Kelly Bonner

Belfast

Broadcast Journalist at BBC

Reporter @bbcnewsline @bbcradioulster I have a particular interest in social stories : Addiction, mental health & homelessness. Story? [email protected]

Articles

Domestic abuse: Housing Sanctuary Scheme 'gave me peace of mind'

3 days ago | bbc.co.uk | Kelly Bonner

Warning: This story contains details some may find distressingThe mother-of-one's ex-partner Donald Newell was sentenced in November 2023 to two years' probation after he was convicted of common assault, criminal damage and persistent improper use of electronic communications to cause anxiety against her. Newell, 35 from Saltcoats outside Glasgow, was also convicted of being in breach of a non-molestation order against Ms Murray and sentenced to three months in jail, suspended for two years.
Housing Sanctuary Scheme 'gave me peace of mind'

3 days ago | bbc.com | Kelly Bonner

'I slept with a hammer at my bed for protection - now I have peace of mind'BBCAshleigh Murray said the Housing Executive's Sanctuary Scheme helped her rebuild her lifeA domestic violence victim who said she slept with a hammer beside her bed for protection has described a scheme that installed new cameras, locks and security lights at her home as a lifeline. Ashleigh Murray, 34, said she was terrified her abusive ex-partner would attack her and her unborn child at home.
PPS to challenge 'unduly lenient' sentence for human trafficking

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Kelly Bonner

Image source, PSNIImage caption, MacCormack was given a seven-year sentence in AprilThe PPS is challenging the "unduly lenient" sentence imposed on a man convicted of human trafficking. The defendant, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, was convicted on 40 counts with dates spanning seven years from 2015 to 2022. The charges included multiple counts of human trafficking, supplying Class A drugs, controlling prostitution for gain, intimidation and perverting the course of justice.
Police in Spain say their investigation is complete

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kelly Bonner

Spanish police say John George murder investigation is completeFamily handoutJohn George's body was found by Spanish police in RojalesPolice in Spain have said they have completed their investigation into the murder of Belfast man John George. A suspect in his murder, Jonny Smyth, 26, was extradited to Spain earlier this month after being arrested in Braga, Portugal, on 25 March. He had been named in international arrest warrants circulated by Interpol following John George's disappearance.
Fresh calls for consumption room over drug use at building site

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kelly Bonner

A derelict building site that is being used by drug users to inject cocaine and heroin has prompted fresh calls for a drug consumption room in Belfast. The site in the city centre is earmarked for student accommodation, however it is currently being used by drug users to inject Class A drugs. Drug consumption rooms allow people to inject substances such as heroin under medical supervision but Westminster would need to change the law to allow them in Northern Ireland.
Oliver James MacCormack jailed over human trafficking and prostitution

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kelly Bonner

Woman forced into prostitution says she was scared for her lifeBBCCourtney Smith has waived her right to anonymity to tell BBC News NI about the abuse she enduredA woman who was trafficked, sexually assaulted and forced into prostitution has said the abuse she suffered was so traumatic it has ruined her life. Courtney Smith was abused by 71-year-old Oliver James MacCormack. MacCormack, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, was given seven years in jail with half to be served on licence.
Northern Ireland's first women-only crisis accommodation opens

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kelly Bonner

'Lifeline' as first women-only crisis accommodation facility opensGetty ImagesThe number of women sleeping rough on the streets of Belfast more than tripled in five years, according to figures from homelessness charity the Welcome OrganisationNorthern Ireland's first women-only temporary crisis accommodation has opened near Belfast city centre.
überlube introduces sustainable paper tube packaging

2 months ago | cosmeticsdesign.com | Cassandra Stern |Kelly Bonner |Aptar Beauty

The personal care industry generates approximately 120 billion packaging units annually, with a significant portion ending up in landfills due to limited recyclability, as reported by the nonprofit 4Ocean. In response to growing environmental concerns, 81% of beauty product consumers believe the industry should actively reduce plastic packaging, according to a consumer survey conducted by CleanHub.
'Paedophile tried to silence my teenage son about abuse'

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Kelly Bonner

Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual assault and names have been changed to protect the identity of the victim"Mummy, Stephen-Lee is going to ask you if he can stay in our house tonight, but will you say no?"After reading those words in a text message, a mother from Belfast said she knew then that convicted paedophile, Stephen-Lee McIlvenny, 21, was abusing her son. "That was a big wake up call for me," Michelle (not her real name) told BBC News NI.
Tackling illegal drugs needs a rethink, Naomi Long says

2 months ago | bbc.com | Kelly Bonner

Justice Minister Naomi Long has said the "war on drugs has not been won" and there needs to be a rethink of how illegal drugs are dealt with in Northern Ireland. On Wednesday, Long visited The People's Kitchen, a Belfast drop-in centre for those experiencing homelessness and drug addiction. She said her personal view is that having drug consumption rooms, where drug users can safely inject, would be a step forward. But she said as an executive, ministers need to start taking a new approach.