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Iconic tourist attraction could vanish forever in huge blow to one of UK’s most popular destinations

AN ICONIC tourist attraction in one of the UK’s most popular cities could soon be extinct.

Punting on the charming River Cam in Cambridge could soon be a thing of the past as the organisation managing the time-honoured tradition warns it could collapse within twelve months.

Punting on the River Cam in Cambridge, England.
Alamy
Punting along the River Cam in Cambridge could soon become an activity of the past[/caption]

CamCon, who act as the Conservators of the River Cam, says it is “in crisis” and may become “unviable and inoperative” without urgent financial intervention, The Times reports.

The crisis centres on two lock islands essential for regulating water levels and which are at urgent risk of collapse.

Their potential demise could mean the the famed Backs – which offers punters a scenic view of King’s College and other landmarks – could soon be rendered “a measly, muddy trickle” which won’t be able to support flat-bottomed boats which accommodate tourists.

David Goode, CamCon’s chairman, has highlighted that both Jesus Lock island and Baits Bite Lock, situated a few miles up the river, face an “imminent danger of collapse”. 

“If it was imminent a year ago it’s not going to get better,” he added.

“On the river stretch along the Backs between Mill Pond and Jesus Lock the water level is held artificially high by the sluice gates at the lock.”

The historic city heavily relies on the industry for waving in thousands of domestic and international visitors annually.

Beyond the punting industry, university rowing clubs will also be affected as the Cam could soon become overgrown with weeds.

David continued: “There would be a lot of consequences: the loss of punting, exposing of the foundation of college walls and the devastating impact to the appeal and economy of Cambridge.”

Provisional financial support to stabilise the river could cost in excess of £1.5million, while permanent aid would require more than £10million per structure.

Anne Miller, co-chair of the Cam Valley Forum which advocates for river conservation, called on the colleges to step up their efforts.

“If the river is fetid sludge the tourists aren’t going to want to come; the colleges along the river are going to suffer,” she said.

“We are a techy city. We’ve got loads of billionaires, wealthy colleges, wealthy businesses from Microsoft to AstraZeneca.

“If everybody puts a chunk in a kitty we can get this sorted.”

The Sun Online has reached out to Cambridge County Council for comment.

How to enjoy a river punt on the Cam

Nothing is as quintessentially ‘Cambridge’ as floating down the River Cam in a wooden punt.

It’s the best way to view the city’s most famous buildings, as many of these are spread along the banks of the river and cannot be seen from the centre of town.

Punting is also the only way to see all the stunning bridges which give the city its name, including the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge (which, according to urban legend, was constructed using no nuts or bolts).

You can get a chauffeured tour complete with a guide or simply rent your own, but be warned, first-timers are known to occasionally fall in.

Don’t worry if you’re visiting during the colder months — punting firms will equip you with blankets to stay warm and umbrellas in case of bad luck with the weather.

Prices vary by season and by company, but guided tours on a shared boat cost around £15-30 per person for adults and roughly £10 for kids.

If you fancy a go at pushing the punt yourself, it will cost between £24-£36 per hour.

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My brother disappeared without a trace when I was 9… cruel schoolkids joked about finding body & I’m racked with guilt

SOPHIE Bryant has grown up with the tragedy of her missing brother hanging over her.

She was just nine when Allan jr, 23, disappeared without a trace on a night out in 2013 – but she didn’t quite understand then what was going on.

Woman standing by a car with missing person posters, appealing for information about her missing brother.
Sophie Bryant’s older brother disappeared when she was nine
Sophie Bryant
Photo of Allan Bryant giving a thumbs-up.
Andrew Barr
Allan Bryant jr disappeared in November 2013 aged 23[/caption]
Woman with long blonde hair and a septum piercing.
Sophie Bryant
Sophie, now 20, says the family just wants closure[/caption] Map showing the location of missing person Allan Bryant Jr. in Glenrothes, Scotland, along with his photo and CCTV image.

The now 20-year-old recalls her mum and dad, Marie and Allan sr, regularly speaking to the police and press, and growing more frantic for answers that have never come.

Sophie, from Glenrothes, Fife, said a couple of years ago human remains were found and the family gloomily hoped they belonged to Allan jr.

“It feels bad saying we wish it was him, but if it was him maybe we’d have got a bit of closure,” she told The Sun.

“We think he’s definitely… not alive,” she explained with a pause when asked if she still holds out hope. 

“It’s a good thought to think – that he’s alive somewhere – but we know something bad has happened, or he would have been home by now.”

Allan jr was picked up on CCTV leaving the town’s Styx nightclub at around 2am on November 3 2013.

The family has passed thousands of tip-offs over the years to Police Scotland, but ultimately without any luck.

There is no video evidence yet released to indicate where exactly the young man went or what became of him.

For Sophie, the night Allan jr disappeared started like any other Saturday booze-up for her brother. 

Him and his pals were pre-drinking at the Bryant home and then headed out for what was the Halloween weekend.

They first went to an engagement party at Leslie Golf Club on the outskirts of town, and then to the nightclub. 

“I can remember the weekend he didn’t come back home,” said Sophie. 

“I was just wondering where he went. I can’t remember what the last thing was that I said to him. 

“You never expect something like that to happen, so you don’t necessarily recall that stuff.

“I just always think about what happened.” 

She went on to say: “My parents did shield me from it a bit, they kept me out of the public eye when they were originally appealing for information.”

Sophie can remember her mum and dad “always” being on the phone to the police and would sometimes join them on searches as a child.

Getting closer to finding out what happened to Allan jr often dominates home life. 

Photo of a young boy and girl.
Sophie Bryant
Sophie cherishes this photo of her with brother Allan[/caption]
Selfie of a young woman with blonde hair.
Sophie Bryant
She has described the difficulty of growing up while the search for answers continues[/caption]
Girl holding a missing person poster.
Sophie Bryant
Sophie, aged nine, holding up a missing person poster after Allan first vanished[/caption]

“It’s pretty much day to day, they’re always talking about what they should do to keep him in the public eye,” Sophie said. 

“They (her parents) try to live their lives as well, but I think sometimes we feel guilty about doing that.”

She said such a feeling is contradictory because of how happy-go-lucky her brother was.

“He wouldn’t want us not to be happy,” she admitted.

A photo of Sophie aged just nine shows her holding up a missing person poster brandishing her brother’s face.

To her, Allan jr was her older sibling who teased her and who she play fought with her, but who always looked out for her.

“My memories of him are just really when we were playfighting and carrying on,” she said. “He was my brother.”

Family members have also told her that she shares mannerisms with Allan jr that no-one else does.

“I like that,” she said. A photo taken of the pair of them together on the family’s porch is also something Sophie cherishes, but it’s bittersweet. 

“There’s one that I quite like,” she said when asked if she had any photos of her and Alan jr. “I was really quite young, so I don’t remember it being taken, but it’s a nice one.

I know who ‘murdered’ my son, 23, on night out a decade ago... cops say he’s missing but they need to probe vital clue

By Ryan Merrifield

A DESPERATE dad says he knows who “murdered” his son, after he went missing over 12 years ago.

Allan Bryant Jr disappeared while on a night out on November 3 2013, but he’s never been found and no one ever brought to justice.

The then-23-year-old was spotted on CCTV leaving Styx nightclub in Glenrothes, Fife, in Scotland, around 2am – but what happened next remains a mystery.

Mr Bryant said he and his family have accepted his son is dead but he, Allan’s mum Marie and sisters Amy and Sophie want closure.

He told The Sun he’s passed thousands of tip-offs over the years to Police Scotland, but ultimately without any luck. 

Mr Bryant said he “begged” the force to release a clip of the CCTV video footage, which they finally did months after the disappearance.

The determined dad is adamant he knows who killed his boy and hopes it is just a matter of time before someone comes forward with information that could lead to a conviction.

He said: “A lot of people have come forward and it all points in the same direction about what happened to Allan.”

In 2015, the family was passed information to police which suggested Allan had gone to a house party after leaving the club.

Two years later, cops searched a house in Glenrothes for 33 days as part of the investigation but nothing came of it.

Mr Bryant later voiced fears that his son had been in contact with a crime gang weeks before he vanished.

He told The Sun this week: “We believe he went to a houseparty, something happened at a houseparty.”

He said on studying the CCTV from the nightclub, it’s clear Allan heads in a different direction than if he were going home.

Mr Bryant believes those who may have witnessed what happened to his son remain too scared to speak to detectives.  

“I believe that without a doubt. We just need that one bit of the jigsaw… everything stems from there,” he said.

Mr Bryant and his family moved out of the home they’d lived in with Allan in 2018, but still regularly use the same local shops and haunts.

He feels the mystery over his son’s death has created a dark cloud over the town, with people avoiding him and even “stare at Allan’s mum” without speaking.

The dad claims one person – who he believes witnessed his son’s death – has told people while drunk: “I know what happened to Allan.”

Mr Bryant – who has been supported by charity Missing People – said he’s met other families in the same position as him, admitting “it takes its toll”.

“Some families just can’t do it,” he continued. “You’re tired and you have bad nightmares. It’s like you’re digging up skeletons because it’s going to be bones we find. 

“It takes four to five months for a human body to decompose.

“These thoughts go through your head and it’s hard to sleep. Some days are harder than others. It’s just getting harder and more difficult.”

Mr Bryant said Allan would sometimes stay out for a couple of days at a time, but he always kept his parents informed about where he was.

His phone had been smashed a couple of weeks before his disappearance and he hadn’t got round to getting a replacement when he went on what was a Saturday night out with pals over the Halloween weekend.

Mr Bryant said Allan had his number memorised so would often call off his friends’ phones.

“It was weird, I always knew where he was, he’d always let me know – this time when we woke up on the Sunday morning I said ‘I’ve got a feeling something’s not right’. 

“We just felt something was really wrong. We held out for a day and then we reported him missing on the Monday.

“I just knew in my gut something bad had happened.”

On the Saturday evening, Mr Bryant said Allan was “in a really really happy mood”.

He had some of his friends over for pre-drinks before they headed out to an engagement party at Leslie Golf Club on the outskirts of town, and then to the nightclub.

“The last time I talked to him he was about to leave the house, he was with a few friends having a drink,” Mr Bryant recalled. 

“I preferred them sitting in the house rather than on the streets. Sometimes I could sit with them and have a laugh. 

“He came downstairs all happy. He asked me for some money to go to an engagement party. He was in a really really happy mood.”

Mr Bryant said he later spoke to a barman working at the golf club who said he had refused to sell Allan another alcoholic drink as he seemed too intoxicated.

He said Allan had instead politely asked for a pint of water.

Mr Bryant said his son’s bedroom was left as it was for a while but eventually it was cleaned.

“It wasn’t in the best state,” he joked, as Allan and his pals had left empty beer cans. “It took a wee while.”

One of Allan’s sisters took a piece of the wallpaper from the bedroom when the family eventually moved out, and they kept some of his things, including his beloved Celtic top.

Mr Bryant said he feels that police have been difficult ever since Allan vanished.

“They will only give me so much information because I don’t think they trust me,” he said.

He claims sniffer dogs have never been used and the family even had to hire professionals themselves to scour an area for Allan’s remains after a tip off.

Mr Bryant continued: “I had to fight to get the CCTV released. Any other missing person case that would be released straight away. 

“I was told it was data protection. I think it would be different if Allan was a woman. If he was a 23-year-old woman in a nightclub it would be released straight away. 

“He was just a guy on a night out.”

Mr Bryant added: “I don’t know if we’ll ever find the truth but you’ve always got to hope, hold onto that bit of hope. 

“I just need to keep Allan’s photo out there so people don’t forget about him.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Allan Bryant remains a missing person and officers continue to make enquiries to trace him.

“Any new information will be assessed and anyone who can assist should call Police Scotland on 101.”

“It is difficult to look back at it though.”

Sophie said just going into Allan jr’s old bedroom after he went missing was hard for all of them.

“I think we left it for quite a while,” she said. “We couldn’t get rid of his stuff. We’ve still got it.” She said it was also hard moving house – the family have moved twice since 2013 – and she worried for a while if her brother were still out there he wouldn’t know where to find them. 

Outside of her home life, Sophie has had to shoulder a lot over the years, including the often unwanted attention she receives from people in the town.

At school she became known essentially as the girl whose brother disappeared. 

“Even people I didn’t know would come up to me, talking about it and asking if I’m his sister,” she said.

“There were always stupid rumours,” she continued. “Just in high school you’d hear people say they’ve found him in a ditch – things that aren’t true, but it’s hard to hear.

“It really affected my anxiety when I heard that.” 

While she preferred to try and ignore the attention, Sophie remembers confronting someone who was making light of her brother’s disappearance.

“I did once,” she said. “I can’t remember what I said but they knew I wasn’t happy and they never did it again.”

Parents holding a missing person poster of their son, Allan Bryant.
Andrew Barr
Allan Bryant snr and Marie Degan are desperate to learn what happened to their son[/caption]
Two blonde women posing for a selfie.
Sophie (right) and her older sister Amy
Sophie Bryant
Family photo of six people.
Andrew Barr
Allan sr, Amy, Sophie, Marie and Allan jr[/caption]

Sophie went to college for a while but dropped out due to her anxiety. However, she plans to return eventually to study psychology.

One thing that has always allowed her some peace is riding horses at a local stables.

“That seems to calm me down,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends there. 

“I started when I was 13, I started quite late,” she added laughing slightly. “Horse riding helps me focus on what I’m doing.” 

Last week, Sophie posted on Facebook for the first time about Allan jr.

“I’ve been putting it off for a long time and as I’m older now it just makes sense to write a post,” she wrote. 

The post goes on to say she “couldn’t fully comprehend” her brother’s disappearance at the time, adding: “The effect it has had on the full family is devastating, I can’t even put into words how heartbroken we all are. 

Timeline of missing Allan Bryant Jr case

November 3 2013: Allan Bryant Jr disappeared on a night out with friends

June 2014: Police Scotland released CCTV of Allan Jr leaving Styx nightclub at 2.02am

2015: Allan’s family passed information to police through local contacts that he had gone to a house party the night he vanished

2017: Police searched a house in Glenrothes for 33 days as part of their investigation

2017: Allan’s dad Allan Sr voiced fears his son may have had contact with organised gang members weeks before he went missing

2023: Allan Sr, wife Marie and daughter Amy held a media conference on the 10-year anniversary of the disappearance

“It wasn’t until I got a bit older I realised how serious this was.”

Sophie went on to write that she feels “bad” for not having as many memories of Allan jr as her older sister Amy “but all the memories I do have are all good ones”.

“I just pray that one day people will come forward and we can finally get the closure that we need,” she added. 

The post finishes: “Not knowing what has happened to Allan is the worst thing, it’s unimaginable for any family to go through. 

“It’s a living hell not knowing what has happened to Allan.”

Asked about her post, she told The Sun: “I’d been thinking about doing one for a while, I just didn’t know how to start it.

“But a lot of people said they were proud of me for doing it. 

“I just need one person to come forward who knows something.” 

Collage of a man, a shirt, and a security camera image.
CCTV shows Allan Jr leaving Styx nightclub
Jo Yuile, head of Missing People, with Allan Bryant and his daughters.
Michael Schofield
Sophie with dad Allan jr, sister Amy and Jo Yuile, head of Missing People[/caption]
A woman and a young child sitting on a couch.
Sophie Bryant
Sophie as a toddler with her mum Marie[/caption]
A man holding a photo of his missing son.
Michael Schofield - The Sun Glasgow
Allan sr believes his son was murdered[/caption]

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Padraig Amond and Conan Noonan strike late in first-half as Waterford stun Bohemians in Alan Reynolds homecoming

TWO goals in the dying minutes of the first half gave Alan Reynolds an unhappy homecoming.

Pádraig Amond’s penalty and a Conan Noonan strike steered Waterford to a massive win over local man Reynolds’ form side Bohemians at a rocking RSC last night.

Rhys Brennan could have put the visitors in front on 13 minutes when the attacker peeled off his marker to latch on to a long ball from Rob Cornwall. But his first-time effort, as Stephen McMullan advanced, went wide.

Blues goalie McMullan made a fine double save to keep Bohs at bay on 34 minutes. Dayle Rooney swung in a right-wing corner that saw the ball break to Dawson Devoy, who saw his crisp snapshot saved before the netminder responded well to save Cornwall’s rebound header.

Tommy Lonegan went agonisingly close to a brilliant opener for the hosts six minutes later, only to fire inches wide.

The forward then played a part in a penalty that gave the hosts the lead in the final minute of the half.

He was bundled over in the area by Leigh Kavanagh, and referee Marc Lynch pointed straight to the spot. Although Bohs keeper Kacper Chorazka guessed the right way, he could not keep out Amond’s brilliant 12-yarder.

The hosts doubled the lead three minutes into first-half added time. McMullan’s goal-kick was flicked on by Grant Horton, which saw the ball break for Noonan off Kavanagh, and he beat Chorazka with a stunning left-footed strike from 20 yards.

Waterford missed a host of early second-half chances to kill the game, with Lonergan, Darragh Leahy and Jesse Dempsey all going close to extending the lead by the hour mark.

But they could not convert from inside the area.

The home side were punished for those missed opportunities on 72 minutes. Ryan Burke’s loose header was picked up by Keith Buckley, who touched the ball inside for Ross Tierney.

He sent Devoy clear on the left, and the ace beat McMullan with a sweet left-footed strike.

Both sides had chances in the dying moments as Kyle White had a header cleared off the line on 87 minutes before James Clarke was just over the bar as the hosts withstood five added minutes.

SUN STAR MAN

Tommy Lonergan (Waterford)

WATERFORD FC: McMullan 7; Horton 7, McDonald 7, Leahy 7, Burke 8, Dempsey 8 (White 85, 4); Lonergan 8, Olayinka 7 (McMenamy 85, 4), Glenfield 7, Noonan 8 (McCormack 90+1, 3); Amond 8.

BOHEMIANS: Chorazka 8; Morahan 7 (Strods 85, 4), Cornwall 7, Kavanagh 5, Flores 6 (Buckley 57, 5); Brennan 6 (Clarke 46, 6), Tierney 7, Devoy 7, McDonnell 6, Rooney 7; Whelan 6 (McManus 57, 5).

REFEREE: M Lynch (Galway) 5.

20 June 2025; Padraig Amond of Waterford celebrates after scoring his side's first goal, a penalty, during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Waterford and Bohemians at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Padraig Amond of Waterford celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal against Bohemians
Ben McShane/Sportsfile

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Desperate search for boy, 10, who vanished in broad daylight from UK city centre nearly 24 hours ago

AN URGENT search has been launched to find a missing schoolboy, 10, who disappeared nearly 24hours ago.

Police Scotland are appealing to find Haiden Crawford, who vanished in Edinburgh at around midday on Friday.

The youngster was last seen in the Glenalmond Place area and cops say he may have travelled in the city by bus.

A force spokesperson said: “Officers are asking for the help of the public to trace a 10-year-old boy reported missing in Edinburgh.

“Haiden Crawford was last seen around midday on Friday, 20 June, in the Glenalmond Place area.

“He is described as around 4ft 10ins, of average build with short orange coloured hair.”

Inspector Quentin Russell added: “Concerns are growing for Haiden’s welfare and it is vital that we find him to make sure he is safe and well.

“He may have taken a bus and travelled around the city.

“We are asking anyone who has seen Haiden or knows where he might be to get in touch with us immediately.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0064 of Saturday, 21 June, 2025.

Photo of Haiden Crawford, a 10-year-old boy with short orange hair and freckles, wearing a navy blue shirt.
Scotland Police
Haiden Crawford vanished at around midday on Friday[/caption]

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

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I’m a royal gardener, important task will help your plants adapt to the heat and when it’s time for the ‘Chelsea chop’

IT’S not just us humans that need to adapt to the warmer weather, the plants in your garden will need to adjust too.

With temperatures soaring across the UK this weekend, former royal gardener Jack Stooks has opened up to Genting Casino about the hot weather jobs that could save your plot. 

Woman watering vegetables in a garden.
Getty
Jack Stooks who previously worked for the King shares his top tips[/caption]

Jack – who previously worked for King Charles at Highgrove for over two decades – also shares insight into the ‘Chelsea Chop’ method, and why it’s important for maintaining plants. 

Read on to discover how to get your garden summer-ready…

Plant feeding

In June, much of the focus will be on staking plants and keeping them well watered. 

You might also start feeding your pot plants around this time, as you’ll likely notice things beginning to grow in the pots.

When to water

As we’ve had fairly dry weather in recent weeks, it’s important to water your garden either in the mornings or evenings. 

The plants aren’t yet at the stage where you’re supporting them with stakes – for example, all the roses in my garden are still quite low – so they may struggle in the heat.

I’d avoid overwatering, as the goal is to help the plants adapt to having less water. 

That said, you still need to water them, otherwise they’ll just die. The main priority is making sure everything is well watered.

The ‘Chelsea Chop’

Around this time of year is normally what gardeners refer to as the Chelsea Chop, which is when certain herbaceous plants get a little bit big and you have to chop them down. 

This helps them come back a lot bushier and helps to control the size of the plant, shape, and flowering time. 

In weather like this, it’s often not necessary, as the plants haven’t grown as much – but it an important task to be aware of.

Gardening mistakes that could get you fined

Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.

While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.

Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.

The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “

While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.

“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.

The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.

You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.

Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.

To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries

“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.

“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.

“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.

“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”

Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.

But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.

“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.

Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.

However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.

You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.

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‘Dark cloud’ hangs over community after teenage boy dies off Meath coast after going missing while swimming

A “dark cloud” hangs over a community in Co Meath after a teenage boy died off the coast of Laytown on Friday.

Condolences have been offered to the family of the teenager for their “devastating loss”, local representatives said.

Irish Coast Guard
Tributes have poured in for a teenager who died in Meath
Getty

Emergency services launched a search operation after receiving a report of a male in difficulty in the water at Laytown at 6.15pm on Friday.

The body of a male was removed from the water by the coastguard, gardai said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and removed to Navan Hospital, where a post-mortem examination is due to take place.

Condolences have been shared with the boy’s family in the wake of the tragedy.

Minister of State and Meath East TD Thomas Byrne said it was “devastating to hear of the tragic death of a teenage boy” in Laytown.

“My heart goes out to his family, friends, all those who were around Laytown tonight, and all who are grieving,” he said on X.

“A summer moment has turned into an incalculable loss.”

Independent councillor Carol Lennon said it was “a devastating loss” for his family and friends.

“Thinking of those who were present, those who assisted with his recovery and those for whom this will trigger emotions of their own loss,” she said in a Facebook post.

Councillor Sharon Tolan said “a dark cloud” was hanging over the community on Friday night.

“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the tragic accident in Laytown,” she said on Facebook.

“Please think long and hard before posting any commentary on any social media pages.”

Gardai confirmed yesterday they were also involved in the operation.

A garda spokesperson said: “Gardai and emergency services are currently engaged in a search operation in the Laytown area of Co. Meath.

“As this is an ongoing incident, no further information is available.”

They have since asked the public not the share footage of the tragic incident.

It comes after an unrelated incident in Derry earlier this afternoon in which a man’s body was discovered on a beach.

It is understood the man got into difficulty swimming in the sea at Castlerock beach during the scorching weather.

KGY1E9 Access point on to the beach at Laytown with notices of bye laws allowing horses on to the beach, Ireland
The boy got into difficulty off the coast of Laytown
Alamy Stock

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Galway United shock St Patrick’s Athletic in Premier Division on another disappointing night for Stephen Kenny’s men

AFTER being Shels-shocked at home on Monday, Stephen Kenny and St Pat’s were stunned by Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park.

The home team won all the battles around the park and could have had more in a rampant first half.

Jeannot Esua of Galway United celebrates a victory.
Galway Utd beat St Patrick’s Athletic
Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
St. Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny reacts after a saved shot.
It was another disappointing night for St Pat’s
Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

They got big performances all over the pitch. Evan Watts, Jeannot Eusa and Patrick Hickey have all impressed this year and were excellent on a brilliant night for their team.

If it was Galway’s best night of 2025, it must have been the worst of a disappointing season for Pat’s.

They looked out of it after only 11 minutes. Two howlers from the visitors gave United a dream start.

Keeper Watts bombed a kickout 80 yards.

It was a pass to Ed McCarthy who was all on his own — and he shot home with class for 1-0 after two minutes.

David Hurley did his best David Beckham impression for the second.
Joseph Anang botched a clearance. It fell at the Cork man’s feet and he curled from 60 yards into an empty net.

It could have been worse as the home team dominated and came close again and again.

Pat’s finally settled and Mason Melia brought a brilliant save from Watts.

Two minutes later, Simon Power finished a lovely move with a classy finish to give the Inchicore side hope.

But it was short-lived. A quality corner from Hurley was nodded in by Rob Slevin in the 35th minute.

The Tribe deserved the two-goal lead.

Saints were better in the second half. Seán Hoare brought calm when he came on.

Power started to get on top of Esua, a hard thing to do.

Melia thought he did enough to win a penalty. So did the Pat’s bench but the man that mattered, Rob Harvey, waved play on.

Brandon Kavanagh and Chris Forrester came off the bench. Both looked lively.

Kavanagh lined up a couple of frees from the edge of the box in the last ten minutes. Watts saved both. The second save was outstanding.

From the corner that followed, the young Welsh stopper saved brilliantly again.

Even though Kenny’s men got seven additional minutes to chase a goal, United were the ones who attacked.

And they saw it out easily for a big three points.

SUN STAR MAN

Evan Watts (Galway)

GALWAY UNITED: Watts 9; Esua 8, Buckley 7, Slevin 8, Cunningham 7 (Burns 81, 5); Hurley 8 (McCormack 90, 5), Borden 7 (Walsh 90, 5), Byrne 7, Hickey 8, McCarthy 7 (Brouder 90, 5); Dyer 7 (Shaw 70, 6).

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Anang 5; Sjoberg 6 (Kavanagh 70, 7), Redmond 6, Grivosti 4 (Hoare 45, 7), McLelland 6; Elbouzedi 6, Lennon 7, Baggley 6 (Carty 82, 5), Power 8; Melia 7, Keena 6 (Forrester 70, 6).

REFEREE: R Harvey (Dublin) 7.

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Sir Alex Ferguson quickly bounces back from Man Utd axe as alternative venture secures him more than a year’s earnings

SIR ALEX FERGUSON is still earning a pretty penny, despite being ruthlessly axed from his lucrative role at Manchester United.

The legendary manager was the biggest casualty of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s ruthless cost-cutting spree last season.

Sir Alex Ferguson waving to fans in a stadium.
GETTY
Sir Alex Ferguson lost his Manchester United ambassadorial role last season[/caption]
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Alex Ferguson at a soccer match.
ALAMY
Sir Jim Ratcliffe chopped Fergie’s £2.1million-a-year job as part as sweeping club cuts[/caption]
Black and white photo of Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen manager, instructing during a football match.
GETTY
But a business venture he started 42 years ago is helping keep him financially stable[/caption]

Fergie was axed from his multi-million-pound ambassadorial role with the club, with the sacking coming into effect at the end of the season.

That decision from INEOS bigwig Ratcliffe saw the Scot wave goodbye to a whopping £2.1million a year salary.

But the 83-year-old won’t be strapped for cash thanks to a business venture he embarked upon over FOUR DECADES ago.

Fergie‘s personal company, ACF Sports Promotions Limited, recorded profits of £2.7m last year, taking its total assets to £26.9m.

That figure is up from £24.2m the previous year, although it’s not known if the £2.1m Ferguson received from United was paid into the account.

ACF is the company that handles all of Fergie‘s commercial activities, including speaking appearances.

Fergie stepped down from his role as company director in 2014, handing over the reins to his son Mark.

The healthy bank balance of ACF, which was up 42 YEARS AGO, means Fergie won’t have to worry about losing his ambassador’s role with United.

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Fergie axe comes at the right time - and he knows it

By Phil Thomas

IT is over a decade since he left the dugout but Sir Alex Ferguson has lost none of his sense of timing.

When to sell, when to buy, when to change and ultimately when to go, Fergie has always been in a class of his own.

Over the years there were countless decisions which had everyone scratching their head — but Sir Alex always knew the time was right.

Some were more obvious than others. Like the night Manchester United won the Treble on the back of his substitutions.

Others less so, like the summer of 1995 when terrace legends Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei  Kanchelskis were sold at the peak of their powers.

The whole of football thought the manager had lost his marbles.

But Fergie knew better, as he chose that year to unleash his “you win nothing with kids” Double heroes.

Just as he knew best when it came to right-hand men.

Brian Kidd, Steve McClaren, Archie Knox and Co — an endless list of world-class coaches who all came and went.

And, of course, the biggest decision of all. Calling time on 26 years in which he had gone from the brink of the bullet to English football’s greatest-ever gaffer.

The majority of people are convinced Ferguson stepped down because he knew United’s era of dominance was over.

Maybe not the nosedive to come but certainly that an almighty rebuild was just around the corner. Another mass overhaul, yet not one he was prepared to oversee.

Now another end has arrived. Not as dramatic or as out-of-nowhere, admittedly, but an end nonetheless.

Next summer Fergie will leave his 12-year role as global ambassador. Many see it as the most ruthless swing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting axe — and they are wrong.

For while he is trying to save every penny in making United great again —  how’s that going, Sir Jim? — Ferguson has not suddenly and callously been told he is surplus to requirements.

This decision was a two-way call. An amicable parting. Football’s own conscious uncoupling, in Chris  Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow lingo.

And not, incidentally, a departure which means we will no longer see Fergie at Old Trafford on a matchday.

That  simply  will  not  happen.   He  will still be there rain, wind or shine . . .
Only now as a high-profile non-executive director, rather than a man with the ear — and the sway — behind the owners’ biggest decisions.

Like he was when urging United to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021.
Admittedly not his finest hour, rather an indication of the influence he still retained.

Back then, until just before  Ratcliffe and his Ineos team arrived, in fact, Ferguson had the owners’ ear. Almost a hotline to the Glazer family, you could say.

And those days are done.

Not that Sir Alex is bereft at the thought. For a start, some of the staff sackings have enraged the Scot — long-serving photographer John Peters and kitman Alec Wylie, for example.

This is not a cosy-cosy relationship with Ratcliffe being severed.
If anything, it is closer to the opposite. And as Fergie the Red, in every sense The Boss — those who played under him still call him that  — knows, trousering £2million or so a year in such tight times is not a good look.

Fair enough, not an amount anyone would turn down in normal circumstances.

Yet when many in the steerage class are losing their livelihoods, it is not something that would have sat well with him.

There is also the practical side of things as well.

At the end of December, Sir Alex will be 83 years old, albeit still a freakishly fit 83 years old.

Yet even though the grey matter remains oh-so-sharp and the mind clear as a bell, the bones grow creakier and even Superman had to put his feet up on occasion.

That does not mean you will not see shots of Fergie alongside Ratcliffe at various points — Sir Jim loves too much the associated glamour of being pictured with the greatest.

But any idea of Sir Alex having an emperor’s thumbs-down power has gone for good — and quite frankly that is something which suits both sides.

Fergie was given the role after bringing about his legendary 26-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford in 2013.

He was paid just shy of £26m for his post-managerial gig, which Ratcliffe and Co. deemed to be an unnecessary expense.

In an interview with the BBC in March, Ratcliffe said of the cost-cutting, which has resulted in hundreds losing their jobs, We have got a club which was in a level of financial difficulty.

Manchester United would have run out of cash by the end of this year — by the end of 2025 — after having me put $300m (£232.72m) in and if we buy no new players in the summer.

“If we hadn’t have implemented the cost programmes and restructuring that we have done over the last 12 months.

“So we have to deal with all those things, and there’s only so many things you can deal with at once.

“We have a new management team, we have to deal with the financial restructure, then we have to move on to the squad, data analysis, and moving forward.

“But we are in the process of change and it’s an uncomfortable period and disruptive and I do feel sympathy with the fans.

“But I am not actually surprised where we are in the league because Ruben’s only got a certain size of squad he can deal with, and quite a number of those players are injured or not available to him.”

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AboitizPower cites importance of the energy utility nexus

The blackout that happened in Spain and Portugal late April gave the modern world a glimpse of what it would be like for a society so reliant on electricity to suddenly live without it. More than anything, it shows the vital importance of energy in our everyday lives. This historic event, together with others that

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