Anniversary of atrocity…
IT’S ten years to the day since the Loughinisland massacre, an atrocity carried out by the UVF that still carries sad memories for many, and appalled the rest of us. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
wayback
Hyde Park horse dies…
YETI, the last four-legged survivor of the 1982 Hyde Park bomb blast died last month at The Home of Rest for Horses in Speen. This is one of my first real memories of the ‘Troubles’. As a seven-year-old kid, I was more into football than the news. But I remember well wondering why anyone would want to blow up horses, and being upset at the TV news describing how bits of people and animals had been torn apart by the …
Permanent peace needed for healing…
A FORMER ANC prisoner who is now chief of Johannesburg East Rand’s Metro Police has told South Armagh republicans to prepare themselves to become involved in policing. Robert McBride also echoed Dennis Kennedy’s words the other day, saying that there could be no real truth and reconciliation until the peace process has gone beyond the point of no return. He said: “We had a truth commission in South Africa because we had brought closure to the tragedy of the past …
They think it’s all over…
Earl Storey is one of the UUP’s newer recruits. He gives his own assessment of where the party’s recent reversals leaves it. Above all else the party he argues requires a vision that ordinary people can rally around. By Earl Storey How is the Ulster Unionist Party going to react to the Euro election results? Is the membership going to turn in on itself, look for a scapegoat, tear itself apart, roast a leader … and in the process … …
North-West IQ test at Brain Fest…
DERRY people are so brainy that the high-IQ boffins in Mensa have decided to hold their annual conference there. The Belfast Telegraph reports: “In May 2003, Derry came top in the BBC’s Test The Nation show, which assessed the IQ of people throughout the UK.” For the sake of completeness, I feel I should point out that the Derry wans came joint fifth, alongside Belfast, this year. The Tele added: “The show also revealed that Northern Ireland was the most …
PMs decide whether to intervene
Bertie Ahern, currently up to his eyes trying to broker some kind of constitution for the EU and Tony Blair will take some time in Brussels to decide whether they should meet again with the parties. Keep an eye on the Downing Street blog for updates. 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 …
West Indies beaten by Ireland
Phenomenal result at Stormont. 292 for 7 from 50 overs not enough for tourists. Caribbean reaction to Ireland’s convincing victory should be interesting. Philip Weir
Paul’s Letter to the Republicans…
SLUGGER regular Paul A Fitzsimmons wants to know what the IRA thinks about his ideas for independence. Maybe it would be prepared to accept an Independent Republic Of Northern Ireland? Oh, the IRONI of it all… Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
Rascism in Tyrone?
Though there is not yet conclusive evidence that this attack was racist, it indicates that one or more Portuguese nationals were targeted in Dungannon on Tuesday night. The Anti Racism Network believe it should be treated as such. Spokesperson Davy Carlin said: “Dungannon has a growing minority ethnic population and up until last week, racist attacks were very unusual. “Both the incident last week, in which windows were broken and curtains set on fire and last night’s, in which a …
A late substitution…
A METHADONE prescription scheme is to be extended into the Eastern Health Board area, after a trial run in Ballymena. The Bible-belt town has suffered badly from the problems associated with ‘skag’ over the past decade, and the methadone substitute programme seems to have had a degree of success. A shame then, that we were the last part of the UK or Ireland to adopt methadone. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
No deal until 2006?
Two writers examine what may become one of the more important results last week – the electoral success of Sinn Fein in the local elections in the Republic, and the good showing of several party candidates in the European election, including the election of its first MEP in Dublin. Tom Griffin, the political editor of the Irish World on the threat to Fianna Fail, and the often irracisble but sharp analysis of Brian Feeney. Feeney argues that Sinn Fein will …
Elephants not forgotten…
THE tired old metaphor of the elephant in the room/on the doorstep/in the BBC studio has been resurrected by Dennis Kennedy and Brian Feeney. Kennedy argues that the Government’s elephant – an massive issue right in front of your eyes that you still ignore – is ongoing paramilitary activity, while trying to seek a way forward on Truth & Reconciliation. Feeney’s elephant is the Sinn Fein vote in the Republic, which may have an impact on business here in future. …
Well I never…
Anyone who still thinks that British Conservatism is a narrow political creed, should think again. Their excellent online bookshop demonstrates a very catholic taste in political biographies, including this life of IRA icon Joe Cahill! 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
Fuel crisis in South Armagh…
BRITISH and Irish agencies have carried out a massive crackdown on fuel smuggling in the Republican heartland of South Armagh. Fuel laundering and smuggling in the area has been a source of finance for the IRA in the past, and such an operation would have been unheard of before the ceasefires. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
Anti Bloomsday…
Former blogger Paul Dunne with his own thoughts on the Bloomsday phenomenon. And John at North Atlantic Skyline with his. 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 pact across the divide…
Steven King, regular columnist at the Belfast Telegraph and the UUP’s Director of Elections, argues that the DUP has merely soaked up the anti Agreement vote, rather than increased it. However he honestly admits there is a crisis within both moderate Unionism and Nationalism. And he has an interesting solution to their next electoral challenge: “Equally, northern moderates need to examine how they can co-operate to create virtuous circles instead of downward spirals. “Martin Morgan and Jim Nicholson’s second preferences …
Hearts and Minds: across the divide
It’s always worth watching Hearts and Minds (particularly for those of us outside NI). Tonight Paul Murphy is the main interview, and another piece enigmatically announced as “one of my best friends friends is Catholic… hands across the sectarian divide… at arm’s length”. 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. …
Hate crimes consultation
Over the last few years Westminster has been pushing the envelope as far public consultation in advance on drafting new legislation, particularly through its innovative tellparliament website. Although timings have yet to be finalised Hansard Society will be kicking off a six week consultation on Hate Crime law for Northern Ireland. It’s an event we hope will have good represention from Slugger readers, as well as representatives from right across political and civic society! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …
Irish-American fracas
A row has broken out between the Irish American Caucus and the Irish American Republicans. Father Sean McManus of the Irish American Caucus has accused a conservative think tank of being anti-Catholic for hosting a talk by former FARC commander Carlos Alberto Plotter. Mr Alberto Plotter is due to give a speech on links between Columbia`s FARC and the IRA. Father McManus has called on the Irish American Republicans to denounce the group hosting the conference. KilsallyIT Technical Manager for …
Jaw jaw continues…
The talking up at Stormont continues. Once John O’Donoghue has had a chance to join discussion on strand two issues, the twogovernments will make an assessment of the chances of further progress. 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