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Anthony McIntyre tears into the judges who convicted Michael McKevitt last week on the word of paid informer David Rupert. McIntyre quotes Jane Winter of the British-Irish Rights Watch: ‘I am always worried about justice based on paid evidence.’ Understatement of the year, I think. 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 …

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Ciaran McKeown, in a long article, says the Rev Martin Smyth touched a raw nerve when he accused the SDLP of trying to be greener than the Incredible Hulk. In their hearts, McKeown says, the SDLP believe the border is here ‘for ever and a day.‘ Just as well few nationalists read the News Letter… 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 …

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Reports say that discussion over the fate of Donaldson, Burnside and Smyth will be delayed until the end of this month Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

In Nigel Dodds’ latest response to Sean Farren he notes that the challenge is to find a form of government which both the nationalists and unionists agree with – if they cannot get agreement, Nigel suggests that Westminster will continue to govern, which is not ideal for either side. Response to Sean Farren from Nigel Dodds When Sean Farren suggests that DUP criticisms of the Belfast Agreement are �insubstantial� and states that we do not have �fundamental objections� to the …

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Unionists continue to knock the political stuffing out of each other, says Chris Thornton in The Belfast Telegraph. The DUP’s Peter Robinson says the UUP can no longer negotiate on behalf of unionism or deliver a deal; UUP man Dermot Nesbitt says the DUP is all perks and no product. Was it Bill Shankley said the sure sign of a beaten team was when the players start blaming each other? Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written …

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NI man speeds in GB, gets massive fine and sent to court, all because the authorities on the mainland “maintain that by relevant law Northern Ireland is not part of the UK”. Update Sat – If anyone’s at all interested, something very similar just happened in Bristol 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, …

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’24 Hour Musem’ reports that work on the Toome by-pass has unearthed flint objects that date back to 7,500 BC, to the earliest inhabitants of Ireland. For signs of political thinking with a similar date-stamp, of course, Portadown is the place… 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

Northern Ireland’s soccer season pretty much peaks tonight, at least in terms of public interest, as Barcelona take on Derry City, in a match set up by John Hume to raise funds (Spanish coverage with Google translation). Derry are getting major international attention as a result of such games. The only match likely to have a comparable attendance until next year’s friendlies has already happened. It’s all a bit depressing, don’t you think? update Tue 1330 : idunnomeself prompted me …

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The News Letter reports on the republican rally at Belfast City Hall against collusion on Sunday last, and PUP leader David Ervine’s complaint that republicans aren’t as keen to have inquiries into the La Mon and Enniskillen bombings. Could someone take Davey to one side and explain that state collusion in killings are qualitatively different and more disturbing than paramilitary killings? Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics …

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The Sunday Business Post questions the wide-spread satisfaction at the conviction of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt. Reliance on the word of paid informer David Rupert and the non-availability of vital documents to McKevitt’s defence team, along with other factors, make the McKevitt verdict a low point for Irish justice, the paper claims. 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 …

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This week, Alex. Kane finds some history in the form of an original photograph of the First Northern Parliament of Ireland and the invitation to the opening of parliament – some things change, some things don’t… By Alex. Kane Against a background of spectacular, indeed Frankensteinish thunder and lightning, with the sort of crashing and flashing that Belfast hasn’t seen for years, the hammer finally came down on the Government of Northern Ireland. It had been a tough battle and …

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Jude Collins reports on a talk by former Daily Mirror editor Roy Greenslade and claims that the British and Irish media continue to ignore Britain’s role as a major player in the six counties conflict. 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

Racism rears its ugly head in Belfast once more. Timely plaititudes from politicans included. 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

So, the Omagh families have finally gotten cash out of the government, and are obviously overjoyed. I’d like to link to something that looks into “why has the Govt come through now”, but no one’s asking that – although the BBC’s Kevin Connolly at least raises the issues that might arise from such a big handout (scroll to the end) I know these are all BBC links, but so far, no one’s doing anything better.. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor …

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Senior Ulster Unionist says Nationalist police officers should have to declare membership of the GAA, if Unionist police officers have to declare membership of the Orange Order. Quote : “Let’s face it, the Orange Order on one side is akin to the GAA on the other side”. It all comes down to whether you feel the GAA is a sectarian organisation. Previously discussed here and here. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts …

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So Michael Moore has made his appearence at the West Belfast festival. Here’s an account of what he said. Previously discussed 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 and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

The New York Times reports on how life in peacetime Belfast is still pretty tough for the city’s ambulance drivers. 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

Sinn Fein called for the reinstatement of segregation in Maghaberry Prison yesterday. Many inmates are serving their sentence because they cannot live with those on the other side of the political divide. Now they are forced to live in close quarters with their enemies. The idealism of those ordered to use “creative and forward thinking” in the review has resulted in a careless and unnecessary risk being taken. What should have been foremost in the minds of the three reviewers …

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The Newsletter links the alleged dissident republican death threat to Gerry Adams with the threat to prison officers, as a result of the dispute in Maghaberry Prison. The editorial concludes that we must all solve our constitutional and aspirational differences by peaceful means (does George Bush buy the Newsletter?). As for Gerry Adams: “A man well aware of the potency of a terrorist death threat, he will know precisely what to do in the circumstances.” Miaow! Mick FealtyMick is founding …

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In the Derry Journal, Sinn Fein’s Paul Fleming wants to know where the SDLP and Denis Bradley stand on PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde’s recent statement that his force has no case to answer, despite the contents of the Stevens Report. Councillor Fleming sees the Chief Constable’s statement as a clear sign that nothing has really changed in policing here. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and …

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