Devolution of Policing And Justice Litmus Test

This is a guest article by Helen McClafferty, Chairperson for the Free Gerry McGeough Campaign.  Helen is of Irish American descent and is a dedicated human and civil rights campaigner.

Try and picture this scenario going down...

A political candidate stands as an Independent on issues of principle during elections in Zimbabwe. Every political dirty trick and smear in the book is used against him during the campaign.

At the end of the election count, he is arrested as he leaves the Poll Count Center and taken for interrogation. The international community, with Britain taking the lead, would be in uproar squealing over the injustice of it all.  Despite his high-profile during the election and before, the Zimbabwe police state that they arrested him at the Center only because they had no idea of his whereabouts prior to that date. The international media are disgusted at the pathetic excuse.

A few days later, the candidate is charged with attacks against the former Rhodesian military going back 35 years and thrown in jail.  Only after a massive legal struggle is he granted bail and freed under severe restrictions. Due to these restrictions he is unable to pursue his teaching career, which has an effect on his family as he is the main breadwinner.

While his political enemies continue to slander him on the Internet, he is dragged before courts every month and the case is put back for no good reason every time. Britain continues to highlight the injustice of his case and demands that all politically motivated charges be dropped.

Two-and-a-half years after his arrest, the candidate remains in legal limbo. He suffers a major heart attack. The British press and media are in uproar and demand that Robert Mugabe put an end to this vindictive political persecution.

The candidate survives the heart-attack but his health is now a source of major concern to his legal team. Regardless of this, the Zimbabwe authorities go ahead with a trial against him, which begins exactly three years to the day after his arrest.

In order to try him, a special non-jury court system is resurrected for the event, even though this system has been repealed years earlier and is notoriously corrupt. The British government is hysterical about this human rights abuse.

The trial is stopped for an Abuse of Process application. This is refused despite the excellent legal arguments in its favour.

The trial resumes six months after it first began. On the second day, the candidate is rushed to hospital for emergency heart treatment. The local national media censor all reporting on this major development. The British are outraged.

Following a surgical procedure, the trial is resumed for a third time. The charges against him involve membership of a Nationalist group and the wounding of a Rhodesian soldier during the conflict 30 years earlier.

The evidence against the candidate includes one of his novels, a stated work of fiction, which has been published and on sale for years. A chapter from this novel is read out of context in court and entered as "evidence". The international community is aghast at the idiocy of such a development, and writers' guilds around the world protest at the injustice of such Philistine behavior.

Next, it emerges that the candidate once sought political asylum in Sweden. The Swedish government readily hand over his application papers to the Zimbabwean authorities and dispatch one of their Immigration Officials to testify against the candidate. This constitutes the prosecution's main evidence.

International Human Rights and Refugee Groups are beside themselves with fury and the UN condemns the move. The British threaten a boycott against Zimbabwe and lecture the Swedes on their treachery.

The trial ends and the candidate is told to brace himself for a twenty year sentence.

The above story is hardly imaginable. A government provokes international anger  in order to pursue a vindictive, politically motivated trial against someone just because he stood in an election and articulated views that were at odds with the powers that be.

Guess what? All of this has happened, not in Zimbabwe but in the North of Ireland against Gerry McGeough. The only difference is that the British government far from speaking out against the injustice is actually responsible for it. Also, the international community, human rights groups and writers' guilds have been remarkably silent about it all. It's time we all spoke out.

Helen McClafferty (Chairperson for Free Gerry McGeough Campaign)

SHOW YOU SUPPORT BY JOINING THE FREE GERRY MCGEOUGH OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE AND THE JUSTICE FOR GERRY MCGEOUGH FACEBOOK PAGE HERE

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Dissident Tyrone Sheep Demand Irish Unity

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Sectarian Sheep Painting Northern Ireland

BREAKING N-EWES:  

'Norn Iron' Sectarian Ewe Turn!

A remote field in Arboe, Co. Tyrone has been the scene of a SHEAR DYE-abolical sectarian attack on innocent sheep as they passively grazed in the Irish Republican heartland.  During the night 6 sheep were unsuspectingly spray painted with the Irish tricolour by presumably DYED IN THE WOOL Traditional Irish Republicans!  Undoubtedly, the RAM-ifications of such a SHEEPISH act will lead to a thorough investigation by the PSNI who will be careful to avoid having the WOOL pulled over their eyes on this 'THORNY' issue.!!

Whilst we may find the funny side, the farmer and the local DUP councillor were less than am-EWE-sed as they painted a grim picture!!!  Willie Frazer was eager to HOGG the limelight and re-iterate the plight of the rural border community for which he tirelessly campaigns.  He even found the time to produce a EWE Tube broadcast which included CLIPPINGS of the whole LAMB-entable episode!! 

Not to GLOSS over such an incident but due consideration must be given to the lack of scope for young rural Traditional Irish Republicans to develop their artistic talent.  This is in strong contrast to their urban comrades who have endless scope to perfect their wall mural painting skills.   Indeed, we must appreciate the high degree of stencil like accuracy required to skillfully paint the Irish tricolour on such jittery subjects!!  Very rarely do we witness such fine examples of the spray painting of moving targets which no doubt even the world renowned Banksy would be envious off!!

Furthermore, given the high media profile that this episode has already received, it would not be inconceivable that the proud owner of these NOW Traditional Irish Republican (Fenian) sheep should seriously consider entering them as an exhibit for the Turner Prize 2010.  The massive media attention would surely have the crowds FLOCKING to the Tate Britain in London next year!.  The potential £25,000 prize money would definitely off set any loss of earnings incurred by showing such fine specimens of Traditional Irish Republican (Fenian) sheep in potentially hostile 'Norn Iron' livestock markets!  The proud owner should be aiming to emulate Damien Hirst who was the victor in 1995 with a pickled sheep in formaldehyde.  Such an opportunity should not be missed especially since the markings will have to be retained on the sheep until next May well after the closing date for next year's competition!!

Tiocfaidh ár Baahhhh....
 

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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 and Mahon) who emerged in the 1960s to collectively bring a new 'renaissance' in Irish writing.

In 1970, he joined the Arts Council of Northern Ireland as Combined Arts Director where he devoted his time to promoting literature and the traditional arts before taking early retirement from the post in 1991. Among the numerous awards he received for his literary, the accolade of Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry was given to Michael Longley in 2001.

He is one of the founding fathers of Aosdána, established by The Arts Council in 1981, and is an affiliation of Irish artists engaged in literature, music and visual arts.

Some of Michael Longley’s celebrated works and achievements include;

• No Continuing City: Poems 1963-1968, (Pub.1969)
• Poems, 1963-1983, (Pub. 1985)
• The Echo Gate: Poems 1975-1979, (Pub. 1979)
• Gorse Fires (1991), Whitbread Poetry Award winner
• The Weather in Japan (2000), - awarded the Hawthornden Prize, T. S. Eliot Prize and the Belfast Arts Award for Literature.
• Editor of 20th Century Irish Poems, (2002)
• Collected Poems, (Pub. 2006)
• Appointed Professor of Poetry for Ireland 2007 - His inaugural lecture, A Jovial Hullabuloo, was published in pamphlet form in the same year.

On the eve of PIRA ceasefire (1994), The Irish Times, published the poignant and thought-provoking Homeric poem ‘Ceasefire’ which addresses the difficulty of overcoming the past, of trying to break a cycle of violence;

“Ceasefire”

I

Put in mind of his own father and moved to tears

Achilles took him by the hand and pushed the old king

Gently away, but Priam curled up at his feet and

Wept with him until their sadness filled the building.

II

Taking Hector's corpse into his own hands Achilles

Made sure it was washed and, for the old king's sake,

Laid out in uniform, ready for Priam to carry

Wrapped like a present home to Troy at daybreak.

III

When they had eaten together, it pleased them both

To stare at each other's beauty as lovers might,

Achilles built like a god, Priam good-looking still

And full of conversation, who earlier had sighed:

IV

'I get down on my knees and do what must be done

And kiss Achilles' hand, the killer of my son.'

Interesting in this collection of poems is the revelation by John Banville that Longley's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process was the suggestion that the province's linen business should be put to the manufacture of "peace pants", with the union flag at the front, the tricolor at the back and the red hand of Ulster in the gusset. ~The Guardian~

This festschrift, Love Poet, Carpenter: Michael Longley at Seventy, is both a formal salute and warm-hearted tribute to one of Ireland’s distinguished poets career which spans over 40 years. Over this time period Longley produced poetic works spanning a multitude of genres including love poetry, war poetry, nature poetry, elegies, satires, verse epistles, and poems that reflect on art and the art of poetry.

Some among the 50 celebrated literary contributors include; Seamus Heaney, Caitriona O’Reilly, Frank Ormsby, Paul Muldoon and James Fenton et al. There is also a surprise entry from world renowned BBC Foreign correspondent, Fergal Keane. Keane has recently produced a BBC One NI programme entitled ‘Keane on Longley’, which was given its first airing on January 22nd of this year. The 40 minute revelatory documentary explores the inspirations behind many of Longley’s esteemed works including “Butchers” (an allusion to the ‘Shankill Butchers’). Keane expresses how this poem in particular gained a special personal significance whilst he was reporting on the Rwanda genocide in 1994.

We will leave the final words of this post to Michael Longley himself;

‘If I knew where poems came from, I’d go there.’

 
P.S. For the discerning book collector a Love Poet, Carpenter (Limited Edition), signed by 39 contributors (including Seamus Heaney; Paul Durcan and Gerald Dawe) is available from QUB Book Shop . (Limited to 195 copies)

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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 on the  ‘Man For All Genres’ Mr Donaldson was brought to public attention by the Daily Telegraph at the weekend as the West Minister MP fees scandal rumbles on.

The Daily Telegraph’s subtle opening paragraph introduces the Rt. Hon. Mr Donaldson as:

'Mr Donaldson, 46, a married father of two, used his Commons second home allowances to pay for films in his hotel room nearly every time he travelled from Northern Ireland to the capital on parliamentary business.'

According to submitted receipts, Jeffrey Donaldson accrued total costs of £555.54 pertaining to a total of 68 films during the time period 2004-2005;

'Receipts submitted by the MP before then show that the films he claimed for ranged in price from £7.50 at the Marriot, County Hall, to £14.95 at the Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow Airport. He was billed for 30 films during his stays at the Jolly Hotel St Ermine near Westminster, Mr Donaldson’s hotel of choice, at a cost of £7.95 a time. On four occasions he put the £9.95 cost of watching films at Hilton Hotels on his expenses.'

Mr Donaldson was not content with normal terrestrial T.V. offerings. Oh NO, NO, NO, instead he opted for the 'Blockbuster' category! (Rebels Yell readers behave!!) The newspaper article then elaborates in greater depth into the nature of those films currently available on pay-per-view.

At present, the films on offer which would fall into THIS ‘Blockbuster’ category at the Marriott are 'Sexy Scenes 2009, series 2, series 5 and series 7', 'Hotel For Dogs' (2009), 'Friday the 13th' (2009), 'Role Models' (2009) and 'Death Race' (2009).

In press releases issued last Friday night Mr Donaldson moved to disassociate himself from any innuendos and strenuously deny any claims that any porn flicks were on the agenda!;

“Such material was not viewed on the date alleged, or at all.”

Of course, if you are really stuck for an excuse you can always blame it on the RA!!

"Unfortunately, because of my security situation at the time, my family and I can't go to the cinema, so I took the opportunity to watch some of the films at the hotel."

Food for Thought (oh those DUP boys and gals do love their Grub!)

The Daily Telegraph also reported that the hotel costs were collectively classed as “Room Service 2”;

Most of the films appeared on the hotel bills as “Room Service 2”, meaning that their nature was not obvious to officials. On one occasion, the item “Room Service 2” was circled on the receipt by Mr Donaldson or staff working for him, and the word “food” written next to it, before the claim was submitted.

Mr Donaldson had just joined the DUP party, one year prior to these events. 2004-05 was a good year for the discerning film buff! Top box office hits included Shrek 2, National Treasure, Christmas with the Cranks, The Polar Express, The Incredibles etc. When asked on interview which films he remembers watching, a very hesitant Mr. Donaldson came up with 'Star Wars - The Original Trilogy [DVD] [1977]and 'The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe'!!

For those cynics amongst us, who do not belief in innocence until proven guilty, may have picked up Jeffrey being uncharacteristically indecisive during his recent UTV interview. Mr Donaldson picked two very safe options, 'Star Wars Trilogy' and the ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe ’! Good safe wholesome non-innuendo choices but hopefully regarding the latter he doesn’t fall foul of any jumping of the wardrobe jokes. These can tend to leave a nasty taste in the mouth! (plzzz Rebels Yell readers no Batman jokes!!!!). I sincerely hope that no Rebels Yell readers are fans of the ‘Kung Fu’ legendary actor David Carradine, 72, who succumb to a bizarre fate in a Thai Hotel room. Thai police were investigating the twin theories that the death was either suicide or a sex game gone wrong. Carradine was found hanging in a wardrobe with a rope around his neck and other parts of his body. Oouuchhh!!

The Good and The Bad 2004 /2005 Film Releases

So here are a few of my choices of films that were big in various genres in 2004-05. The first few are actually porn flicks with an atypical cheesy play on words, of which there are two a penny! (so if you are reading this Jeffrey, closes your eyes NOW!)  The reason I have hand-picked a few of these, is that if any further revelations were to transpire, then it would be entirely plausible for Jeffrey to have a strong case for mistaken identity.  A bit like the recent remarks made by the Orange Order on their ownership of flags ERECTED in national areas!

HEALTH WARNING: These ones could cause blindness!


Private Gold 81: Porn Wars Episode 1

This porno rip off comes with the tagline ‘Cum join the Force!’ Has a similar ring to the DUP’s Ian Paisley cry to arms to the Ulster Protestants following both the Sunningdale Agreement in 1973 which led to the Ulster Workers' Strike (1974) which proved to be its death nail and Maggie NO, NO, NO, Thatcher signing the Anglo Irish Agreement. Hmmm extremely cheesy and very preDICKable!!


Dangerous Liason

Following on with 'The Star Wars' word play, Michael Lucas (NO not George Lucas donuts!) creation courted alot of controversy over the innuendos with its play on words on the cult movie classics.

Pirates Collector Edition (No links for these two Rebels Yell readers, do your own Google search!)


The ‘Safe Viewing’ Options

Alexander - Director's Cut [DVD] [2004]

This Oliver Stone epic was a massive box office hit in 2004 for movie goers and I am sure Jeffrey would have enjoyed this one. Especially since fellow Irish man, Collin Farrell, played the leading eastern European character. Stone had waited years to fulfill his dream of making a film about the legendary king of Macedonia. However, Oliver Stone found himself in a race to the finishing post with Baz Luhrmann who had been developing his own ‘Alexander The Great’ project.

I do think this one would be one of Jeffrey’s top picks on the 2004/05 movie buffs calendar. A political go getter like Mr. Donaldson could well affiliate himself with the infamous Macedonian King’s quest for power and control on his crusades. Upon reaching Babylon in the film, Farrell utters ‘Imagine the minds that conceived this", as he gazed over the opulence of the great city that awaited him. I wonder if Mr. Donaldson uttered similar words upon realising the potential ‘tax-payer’ goodies available in his hotel room.

Jeffrey could well be classed as the Ulster Unionist’s modern day version of Alexander as he champions the Ulster Unionist cause in the corridors of The House’s of Parliament and Stormont. He has a strenuous parliamentary schedule as he crusades tirelessly for the rights of Ulster Unionism against the tsunami of Irish Republicanism – MP, MLA, Councillor etc. So we can forgive Jeffrey for taking the odd time out from his hectic schedule, and enjoy some welcome relief with a good chick flick, a big bag of ‘melt in your mouth not in your hand’ M n M’s, popcorn and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Sin City - 2-Disc Edition [Blu-ray] [2005]

This one was my personal favourite of 2005. 'Sin City' was a screen adaption by Robert Rodriguez of Frank Miller's best-selling comic book series 'Sin City'. Rodriguez created a portmanteau film, incorporating murder, betrayal, decapitation, and cannibalism that is also beautifully crafted.

It is a pure cinematic masterpiece with breathless editing and high-contrast black and white images lit up by flashes of colour. The hyper-stylized look of 'Sin City' does a fine job at reproducing the deft visuals of the comic book onto the big screen.

You could be forgiven to likening some of the goings on to this mythical city to Belfast during the dark days of ‘The Troubles’.  In Sin City, the shady metropolis where Frank Miller bases his brutal tales, these film noir characters fall into their very distinct two-dimensional roles: creeps (if they're guys) and whores (if they're women.).  As we are all to aware sectarian violence was rife throughout both communities and Belfast was effectively divided into two waring tribes embroilled in a downward spiral of violence.  If you haven't seen it garb a copy because you won't be disappointed!!

So Rebels Yell readers which of the films currently on offer at the Marriott would get their guest's pulses racing?

New Movie Releases Available at the Marriott  (2009)


In general, the current crop of 2009 films available at the Marriott follow Hollywood film directors current obsession for remaking cult classics is very akin to the current Ulster unionist thinking, and especially for Jim Allister’s TUV strategy of re-bundling old fashioned protestant ethos and reverting back to the days of ruddy faces, bowler hats and sombre suited marching figures!


Sexy Scenes 2009, series 2, series 5 and series 7: (can’t find a link, ideas anyone!)

Plenty of choice here from the looks of it, but I am reliably informed when once you have seen one you have seen them all! However, given the level of ‘eye candy’ in the upper echelons of the DUP hierarchy, I think any mere mortal couldn’t resist the urge to have a wee luk! Au contraire, to even contemplate that the Rt. Hon. Mr. Donaldson would even contemplate such a momentary lapse in Calvin faith would be un-imaginable to his Ulster Unionist brethren. Would You Risk A Peak, Jeffrey?

Hotel For Dogs [DVD] [2009]

This one is the most family friendly of the four currently available on pay-per-view at the Marriott. No dogs die in this film, and there is no visible leg humping either! On the downside this film’s target audience is the elementary school range with a fair amount of toilet humour to boot. (15 Cert)

Friday The 13th [DVD] [2009]

Yet another remake of a 1970’s cult classic. This might be a hot pick given the correlation to that historical Good Friday in Northern Ireland’s history. Might bring back horrific memories to some Ulster Unionists of the day those Fenian bastard's got a say in our wee Ulster's affairs!! (18 Cert)


Role Models [DVD] [2008]

This might be a 50/50 one folks! 'Role Models' can be best described as a twisted version of the sub-genus "teacher inspiring his/her students", but with lessons about female boobs, instead of poetry, literature, dancing or whatever. The inspirational title looks promising on this one given the wrangling for supremacy within Ulster unionism following the departure of the ‘Big Man’! (15 Cert)

Death Race [DVD] [2008]

Ahh, now this one looks really promising due to its timely release! Especially as the current race for the Future Unionist Vote between Jim Allister (TUV) and the DUP heats up. There are two versions of this one available. You can choose the classic version from 1975 (re-released 2000) or the inspired version released in 2008 starring Jason Stratham. A very apt choice this one, which is an action packed, gladiatorial combat between two lunatics on wheels.  Incidentally not to give await the plot, prior to the race one of the drivers has to be replaced at the last moment!.  Hopefully, as we run into the North Antrim West Minister by-election next year, I won't referring back to draw comparisons to Ian Paisley Jnr. not being picked to run against Jim Allister.....  Fortunately this one carries a 15 Cert. whilst its predecessor carried an 18 Cert!

All in all, although the 'Daily Telegraph' did not provide any clear evidence of what Mr. Donaldson actually watched, it leaves the reader a bit disappointed! Ironically for now, this story is a bit like a porn flick, plenty of promise to start with but ends in a bit of an anti-climax!


Interested in more satire on this issue then head over to Splintered Sunrise Well Worth A Visit!

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European Election OR Sectarian Head Count 2009?

European Election OR Sectarian Head Count 2009? Sinn Féin's sitting MEP Bairbre de Brún created Northern Ireland electoral history by topping the poll with 126,184 votes. However, both the Dublin and Irish governments will tonight be pondering nervously about the future of their landmark Good Friday Agreement (Sunningdale Mark II). 

The proverbial fly in the ointment comes in the form of Jim Allister, Leader of Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), who polled an astonishing 66,197 first preference votes. The majority of his votes were gained at the expense of his former party the DUP and their candidate Diane Dodds.


Anyone familiar with the political polarisation within Northern Ireland will be well aware that the word European bares little significance with many voters. Instead, all elections, European or otherwise, since the implementation of the world famed (‘truce’) Good Friday Agreement have acted only to further polarize both political tribes. For unfamiliar NI political observers, you must first grasp an understanding of the under currents of colonialism, partition and sectarianism which both, dominate and stifle, the political agenda in Northern Ireland. Also, this has not been a thunderbolt that has just hit our political scene today or yesterday. Many astute Northern Ireland political pundits will agree that unresolved issues have been festering under the surface since that momentous Friday back in 1998. They will also agree rather than dispel old grievances, GFA has only sought to further exacerbate and compound them which has further institutionalised sectarianism within this British state-let. It is not an understatement to say that the Good Friday Agreement has been decaying since its inception, ever since that immortal premise that;

‘Britain has no more strategic interest in Northern Ireland’.

Au contraire, we have been witnessing a steady slip to the right manifesting itself in an increasingly dogged expression of British imperialist interest. This rightward shift has been accelerated by increasing unionist reaction coupled with the capitulation of Irish Republican ideology.

We need look no further than the insular reactions at the European Election count in the King’s Hall, Belfast today. Whilst, Sinn Fein’s Bairbre de Brún made electoral history, she was not exactly greeted magnanimously by her fellow co-elected European candidates on her emphatic success. Instead her announcement of re-election to the European parliament was greeted in a derisory and cacophonic manner reminiscent of the pre GFA Northern Ireland era. Whilst Ms de Brún made her mandatory victory speech, the TUV supporters proceeded to turn their backs whilst twirling their football rattles and jeered. This was further aggravated by the DUP’s Diane Dodds refusal to offer Ms. De Brun a congratulatory handshake! However, the most rapturous applause came for TUV leader, Jim Allister, who even managed to rework that old phrase coined by Gerry Adams as a rallying cry:

"We haven't gone away you know."

Northern Ireland’s new dice with Sectarianism?

While this Sinn Fein electoral victory may seem to superficially reinforce Sinn Fein’s electoral dominance among the Roman Catholic community, it does not hide the fact Northern Ireland may be facing its most turbulent political storm since the GFA. The zealous antics of unionist politicians yesterday in the King’ Hall only bolsters the common perception that ALL Northern Ireland elections serve only as a mere sectarian headcount!

The unprecedented TUV turnout speaks volumes for the waves of bigotry currently sweeping through grass roots disillusioned unionism. To further crank up the pressure on the DUP, Allister buoyed by his achievement, vowed to stand in Ian Paisley's old electoral stronghold in the next general election. The TUV leader jubilantly pronounced that unionists were;

"Fed up with the roll over unionism in the era of Sinn Féin rule"

~Jim Allister~

To further exacerbate Northern Ireland’s political climate, David Cameron has already indicated that he wants to replace the current forced coalition of Sinn Fein and DUP with a,

'voluntary coalition' 

(politics of exclusion) - in other words, unionist majority rule. If this was to be the case then we would most definitely be facing a Sunningdale Mark II scenario.

Much work needs to be done by both sides to prevent the front pages of Northern Ireland, UK and World newspaper from being adorned by sectarian imagery this summer!  A recent article by Jim Cusack in the Irish Independent gave a chilling warning of potential hostility this summer. He draws stark comparisons with this callous murder of Kevin McDaid and that of the sectarian murder of Protestant man, Billy King. Mr King was kicked to death by Catholic rioters outside his home in the Fountain area of Derry in 1969. This murder was regarded by many as an incendiary event in the escalation of what we now describe as the ‘The Troubles’.

Northern Ireland’s re-branding of collusion, for the 21st Century?

The rearing of the ugly head of sectarianism in Northern Ireland society has recently manifested itself in the loyalist mob murder of Kevin McDaid in Coleraine. Tensions still run high in the area despite strong intervention by both communities to quell the atmosphere. Ever since the gruesome attack, there have been strenuous claims by Mr McDaids family that the PSNI could have averted it. Since the mindless atrocity there has been persistent speculation of PSNI collusion in the Co. Derry attack. This resurfaced recently regarding alleged loyalist contact via text message between a PSNI officer and loyalists in Coleraine prior to the attack. The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is now proceeding to investigate the allegations.

One thing we can be almost certain of in Northern Ireland society and that is of history repeating itself. The above allegations bear a startling similarity to the tragic events surrounding the murder of Robert Hamill. Mr Hamill was another Catholic victim of Loyalist mob attack in Portadown in 1997. Again strenuous allegations were made by eye-witnesses regarding alleged police ‘voyeurism’ as the attack unfolded. No-one was ever convicted of Hamill’s murder and his family’s lawyer – Rosemary Nelson - was subsequently murdered in a car bombing attack in 1999.

Northern Ireland Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan, former Canadian Supreme Court Justice Peter Cory, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch found evidence that MI5, British military intelligence and Northern Irish police colluded with Unionist terrorists in the Hamill and Nelson murders.

Where now for the DUP?

The DUP leadership will wake up this morning to a day of confusion, fear and recrimination. The onus is very much on First Minister Peter Robinson to command his party through these uncertain waters. The DUP can look to a variety of reasons for its emphatic and historic fall from grace in Northern Ireland’s European Election 2009.

As a direct result of these European Election results the DUP may now seek to delay the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to the Assembly.

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Rebels Yell For 'Freedom of Speech' [Part 1]

We currently live in a society which is perceived to be awash with claims and praise for operating within a ‘Free’ media spectra, which is deemed as a prerequisite for political Freedom. However, as reported in today’s article of the Sunday Tribune newspaper, their Northern Ireland editor Suzanne Breen, is coming under increasing pressure over this very issue! The above mentioned article explains why Ms. Breen won’t be succumbing to Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pressure to release documents, pertaining to her contact with members of the Real IRA. This follow’s last Monday’s demand by the PSNI for Suzanne Breen, to hand over vital journalistic documents pertaining to these interviews and have threatened legal action under the powers of the Anti Terrorism Act. On the incident involving the PSNI visit to her home Ms. Breen declared:

‘Detectives wanted my computer, disks, notes, phone, and any material relating to stories I’d written about the Real IRA … I was given three days to comply. If I didn’t, they’d seek a court order under the Terrorism Act. I won’t be complying’

~Suzanne Breen~

Ms Breen is well within her rights as a journalist to protect her sources as stipulated in (Point 7) of the National Union of Journalists' Code of Conduct . Also, according to these Codes Of Conduct, she has sole privilege to her unpublished notes and research. Ms Breen’s position has been fully endorsed by her union, editor and the newspaper
.
Freedom of Speech: Under the Spotlight

If our fledgling PSNI, were to pursue their threat of court action to in-force handover of Ms Breen’s documentation, this will not have been the first occurrence of a British police force attempting such action in the name of public safety!

One of the legal matters I am eluding to, is that of the court ruling in favour of Shiv Malik, controversial British journalist, on June 19th 2008. In brief, the Greater Manchester Police sought a court injunction for Malik , to hand over party of his interview notes for his forthcoming book on self-confessed former Islamic extremist, Hassan Butt. At the time of the ruling Mr Malik described the ruling as a ‘victory for common sense’.

Presiding over this case, Lord Justice John Dyson said:

"A balance has to be struck between the protection of confidential material of journalists and the interest of us all in facilitating effective terrorist investigations. It is for the court to strike that balance. It is for the police to satisfy the court that the balance should be struck in favour of making (the necessary) order."

This is currently a hotly debated subject as revealed by a recent poll in the Irish Times which narrowly (57% -vs-43%) favoured in support of maintaining journalistic integrity of their sources.

Suppression of ‘Freedom of Speech’; A World Perspective

Throughout the world there are numerous examples where journalists and reporters have been targeted in their line of duty. It has been recently estimated that an average of two journalists have been murdered every week during the last ten years.

These have included:

• Several BBC reporters have been seriously injured or killed in their line of duty, including, Kate Peyton , who was shot and killed in Mogadishu. Also, their conflict specialist reporter, Alan Johnson , whilst reporting in Gaza, was abducted for 114 days and then released, having conducted three years of independent reporting from that conflict zone.

• The United States, which is classed as having the world’s freest press, has had it’s reputation dented by several well-publicized court cases. U.S. reporters have been sent to jail for refusing to reveal the names of confidential sources. One such example is that of former New York Times reporter Judith Miller spending 85 days in jail for refusing to name sources

• The groundbreaking Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya , was shot and killed in the stairway of her Moscow apartment.

Her name, and others, have joined a growing international list of journalists murdered, injured, intimidated and prevented from doing their work in recent years.

‘Freedom of Speech’: Northern Ireland Context

In ALL former conflict zones, from war-torn Yugoslavia to areas of Central and South America, and Africa, it’s understood that independent journalistic institutions are an integral part of building, or rebuilding stable political structures and hence the broader civil society. Through much of The Troubles, Northern Ireland society was perched upon a trembling proverbial tight rope.

As a result, Northern Ireland, is considered the most politicised region in the world, with a deep sectarian and highly fractious history embedded in our culture. This embattled history as led to our peoples being much more politically aware within this British jurisdiction since the cease fire, hence the success and popularity of such websites as Slugger O’Toole.

Suzanne Breen has rose to prominence in Ireland through straight forward and factual investigative journalism on the recent upsurge in dissident Republican activity on this island. She can no way be accused of being an opportunistic, delusional sensationalist, on her reporting of rumblings of discontent within grass root Republicanism and it’s perceived implications on the ‘Peace Process’!  The Sunday Tribune northern editor reaffirmed she would take her sources

“to the grave”

after barrister Tony McGlennan — acting on behalf of the Chief Constable — successfully applied to give evidence in a closed court session.

However, this case is by no mean’s the first to be in the spotlight with regards to Northern Ireland. Ed Maloney, Liam Clarke and Kathryn Johnson have felt the wrath of the State for posing difficult questions on prevalent issues. All three brought cases for police encroachment and were duly vindicated.

One set of people who need no convincing about the positive potential of free and serious journalism are those who are against the building of open and peaceful societies. To them, free media represents a dangerous threat - precisely because of its potential to increase understanding and to stimulate new and fruitful debate!
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Never doubt the significant impact that accurate, impartial, independent journalism can make upon shaping the true perceptions that the outside world have of a country's political regime!

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Rebels Yell Tribute To Bobby Sands: Bobby, We Salute You!

On this day, the 7th May, 1981:

[Bobby Sands (Roibeard Gearóid Ó Seachnasaigh) 9 March 1954 – 5 May 1981]

Was laid in his final resting place……….

As I woke up this morning I felt a strange sense of apprehension! Upon making my obligatory cup of coffee and switched on my battle scared laptop, I sat patiently waiting for it to stutter into life open my portal to cyber world! As the home page for the rebels yell flashed into focus, I became hypnotically fixated upon one solitary image on my home page:

000 DAYS 00 HRS 00 MINS 00 SECS UNTIL BOBBY SANDS 28TH ANNIV.

But Why Now, I Asked Myself? I added this widget several weeks ago ( March 1st, 66 days in fact!) as a gentle reminder to myself and my readers of this immortal date and it’s significance for the cause.

As I starred blankly into the screen I unconsciously began quietly humming (as if driven by a primal gut instinct) the opening verse of the H- Block song!

‘I am a proud young Irishman

From Ulster's hill my life began

A happy boy through green fields ran

And I kept God's and man's laws

But when my age was barely ten

My country's wrongs were told again

By tens of thousands marching men

And my heart stared to their cause.’

~The H-Block Song~

Memories of those care free days growing up in this era came flooding back. As every juvenile Ógra Republican of that generation will tell you, learning and reciting Irish Republican Folk songs celebrating Ireland’s fallen heroes (& heroines), was intrically entwined into growing up! Growing up, these songs re-enforced a serine sense of pride, passion and support for our countrymen’s fight for cultural identity and ultimate Freedom.

I began to recollect snippets of that period of my childhood, when Bobby Sands both captivated and galvanised the mood of his people’s struggle. I remembered wakening up every morning for school, having breakfast around the kitchen table, with one ear finely tuned into the news bulletins from the wireless in the corner, waiting for any scrap of related news!

Why did Maggie

(NO!, NO!, NO!,)

Thatcher and the British government feel not one ounce of compassion to these brave men of Ireland? How were Bobby Sand’s and the other hunger strikers bearing up? And as the Hunger Strike intensified, How many men would have to give up their lives? Oh, cruel Britain when will they ever listen!

So I'll wear no convict's uniform

Nor meekly serve my time

That Britain might brand Ireland's fight

800 Years of crime

~The H-Block Song~

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Bobby Sands and his comrades used pen names,Marcella ,and a host of ingenious techniques to communicate their thoughts with the outside world. But this bureaucratic British Censorship of the Freedom of Speech was also imposed on the outside as well in various guises (e.g. Article 31). Are we again to bear witness to various guises of this infringement on basic human rights to rear it’s vile head today, I wonder?

Instead I have decided to focus from a personal point of view and draw upon my own atypical experiences and emotions from that time. Every Irish nationalist will definitely agree with me about the indelible imprint this left upon us all, as a generation. None of us can possibly fathom the personal inner conviction and self determination required to drive a man/woman to that ultimate sacrifice!

During that period of time from, 5th May to the 20th August 1981, nine more brave Irish men were to commit their lives to the Patriot Game. However, we can gain an invaluable insight into the inner most thoughts of a man, who gallantly lead his comrades into their final realm of this epic battle of wills! His diaries, which he compiled during the first 17 days of his fast for justice, express exactly this! The very first inserts recites as:

‘I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world. May God have mercy on my soul.’

~Bobby Sands~

The Hunger Strike

The role of the Hunger Strike has been both devisive and pivotal, through out Ireland’s, (as one nation!), quest for Freedom, Equality & Fraternity.
Between 1913-1920, over 1000 prisoners went on hunger strike alone. This was followed by consecutive IRA Hunger Strikes in 1920, 1923 and 1940. During the 1970’s Irish prisoner’s died on hunger Strike whilst being incarcerated in British prisons in England. This was followed by both the 1985-86 & 1995 INLA Hunger Strike’s.

The 1981 Hunger Strike itself was proceeded by the 1980 Hunger Strike and followed five years of the Blanket and No Wash protests in The Maze and Armagh prisons. They were seen as the final and unequivocal acts of defiance towards British stubbornness regarding the granting of Irish Political Prisoner’s status. Rather than delve to far into the complexities of this strategy, (because to try and afford them their the proper due consideration would only serve them an injustice), suffice to say that it effectively hinged on five simple but humanistic demands!!!!!:

The five demands were:
(1) No prison uniform;
(2) No prison work;
(3) Free association;
(4) Full remission;
(5) Visits, parcels, and recreational/educational facilities.

Bobby Sands: A Personal Reflection

If there is one person from history who embellishes the exponents of that famous biblical phrase;
‘all things to all men’,
~1 Corinthians 9:22 (King James Version)~

one person immediately springs to mind, Bobby Sands!

His eternal youth , will be enshrined in Irish Republican folklore. His conviction as a secular martyr to our Fight for Freedom, has elevated to similar status of such iconic figures as, Parnell, Pearse, Connolly, Wolfe Tone et al……. a freedom-fighting Irish Republican revolutionary and a martyr for OUR cause! To you and I, the local work classing lad, thrust into the world spotlight, to take a stance against an Imperialist regime. To the British Government of that day and Democratic and Ulster Unionists nothing but a mere common criminal and terrorist. To loyalists, a talismanic figure to be hated and scorned upon.

But most of all to me and my fellow constituents of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, he was OUR Member of Parliament , OUR martyr for the cause and above all OUR first voice against 800 years of Imperialist oppression

They say that Helen of Troy launched a thousand ships but to me on this day 7th May 1981. in Mill Town cemetery, Bobby Sands raised a Cead Mille Spearoid!

I will leave you to quietly contemplate and reflect upon on what Bobby Sand’s means to YOU with this final insert from his diaries:

[Ní bhrisfidh siad mé mar tá an fonn saoirse, agus saoirse mhuintir na hÉireann i mo chroí. Tiocfaidh lá eigin nuair a bheidh an fonn saoirse seo le taispeáint ag daoine go léir na hÉireann ansin tchífidh muid éirí ná gealaí.]

[They won’t break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show. It is then that we will see the rising of the moon.]

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