“The community is totally opposed to this event..”
Echoes of St James’? The BBC report an “attack on the home of of a community worker” in the Dunclug estate in Ballymena after the “removal of bonfire material” intended to mark the anniversary of internment. Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay, and SF Cllr Pádraig Mc Shane, claim to have been assaulted in the area this morning and blame “criminal and anti social elements who are using this bonfire as a cover for other activities”, adding “The community is totally opposed to this event”. And the Ballymena Times have interviewed the “community worker”, Barry Gordon – who as Chairman of the Dunclug Partnership Group welcomed the 2006 announcement of a £4.75 million funding package for the estate – and describe last night’s events as “believed to be dissident-republican led”. The report also notes
A large number of police officers and a helicopter were deployed to help defuse the tense standoff at the home of Barry Gordon which lasted from 11.00pm until almost 2.00am.
Adds Interestingly, although the Sinn Féin press statement identifies him as a councillor, in the BBC Newsline video report Pádraig McShane – who actually bears the brunt of the assault after Daithí McKay is initially punched – is only identified as a “community worker” and, as in the Ballymena Times report, as Chairman of the Dunclug Residents Association. But wasn’t he elected to Moyle District Council, to represent the Glens area, in a by-election in December last year after SF’s Marie McKeegan resigned her seat? Anyway, with the assailant clearly visible in the footage, I trust that Mr McKay and Mr McShane will be pressing charges? Update A 21-year-old Ballymena man has been charged with assault, disorderly behaviour and affray.And as Newton Emerson argued previously
Because community implies grassroots legitimacy it is an ideal disguise for such top-down exercises in social control. Being so deliberately ill-defined it is also a tricky disguise to unmask. But unmask it we must if we are not to be told who we are, what we are, how to think and where to think it by everyone anxious to group us under their own agendas. A fair society, as St Augustine observed, must comprise one community of law.
I would be of the opinion that Mr Symlie is anything but an Irish revolutionary, Marx’s views come to mind…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumpenproletariat
O’ I have just seen waffler’s post – agree with some of that obviously.
I see an old firm obsessed, anglicised, wkd drinking illmannered thug who is of one culture and one political outlook with the likes of Johnny Adair.
I agree with Waffler, these people will ultimately find themselves in common cause with the dregs of loyalism, if they have not already.
Looking at Smiley and McIlwaine’s Bebo pages, one must ask: is there a gay vibe going on there?
According to today’s Newsletter Barry Gordon says he’s resigning from the Dunclug partnership and leaving the estate.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Ballymena-couple-flee-home.4351529.jp
jone,
Thanks for the link, shocking. Truely shocking.
Sinn Fein (&SDLP;) should mobise in support of Mr Gordon and demonstrate to these Neds that their behaviour is simply beyond the pale.
Bring back the I.R.A. and put a bit of manners into these hooding drugs,since the ra stopped the hoods have taken over and sullied the names of irish republicans,
Yes bring back the people who did Bloody Firday. Clearly a morally superior force.
“Bring back the I.R.A. and put a bit of manners into these hooding drugs”
LOL. Same Republicans, different era!
I think you will find that the grant for 4.5 million was for to be spent on the upgrading of the local comunity in general.
The idea is to stop dissent festering in the area, obviously the Government had decided that the area is a potential trouble spot.
So clearly it is the likes of Mr.Smiley who got the grant for the area and not the community group on it’s own merit otherwise the money would have been secured many years ago!
I also believe that this is only the beginning of direct action against British Government sponsered Sinn Fein gangsters and their hangers on (former druggies, death-riders, and local alco’s)
Without question there will now be many more physical attacks on prominent SF members who try to impose their will on a simmering community, I don’t agree with violence but I have to laugh at the S.F muppets on this site patting each other on the back for “brilliant posts” “exellent point” “on the mark” while looking for sympathy from the communities that they have beaten or threatened into submission.
People should remember that this New Pacifist S.F once planned to assassinate John Hume because they believed he stood in their way.
That’s some eccentric reasoning going on there Fact not Fiction.
I’m sure that like me you’ve read the Dunclug Action Plan in detail alongside the implementation update.
Where you interpret the policy aim as preventing the festering of dissent the more orthodox view is that it was attempting to prevent the social fabric of the area coming any more pressure. And you’ll of course know that the factors stressing the social fabric are more varied than dickheads like Smiley hooding/ playing soldiers, as the Action Plan states:
“The community in Dunclug is divided in a number of ways. The estate has seen a rapid change in its population make up in the past five years, with a significant outward movement of Protestants. This has contributed to clashes between Protestants and Catholics in the estate and generally poor community relations. In addition, the estate is home to comparatively large proportions of Travellers, single-parent households and migrant workers, mostly from Eastern Europe. The impact of this complex mix of issues can be bluntly described as a breakdown in the social fabric of the community. ”
What is this simmering community ready to lash out at Sinn Fein? Chris Smiley, Ciaran McIlwaine, Magill, Anthony Lee, Darren Donnelly, Paul O’Neill and various other hangers-on and their semi retarded girlfriends? Is that it? Is that the community of which you speak?
So some councillors who live in an area courageously try to maintain community relations by standing up to bar room “Republicans” fired up on cheap booze and sectarianism. The councillors face physical assault, intimidation and attacks on their homes and families.
Therefore I feel obliged to ask Sinn Fein supporters, is it not time to say in all humility to the SDLP one simple word;
“Sorry”
If not, why not?
Why should nationalists apologize to bend over suposed republicans
code word: england, how droll
Steve, you’re not making any sense.
So some councillors who live in an area courageously try to maintain community relations by standing up to bar room “Republicans” fired up on cheap booze and sectarianism. The councillors face physical assault, intimidation and attacks on their homes and families.
Therefore I feel obliged to ask Sinn Fein supporters, is it not time to say in all humility to the SDLP one simple word;
“Sorry”
If not, why not?
Posted by Harry Flashman
Ouch!
The area in general appears to have no republican command structure in place which will leave the vacum for various people to declare their alegiance to whatever or whoever suits the occasion of the day.
This is no doubt as result of the long term tactic of the ra leadership combined with whitehall in stripping the republican movement of all accetts required by any takers prepared to carry on the origional struggle.
This whole affair will be turned into another case full of so called peace loving spin fein victims.
As a result many moderate people with no particular political alignment will no doubt fall in behind the so called victims.With the outcome of spin fein securing more support in the area.
Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay, and SF Cllr Pádraig Mc Shane, claim to have been assaulted in the area this morning and blame “criminal and anti social elements who are using this bonfire as a cover for other activities………………………………….
Rats will turn on each other if they don’t get their own way…
Maybe they should try to get marti (double talker) to organise a wee petition on behalf of whitehall as thats his new tactic.
Suit him better as the great church goer he makes himself out to be to show just a little bit of cristian compassion and give back the bodies.
While he`s at it he might even come clean to all the families of the inocent murdered by his and whitehalls death squad sent to their graves with the added tag of being informers.
SHAME ON U MARTI
Would everyone please stop stereotyping residents of this estate – it’s very offensive. The vast majority of people here are good people, have a good relationship with their neighbours and get on well. Sure, there are difficulties, there are intolerant bastards who refuse to integrate with ‘outsiders’, but that happens everywhere. The fact is that there are a small bunch of wankers causing terror on the estate and anyone who is brave enough (cause it’s not easy – expect to have all your windows smashed in, your car destroyed, and possibly a petrol bomb through your letter box) to stand up to these mindless thugs, deserves support. So just to stick to the issue, which isn’t, what Sinn Fein have done in the past, it’s what they’re doing now (which actually to my mind is a bloody side issue).
This is to all of you who regard yourselves as “Real Republicans”, (and I don’t think, [as so many other posters have pointed out] you have a fecking clue what that badge really means [you didn't do too well in the old history or politics exams, did you?? - yeah, thought not]) that what Sinn Fein did or didn’t do in the past is totally irrelvant to me at the minute. What I care about is that this bonfire and all that comes with it, doesn’t take place here, on my dorstep.
Jaysus, I’d be the first to condem and commemorate internment, but seriously, is this the most respectful way to go about it? Wise up.
As others have alluded to, I think it would work out well if all you so called ‘republicans’ who are in favour of this ‘celebration’ (smiley’s ‘i’m a pure dick sham’ words’) then, here, go and meet up with yout loyalist 11th July counterparts and have a BLAST). Leave everyone else out of it (and hopefully do the same to each other while you’re at it – do us all a favour).
Rapunsel
“You’ve gone down in my estimation big time with this. the fact that a volunteer member of a residents association in Dunclug is an elected representative for another councillor [sic] is not relevant and I’m not surprised that BBC didn’t raise it. I’d expect residents association would not be too happy if their chair blurred both roles.”
I guess I’ll just have to live with your diminished estimation of me.
But since some commenters seem to have missed the point..
The fact that the Chairman of the Dunclug Residents Association is actually an elected representative for a different area on a different Council – having given his home address in that other area – is an issue.
Not least since, in 2005, he failed to get elected in the area in which he is the Chairman of a Residents Association.
Why the BBC failed to note that fact in their report is another issue.
Apologies, i said, “Would everyone stop….”, when clearly the over whelming majority of posters on this thread agree that this bonfire is nothing but hate filled, bozzed up harrasment by a few really thick people. Obviously I wasn’t directing my anger at any of you. Actually, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your suppport to the long suffering residents of this estate.
On another point, as someone who spends a lot of time reading the blogs and comments on slugger (but who rarely posts) I think it’s worth noting (of course, i may be way off the mark) that very few P/L/U visitors have contributed to this ‘discussion’ – wonder why??!! the ususal contributors must be dying to get involved but possibly feel they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on, per chance?
Another blog in itself, me thinks…
Interesting. Umm…
No problemo bona fide. If you ever get a chance to inflict severe bodily pain on any of these ‘real’ dunclug republican/spide/turd merchants then please give them an extra long, hard and painful boot up the arse for me.
I presume that P/L/Us from outside Ballymena haven’t a clue whats going on (although that has never been a barrier before to posting on this or many other threads!!!) while those of us who are local to this have sympathy with the residents but not with Mckay and McShane for the reasons I outlined in my previous posts….which frankly haven’t been responded to effectively by anyone..
peter are you a hood by any chance?what about paddy murry?
Pete,
Fairly straight forward. Joined Residents Assoc. three years ago at the request of locals.
While everyone has some form of political viewpoint the assoc members leave theirs at the door and engage in meetings for the betterment of everyone in this mixed housing estate.
Was only elected to Moyle in December 2007. Do you suggest that I should have walked away from the challenges we face in Dunclug just because of an election result somewhere else.
The BBC introduced myself as Chairperson of the assoc. at my request as I am not an elected rep for the area. I believe that I have to respect the mandate of elected reps in the area. I also believe you should respect the mandate given to myself, by the people of Dunclug, when I was elected Chairperson.
No Padraig you have broken the rules you have to be a resident of dunclug to be a Chairman of said organisation how do you expect others to obey rules when you have such a flagrant disregard for them.
Before you argue otherwise everybody in the Dunclug partnership knows your exact circumstances but dont have the balls to challenge you.
Padraig was democratically elected to the chairperson role, nectar. Why don’t you stand for election and we’ll see how you get on.
Paddy under the rules of the asc. he shouldnt have been able to stand because he wasnt a resident of Dunclug!
‘Paddy under the rules of the asc. he shouldnt have been able to stand because he wasnt a resident of Dunclug!’
Fair enough-so in your world that justifies beating the crap out of him and intimidating him from the area. Will you stand as his replacement, Nectar?
Paddy dont be a clown did i say for a minute he deserved to be hit!
No I wont stand to the Chairman because i dont come from Dunclug and i respect the rules of the asc.
nectar, try to refrain from playing the man-I know it’s alien territory for you but a bit of decorum wouldn’t go amiss. Do you unreservedly condemn the attack on McShane?
Of course i do paddy and dont play games with me either we all know he shouldnt be the chairman in fact why dont you come out and admit he shouldnt either afterall rules are rules ever for sf…
Nectar,
Constitution clearly states that any one from outside the area can be a member of the Residents Assoc. I did’nt write the Constitution. It was in place before my time. I also lived in Dunclug at the time of my appointment in 2005. I only got home at weekends.
What is this simmering community ready to lash out at Sinn Fein? Chris Smiley, Ciaran McIlwaine, Magill, Anthony Lee, Darren Donnelly, Paul O’Neill and various other hangers-on and their semi retarded girlfriends? Is that it? Is that the community of which you speak?
Posted by jone on Aug 02, 2008 @ 03:10 PM
Was Paul O’ Neill involved in this? I know I have spoke to him several times regarding politics and he never came across as a supporter of dissidents. I don’t think anybody that assosiates with those responsible should also be tarred. Many people in the area know each other from the fact they have grown up in close proximity to eack other or they may play for some of the same saturday morning league teams. If paul was involved I stand corrected but i must say i will be suprised.
Nectar,smiley is from Cloughmills yt i dont see you saying anything about him speaking for wanting a bonfire in Dunclug,Padraig was voted in by the people smiley wasnt yet he got to speak.
Pete
The fact that the Chairman of the Dunclug Residents Association is actually an elected representative for a different area on a different Council – having given his home address in that other area – is an issue.
Fair point and might be an issue ( albeit a different issue)
One thing I note here is that Mr McShane has been willing to come on and post as himself and his answers seem fair enough to me.
I know some people involved with community groups in Dunclug , it’s been clear to me that what Padraig McShane is saying about the groups involving a diversity of opinion for the betterment of the area is true.
Now what’s going to be done to prevent Barry Gordon and his wife having to leave their home of 36 years
The flats beside where the bonfire was supposed to be have been set alight, I don’t know if it has appeared on the news yet. I can see from my window though so it’s true. I suspect a possible link.
[play the ball - edited moderator]
As for the vermin that attacked you McShane they are unwanted dirt but they don’t deals behind resisents backs.
I have to addmit that mr mc shane has the balls to come on here and speak for himself and i respect that,why dosnt the hoods come on and give us there point.I know the resisdents wanted the bonfire last year and things looked good for the ruc/psni agreed to stay out of the area while the bonfire took place so that the youths wouldnt start a riot,when the ruc/psni didnt show up last year smiley and his gang of misfits then attacked residents and sinn fein so this year the resisdents said they dont want the bonfire anymore so its simple.Smiley and his friends should head over to Ballykeel on the eleventh night to see a bonfire for im sure like himself they would be CELEBRATING internment.
Pádraig
That was very obliging of the BBC. Although I’d suggest that the BBC’s subsequent reports indicate a recognition on their part of an initial error in judgement.
But surely you mean the mandate given to yourself by the members of the Residents Association, rather than “the people of Dunclug”?
And I don’t doubt that it’s not against the rules of the association’s constitution for non-residents to be members of those organisations – it would be restrictive otherwise..
I can see a case for non-residents to be allowed associated membership with no, or limited, voting rights at meetings.
The point though is that, in my view, such situations damage the credibility of self-declared Residents Associations. Even to the point of defeating the objective.
Or perhaps a change of name of such organisations would be in order?
DES-RES,
I do not agree that the person who attacked me is vermin. There are to many complex issues that would have to be taken into consideration to describe him as such. What I will say is that those who attacked Mr. Gordons house could be aptly described in that manner.
Barry Gordons house was attacked because it was easy to do so, (cowardly) and because of his position within the community. It was also attacked because Barry was a Protestant, (sectarian). Another reason for the attack was that it was dark.
Des Res,
A community group who votes with one voice is fairly powerful. That was the case following last years bonfire when those involved attacked a womans car and attacked the homeless flats.
The res assoc decided to do away with the bonfire and replace it with a community festival.
Painstaking work went in to organising a community cohesion week that had something in it for all ages. Now even that looks like being pulled because we cannot guarantee the saftey of those taking part.
Pete you seem very concerned about the spokesperson for Dunclug being from there,are youfrom there? maybe you should consider taking on the job and save mr.mc shane from doing it,also you still havent said anything about smiley speaking on behalf of so called republicans from that area,after all is he not from Cloughmills?
Pete,
The Residents of Dunclug determine who sits on the assoc at the agm. They appoint the officer board and the assoc at every agm, hence the mandate from the people of Dunclug.
I take all your points on board in relation to sitting on the assoc. All very valid.
I think its down to what any individual brings to any organisation.
I think we’re getting away from the main problem, the 4-5 scumbags who are holding this estate to ransom, all this nonsense about whether someone comes from the estate or not pales in comparison.
These scumbags will be rioting all week and I hope that the council continues to take away th bonfire material, they’re using republicanism as an excuse to get high/full and attack houses, shame on every one of them and I would like to see Smylie and McIlwaine come on this forum, use their name and defend their stance, do they have the guts to do so??? Of course not.
Well said sharky,i am from the place and am disgusted with these wanto bes and i wish to fuck R.S.F or the 32 would send down a spokesperson to deny these hoods.Tonight they have buent down the flats and are running around the place thinking they own it.I overheard them saying next friday they want all there members to wear the same jackets so they can know each other!!!!!!!!my god what are they up to,the people dont want it yet these half a dozen hoods want it so they are imposing it on the people.Any right minded republican P.S.F. or R.S.F. would disown them and i hope to god the Provos do come down and clean up this site.Theres no point talking anymore for we are past it,its time for action for thats all they belive in so i say fuck it send in the shooters and take these wankers out.
“I would like to see Smylie and McIlwaine come on this forum, use their name and defend their stance”
iz u 4 reel? doz u wanz teh 4m dumbed down wit textspeek lik it waz a bebo page?
Its about high time that everyone in Dunclug stood up against these thugs, too many people have kept their head down here for far too long leaving Barry Gordon and others on their own.
Some more faces of Ballymena republicanism, according to some of the comments McIlwaine got the sack after the news report:
Ciaran McIlwaine
lol got the sack there
A squad of snouts arrived on2 a job lookin me an saddam…
STILL,,,, WORTH EVERY LAST NINUITE SON lol R.I.R.A 32CSM
3 days ago
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=6673486437
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=1939453848
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=798358630
Glad to see that naked sectarianism is alive and well. Unbelieveable.
Id like to know why Councillor McShane is on a residents committee for an estate which is an hour away from where he is actually resident. Doesn’t make much sense to me.
‘Id like to know why Councillor McShane is on a residents committee for an estate which is an hour away from where he is actually resident. Doesn’t make much sense to me’
Marie,
Maybe it’s because he was elected by the committee which was elected by the people of the area-it’s called democracy so right enough, it probably doesn’t make much sense to you.