Slugger O'Toole As Ed Moloney noted on RTEs lunchtime news (26 mins in) today, this is a statement ending the campaign, not the right of the IRA to prosecute war against the British. Nor does it indicate a restructuring of the IRA into an old boys association. That would take an Army Convention. There is no evidence from this statement that such has taken place. What it does say is that IRA arms are to be dumped. That there will then follow …
PA had a reporter in Danny Molly’s Bar when the IRA statement was broadcast.The major emotion was fear for the possibility that they were to be left defenceless in the face of loyalist paramilitaries – who still have all their guns and show few signs of giving them up. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
A Tangled Web gives Gerry and Co the usual rough ride. Few round Sevastapol Street will lose much sleep over it. However, I was struck by Andrew McCann’s remark that we are entering a schmaltz and bullsh!t interlude. Few political parties can avoid having to bullsh!t their way past awkward moments. The trouble is that in the long term (in order to retain political credibility) they also have to be seen to live up to at least some of their …
The BBC have a useful round up of first responses from a range of players. David Ervine: “…it’s unambiguous and that’s a first. The second thing that’s a first is that it’s front loading. Normally, the IRA demand that others move and then the IRA will follow. This time the IRA has gone first and that is significant”. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Interesting slot on the prospective days events on Morning Ireland this morning. Martin McGuinness talking to Carol Coleman on landing in the US looked forward to the release of Sean Kelly, and managed to suggest that he’d been arrested at the behest of the DUP. However, increasingly it looks more like a good old fashioned Irish hostage taking, to ensure the IRA doesn’t come up with yet another post dated cheque. Charlie Bird notes the timing of McGuinness’ midday (5pm …
Given the sudden flurry of activity, and the hype discussion around the statement issued today, it would be remiss of me not to note the discussions currently taking place on new anti-terrorism laws And, in light of the most recent assessment of the Independent Monitoring Commission in its 5th report – PIRA continues to seek to maintain its medium term effectiveness. It recruits and trains new members, including in the use of firearms and explosives. It continues to gather intelligence. …
Blair and Ahern joint statement. Another from Mitchell Reiss. Gerry Adams’ 4pm statement in Dublin. And George Bush! Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
A piece of relief today’s statement. It seems Setanta is emerging as one of the big candidates to take some of Sky’s coverage of the English Premiership, following a directon from the EU. Games from the Scottish Premier League will be covered from this weekend on a pay per view basis. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Despite the apparently successful launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, it has now emerged that a suitcase-sized piece of foam was stripped from the main fuel tank during the ascent to orbit. In response Nasa has grounded the remaining Shuttle fleet and continues to inspect Discovery for damage.. the seven astronauts are about to dock with the International Space Station, but there is a possibility that this could be the final Shuttle mission. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the …
Looks like 4pm is lift off time. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
In todays’s Irish Times, NI’s top satirist bar none, Newt Emerson sees some ‘fascinating’ parallels between the Abbey’s troubles and those of another centenarian, Sinn Fein. “We do have some financial problems but it is important to remember that there is no suggestion of theft, fraud or dishonesty,” explained an Abbey national chairperson. “As the sole legitimate theatre company of Ireland, nothing we do can be a crime. Except against art.” The Abbey is expected to announce shortly a complete …
Via UTV. The statement from the Provisional Movement. In advance of the scheduled Sinn Féin press conference at 4 pm. The processing continues Update There seems to be some disagreement over what is, and what isn’t, part of the statement.. the statements carried on the BBC, and on RTE, omit the final section included on UTV. Update 2 The consensus appears to be that the section causing confusion is part of the introduction to the actual text of the statement. …
Democratic Dialogue has argued in a new report that the gulf between Sinn Fein and the DUP is too wide, and with none of the secondary being prepared to ante up for a compromise voluntary coalition it sees little alternative to prolonged direct rule. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
For the most comprehensive coverage of today’s press warm-ups check out the indespensible Newshound. One of the most combative he’s found today is the Sun’s Surrender by the IRA, no doubt will warm some Unionist hearts and no doubt will be taken with a large dose of salts in the Republican heartland. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Ian Paisley’s holding statement is cold, but as yet closes no doors. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Henry McDonald on the Guardian newsblog is distinctly unimpressed with the IRA statement. He believes that short of disbandment, there is little prospect of the IRA pulling out of the practical grip it has on various working class areas. Interestingly, he notes alleged developments in the Republic in which money raising and laundering are said to have been privatised: Moreover, with the quasi-military structure still in extant, the ability to raise millions of pounds and euros for the republican movement’s …
The BBC’s political correspondent Martina Purdy has an astute assessment of how Sinn Féin have played The Process to date, and how they will likely continue to play it – Go read it – As I noted yesterday, the processing will continue. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.
THE IRA statement is now out, giving volunteers an order to dump arms – which we expected a number of years ago. The rest is the usual IRA-style statement – you could have written it yourself, it’s so predictable. As we’re watching the breaking news on Sky, there’s a collective shrug in this office. Frankly, no-one really cares what the republican movement says any more, because no-one believes it – it’s what it does that counts from here on in. …
Fascinating story which has been bubbling under for the last few days (I’ve been ill rather than willfully ignoring it). It seems the UVF (in favour of political settlement) in East Belfast have been allowed to take direct action over apparent sympathisers of the LVF (the organisation accused of Lisa Dorrian’s abduction and murder, and associated with political dissent from settlement) ie put them out of their homes in the Garnerville estate in East Belfast. The UVF says it will …
I hadn’t looked at the Irish Times when I posted my earlier comment today, but I see Vincent Browne, sort of, agrees. From his opinion piece in today’s Irish Times – The IRA is not going to disband. The IRA is not going to end what is called criminal activity, not for now anyway. The IRA may decommission most of its weapons but it will retain some. From Vincent Browne’s opinion piece in today’s Irish Times – The IRA is …