UTV also reports that an arson attack in Derry has wrecked a new Renal unit being constructed at altnagelvin hospital. Damage is estimated at at least £250,000 and the opening of the dialysis unit will be considerably delayed, meaning that patients will have to continue to be treated at Omagh. It’s difficult to comprehend the mentality of the people involved in this.How do we begin to address the issue of vandalism? Ambrose Uprichard
IN case you missed it, here’s Martin McGuinness on the BBC’s Today programme yesterday, denying there was a threat in his “friendly advice” to the McCartneys. Justin Webb outlines the McCartney’s US itinerary here. (Realplayer required) Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
BELOW is a transcript of Malachi O’Doherty’s speech to the Alliance Party conference at the weekend, in which he laments the death of democratic politics in Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, Alliance leader David Ford was strongly critical of the two governments’ mismanagement of the peace process and reiterated calls for a voluntary coalition, and called on the IRA to disband or be disowned by Sinn Fein.Transcript of O’Doherty’s speech: Moments of sudden and overwhelming change occur in life. We may not …
ONE little-reported story that I missed was that the Government is holding a consultation to review the administration of charities and relevant legislation in Northern Ireland. The lack of accountability in this area has been one of my bugbears for a few years, so while welcome, it’s very, very late in the day and seems to have been prompted by an IMC report. But will a UK-style Charity Commission be enough to take on the scams in Northern Ireland? The …
How’s this for “paddywhackery” in the Belfast Telegraph ? Plea for Paddy’s Day holiday. Ghastly – forced “craic” and a girl in a shamrock bikini. Those interested in voting ? One small point.Follow the link to vote yes or no www.irwinsbakery.com/stpatricksdayoff and to validate the vote one ends up having to supply one’s name and address to a bakery. This is classified as “News”. I call it sexist exploitative advertising. And although I’m not terribly religious I think our national …
Am I alone in finding the sentencing in serious crimes farcical ? I applaud the announcement that the UDA man convicted of killing Richard Hamill must serve at least 17 years for his terrible crime. It’s tempting to suggest that life should mean life in cases such as these – Moore could end up being released at my age, in his fifties. But why should he through concurrency in effect receive no punishment for the other offences of which he …
ANTHONY McIntyre asks why the IRA would consider going away when it is clear that there is more to gain by sticking around. What Seamus Mallon described the other week in the Commons as a “moral quagmire” has led some commentators to ask fundamental questions about the nature of the peace process, and how it is time to ditch the ‘creative ambiguity’ that allows such radically different interpretations of what was agreed to persist.McIntyre writes: Throughout the peace process a …
PRESIDENT McAleese has apologised for her remarks on Morning Ireland. RTE reports: On RTÉ Radio, Mrs McAleese acknowledged that she had been clumsy in trying to make the point that people should try to end the legacy of sectarianism on both sides. She said she was devastated by the response to her remarks and expressed regret for not fully explaining herself. She added that she was deeply sorry for the hurt caused.I’ve no sound to, so can’t check this suggested …
Saddened to hear of the dreadful atrocity in Ward Park, Bangor. My earliest memory is falling into the pond when I was about three chasing a duck. What should we do with the ‘people’ responsible for events like the Horror as vandals slaughter park birds ? Ambrose Uprichard
Lindy McDowell on that centennary, that statue, that robbery and rightly pointing out that SF will be celebrating hatred. Rally round the flag, boyos, to celebrate 100 years of hate Ambrose Uprichard
Regardless of the rights and wrongs of fox-hunting- a fox killed 10 of our pet hens a couple of nights ago – and angling, I’m pleased to see that our environment minister Angela Smith has announced that: The temporary ban on the killing, taking or sale of Irish hares has been renewed in Northern Ireland. Ambrose Uprichard
It’s not often Ambrose agrees with the New York Times, but an avalanche of ghastly (and even more parochial than usual) advertisements on UTV recommending naff Shopping Centres and tacky catalogues full of over-priced crud to yokels has driven me close to the edge! Jingle Bell Schlock “If I hear “Frosty the Snowman” one more time, I’ll rip his frozen face off.” With you all the way Maureen!”My equally demonic sister has a whole collection of rodents dressed in holiday …
The Guardian has to have the best blog entry ever. It’s no good Jim, I’m cracking up, which has a link to William Shatner’s version of Rocket Man by Elton John. Who would have thought that there was worse out there than “Agadoo” ? Ambrose Uprichard
Sinn Fein call for consideration of legislation to limit the advertising of toys on TV Ambrose Uprichard
Belfast Telegraph reports that a house built without planning permission in a green belt has been destroyed. Home razed as legal case won by planners It has taken 5 years to achieve resolution. It is also disturbing that the planners had to justify the removal of this illegal building in order to have it removed. It’s illegality alone should have necessitated the removal. The article reports that the DoE is under increasing pressure to step up it’s enforcement activity, which …
