The McCartney sisters have been fairly absent from the new pages of late. Apart from the fact that the Socialist group of MEPs in Europe had voted give financial help to their campaign for justice for their brother. But a small group who confronted the women as they handed out leaflets for a vigil outside the pub, where he was killed, ensured that they are back in the limelight again. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written …
AND people wonder why tourists are still somewhat wary about coming here? Only down the road from last night’s petrol bomb attack on a hotel, the entire hoarding surrounding the building of the extension to the backpackers’ hostel is painted with the friendly message: “Sandy Row welcomes you to loyalist South Belfast”. Which of the 150 visitors forced out of Days Hotel last night could possibly never return after such a warm welcome?The hoarding is, incidentally, opposite Whitehall Square apartments. …
Kevin Toolis on Adams’ speech from last week. He thinks Adams’ words means what they appear to mean, but has doubts as to whether or when the IRA is likely to act upon them. 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
There seems to be orchestrated attempts by both Loyalists and Nationalists to stir up trouble in Ballymena over recent weeks. A football match was abandoned, a youth had his ankle broken and the police and passing civilians had stones thrown at them yesterday(BBC NI audio). KilsallyIT Technical Manager for a CCTV company in the UK & Ireland. Christian, Orangeman, Unionist. Webmaster of Ulster-Scots Online. Occasional blogger on Slugger O’ Toole. Eurosceptic. @Kilsally www.ulster-scots.co.uk
Daivd Trimble seems convinced that the IRA is going to follow up Gerry Adams’ plea for it follow a single political path, with a detailed response in the next few days. Though this seems somewhat at odds with Adams’ own statement in Derry yesterday. 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 …
Another robbery. This time a mere £1 million has been taken in yet another tiger robbery. The victim this time was a female employee who was ordered to bring the money to a filling station in Finaghy. On the edge of South 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. …
Niall Stanage argues that the logical outworking of Sinn Fein’s long term strategy is the disbandment of the IRA. In his view, Adams’ statement is an extension of Morrison’s Armalite and Ballot Box speech of April 1981 during the Bobby Sands campaign in Fermanagh South Tyrone:”Who here really believes we can win the war through the ballot box? But will anyone here object if, with a ballot paper in one hand and the Armalite in the other, we take power …
Not everyone is convinced of the Sinn Fein’s president’s bona fides. Jenny McCartney in the Sunday Telegraph notes how often Sinn Fein has advertised its own statements as being historic in nature, and how often they’ve come up short. However engaging the show, it’s just more of the same old, same old dissembling routine.It is, she argues, a piece with past instances: Now and then – when Sinn Fein’s fortunes need a shot of adrenalin – Mr Adams has judiciously …
Gerry Adams gives his reasons why he made his speech last week calling on the IRA to pursue peaceful means only. Primarily it seems, to dispell the increasingly poisonous atmosphere that’s been developing at a pace since the Northern Bank robbery in December. 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. …
Very interesting reading from author Jonathan Tonge in the FT today. He offers an unusually upbeat perspective on the events of the last four months or so. He argues that the Bank robbery and the McCartney sister’s campaign may have brought about an opportunity, rather than a crisis to disengage the IRA finally and permanently from its armed struggle. Though he also believes the sisters may never have their wish for justice for their brother fulfilled. His book looks worth …
Brian Feeney cuts free of his columnist persona to give an acute reading of the context in which the Sinn Fein leadership has determined its long term strategy. He notes the historical precident for Adams speech in de Valera’s call for the then Sinn Fein to pursue other means to “safeguard the nation’s right”.Given all the recnet controversy what, he asks, is the project: Quite simply to have ministers in a devolved administration in the North and in a coalition …
Interesting. Martin McGuinness has again attacked the Police, accusing them of holding back on prosecutions for political motives. Unfortunately we don’t have his statement in full, and the newsroom on the party’s site seems not to have been updated for several days. So its hard to judge what evidence he has to back it up. Last time out, this same claim was summarily dismissed by Hugh Orde. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the …
Jim Cusack in the Sunday Independent claims SF man chief suspect in killing. The murder of another man in a Pub in Dublin could do great damage to both SF and the IRA if, as claimed, it is linked to the IRA taking protection money from drug dealers.some paragraphs from the beginning and end of the article: “THE chief suspect in the murder of a man in a Dublin pub last Sunday night is a well-known IRA man who doubles …
Despite being on a long term ceasefire, the IRA is still a fully functioning organisation, recruiting new members. The Newsletter editorialises. 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
Robin Wilson on Open Democracy argues that the McCartney sister’s case for individuals to be allowed the freedom to go to the police in order that justice may be seen to be done, stands in marked contrast with the paramilitary perogative of the IRA, “in which they see themselves as judge, jury and executioner.” 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 …
COLLUSION fans will be delighted to know that the 14th Intelligence Company is possibly no more. However, the MoD has helpfully formed a new Special Forces unit which began operating yesterday – the Special Reconnaissance Regiment – to, as the Defence Minister put it, “meet the ongoing challenge of tackling international terrorism”. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
Richard Delevan is worth reading for good analysis and a round up of the reaction to Adams’ speech yesterday. He sweeps up the situation with a deft reference to one of the twentieth century’s more underated philosopher’s, when he compares the IRA in Adams’ speech to Ludwig Wittgenstein’s assertion of the need to kick away the ladder of philosphy once you reach your desired destination. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of …
Apparently a media presence at the Clonard Monastry put Gerry Adams off meeting with family of Derry victim James McGinley. 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
Question time was broadcast from Sterling last night. Once again some of the best value was provided in the form of the text messages coming in from the broadcast audience on Ceefax page 155. Here’s some I scribbled down in haste:”Gerry Adams is just employing a rearguard action. Mr Adams is out in the cold and he should stay there”. “The cynics should give Gerry Adams a chance. He means well”. “Why is a Protestant bomb or gun not considered …
That’s what the Irish Examiner is asking. It notes that Gerry Adams may have deftly shifted the focus away from IRA criminality and onto a possible act of decommissioning (or possibily none). In simply switching the focus of public conjecture he may have done enough to let the question slide, at least for the duration of the campaign. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider …
