Kelly Bonner
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BBC Reporter. I have a particular interest in social stories : Addiction, mental health , sex and drug trafficking & homelessness. kelly.bonner@bbc.co.uk
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Articles by Kelly Bonner
'Fantastic opportunity' to have penguin colony as neighbours
A woman from County Down is joining a team being deployed to Antarctica as part of a project to restore an historic science facility. Carole McCullough will be based on Goudier Island, which is about the size of a football pitch, for five months along with seven other volunteers. The facility, which is more than 80 years old, needs significant repairs due to its age and environmental factors such as increased rainfall, water flow and snow loading, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) has said.
'An absolute one-off' - former BBC broadcaster Conor Bradford dies
Former BBC News NI radio and TV presenter Conor Bradford has died aged 73. The veteran broadcaster presented Inside Ulster, Good Morning Ulster and Evening Extra during a four-decade career on the airwaves, before retiring in 2022. Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said Bradford was an "absolute one-off". "His on-air and off-air personas were exactly the same; flamboyant, witty, warm and curious - he was a pleasure to produce," he said.
'An absolute one-off' - former BBC broadcaster Conor Bradford dies
Conor Bradford spent four decades on the airwaves with the BBC in Northern Ireland Former BBC News NI radio and TV presenter Conor Bradford has died. The veteran broadcaster presented Inside Ulster, Good Morning Ulster and Evening Extra during a four-decade career on the airwaves, before retiring in 2022. Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said Bradford was an "absolute one-off".
Man admits sexual assaults on two girls
Follow Man admits sexual assaults on two girls Kelly Bonner - BBC News NI Tue, September 22, 2026 at 8:23 AM EDT The defendant was re-arraigned on some charges at Downpatrick Crown Court [BBC] A 38-year-old man has admitted repeated sexual assaults on two children. Paul Allen, from County Down, appeared in Downpatrick Crown Court on Tuesday. His barrister asked for him to be re-arraigned on 13 of the 18 offences against him.
Man admits sexual assaults on two girls
A 38-year-old man has admitted repeated sexual assaults on two children. Paul Allen, from County Down, appeared in Downpatrick Crown Court on Tuesday. His barrister asked for him to be re-arraigned on 13 of the 18 offences against him. Allen, with an address at Cherryhill Crescent in Dundonald, entered guilty pleas to a total of 10 offences of sexually assaulting the two girls when they were under 13 years old, on dates between January 2020 and February 2024.
Children's centre chief objects over plan for homelessness centre next door
A children's centre has said it is "under threat" because of plans for a homelessness service to move into a building next door. Foodstock, which aims to tackle poverty in Belfast, runs the children's centre and its founder, independent councillor Paul Doherty, said the move is a "child safeguarding issue". He said the concern is "not who is turning up, but there may be people turning up and attending in distress, crisis or in unpredictable circumstances".
Children's centre chief objects over plan for homelessness centre next door
A children's centre has said it is "under threat" because of plans for a homelessness service to move into a building next door. Foodstock, which aims to tackle poverty in Belfast, runs the children's centre and its founder, independent councillor Paul Doherty, said the move is a "child safeguarding issue". He said the concern is "not who is turning up, but there may be people turning up and attending in distress, crisis or in unpredictable circumstances".
Chief constable apologises after ex senior officer discriminated against
Follow Chief constable apologises after ex senior officer discriminated against Kelly Bonner - BBC News NI Mon, September 14, 2026 at 10:08 AM EDT The Chief constable has apologised to former PSNI chief inspector Ursula Merrick [PA Media] The chief constable has apologised to a former PSNI chief inspector for discrimination she suffered in the force. In 2023, an employment tribunal found that Ch Insp Ursula Merrick was discriminated on grounds of her sex and disability.
Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder over north Belfast stabbing
Follow Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder over north Belfast stabbing Kelly Bonner - BBC News NI Wed, September 2, 2026 at 6:55 AM EDT Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder over north Belfast stabbing A man has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder at Belfast Magistrates' Court. The charges relate to a stabbing in north Belfast on 23 August 2024. Conneth Paul Johnston, 27, of Forthriver Park in Belfast, stood in the dock as the charges were read out to him.
Man who surveilled police station handed prison sentence
Follow Man who surveilled police station handed prison sentence Kelly Bonner - BBC News NI Tue, September 1, 2026 at 10:30 AM EDT McCaughey's barrister said his client was sorry and that had made substantial changes to his life since his offending [PA Media] A 35-year-old man who admitted recording details of vehicles parked within Lurgan police station on his mobile phone has been given an 18-month jail sentence.
'She was trying to get better' - the lives lost to drug overdoses
"She had a heart of gold. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself." Standing in the grounds of Belfast City Hall, Jenna McCune's family remember the woman behind the photograph. The 35-year-old mother-of-two died from a drugs overdose in Belfast on 31 March 2021. Five years on, her family are still learning how to live with her loss. Her stepmother, Linda Richardson, said: "Jenna helped anyone. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself.
'She was trying to get better' - the lives lost to drug overdoses
"She had a heart of gold. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself." Standing in the grounds of Belfast City Hall, Jenna McCune's family remember the woman behind the photograph. The 35-year-old mother-of-two died from a drugs overdose in Belfast on 31 March 2021. Five years on, her family are still learning how to live with her loss. Her stepmother, Linda Richardson, said: "Jenna helped anyone. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself.
North Belfast residents say they feel 'abandoned' by police
Follow North Belfast residents say they feel 'abandoned' by police Finn Purdy; Kelly Bonner - BBC News NI Fri, August 14, 2026 at 4:20 AM EDT North Belfast residents say they feel 'abandoned' by police Police have defended their response to two incidents in north Belfast on Wednesday night saying their aim was to "establish what has occurred, protect the community and secure opportunities to identify those responsible".
Excitement for 'once-in-a-lifetime' eclipse
There was excitement in County Armagh at Northern Ireland's only planetarium ahead of a major celestial event. Dozens of people, both young and old, gathered at the Armagh Observatory to witness the largest solar eclipse visible from the island until September 2090. More than 90% of the sun was obscured across Ireland during the early evening on Wednesday – at its peak, viewers in Belfast could expect the sun to be covered by the moon by 93.05%.
Excitement building for 'once-in-a-lifetime' eclipse
Excitement is building in County Armagh at Northern Ireland's only planetarium ahead of a major celestial event. Dozens of people, both young and old, have gathered at the Armagh Observatory to witness the largest solar eclipse visible from the island until September 2090. More than 90% of the sun will be obscured across Ireland during the early evening on Wednesday – at its peak, viewers in Belfast can expect the sun to be covered by the moon by 93.05%.
Great-grandfather says 'everything is gone' after house fire
An elderly man who has lost his home after a fire gutted two terraced houses in County Antrim has said the blaze has destroyed everything his family owned. Davy Haighton had lived in his house at Knockleigh Walk in Greenisland, Carrickfergus for the past 56 years. The retired great-grandfather told BBC News NI that "everything is gone - clothes, money, documents, all our memories".
Princess Royal visits stables during Northern Ireland visit
Follow Princess Royal visits stables during Northern Ireland visit The Princess Royal met Dr Esther Skelly-Smith (right) during her visit to Katesbridge [BBC] The Princess Royal's decades-long association with horses has been reflected during a visit to Northern Ireland. The princess, who is Vice Patron of The British Horse Society, was shown around stables in Katesbridge, County Down, and spent time with the horses before planting a tree.
'A van was set alight and pushed towards my home'
A man has described his terror as homes were set on fire during a second night of disorder that followed a knife attack in Belfast earlier this week. Glengormley resident Paul Sharkey said he was "petrified" when he saw masked men walking up his street and setting fire to homes. A clean-up is under way after disorder was mainly concentrated along one street in the greater Belfast area, where police deployed water cannon to disperse a crowd.
Katie Simpson's death exposes 'institutional misogyny' in PSNI
Kelly Bonner; Brendan Hughes - BBC News NI political reporter Tue, May 5, 2026 at 11:46 a.m. UTC 3 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. A review into how the death of a showjumper was handled has found "institutional misogyny" and "systemic failures" within the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The Katie Simpson review, commissioned by the Department of Justice, found an urgent "cultural shift" with the police is needed.
Katie Simpson's death exposes 'institutional misogyny' in PSNI
Katie Simpson's death has exposed "institutional misogyny" and "systemic failures" within the police, and an urgent "cultural shift" within the PSNI is needed, a review has found. The report concluded that the "PSNI investigation was a profound failure, characterised by missed red flags, weak leadership, weak decision making and a culture of misogyny and complacency that marginalised Katie Simpson".
Soldiers 'overreacted' when they shot five people dead, judge says
An inquest into the shooting of five people in west Belfast in 1972 has found that the Army "lost control" in a number of cases and "overreacted to a perceived threat". Fr Noel Fitzpatrick, father-of-six Patrick Butler, 15-year-old David McCafferty and 16-year-old John Dougal were killed by the same soldier in the Springhill estate on 9 July 1972. Thirteen-year-old Margaret Gargan was shot "directly in the face" by a different soldier on the same day.
Soldiers 'overreacted' when they shot five people dead, judge says
Soldiers 'overreacted' when they shot five people dead, judge says An inquest into the shooting of five people in west Belfast in 1972 has found that the army "lost control" in a number of cases and "overreacted to a perceived threat". Fr Noel Fitzpatrick, father-of-six Patrick Butler and 15-year-old David McCafferty and 16-year-old John Dougal were killed by the same soldier in the Springhill estate on 9 July 1972.
Force used against 16-year-old boy 'not reasonable', inquest finds
An inquest into the shooting of five people in west Belfast has heard that the force used against a 16-year-old boy was "not reasonable". John Dougal was among the five who were shot in the Springhill estate, west Belfast on 9 July 1972. The others were Patrick Butler, 38; Father Noel Fitzpatrick, 42; David McCafferty, 15; and Margaret Gargan, 13. Their families believe they were killed by the Army and said they are seeking the truth. Soldiers at the time said they had been firing at gunmen.
Former teacher jailed for indecently assaulting four girls
A former teacher has been jailed for two years for indecently assaulting four girls at a south Belfast school in the 1970s. William Lloyd-Lavery, 77, of Richmond Avenue in Lisburn, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault in January. The girls were about 13 at the time, and the former history teacher from Richmond Lodge School was told his actions were "gross breach of trust".
Former teacher jailed for indecently assaulting four girls
William Lloyd-Lavery pictured at a previous hearing A former teacher has been jailed for two years for indecently assaulting four girls at a south Belfast school in the 1970s. William Lloyd-Lavery, 77, of Richmond Avenue in Lisburn, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault in January. The former history teacher Richmond Lodge school was told his actions were "gross breach of trust".
Former teacher jailed for indecently assaulting five girls
A former teacher has been jailed for two years for indecently assaulting five girls at a south Belfast school in the 1970s. William Lloyd-Lavery, 77, of Richmond Avenue in Lisburn, was told by the judge at Belfast Crown Court that "the victims are to be commended for coming forward to expose a paedophile". Judge Patrick Lynch KC said this was a "gross breach of trust" and the former teacher had "violated that trust in the grossest manner".
More than 500 women a day advertised for sex work in NI
More than 500 women are advertised for sex daily on pimping websites in Northern Ireland, with campaigners warning many are "organised, coerced and controlled". The women are advertised as "independent escorts" offering an extensive list of sex acts and services. However, the reality is much different according to experts. The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute has warned there are "tell-tale signs" that the women are being trafficked.
More than 500 women a day advertised for sexual work in NI
Campaigners argue that these websites are not neutral platforms, but "active players" in the exploitation of women in Northern Ireland [Getty] More than 500 women are advertised for sex daily on pimping websites in Northern Ireland, with campaigners warning many are "organised, coerced and controlled". The women are advertised as "independent escorts" offering an extensive list of sex acts and services. However, the reality is much different according to experts.
Natalie McNally murder accused 'lied, lied and lied again', trial hears
The prosecution in the Natalie McNally murder trial has told the jury that Stephen McCullagh "lied, lied and lied again" in the weeks after her death. In final submissions, Charles MacCreanor KC said there was a "compelling case" that McCullagh is guilty of Natalie's murder. Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, denies murdering his pregnant partner Natalie in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022.
Police told Natalie McNally murder accused he was 'the person of interest'
A police officer told the man accused of murdering Natalie McNally that "everything" pointed to him being the "person of interest". Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, denies murdering his pregnant partner Natalie in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022. The jury was shown a police recording of an interview with McCullagh and the PSNI's Major Investigation Team on 1 February, 2023.
Police told Natalie McNally murder accused he was 'the person of interest'
A police officer told the man accused of murdering Natalie McNally that "everything" pointed to him being the "person of interest". Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, denies murdering his pregnant partner Natalie in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022. The jury was shown a police recording of an interview with McCullagh and the PSNI's Major Investigation Team on 1 February, 2023.
Texts show Natalie McNally considered breaking up with murder accused
Natalie McNally messaged a man a week before her death saying she was considering breaking up with the man accused of her murder. Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, denies murdering his pregnant partner Natalie in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022. On Friday, the court heard transcripts of messages Natalie exchanged with three other men over a six month period between June and December 2022.
Ex-boyfriend of Natalie McNally says murder accused killed her
An ex-boyfriend of Natalie McNally has accused Stephen McCullagh of killing the 32-year-old pregnant woman. McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, has denied murdering Natalie who was killed in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022. On Monday, the trial heard details of exchanges between Natalie and her former boyfriend, who cannot be named due to a reporting restriction, in the months leading up to her death.
Murder accused was 'inconsolable' the night Natalie McNally was killed, friend says
A friend of Stephen McCullagh has told Belfast Crown Court about the moment he phoned her to tell her Natalie McNally had been killed. McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, has denied murdering Natalie who was killed in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December. Natalie was 15 weeks pregnant when she died. Anne McCullough said McCullagh was "really upset" and "screaming - she's gone, she's gone, Natalie's gone".
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