Category: Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Royal Family, United KingdomLeave a comment

Remember, Remember, the fifth of November… amazingly not in Northern Ireland

Michael McFarland Campbell

Growing up in Northern Ireland with an English mother (I know, we all have crosses to bear) and an Ulsterman as a father leads to some interesting debates about what we celebrate in the house. Around our family home in Ballymena there was a great sense of community when my brothers and I were under ten and most of the local families had children under 18. We used to have a community bonfire around this time of year. You know the sort of thing, one family brings toffee apples, someone else actual toffee, others fudge, others sandwiches, others cups of … Continue reading Remember, Remember, the fifth of November… amazingly not in Northern Ireland

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Justice, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, PSNILeave a comment

“known to police”: the whole truth?

Michael McFarland Campbell

In East Tyrone Magistrates Court yesterday a phrase was used by a detective constable in a bail hearing that has my brain considering whether this is correct or not. The defendant was arrested at the scene of the finding of some ammunition and a holdall containing a revolver in a car in which he claims he was being taken to be a victim of a “so-called punishment shooting”*, lying face down on the back seat with a blanket over his head. His solicitor said, bail should be permitted as his client had no previous record. Yet the detective constable replied: … Continue reading “known to police”: the whole truth?

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APNI, catholic, christian, DUP, Education, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics4 Comments

either a farce or we’ve moved very far indeed

Michael McFarland Campbell

Reading the news about the First Minister’s comments about integrated education in Northern Ireland has got me thinking. It really isn’t that long ago since I spoke in a debate, nay, I seconded the motion, at Alliance Party Conference in the Dunadry Hotel, in 2009. The motion was proposed by Alliance Youth, – I was only just a member back then (before being kicked out for being too old). The proposal was that the State should withdraw funding from schools that don’t withdraw religious control on them. In other words, to create a State education sector that was truly integrated, … Continue reading either a farce or we’ve moved very far indeed

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Belfast, DUP, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Sinn Féin1 Comment

stop the cuts, make some cuts… make up your mind Sinn Féin

Michael McFarland Campbell

Good to see that the all-Ireland political entity known as Sinn Féin is using joined up campaigning. On one side of the border that they now recognise (cf Belfast Agreement) people are being encouraged to join with Gerry Adams and protest the cuts – see poster… Whilst in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin is saying that they want to make savings cuts worth £1billion and make £800 million in revenue. According to Eamonn Mallie, the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness said (on tackling the economy) Let us have a bit of blue sky thinking – thinking outside the box. Mr Mallie … Continue reading stop the cuts, make some cuts… make up your mind Sinn Féin

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Environment, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics3 Comments

councils delay has gone to Poots

Michael McFarland Campbell

By now we should be well down the road for reorganisation of the local district councils in Northern Ireland from the 26 current district councils to the 11 council model. Sadly for some, though better for actual local democracy and relation of councillor to constituent, this has not happened. According to the BBC, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots, of the DUP, said that he remained committed to reforming local government Committed to reforming local government he may be, but not committed to bringing forward the legislation necessary to enable this to be done. For Mr Poots has … Continue reading councils delay has gone to Poots

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Ballyclare, Justice, news, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, PSNILeave a comment

we must not let the thugs take us back in time

Michael McFarland Campbell

Northern Ireland for the relatively uninformed people of the rest of the United Kingdom is peaceful. Or so they think. Last night, a police officer was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury in Ballyclare, County Antrim. He was on a routine patrol. He has subsequently been released. Some time later, other police vehicles and officers were attacked by petrol bombs. Who are these attackers? They are masked men thugs. Thugs who hide behind masks rather than showing their faces. Thugs who know that the vast majority of Northern Irish society is not behind them. But they seem intent … Continue reading we must not let the thugs take us back in time

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Belfast, dissidents, news, Newspapers, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, RepublicanLeave a comment

combining stories makes a better read…

Michael McFarland Campbell

On page 16 of the Final Edition of the paper copy of today’s Belfast Telegraph there is a story by Deborah McAleese about how Colin Duffy was led into the dock at the Coleraine Magistrates Court looking dishevelled with a sports jacket scarely covering his bare torso Mr Duffy’s solicitor told the court that his client had been forcibly strip-searched and his shirt cut from his body by prison officers as he left HMP Maghaberry that morning… Following on from yesterday’s post about how newspapers could do better, I would argue that the following information from a story by Victoria … Continue reading combining stories makes a better read…

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