Nichola Sturgeon has now got the numbers in the Scottish parliament to justify her calling an independence referendum. When will it happen? Will it ever happen, given that Boris Johnson is completely opposed to it? Closer to home, Steve Aitken has sung ‘My Way’ and retired as leader of the Ulster Unionists. That’s the leaders […]
May, 2021
Agh, Just Get On With It? Part 1 – by Michael Lagan
Depression is an awful affliction many people in society have to deal with. Sometimes it is manageable and sometimes it is downright debilitating to the point a person can’t even leave their bed. 12.6% of children and young people in the North experience common mood disorders such as anxiety and depression which is around 25% higher […]
The Times They Are A-changin’ – by Michael Lagan
“The DUP should be led from the centre, not the extremes” – Peter Robinson. Why do Unionist First Ministers neglect to clarify or act on thoughts like this when they’re actually in office instead of waiting until they’re out of office? Having said that, two months ago Mr. Robinson also wrote a piece for the […]
PAT + JUDE TALK ABOUT EOGHAN HARRIS AND THOSE ELECTIONS ON THURSDAY LAST
Eoghan Harris appears to have plunged to earth after a life-time of verbal bombing anyone connected to Irish nationalism in even the remotest way. His involvement in a fake twitter account has lost him his job as an Indo columnist. Should we cry for him, Argentina? Across the water, they’ve been busy having local elections […]
The blanket men and a man from America – by Mary Nelis
On Wednesday the 5th May, as I reflected on the 40th Anniversary of the death of Bobby Sands on hunger strike in Long Kesh, I received the news that John Elliott, a distant relative and a prominent Attorney at Law in Philadelphia, USA, had died. The death of anyone is a sad occasion but the […]
Saturday pics of the week – by Perkin Warbeck
What remains of the Majestic Theatre in The Strand, Sliema, Malta. Where once ‘King Lear’ strutted his stuff upon the stage, and then was heard no more. / An méid atá fágtha den Amharclann Majestic san Trá, Sllema, Malta.mar a bhíodh An Ri Lear agus gothai a chur air féin go mustrach agus nár […]
Poots Vs. Donaldson: The Brawl To Settle It All – by Donal Lavery
“What can you say to a man who tells you he prefers obeying God rather than men, and that as a result he’s certain he’ll go to heaven if he cuts your throat?” – Voltaire I used to doubt the existence of karma until Arlene Foster was deposed so publicly and with ruthless humiliation, as […]
A Leadership of Fools – by Michael Lagan
There is a disgraceful dereliction of duty taking place in and around political Unionism. The NI Protocol and the DUP leadership battle have brought the old Loyalism and Unionism to the fore. Once again the Orange Order have called for Stormont to be demolished and Unionist political ‘commentators’ are back to the rhetoric of militarism […]
Protecting British soldiers: Naomi and Colum don’t like it
OK, your starter: how many people did the British army kill during the Troubles? Yes, that’s right – 300. Some put it at 299, some at 301, but in the region of 300. Now, how many British soldiers were imprisoned for these killings? That’s an honest question – I don’t know the answer. But I’m […]
Bobby Sands and the 1981 Hunger strike 40 years on – Fra Hughes
Cell 8 of the Maze Prison Hospital in which IRA member Bobby Sands died after 66 days on Hunger Strike. Pictured on Tuesday, July 18, 2006. HM Maze Prison, also known as Long Kesh and the H-Blocks, held some of the most dangerous men in Europe during its 30 year operation. The prison closed in […]