I’m no historian, but at 81 years old have survived some turbulent years of world history, I was fortunate to be born in Dublin then ruled by a rational, ethical, democratic national government following many centuries of foreign tyranny. That government, alone amongst those of nations represented at the League […]
SHOULD ANYONE GIVE A FIDDLER’S FOR THE IRISH TIMES VIEW? – by Donal Kennedy
During the War Between the American States a pompous General addressed reports to his Commander-in- Chief from “Headquarters in the Saddle.” Unimpressed, Abraham Lincoln asked an aide to tell the General that he had his Headquarters where his Hindquarters should be. Before the Internet it was common for American […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT THE MET POLICE APOLOGY, TRUMP AND E JEAN CARROLL, AND MONEY NORTH and SOUTH.
The Met police don’t seem to mind who they arrest and imprison – anyone objecting to the Coronation of King Charles was scooped and spent up to 18 hours in detention. Remind you of any now-defunct police force?? Are the DUP stuck up an alley of their own making – Mark Carruthers appears to have […]
How British propaganda worked in the case of the murder of Michael Leonard – by Joe McVeigh
Since 17th May 1973 when Michael Leonard (24yrs) from County Donegal was shot dead by the RUC, there have been 15 governments in office in Dublin -7 led by Fine Gael and 8 led by Fianna Fail. Until our recent meeting on Friday 24th February 2023 with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign […]
The south of Ireland’s health system
The south of Ireland spends a lot of money on health, – approximately €22 billion in 2021, or 10% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite all this investment, the health system is accurately diagnosed as being poor. One of the main reasons for poor performance is the underfunding of primary care. This has […]
Kissing – by Donal Kennedy
An American Democrat, Lyndon Johnson, never demanded that all his fellow-citizens grovel in his adoration. His test of loyalty for his partisan Texas supporters was that they kiss his posterior in the window of the Neiman Marcus Department Store in Dallas and swear that it smelt of roses. The (Protestant) Archbishop of Canterbury […]
Is the Crown a con?
The English monarchy is often seen as a symbol of national identity and pride. However, there are growing criticisms about the cost of maintaining the monarchy, which is primarily funded by taxpayers. The monarchy is estimated to cost the UK government around £345m each year, and while some argue that this cost is worth it […]
FLANAGANS’ BALLS – EIGHTY YEARS APART! – by Donal Kennedy
In 1943 Deputy Oliver Flanagan in Dail Eireann praised Hitler for how he was dealing with the Jews. At the time Ireland had a rational, ethical government, and I don’t think even one of the blue-shirted fascists on the Opposition benches gave Flanagan any support. Eighty years later Deputy […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT THE CORONATION, THE HEALTH SYSTEM, AND GAA PLAYERS AND GETTING LEGLESS
How was it for you? No, not that – the Coronation. Did you stand upright and tall and swear fealty to the king? Was the £250 million it all cost money well spent? The British people seem to think so. Why is it that in spite of spending huge sums on health, the south […]
Republicans and distraction
The attendance of Michelle O’Neill and Alex Maskey at the coronation of King Charles III has upset some republicans. They see it as a sell-out by Sinn Féin of all that republicanism is about. Some republicans have said they’ll never vote for Sinn Féin again because of it. For them and doubtless others, presence […]