Slugger O'Toole

Looks like the feud is now escalating with a pipe bomb attack on the lower Shankill home of Johnny Adair and a shooting in Carrickfergus. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

According to Breidge Gadd it may turn out to be the best there is. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Or so says Derry MLA, William Hay, a senior member of the party. Perhaps a first public confirmation of what seemed to be brewing through the Autumn. His remarks were immediately welcomed by Sinn Fein party chairman Mitchell McLaughlin. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Henry McDonald reports on the pressures building on the British Labour party to organise in Northern Ireland. Thanks to Nicholas Whyte for the link. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

David Trimble has been called to talk to Tony Blair at No 10 today with Gerry Adams coming in tomorrow. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Fascinating account of the origin of some of the slang words resurrected in Martin Scorsese’s recently released epic Gangs of New York. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Although Loyalist paramilitaries were responsible for the vast majority of the 22 murders in NI in the last 12 months, there is an overall decline in the trend. Meanwhile in 2002 the Republic saw a record 62 murders. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

The bomb found at Holy Cross school yesterday morning. PUP MLA Billy Hutchinson has suggested that the timing, just before the first part of controversial two part documentary looking at two interface conflicts, may indicate that it may have been planted by someone outside the local Loyalist community. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

George Dawson of the Orange Order makes a case for the funding of explicitly Protestant schools. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

James Murray Brown outlines the likely timetable for restoration of the local institutions in Northern Ireland: “Under existing legislation, Paul Murphy, the Northern Ireland secretary, will have to dissolve the assembly by March 21 to provide six weeks for campaigning. If the assembly is to be restored in time for elections, a deal will have to be struck by early March. Soon afterwards, party leaders depart for the US to participate in the annual St Patrick’s day festivities on March …

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Rosie Cowan weighs up the current electoral strengths of the Unionist parties and asks: “Is there a chance of an electoral revolution bringing together first minister Ian Paisley, and deputy first minister Gerry Adams or Martin McGuinness?” Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Many thanks to top US blogger Rittenhouse Review for ranking the Letter to Slugger O’Toole in his recent list of Better Bloggers! Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

In light of the likely demographic stalemate, Fianna Fail Senator, Martin Masergh outlines the seachange in the politics of Northern Ireland. Echoing the Downing Street Declaration of nearly ten years ago, he suggests: “…it is up to those who want a united Ireland to persuade those who don’t, and the same goes for those who prefer the status quo.” Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Chan moran anseo faoin Tuaiscirt, ach go leor faoin domhain go leir sa 2002. Scealta aoirtha tri a shúil nimhe o Bhalor. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Measann Robert McMillen go bhfuil sólás áirithe le fáil ag náisiúnaithe agus ag poblachtánaigh ó na torthaí. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

According to some Unionists this speculative piece by Jude Collins on the recalibration of politics north and south is indicative of a more open ended and optimistic nationalist approach towards unionists. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Johnny Adair falls out with another deputy, apparently this time over the means and distribution of profits from cocaine trafficing. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Alex Maskey delivers Sinn Fein’s latest assessment of the current health of the Peace Process. The crux of the speech’s demands appear to revolve around three primary elements: – a new police service which nationalists and republicans can support and join. – irreversible and transparent legislation securing human rights and justice for everyone. – parity of esteem for cultural rights and identity across society. Given these three things, it seems to say, all other issues seem to be settled from …

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After the holiday break, we will shortly be bringing you up to date with some of the recent goings on in Northern Ireland, on Monday. We apologise for the lack of comments boxes. It seems our previous provider had someone hack into their software. We hope to have an adequate replacement early next week. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

News of a shooting in Belfast has just shown up on this Australian site. The BBC claim it is linked to the Loyalist feud. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.