Malachi is a great read and his absence from the BT will lessen it considerably. NI needs independent minded lucid minded commentators that don't run like the herd, or bleat with the flock - and Malachi fits the bill admirably.

David

Don't you agree that while Malachi is a fair writer it's in the main both unoriginal and predictable by and large ? This is far from scientific of course but if a guy in the pub expressed opinions like he does week in week out I'd have thought him a bit of a bore to be absolutely honest.

Ironic that with the 'CIRA' blastbombing, that SFPIRA now face the same problem as the Civil Rights movement: The incompatability of non-violent direct action with the use of military style armaments on the streets.

Wasn't it fortuitous that the MP for Mid Ulster happened to be in a small village in North Antrim on the 12th of July, just as there happened to be a protest against a lodge driving through the village. Nicely stage-managed boys. I don't think anyone noticed.

I'm sorry did you say a protest against driving through a village?? What village and what was the background? I can in many circumstances understand the protests against marches and bands but driving?? Seems a little pathetic of course I don't have all the facts..yet.

"Malachi is a great read and his absence from the BT will lessen it considerably. NI needs independent minded lucid minded commentators that don't run like the herd, or bleat with the flock - and Malachi fits the bill admirably"....

As if Malachai didn't have enough troubles on his plate - David Vance(gaurd)'s ringing endorsement will surely hasten his journalistic demise.

I still can't believe the Telly's dropped Malachi.
He's the only one of their columnists I always make a point of reading.

It was Dunloy, Dessertspoon. The lodge gathered at the hall to then drive to the church (through the village) to lay a wreath before heading on to the main parade. I think they play a tune or 2 at the church as well. It would've all been over by 10am, well before many of the 'villagers' would even be out of bed on a public holiday.

Thanks Sinead - Seems like the "villagers" were being a little over zealous. Do you think they had time to sharpen their pitch forks and light their torches?!

Why are "villagers" described in inverted commas- was there something strange about them?

Whats the normal public holiday getting out of bed time of a "villager " (or even a 'villager')?

Are they bad people e.g. pitchforks and lighted torches?

Do they find it hard to see where they are going in broad daylight or what ?

Are "villagers" blind or going so -literally or metaphorically ?

So many questions..so little time .. gotta dash

Ooh, ooh ... a tawdry bandwagon is going by, and I can't resist the urge to jump on!

As we film buffs know, "villagers" carry pitchforks in order to attack the castle, usually at night, hence the torches. If you require tutoring, see Inspector Kemp from Young Frankenstein, or listen to his advice that A riot is an ugly sink.

Why are "villagers" described in inverted commas- was there something strange about them?

Maybe the author is doubting that the protesters were actually Dunloy villagers and suggesting that they might have been a rent-a-mob from other towns or villages?

Willow,
Thought as much -just checking!

Does Davey Tweed live in Dunloy ?

Willowfield

Why would you, or we, or any one else vaguely in touch of the commodity of reason, and I genuinely do say this with respect to the people who live/work there, give a toss about the state of affairs of the hamlet of Dunloy, whether on the twelfth, or any other day of the year ?

Wichser

I guess because events there may have implications for events elsewhere.