, The UDR, the Ulster Defence Regiment, was initially a standard infantry unit established in April 1970 to support the RUC in ‘policing’ the North. It’s actually quite ironic that when one researches the UDR, 3 other separate entities show up with so much frequency that one could be forgiven for thinking they […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT CENSUS FIGURES &THEIR POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS, THE DEATH OF SCAP, AND BLUE LINES
THAT 2021census – why were we not given all the figures about a year ago? Anyway, we’ve recently had some interesting numbers: 42.3% of people in NEI are from a Catholic background, 30.5% from a Protestant background. That doesn’t mean the percentages translate into nationalist/unionist in all cases – but it’s always been a handy […]
CIVIL WARS, RECONCILIATION AND CONTINUATION – BY Donal Kennedy
The American Civil war ended with the surrender of the Confederates 158 years ago this month. But there has not yet been the reconciliation desired by the generous- hearted Lincoln. Murderous visceral hatred remains in many Southern States. The “Treaty” or “Civil” War in Ireland ended less than 19 years […]
PRESIDENT BIDEN GOES TO IRELAND:WAKE-UP CALL FOR AMERICANS – by Mike Cummings
AMERICAN BREXIT COMMITTEE 1919 CHESTNUT ST, SUITE 1724 PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19103 John M. Corcoran, Esq., Chairman President Biden will travel to Ireland to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (GFA): the key to the Northern Ireland (NI) peace process, the search for justice and restoration of democracy. As if attempting to […]
BIDEN VISIT , ABORTION AND FINTAN O’TOOLE – by Donal Kennedy
Sir, I read Fintan O’Toole’s column (15 April) with irritation as usual. The Irish Constitution was drafted neither in Rome nor Maynooth. It never enshrined Catholic law. Two instances refute the Princeton Professor’s contentions. Marriages contracted in accordance with Irish Law could be deemed null and void […]
Truth? Reconciliation? Where? – by Michael Lagan
Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill: A Bill to address the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles and promote reconciliation by establishing an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, limiting criminal investigations, legal proceedings, inquests and police complaints, extending the prisoner release scheme in the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, and […]
PONDERINGS OF A MELANCHOLIC – WITH APOLOGIES TO SEAN O COILEAIN (1754-1817) – by Donal Kennedy
August 15th, which the Catholic Church there, as in Ireland, designates a Holy Day. Unlike in Ireland the day is a Public Holiday in France. Name a day when Irish Catholics are required to attend Mass and you name a Public Holiday in France, Germany and Holland. Ireland needs Peter Kellner’s advice on […]
The Doom and Gloom of NI Unionism by Michael Lagan
It’s becoming blatantly clear that NI Unionism as a section of society is no longer fit for purpose in a modern NEI. It doesn’t fit in with the progressive, forward-looking place we are becoming. Statements such as – “So Long (referring to Naomi Long) is in Dublin with her SF/IRA and SDLP […]
FINLAND AND NATO -NO MODELS FOR IRELAND – by Donal Kennedy
Sir, Noel Murtagh (April 15) would have Ireland join NATO and cites Finland as a good example. In June 1942 when Hitler and his friends were well into their stride in murdering Jews, Russians and others, Finland was allied with the German Nazis. On 4th June Hitler was in […]
PAT+JUDE TALK ABOUT JOE BIDEN’S VISIT, RISHI SUNAK’S QUICKIE, AND WHY US PRESIDENTS AVOID ONE TOPIC
OK, let’s get real – there’s only one topic this week and that’s President Joe Biden’s visit to Ireland. In the north, his visit was short – but was it cool? Did he even semi-snub Rishi Sunak? And how close should the south get to the US – is there a danger that Irish warmth […]