Friday, July 20, 2007
Try again, fail again, fail better.
I’ll add the UTV report from Ivan Little when it’s online.. and it’s worth watching, not least for the moment when UPRG spokesman Frankie Gallagher corrects the description, carried elsewhere, of those gathered in the non-descript carpark as being members of the UDA Inner Council.. by adding the word “allegedly”. In any event, it’s the second attempt in the same week by Frankie Gallagher to clarify the statement from the UDA about their installation of a new leadership in South East Antrim. And until we hear from that former UDA leadership in South East Antrim I’d suggest the headline here is somewhat premature. Btw, I might have missed it.. but I didn’t see a certain prominent member of the UDA at that selected press conference. [No doubt the NIO had been informed in advance.. again.. - Ed] Adds Regular commenter Loftholdingswood informs me that Jackie McDonald was there. Update Or maybe not.. Added Photo from today’s Irish News report, which correctly describes it as a ‘show of strength’, also names the attendees at the UPRG press conference in the car-park outside Larne.. so you don’t have to. Left to right - Sammy Duddy, Billy McFarlane, Paul Hill, John Bunting, Jackie McDonald and Colin Haliday.
The Irish News report includes quotes from Frankie Gallagher [subs req]
Mr Gallagher denied that the ‘show of strength’ was designed to intimidate or spark a feud with his former colleagues.
“Feuds are not an option, violence is not an option. The UPRG has resounding support from the UDA that the ballot box must be its most powerful weapon.
“The people that came here today were… showing that they are no longer prepared to have their communities turned into ghettoes.”
And who elected them, Frankie? ["most powerful weapon”? but not its only one.. - Ed]
Pete Baker @ 10:59 PM
Pete,
I am afraid that you are mistaken. Jackie McDonald was at the press conference.
Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:31 PMLofty
He may have been, and I’ll update to acknowledge that. But I didn’t see him in the to-camera piece by Frankie Gallagher.
Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:33 PMso long as unionist leaders refuse to acknowlege the link between themselves and these guys, there’ll be no solution.
Y’all remember ian Paisley jnr’s emails to a certain chap last Xmas .....
am I right or am I right peteb?Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:36 PMThe UTV piece showed him and then it cut to the press conference with the UPRG representatives that could make it at short notice (hence a few faces absent). What is far more interesting (if you follow these sort of things) is who was there and prepared to be seen supporting this move. That in itself will unite supporters who assumed that he was sitting on the fence awaiting developments. His specific inclusion (and appearance on camera, albeit on the periphery) spoke volumes to me.
Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:38 PM“What is far more interesting..”?
Given the statement in the Sunday press from the UDA [linked in the original post] what extra does this add, Lofty?
In fact, the former South East Antrim UDA leadership have already stated their opposition to criminality...
Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:43 PMpissing in the wind, until we get some honesty
Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:47 PMYou misunderstand me Pete but sadly I can’t go further. When the UTV piece goes online and assuming it shows the original piece that was broadcast at 6pm tonight eagle eyed viewers will see someone who it was felt was sitting on the sidelines awaiting things. His very presence changes certain assumptions and therefore you will find that this little impasse will now end very quickly indeed. With no violence of course.
Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:49 PM“His very presence changes certain assumptions..”
You mean that the previously released statements might not have been authorised by Jackie McDonald?
Highly unlikely. Sadly I can’t go further..
As for the “no violence of course”.
The entire charade of an exchange of public statements contains the implicit threat of violence if those whom the message is directed at don’t comply. You know that, I know that and anyone reading this knows that.
Frankie has been clarifying that initial statement all week. This is the latest example.
Posted by on Jul 20, 2007 @ 11:58 PMNo, you misunderstand again. I do not mean Jackie McDonald. The appearance of a well known Loyalist from North Antrim is highly significant.
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:07 AMLofty
Perhaps it would be better if you identified those who, as you understand it, did attend the press conference in the carpark?
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:11 AMAnd, specifically, did that include Jackie McDonald?
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:12 AMI’ll sign off for the night but it is always worth noting not just who was there but the language used and the phraseology of the statements. Changes are clearly afoot and I also understand that there are power plays within not just the so called inner circle but also within CTI that will see significant alterations and a wide ranging re-imaging. Boring for most people but much fun for journalists and the cognoscenti.
I’m sure Lindy McDowell is at the typewriter as we speak.
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:15 AMSorry Pete, our posts crossed. I think the PSNI would be very happy for me to list who attended the press conference!. I’ll pass if you don’t mind. When you see the original UTV piece you initially see some people walking along the car park. Then it cuts to the ‘press conference’ which was Frankie Gallagher and other UPRG representatives. I place significance on the fact that I saw a united 5 areas. The sixth will now follow because the 5 are united. That is my point.
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:23 AMlofty
are you talking about the mexicanPosted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:28 AMthe doc,
Bingo!
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:30 AMNice one Leftholdingyourwood, - your breathless tone really makes me want to puke. You talk about this risible gathering of strutting scum as if describing the Yalta conference. Small group of illiterate, parisitic scum gather in car park to trot out laughable guff - who, but you, gives a flying fuck?
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:34 AMWell clearly you do as you posted on the thread. That is two threads now where you come on and resort to insults and complain that no gives a toss about these things. Back to bed and a play on the Playstation then if you are sleepless and let the adults have their silly debate.
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:38 AMBingo
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:38 AMLofty
I hope you are right and this thing gets sorted out without a single drop of blood being spilled.The last thing that this place needs is another feud within the loyalist community.I also hope it means that the egyptian connection will take their drugs and piss off.Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:42 AMYeah the UDA are cracking down on criminality and jolly good for them. It’s just about 30 years too late.
Are we supposed to cheer on people for chosing to do what every other citizen, Irish or British are expected to do or lose their freedom? Fuck em and anyone who looks like em. Bunch of sanctimonous assholes.
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 12:52 AMlol the UDA has as much intention of fading into the sunset as I do of trying to pass myself off as a midget
there is something afoot alright
just wonder whos going to end up paying the killers
and whos going to end up dead
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 01:46 AMWhat about the drugs and weapons seized last week in the North Antrim Brigade area? I understand that this was linked to the ‘mainstream UDA-Any comments, LHW?
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 09:30 AMThe very fact that these scum have been given respectibility by the media proves how sick our society has become. I contend that the troubles would have been over very quickly if the RUC and UDR had been allowed to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards to any IRA or UDA vermin they came across.....they should have been killed on sight if they were known members of any terrorist organisation. The dead of Enniskillen, La Mon, Greysteel and other countless atrocities cry out for justice from their early graves.
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 10:09 AM“I think the PSNI would be very happy for me to list who attended the press conference!. I’ll pass if you don’t mind.”
Yes, as if they don’t know already. What’s wrong, can the PSNI not get UTV? Anyway, it hardly matters if the PSNI watch UTV as at least two of those there yesterday have been working for them for years, apparently.
Such a strange, ragbag collection of creatures you never saw in your life. Standing there all serious-faced, kidding themselves that anyone actually gives them credibility or takes them the slightest bit seriously.
BTW, I too was struck by your breathless, over-excited tone. The ‘I’m in the know...’ sort of stuff. You don’t by any chance happen to work for the NIO, do you?
Posted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 10:10 AMOtto
Imagine how Unionists feel-at least these folk are not in the government. Unionists have to deal with Martin McGuiness as DFM,Catriona “ the Colombian 3 are innocent” Ruane as Minister of Education, and the possibility of Gerry Kelly,well known bomber and jailbreaker as Minister for Policing and Justice. It is for those who endorsed violence and criminality by supporting terrorist groups in the past to live with the blood of thousands on their hands and consciences.
If Loyalist paramilitaries are showing a desire to break out of the criminal mode they should be facilitated just as vigourously as was the case with Republicanism.
T.RuthPosted by on Jul 21, 2007 @ 10:51 AM
