Major high street fashion retailer under fire for charging 15% extra for plus-size clothing - is it fair? @NiamhHoran and fashion stylist Rivkie Baum debate
Clothing store New Look has come under fire for charging an extra 15% for some plus-size clothing - compared to identical items in its standard range. Shopper Maria Wassell, from Kent, is featured in many papers, complaining because she found a pair of striped trousers in the Curves range cost £22.99 compared to £19.99 in the main collection. So should you pay more for plus-size clothes? Vinny ...
12m May 16, 2018
12m
Sinn Fein border poll call with "immediate effect" - @malodoherty and @Jude42 discuss
Sinn Fein border poll call with "immediate effect" - commentators Malachi O'Doherty and Jude Collins debate
17m May 16, 2018
17m
Setting poll date "would encourage Sinn Fein to make NI more politically unstable" - @RobinSwannUUP on Sinn Fein border poll call
Setting poll date "would encourage Sinn Fein to make NI more politically unstable" - UUP leader Robin Swann on Sinn Fein border poll call
6m May 16, 2018
6m
Sinn Fein in border poll call after it was revealed that PM Theresa May reportedly expressed doubts about winning a vote - @DeclanKearneySF talks to @vinnybelfast
Sinn Fein has insisted that a border poll must be called with immediate effect. Yesterday the Times newspaper reported the Prime Minister had doubts that the government would win a referendum on maintaining Northern Ireland's place within the UK. It said Mrs May had been discussing Brexit plans with Jacob Rees-Mogg when she made the comments.The newspaper said Mr Rees-Mogg had expressed his vie...
14m May 16, 2018
14m
'Bohemian Bap City' - @vinnybelfast talks to stars and producers of @Action_Ability's take on Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, coming to @gohbelfast
Many of us love the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen. Action Ability aims to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities into the community and their new production, Bohemian Bap City - is coming to the Grand Opera House on June 26th. It is a 'Belfast' take on Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, and explores Freddie Mercury's quest to become a rock star whilst living on the streets of Belfast. V...
9m May 15, 2018
9m
Bobby Clarke, the first person shot in what became known as the Ballymurphy Massacre, tells @vinnybelfast his story on the street where he fell 47 years ago
Last week the UVF claimed it was responsible for some of the deaths during what became known as the Ballymurphy Massacre. Until that point members of the Parachute Regiment had been held responsible for the deaths during three days of gunfire involving soldiers in west Belfast in August 1971. Bobby Clarke was the first person who was shot that day, Vinny met up with him and he took him back to ...
18m May 15, 2018
18m
Gammon - it's the new insult for white, middle aged, privileged men. But is it racist? @Kevin_Maguire and commentator Fionola Meredith debate
Have you heard of the term "gammon"? It is being used to describe angry white middle aged men, usually in the context of political discussions. Many are saying that not only is the term offensive but also racist. DUP MP Emma Pengally tweeted "stereotyping by colour or age is wrong no matter what race, age or community". What do you think? Vinny got the views of commentator Fionola Meredith and ...
8m May 15, 2018
8m
NI in political limbo for 16 months - so just who is in charge and where do we go from here? @JimAllister, @SteveAikenUUP and @DavidFordMLA discuss
NI in political limbo for 16 months - so just who is in charge and where do we go from here? TUV leader Jim Allister, UUP MLA Steve Aiken and Alliance MLA David Ford discuss
13m May 15, 2018
13m
No devolved government. No direct rule. And High Court casts doubt over whether civil servants can take key decisions here in the future. So who is in charge of NI? @columeastwood
Northern Ireland has been in political limbo for the last 16 months. We've no functioning devolved government. We also have no direct rule from London. Senior civil servants have been doing their best to keep the country running. But can that continue? Yesterday, a controversial incinerator in Mallusk was blocked by the High Court. Planning permission for the multi million pound facility was ap...
17m May 15, 2018
17m
@smyth_janice from @RCN_NI fires warning over current nursing staff shortages
"The current shortages are not only dangerous, but a vicious circle too" - that from the Royal College of Nursing as new stats highlight a serious problem within our health service. The poll carried out by YouGov for the Royal College of Nursing found 74% were concerned about staffing levels.
6m May 14, 2018
6m
"Interfering and Brit-bashing" - DUP attacks Irish government over #Brexit intervention. SDLP MLA @ClaireHanna and former DUP MLA Nelson McCausland debate
The DUP has accused the Irish Government of being "belligerent, interfering and Brit bashing" over Brexit. The comments were made by MP Sammy Wilson after the Tánaiste Simon Coveney dismissed the idea of using any form of infrastructure or technology on the Irish border, saying it would put the Good Friday Agreement at risk. He told the BBC that he expected the UK government to find a political...
25m May 14, 2018
25m
Former army chief's fury over ex-soldier Troubles prosecutions. @COLRICHARDKEMP says he'll return his officer's Commission in protest - he spoke to @vinnybelfast this morning
"I'm sick of hearing soldiers who fought to protect the citizens of Northern Ireland being compared with terrorists who set out deliberately to murder, maim and intimidate those same citizens." Those are the words of Colonel Richard Kemp. The former army chief has hit out at what he says are "soldiers being hounded through the courts". And he says he will now return the Commission awarded to hi...
26m May 14, 2018
26m
After 40 odd years in the business - Sir Bob Geldof tells @vinnybelfast he still has a lot to sing about
Sir Bob Geldof is a man who never takes 'no' for an answer. The lead singer of the punk rock band Boomtown Rats, is an acclaimed singer songwriter and he's just as well known for his political activism and charity fundraising for Africa. Along with Midge Ure, he founded Band Aid and went on to organise the massive Live Aid concerts in 1985. But it's his music that's bringing him to Northern Ire...
23m May 11, 2018
23m
The Moggie who refuses to lift a leg over the border - what did you think of that Jacob Rees interview? @ClaireHanna and @JimAllister discuss
Only a "phantom government" would want to bring in a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit, so says Jacob Rees-Mogg. The high profile Brexiteer told BBC's The View that he has no need to come to the border region to understand how Brexit will affect the people who live there. Vinny spoke to TUV MLA Jim Allister and SDLP MLA Claire Hanna.
13m May 11, 2018
13m
A principled stand - the under-funded school now getting it's resources
Back now to a story we brought you on Wednesday, you'll remember the plight of Hazelwood Integrated School. It was built many years ago to hold around 700 pupils but this September it will have more than one thousand. It had been given departmental approval to increase its intake on the basis that new classrooms would be provided but earlier this week that promise seemed to have evaporated. Kat...
3m May 11, 2018
3m
Dept of Health announce independent inquiry will review the recall of neurology patients by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust - @NicholaMallon reacts
The Department of Health announced yesterday that an independent inquiry will review the recall of neurology patients by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. The inquiry will examine the process started by the Trust in December 2016. It came after concerns were raised about the clinical practice of Dr Michael Watt which resulted in last week's patient recall announcement. It will also asse...
3m May 11, 2018
3m
The NHS is 70 years old, worn out and in need of treatment - what are you prepared to do to help it?
This morning we are asking you the public a very big question - what are you personally prepared to do to make a better health service? Are you willing to pay more and are you prepared to make big changes to your way of life, accept responsibility for looking after your own health? The NHS is 70 years old this year - by all accounts it is often creaking at the seams - not a week seems to go by ...
32m May 11, 2018
32m
The RHI inquiry and the auditor who made a big impression - @SJAMcBride talks us through the latest inquiry revelations
A novel day for the RHI inquiry yesterday when a civil servant was publicly praised. That was for accepting personal responsibility for one of the multiple failures which may have contributed to the cash for ash scandal. Elaine Dolan was head of the internal audit in Arlene Foster's department during the design of the RHI scheme and the first year and a half of its operation. She told the publi...
13m May 10, 2018
13m
Policing the past and a Prime Minister speaking without the facts - does the truth about legacy just disappear in a world of spin? @GerryKellyMLA, @mikenesbittni, @DavidFordMLA and @doloreskelly
The Prime Minister has said the system for investigating the past in Northern Ireland is "unfair". Yesterday while speaking in the House of Commons Theresa May said only people in the "armed forces" or "law enforcement" were being investigated. Theresa May's statement is contradicted by information given to the BBC's Home Affairs Correspondent Vincent Kearney last year when he was told by the p...
22m May 10, 2018
22m
Jim Wells and the DUP - is it the end of the road for the party's self-styled embarrassing uncle? He joined @vinnybelfast live in studio
The former DUP Health Minister Jim Wells has lost the party whip after he criticised the leadership in the media. Is it the end of the road for the party's self-styled embarrassing uncle? He joined Vinny live in studio this morning.
27m May 10, 2018
27m
The Civil Servants who just didn't talk to each other - another revelation at the RHI inquiry - @SJAMcBride has been following events
More startling details emerged from the RHI inquiry yesterday. The 60th day of the investigation into what went wrong with the botched green energy scheme heard evidence from Seamus Hughes from the Department of the Economy. Vinny spoke to Newsletter political editor Sam McBride has been following the RHI inquiry.
16m May 09, 2018
16m
Music superstar Adele slammed for Titanic themed 30th birthday party as guests pictured in life jackets - bad taste or just a bit of fun?
Music superstar Adele has celebrated turning 30 with a Titanic themed birthday party. The singer dressed up as Kate Winslet's character Rose from the Oscar-winning film and shared a series of photo's showing guests wearing life jackets. But some have criticised the party theme calling it inappropriate. What do you think is it bad taste or just a bit of fun? Commentators Fionola Meredith and Tin...
8m May 09, 2018
8m
200 extra pupils but nowhere to put them - the Newtownabbey school running out of hope for September - @vinnybelfast visited Hazelwood Integrated College and spoke to the principal
Mission impossible - the words of seasoned Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College - Kathleen O'Hare. Before the collapse of Stormont her school was given the green light, by the then Minister, to grow in size and accept more pupils. The usual next step is, as Kathleen explained to Vinny, the need for classrooms, desks, the lot. But they have now been turned down for both temporary and long t...
13m May 09, 2018
13m
Nolan exclusive - they've got the penalty points but they've still got their licence - just why are nearly 100 guilty drivers allowed to stay on the road?
The Nolan Show can reveal that there are currently 93 drivers in Northern Ireland that still hold a valid driving licence despite having more than 12 penalty points on their licence. Those drivers have amassed between 12 and 16 points each. So that is 93 people that have been deemed to have been driving and breaking the rules of the road, they've got the points but they've still got their licen...
27m May 09, 2018
27m
The harrowing story of Omagh woman - @corry_alana - and what happened on one terrible Tuesday in 2006
In 2006, Alana Corry from Omagh, was a carefree 28 year old nurse living and working in London when, on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday morning, a dramatic event changed her life forever. She has written a book about her experience called "The Terrible Tuesday" and in it she describes what happened when she awoke one morning to find a man she did not know standing in her bedroom and on how she ma...
24m May 08, 2018
24m
Could a bill from the police end the Belfast Marathon? @mikenesbittni, @AmandaFBelfast and former Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan discuss
Yesterday thousands of runners took part in the 36th Belfast Marathon, but before the event organisers warned that this could be the last time it is staged because of policing costs. Under new road legislation the organisers would be responsible for the costs of policing the event which could be upward of £100,000. The PSNI has said the reality of the financial pressures facing the organisation...
17m May 08, 2018
17m
Irish Cup Final national anthem row - #BBCNolan callers react
Nolan Show callers react to Irish Cup Final national anthem row
20m May 08, 2018
20m
Heads down at Windsor - Cliftonville and that Irish Cup Final protest - dignified or disrespectful? @chrisadonnelly and @JamieBrysonCPNI debate
Dignified, peaceful protest or disrespecting the British national anthem? At Saturday's Irish Cup Final, Cliftonville's players bowed their heads in protest at the decision to play the God Save the Queen. The game, which Coleraine won 3-1, was already in controversy after the IFA decision to refuse a request from Cliftonville not to play the British national anthem before the final. That was a ...
17m May 08, 2018
17m
Belfast City Cllr reported over tweet related to the famine described as "racist, sectarian and offensive" - Dr Éamon Phoenix joined @vinnybelfast in studio
A Belfast City councillor has been reported to the Local Government Commissioner for Standards over a tweet that has been described as "racist, sectarian and offensive". Independent councillor Jolene Bunting posted the tweet on Thursday afternoon It depicted two frogs, one wearing a union jack and the other wearing an Irish tricolour. The frog in the Irish flag is crying, holding a pint of Guin...
6m May 04, 2018
6m
Julian Lewis MP says it would be a "retrograde step" if a consultation on legacy issues in NI fails to consider statute of limitations for those involved on both sides of the Troubles
The chairman of the Defence Select Committee, Julian Lewis, has said it would be a "retrograde step" if a consultation on legacy issues in Northern Ireland fails to consider a statute of limitations for those involved on both sides of the Troubles. Mr Lewis said ministers "can't always have your cake and eat it", as he again called for action on the issue to protect British veterans from prosec...
15m May 04, 2018
15m
Irish FA turns down request from Cliftonville not to play 'God Save the Queen' before Irish Cup Final this weekend - @chrisadonnelly and @JamieBrysonCPNI debate
Ahead of tomorrow's Irish Cup, the Irish FA has turned down a request from Cliftonville not to play 'God Save the Queen' before the final. But they have "committed to conducting a future stakeholder review of the issue". Cliftonville take on Coleraine in the Cup Final at Windsor Park. It is an about turn from the situation in 2013 when Cliftonville were also playing and the IFA decided then the...
23m May 04, 2018
23m
A border poll on unity is now more likely than ever according to the unionist MP Lady Herman - @AllisonMorris1 and @SJAMcBride discuss
Allison Morris from the Irish News and Sam McBride from the Newsletter discuss
26m May 04, 2018
26m
The Kop is going to Kiev - @StevenBeacom5 reacts as Liverpool secure place in #ChampionsLeague Final #LFC
Liverpool fans are in dream land this morning after securing a place in the Champions League Final. Despite last nights loss to Roma in a pulsating encounter, their 7-6 aggregate win will see them face Real Madrid in Kiev on 26 May. Sports journalist and Liverpool fan Steven Beacom reacts.
5m May 03, 2018
5m
Celeb chef Jamie Oliver in call for ban on junk food ads before 9pm watershed - is he talking sense on childhood obesity? @EJWoolf and Fionola Meredith debate
Jamie Oliver has told a select committee that more taxation is not the way to curb the UK's obesity epidemic. He and fellow celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall were giving evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee. He said it's time for Theresa May to "do what's right". Both chefs are calling for measures to encourage healthy eating - including a ban on junk food adverts be...
20m May 03, 2018
20m
Nolan exclusive - over 100 staff from health Trusts across NI attend conference in Amsterdam this week - @vinnybelfast reveals the costs
Yesterday we brought you the story that 61 staff from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust are in Amsterdam this week. Today we're bringing you the cost - £85,000 according to the Belfast Trust. Also this morning we can reveal that in total there are 104 staff from Trusts across NI at the events in the city famous for canals, bikes and lost weekends. And the cost is mounting - so far it's o...
23m May 03, 2018
23m
"No way is the UVF going to try and help the Ballymurphy families" - John Teggert, son of Daniel who died in Ballymurphy massacre in 1971
"No way is the UVF going to try and help the Ballymurphy families" - John Teggert, son of Daniel who died in Ballymurphy massacre in 1971
7m May 03, 2018
7m
"It looks like a publicity stunt" - Sinn Fein's @GerryKellyMLA reacts to UVF claims of responsibility in some of the Ballymurphy shootings in 1971
Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly reacts to UVF claims of responsilbility in some of the Ballymurphy shootings in 1971
10m May 03, 2018
10m
47 years after what became known as the Ballymurphy Massacre the UVF have claimed it was responsible or some of the shootings - @vinnybelfast spoke to PUP leader Billy Hutchinson
47 years after the killings that became known as the Ballymurphy Massacre, the UVF have claimed it was responsible for some of the shootings. It's generally been believed that the Parachute Regiment were responsible for all of the 10 deaths, however, yesterday the PUP leader Billy Hutchinson said the UVF have now said that one of their members was engaged in the shooting on that fateful day in ...
8m May 03, 2018
8m
Nolan exclusive - 61 staff from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust attend conference in Amsterdam this week
The Department of Health has asked the Belfast Health Trust to "urgently explain" how the a trip to Amsterdam complied with the department's criteria. 61 staff from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust are in Amsterdam this week. Not on their holidays, but at the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare. The Nolan Show understands there are around 100 health service staff acr...
4m May 02, 2018
4m
Much ado about nothing or a waltz through protocol? The Taoiseach and his northern trip - former DUP MLA Nelson McCausland and @IRLPatricia debate
The NIO has insisted that Leo Varadkar's visit to Counties Armagh and Down on Monday followed "all protocol". The clarification came after DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said Leo Varadkar's visit was "outside of normal protocol" and it showed "poor manners". The UK government was informed of the visit on Sunday. But the NIO say they did not tell local MPs - they are the DUP's David Simpson and Si...
16m May 02, 2018
16m
Nicola Moore, Country Director for Northern Ireland Parkinson's UK, says she learnt about recall of 2,500 neurology patients in the media
Nicola Moore, Country Director for Northern Ireland Parkinson's UK, says she learnt about recall of 2,500 neurology patients in the media .
9m May 02, 2018
9m
"The patients and I felt that we were banging our head against a break wall" - SDLP MLA @NicholaMallon had contacted the Trust on behalf of constituents last year
SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon had contacted the Trust on behalf of constituents last year.
11m May 02, 2018
11m
The Belfast Health Trust and an 18 month delay in alerting neurology patients - did protecting reputations come before patients? @vinnybelfast talks to Dr Mark Mitchelson
More on the news that 2,500 neurology patients here, including children, are being recalled for a case review. This amid concerns some patients may have been misdiagnosed or mistreated by neurology consultant Dr Michael Watt at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. Neurology is the treatment of brain conditions including MS, Parkinson's Disease, Stroke and Motor Neurone Disease. Have you or...
27m May 02, 2018
27m
A minimum price for alcohol comes into force in Scotland today - is it time Northern Ireland followed suit? CEO @HospUlster Colin Neill and @DaveAtherton20 discuss
A minimum price for alcohol has come into force in Scotland today, set at 50p per unit. The Scottish Government hopes the move will cut down on the number of deaths caused by excessive drinking - by making the cheapest alcohol significantly more expensive. The British Medical Association has renewed its call for it to be introduced here. So would you support an increase in alcohol pricing? Vinn...
9m May 01, 2018
9m
PSNI warn that online scams are happening more and more - Superintendent Simon Walls tells @vinnybelfast about one of the latest incidents
The PSNI has told the Nolan Show that online scams are happening more and more. In the most recent case one lady was scammed into letting criminals access her computer after cold calling her. She lost thousands of pounds which she might not get back. Superintendent Simon Walls told Vinny about this latest incident.
7m May 01, 2018
7m
Community group rep hits out as contractors move bonfire material from Newtownards site to Comber Parkway
We're still a few months away from July but it would seem that bonfire collections are already taking place. Kathleen has contacted the show, she is Treasurer Comber Community Residents' Group. She tells Vinny what has been happening.
6m May 01, 2018
6m
"What it speaks to in my view is a bigoted, racist mindset that exists still within certain politicians" - Fianna Fáil TD @timmydooley on Lord Kilclooney "typical Indian" tweet
"What it speaks to in my view is a bigoted, racist mindset that exists still within certain politicians" - Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley on Lord Kilclooney "typical Indian" tweet
5m May 01, 2018
5m
Is the BBC right to waive the licence fee for the Royal wedding? @eamonderry and former royal editor for The Sun Duncan Larcombe debate
The BBC has waived the TV licence fee for communities wanting to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. It means street parties and other special events can screen the wedding live without buying a licence. The BBC has said - "In exceptional circumstances, the BBC can grant a dispensation for the temporary viewing of television... for the sole purpose of screening an event which is jud...
8m May 01, 2018
8m
"I speak as a proud Northern Irish woman of a proud Indian heritage" - commentator Lata Sharma reacts to Lord Kilclooney "typical Indian" tweet row
"I speak as a proud Northern Irish woman of a proud Indian heritage" - commentator Lata Sharma reacts to Lord Kilclooney "typical Indian" tweet row
18m May 01, 2018
18m
"Completely unacceptable" - @naomi_long hits out at Lord Kilclooney "typical Indian" tweet
"Completely unacceptable" - Alliance Party leader Naomi Long hits out at Lord Kilclooney "typical Indian" tweet
5m May 01, 2018
5m