The papers here have been full of the IRA decommissioning story, even though it hasn’t happened yet. Indeed it could take until May time before it can be physically completed. Jim Cusack claims the exclusive on the quantities involved, but this story was being floated by David Lister on Saturday. The question remains as ever, will it be enough to give Trimble enough to convince the UUC that he has grounds for going back into government with Sinn Fein. Jeffrey …
Today is the beginning of the end of the set negotiation period, and Tony Blair flies in with some expectation that a serious enough deal may be possible to allow the Assembly to get back to business. Mark Devenport outlines the business of the day. 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 …
Henry McDonald surveys what is left of the Belfast Shipyard, once the symbol of Belfast’s global economic significance. 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 Newsletter has tracked Bono down for some comment on what he thinks went wrong during the troubles. 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 met with David Ervine last week to talk about unionism and what it particularly means to him. We then went on to look to the future, exploring the question of whether Loyalist paramilitaries can play an active part of the solution. What does the Union mean to you? Beyond the legal definitions of the Union, I think that most of it is about my emotional understanding and my human sense of relating to the concept of the Union without …
The Prime Minister’s have issued a draft statement on how a successful re-negotiation of terms for returning the devolved institutions. 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
Brian Feeney believes that if there is a deal struck next week, David Trimble will not want to sell it to his electorate. 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 current unemployment rates have been released to the customary round of controversy. Nationalists claim it is to do with continuing discrimination. Unionists say that patterns in employment figures demonstrate that most new jobs go to Catholics. More information on employment patterns here and here. 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 …
Apologies for the unannounced hiatus. Slugger was off in pursuit of more interviews and only got back to virtual earth late last night. We are looking into ways of covering such gaps in the future. 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
It may be surprising to some, considering Orde’s statement last week that the Bloody Sunday Inquiry was a waste of money, that he has now come out in favour of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, similar to the one in South Africa. 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: …
Eric Waugh suggests that seeking a deal before the election may one hustle too many. 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 retirement of veteran MP and MLA, Eddie McGrady could be one clear way in which Sinn Fein can advance its electoral performance in the prospective Assembly elections. 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
Aha, so it’s not just NI government that is in the dock over cost and untimely delivery. 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
Newton Emerson asks if the media is as powerful as it seems, or is it just a trick of the light. 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
Eamon Lynch writing an opinion piece in the Irish Echo takes a swipe at Sinn Fein’s stance over policing. 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
John Fay continues to add value to the Newshound site with an engaging historical resource, that uses a simple timeline to tag stories that investigate matters of historical importance. The other site we have on our radar as providing good briefing on Ireland and Northern Ireland is the World Info. If you have any other suggestions, let us know. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the …
Gerry Adams denies that Sinn Fein will accept the boundaries set by Blair’s October speech, and re-iterates the moves his party requires from the British government. And as if to put the other side of the question, Ian Paisley showed up in South Armagh for the first time in as long as most people can remember suggesting that price of demilitarisation is a quid pro quo from the IRA. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers …
Niall Stanage extends a cautious welcome to the UDA’s renewed ceasefire, highlighting what he sees as its underlying importance: …it suggests that the UDA is taking small steps towards the development of a political strategy. Converting militant loyalists to constructive politics will be a difficult job. The working-class Protestant communities from which the gunmen sprang have been woefully led for generations. Throughout the conflict, they were used and abused by mainstream unionists. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He …
On an icy cold morning, we talked with a couple of people who work within the East Belfast community. Considering this area has seen a dramatic rise in interface violence over the last two years, we asked: What have the people here gained from the ceasefire? After the ceasefires came along there was this feeling that most people would have had, something like: �this is brilliant, there�s a bright future for us all now we have peace�. And it would …
As the Frank McGuinness classic play of the eighties opens in New York, Bruce Weber sees important parallels between these soldiers facing the horrors of the Somme and the contemporary threats facing ordinary Americans. …the playwright could not have anticipated that it would be produced in New York at a time when American soldiers are contemplating giving their lives for their country in a war that has no clear definition for them. What will they be fighting for? Their country? …
