Mick Fealty

As claim and counterclaim proliferate over collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries, there is a first few tentative calls for something like a truth commission to bring the conflict to some kind of final rest. Whilst Ulster does its usual summer trick of ritually beating itself up, there may be a thread of hope that no conflict can drag on forever. James Murray Brown speculates that: “There is a hope that this summer could see the quietest Drumcree in …

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The SDLP is the subject of much speculation these days. It appears to be making overtures to Unionists by incorporating the colour orange into it’s new logo. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

Whilst the controversy over collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitary death squads continues, there is a new wave of more skeptical coverage of the story. From Malachi O’Doherty who suggests that pushing further is a serious form of illogic for Agreement parties who have already accepted an amnesty on all paramilitaries, to Eilis O’Hanlon who suggests that if such investigation is good enough for one side it is valid for the other. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …

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Whilst the hiatus pundits are still speculating about when the executive will next break down, there are still several ministers who are showing a passion for the job of government. Martin McGuinness at Education said at the weekend “I intend to do something before the end of this parliamentary term, which lays out before the people what I believe to be the foundation stones on the future of education in this state for some period to come.” There are signs …

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Here’s a few encouraging words about ‘Letter to Slugger O’Toole’ from Spiked-online journalist Brendan O’Neill. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

Looks like the UUP are getting caught by the off-side rule yet again in their efforts to get the Parades Commission to re-consider it’s ruling against the Orange Order over the Garvaghy Road route. The Order themselves are not happy, after the Commission binned their proposals from last year, even though they were considered “…a significant advance on the order’s previous position and might provide a basis on which the parties could move forward.” Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …

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Ahern and Blair are to call a meeting of all the Pro-agreement parties next week. The Stevens enquiry rumbles on in the Guardian, whilst the Independent emphasises that MI5 actively obstructed the investigation of the Finucane case. Neil McKay in the Sunday Herald went as far as to suggest that Margaret Thatcher was the one who first ordered such collusion. Meanwhile Kevin Myers calls for a quid pro quo if there is to be a long term continuation of inquiries. …

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One little note in the Guardian today says that the Castlereagh job was an inside affair. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

The sniping at Trimble continues as Sammy Wilson of the DUP suggests, “Trimble and his political allies repeated time and time again that the Agreement provided the Government with the powers to exclude those who did not genuinely give up violence. Four years on, he is now admitting that those powers do not exist and need to be introduced”. Father Des Wilson hits Trimble from the ‘other side’, pouring scorn on the idea that he may resign. The Belfast Telegraph …

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More from the irrascable Brendan O’Neill, who really can’t stand the patronising attitude of some towards the Irish football team’s sojourn in the World Cup. No doubt the fact that the Irish fans were seen as the best of the tournament is only more provocation. But in terms of public diplomacy, there are some benefits to being seen as ‘cuddly’! Mark Leonard of the Foreign Policy Centre’s latest book looks at the idea from a British point of view. Mick …

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Trimble continues to apply pressure with the threat of leaving his post. Wrapped in similar metaphors, Nationalist commentator Maurice Hayes calls it marching, whilst Unionist columnist Steven King sees it as walking. This discussion explores some aspects of the two competing Unionist agendas. Some musing from Paul Fitzsimmons on the long term effect of extreme views clashing. The SDLP take on Sinn Fein over proliferation of flags in the streets. On the other side following the screening of the first …

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With a Panorama documentary on BBC TV tonight, papers are full of stories relating to alleged collusion between the police and the paramilitaries. David McKittrick, John Ware, and David Sharrock have all written extensive articles. Rumours of the impending collapse of the peace process unless there is an increase in the confidence of the Unionist population. Pressure continues to be applied to Blair to move against Sinn Fein over alleged breaches of the IRA ceasefire. Here’s an web discussion on …

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Peter Robinson’s appeal against the legality of the re-election of the First and Deputy First Minister comes to a head next Monday. It could lead to the meltdown, many have talked about and few outside the growing ranks of DUP supporters have wished for. Some commentators argue that breaking democratic rules has a limited lifespan in NI. Trimble takes the initiative with Sinn Fein. Malachi O’Doherty provides an interesting take on IRA military strategy during the peace process. There have …

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It’s summer and trouble continues: in the streets and in the political backrooms, though the real threat to Trimble may come in form of next month’s meeting of the UUP’s executive. In Belfast Mayor Maskey intends to embrace the Union Jack AND the Tricolour. His taking office after several previously failed attempts, marks the end of protestant Belfast, according to Andy Gimson in The Spectator. Eilis O’Hanlon highlights the double spin being played around last week’s trouble in East Belfast. …

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The forthcoming report by Metropolitan police commissioner Sir John Stevens into the Finucane murder finds collusion between the RUC and Loyalist paramiltaries and is causing it’s first rumbles today. Meanwhile leading Unionists claim that links between the Columbian leftist paramilitary group FARC and the IRA, indicate that Provisionals may have been over there testing new weapons. The Daily Telegraph suggests this is a breach of the IRA ceasefire. Perhaps the unseasonably early runctions on the streets of Belfast may mean …

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A bit further from the current street action and the cost of the Holy Cross dispute becomes clear. Johnny Adair’s brother is jailed for riotous behaviour at the time. New Lord Mayor Maskey visits the Presbyterian church. One Alliance counsellor pays the price for having street murals removed. Elsewhere famous Seamus Heaney warns of the disaffection and fury of the Protestant youth. Meanwhile further afield, a rock star from the south is more concerned with development of Africa than the …

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Argentina leave the World Cup and England under the cool hand of their Swedish manager fight on. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty