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September 02, 2005
Blame the parents..?
TONY Blair has called for parents to take their responsibilities more seriously, as he launched a new drive against bad parenting and anti-social behaviour. As Tony knows all too well, you can't keep your eye on the kids all of the time (maybe he picked the wrong role model !), so he wants families to teach children to respect others. Closer to home, children are copping criticism from the Chief Constable for (allegedly) being involved rioting and sectarian attacks recently. August 27, 2005
A place apart, judicially...
AFTER the fiasco of loyalist "foot soldiers" escaping jail after they attacked an ice cream van that the UDA wanted protection money from, you might like to compare and contrast court action against similar crimes in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Local rioters rarely (ever?) get more than six months these days, but even after the sentences of some of the Bradford rioters were reduced a couple of years ago, they were still all longer than the average NI sentence - and you'd certainly never hear judges say this in Laganside courthouse. Here's a more recent example of how tribal violence is treated as a crime and not a recreational activity by courts in Great Britain - ten men involved in a violent attack on a Portuguese-run pub after England's defeat in Euro 2004 have been jailed for between eight and 18 months, the Beeb reports. Wouldn't happen here, oh no. Heck, do the clubs here even ban fans who attack other supporters? It's not like you even need an ASBO... July 20, 2005
Testing times for MoT centres...
TWO workers at a Co Antrim MoT vehicle testing centre have been suspended in a probe into "irregularities". This is not the first time I've heard of "irregularities" involving the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency. The DVTA promises impartial testing, but with stories surfacing about the manner in which some tests have been conducted, it begins to raise questions about the agency's ability to retain public confidence. If you have an MoT horror story, publish it in the comments - but read the note at the bottom first! [more] May 17, 2005
Fireman Hospitalised
A fireman is in hospital this morning recovering from injuries sustained when his crew was attacked in what may have been a pre-planned ambush by a group of yobs. Unison Breaking News reports Chris Kerry, the local commander - "He said people were using mobile phones to take photographs of last night's incident, which he described as "recreational violence where people are getting a sick pleasure" from attacking emergency workers." These sorts of attacks are a disgrace. [more] May 03, 2005
Double Standards ?
The Irish Independent reports,Support for 50,000 Irish illegals in US , that Catholic Church representatives and some FG politicians are in the USA lobbying for special treatment for Irish people breaking the law in the USA. [more] March 30, 2005
Disgraceful behaviour
UTV also reports that an arson attack in Derry has wrecked a new Renal unit being constructed at altnagelvin hospital. Damage is estimated at at least £250,000 and the opening of the dialysis unit will be considerably delayed, meaning that patients will have to continue to be treated at Omagh. It's difficult to comprehend the mentality of the people involved in this.How do we begin to address the issue of vandalism? March 16, 2005
McGuinness defends Sinn Fein...
IN case you missed it, here's Martin McGuinness on the BBC's Today programme yesterday, denying there was a threat in his "friendly advice" to the McCartneys. Justin Webb outlines the McCartney's US itinerary here. (Realplayer required) March 14, 2005
Online exclusive: Speech by Malachi O'Doherty
BELOW is a transcript of Malachi O'Doherty's speech to the Alliance Party conference at the weekend, in which he laments the death of democratic politics in Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, Alliance leader David Ford was strongly critical of the two governments' mismanagement of the peace process and reiterated calls for a voluntary coalition, and called on the IRA to disband or be disowned by Sinn Fein. [more] March 01, 2005
Charity Commissions begin somewhere else...
ONE little-reported story that I missed was that the Government is holding a consultation to review the administration of charities and relevant legislation in Northern Ireland. The lack of accountability in this area has been one of my bugbears for a few years, so while welcome, it's very, very late in the day and seems to have been prompted by an IMC report. But will a UK-style Charity Commission be enough to take on the scams in Northern Ireland? The Irish Government has also promised to examine the issue, though I've seen nothing. Cross-border co-operation would seem the sensible way to go towards enhancing accountability and preventing fraud. [more] February 26, 2005
First Cuckoo of Spring
How's this for "paddywhackery" in the Belfast Telegraph ? Plea for Paddy's Day holiday. Ghastly - forced "craic" and a girl in a shamrock bikini. Those interested in voting ? One small point. [more] February 19, 2005
Farce
Am I alone in finding the sentencing in serious crimes farcical ? I applaud the announcement that the UDA man convicted of killing Richard Hamill must serve at least 17 years for his terrible crime. It's tempting to suggest that life should mean life in cases such as these - Moore could end up being released at my age, in his fifties. But why should he through concurrency in effect receive no punishment for the other offences of which he was found guilty? UDA man must serve at least 17yrs. January 30, 2005
Peace drowning in 'moral quagmire'...
ANTHONY McIntyre asks why the IRA would consider going away when it is clear that there is more to gain by sticking around. What Seamus Mallon described the other week in the Commons as a "moral quagmire" has led some commentators to ask fundamental questions about the nature of the peace process, and how it is time to ditch the 'creative ambiguity' that allows such radically different interpretations of what was agreed to persist. [more] January 28, 2005
President says sorry...
PRESIDENT McAleese has apologised for her remarks on Morning Ireland. RTE reports: On RTÉ Radio, Mrs McAleese acknowledged that she had been clumsy in trying to make the point that people should try to end the legacy of sectarianism on both sides. She said she was devastated by the response to her remarks and expressed regret for not fully explaining herself. She added that she was deeply sorry for the hurt caused. [more] January 07, 2005
Ward Park
Saddened to hear of the dreadful atrocity in Ward Park, Bangor. My earliest memory is falling into the pond when I was about three chasing a duck. What should we do with the 'people' responsible for events like the Horror as vandals slaughter park birds ? All you need is love... Lindy McDowell on that centennary, that statue, that robbery and rightly pointing out that SF will be celebrating hatred. Rally round the flag, boyos, to celebrate 100 years of hate December 22, 2004
Coursing is barbaric.
Regardless of the rights and wrongs of fox-hunting- a fox killed 10 of our pet hens a couple of nights ago - and angling, I'm pleased to see that our environment minister Angela Smith has announced that: The temporary ban on the killing, taking or sale of Irish hares has been renewed in Northern Ireland. December 05, 2004
Humbug !
It's not often Ambrose agrees with the New York Times, but an avalanche of ghastly (and even more parochial than usual) advertisements on UTV recommending naff Shopping Centres and tacky catalogues full of over-priced crud to yokels has driven me close to the edge! Jingle Bell Schlock “If I hear "Frosty the Snowman" one more time, I'll rip his frozen face off.” With you all the way Maureen! [more] December 01, 2004
Blogging at it's best
The Guardian has to have the best blog entry ever. It's no good Jim, I'm cracking up, which has a link to William Shatner’s version of Rocket Man by Elton John. Who would have thought that there was worse out there than “Agadoo” ? November 29, 2004
Good Idea!
Sinn Fein call for consideration of legislation to limit the advertising of toys on TV November 17, 2004
It's about time
Belfast Telegraph reports that a house built without planning permission in a green belt has been destroyed. Home razed as legal case won by planners It has taken 5 years to achieve resolution. It is also disturbing that the planners had to justify the removal of this illegal building in order to have it removed. It’s illegality alone should have necessitated the removal. The article reports that the DoE is under increasing pressure to step up it’s enforcement activity, which is a good sign. However the department has rebuffed calls to criminalise those who refuse to obey the law. If we value our environment and heritage, it is time that unauthorised building and breaches of planning regulations were made criminal offences. |
Slugger O'Toole records news, commentary and diverse opinion on Northern Ireland. Produced by Mick Fealty News, tips or crits here: mick.fealty -at- gmail.com Topics a long peace?books Britain Conflict Culture Economy Education election 2003 Election 2005 Enviroment environment Europe Gaeilge Glossary Government Highlights Human Rights Humour International Manifesto Media Nationalism Negotiations Parties Policing Soapbox Society Sport the south unionism
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