Conflict

FRESH from being named as European of the Year, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has threatened legal action against the British Government for not releasing files on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings.The Taoiseach said he believes that MI5 and MI6 are refusing to hand over information to Tony Blair, which is better than making it up, I suppose, but a huge embarrassment nonetheless. One suspects that the Prime Minister is in no real position to put his security services under the …

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I THOUGHT it was a touch ironic when I discovered the ‘bomb squad’ in Northern Ireland was called 321 EOD Squadron, given the number of timing devices Ammunitiion Technical Officers saw counting down at the height of the Troubles. Today, Tony Blair paid tribute to the bravery of the men and woman who took the Long Walk and saved countless lives – losing many of their own along the way.A new book by Chris Ryder tells their story. The unit …

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It looks like Dermot Ahern was a busy boy yesterday. As well as the speech blogged by Pete, the Newsletter reports Irish Appeal To Ira Over ‘disappeared’.”Speaking after an hour-long meeting with a 15-member Wave delegation in Dundalk yesterday, Mr Ahern said: “I acknowledge the pain and suffering these families have endured since their loved ones were taken from them. “I can assure them that I, the Justice Minister and the Government as a whole will do everything we can …

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A man from Jonesborough, who is already in custody on a series of terrorist charges and membership of the Real IRA, is to be charged with murdering the 29 people who died in the Omagh bomb atrocity bombed Omagh in August 1998. 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: …

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It appears the European Union will finance any civil action taken by the McCartney sisters against their brother’s killers should the PSNI fail to get a conviction.Under the motion agreed by leaders of groups representing 627 of the European Parliament’s 732 members, a request – which requires European Commission approval – will be made for the use of funds already set aside in the EU budget to help victims of terrorist acts. Until now, that provision has never been applied …

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Susan McKay has been riding shotgun on the disappearance, and widely presumed murder of Lisa Dorian. There are rumours and yet more rumours about what happened to her, which the family refuse to get involved in. McKay writes that the resounding silence (subs needed) from anyone who might know something, is another example of the chill factor that permeates communities that are dominated by paramilitaries. The PSNI mounted a huge search operation involving sniffer dogs, air and sea search crews, …

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The Evening Standard reports: “A senior soldier who served in Northern Ireland and gave evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry has been found shot dead”. Thanks to reader Dave for the heads up! 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

Paul Colgan reckons the latest timing for the beginning of choreography will be a statement from the IRA in July. According to Colgan, “the organisation is carrying out an unprecedented process of consultation with rank and file IRA members”.An unnamed Republican source told him: The problem in the past was that the leadership took initiatives that did not involve the membership. In many cases, volunteers were not consulted and were only made aware of decisions after they had happened. This …

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Ambrose has already drawn attention to Sinn Féin members in South Belfast feeling hard done by over party reaction to the McCartney justice campaign. While the Derry Journal carries comments from unnamed residents in Galliagh and Shantallow complaining over the activities of some supporters in the ‘Justice for Jimmy’ group. Relatives for Justice and An Fhirinne have protested at the BBC about claims they are refusing to cover their events and the SDLP have called for a more joined approach …

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As if to testify to the content-free nature of the electoral battle within Nationalism (it’s not much better in Unionism), here are three distinct views on the speech Gerry Adams made at the beginning of the campaign, all published in the last few days. Bertie Ahern, who is unimpressed given the continuance of recruitment for the IRA. Gerry Adams, who believes internal discussions can’t go on for too long. And Anthony McIntyre, who’s lost count of the endless procession of …

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Ominous. One man was killed last night in Newry in one of a series of three shooting incidents. Little is yet known about the circumstances. 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

Ruth Dudley Edwards recently accused Hugh Orde as being a better politician than a policeman. History no doubt will issue its own verdict, but so far the PSNI’s Cheif Constable is having a good campaign. First he raided the offices of the UUP, formerly bastions of the Unionist state, and now they’ve turned up a Cocaine making factory in Dungannon. Two of the people arrested were said on Morning Ireland (sound file) to have been a senior member of the …

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Whatever the doubts about the validity of the Finucane Inquiry, the inquiry into the alleged state collusion in the murder of Rosemary Nelson begins today. When there is such doubt about secretive operations there seems little alternative in post conflict situation, but to seek openness and transparency. Though some will argue that the same has not been forthcoming from any of the non-state actors in the conflict. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the …

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This an interesting feature piece on Bridgeen Hagans, Robert McCartney’s girlfriend that was carried originally in the Observer and then re-printed in the Sunday Independent yesterday.Her recollection of their first meeting with the IRA after Robert’s death seems to have been almost sorrowful occasion: In all honesty, she says, she’d never been interested in politics. ‘Robert and I kept ourselves to ourselves.’ Robert ticked the box for Sinn Fein at the last election but she didn’t vote. Yet a month …

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That’s what Chris Thornton reckoned last week. Adding two women candidates now withdrawn to the original seven means (by implication) that nine party members were present and are currently on suspension as a result: Deirdre Hargey and Cora Groogan were not included in the party’s final list of council candidates because “anyone suspended cannot stand as a candidate”. Those two were not among the seven people initially suspended by the party on March 3. Ms Hargey spoke at the party’s …

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Kevin Myers has an article in the Sunday Telegraph, Terrorists fought the law…and the law lost, in which he looks at whether a democracy can successfully combat terrorism through the courts.In it he points out that the neither Law nor Justice won in the courts during the troubles, merely lawyers. He argues that the failure of the legal system to protect society led to a form of ‘rough justice’ which while questionable, was successful – using events in Loughgall to …

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The McCartney sisters’ assertion that they were mobbed whilst dropping leaflets was denied by one woman who claims she was part of the alleged mob. Daily Ireland has the report.It quotes one Mary King of Short Strand: These reports are completely false. The only people there was me, my sister and two kids. My sister was handed a leaflet by the McCartneys and she let it drop to the ground, as is her choice. As soon as that happened the …

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Pat Finucane’s widow calls for judge’s to boycott taking on the limited inquiry into his death. More than sixteen years after his death, the controversy continues. British government caps on the Cory recommendation, seem set to prolong the campaign indefinately rather than top it out. Although there may be lessons here for more than just the British government. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider …

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Two very different articles on Gerry Adams speech, An Address to the IRA, are provided by the ever excellent Newshound today.Jim Gibney in the Irish News, Historic speech offers peaceful alternative,in a measured, thoughtful and calm analysis points out that the implications of the speech can only be understood when one considers Gerry Adams background and pedigree. Viewed in this light it becomes more than just another call from a politician for the IRA to go away. While praising the …

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Ian Paisley has been supplying newspaper men with good copy for generations. The occasion of his nomination has inspired Danny Morrison’s column this week in Daily Ireland, to bring the bogey man of Nationalism out for one more airing. 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