Longkesh Inside Out

Friday 16^th March 1973
Compound 13 Long Kesh

6 weeks now I’m here—the board papers usually only take about 3 or 4 at the most.

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We Are all Victims of Circumstance

What’s going on over at Commercial Court?  First it was columnist Hugh Jordan and now it’s the turn of his colleague Richard Sullivan.  Is there a wind of change blowing through the corridors of the Sunday World building?  Perhaps underneath all the vitriol and rage we witness each Sabbath there lies a softer well mannered and well meaning heart.

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Dr John Coulter is a former columnist with The Blanket. From a Protestant background, he is a commentator on Unionist and Loyalist politics. He is a member of the NUJ.

If theChristianChurchesacrossIrelandwant to integrate the loyalist working class properly into society, they need to ensure they do not adopt a Biblical-style Pharisee attitude towards such Protestants.

All too often, middle-class, church-attending Unionists have literally ‘turned their noses up’ at working class loyalists who have been jailed or even arrested in connection with the conflict.

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You remember the time–when you were a certain age–collecting for the bonfire was a big thing—every spare moment after school was spent gathering wood–building huts–fighting off rivals—and staying out all night to protect it.  It became your only focus in life for those two weeks after school finished at the end of June until the night the bonfire was lit.  You took a “piece” out of the house rather than leave your post—you became so attached that you didnt want it to be set on fire………………

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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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