A controversial move to allow Orange and AOH halls to de-rate The idea was the subject of constant campaigning throughout the life of the last Assembly, and there is likely to be a battle to take credit for the move between the UUP and the DUP. However it has been challenged by both the SDLP and Sinn Fein: Hat-tip to our Unionist blogger Ambrose who is temporarily avoiding political stories in sensitivity to some of our nationalist readers. Sinn Fein …
An innovative ‘item’ is available on E-Bay – ‘Average Joe’s forehead’ – 30-days of a temporary tattoo of your message/logo/whatever, on Andrew Fisher’s, “from Omaha, Nebraska”, forehead – although he does reserve the right to veto offensive images. The bidding’s going well, helped in no small part by the extensive coverage the story is garnering. Hmm.. no actual photo of that “highly valuable advertising space”, though, nor of the surrounding ‘neighbourhood’ – a pig in a poke anyone? Pete Baker
Interesting line of enquiry originating from the An Phoblacht News Service is that the area in which the kidnap operation took place was “an area associated with unionist paramilitaries”. Interesting, and undoubtedly true – though Drumkeeragh Forest where the hostage’s wife was dropped, is isolated, it’s not exactly a strongly Unionist area. This one’s best put on the back burner pending more convincing corroborative evidence. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of …
The Scotsman has a detailed outline of the heist. Most signficantly the speculation about the prime suspects shifts to former provisional IRA men, rather than the organisation itself. Though over on the Irish Independent and the Daily Telegraph continue to make no clear distinction. 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 …
Before I head home again, the BBC UK has this piece on the problem now faced by the robbers in getting rid of the cash. 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
What exactly is the difference between ‘self-insurance’ and ‘no insurance’ then? Since, that is, the Australian owners of the Northern Bank have said they will bear the cost of a £20m robbery in Belfast. They are, however, keen to stress that customers will not be affected [financially, I assume] by the theft – I should bloody well hope not.. but we’ll see. Pete Baker
In a, obviously, meticulously planned and executed robbery the, recently sold, Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast has been raided – estimates of the haul range between £20million and £30million making it one of the largest cash robberies ever. A, by now, familiar pattern in this is the prior targeting of the homes (and presumably families) of bank officials to force them to co-operate with the gang. Pete Baker
Occasional Slugger contributor Rebecca Black has kindly sent us this clip of the Churchill House demolition in the centre of Belfast last month, and clearly with a degree of undisguised glee: “…one of Belfast tallest and most ugly buildings removed”. For some of us older ones, it conjures a first glimpse of the city centre on the bus into Oxford Street and early memories of a Belfast Christmas. Oh, the nostalgia… Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has …
In yesterday’s Guardian Review, Kieran Cooke reflected on the demise of Bewley’s Oriental Café and the reaction of “Many Dubliners.. angry at the passing of what they see as a key part of their city’s literary heritage“.. He’s not so sure. Running the risk of being compared to, in terms of his criticism, Roddy Doyle, he argues that “The rot set in at Bewley’s when it opened its James Joyce room” and, mischievously, suggests “There’s talk of Bewley’s being replaced …
The equality commission for NI has released it’s 2003 report on employment discrimination and is reported as describing “the Catholic-Protestant balance in the Northern workforce as “very fair”.” However, as reported in a story SF and equality body disagree over workplace discrimination carried by Breakingnews.ie, Sinn Féin are less than impressed. The Sinn Féin Newsroom carries a more detailed comment by Caitriona Ruane. Ambrose Uprichard
More Belfast fun with ebay. Ahem. This young woman is, em, offering her friendship, to the em, highest bidder. At time of writing, £15 is the lead bid. Thanks for the heads up Mark. 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
In the Guardian, Mark Lynas looks at The concrete isle that Ireland is fast becoming – this magical country, intoxicated by wealth and fixated on ‘progress’ – that increasingly turns a blind eye to the destruction of real history while revelling in the sentimentalising view of others.The official philistinism (that Clinton is quoted as referring to) is, perhaps, exemplified by the seamless transition of Martin Cullen from Minister for arts, heritage and the environment.. into Minister for Transport. Up on …
Congratulations to Christopher Stalford, regular contributor on Slugger, who is getting married today. Health and happiness to you both. Ambrose Uprichard
Spectator regular Leo McKinstry finds it easier to relax in Belfast when he comes home for the odd visit than he does in “the crime-ridden, congestion-filled, downtrodden, overpriced, overtaxed, self-loathing bleakness of New Labour’s modern England for a more self-confident, attractive, prosperous part of the British Isles”.He also believes that Unionists up to now have been wilfully ignoring the advantages that the Belfast Agreement brought them: “If they examined the peace process with objectivity rather than through the prism of …
belfast city council outlaws smoking at its properties and backs broader ban in public places Philip Weir
proposals finally published amid claims not ambitious enough. aims for belfast city centre to be prime shopping area with out of town developments curtailed. Philip Weir
In light of discussions about sectarianism, this is an excellent piece by the Community Relations Council (2003)that is well worth a read. What Is SectarianismAnti-sectarianism is a very long word – can we spell it? Paraphrasing the childhood word game underlines the strangeness of the word and our unfamiliarity with the concept. For me ‘anti-sectarianism’ is community relations in action – a positive, life affirming concept which promotes the acceptance of diversity in Northern Ireland’s divided society. This paper hopes …
Instead of twiddling your thumbs waiting for the latest spin and speculation through the weekend, why not try The Guardian’s Too Smart for your Salary? quiz.Based on the premise of a link between salary level and IQ (that’s the ‘leftist rag’ we know and love!) it would probably be best to let that hangover subside first. Personally, I’m looking for a raise… either that or a new job 😉 Your results You got 23 questions right out of a possible …
TANGLED Web slinger and hardline unionist commentator Andrew McCann (formerly of this parish) uses his own very detailed breakdown of population trends (AKA a ‘sectarian headcount’) to justify increasing immigration by ethnic minorities into Northern Ireland. No, you didn’t read it wrong, I said ‘justify’. It’s for very selfish reasons that some will disagree with, but that’s the first I’ve seen this unusual rationale in print. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
Ambrose picked up this story in the Guardian’s Society section yesterday which looked at the issue of child poverty in Northern Ireland – 8% of children are living in severe poverty. Of these, forty per cent “live in households where the gas, electricity or telephone have been cut off. Half live with a lone parent, while 27% have parents with health problems or disabilities”.Interestingly, Goretti Horgan sees the problems based in the trajectory of economic development policies: “…the whole concept …
