Chris Donnelly

In his column this week, Brian Feeney cites Alvin Jackson’s assertion that, from 1972, the role of unionist leaders in the Six Counties has been to mediate British policy to their followers. Their ability and willingness to do so determined their fate as political leaders. To Feeney, Peter Robinson knows this, and he knows – particularly after Brown’s Stormont speech– that British policy is at odds with the DUP regarding the failure to devolve Policing and Justice powers. Correctly, Feeney …

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” Very good. Feel these people got what they deserved. They weren’t saints.” Ballymoney DUP councillor, Ian Stevenson, has courted controversy by leaving the above comment in the Guest Book of Kilmainham Jail following a visit to the prison as part of a Good Relations tour organised by several local councils, a trip which included visits to the Battle of the Boyne site and Glasnevin Cemetery and was aimed at developing better relations. Clearly this junket was a success then… …

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The sound of gritted teeth was clearly audible as Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure was all but forced into commending Tyrone for triumphing in this year’s All-Ireland football final during a BBC Radio interview yesterday, but not before contextualising the victory as being one in which “home talent” had triumphed in an “international event.” His decision to await a formal request prior to organising a civic reception has also been criticised by the SDLP and Sinn Fein, with the …

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A Tyrone civil servant has had to remove a Tyrone GAA flag from her car following a complaint from a colleague at the Social Services Agency office in Strabane. The case raises an interesting/ depressing prospect: if items displayed/ attached from cars are to be restricted due to the interpretation of neutral working environment policies, wither the ‘Wear your poppy with pride’, Soccer/ GAA card figures and GAWA stickers that are clearly visible from many cars? Chris Donnelly

Draws were the order of the day for the Irish international sides tonight, with the Republic- Montenegro and Northern Ireland- Czech Republic matches both ending in scoreless draws. The Scots got their campaign back on track with a hard fought 2-1 win in Iceland, whilst England were particularly impressive in hammering Croatia 4-1 in what should have been their trickiest fixture of the entire campaign. Wales lost earlier in the day to Russia 2-1. Chris Donnelly

Whilst unionist politicians were, unsurprisingly, quick to voice support for Mark Durkan’s call for power-sharing to end soon, Brian Feeney is not so impressed (subs reqd.) In a scathing attack on the SDLP leader, the former party councillor lambasts Durkan for “abandoning 38 years of SDLP policy and principle” and accuses him of ignoring “the theoretical underpinning of the Good Friday Agreement, the concept of consociationalism.” He continues: “Instead of insisting on political power sharing as of right he is …

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The start of a qualifying campaign always brings with it fresh hopes that, this time, glory will be ours and a ticket to the exclusive Summer Party that is the World Cup will be secured. Not since the memorable Summer in Saipan has Ireland been represented at either a European or World Cup summer Finals tournament. Since then, water has certainly gushed beneath the bridge, with two of the main characters in that story now joined at the hip in …

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The case of the UUP Mayor of Lisburn, the leading loyalist and the Stoneyford beacon continues to rumble following the revelation that Mayor Ronnie Crawford invited loyalist Mark Harbinson into his chamber to help fill in his application form for money for the controversial 11th Night event in the village (Andersonstown News story not yet online.) The Mayor also called on the services of two senior Lisburn Council officials (Director of Leisure Services, Robert McKnight and Good Relations Officer, David …

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Antrim Sinn Fein councillor, Annemarie Logue, has been warned by the PSNI that loyalists intend on shooting her. She was also warned that loyalists had intended on “carrying out an action” against her on a specified night last week. DUP MLA and Antrim councillor, Trevor Clarke, thinks he knows why. Apparently, the Sinn Fein councillor’s “provocative language” was responsible, “no doubt motivating such actions.” The ‘offending’ language allegation refers to criticism of a ratepayer-funded loyalist 11th Night bonfire which had …

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Interesting use of language from Downing Street tonight, with British PM Gordon Brown declaring, “In the next few days, I will use all my efforts to make sure that the devolution of policing and justice can go ahead…” Brown also suggested that he “believe(d) that this will provide reassurance and hope for everybody,” referring to the IMC Report earlier in the day. So is the British PM sending a message to Peter Robinson and what prospect a resolution in the …

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The US party conventions kick off next week with the Democratic Party convention in Denver. The news that Democratic Party candidate, Barack Obama, has chosen Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate is not a big surprise and is a clear effort by the Presidential hopeful to limit the impact of the charge by McCain supporters that Obama is weak and inexperienced on foreign policy. Democrats will hope that Biden, in his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee …

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Now I don’t want this to descend into another thread on the merits- or otherwise- of an all-Ireland international football team, but I couldn’t resist the headline given the news that David Healy is on the verge of signing for Ireland’s favourite ‘second-supported’ Premiership side, Sunderland (owned by the Drumaville Consortium, sponsored by Boylesports, managed by Roy Keane, Chairman Niall Quinn and currently experiencing a remarkable surge in support across Ireland- as the youngsters with Sunderland strips will testify.) Consider …

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Belfast Mayor, Tom Hartley, has developed a reputation for his interest in the history of people buried in the two main cemeteries in west Belfast, particularly the City Cemetery, where some 225,000 Belfast residents found their resting place. Now, in conjunction with the City Hall, the local politician has organised a special Visitors Day for the City Cemetery today, with the expressed hope of encouraging members of the protestant community to visit the cemetery in recognition of the fact that …

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Ronnie Drew, founder of The Dubliners, has passed away, aged 73. Described as ‘a champion of traditional Irish music’ by President Mary McAleese, Drew had a voice that was instantly recognisable and, along with Luke Kelly, he was the voice of Ireland’s most celebrated folk group of the past half century. U2’s Bono provided the fitting tribute above. Click here for one of Ronnie’s most celebrated songs about his native Dublin. Rest In Peace Ronnie, you were a true legend. …

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Received a text from a Tyrone pal of mine this morning, urging me to put whatever cash I had at hand on his beloved county to stuff the pundits and bookies and end Dublin’s march to this year’s All-Ireland. Alas, with floods, family duties and Olympic Boxing to occupy my mind, I never quite made it to the Bookmakers. It’s a pity. Tyrone, against the odds and predictions of most, walloped Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter final today, putting in …

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Reports of racial discrimination made to the Equality Tribunal in the south of Ireland have jumped dramatically in the past twelve months, up 100% in that period. The figures are contained in the Equality Tribunal’s annual report, and come in the aftermath of a successful case taken by an Englishman who was subjected to sustained racial abuse in his workplace and who, earlier this week, was awarded 20,000euro in compensation. Chris Donnelly

The display of a sign on a house for rent in the Village area of Belfast stating “not available to any foreigners” has been condemned by South Belfast MLA, Anna Lo. The issue features prominently on today’s Talkback programme. The area has witnessed many racist attacks in the past and loyalists in the nearby Donegall Pass area were widely accused of attempting to intimidate members of the Chinese community following a proposed parade in the area last Autumn. The owner …

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With less than one week until the start of the new Premier League season, I’ve finally got round to setting up this year’s Slugger League. Now in its third season, the usual procedures apply. Go to the Fantasy FA site here and enter a team, before selecting the ‘League’ icon and inserting this code 884684-162136. Good luck! Chris Donnelly

We’ve reached the business end of the Senior Football Championship as this weekend brings the first of the Quarter Finals to HQ. Tyrone have been drawn against the Mighty Dubs in a repeat of the 2005 fixture, whilst the draw has been more pleasant to Armagh, who face surprising quarter finalists, Wexford. With the winners of these matches due to meet in the Semi-Finals, it looks ominously/ mouth-wateringly like a Dublin-Kerry final (though, in true ABD style, I’d prefer either …

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Feile an Phobail celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year with probably the most impressive line up to date, starting this Saturday and running until the 10th August. The Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Ardal O’Hanlon, Brian Kennedy, The 4 of Us, Robert Ballagh, Tom Hayden, Nuala O’Loan, Gillian Slovo, Michael Patrick McDonald, Geraldine Hughes, Kathy Sinnott and Ronan Bennett are the headlining acts and speakers, though there are many, many more impressive acts, dramas and exhibitions to cater for all. Events have …

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