![\"Storm](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a7a0c85e-58ef-4fa3-8913-035774dbff4a.jpg\")
<\/p>\nKeeva Neely <\/p>\n
Storm NRG gym owner Keeva Neely, from Swatragh in Co Londonderry, took on Amanda Wah, in the semi-final of Gladiators. Credit: BBC<\/p>\n
The Co Londonderry gym owner powered her way into the Gladiators arena back in March and made it through to the semi finals. <\/p>\n
The businesswoman from Swatragh<\/a> ran rings around her opponent and smashed her way into the semi-finals following an impressive display of speed, strength and determination which saw her triumph over Rachel Bruno \u2013 the daughter of boxing legend Frank Bruno \u2013 in the quarter final. <\/p>\n The 23-year-old faced off Fury in The Duel, saw off Sabre in The Ring, outpaced Fire on The Wall to secure a stunning victory before being beaten by Warrington woman Amanda Wah. <\/p>\n Carly Wilson Miss NI Carly Wilson<\/p>\n The young cancer survivor<\/a> from Belfast was crowned Miss Northern Ireland at the annual beauty pageant in June.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old, who was inspired to enter the competition after recovering from a rare form of the disease, attended an oncology check-up just hours before being awarded the coveted title. <\/p>\n Being told she is cancer free in September 2023 has given the Ulster University psychology student a zeal for life and she vowed to use her platform for good. <\/p>\n Kneecap Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, outside Woolwich Crown Court. Photo: Aaron Chown\/PA<\/p>\n Belfast rap trio made headlines around the world during 2025 after footage appearing to show Hezbollah flags at a previous gig resulted in Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh<\/a> appearing in court accused of a terrorism offence.<\/p>\n The case against the rapper, known as Mo Chara, was ultimately thrown out due to a technical error in how the case was brought. <\/p>\n Chaotic scenes unfolded outside London courthouses on several occasions as crowds turned out to support what the band claimed was \u201cpolitical policing\u201d and censorship of their opposition to alleged genocide in Gaza.<\/p>\n It came after Sharon Osborn Sharon condemned the group as \u201cpathetic\u201d and \u201cuneducated\u201d following their Coachella sets. <\/p>\n Neil and Donna Sands Donna and Neil Sands won their case against Tattle Life. Photo: Peter Morrison<\/p>\n The NI couple secured a \u00a3300,000 award for damages<\/a> in June after previously winning a significant legal victory over the man behind gossip website Tattle Life. <\/p>\n A High Court judge ruled in their favour after they became the target of anonymous online abuse which amounted to defamation and harassment. <\/p>\n The website\u2019s founder was unmasked as Sebastian Bond, also known Bastian Durward, setting a precedent for other victims to seek redress for online harm.<\/p>\n Tracy Kelly Tracy Kelly<\/p>\n The DUP councillor became the party\u2019s first female Lord Mayor<\/a> in June and pledged to ensure no-one is left behind during her year in office.<\/p>\n One of her early engagements saw the 47-year-old attend the All Ireland Fleadh in Wexford which she described as \u201cabsolutely fantastic\u201d ahead of its arrival in Belfast for the first time next summer. <\/p>\n The unionist, who hails from the Village area of south Belfast, accepted a special \u2018Fleadh harp\u2019 and appeared on Irish language broadcaster TG4\u2019s coverage of the official handover. <\/p>\n Bailey the prison dog Bailey. (Credit: Causeway Coast Dog Rescue)<\/p>\n Controversy swirled<\/a> when a support dog used to rehabilitate inmates was housed at Magilligan Prison. <\/p>\n The pooch rose to fame as a result of the row which ended with Bailey being removed from block H2 of the secure facility \u2013 which houses some of NI\u2019s most dangerous convicts \u2013 in September. <\/p>\n Following protests and political intervention, the canine was placed in temporary care with UUP MLA Jon Burrows declaring \u201cBailey is now out of prison\u201d and calling for a full investigation into the \u201cdisgraceful episode\u201d. The Department of Justice has rejected allegations of neglect. <\/p>\n Trevor Gribben Dr Trevor Gribben, left, stepped down (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/p>\n In an unprecedented move, the senior church leader became the first moderator to resign from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland<\/a> (PCI) in its 185 year history over \u201c”serious and significant\u201d safeguarding failures. <\/p>\n Mr Gribben dodged questions from the media during a shock press conference in November as he announced he was to step down from the end of that month and retire from his other roles as clerk of the general assembly and general secretary.<\/p>\n Five days after the church confirmed people were harmed and put at risk, the PSNI launched a criminal investigation. The scandal led to an emergency general assembly being called in December amid damning allegations of bullying and harassment within PCI. <\/p>\n Soldier F Bloody Sunday families and supporters march to the Crown Court in Belfast <\/p>\n The veteran, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was acquitted of two murder charges and five counts of attempted murder<\/a> on Bloody Sunday at Belfast Crown Court in October. <\/p>\n James Wray (22) and William McKinney (26) were among 13 people shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on January 30, 1972 at a civil rights demonstration in Londonderry \u2013 at least 15 others were maimed. <\/p>\n Unionist politicians welcomed the outcome of the non-jury trial \u2013 which cost \u00a34.3m so far \u2013 while First Minister and Sinn Fein MLA Michelle O\u2019Neill stood by the families describing the verdict as \u201cdeeply disappointing\u201d. <\/p>\n Gordon Lyons Communities Minister Gordon Lyons<\/p>\n Stormont\u2019s Communities Minister provoked anger after he shared the location of migrants who fled race riots in Ballymena over the summer. <\/p>\n The Facebook post<\/a> resulted in a leisure centre in Larne being targeted and set on fire amid tensions following an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in Ballymena \u2013 the PPS has since dropped the case. <\/p>\n Mr Lyons was accused of “inflaming tensions” before hitting back accusing his critics of defamation and resisting calls to resign including from First Minister Michelle O’Neill. <\/p>\n It came a month after the DUP minister apologised \u201cunreservedly\u201d to the organisers of a female empowerment conference for noting that the “good-looking” delegrates had been seated at the front.<\/p>\n Quadruplet calves The quadruplets with their mother<\/p>\n A Co Tyrone dairy farmer was left stunned when one of his cows defied one in 11 million odds to give birth to quadruplets<\/a>.<\/p>\n Richard Blair (52) had suspected twins but was shocked after making four deliveries at his farm in Strabane.<\/p>\n His father father Willie (79) and daughter Lucy (21) helped bring the Holstein Friesians into the world back in July.<\/p>\n Sons of Ulster Flute Band Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band parading. Liam McBurney\/RAZORPIX<\/p>\n An annual parade organised by the Portrush band clashed with The Open in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n Concerns over the march \u2013 which has taken place on the first Saturday after the Twelfth of July for three decades \u2013 sparked frantic calls for it to be rescheduled to avoid a collision with the third day of play at Royal Portrush.<\/p>\n The band even turned down an offer of around \u00a320,000 to postpone the parade which passed off peacefully and offered a unique cultural experience for tourists from around the world. <\/p>\n Storm \u00c9owyn A fallen tree on Cyprus Avenue, east Belfast, as Storm Eowyn arrived (David Young\/PA)<\/p>\n The new year ushered in a historic storm which prompted the Met Office to issue a rare red alert<\/a> before the weather system wreaked havoc across the UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n Gusts in excess of 90mph wiped out power to around 30% of all properties here and inflicted widespread damage including to Gary McConnell\u2019s farm near Glenarm. <\/p>\n His insurer refused to pay out full \u00a355,000 repair bill, handing over just \u00a318,000 instead. <\/p>\n But NFU Mutual did a U-turn and apologised after the dairy herder reached out to the media and his local MP, Jim Allister.<\/p>\n Lisneal College Contractors on site at the artificial pitches at Lisneal College earlier this year. Picture Martin McKeown.<\/p>\n The former principal of Lisneal College in Londonderry became embroiled in a high profile row over funding<\/a> for a football pitch which almost led him to quit earlier this year. <\/p>\n Mr Allen made the headlines after it emerged the school was allocated \u00a3710,000 for an upgrade despite not making a direct application and following a meeting the school held with Education Minister Paul Givan and his DUP colleagues.<\/p>\n The headmaster, who denied any wrongdoing, later took up a three year secondment to the Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh \u2013 the move was unrelated to political uproar which saw Sinn Fein accuse Mr Givan of \u201ccronyism\u201d. <\/p>\n But the minister dismissed criticism from MLAs as sectarian. <\/p>\n West Belfast man John Hendron, of Cullingtree Fold on the Falls Road, launched a campaign of harassment against Mr Allen and Mr Givan resulting in a two month prison sentence suspended for two years. <\/p>\n Rory McIlroy Rory McIlroy (David Davies\/PA)<\/p>\n The NI golfer made his dreams come true in 2025 earning him the much coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year title<\/a>.<\/p>\n It topped off a remarkable year that saw him become the sixth player ever to secure career Grand Slam \u2013 The Masters victory in April sent him soaring back to top of his game.<\/p>\n The 36-year-old was also a key part of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup helping his side to emerge victorious on US soil in September \u2013 they were crowned Team of the Year at BBC ceremony just a few days before Christmas.<\/p>\n 5G masts Emergency services at the scene of a 5g mast fire in Poleglass<\/p>\n Two men were arrested in connection with attacks on 5G masts in west Belfast<\/a> in June and September.<\/p>\n It follows a spate of arsons which prompted some owners to install CCTV cameras during 2025 in a bid to deter those involved in what police described as an organised campaign of sabotage believed to be inspired by conspiracy theories. <\/p>\n Dozens of attacks since 2023 have cost as much as \u00a35m in damage. <\/p>\n Michelle Gildernew Former Sinn Fein elected representative Michelle Gildernew (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/p>\n The former Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP had her employment contract with Sinn Fein terminated in May<\/a>. <\/p>\n Ms Gildernew, who served at Stormont and Westminster for over two decades before her failed European election bid in the Republic, expressed disappointment following the \u201cabove board\u201d exit. <\/p>\n Vowing to remain a loyal Sinn F\u00e9in member, she described her relationship with Michelle O\u2019Neill as \u201cokay\u201d back in June \u2013 but just four months later the First Minister was disavowing her party colleague who claimed certain murders during the Troubles were \u201cjustified\u201d. <\/p>\n Ms Gildernew also described the six counties as “a shithole” on the podcast Borderland \u2013 UK or United Ireland? <\/p>\n Irish street signs Irish street signs<\/p>\n Belfast City Council\u2019s controversial dual language rules<\/a> came under the spotlight after it emerged that applications have been made for street signs in Mandarin, German, Greek and Hebrew since 2022. <\/p>\n DUP councillor Sarah Bunting slammed the \u201cflawed\u201d policy which means only 15% of residents are required to support changes with just one local occupant or a elected representative able to bring forward an application. <\/p>\n Irish street signs were damaged at an average rate of one per week during the year with Shandon Park being the target of at least two \u201chate-motivated\u201d attacks. <\/p>\n Colum Eastwood Colum Eastwood. Pic by Lucy North\/PA Wire.<\/p>\n The Foyle MP and former SDLP leader was cautioned by the PSNI for taking part in an illegal pro-Palestine demonstration in Londonderry on February 14, 2024.<\/p>\n In November 2025 prosecutors formally withdrew the charge<\/a> after a defence solicitor told a judge that Mr Eastwood had accepted an “informed warning” which will remain on his record for one year. <\/p>\n It came just a few months after he ruled himself out of the Irish presidential election race amid rumours he intended to stand as an independent candidate. <\/p>\n The father-of-two, who revealed he once turned down a knighthood, also confirmed he is in a relationship with \u201cfeisty\u201d Labour MP and former shadow NI Secretary, Louise Haigh. <\/p>\n Ciaran Mulgrew Ciaran Mulgrew<\/p>\n The former chair of the Belfast Trust was sacked by Stormont\u2019s Health Minister in May<\/a> following a series of negative headlines including damning revelations of bullying in the Royal Victoria Hospital’s cardiac unit.<\/p>\n Mike Nesbitt took the rare step after becoming convinced that new leadership was needed to tackle the scale of crisis within the trust \u2013 it prompted Mr Mulgrew to claim he was being made a \u201cscapegoat\u201d. <\/p>\n In October, a review of the unit concluded that it \u201cremains dysfunctional” and highlighted a reluctance among some staff to accept the findings of the original review which identified problems. <\/p>\n Rev Mervyn Gibson Rev Mervyn Gibson in Templemore Avenue, East Belfast ( Peter Morrison)<\/p>\n The grand secretary of the Orange Order caused a stir by dismissing concerns about asbestos at an Eleventh Night pyre as \u201cclearly political\u201d.<\/a> <\/p>\n The senior orangeman urged people to \u201cgo ahead and enjoy themselves\u201d at the Village bonfire despite it being described as a \u201cmajor public health risk\u201d.<\/p>\n A decision by Belfast City Council to remove the towering structure \u2013 at an estimated cost of \u00a3100,000 \u2013 prompted the PSNI to declare a major incident due to the risk of \u201cserious and sustained disorder\u201d. <\/p>\n Celebrations went ahead as planned on the land owned by Boron Developments with the NI Environment Agency launching a criminal probe weeks later.<\/p>\n Paul Givan Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan<\/p>\n The Education Minister survived a no-confidence motion at Stormont<\/a> after being criticised for a trip to Israel. <\/p>\n Despite 47 MLAs (58.8%) voting in favour of the proposal brought by People Before Profit\u2019s Gerry Carroll \u2013 and backed by Sinn F\u00e9in, Alliance and the SDLP \u2013 the bid to oust the minister failed to gain cross-community support.<\/p>\n Unionists dismissed the outcry over departmental resources being used to share images of his visit as the “performative” with Mr Givan describing the bitter row as a “toxic mix of antisemitism, anti-unionism and hypocrisy”.<\/p>\n Jonathan Anderson JW Anderson<\/p>\n NI fashion designer Jonathan Anderson scooped the top gong at the 2025 British Fashion Awards<\/a> in London’s Royal Albert Hall in December. <\/p>\n The Magherafelt man was crowned ‘Designer of the Year’ for the third year in a row in recognition of his work at his own JW Anderson label and the prestigious fashion house Dior less than a year after he took on the role of creative director. <\/p>\n Lola Petticrew Lola Petticrew stars as IRA volunteer Dolours Price in Say Nothing<\/p>\n The Belfast actress<\/a> was cast to star alongside Toby Wallace in a new live action Netflix show due to begin filming in 2026. <\/p>\n The Assassin\u2019s Creed series is based on the best-selling video game franchise.<\/p>\n Earlier in the year the Say Nothing star won Best Actress in a Lead Role (TV) at the Irish Film and Television Awards and received a Bafta nod for her portrayal of Dolours Price in the hit Disney+ show. <\/p>\n Conor Bradley Conor Bradley<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Liam](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/117851626.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Donna](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/115178740.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Tracy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BTAR4888.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bailey.](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/fafcd715-269e-48a1-8389-bdc1e423e008.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2.82389715.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bloody](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/371a0b3a-343a-411d-9957-2fa62040c704.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Communities](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0dc85ec1-9df0-4cd0-8f80-45b5bccb7e27.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ff40646a-8e04-4f47-aee7-79248f3eaf63.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Ballykeel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/718915db-bc87-4084-abda-61a1a333d4e1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2.78780523.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Contractors](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/9cb90f72-bc81-4500-b899-a3fd0509684b.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2.82837857.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Emergency](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/c1c6d979-c4fe-4c1d-837d-12192a74139e.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2.76497073.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Irish](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ba694aa3-3b44-46c6-b14b-0256e754987f.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Colum](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/13ce5e15-2798-4d53-bd43-f83eb142506e.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Ciaran](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8bec3491-137c-41cb-b41d-ba88bab91453.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Stormont](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/df8bc5db-423a-4e6a-9aa8-afee912ca3e7.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"JW](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/b3c6aef1-dcac-4b8a-b4a4-ce5a1c816658.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Lola](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/9907837d-167f-4943-9758-b508c17cb1b8.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Conor](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/dfd76761-8dc6-4ca2-87b3-33a35de36057.jpg\")
<\/p>\n