Slugger O'Toole De Chastelain has just apologised for the lack of clarity of previous acts of decommissioning. He says it was important for him to use the independent status of the commission to establish the methodology. “It was not for us to editorialise. Getting armed groups to put aside their arms voluntarily is not easy”. Confidentiality was crucial. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
The Guardian (Unlimited) continue to expand their on-line repertoire, with Angelique Chrisafis, in effect, audio-blogging on today’s developments[3min 18sec mp3 file]. At the press conference The Observer’s Henry McDonald interrupted the Decommissioning Body’s studied delivery by asking whether any weapons from after 1996 had been decommissioned. In his report he also notes a comment by The Blanket’s Anthony McIntyre that “the disposal of weapons smuggled into Ireland to fight the Long War had ‘made republicanism history’, rather than partition.” [*thread …
In the Belfast Telegraph, Sam Smyth raises just two cheers in response to the unfolding choreography – The Provisionals expect a grateful public to raise a Hallelujah Chorus in praise for the dumping of their weapons. But a sigh of relief is more appropriate for their decommissioning of an enormous arsenal of sophisticated weapons and explosives. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
They have made an inventory which accords to a joint governments inventory that was compiled when the commission was established. “An important milestone has been reached. We believe that all the arms held by the IRA have been decommissioned”. It leaves the Loyalist paramilitaries out in the cold. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Brian Feeney see little practical worth in the decommissioning of IRA weapons, but a symbolic significance the power of which will only become obvious in Sinn Fein’s next electoral performance. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
When I think about the Maze, it astonishes me to think that I grew up in a street of just 18 homes, where three of the residents worked as prison guards, as witnesses to history. And yet I really cannot comprehend what went on in the place, or what it would have looked like inside. Sasha of Nothing Less has provided an incredible free insight into the place – more than 200 pictures taken on a private tour. (Via Boing …
If you’re not watching the Martin Scorsese directed documentary on Bob Dylan on BBC2 right now.. why the hell not? Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers have already been name-checked, as well as more obvious influences like Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, Pete Seeger, et al.. and it’s only part 1.. Wonderful stuff. Watch it if you can.. or you could buy the DVD.. as well, that is. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
With great finesse, I have managed to re-locate myself to Dublin for the day, having spent the last three days within a mile and half walk from where John De Chastelain is expected to announce (according to Dublin sources) that his work with IRA is done. The choice of Harold Good is not a bad one. It hasn’t gone down well with DUP, but if his account is sufficiently graphic, he may just get this process off to a plausible …
P O’Neill makes a return… Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
RTE reporter to passing politician, “this story is live until Wednesday”. That would bring us up to Peter Hain’s announcement of ‘confidence building measures’ for Unionists. Then Northern Ireland presumably returns to the status of ‘big sleep’ in Dublin and the Republic. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Too early for reaction. The General is still talking. But Mary Fitzgerald has been out in East Belfast talking to ordinary people on recent security and political moves. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
The head of the decommissioning body, John de Chastelain, was severely grilled by the assorted media at the press conference.. and, although he emphasised that the Decommissioning Body itself is satisfied that the PIRA arsenal has been fully decommissioned – based on security forces’ estimates, and on the matériel they witnessed – when asked if there could be other weapons still being held by PIRA, he acknowledged that, in a phrase that is likely to resurface in the weeks and …
Damien Kiberd welcomes the IRA’s move, but he argues that they may have left Catholic populations in Northern Ireland. It’s probably true that that is a thought in many peoples’ mind in the light of their historical experience. Although as Father Brian D’arcy pointed out on RTE this afternoon, the ‘Pogroms’ of 1969 were actively backed by individual B Specials – a situation that no longer applies. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Michael McDowell on his brand of Republicanism. He argues that for unification to happen at all, Republicans need to work on re-integrating the Orange tradition back into their own concept of an all Ireland Republic before it can stand a chance of fulfilling its long term aim of re-uniting the island. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Joint statement from Harold Good and Alex Reid. “The arms of the IRA have been decommissioned beyond any shadow of a doubt”. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
A lot of callers into RTE in Dublin are cock a hoop at the General’s verdict and have expressed the opinion that Unionists must now take the initiative. “It represents progress and it also represents a massive U Turn on the part of the Republican movement”. He also believes that Loyalist paramilitaries must now decommission, not least because the General has committed to keeping the IRA inventory secret until they reciprocate. He reserves his opinion on the outcome of the …
It may be hard to believe, but a Tyrone fan was clearly putting county allegiance ahead of any dispute with the old enemy. His red and white flag was also the cross of St George. A first for Croke Park? To be filed with tales of a bespoke green Union flag at Northern Ireland’s 1 0 defeat of England in Windsor Park. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Harold Good has just spoken. “Father Reid and I have spent days, many days watching [the decomm team] decommissioning a vast amount of arms on a minute by minute basis”. De Chastelain has note how much of it there was. There may be missing – but infinately small amounts. Most of it was the manufacturers packaging. It was also clear he said that there was also a lot of material in belts and small bits and pieces, clearly brought in …
Slugger hears that the IMC is currently looking at accusations of child sex abuse amongst paramilitaries, specifically the grooming and exploitation of young people. It’s also thought that the NI Children’s Commissioner may soon be researching this dark side of paramilitarism. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Here’s a place to discuss the match, if you’re so inclined. The old stadium looks fantastic, as ever. If you’re outside Ireland, you can watch the game for $10 on Setanta’s website. Update: A brilliant, compelling final. All credit and congratulations to Tyrone, who truly deserve to take Sam back north. And congrats to Down too, who were the other half of a great Ulster double. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.