Only weeks after the “historic” Stormont House Agreement, the Assembly Executive hit another bump in the road, with Sinn Féin withdrawing support for the programme of attacks of benefits known as welfare “reform”.
Read More »Northern Ireland
Hooded men: State brutality under the spotlight
By Daniel Waldron On the basis of new evidence having come to light, the Irish government has agreed to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights to reopen the case of the ‘Hooded Men’. These fourteen men were interned without trial in 1971 and subjected to horrific abuse – termed “deep interrogation” – at Ballykelly army base. None of ...
Read More »“Conscience” Clause enshrines homophobia into law
By Kevin Henry The attempt by the DUP to amend Northern Ireland’s equality laws to allow religious business owners to refuse services to LGBT customers if it is “facilitating” an act against their religion is an attempt to enshrine a right to discriminate into law. This attempt to drive society backwards would make it perfectly acceptable under the law for ...
Read More »Agreeing Not To Agree, Again – The Stormont House Agreement
By Michael Cleary On December 23rd the five Executive parties and the British and Irish governments signed off on the “Stormont House Agreement”. The Agreement came at the end of eleven weeks of intense negotiations which concluded with 30 hours of continuous talks. First Minister Peter Robinson has stated that the agreement is “a monumental step forward”. Deputy First Minister ...
Read More »Northern Ireland: Draft Budget is a neo-liberal programme of austerity
The passing of the Draft Budget by the Stormont Executive has blown apart the pretense of opposition to cuts by the politicians in the Assembly. By voting for the Draft Budget, the DUP and Sinn Féin are agreeing to make horrific cuts to vital services at a time when they are needed most.
Read More »Cover up exposes paramilitarism – justice for Maíria Cahill
Just like the Catholic Church and the Irish and British States before them, Sinn Féin and the IRA have been exposed for covering up sexual abuse in order to protect its own members and their organisation.
Read More »Paisley’s legacy: peace or bloody division?
How will Ian Paisley, who has died at the age of 88, be remembered? As the firebrand preacher who stoked the fires of conflict in Northern Ireland or as a peacemaker and the partner in government of Martin McGuinness? Many people struggle to make sense of what appear to be entirely contradictory phases in his life. Most of the media, ...
Read More »Gerry Conlon – victim of capitalist repression & fighter
The death of Gerry Conlon in Belfast has been met with mass sympathy across the world as people are reminded of the vile injustice of the British capitalist state against the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven.
Read More »North: Elections show mass disillusionment with main parties
The local and European elections in Northern Ireland has shown a deep disillusionment with the main parties and what constitutes politics.
Read More »Northern Ireland: Thousands rally against violent racism
Pastor’s “Satanic” anti-Muslim comments defended by First Minister
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