GAC helps attacked hall
In the latest in a series of attacks on Newtownbutler Orange Hall, sectarian grafitti and a GAA Flag and bunting were placed on the building. Members of the local GAC helped in their removal (Registration reqd).
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At last a good news story – thanks for pointing this one out fair deal. This is the type of action that really builds bridges between the 2 communities. There may be hope for us all yet…
Fair play to the local GAA Club for helping out in the clean up operation. Very positive news story. Of course, Dickinson and his ilk would probably be horrified at such a prospect.
Well this wouldnt be the first time this cross-community initative has been taken, A few back i recall a protestant church helping remove graffiti from a catholic chapel..and then you had the cross-community support at Harryville.
Good moves by all concerned.
Not far from the Fermanagh town where (by mutual consent) the same cherry picker took down the 12th bunting and hung up GAA bunting for the Ulster Championship. Seems to be something in the air in East Fermanagh.
It’s a small start and a welcome gesture. The GAA in Fermanagh now needs to work on renaming the Louis Leonard Memorial Park at St Patrick’s GAA club, Donagh.
Having a park named after a Sinn Fein PIRA terrorist sends out all the wrong signals to the Protestant Unionist community in an area which has suffered so much at the hands of Sinn Fein PIRA death squads.
well done to the local GAC. Hopefully a few blinkered unionists will realise that the GAA is made up of decent people simply interested in promoting their sports within the community. With this comes a great community spirit in many GAA villages and from this story, I would say some people who are willing to put themselves out to build bridges.
POL
I remember the help at harryville, the cross community support was greatly appreciated by any catholics. It had been a refreshment after a DUP supported campaign to picket harryville. It helped me see past the simple divisions at the time. I was quite a lot younger and this episode helped me realise bigots such as Davy Tweed do not represent the broader unionist community.
P&J;I am sure they don’t care if you go. What is your fetish with the GAA that you need to talk about them so much. Have you been to many matches?
To pfhl – it’s relevant to this story. I understand that Donagh is not so far from Newtownbutler where the incident occurred. By the GAA linking itself to violent Republican terrorists, it’s no wonder that some of them think it’s OK to attack Protestant halls and churches.
While it might annoy you that I point out such links, this issue is not going to go away. I hope for the sake of everyone (incl the tax payers that help fund it) that the GAA can transform itself into a normal sporting organisation. If you want a normal society, you should be hoping for the same.
Cross community initiatives like these are great. They really warm the heart. But I think we need more. I think I’ll go off and burn down a chapel just so I can help paint the doors once they rebuild it. Any suggestions which ?
P&J;,
My problems with the GAA are that I don’t think it pays enough attention to Hurling. When it does, they certainly don’t give a damn about outside Leinster and Munster. I don’t like how they favour succesful counties hence decreasing competeition. I do not like how division four teams did not get a chance in the qualifiers. Do I care that you find it offensive? No. You are on this site constantly defending loyalist terrorism or when not defending their actions, you start using whataboutery. Everybody on slugger knows you have no problem with terrorism as long as it is aimed at catholics. What exactly do you mean you hope for the sake of everyone that the GAA transform itself. Who are they a threat to? Who in the GAA attacked this hall? Where is the evidence they were card carrying members of the GAA?
I honestly hope to never witness you in casement park.
Really good story – perhaps there could be a twinning in areas where attacks happen which is well publicised and makes it clear that there will be a cross community effort to clear up in the event of an attack.
PeaceandJustice
“The GAA in Fermanagh now needs to work on renaming the Louis Leonard Memorial Park” – there are a number of sugggestions as to how the Orange Order should strip itself of its sectarianism but such advice from either side looks less likely to encourage the type of cooperation noted in the post.
“Who in the GAA attacked this hall? Where is the evidence they were card carrying members of the GAA?”
To be fair this “card-carrying evidence” business never seems to protect the Northern Ireland supporters anytime an “sectarianism” issue arrives. All it take is a sniff of an IFA logo somewhere and their off!
I very much doubt that any member of the GAA had any hand act or part in the attack on this hall nonetheless it is an excellent symbolic gesture on their part to help in the clean up kudos to them.
“Who in the GAA attacked this hall? Where is the evidence they were card carrying members of the GAA?”
To be fair this “card-carrying evidence” business never seems to protect the Northern Ireland supporters anytime an “sectarianism” issue arrives. All it take is a sniff of an IFA logo somewhere and their off!
Posted by Democratic on Aug 01, 2008 @ 12:41 PM
The only time I have criticised the IFA is over what has happened in windsor park in regards to certain chants and songs. How is this not up to the IFA? If there were actions of this nature at clones or casement i would also expect fully deserved criticism if it did happen. Stop using whataboutery.
“The only time I have criticised the IFA is over what has happened in windsor park in regards to certain chants and songs. How is this not up to the IFA?” – Fair enough to yourself phfl if this is indeed true – many others use ANY excuse to attack Northern Ireland fans – some with only the most tenuous of links….you are bound to have seen ot yourself I’m sure.
I have but I know the IFA can not be blamed for the Neil Lennon incident or things like that. I would commend them on the hard work done since to let these people know their opinions are not welcomed.
good to see a report on positive bridge building between people; now if the morons who start these fires and commit these acts of vandalism would only evaporate we would all be happier……
good to see a report on positive bridge building between people; now if the morons who start these fires and commit these acts of vandalism would only evaporate we would all be happier……
If only, it would give us more time to start on the Poles, Portuguese, etc..
To pfhl – I don’t and never have supported terrorism of any kind. I hope you can say the same.
You’re in denial about the GAA while anything with a tinge of Loyalism gets your full condemnation.
To ‘It was Sammy McNally what done it’ – the Orange Order doesn’t claim to be a sporting organisation. It’s a Protestant organisation. The GAA claims it is a sporting organisation yet has associations with recent Republican death squad leaders who murdered members of the local Protestant community. Financially supported by the tax payer.
If the GAA is against change, then the funding should be cut.
P&J;The irony of a proponent of the Loyal Orders composing what you just did is simply exquisite. If you replaced a few words you could turn that right on its head…
Still, as an aside, I personally do not support the naming of any new trophies or grounds after IRA members. I just don’t see the need. Surely there is some prominent former player or adminsitrator within every county in Ireland who could be honoured for their role in furthering the organisation? This practive has been taken up by the GAA at a national level in the naming of the Tommy Murphy (g’wan the Saffrons), Christy Ring (Dowtcha, Christy biy) and Nicky Rackard cups.
As a final saide though, dragging that shytola up in a thread which should be emphasising the positives was really, really petty IMO
Peace and Justice
Louis Leonard was a leading player with St Patrick’s Donagh when they were formed in 1970.
There is no reason to change the name of the ground.
Roslea,
i ndáríre, do you actually believe that’s the reason that he in particular was honoured over the other 30-odd panel members of his day? It’s divisive and needlessly so.
I’m not saying that the GAA should accept some adonyne identity to attract more Protestants (after all, the GAA is a culturally nationalist organisation) but going out of your way to annoy is a little childish. IMO.
PeaceandJustice
“the Orange Order doesn’t claim to be a sporting organisation” So what? We are talking about attacks on the premises of communities by persons from the other side of the fence.
In any reasonable evaluation of the 2 organistations, as to which is does most damage to community relations the Orange Order would be a clear winner. Of course that is a matter of opinion – but if you happen to have any British friends on the mainland run that by them and see what answer you get.
P&J;,
A little off thread I know, but do you actually believe that the GAA really need money from the UK government???
…Mudder a gawd, the organisation is absolutely rolling in the stuff!!
In any event, as long as civil service organisations (such as Belfast CC sponsoing the 12th of July festival in the city centre) are providing money to, for the wont of a better phrase, a “protestant cultural organisation….then expect the same to be reciprocated iro nationalist cultural identity organisations.
p&j;and Democrat.
I know someone, who knows someone, who`s a cousin of someone who`s the owner of a shop, and she said that it was loyalists that done it, cos she over heard a conversation and they said they knew someone who knew someone who did it.
So there.I swear.
No evidence necessary, cos i`ve yet to see you 2 produce any evidence to back up your claims.
Not far from the Fermanagh town where (by mutual consent) the same cherry picker took down the 12th bunting and hung up GAA bunting for the Ulster Championship. Seems to be something in the air in East Fermanagh.
Sammy Morse
I wouldn’t get too excited, theres much discontent throughout Fermanagh with Protestantism at how little time the twelfth bunting can go up for in comparison to the GAA bunting.
[Edited by moderator - play the ball]
[edited by moderator - play the ball]
Daithi
Is that the best you can come up with regarding somebody’s views you disagree with? There are a couple of us Protestants on these boards, surely we can’t cause you too much distress.
“p&j;and Democrat.
I know someone, who knows someone, who`s a cousin of someone who`s the owner of a shop, and she said that it was loyalists that done it, cos she over heard a conversation and they said they knew someone who knew someone who did it.”
Did what exactly Plug?
Did you actually read my post or does one lot of cobblers do for everyone you have issue with?
My posts and P&J;’s had absolutely nothing in common….the thing I was interested in on this thread was to see how certain attitudes would be
shifted from their musings on other threads -(Namely the NI football ones) I’m sure I won’t have to wait long now you are on the scene….
something wrong Democrat?….I pull you up on a very valid point ( evidence) a necessity in any debate and you go and get all contankerous on me. LOL.
I’ve never once saw a post from a Pan-Nationalist saying that it would be OK to name a football stadium after a member of the modern day UVF/LVF/UDA – regardless of whether they played football or not. Yet apparently it’s OK to name GAA parks after Sinn Fein PIRA murderers. There should be no need to drag politics into sport in any case.
Outsider – “there’s much discontent throughout Fermanagh .. at how little time the twelfth bunting can go up for in comparison to the GAA bunting.”
In many areas the GAA mark their territory with GAA bunting and foreign RoI flags. Yet the same people make accusations against others and deny Protestant Unionists the right to celebrate their culture.
ACR – “I personally do not support the naming of any new trophies or grounds after IRA members. I just don’t see the need.”
Indeed. Not only do Unionists not see the need, it is also very offensive. Given the attitude of many of the Pan-Nationalist posters on here, that’s probably one of the reason they do it – to offend.
The GAA should be invited to remove its political baggage and turn itself into a purely sporting organisation. If it refuses it deserves to be treated like a pariah.
Wish the GAA would wise up and get rid of all the memorials for Republican terrorism. They don’t need this type of thing as it only makes them look like a load of bigots….and the political stance of the organisation, there’s no need for that either. Sport shouldn’t be about Politics!
Wise up GAA, grow a brain you knuckle dragging Paddies!
#
Wish the GAA would wise up and get rid of all the memorials for Republican terrorism. They don’t need this type of thing as it only makes them look like a load of bigots….and the political stance of the organisation, there’s no need for that either. Sport shouldn’t be about Politics!
Wise up GAA, grow a brain you knuckle dragging Paddies!
Posted by Ulsters my homeland on Aug 01, 2008 @ 08:00 PM
Am i wrong in thinking uhm is a bigot.lol
“I pull you up on a very valid point (evidence)”
Evidence of what exactly POL? What allegation did I make that has prompted you to post your obtuse message? Yes it is feasible that this attack had nothing to do with any “card carrying” members of the GAA as one poster says – I don’t deny it for one second and the fact that a local club helped clean up the mess will not go un-noticed.
Did you want evidence of the fact that some (like yourself I’m sure) are content to give the benefit of the doubt when the issue of “sectarianism” raises it head with the GAA tag being within the story compared to pessimistic pronunciations of doom when the IFA or Northern Ireland football are brought into a comparable story – just look at the Healy/Celtic thread or the Junior Milk Cup thread for as much evidence as you could swallow….
Dem
exactly democrat…its on them very threads that you made several unverified assuptions as fact, failed to produce any credible evidence, then descended into whataboutery.
However in terms of GAA supporters being involved in this incident..i`ve really no doubt.And if their caught the scum should be charged and convicted for a hate crime (cos thats how i view it).
But like i said unfounded allegations and whataboutery becomes a tad boring after a while.
For example the kids in coleraine brought it on themselves (absolutely no proof) and the Healy thingy that he was just reacting to sectarian abuse (also no proof).
“But like i said unfounded allegations and whataboutery becomes a tad boring after a while.
For example the kids in coleraine brought it on themselves (absolutely no proof) and the Healy thingy that he was just reacting to sectarian abuse (also no proof).”
Tell you what POL – you show me where I said anything remotely like that about the “coleraine kids” and I’ll give you a gold plated apology and start taking you a lot more seriously.
As for Healy – yes as it happens I do believe he was reacting to abuse from Celtic fans – in fact I think that much is perfectly obvious to anyone -was it sectarian or “good natured banter” from both sides? – like you say – the only “evidence” either of us have is what was reported in the newspapers, internet reports and Healy’s own version of events – we both know what we believe but then again I suppose can’t prove to you that there is no life on Mars, no Easter Bunny and no Father Christmas either……
Anyway why bring any of that up on this thread when it is irrelevant to the current topic or is this just your attempt to destroy my credibility as a poster rather than tackle the point I made?
Quite a number of posts in and as of yet not one message of condemnation from a Nationalist/Catholic contributor regarding this attack. The only thing that any Nationalist has written is “Its good to read a good news story,” is the attack on the hall the good news story?
Outsider,
It is quite obvious that posters above who support Nationalist actions in clearing up after the attack on the Orange hall would therefore be totally against these attacks.
Quite obvious that is unless you choose not to see it. A bit like Peace and Justice who also seeks to find something negative to say when clearly Nationlaists are attempting to make amends for those in their own community.
To ‘It was Sammy McNally what done it’ – I’ve already said that it was a welcome gesture. But the GAA needs to remove the root cause of the problem – the link to violent Republican terrorists.
Do you think it would be OK to name a football stadium after a member of the modern day UVF/LVF/UDA who played football for their local team?
The silence from Pan-Nationalists on this question is an answer in itself.
PeaceandJustice
“Do you think it would be OK to name a football stadium after a member of the modern day UVF/LVF/UDA who played football for their local team?”
Personally I wouldn’t have a problem with a David Ervine stadium but would not be too keen on the Johnny Adair bowl.
I dont really make a distinction between “modern day” and current IRA/UVF and as a general rule it is probably better to pick names that are more inclusive and less likely to cause offence to the other side.
There certainly is an arguement against public funding for non inclusive organsiations like the Orange Order when they encourage intolerance and I dont think they should receive public money to take over the centre of a city (Belfast) where they only make up about half the population.
The naming of sporting clubs is clearly a very samll issue by comparison with marching through areas where you are not wanted and I invite you again to check out the feeling of some ‘neutrals’ on the mainland.
“[i]There certainly is an arguement against public funding for non inclusive organsiations like the Orange Order when they encourage intolerance ” [/i]
The Orange Order is exposing intolerance, anyhow the Orange Order isn’t a sporting body.
“[i]I dont think they should receive public money to take over the centre of a city (Belfast) where they only make up about half the population. ” [/i]
Who’s forcing half the population from the city centre? It’s not the Orange Order, the Order wants people other than Protestants to celebrate the day with them.
“The GAA should be invited to remove its political baggage and turn itself into a purely sporting organisation. If it refuses it deserves to be treated like a pariah.” – P&J;
“Wise up GAA, grow a brain you knuckle dragging Paddies!” – UMH
It’s understandable I suppose why unionists have a dislike for the GAA and the national games. But rather than just maintaining this constant animosity toward the Gaelic sports body how about understanding why such a pro-Irish republican/nationalist stance became associated with the organisation, and particulary more so in Ulster/NI.
The Croke Park massacre of 1920 by British forces, to the shooting dead in broad daylight of Aidan McAnespie by British forces, to the plonking of a large military base on GAA grounds by British forces are just some of the incidences I can mention that might have hardened GAA hearts, especially in NI since partition.
Remember Unionists controlled NI and are reponsible to a degree for creating the discriminatory conditions for the parasitic PIRA to thrive among the Irish Nationalist community. Surely you would agree too.
Ulsters my homeland
this post is not exclusively about sporting oraganisations but attacks on Orange Halls and the GAA response.
About half the population see the Orange Order as secatarian and want nothing to do with their triumphalist and politcal point scoring and yet the city it is effectively closed down for business on a Saturday. Clearly the Parades commission should be looking at keeping it out of the city or re-routing it to the East of the city where it will largely get a receptive and warm welcome or starting and finishing it in the early morning.
[i]“About half the population see the Orange Order as secatarian and want nothing to do with their triumphalist and politcal point scoring”[/i]
Surely it’s time that that half of the population opened their eyes and started to tolerate the other half of the population and accept them for who they are, Protestants.
“[i]and yet the city it is effectively closed down for business on a Saturday.”[/i]
The Orange Order doesn’t shut the businesses.
“[i]Clearly the Parades commission should be looking at keeping it out of the city or re-routing it to the East of the city where it will largely get a receptive and warm welcome or starting and finishing it in the early morning.”[/i]
It’s gets a receptive and warm welcome in the city centre. Grasping at straws are we?
Good Work by the local GAC.
“PeaceandJustice”
The Orange Order claims to be an organisation that supports “civil and religious liberty”.
Yet, as has been well documented on here, it has past and present “loyalist” terrorists in it’s ranks and does nothing about it.
It annually permits lodges to use banners/bands commemorating “loyalist” terrorists and takes no action.
It’s members have openly mixed with known “loyalist” terrorists and been involved in rioting, looting and attacks on the police.
A senior OO member openly condoned the OO riots and violent attacks on the police at Whiterock. As far as I am aware, he was not disciplined and still holds his senior position within the OO.
I am not a member or supporter of the GAA. I certainly don’t support everything they do.
However, as is usual with you, you condemn the Nationalist/Catholic GAA but totally ignore (or often) defend the blatent links between the OO and “loyalist” terrorism.
Hasn’t it dawned on you by now that You’re not fooling anyone?
As soon as anyone sees your name – they know that the item will be a criticism of Nationalists/ Catholics (quite often ignoring the actual topic of the thread) and either an ignoring (or defending) of “loyalist” violence.
You really should start up your own blog (Loyalist terrorism denier.com) and leave the open minded folk on Slugger.
Ulsters my homeland
Perhaps you are having difficulty in grasping the point; let me try re-wording it for you.
The Orange Order is viewed by the vast majority of non Unionists (including British mainlanders) as narrow and intolerant – for obvious reasons it clearly can never claim to have the support of the Nationalists of Belfast.
Given that Nationalists are probably already a majority in the city and are the actual target for the sectarian outpouring which characterise Orange ‘culture’ then the changed political circumstances and demographics need to be reflected by re-locating these parades to areas where they will “get a receptive and warm welcome” and they do not impact adversely on the commerce of the main city where probably more than half the population want nothing to do with them. I suspect that some ( probably the better educated ) Unionists also see these parades as deeply embarassing and actually contributing to the declining Unionist influence on the mainland.
A thread about an attack on an Orange hall has effectively led to some posters indicating the Orange Order should be re-routed in the Belfast parade, the intolerance and bigotry from some is a disgrace.
It’s a small start and a welcome gesture. The GAA in Fermanagh now needs to work on renaming the Louis Leonard Memorial Park at St Patrick’s GAA club, Donagh.
Having a park named after a Sinn Fein PIRA terrorist sends out all the wrong signals to the Protestant Unionist community in an area which has suffered so much at the hands of Sinn Fein PIRA death squads.
Posted by PeaceandJustice on Aug 01, 2008 @ 11:07 AM
…………………………………………..
Hear hear. Fair play to the GAC in this wee spot of Ulster for helping out in the clean-up in the aftermath of another sectarian attack on an Orange Hall. However, this is only a token act of cross-community co-operation from one small constituent part of the viscerally sectarian and pro-terrorist Gaelic Athletic Association. Until the names of IRA scum like Martin Hurson – Cappagh, Louis Leonard – Fermanagh and Kevin Lynch (INLA) – Dungiven, are removed from Cup competitions, so-called Memorial Parks and actual GAA team names, respectively, how can the PUL community ever believe the organisation to be anything other than the sporting wing of racist republican terrorism?
I very much doubt that any member of the GAA had any hand act or part in the attack on this hall.
Posted by Harry Flashman on Aug 01, 2008 @ 01:17 PM
Knowing the make-up of this organisation and the brand of republcianism they promote, I humbly beg to differ with you…
A thread about an attack on an Orange hall has effectively led to some posters indicating the Orange Order should be re-routed in the Belfast parade, the intolerance and bigotry from some is a disgrace.
Posted by Outsider on Aug 03, 2008 @ 02:50 PM
Also, the thread is about members of the GAA helping to clean up after an attack on an orange hall. Nobody is saying the attack is alright or we would not be commending the local GAC on cleaning up after the attack.
Some local retards who probably would not have considered visiting croke today use green and white to deface an orange hall. It is not a suprise, we know the north is full of these arseholes. The local GAC who no doubt have many members licking their wounds right now after that god awful display had the decency to help clean up. Where do the unwarranted attacks on the GAA come from? Surely their actions are to be commended as helping to bridge the divide. There is no doubt this attack is wrong. I totally disagree with what the orange order stand for but they are entitled to their views.