Belfast Gonzo

THE British national anthem has been in the news again. Lord Goldsmith suggests it is not inclusive and should perhaps be changed. This – like the talk over a Welsh dragon in the Union flag – is to dissipate Scottish nationalism, although it appears the UK’s Scottish Prime Minister doesn’t mind the slur in the national anthem directed at his fellow countrymen (that bit about crushing rebellious Scots). Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, ex-rugby player Trevor Ringland has been criticising Irish …

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THE scandal over property developer David Abrahams’ disguised donations to Labour has the potential to lead to a change in government in Westminster after the next general election. But, as a couple of commentators have noted, if a property developer in Northern Ireland gave money to a political party through a third party – for example, in order to be able to deny having made direct donations so no questions are raised over potential conflicts of interest about planning permission …

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FAREWELL then, and good riddance, to ex-UDA uber-spide, former house burglar, drug dealer, thug, gunman, terrorist, blackmailer, thief, gambling addict, extortionist, intimidator… and former loyalist political negotiator Andre Shoukri. Perhaps more than anyone, Shoukri – who was in UDA/UPRG delegations that met with two secretaries of state and the Irish President’s husband – embodied how the Two Governments’ strategy of inclusion could fall flat on its face and put innocent lives at risk. When Shoukri was sentenced to six years …

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THE flat young earthers are back, as creationist Stephen Moore explains why he’d like any new Causeway centre to include ‘information’ on its ‘biblical’ origins. He’d also like his theories to be included in the Ulster Museum, to explain how dinosaurs walked the earth with humans. However, last night God came to me in a dream and told me that the Giant’s Causeway was in fact created by a legendary Irish hunter-warrior called Finn MacCool, and I am disappointed that …

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I NEVER got the chance to taste the Ulster beverage that was Cavan Cola, but apparently it was a cult classic Irish product, like Tayto crisps (north or south), before being withdrawn. Now, fans of the drink are running a grassroots online campaign to get the cola back on the shelves. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

FOLLOWING the Enterprise Minister’s welcome for plans by the National Trust and Moyle Council for a new Causeway tourist centre, the Environment Minister – who was one “of a mind” to grant planning permission to a rival private developer – has also weighed in. Arlene Foster said: “I welcome applications from any parties who are seriously interested in providing a world-class visitor’s centre at the Giant’s Causeway.” It’s a non-commital, civil-servant-speak statement, but Foster cannot ignore this development. So long …

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UNIONISTS from the Friends of the Somme‘s mid-Ulster branch are to get history lessons on iconic IRA leader Michael Collins thanks to the Republic’s reconciliation fund. Anyone else taking one small step to learning about understand the ‘other’ tradition? Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

FAMILIES of some of eight men murdered by the notorious Glenanne Gang of loyalist terrorists, soldiers and police officers in the South Armagh area in the 1970s are expected to respond later today to a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that alleged security force collusion in loyalist murders was not properly investigated. The cases were taken after claims made by ex-RUC officer John Weir (pictured) claimed to the BBC a group comprising UVF terrorists, UDR soldiers, RUC …

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THE cracks in the Executive continue to widen by the day, and earlier tonight an Alliance amendment expressing concern at the Programme for Government re-opened the faultline between the DUP-Sinn Fein axis and the two minor partners. It was the second time in a week that UUP and SDLP members voted against their colleagues in the cabinet. Leading the charge against the Programme for Government’s lack of ambition, David Ford described the ‘coalition’ executive as “yet again in crisis”, adding: …

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A FUNDRAISER for a new unionist grouping is to take place on Monday, with a launch for the anti-powersharing movement expected in weeks. The faction will comprise of hardliners opposed to the DUP entering government with Sinn Fein. While the alleged involvement of IRA members in the Quinn murder might appear to have given the group some ammunition to fire at the DUP (who are now only interested in ‘corporate’ IRA involvement), Paisley’s party juggernaut will be hard to displace. …

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…no, it’s ‘Orangeman’! The Beeb is reporting that the Orange Order has created a new superhero to win over the next generation of sash-wearers. It’s looking for name for the kids’ icon – Orangeman has been deemed to obvious. The Order’s David Hume said: “We want to make the Orange Order more relevant to the young and appear less stuffy. Our new Orange hero has been carefully designed and is really a bit of good fun. Our research shows that …

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AFTER the chair of the Celtic Trust opposed the appointment of former Northern Ireland Secretary and ex-Home Secretary John Reid as Celtic chairman for his “leading role in relation to what many believe is an illegal and immoral war”, Jeanette Findlay went on to defend the singing of pro-IRA chants on the terraces. Despite refusing to apologise, Findlay has angered many Irish fans of the club, which has also claimed her views are unrepresentative. Findlay’s timing couldn’t have been worse, …

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GORDON Brown has said he supports a one-off revival of the home internationals – reigning champions, Northern Ireland – after all the British teams crashed out of Euro 2008. One of the reasons the British Home Championships ended in 1984 was because of England’s desire to play ‘stronger’ teams – an excuse it no longer has. (…or maybe England is now regarded as so weak, we should just push for a Celtic Cup and get the Republic involved?!) The PM …

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NOTHING could demonstrate to unionists how little London loves them than this little exchange in the Lords last night involving David Trimble and Lord West (who seemed unaware – despite having served here – that Northern Ireland is part of the UK). There seems to be considerable unionist unease about the eborders scheme, which, from a unionist perspective, will result in an electronic security ring being thrown around Great Britain, while NI is left to take its chances with the …

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LAST night’s disappointment for Northern Ireland’s Euro 2008 hopes was tempered by the good news that England (in a softer group) also failed to go through. Bye bye, McLaren. Ah well, at least NI can hold their heads high – particularly Healy, with his record 13 goals. (It wasn’t that long ago we were wondering if NI could score a single goal in 13 games!) Still, how many years is it since none of the UK or Ireland teams went …

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THERE was major embarrassment for the SDLP on Friday after it expressed regret over an election advertisement which led to a former PSNI assistant chief constable suing the party for libel. Alan McQuillan claimed that the advert linked him to collusion during his service with the RUC. The ad also stated that the SDLP had ensured Sir Hugh Orde was appointed chief constable and “not a policeman from the old RUC order”. The SDLP’s legal representative said the party “regretted …

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YOU’D probably never think of New Zealand as a hotbed of terrorism, but a story has been knocking about since last month about the arrest of an alleged Maori paramilitary group planning to establish an independent nation. According to the police there, the group’s methods were derived from the IRA’s Green Book training manual. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

ALL this talk of a strengthened e-border has the DUP’s Sammy Wilson worried that people from Northern Ireland could be treated like foreigners when they visit Great Britain. While anyone who’s ever taken a budget flight to London from Belfast has probably used their passport as ID, and even though it’s arguable that unionists suddenly become ‘paddies’ when they visit the ‘mainland’ anyway, Sammy has managed to get Harriet Harman to bring the issue up with the NI Secretary. We’ll …

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ALTHOUGH Seymour Sweeney has argued that his plans for a Causeway visitor centre would come “at no cost to the public purse”, the Department of Enterprise wasn’t quite convinced, if its letter to DUP minister Nigel Dodds is to be believed. While the letter memo stated a “private sector led solution” from Mr Sweeney’s company Seaport would “negate the need” for Government investment of up to £21m, it added that “it is likely that Seaport Investments will seek grant aid …

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IRIS Robinson has just been thrown out of Stormont (by DUP speaker Willie Hay), for refusing to withdraw remarks she recently made about Health Minister McGimpsey “misleading” the house over his level of support for the draft Budget. At last, some excitement (even if Iris did make the first ejection of an MLA seem rather contrived, the big drama queen)! As Pete might say, this is a very