reporting on the criminal activity which is all too familiar in many parts of Northern Ireland."

Mr McDowell also said that the Sunday World would be seeking an urgent meeting with the Justice Minister David Ford on the issue of granting legal aid for the purpose of press injunctions.  

 Brendan Conway

Last month convicted robber and dissident republican Brendan Conway’s bid to silence the Sunday World - as well as other news outlets - failed as well. 

A judge said the Sunday World was entitled to "unflinchingly and robustly investigate.”

Pictured (L-R) Miss Gillies Zoe Robb from Randalstown,2013 Miss NI Meagan Green and Miss Ballymena Emma Zacharopoulou from Jordanstown.

Miss Spice Lisburn Sara Murphy and Miss Lisburn Claire McErlean.

Pictured Spice Lisburn's Top Seven (L-R), Nicole Caldwell,Sara Murphy,Page McLaughlin,Megan Catherine Boe,Lindsay Buick,Claire McErlean and Catherine Mateer.

Miss Spice Lisburn Sara Murphy and Miss Lisburn Claire McErlean.

Miss Northern Ireland Open + Direct 2014 top eight heat in Gillies Bar, Ballymena.

Miss Northern Ireland brought joy this week to three former contestants who have got into the final after a second attempt.

And the latest heat in Gillies Bar at the Galgorm had an international flavour as fluent Greek speaker Emma Zacharopoulou won Miss Ballymena while Miss Gillies Zoe Robb learned Spanish after moving to Mexico for a year at 18.

 As the search for a successor to Meagan Green hots up the fifth heat brings to 10 the number of winners who have already booked their place in the final.

 Former Miss Northern Ireland Zoe Salmon went along to join the judging panel, which also included Meagan, organiser Alison Clarke, Jonathan Kirkpatrick from co-sponsors Open+Direct and Kirsty Worthington from the Galgorm.

 Read more in this week's Sunday World

A murder investigation has begun after the body of a man was found in Ardoyne in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Two men have been arrested after the body was found in a flat at Ardoyne Place just before 3am on Saturday.

The PSNI have opened an incident room at Musgrave Street police station and are appealing to anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the area to contact them.

Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni Chuilin said: "Ardoyne is a tight-knit community and news of this death has come as a shock to everyone. I would appeal to anyone with any information to bring it forward as soon as possible.”

Stephen Murney

Republican activist Stephen Murney says he endured repeated enforced strip searches in a 14 month “living hell” behind bars.

In an exclusive interview within days of walking free, after being cleared of a raft of terrorist charges, the Eirigi press officer lifted the lid on the brutal prison regime which he described as physical and mental torture.

“I was forcibly strip searched about 20 to 30 times when I was in there (Maghaberry),” he said.

“Just before the searches were about to happen, I was taken into a room and asked if I was going to comply with a search, I would make it known I wouldn’t.

“Then I was left in a room for about 15minutes, a reflection period they call it, in the cell by yourself.

“Basically this was to get you worried, as you know what’s going to happen to you. The cell then opens and half a dozen screws, the Riot Squad as they are known in jail, enter the room in black boiler suits with utility belts and batons. You are standing in the cell, they stand around you.

“One in front, grabbed me by the face, each one to the side grabbed me by the arms, and hold you out like a crucifix position.

 

“The others behind me force me on my knees then pushed my face literally into the ground. At that point you are fully clothed, then they start removing your clothing. I didn’t put up resistance.

 

“They held me in arm locks and pressure points and then left me lying on the ground, degraded and feeling humiliated.

 

“And they never tell you what they are looking for,” explained Mr Murney.

He said the searches were unnecessary as the prison is equipped with an electronic BOSS chair that can detect any foreign item in the body.

In a frank and open interview the Newry republican spoke of his determination to continue to fight for his political goals yet publicly backed a non-combatant approach to achieving a United Ireland.

“Eirigi is engaging publicly and privately in relation to the futility of armed actions.

“There are people who agree and disagree with our analysis and that is a range of all people, but I would support the party’s position,” said Mr Murney.

However the former republican prisoner stopped short of condemning acts of violence carried out by other members of his group and the acts of dissident terror groups, including the murders of Constable Ronan Kerr and prison officer David Black.

“The politics of condemnation never worked for 40 years. I am not going to jump on the bandwagon of condemnation now, but what I can say is that I do not support armed groups and their actions.

“There is a major misconception that dissident activity equates to armed actions. Remember the dissidents of the Soviet Union were the toast of the West.

“There is a whole raft of republicans of different shades who disagree with the status quo who don’t go out there with armed actions on their minds.

“Former members of Sinn Fein and the IRA are coming out saying where they stand. Being a dissident does not necessarily equate with being involved in armed activity and Eirigi’s position on armed activity is clear as it was to Judge Philpott who has totally vindicated me and my party,” he added.

Last Monday, Corrine Philpott QC, acquitted the Eirigi spokesman after six of the charges including possession of BB guns and combat styled clothing were thrown out in a no bill application.

The final charge of taking and publishing photographs of PSNI officers on his Facebook account from the 2012 Olympic Torch run were also thrown out of by the Diplock court judge.

Defending solicitor Darragh Mackin has now confirmed that he will be pursuing a civil action for damages for his client.

Speaking to the Sunday World Murney revealed how he coped with humiliating ‘crucifix-styled’ strip searches and ill treatment during his 14 months on remand.

His health has suffered, the visible toll on his physique can be seen in his significant loss in weight.

The 30-year-old admits the experience proved to be a mental as well as physical “torture” following repeated, forced strip searches, sometimes twice a day.

Murney was arrested in November 2012. He was offered bail of £1,000 bail with the conditions that he stayed out of Newry. He rejected the terms and continued to decline the conditions for a further year.

“I have no doubt if I had accepted the bail I would have ended up breaching them through no fault of my own, and be on further charges.

“The whole experience was hard on family, especially my son six-year-old son Rhys.

“He knew where I was and why, he knew the police had been harassing me for months before the raid. He was there in the house when the armed police raided my home at six in the morning,” he recalled.

It was the visits from his much loved son and the support of his family that kept him going through his darkest of hours.

“As you can imagine I always looked forward to his visits. It was really difficult to say no to bail, but I had the support of my family.

“My mother, Martina wrote to the Attorney General John Larkin, the NI Human Rights Commission, and the director of public prosecutions to examine my case. So there was a campaign going on all the time.

“We were being heard before I was arrested and we are continuing to be heard and that is what the British state tried to put a stop to by locking me a way,” said Mr Murney.

The position of the press officer is to continue in his work with the political group in establishing a new electoral campaign north and south of the border.

The socialist republican does says that a united Ireland is possible in his lifetime, but has says the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness is living in “Cloud Cuckoo Land”.

“Martin McGuinness’ vision of a united Ireland by 2016 is just two years away, and in my opinion it is just not going to happen.

“I would like to see it happen in my lifetime. Ireland has a wealth of natural reserves that is yet to be taped into, and just like Scotland voting on independence, it can happen here too.

“We have already chosen candidates for the upcoming local council elections with two in Belfast and seven in the South. And we will be considering potentially sitting in the new super council of Newry, Mourne and Down.

“Don’t forget I am an innocent man, and I intend to pursue my political beliefs despite all that has happened to me,” said Mr Murney.

In the same week as the Newry man walked out of Laganside courts to greet his party supporters, four fellow Eirigi members were sentenced to six years in jail at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for possession of firearms and handguns.

Trinity PhD student Ursula Shannon (30) of Clonsilla, Dublin and her co-accused John McGreal (37), from Rush, and Colin Brady (24), of Kinsealy, both Co. Dublin, were found guilty of the offences after a short trial.

A fourth co-accused, John Troy (34) of Cabra, Dublin had pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of the same Taurus pistol, magazine, Walther P5 pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight on the same date.

Stephen Murney stated it was not his place to condemn the actions of any republican.

Jimmy 'Dazzler' Birch

Love cheat terror boss Jimmy Birch put his young lover out of her home, after his wife rumbled their secret affair.

East Belfast UDA chief Jimmy ‘Dazzler’ Birch was cheating on his wife with the partner of one of his own men but when his dalliance was uncovered he cruelly ordered his young lover out of her home on the Tullycarnett estate.

The mother of two has left the area but is understood to still be living in the east of the city.

The affair has cost her dearly. Once her partner discovered Birch was bedding the mother of his kids he moved out. 

Sources have told us he was left devastated but was powerless to do anything about it.

Grafitti

“He’s one of Birchie’s men,” said our source, “what could he do? He couldn’t move against a leader in the UDA, he just had to swallow his pride.”

Birch was ridiculed over the affair with grafitti going up on walls around the estate.

In a pathetic attempt at making amends he ordered his men to evict his lover, he then renewed his marriage vows with wife Anne.

“She (wife) wears the trousers in that house,” said our source. “The men laugh at him behind his back, he’s a hypocrite, putting young mothers and children out of their home.”

Last we revealed how Jackie McDonald ally Birch is fast becoming a lame duck leader. The perma-tanned terror boss is facing a vote of confidence in the coming weeks after going back on his word and allowing discredited former members of the LVF to join the organisation.

He has also opened the door to known drug dealers and takes a cut from them. 

Birch is now facing calls for him to stand down, and we have been reliably informed that the organisation is split down the middle.

The UDA’s grip on east Belfast has diminished in recent years with rival terror boss Stephen Matthews of the UVF taking a stranglehold.

 The Sunday World understands Birch has agreed to play second fiddle to his UVF adversary. 

“Everyone in east Belfast now sees Birchie as an idiot and its only a matter of time before he’s told to go away,” said our source.

Pictured (L-R) Miss Gillies Zoe Robb from Randalstown,2013 Miss NI Meagan Green and Miss Ballymena Emma Zacharopoulou from Jordanstown.

Miss North Coast Caryn Walker, Miss NI Meagan Green and Miss Shenanigans Anna Henry.

Miss Spice Aislinn O'Connor, Miss NI Meagan Green and Miss Antrim Emma Irvine.

Miss Spice Lisburn Sara Murphy, Miss NI Meagan Green and Miss Lisburn Claire McErlean.

Pictured are Hanna Wasson (R) Miss 21 Social and Miss Belfast Leanna Owens (L).

Miss Northern Ireland brought joy this week to three former contestants who have got into the final after a second attempt.

And the latest heat in Gillies Bar at the Galgorm had an international flavour as fluent Greek speaker Emma Zacharopoulou won Miss Ballymena while Miss Gillies Zoe Robb learned Spanish after moving to Mexico for a year at 18.

As the search for a successor to Meagan Green hots up the fifth heat brings to 10 the number of winners who have already booked their place in the final.

Former Miss Northern Ireland Zoe Salmon went along to join the judging panel, which also included Meagan, organiser Alison Clarke, Jonathan Kirkpatrick from co-sponsors Open+Direct and Kirsty Worthington from the Galgorm.

The two latest winners are both students – Emma is at the University of Ulster studying fashion and textile design while Zoe is an Open University student in languages and sports management.

Miss Gillies Zoe, 20, is also a Miss Northern Ireland veteran who decided to try again.

“I entered in 2012 when I had only turned 18 but I probably wasn’t taking it seriously. This year I thought I will go for it and try again,” she says.

She is also ready for some Miss World globetrotting after taking a year out to live in Mexico. 

The health and fitness fan followed her heart, and her man, and came back fluent in Spanish with experience as an English teacher.

The new Miss Ballymena, who gets her Greek influence from her stepdad, says it’s always a talking point.

“People always ask me how to pronounce my surname, and to say something in Greek,” says 21-year-old Emma.

“We’ve been going to Greece for holidays for years so I’ve learned the language and I’m fluent now. It might be useful if I do fashion marketing, or if anyone wants a translator.”

She’s already an established model, working with Una Rodden, make up mastermind Paddy McGurgan, and at Belfast Fashion Week.

For the Lisburn finalists the contest also proved to be twice as nice.

Miss Northern Ireland Belfast heat get's under way in 21 social in Belfast last month. Pictured are Kaci McDowell, Sarah Anne Mawhinney, Sorcha Conlon, Orlaith Boylan, Leanna Owens and Hannah Wasson with Claire McErlean.

Miss Spice Lisburn Sara Murphy and Miss Lisburn Claire McErlean narrowly missed out on a place in the final in their first attempts, but it was second time lucky for the winners in the competition, backed by Sunday World and Open+Direct.

Finaghy woman Claire, an IT student at Belfast Met, already has close ties with the city as a former player and now manager of the city’s basketball team Lisburn Phoenix.

She’s brought home the gold before, helping the team win the Ulster Cup and league, but this time she’ll be representing Lisburn with a little more glamour.

“I’ve never done anything like Miss Northern Ireland before but I’ve thought about it, so when I was scouted in Belfast city centre I went for it,” says Claire, 18.

“I was in the first heat and came third and I was a bit nervous in that but in the Spice heat I was much more relaxed and I’m just really happy I got through.”

Fellow finalist Sara Murphy also tried her hand at a previous heat in Spice in Templepatrick and had such a good time she came back for more.

The 17-year-old works as a hostess for Bavarian Mini in Belfast where she has her sights set on selling the sexy little cars.

And Miss Northern Ireland isn’t her first fling at competing – Sara is also an accomplished Highland dancer who was a runner up in the Ulster championships.

“I just did it as a hobby and I used to compete all over Scotland and England – my grandfather is Scottish so that’s how I got involved in. It was a lot of fun but it took up a lot of my time,” says the Belfast girl.

The winners, chosen by Miss Northern Ireland Meagan Green, Stefanie Mills from Open+Direct, contest organiser Alison Clarke, Nazim Din from Spice, former Mr Northern Ireland Ross Lauder and singer Danny Conlon Jr, will be vying for the title in the Europa Hotel at the final on May 12.

lThe next heat will take place this Thursday in the Icon Bar in Derry.

Police leave woman lying in a bus lane

Cops are in the frame after allegedly leaving a prone woman lying in a bus lane at the side of the road.

The Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland has launched and investigation into an incident was captured on a video in Derry city. 

The video shows two PSNI officers lifting the woman from the middle of the road in busy John Street. She was left lying in a bus lane, incapacitated and motionless, while the police drove off.

The video surfaced on Youtube this morning. Police and political reaction was prompt.

Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton  said police chiefs were ‘seriously concerned’ at first view of the video. 

He said the cops’ alleged behaviour was "well below the standards we expect from our officers in dealing with vulnerable people, whether the vulnerability is due to alcohol or anything else."

The PSNI has said the two officers involved have now been identified and two investigators have been appointed to the case. 

Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness went on Twitter saying what the video showed was "totally unacceptable." 

The Derry politician claimed it showed two police officers "failing to ensure the safety of an incapacitated woman on a public highway."

Another top cop, Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin, stated: “As soon as we saw it with referred it to the police Ombudsman.”

He said the police were still trying to identify the officers involved, as he "only knew about it (the video) this morning."

He added: “I expect my officers to do their utmost to serve the community. Sources in Derry say the video was recorded on Monday, while the city celebrated St. Patrick’s Day."

There were claims that the woman had been the victim of an assault. Local Stormont Assemblyman Mark H Durkan blasted: “Not only are these (police) actions dangerous and irresponsible, they are completely inhumane.

“We need to ensure those responsible are disciplined appropriately….and this poor girl is given, at least, a full apology.”

 A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Policing Board said: "Whilst the circumstances surrounding this incident are not yet clear, video footage of the police response raises questions of the most serious nature.

"The board and the public rightly expect the highest professional standards of all of our police officers and anything that falls short of that is simply unacceptable."

"The board has been informed by the PSNI that the matter has been referred to the Police Ombudsman for independent investigation."

A 30-year-old driver of a van has been arrested after a boy lost his life in Co Down.

The incident happened on the Scarva Road on Thursday morning.

The boy, a pedestrian, was hit just before 8am.

Police are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who was driving on the road at the time to contact the police on 0845 600 8000.

Police have seized nearly a million pounds worth of drugs in two separate raids in south Belfast.

At a property in the Holyland area of the lower Ormeau, on Rugby Avenue, cannabis with a street value of £500,000 was seized.

At another property on Haypark Avenue, off the Ormeau Road, £400,000 worth of cannabis was found.

 The Organised Crime Branch's Detective Chief Inspector Catherine Montgomery, said: "This significant seizure further reinforces our determination to remove controlled drugs from the streets of Northern Ireland.

"The potential harm to the public caused by drugs is an issue that the PSNI take seriously. We will continue to work in conjunction with partner agencies to ensure the closure of all supply routes and to bring to justice those involved in trafficking drugs at all levels."

Jeremiah Kirkwood

Evil dog abuser Jeremiah Kirkwood and his gang are ‘thugs for hire’ connected to notorious UVF boss Stephen ‘Ugly Doris’ Matthews.

The Sunday World has learned that the twisted father and his crew are “very close” to the east Belfast brigadier.

Read the full EXCLUSIVE story in this week's Sunday World

The dissident terror machine is grinding to a halt.

The wreckage of a failed terrorist campaign built on criminality and greed is strewn in their wake, leaving the handful of renegade groups desperately clinging to power.

With membership draining away and support haemorrhaging, the clock is ticking on the death of the dissidents.

Read the full EXCLUSIVE story in this week's Sunday World

Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder of two catholic workers in north Belfast in 1994.

Armagh men Gary Convie (24) and Eamon Fox (44) were murdered by the UVF as they eat their lunch in a car park close to the building site they were working on.

The three men were arrested on Tuesday morning and are from Templepatrick, Newtownabbey and Antrim.

The men are aged 43, 52 and 65.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Stafford which focuses on murders committed by the UVF in the north Belfast area.

Death driver William Quinn

Rebecca Wilson who lost her grandfather

The suspended sentence handed down to a convicted killer driver is “disgusting”, one of his victims lamented this week.

Speaking from her home in Ballynahinch, 21-year-old Rebecca Wilson says the fact that the man who shattered her life and killed her grandfather walked free from court with a nine month jail term suspended for three years “isn’t any justice at all”.

Rebecca was just 20 in October 2012 and driving home along the Old Ballynahinch Road with her 71-year-old Grandad Sam in the passenger seat when the Subaru Impreza driven by William Quinn ploughed into them head on, killing Sam almost instantly.

Quinn, from Larch Grove in Dunmurry, was completely on the wrong side of the road as he was trying to overtake a taxi going up the slight incline but never made back across in time.

Rebecca’s Peugeot and his Impreza collided on their respective passenger sides. Looking at the mangled wrecks, it’s hard to believe anyone survived.

“What if I had not asked my Grandad to meet me that night,” she asks rhetorically.

“I was so shattered he offered to drive me home but I said ‘no Grandad I’ll drive’. So that could have been me sitting in the passenger seat. What if I had taken a different road home.”

Rebecca pauses as she recalls how “I remember everything,” about the impact and the aftermath, from seeing Quinn’s headlights over the brow of the hill, to when the cars impacted to hearing “my grandfather’s last breath – basically he died instantly”.

Sam Wilson who was tragically killed

During Quinn’s trial at Craigavon Crown Court last month, the jury heard how Sam sustained massive chest injuries in the impact which killed him almost instantly.

Although charged with causing the pensioner’s death by dangerous driving, the jury convicted Quinn of the lesser charged of careless driving causing death.

Father -of-two Quinn and his lawyer argued that the fatal collision was not his fault, apportioning blame on the entirely innocent taxi driver by claiming he had accelerated as Quinn tried to overtake him and would not let him past.

Sentencing Quinn last Wednesday, Judge Patrick Lynch QC told the killer driver that while he deserved to go to jail, he was suspending the sentence because his son and daughter suffer from Autism and Aspergers Syndrome so to send him to jail would cause them psychological and emotional trauma.

“If he had pleaded guilty all of that could have been avoided but the whole thing, the accident and the trial, has changed me completely,” says Rebecca.

Rebecca’s aunt Christine, one of Sam’s four daughters echoed Rebecca’s feelings, labelling the sentence gifted to her father’s killer as “outrageous – basically he walked away after killing a human being”.

“We have completely lost faith in the judicial system and have complained to the PPS and Attorney General about the handling of the case. 

“The sentence Quinn got was far too lenient.”

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson on the set of Fifty Shades of Grey

Jamie Dornan says he 'doesn't want to be famous'

'Golden Torso'

Northern Irish Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan has slammed his recent rise to fame stating “nobody sane wants to be famous.”

 In an interview with the Daily Telegraph Magazine the model-turned-actor said: “I hate it when people say you're asking for it [fame] by doing films. 

 “No, I'm asking for work, and I'm asking to get paid for doing something I love. I'm not asking to be followed down the street by some f***ing pap.”

 The 31-year-old, originally from Holywood, County down, also spoke of his childhood and what it was like to tragically lose his mother at the age of 16.

 His mother Lorna died after a battle with pancreatic cancer while he was still at school.

 He said of that time: “There's no easy time to lose a parent. But it's a very transitional time being at that age, and a very impressionable time.

 “It was a horrific period in my life.”

 Tragedy struck again in Dornan's life a year later when four of his mates from school, Methody in south Belfast, were tragically killed in a car crash.

 He said it was a “totally hideous, life-changing circumstance that you carry every day, I guess, and that's not going to change. These are events that form your identity.”

 When Dornan first got his break it came as a shock to the Northern Irish public - not so much in that they denied his talents - but in the rather unexpected and bewildering phenomenon of seeing a Northern Irishman in a steamy advert for Calvin Klein underwear.

 That was back in 2009, and Dornan became labelled the 'Golden Torso' due to the amount of tanning oil he was doused in for the shoot.

 But Dornan laughed off the experience, reminiscing of  “a lot of people rubbing me down with dark, oily tanning stuff. I mean, I'm a white Irish guy, it was a problem.”

 Ironically, having travelled the world in his pursuit of a modelling career, it was when he returned to his roots in Northern Ireland that he made a made a name for himself as an actor.

 His role as Paul Spector in The Fall alongside Gillian Anderson, helped catapult him into the mainstream, with the BBC drama being shot in and set in Northern Ireland and fetching an average 3.5m viewers.

 His role brought him to the attention of many in US film industry, where the show was also broadcast, before he landed the coveted role of Christian Grey in the film adaptation of the blockbusting book by EL James, Fifty Shades of Grey.

 He said: “A lot of people care about this book and I'm not under any illusion that they don't,” said Dornan recently.

 “All I can say is I'm going to do everything in my power to portray Christian Grey as truthfully as possible.

 “I can' t guarantee that it's going to please everyone – just me being cast doesn't please everyone, but it's happened and I'm going to give it everything.” 

 His latest role won't be as dark the previous characters that have come to define Jamie Dornan as an actor, however.

 He plays a young man called Abe Goffe in a new Channel 4 four-part drama New Worlds, which is set in the 1680s on both sides of the Atlantic ocean.

 Of his new character, he said: “Abe's a young idealist, a bit of a renegade, a Robin Hoode-esque figure in that he has a group of men who are fighting a cause for him, the cause to make England a true republic and to end the tyrannical rule of Charles Stuart the second.

 “He's also continuing on the course his father fought before him.”

Pictured from (L-R) Zoe Smedberg and Meagan Dunne

An actress and a gymnast have brought the number of Miss Northern Ireland finalists to a dazzling dozen.

In last week’s heat in Icon wine bar in Derry Megan Dunne carried off the Miss North West title with Zoe Smedberg as the new Miss Icon.

They’ll both be joining the battle for a successor to Miss Northern Ireland Meagan Green in the contest, backed by Open+Direct and the Sunday World.

Castlerock woman Zoe had just finished filming a short movie when she jumped into the heat and came away with a title.

She’s a creative writing and drama graduate from the University of Winchester, who’s focusing on life coaching and learning Swedish.

“My dad is Swedish and my sisters were born there but my mum came back here to have me. When I was growing up my dad spoke to me in English to improve his languages, but I wish he’d taught me Swedish now because it’s a really difficult one to learn,” says Zoe.

She’s been a budding actress since school but after it took a back seat when she was studying in England the 22 year old is now camera ready.

“All my school reports said I was a little drama; I’ve been doing it pretty much my whole life. 

“I’ve got a new agent and I’m in the process of getting myself a new show reel. And pilot season is coming up in LA so you never know.”

Miss North West Megan Dunne entered the competition to work on her confidence, but she doesn’t need to work on her flexibility.

She was a gymnast for 10 years, representing Co. Derry in the Community Games, and hopes to return as a coach.

“I loved doing it and I’d like to get back into it. Gymnastics was a great experience for me and I’m hoping Miss Northern Ireland will be the same.

“I’ve never done anything like this before but I thought it would boost my confidence because I’m so shy.

“And the heat was brilliant. I didn’t think I would get anywhere and when I won all I could hear was my mum Deirdre – she was just buzzing,” says Megan.

She’s studying health and social care at North West Regional College with plans to become a social worker, although that could all change.

“It’s so hard to decide what you want to do at this age,” admits Megan.

The judging panel for the Derry heat had lots of added glamour with two former winners, Zoe Salmon and Gayle Williamson, joining forces with Andy Cameron, Melissa Currie and Elaine McDermott from Open+Direct.

The latest finalists will be back on the runway on Monday May 12 for the final at the Europa Hotel in Belfast when a shot at Miss World in London will be up for grabs.

The cache of prizes also includes a wardrobe of designer dresses from Blush Boutique in Belfast, a Kia Car from Downey’s, a modelling contract with ACA, a year’s membership of the Culloden Spa and a cosmetics hamper from Paddy McGurgan’s Make Up Pro store in Belfast.

Next week we’ll have the winners from the March 28 heat in McAleer’s in Dungannon.

For details of how to enter and competition rules go to www.missnorthernireland.co.uk

A bomb has exploded inside a car in Derry.

 The explosion happened at around 22.45 last night.

 Nobody was injured in the attack which happened in Carrickreagh Gardens in the Creggan area.

 SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said that dissidents were behind the attack.

 He said the attack "bears the hallmarks of the dissident group formerly known as Republican Action Against Drugs."

 "People in the area are telling me that because of continuing difficulties in the Creggan area they are actually considering moving on. There is no place for these paramilitary-style attacks in society, and such attacks by dissident republicans are not done in the name of anyone."

 Residents in the area where forced to leave their homes for six hours after the attack while ATO took items away for analysis.  

A PSNI spokesperson said: "ATO have confirmed that a viable explosive device had detonated inside a car parked in the area.

"A number of items have been taken away for forensic testing." 

Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell said: "I received a number of calls from residents living in the Carrickreagh Gardens area to say that an explosive device was thrown into a parked car there."

 He added: "While it is not yet known what group may have been responsible for leaving this device, what is known is that this action happened in a built up area.

"I would call upon anyone involved in this type of activity to desist."

Gary Convie (24), who was murdered by the UVF

Eamon Fox (44) who was murdered by the UVF

A man has been charged in connection with the murder of two catholic workers in north Belfast in 1994.

The 48-year-old is due to appear in court on Friday.

He is also charged with attempted murder and having a firearm.

Armagh men Gary Convie (24) and Eamon Fox (44) were murdered by the UVF as they eat their lunch in a car park close to the building site they were working on.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Stafford which focuses on murders committed by the UVF in the north Belfast area.

Sam McAughtry

The famed writer from the Tigers Bay area of Belfast was a talented writer and broadcaster.

McAughtry, who also served on as a member of the Irish Senate, helped to set up the Peace Train between Belfast and Dublin.

He left school at the age of 14 before joining the Royal Air Force.

His first book, The Sinking of the Kenbane Head, was published in 1977.

McAughtry's latest book, his memoir, On the Outside Looking In, was published in 2003.  

When he was elected to the Irish Senate in 1996, he was straight talking about his background. 

He said: "I am a hybrid unionist in that I am happy to live in the United Kingdom but I am happier still to be Irish and to proclaim my Irishness.

"As I stated on the day of my election, it is my dearest wish to see this island inhabited by five million Irish people, living in two jurisdictions with consent, but with institutions established to emphasise their Irishness. I have urged for some time that we should negotiate as Irish people to Irish people.

"I am greatly saddened to see graffiti on walls in my area with references to the Irish as some sort of enemy. For people living in areas, such as Ballyhackamore, to discourage the Irish language seems a sad error of judgment."

Antrim Hospital is run by the Northern Health Trust

Five babies are among 11 deaths being probed at the Northern Health Trust.

It is not clear at this stage whether the deaths were unavoidable. 

Cases being investigated involve patients who were seen in the emergency, obstetrics, gynaecology or X ray departments.

Health Minister Edwin Poots has told the Assembly he is aware of 20 cases where the trust's response was said to be below standard. 

Poots said the cases said he sent a "turnaround team" to the trust and that the cases date from 2008 until the present. 

 He said: "I wasn't happy with the Northern Trust, I wasn't happy with the way things were being done there and that's why I put a turnaround team in." 

"We do need to offset that with the fact that the Northern Trust was dealing with tens of thousands of cases.

"The Northern Trust is in a considerably better place than when I inherited it in 2011."

Nine patients have also been recalled.