THE Government has announced it will appoint judges and other individuals to tribunals into the deaths of Rosemary Nelson, Billy Wright and Robert Hamill. Each of the panels will have three members – a specialist, a lay member and a senior judge – from outside Northern Ireland. UPDATE: Sinn Fein’s reaction, the DUP’s and the UUP’s are online. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
JOHN Stevens, the UK’s most senior policeman, is retiring. Stevens has had a long association with Northern Ireland, investigating allegations of security force and loyalist collusion. Also moving on is Barbara Stephenson, the affable US Consul General in Belfast, who is taking up a State Department position in Washington. Stephenson, who did much to highlight integrated education during her tenure here, announced Dean Pitman as her replacement at her Independence Day garden party. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
THE DUP has defended its position on not talking to terrorists while sitting on a parades forum alongside representatives of loyalist terrorists. It is because the DUP cannot be held responsible for the inclusion of the UVF and UDA on the parades forum. Well, that’s me convinced(!) Nelson McCausland added: “It is Grand Lodge policy that the Orange Order will not negotiate on parades with Sinn Fein-sponsored residents’ groups.” That doesn’t, however, appear to be the position of the Orange …
Speculation continues on a potential papal visit to the North. Protests are flagged as possible by some and the idea questioned. Meanwhile Ian Paisley has visited David Blunkett to ensure his own particular brand of preaching will not be affected by proposed religious hatred laws. Willie McCrea says, ‘he would oppose the visit because the Free Presbyterian church taught that the Pope was “the anti-Christ” Blank
The most recent US Ambassador to Dublin Richard Egan, is still capable of making front page news in the Irish Times. Sean O’Driscoll reports on his donation to Ralph Nader’s presidential campaign, in hopes of splitting the Democratic vote as effectively as he did last time out. I doubt we’ll see born again Democrat Michael Moore using his new blog to urge US voters to go for a split vote like he did in 2000. Whilst we have the excuse …
Interesting story from the Kerry camp in the US again. Apparently net users were amongst the first to find out he’d chosen John Edwards as his running mate. It looks the Democrat party is letting a limited number of bloggers in to their convention. The Republicans are still pondering their options. I have some sympathy with the blogger who suggested it was like the Super Bowl – you can see more on tv at home. If you can get to …
Brian Feeney is probably a little bit too pessimistic, but in the process makes an interesting point: “The DUP has a mandate to dismantle the agreement, not operate it. Asking them to talk to Sinn Féin doesn’t guarantee they’ll operate it”. 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
Aistruchan agus cuntas briese le fail anseo. 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
We should be back to normal now. The only difference should be that if you want to comment, you’ll have to summit a verifiable email address. We should now be completely free of those hidious spam comments. 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
Conor Cruise O’Brien first elected as an Irish Labour party TD in 1969 and more recently a member of the UKUP has returned to the fold after initial rejection of his membership. He has been warmly welcomed by Pat Rabbitte. Blank
Interesting documentary film on the battle of the Bogside due to be launched in Galway on the 10th July. 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
Padraig Pearse was the subject of Ruth Dudley Edward’s first major biography. Since then she’s drifted further and further from her nationalist upbringing and closer to the Unionist viewpoint – though it’s doubtful that even now she could be defined in those terms. Her she reviews Pearse’s Patriots. Surprisingly perhaps, Dudley Edwards clearly retains some admiration for a man who has become something of a pariah for some in the revisionist school of Irish history. By Ruth Dudley Edwards History: …
I gcomhpháirt le Foras na Gaeilge, Ollscoileanna Uladh, Mhaigh Nua agus Luimigh, tá Microsoft ag brath chun lagan Gaeilge de Word XP agus Office 2003 a tháirgeadh (suiomh anseo). An buiochas do Colm Ó Tórna agus Saol. 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
CHIEF Constable Hugh Orde thinks the IRA’s war is over (although Sammy Wilson begs to differ), and reveals that the PSNI is to “reopen five ‘template cases’ from the Troubles as part of its contribution to the truth and reconciliation process”, according to Henry McDonald. Orde also seems to believe that Sinn Fein is preparing its constituency for joining the Policing Board. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
DRUMCREE passed off with barely a peep this year, and the Portadown Lodge has refused to rule out talks with nationalist residents who object to a parade on Garvaghy Road. The Irish Independent reports: Spokesman David Jones said the Orange Order was prepared to take part in talks with nationalists residents through intermediaries. He ruled out immediate face-to-face talks but did not discount the possibility that those could happen in the future. “We have been involved in mediation before, through …
AS the father of consociational democracy – Arend Lijphart – visits Belfast today, it was a coincidence that Mark Devenport should choose the phrase about high fences making good neighbours in his weekend preview of the September talks. On the subject of separate votes – one unionist, one nationalist – for the positions of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Devenport writes: One can see the attractions of this kind of “apartheid” for the DUP, who would not have to …
We are still waiting for Moveable Type to install the new software for Slugger. We were slated for installation on Friday, but it still hasn’t showed. This is unfortunate. Over the weekend we’ve had another abandonment of politics, in favour of the rough house stuff. When we start the registration system all will be welcome, regardless of any past yellow or red cards. I hope that all will take it as a new beginning. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …
Dr John Coulter argues the case for Northern Unionism to look south and organise on an all-Ireland basis as the only way to combat the electoral forward march of Sinn Fein. His first piece elicited a lively discussion which is still rumbing on. By Dr John Coulter Unionism needs to copy its Sinn Fein opponents and organise on an all-Ireland basis with the republican movement winning European seats on both sides of the Irish border. Just as Sinn Fein has …
Henry McDonald’s piece from this week’s Observer on the impact Asian workers are having at one of Ireland’s oldest cricket clubs. Thanks to PeteB for the steer. Further reference to Parnell playing for Wicklow. Philip Weir
Interesting article from the Cricket Ireland website on those who have mixed cricket and politics. Philip Weir
