troubles

Victims and Guilt: a Kafkaesque proposition

Turgon on June 8, 2011, 9:37 pm

| Readers 17

In Northern Ireland we are all victims. Unfortunately many people do not feel that they are victims not having suffered during the Troubles. As such it is necessary for peace processors to help us all understand our victimhood. This can be difficult because there are many stubborn cases of people who feel they are not victims. These unfortunate souls must not be neglected by peace processors. Indeed as we are all getting older it is vital that no one is …

Protestant Alienation 2011

Turgon on June 8, 2011, 7:14 pm

| Readers 57

Almost 20 years ago now the academic community in Northern Ireland first began looking at the concept of Protestant Alienation. Amongst the factors they identified were the feeling that the Hume Adams talks were creating a blueprint for the defeat of unionism which the British government might acquiesce to. That feeling of alienation increased with events such as the IRA ceasefire. Looking back it is now easy to read the IRA ceasefire as a victory for unionism: the IRA had …

HET to interview McGuinness over Joanne Mathers murder

Turgon on May 20, 2011, 11:07 am

| Readers 19

The News Letter is reporting that Martin McGuinness may be about to be interviewed by the Historical Enquiries Team regarding the 1981 murder of census worker Joanne Mathers. From the News letter: On Monday, MP Gregory Campbell referred to the fact obliquely when he raised a point of order in the assembly. Addressing assembly speaker Willie Hay, Mr Campbell (DUP) said: “If it transpires — my understanding is that it will — that the deputy first minister’s name will be …

Culture After Conflict: Between Remembrance and Reconciliation.

FitzJames Horse on April 1, 2011, 10:02 am

| Readers 28

Ulster Museum 23rd March …Sponsored by Instiute of British-Irish Studies (IBIS) at UCD. Following closely on “Remembering the Future” a CRC event, IBIS held a related event at the Ulster Museum. There were about 200, mostly pre-registered, “attendees” but I noted that many of the well known names on the list did not actually show up. Against a background of upcoming centenaries what exactly can or should the Cultural Community do to foster a positive approach to it all. Chairing …

Government apologises over Majella O’Hare killing

Turgon on March 28, 2011, 1:30 pm

| Readers 154

Another of the wrongs of the past forty years here in Northern Ireland has been acknowledged. The BBC are reporting that the government has apologised in writing to the family of Majella O’Hare who was killed by a soldier in Whitecross Co. Armagh on 18th August 1976. Miss O’Hare (aged 12) was on her way home from church when she was shot in the back by Private Michael Williams. At the time Williams claimed that he was returning fire on …

Claudy: forgotten no longer

Turgon on August 29, 2010, 6:28 pm

| Readers 77

When the Claudy Report by the Police Ombudsman was unveiled last week it looked very much as if it would be a one or at most a two day wonder. This was one of the forgotten atrocities of the troubles, like so many others. There seemed little in the way of an organised victims’ group and few politicians apart from the local UUP councillor and Gregory Campbell pushing the issue: Campbell is an extremely busy man and Mary Hamilton is …

Pressure for legal action widens as politicians flounder over Troubles legacy

Brian Walker on June 21, 2010, 11:34 am

| Readers 3

Two very different newspaper stories reveal how reaching consensus over dealing with the past is looking increasingly difficult, with the balance appearing to tilt in favour of legal action. One based on a letter from unnamed paratroops accuses Lord Saville of a “cynical exercise” in blaming Col Derek Wilford, OC 1 Para, to avoid condemning junior soldiers but produces no fresh evidence or admissions. The soldiers involved could of course clear the matter up even yet. The other story shows …

“Shoot to Kill” Files Ordered Released

Elizabeth Nelson on May 28, 2010, 12:42 am

| Readers 7

The High Court today has ordered that files relating to the government’s alleged ‘shoot to kill’ policy should be released. Mr. Justice John Gillen said: “If inquests are to maintain public confidence, put minds at rest and answer the questions of the families who are bereaved, it is vital to ensure that the interested parties/next of kin can participate in an informed, open and transparent fashion on an equal footing with all other parties throughout the various stages of the …

Bangkok 2010 – Belfast 1969?

Mick Fealty on May 24, 2010, 10:14 am

| Readers 39

Gun fire, burning buildings and a sense of impending social and political chaos… For the genuine Belfast circa 1970 experience, come to Bangkok… Where the past is not simply drawn up on murals, it is very much present… Thanks to our Stephen for the photo… 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 …