Category Archives: Current Affairs

Loyalist Internees Were Detained For Political Reasons

On 9^th August 1971 Operation Demetrius swung into action—in dawn raids across Northern Ireland the British Army backed by the RUC rounded up almost 350 known Republicans and detained them in a variety of holding centres.  There followed a massive upsurge in violence that continued incessantly and also had the effect of acting as a recruiting drive for the IRA.  Although many Provisionals were amongst those in the first round up there were a number of Official IRA men captured as well. 

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Who Categorises Victims?

This week saw the cynical leaking of Evelyn Glenholmes’ name as one of those who was invited to sit on the forthcoming Commission for Victims and Survivors.  Out of a total of twenty five participants hers was the only name to be leaked and the reason for this action was borne out in the media in the days that followed—achieving exactly the response it was intended to.  Stephen Nolan dedicated a large chunk of his Wednesday night show to it and indeed carried the subject on to his radio show the following morning.  On the television show Nolan’s panellists or rather, guests were Brendan McAllister—Victims Commissioner—Alex Maskey—Sinn Fein MLA, and Mike Nesbitt MLA—Leader of the Ulster Unionist party and of course an ex Victims Commissioner.  

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James McCleans’ Dubious Excuse

Yesterday the media carried a story where former Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie criticised James McClean for choosing to represent the Republic of Ireland rather than his native Northern Ireland.  Gillespie believes that McClean is using his religion as an excuse—and a not very well disguised one—not to play for the country of his birth.  McClean had previously stated that he had no desire to play for Northern Ireland because he felt uncomfortable playing in front of a Union Jack and Ulster flag waving crowd.  Never mind that both flags are representative of the land he was born in and had no problem in representing through all the International set-ups right up to Under 21 level.  Gillespie makes the point that although he accepts that there is a minority amongst the Northern Ireland fans who may be sectarian the vast majority of supporters welcome and in many cases embrace players irrespective of their religion.  He cites former players who achieved hero status—players like Pat Jennings—Gerry Armstrong—Mal Donaghy—John O’Neill.  There are many more examples of course but we need to be careful that we don’t fall into the trap of making it an issue over and above the shenanigans currently taking place. 

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 ***Lonely Dissident Republican Group—Sadly Misunderstood—Must be Listened to—Very Few Friends—Will Travel Long Distance to be Offended:

Once every four years The Olympic Games take place.  An event universally accepted as the greatest sporting spectacle on Earth.  An event that originates in Ancient Greece and was revised in the late 1800’s by Pierre de Coubertin.  An event that is much sought after as a host event for cities around the globe—occasions that have the capability of bringing much prestige—and revenue—to those lucky enough to be chosen.  It is arguably the most watched event of any year and is eagerly anticipated by billions of people. 

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What is our shared future?

People in Northern Ireland are not normal. We might try to tell ourselves that we are but we need to wake up and smell the coffee…as long as that coffee hasn’t been bought in Tesco’s.

Once again we have a British company treating the citizens of a British country differently.  And why do we get treated differently?  Because we aren’t viewed as normal, at least not by Tesco’s.

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Roy Garland is a leading Political Commentator in Northern Ireland. He is a journalist and writer for the Irish News, a member of the Ulster Unionist Party,  a member of the Reform Group and author of several books – most notably the biography of UVF leader, Gusty Spence. Roy is a well respected and leading Unionist figure and has been from the 60’s.

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THIS WEEK IN THE PAPERS 7

Do you know anything about Marius Milner? What about Luc Delany? You probably don’t know a thing about them – but there is a good chance they know something about you. Delany used to be Google’s European policy associate and Milner is a software designer from Hove in East Sussex. Still in the dark? Well, Milner has patented inventions for Google and one of these was the ‘Street View’ programme for Google designed to gather information via cars fitted with cameras and antennae.

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Dr. John Coulter is a former ‘Blanket Magazine’ columnist and, at present, is  Northern Political Journalist for the Irish Daily Star. Dr. Coulter is also a member of the NUJ’s Belfast branch.

Loyalists need a blue-collar hero:

Working class out of politics loop.

Loyalists badly need a working class hero who can deliver the type of human
and civil rights which Martin Luther King won for the Afro-American
community.

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THIS WEEK IN THE PAPERS 6

I see that the old ‘Prod Basher’- Hugh Jordan has been his usual self again. Last week in the Sunday World he wrote an article about Paula Bradley, a DUP MLA for North Belfast. Jordan variously describes Bradley as a ‘curvaceous party girl, a pretty brunette, a curvy DUP babe, a fun-loving politician with a fondness for Jaegermeister shots, part of a loved-up couple, a lovebird etc.

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HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE

Robert ‘Bobby’ Spence

Born:  7^th March 1929

Died:   12^th October 1980

Bobby grew up in Joseph Street, Shankill Road, he had four brothers and two sisters.  He went into service in both the Royal and Merchant Navies.  While in the Royal Navy he was awarded two medals, a distinguished service medal whilst serving during the Korean War and a United Nations Medal.

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