Conflict

And the wrangling in the wake the Father Reid outburst continues. Eammon McCann, writing on Sunday, argues that, “it was an ignorant, sectarian slur. People who defend Alec Reid on a “Yes, but” basis speak volumes about their own attitudes”. Orange rule from Stormont was characterised by systematic discrimination against Catholics and contemptuous disregard for human rights. The civil rights movement was both inevitable and entirely justified. But Orangeism wasn’t Nazism and it is an insult to the victims of …

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Jude Collins is one of the few commentators to put a cogent argument in favour of Alec Reid’s comparison between Nazis and Unionists. He argues that though there was no literal truth in the accusation, the analogy still holds to some limited degree. He also accuses Unionist politicians of political artifice in their emotional responses to the issue. Adds: Thanks to reader James, see this Terrance O’Neill quote (subs needed) from today’s Irish Times:”To those of us who remember the …

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Ruth Dudley Edwards argues that although Father Alec Reid has made himself look foolish both through his much publicised outburst and his assertion that he believed the IRA over the Republic’s Justice minister, people should also remember the man’s moral courage in times past. 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 …

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Liam Clarke believes that Alex Reid simply compounded his heated response to aggressive questioning at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church when he persisted in his belief that the IRA had not been behind the robbery of the Northern Bank. According to Clarke his innocent credulity has been crucial to Reid’s positive role in drawing Republicanism towards peace, but it may also have papered over a few important cracks. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts …

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Confirmation from the Gardai that the money seized in Cork came from the Northern Bank robbery. Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy told a cross border police seminar yesterday that he was convinced they have provable evidence that there is a connection. Hugh Orde had already stated the same back in early June, and the Taoiseach as early as March. Conroy: “I’m satisfied at this stage of the investigation that we will show that the money recovered during Operation Phoenix is part …

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The game goes on. Despite having his name plastered all over the shop last week in relation to an ongoing ARA operation, Tom Murphy has broken his self-imposed silence to deny that he is involved in any money laundering, or indeed that he owns any property, not even his farm which he states he had to sell in order to fight a libel campaign against the Sunday Times in the 1990’s. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has …

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Pete linked to this excellent essay on loyalism and Unionist identity yesterday at Open Democracy. I thought it might worth re-visiting in a series of posts. Professor Stephen Howe’s starting point is the Loyalist rioting in Belfast and elsewhere during the summer which contains, he believes, some indications as to where things may be headed in future: Much media and political comment has “explained” the profundity and rootedness of this feeling in terms of bigotry and criminality, of archaism and …

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The Irish News yesterday carried more detail on the Billy Mawhinney story: the senior Orangeman who was suspended from his job as doorman at Stormont after remarks made on Spotlight last week. It stems from a longer interview with a local tv station: Last night [Friday], community television station Northern Visions broadcast an interview with Mr Mawhinney in which he appeared to signal that the order would take to the streets to march without first seeking the permission of the …

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THE next IMC report is due out next week and is expected to point to an ‘inactive’ IRA. However, this will be seen by unionists as an interim or ‘holding’ report, with another in January expected to lead to real pressure on unionism to re-enter government with Sinn Fein. Liam Clarke also reports that the reason decommissioning lacked enough transparency for unionists was to avoid a split in the IRA. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

The BBC News is dominated by the raids taking place in Manchester. It would be foolish not to caution people not to jump to conclusions too early, but they are very prominently tying this into the name of the IRA. Kevin Connolly, BBC London’s top man in Ireland: The new front line in the struggle against political violence in Northern Ireland will be the accountant’s desk and the lawyer’s mobile phone, not the fields of south Armagh. Michael McDowell seems …

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That’s fairly quick for Northern Ireland standards. This discussion on Morning Ireland (sound file) indicates it may have been part of a local fragmentation of the UDA. Jim McDowell points out that in contrast to 1994 when the Loyalists took only six weeks to follow the IRA’s ceasefire, the paramilitaries of today are a patchwork quilt of local barons, rather than a coherent movement – an increasingly loose Association in fact. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has …

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Last Wednesday, 28th Sept, Secretary of State Peter Hain, as reported by the BBC said that if loyalists refused to disarm and end their violence they would face a “ruthless” security clampdown. Earlier today, while visiting a Catholic primary school in Ballymena, he said again that loyalist paramilitaries must end their violence. This evening former UDA leader Jim Gray, on bail on money laundering charges, was shot dead in East Belfast by two gunmen. Pete Baker

Buried in this story carrying the remarks of Bertie Ahern on the Carnmoney threats to Catholic graves is a reference to dozens of windows being broken in the Martyr’s Memorial church on the Ravenhill Road. 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

PA also reports a minor ruck in Blackpool between David Burnside and Conor Murphy when the latter told the fringe meeting that he had no regrets over the Brighton bomb, but that it was simply part of the IRA’s long war. 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

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns said he believes the UVF was behind the protest at the Carnmoney Blessing of the Graves and subsequent threats to desecrate Catholic graves.From Thomas Burns: “The UVF is flexing its muscles all around Greater Belfast since the Whiterock parade, and it seems this protest gave it just the excuse it needed to win a bit of turf from the UDA. “Our message to the paramilitaries is simple: get out of business or be put …

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Conor Murphy told Conservatives in Blackpool today that it was time for Unionists to get real: ” There is no alternative plan. The Agreement is as good as it gets”.Clearly targeting the DUPs 50 page dossier on Unionist grievances, he went on to remark: “If unionist communities are voiceless then that is a reflection on those elected to represent them. The figures for poverty and deprivation in the north indicate that the vast majority of areas suffering social exclusion and …

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Conor Murphy is the first member of Sinn Fein to take part in a Conservative party conference almost 21 years after the IRA attempted to kill large numbers of the then Tory government Cabinet. Nevertheless, the Tories remain implacably opposed to any concessions towards the OTRs. David Liddington:Shadow Secretary of State, David Liddington: “First, on-the-runs. If the legislation you bring forward this autumn does not contain a proper judicial process that involves those returning to Northern Ireland appearing in court …

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Ian Paisley visited one of the Catholic schools that recently came under attack from Loyalists, St Louis Primary School in Ballymena this morning. Of the attackers he said, “What we have to do now is to see how these people are isolated and that they know that all sections of the community are opposed to what they are doing.” Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the …

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There is certainly a theological argument in protests against Cemetary Sunday, the day when Catholics remember their loved ones by visiting their graves and praying for them. Although, on All Souls Night, protestants the length and breadth of Sweden make a similar visit to light the graves with candles in the darkest of Nordic nights. What is decidedly not theological, is the threat by some of the protesters to dig up the graves of individual Catholics in revenge. Susan McKay …

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Belfast City Council at its first plenary of the autumn has urged people to support the PSNI and called on all elected representatives to disassociate themselves from the violence of the summer. 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