Chris Donnelly In this week’s column, Brian Feeney has a right go at the NIO and their unionist leanings. In the process, he takes a swipe at the Community Relations Council (CRC) and begins with a ‘Did you know’ on Swiss army knives. Chris Donnelly
In a scathing attack on his own organisation, former Armagh GAA star Jarlath Burns has slammed the GAA’s Disciplinary procedures after it was revealed that all seven Dublin/ Tyrone players who receieved lengthy bans for their involvement in the Big Brawl last month have had their suspensions overturned on a technicality. Chris Donnelly
Sinn Fein and the SDLP have been busy pushing motions declaring support for Irish unity through local government Councils in recent months. Sinn Fein are naturally unambiguous in their support, but many were perhaps surprised by the SDLP’s vocal support on many councils. Derry, Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane and Moyle were to be joined by nationalist-controlled Limavady this week- until the SDLP councillors said ‘No.‘ Chris Donnelly
In a significant speech tonight, Peter Hain announced George Bain as the man tasked with organising the comprehensive educational changes planned for the north (pardon the pun.) Interesingly, Hain articulated his vision of Specialist Schools forming a part of the new education system’s structural framework, a move likely to arouse suspicions that the Grammar lobby may be looking to use Specialisation as a means of retaining selection by the back door. In addition, Hain spelled out his vision of schools …
The weekend witnessed an attempt by loyalist paramilitaries in north Belfast to murder a catholic taxi driver. The targeting of a taxi driver is an ominous throw-back to the darkest periods of the conflict and a reminder, if any were needed, of the tenuous peace that exists in many areas of the north. Both Sinn Fein and the SDLP have speculated that the attempted killing was an inevitable reaction by loyalists to the dramatic scenes witnessed in the Alexandra Bar …
Big story breaking in the USA. In April 2004, Pat Tillman was killed whilst on duty in Afghanistan. His story was the stuff of Hollywood legend. A talented professional American footballer, Tillman gave up his multi-million dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the American ‘war on terror’ after the September 11th attacks in 2001. His story turned to tragedy, however, when he was killed in April 2004. The outpouring of National grief soon turned to bewilderment when it …
Prominent Love Ulster-ite, victim’s campaigner and former Westminster election candidate, Jim Dixon, has articulated what can only be described as some very un-PC opinions in today’s Daily Ireland lead story. Thanks to Fran for highlighting this one. Chris Donnelly
Alliance leader, David Ford, has voiced his anger at the decision by Education Minister, Angela Smith, to reject appeals for funding for four new Integrated schools. What is particularly revealing is the grounds cited by the Minister for rejecting the appeal- i.e. that there is already surplus capacity in school provision in the local areas concerned. Does this signal a shift away from the Good Friday Agreement by the British government in terms of its commitment to promote Integrated and …
Eoin O Murchu, in the aftermath of the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, analyses the party’s current position in The Village. His analysis concludes that the party appears to be focusing energies on development South of the border as the key to driving an all-Ireland agenda in the time ahead, in the expectation that stalemate in the north may continue for some time yet. Chris Donnelly
There have been many questions posed of nationalists in the aftermath of Saturday’s riot in Dublin, quite rightly focusing on the message such a violent protest to a unionist rally in the nation’s capital sends out to Unionists of all hues, and how counter-productive that demonstration was to the objectives of Irish republicans. This story in today’s Newsletter perhaps will provide food for thought for many unionists. Demanding government investment in disadvantaged areas, not on the basis of poverty, but …
Today’s Newsletter contains a headline accusation from Willie Frazer that Mary McAleese and Fr. Alex Reid were to blame for Saturday’s riot in Dublin. Not adverse from using inflammatory language himself, apparently Mr. Frazer sees a link between comments attributed to both individuals and the events of Saturday in Dublin. He does not, however, say whether or not he believes his own usage of extreme language played any part in provoking the riot. Chris Donnelly
The Sunday Business Post carries the latest Poll findings today (reported here at RTE), concluding that neither the government nor Rainbow alternative would be likely to have the numbers to form a stable government on the basis of the results. Fianna Fail at 35% (-2), Fine Gael 25% (up 2), Labour 12% (down 1), Sinn Fein 10% (up 1), Greens 5% (down 2) and PDs 4% (up 1). Independents are at 9%. Early days yet, of course, but such an …
With England going down to the Gallant Bravehearts tonight, Ireland v. Wales takes on a new dimension tomorrow. Victory for Ireland in the two Home games against our Celtic cousins could see a St. Patrick’s weekend showdown with England for the Triple Crown and Six Nations title. Of course, there is the small matter of achieving those victories at home, beginning tomorrow against a troubled Welsh outfit. Chris Donnelly
Sacked for wearing a Union badge to work, Dublin-based Dunnes worker Joanne Delaney’s case has become a cause celebre for the Trade Union movement in recent months. Tonight it appears that Dunnes Stores have finally caved in, following sustained pressure and amidst adverse publicity in Britain and Ireland. Chris Donnelly
I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed BBC Newsline’s series this week tracing the recycling process for many materials we dispose of into our new green/ brown/ blue Council bins. Continuing with the Green theme, in Brazil they are successfully mass-producing cars capable of being fuelled by ethanol and/ or petrol, making the most of the country’s sugar cane supplies. Chris Donnelly
In the latest twist involving the world of intelligence agencies, RTE (amidst other agencies) are leading with a story that MI5 withheld vital information about a bomb plot from the Special Branch in the period leading up to the Omagh bomb. Cue the latest bout of Durkan-speak (No. 134): ‘Allowing MI5 to have a lead role in intelligence in Northern Ireland would be like appointing Herod as children’s commissioner.’ Chris Donnelly
I’m still trying to work out the rationale behind this question posed by Gregory Campbell and reported in the Newsletter, but it would appear the DUP MP is exercised by the slightly higher levels of staff absenteeism in Catholic Maintained schools than in their largely protestant Controlled counterparts. Perhaps there are others out there who may have an informed opinion on the thinking of the prominent DUP man. Maybe he is going to highlight stress levels in schools as being …
Talkback had a ‘Love Ulster’ focus yesterday(Tuesday), with an intriguing debate between Willie Frazer and a Dublin-based Rev. David Frazer on this weekend’s march and rally in Dublin. The debate was memorable for an irate Willie demanding that the Anglican minister ‘take pills’ and convert to catholicism after expressing an opposing opinion on the parade. Suzanne Breen threw in her tuppence worth, challenging southern opposition to the parade, though she omitted to mention that Sinn Fein has actually supported the …
They’re at it again. As if more evidence were needed that the DUP have their sights set on Belfast’s own President Mary McAleese, Ian Paisley and Nigel Dodds’ tag-team effort yesterday provides more confirmation that the DUP are having immense difficulty coming to terms with the President’s popularity amongst nationalists AND unionists/ loyalists in the north. The demand that the Irish President be treated like any other foreign leader on her visits to the six counties goes to the crux …
One of the motions passed on the first night of Sinn Fein’s Ard Fheis was to do with the party’s stance on Flags and Emblems in the six counties. The ‘Equality or Neutrality’ principle has very much become the accepted position by nationalists since Alex Maskey first headlined the issue as Belfast Mayor a number of years ago. Whilst becoming very popular amongst nationalists (and catching the SDLP on the hop), unionists have disappointed nationalists by not showing any signs …
