The boy was injured in the Square area of the town in the early hours of Sunday August 10.

Officers received reports at about 2.20am that a teenager had suffered two cuts to his neck.

He was taken to hospital to receive treatment for the injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

It is so far not known how the injuries were sustained.

Police in Dungannon have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact them.

Special report: These are the controversial proposals to bring parking restrictions to Coalisland that have caused tensions between traders, councillors and the Road Service.

• Disabled bays, limited waiting areas and new double-yellow lines
• Road Service parking surveys reveal third of Cornmill spaces left unused
• Numerous photos showing poor parking taken by Road Service

Coalisland has been at the centre of heated debate after it emerged that zero parking tickets have been issued in the town in the past four years.

Despite the lack of penalties, motorists in many other towns of a similar size and smaller across the north have received parking tickets.

The Department for Regional Development (DRD) has been accused by an MLA of treating Coalisland as a “privileged town” by failing to issue tickets.

But traders have hit back, saying there is no need for traffic wardens in the town amid fears that parking restrictions could affect business.

At a meeting held in the town in April, the Road Service presented proposals for new parking restrictions.

But the plans were left in disarray after the tense talks involving councillors, traders and the Coalisland Regeneration group ended without agreement.

Coalisland Post can today reveal those controversial proposals – as well as details of parking surveys carried out by the Road Service.

The proposed parking restrictions for Coalisland

The Road Service also took numerous pictures showing examples of poor parking across Coalisland town centre.

The parking restriction proposals include new disabled bays and limited waiting times along Main Street and part of the Dungannon Road.

But the plans were shelved after some argued that new restrictions were unacceptable, claiming that there are too few parking spaces in Coalisland.

The Road Service said it has no plans to provide any additional parking in the town.

Notes from a Road Service parking survey

However, two parking surveys carried out by the Road Service suggest dozens of spaces are regularly available in the Cornmill car park.

On Tuesday April 1, a Road Service officer noted that 35 out of the 112 spaces were vacant, meaning 69% were occupied.

And on Thursday March 27 there were 46 spaces available – an occupancy rate of 59%.

The officer also made several observations about parking in the town.

On both occasions it was noted that the zig-zag markings next to the pelican crossing were “constantly blocked”.

Photos taken by the Road Service

The officer wrote that some vehicles in the Cornmill car park were “taking up more than one space” and that there is no disabled parking available.

Photographs taken by the Road Service officer show several cars and lorries parking on top of footpaths, leaving pedestrians little room to walk past.

The details have emerged as Coalisland Post readers continue to highlight examples of poor parking in the town through our Facebook page.

One driver told how a motorist reversed into his parked car – and then drove off without checking for damage.

The DRD has said “further discussion will be required before conclusions are reached” on parking restrictions for Coalisland.

For more stories from in and around Coalisland, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Plans for a popular Coalisland pub to transform part of its premises into a new off-licence have been given the go-ahead.

O’Neill’s Bar in the centre of the town plans to create an off-sales area within its premises.

The existing pub will be split in two to create a new section for off-sales, according to documents approved by planning officials.

It will be the latest in a number of off-licences currently operating in the town.

Springisland Supermarket has also been given the go-ahead to create its own off-licence.

O’Neill’s plans initially received an objection from the owners of a neighbouring off-licence, according to online documents.

For more stories from in and around Coalisland, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Plans to make further changes to Coalisland town centre’s road layout for new supermarket Newell Stores have been rejected.

Newell Stores developers submitted plans to create a second exit from its car park on to the newly created Lineside roundabout.

The roundabout was originally constructed as part of the Newell Stores development and joined a host of roundabouts strewn across the town’s tangled road system.

The latest proposals would have led to further changes to the main road in Coalisland town centre despite the supermarket only opening in early 2013.

But planners at the Department of the Environment have rejected the proposals for an additional exit from the supermarket.

They said the proposals would “prejudice the safety and convenience of road users” because they affected a mini-roundabout.

Clarman architects have contested the concerns over the impact on traffic flow, according to planning documents.

A father has fulfilled his GAA-mad son’s dream by giving his bedroom an amazing Rahilly’s-themed makeover.

Paul Duffin transformed his nine-year-old son Mark’s room into a Rahilly supporters’ paradise.

The bedroom features black-and-white walls to represent the Clonoe club’s trademark colours.

Pride of place: The Clonoe O’Rahilly’s crest on display

It also includes a custom-made O’Rahilly’s crest and framed photos showing the club’s star footballers in action.

The room even has bunkbeds so that Mark, a St Patrick’s Annghmore pupil and Clonoe under-10s player, can have friends sleep over.

Clonoe jerseys ready for the next match

Father-of-three Paul said he worked over the new year to complete the room makeover.

The 34-year-old welder and musician, from Collowen in Coalisland, said:

“Mark is Rahilly-mad and has always wanted a football room.

“Getting my cub to keep it tidy is another battle!”

Wall of fame: Framed pictures of O’Rahilly players in action

Paul spent about £60 on the DIY work and the crest was made by Carrickfergus-based firm Signscript.

He said:

“We got a few action shots of players past and present to frame and hang on the walls as well as the crest.

“The O’Neill cup itself on a shelf would look well also!

“The bunkbeds are the result of Mark’s own money. He wanted them for sleepovers so he bought them himself with his birthday money.”

Rahilly fans: Paul Duffin and his son Mark

Paul, originally from Cookstown, said he has had a very positive response to the room.

“There have been a few people asking about the crest – ‘Where can I get one?’ seems to be the main question.

“Even my old Cookstown buddies have liked it – now their kids want a Fr Rocks room.”

For more stories from in and around Coalisland, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Three people were hurt in two separate attacks during the early hours in the centre of Coalisland.

A man in his 20s suffered a factured jaw after being assaulted outside licensed premises near Plater’s Hill.

In a separate incident two females attacked a woman and her boyfriend following a dispute outside a taxi office.

The woman had clumps of hair pulled out and her boyfriend received hospital treatment after a bottle was smashed over his head.

Both assaults took place at around 1.30-2am on Friday December 27.

Police appealed for anyone with information about the attacks to get in touch on 0845 600 8000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

As 2013 comes to a close, we take a look back at what we’ve learned about the Coalisland area over the past year.

1. Coalisland folk like albino ferrets

We posted this pic of a white ferret found wandering around Coalisland on our Facebook page and within minutes, the owner had been found.

The owner said their tame ferret had managed to travel a few miles in the space of an hour-and-a-half.

Should Coalisland Post be renamed Coalisland Pets?

2. There’ll soon be more off-licences in Coalisland than people, apparently

We revealed that O’Neill’s bar plans to transform part of its premises into a new off-licence.

But the proposal has been met with strong criticism from the owners of a rival off-licence in the town.

And the developing battle of the boozers inspired bloggers Tyrone Tribulations to write their article, ‘More off-licences than people in Coalisland’.

How will it all end? Find out in 2014! (Hint: Probably with a carry-out)

3. Clonoe knows how to celebrate

There were great scenes of celebration in Clonoe when the O’Rahilly’s triumphed over Carrickmore to become the 2013 Tyrone champions.

A 7,000-strong crowd watched the GAA senior football championship final in Omagh’s Healy Park on October 13:

4. Psychics in Coalisland concerns some Christians

Coalisland hit the headlines after some Christians in the town were angered by Craic theatre’s plans for a psychic medium show.

Inspired by this, we dusted off our crystal ball and whipped out the ouija board to reveal what lay in store for the divisive show.

5. There’s a larra larra love in Coalisland for Daniel Newman 

We celebrated the town’s popular twentysomething country crooner with a collection of gifs – and many of you seemed to enjoy our light-hearted tribute.

No-one points quite like Daniel Newman:

Soon after this was posted, Daniel released a wee Christmas message to his fans. Coincidence? Probably!

6. Many Coalisland drivers cannot park

Easy..easy does it. Ah Jayz, I’ll just park over two spaces!

The thought process of manys a Coalisland motorist, according to our Facebook page at least.

Earlier in December we launched our ‘I park like an idiot’ Facebook album – and we’ve already received quite a few entries.

No doubt parking will continue to be a bugbear for many drivers in the town, so keep sending in your snaps by emailing thecoalislandpost@hotmail.co.uk or PM us on Facebook or Twitter.

7. Even burglars need to wash their clothes

Most burglars these days tend to aim for the laptops, mobile phones and other electronics that can easily be sold on – but not in Clonoe.

Earlier this year thieves pilfered a washing machine from a house in Clonoe.

They also snatched some heating oil during the burglary in the Cloghog Road area.

Each to their own..

8. Removed.

And with that, our look back at the Coalisland locality in 2013 comes to a close.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat (coalisland.post) to see what 2014 will bring.

A carpenter from Coalisland has built a life-size crib to help raise money for charity over Christmas.

Dessie Symington took several days to construct the manger for a ‘live crib’ featuring real animals at a church in Belfast city centre.

The Bethlehem nativity scene at St Mary’s on Chapel Lane was launched complete with Mary, Joseph, angels and shepherds, with baby Jesus arriving on Christmas Eve.

Dessie Symington dressed as Joseph for the live crib launch

The life-size manger also features a donkey named Henry, a goat called Emily and baby goat Sparkle.

Pupils from St Mary’s Primary School in Belfast performed carols at the launch on Friday December 20.

Families visiting the free crib are urged to donate towards Belfast-based charity Tuesday’s Child for its Christmas appeal helping children in Syria, Gaza and Kenya.

Mr Symington (58), who played Joseph for the launch, said:

“It was a joy to build the crib and to be part of helping innocent children suffering so much from war in places like Syria and Gaza, so close to Bethlehem.

“There was a great interest in it from children right up to old people.”

Henry the donkey and baby goat Sparkle with some of the children who attended the opening

Fr James Boyle, the Mill Hill missionary priest at St Mary’s, said he was very pleased with the manger.

He said:

“We are delighted to host the live crib in the grotto to help war-torn children. We wish you all peace, happiness and the blessings of the nativity this Christmas.”

Tuesday’s Child plans to use donations to send gifts early next year to war-torn children in Syria, Gaza and Kenya.

They will receive clothing such as coats, scarves and gloves to help endure the cold weather, as well as toys. Hot lunch will also be provided.

The life-size crib at St Mary’s on Chapel Lane, Belfast

Children helped in Kenya will also receive new shoes as part of their Christmas gifts.

The crib will remain open until Tuesday January 7 2014.

Visit the charity’s Facebook page for more photos from the live crib launch.

For more stories from in and around Coalisland, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

The vehicle caused a “loud bang” as it reversed into the front of the driver’s parked car along Main Street.

However, the motorist simply sped off instead of stopping to check for any damage.

The Coalisland driver was returning to his car parked along Main Street when he noticed another vehicle parked in front drive off.

The 30-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said: 

“When I got in the car my partner was repeating the reg number as she wrote it into her phone.

“She explained that the car in front had backed up all the way into our car, paused then drove off.

“I was shocked – who does that kind of thing? My partner said they paused as though they knew what they had done. She said there was a loud bang.”

The driver said he was nearly a metre between the cars when he parked behind the other vehicle on Wednesday December 18 at about 5.30pm.

He said he was relieved to find that his car did not appear to be damaged in the incident.

It comes as Coalisland Post readers highlight some examples of poor parking in the town through our Facebook page.

The anonymous driver described parking in the town as “atrocious”.

He said:

“Some of the driving in Coalisland is beyond a joke, many people don’t use indicators, adhere to the simple rules of the road such as roundabout etiquette – and the parking is atrocious.”

For more stories from in and around Coalisland, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

A Coalisland off-licence has hit out at a rival pub’s plans to turn part of its premises into a competing off-sales area.

O’Neill’s Bar in the centre of the town plans to create an off-licence within its premises by splitting the existing pub in two.

But the proposal has been met with strong criticism from the owners of a neighbouring off-licence.

O’Neill’s Bar plans to transform part of its premises into a new off-licence

They have objected to the plans, arguing that there are already enough off-licences in Coalisland.

A letter of objection has been submitted to the planning department by an unnamed off-licence owner, according to online documents.

The objection letter reads:

“I wish to object strongly to the development of this new off-licence, directly opposite to my own off-licence which has been operating for 23 years.

“Coalisland is a small town, and this new off-licence will be the third one within 100 m sq in the town centre.

“We are a family-run business, and we feel this town has sufficient off-licences with another three operating and plans passed for another new one at a local supermarket.”

The proposed O’Neill’s off-licence would be the latest in a number of off-licences currently operating in the town.

Springisland Supermarket has also been given the go-ahead to create its own off-licence.

For more stories from in and around Coalisland, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.