Niall McCracken

1 week ago | bbc.com | Niall McCracken

Delayed NI Fire Service training centre to openNiall McCrackenBBC News NI Mid Ulster ReporterNIFRSThe site is based at Desertcreat just outside CookstownA long-delayed state-of-the-art training college for the fire service in Northern Ireland is to officially open at a ceremony on Wednesday. The facility just outside Cookstown was first announced more than 20 years ago. The initial plan was for a larger training college that included the police and prison service.

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Niall McCracken

'Tell me who murdered my sister 50 years ago'Niall McCrackenBBC News NI Mid Ulster ReporterBeattie familyMarian Beattie's body was found at the bottom of a quarry in 1973The brother of a woman who was murdered more than 50 years ago has made a fresh appeal for information about her death. Marian Beattie, 18, from Portadown was last seen leaving a charity dance at Hadden's Garage in Aughnacloy on 30 March 1973.

1 month ago | bbc.com | Niall McCracken

Begley scores with Swifts' Irish Cup final soundtrackNiall McCrackenBBC News NI Mid Ulster ReporterMossey MediaPhilomena Begley recently put on a special performance for Dungannon Swifts' fans and playersDid you ever hear the one about the Queen of Country and the County Tyrone football club? Philomena Begley is one of Irish country music's most loved and celebrated entertainers who has been working in the industry for more than 60 years.

1 month ago | bbc.com | Niall McCracken

'We waited 25 years to open village mystery chest'Niall McCrackenBBC News NI Mid Ulster ReporterBBCThe Caledon Millennium Chest had been kept under lock and key for 25 yearsIn the basement of an old County Tyrone court house a large wooden chest has been gathering dust for a quarter of a century, on top of it was a plaque with just one instruction - "To be opened in the year 2025".

1 month ago | bbc.com | Niall McCracken

Theft and damage of defibrillators 'obscene'Niall McCrackenBBC News NI Mid Ulster ReporterGettyThere are thousands of community defibrillators across Northern Ireland in places like schools, sports centres and shopsConcerns have been raised about the number of publicly accessible defibrillators that have either been damaged or stolen in Northern Ireland in recent years. Defibrillators are used - alongside resuscitation or CPR - to give the best chance of survival during a cardiac arrest.