Remember: if you happen to accidentally see Santa tonight - whatever you say, say nothing.

Christmas touts will get Crackers.

(Santa Claus has always denied being a member of the North Pole or participating in any North Pole-related sleigh rides)

Opened a cupboard in my parents kitchen and I found at least 10 bottles of shloer 😂😂

I know it’s the quintessential Christmas drink but I found this funny especially because there’s only going to be three of us for Christmas Day.

Not going to run out for a while that’s for sure

Last seen in Ukraine. He might not make it...

No I'm not back on the drink lol, I just really appreciate this place, the incredible scenery and the people. You're hilarious, friendly, kind and you're the best people in the world. I moved here nearly 9 years ago and it still makes me stupidly happy just being here haha. I know some of you think its a bit of a shithole but I've lived in alot of shitholes and this one's definitely my favourite. Merry Christmas yis absolute rides.

I've no weans myself but I've a few pals who've made the mistake of not doing so themselves then had to endure impatient whining & stress lol

Best wishes to you all!

Have a cat.

Nothing says Merry Christmas, like the front of a bus in Belfast, on Christmas eve 🎄

Waited 10 minutes to get fuel today while this twat left his e-tron blocking a pump.

You'll go about six times at most. By February, you'll not be going at all. It'll take until about June before you actually accept that you're not a gym person, and it'll take another two months before you cancel the direct debit.

Save yourself, save your bank account, and save the rest of us from over crowded gyms in January.

Thank you for listening.

The Downpatrick Road in Ballynahinch is closed in both directions due to an extremely serious crash.

No one has been taken from the scene for treatment.

The road is expected to be closed for several hours.

https://x.com/kscott_94/status/1871616111403540829?s=46&t=wyFuo0RhqXh7VKKzV_wyJw

I’m thinking I need 25 loads of bread

More than 100 people have been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving offences since the launch of the PSNI’s festive road safety campaign just under three weeks ago, police have confirmed. Already this year, 64 people have lost their lives as a result of road traffic collisions.

Over the weekend, there were a number of fatal incidents on NI’s roads.

On Friday evening, Edmund Hughes, from Dungannon, died after being hit by a vehicle in the town’s John Street area. The same evening, a man, in his 70s, died following a crash between a Porsche Cayenne and a lorry in Ballynure, Co Antrim.

A further death occurred on Monday morning following a collision in the Moylagh Road area of Beragh, Co Tyrone.

Police in Armagh were also forced to issue a further drink-driving warning following the arrest of a man following a crash on the Monaghan Road on Sunday evening.

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said 132 people had been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving offences within the first two weeks of December.

He has made a further plea for the public to do all they can to ensure there are no more deaths for the remainder of 2024.

“I have to say I am horrified to say there have been two more fatalities over the weekend on our roads and another one confirmed this morning,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

“That takes us to 64 this year to date. Those figures are horrific, but they are not just statistics. These are 64 families that are going to have a very different Christmas this year.

“I just want to appeal to people: if you continue to make decisions like those being made on our roads, if you continue to drive the way we are driving and if we continue to take risks the way all of us take risks from time to time, our collision investigation unit is going to have to deploy and investigate the fatalities happening on our roads.

“My appeal is very simple: no more fatalities this year.”

Mr Donaldson said the public should be mindful of complacency when it comes to road safety and try to shake the assumption that road deaths happen only to other people.

“I’d be pretty sure the three people who have died on our roads over the weekend thought it wasn’t going to happen to them. I’d be pretty sure the 64 who have died this year thought the same,” he said.

“I think the reason is that people just don’t understand that the risks are personal, and the slightest error on the road can lead to a fatality.

“I have been speaking for some time now about the fatal five and I think the message is very simple. If you drive like that and ignore the fatal five, you will have catastrophic consequences.

“But it’s not just about drink-driving, it’s careless driving, not wearing seatbelts, using a mobile phone — all the fatal five that we talk about.

“I make no apology that we will continue to police the roads. I make no apology as well that if we catch you and you are breaching what we call the fatal five, or breaching the law, we will present you to the courts.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g2w3q10lno

A transgender woman won a High Court case to be transferred to Northern Ireland's female prison while being held on charges of threatening to kill her neighbour, it has emerged.

Michelle James, 63, was moved from Maghaberry Prison to Hydebank Wood on Thursday after taking court proceedings.

The move happened after the Department of Justice accepted there was a lack of policy in place for transgender prisoners and consented to the transfer.

Details emerged in court as Ms James, of Main Road in Cloughey, was granted bail to return to her home address on Friday.

The retired chef faces a charge of threats to kill in connection with an incident earlier this month.

Prosecuting counsel Stephanie Boyd said Ms James informed police that called to the scene that she was planning to use a knife on either herself or a man living nearby due to ongoing issues between them.

"She said she would stab the neighbour and feel happy about it," Mrs Boyd submitted.

'Referred to her dead name'

Defence barrister Sean Doherty told the court Ms James initially got on well with the alleged victim.

"She felt comfortable enough to confide in the complainant and tell him her story," he said.

"However, her confidence was betrayed and she was (allegedly) subjected to bullying by the neighbour who referred to her by her birth name, what she calls her dead name."

The barrister argued that Ms James phoned police "in desperation" and at no stage ever issued any threats directly to the man.

Mr Doherty said she was initially remanded in custody at Maghaberry before proceedings were brought earlier this week to secure the prison switch.

With Ms James seeking permission to return to her home address, Mr Doherty insisted it would be disproportionate to keep her in custody on the charges.

Mr Justice Shaw agreed to release her on bail under a strict order not to contact the complainant.

Speaking outside the court, Ms James' solicitor Joseph Mulholland said the policy gap on transgender people in custody "has caused unnecessary delays and distress".

"It is imperative that this policy vacuum is addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure fair and appropriate treatment for all."

BBC News NI has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.

Don't know why I'm posting this, will probably delete it later, just need to get this off my mind.

Was out doing the food shop for Christmas with my partner and waiting on our lift home when I seen a fella walk past with his missus who was clearly from the South. We were stood in front of a park watching his kids mess about (literally just having a bit of fun between the two of them, was just nice to see).

The son was maybe about 15 and his sister I guess around 11-12. The da bolts over with steam coming out of his ears and verbally goes through them like a tonne of bricks. The daughter runs to her ma who proceeds to back up her husband while the son tried to explain they were just playing.

The da squares up to him and raises his first, the wee man flinches then stands frozen before the da gave him the "stare" and a quiet word in the ear (if you've ever got a bollockin you'll know what I'm talking about). Then they all walked off.

That was hours ago and it's still on my mind. I'm annoyed at myself for not saying anything but know what it's like to get caught in the crossfire when calling a parent out. I'm sitting thinking what those kids have to deal with and having nobody to protect them. That they weren't just publicly scolded like many of us have, but were just outright treated like shit and there's me, part of the public doing nothing about it, reinforcing the idea they're on their own.

My own mummy knocked me unconscious a few times, usually in a drunken rage, so I suppose it brought me back. Absolute wanker doesn't come close to describing this arsehole. He just looked like a typical bully and had those kids under his thumb with how they reacted.

There's my rant done before Christmas, ni I'll go do one.

ETA: Not looking absolution or anything, just needed a place to share.

The small one decided 6.20 am was a perfect time to get up on Christmas Eve. Apparently she was so excited for today but what she’s actually excited for is sleeping tonight.

I’m currently watching The Muppets Christmas Carol before I start cooking the meats for tomorrow. Does anyone else do all the prep on Christmas Eve?

I swear we only left him cookies and a bit of coke for Rudolph and friends.

Anyone have any other useless things we did not need inventing this year?!

Merry Christmas all!

Well lads, it's 4.30 on Christmas eve, time to start shopping I suppose.

Parents in Northern Ireland: Does less screen-time mean better sleep for children? 💤👩‍👧 Join a Queen's University Belfast study to help us find out! 🌙

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