December 2005

Shalini Sinha on the importance of the Irish Language

Cathal O Foirreidh on December 2, 2005, 11:39 pm | Readers 103

I was nearing the end of an epic post on Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny’s proposal to end compulsory Irish education for Leaving Certificate students in the Republic (subs req), linking to a load of media coverage and commentary, but managed to lose it all when the auld PC crashed. In hindsight, this may have been a good thing, for otherwise this brilliant and passionate piece from Shalini Sinha (subs req) in the Irish Times Health Supplement last week would …

File under ‘Tail wags dog’

Pete Baker on December 2, 2005, 6:41 pm | Readers 2

I was wondering what Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair’s Chief of Staff, had been up to. According to the BBC’s Mark Devenport, Powell had a cunnning plan – the creation of a panel, consisting of Ulster Unionist Party chairman, David Campbell, the Church of Ireland bishop, Alan Harper, and the Northern Ireland Office’s former Security Director, John Steele, to “assist loyalist paramilitaries to move forward”. This particular cunning plan has, however, been scuppered.. seemingly because the paramilitaries prefer to concentrate on …

The result is a triumph

Pete Baker on December 2, 2005, 4:38 pm | Readers 1

Still a week to go before the Chronicles arrive but Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian has already seen it and he’s given it a glowing review – and 5 stars. That imagery has done the trick again.. and, as the Guardian noted here, C. S. Lewis’ fear that “Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmare.” seem to have been misplaced. Pete Baker

[another] Warrant issued for Sean Garland

Pete Baker on December 1, 2005, 10:45 pm | Readers 3

As I previously noted, Irish Worker’s Party President, Sean Garland, had no intention of appearing in court in Belfast today for an extradition hearing [to the US on counterfeiting charges].. and the court has subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest – the BBC have a more comprehensive report here. Since he’s currently at large in the Republic of Ireland that warrant potentially creates some political embarrassment.. unless cross-border co-operation comes into play.. Pete Baker

Belated Birthday Celebration

Pete Baker on December 1, 2005, 8:24 pm | Readers 0

For the Dean of Satire, Jonathan Swift, born 30th November 1667 – his Modest Proposal is online at Gutenberg. While we forgot neglected to note the day *ahem* others were more observant, thanks to Sheila for a wonderful post on Jonathan Swift and for the biographical link [and pic] Cheers! Pete Baker

SDLP: proof that SF knew about OTR legislation

on December 1, 2005, 7:53 pm | Readers 116

I’m blogging this on the run myself: a statement from the SDLP. From the SDLP The SDLP has uncovered final proof that Sinn Fein accepted state killers getting away with it – and has accused the British Government of blatant double standards on loyalism. Speaking at the launch of an SDLP briefing document 12 things they don’t want you to know about the NI Offences Bill, the SDLP?s Alex Attwood stated: – Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams have both said …

Sinn Féin try legal route [again] against IMC

Pete Baker on December 1, 2005, 5:14 pm | Readers 0

Via UTV, the Press Association report that Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy has confirmed that “papers had been lodged in the High Court in London accusing the four-member Independent Monitoring Commission of bias and calling for its reports to date to be declared null and void.” It’s not the first legal action that Sinn Féin have taken against the IMC.. that one was dismissed in the High Court in Belfast. It’s another interesting development ahead of January’s Independent Monitoring Commission report.. …

Quote of the week…

Mick Fealty on December 1, 2005, 4:55 pm | Readers 1

There was a football match in Old Trafford last night, but it comes a poor third in Daniel Taylor’s eulogy to George Best and minor hatchett job on the new owners for not turning up to what sounded like a memorable night. It contains the quote of the week on one of the momentoes left outside the ground: “Shevchenko, £50m. Ronaldinho, £50m. George Best, priceless. RIP.” Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts …

Letting go of George, and the past…

Mick Fealty on December 1, 2005, 4:52 pm | Readers 0

Brian Walker picks up on Jimmy Nesbitt’s riff on George Best. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

SF accuses PSNI of politics

Mick Fealty on December 1, 2005, 4:40 pm | Readers 1

Things are happening so thickly and quickly it’s hard to know where to begin. Sinn Fein have strongly protested the arrest of one of the most senior and most respected MLA, Francie Brolly in connection with inquiries into the Claudy bomb. The arrests they claim where a set up event in which the media was pre-breifed as to the identity of the arrestees. Ciaran Barnes also notes Brolly’s wife Anne’s call for a judicial inquiry into the bombing. Mick FealtyMick …

Belfast City Council watch…

Mick Fealty on December 1, 2005, 4:32 pm | Readers 3

Reader Nestor points to Tony Bowden’s own Belfast City Council wiki and notes in an email, “it’s 10 times more useful than the Council’s (undoubtedly very expensive) site. It’s probably a bit worrying for the Council as it’s suddenly very easy to find out things about the decisions made in the Dome of Delight….” Actually the wording he used was stronger than site, but did rhyme with it. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on …

Murphy criticises his successor?

Mick Fealty on December 1, 2005, 4:26 pm | Readers 2

Brian Feeney comes over all biblical, suggesting that Paul Murphy has disagreed with his successor as Secretary of State, not once, twice, but three times. He detects power draining from Labour’s House of Commons. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

In their own words

Pete Baker on December 1, 2005, 4:24 pm | Readers 1

The Guardian highlights what I’d suggest is already a candidate for the website of the year – launched this week by Poet Laureate Andrew Motion – The Poetry Archive – it’s an astonishing collection of recordings of poets in their own words. And it’s a collection both of contemporary, Tom Paulin and Seamus Heaney are already there, and of historic.. including John Betjeman, Alfred Tennyson, Louis MacNeice and William Butler Yeats – the historic archive is here, As well as …

The blame game continues…

Mick Fealty on December 1, 2005, 4:18 pm | Readers 0

This time it is primarily between Unionists. UUP spokesman Alan McFarland argues that his party took nothing directly to do with the OTR question, whilst the DUP point to its orgin in the 2001 Weston Park talks, in which the DUP took no part. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and …

a report is being prepared for submission to the PPS

Pete Baker on December 1, 2005, 3:53 am | Readers 4

The BBC are reporting that the four people arrested in connection with the Claudy bombs, including Sinn Féin MLA Francie Brolly, have been released without being charged. However, the BBC are also reporting that “Police said a report was being prepared for submission to the Public Prosecution Service.” The implication would seem to be that there may still be charges brought.. but if charges are brought they will likely be dealt with under the OTR legislation, which is still on …

Saturday’s order of events

on December 1, 2005, 2:23 am | Readers 1

Gates at Stormont open at 9. First 32,000 to arrive will get in. The rest will have to line the streets. The BBC reports there are up to 200 people working on the arrangements.