Jude Collins believes Britain has a long way to go before it can be said to have de-militarised Northern Ireland. 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
On the Shankill Road Slugger sat down with representatives of a working class Protestant community to talk about their feelings about the political situation. The people were friendly, but the mood was black. Although most had voted “yes” in the referendum, all now felt isolated, let down and under threat. “It’s like our identities are being stripped away,” said one. Symbols are important. A newspaper cutting was brandished, saying that Northern Irish people weren’t allowed to join the Labour Party …
The Newsletter editorialises on the need for Unionist to find some way of uniting. 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
A fairly comprehensive poll commissioned by Queens University and the Rowntree Trust marks a significant falling away of support for the agreement in particular and politics in general in Northern Ireland. There are some signs of hope for the SDLP and the Women’s coalition whose support appears to be holding up. But neither side of the community here can agree on who is to blame for the current impasse: But that shared disappointment does not translate into common cause. Both …
Stormont – home to the suspended Northern Ireland Assembly – is a lonely place these days. Soon it will be even quieter. Next month, the current batch of MLA’s will pack up their offices. When they will be replaced depends on whether the British government allows May’s elections to proceed or not. Slugger took the ride out of the city today to talk to a member of an endangered minority – a pro-Trimble, pro-agreement Ulster Unionist. Read on for the …
Michael is a writer and a journalist with The Times, and has written widely on the subject of Northern Ireland. What does the Union mean to you? My views are inevitably influenced by the fact that I was born and brought up in Scotland, educated in England and now work in London. But going beyond personal history, I attach a practical value to it because as a political unit, the UK is a very attractive model. It�s in everything from …
In a relatively small but potentially significant move, the UDA have left 18 pipe bombs in Summerdale Park on the Crumlin Road for safe disposal by the security forces. 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
Ex-Senator Gary Hart’s remarks on the split loyalities of certain immigrant groups within the US are focused not upon Jewish people as was originally assumed, but on Irish and Cuban Americans. Thanks to reader Stephen McKinley for this one. 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
This piece from BBC Science news team looks at what the recent buy out of the most popular weblog software company might mean for weblogs like Slugger O’Toole. 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
Hugh Orde has caused some controversy (registration needed) in NI with his suggestion that the Saville Inquiry into the happenings of Bloody Sunday in January 1972, is a waste of money and the PSNI’s scarce resources. 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
News of the slow down in the Irish economy has reached the New York Times. 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 front pages of the Irish News and the Irish Star this morning are dominated by the story that up to 2,000 Catholics may have been intimidated out of their homes in just three towns in County Antrim since the signing of the Belfast Agreement. According to church records about 300 people have been moved out of each of Larne and Carrickfergus, whilst a staggering 1400 have left Antrim town. Update: Antrim Council official has denied (sub needed) the accuracy …
Roy Garland profiles a new publication from the PUP outlining the need for an overall Unionist vision. 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 looks like the focus for paramilitary violence has shifted since the apparent conclusion of the feud. This follows an attack on Rathmore Grammar School on the outskirts of Belfast. 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 insurance industry is in the dock over the apparently cripplingly high premiums rates for the small businesses that make up the bulk of NI’s economy. Sean Neeson of the Alliance party: Only this week, an organisation in my own constituency of East Antrim has been faced with a ten-fold increase in premiums and naturally this is causing major problems. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and …
A number of leading figures within Unionism have backed an attempt to unite Unionism behind three core priniciples for going forward was launched yesterday. Though, clearly, the DUP is not for buying 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
This being our first day in Belfast, we’ve had little opportunity to blog. Over the few weeks we hope to continue to bring you original (on and off record) views from a range of people within Unionism, as well as the usual Slugger diet of news and opinion from journalists and other commentators. 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 …
According to Noel McAdam Sinn Fein have confessed that the recent reform of the Northern Ireland electoral list is likely to affect their overall vote more than any other party. 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
A memorial service marked the 25th anniversary of the fire bombing of the La Mon House Hotel. 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
Fionnuala O’Connor was present at the unveiling of a major portrait at the Assembly Buildings at Stormont recently. 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
