Aidan McAnespie Murder: No Apology!

Aidan McAnespie Murder: No Apology! “Deep regret” was the official line from Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward regarding the murder of Aidan McAnespie by a British soldier serving in the occupied six counties 21 years ago. Mr McAnespie, a Roman Catholic man was shot dead 300 yards from a permanent British Army/RUC Checkpoint, at as he crossed the border at Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone en route to his local GAA ground. It has taken almost 21 years for the British government to utter their acknowledgement and recognition of the “pain and suffering” inflicted upon the McAnespie family. However, both Mr. Woodward and the Defence Secretary,...

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Breaking the Silence on 22 Day War [Pt.2]

Breaking the Silence on 22 Day War [Pt.2] “Breaking the Silence” publication of Israeli ‘Front Line’ troops testimonies further echoes and corroborates concerns posed by all humans rights organisations working in the war torn enclave of the Gaza Strip. However, despite pro-Israeli counter arguments against the validity and authenticity of some of the testimonies provided, the authors of the report are extremely well respected on the international press and diplomatic circuits. The revelations contained in their report, along with those compiled by Amnesty International, International Red Cross and Human Rights Watch, put further pressure...

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'Breaking the Silence' on 22-Day War [Pt. 1]

'Breaking the Silence' on 22-Day War In the face of mounting International pressure, Israel continues to denounce allegations of human rights violations during its 22-Day War against Hamas in Gaza launched in December ‘08. A series of hard-hitting reports in the last month from independent International human rights organisations clearly reveal incidents of blatant disregard for the human rights of the Palestinian community in Gaza during 'Operation: Cast Lead'.  These three reports, carried out byThe Red Cross, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch respectively, are believed to be precursors for a UN Report due in September...

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Frank McCourt: Author of ‘Angela’s Ashes’ Dies

Frank McCourt: Author of ‘Angela’s Ashes’ Frank McCourt was an Irish-American raconteur and memoirist whose abilities gained a world-wide audience only after entering retirement. Prior to springing to international acclaim, Frank had been a public school teacher for 30 years and was fondly regarded as a jovial and well renowned New Yorker. The Pulitzer Prize-winning, "Angela's Ashes", catapulted him to prominence within the literary fraternity, and earned Frank McCourt a global audience. Mr. McCourt, was being treated at a Manhattan hospice and was seriously ill with meningitis having been recently treated for melanoma (form of Skin Cancer)...

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Operation 'Cast Iron': Sheer Wanton Destruction!

Operation 'Cast Iron': Sheer Wanton Destruction! 'Much of the destruction was wanton and resulted from direct attacks on civilian objects,'  Amnesty International’s extensive 117-page Report entitled ‘Israel/Gaza Operation ‘Cast Lead’:22 Days of Death and Destruction’ depicts a harrowing onslaught on a defenseless civilian population. Operation ‘Cast Lead’ commenced at 11.30am on 27 Dec. 2008, with an unrelenting and indiscriminate Israeli aerial bombardment (precision F-16 fighter jets) of the war torn Gaza Strip. Israel’s proposed legitimate aim was to end rocket attacks into Israel territory by armed groups affiliated with Hamas...

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Love Poet, Carpenter: Michael Longley Celebrated!

Love Poet, Carpenter: Michael Longley Celebrated! 'A keeper of the artistic estate, a custodian of griefs and wonders.' ~Seamus Heaney~ Love Poet, Carpenter: Michael Longley at Seventy (Enitharmon Press) is a festschrift from over 50 literary figures, celebrating the life and works of renowned contemporary Irish poet Michael Longley. Born in Belfast (1993), Longley after being educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution went on to read classics at Trinity College, Dublin where he was awarded the prestigious position of Writer Fellow at Trinity in 1993. He is one of the triumvirate of important Northern Irish poets (with Heaney...

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O Jeffrey (Donaldson), Where Art Thou’!

O Jeffrey, Where Art Thou? Northern Ireland’s DUP MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, has decided to reimburse the Commons’ Fees Office to the tune of £660 that he claimed for expenses on his parliamentary visits to London during the period 2004-5. Mr. Donaldson is a self styled ‘Christian Politician’ and personifies a very smug and pious demeanour as he adorns his ‘Jesus Fish’ symbol on his crusade for the North's Ulster Unionism. Who would have thought that ‘Norn Iron’ could produce our very own version of Jonathan Ross! Actually if Mr Ross did hail from here then it would be hilarious listening to him trying to say ‘Norn Iron’! The surprise scoop...

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