22 Comments

• Joe Glackin | Feb 04, 2013, 01:47 AM EST

  The Agreement that was voted on, is not being implemented accordingly and all principles involved are ignored etc on various paragraphs. For example ,the OTR,s (on the runs).An amnesty was agreed for Loyalists and Republicans.The sentencing of Gerry McGeough for attempted murder in 1981. To add insult, it was circumstantial and a written note being evidence.He was allowed home due to the Amnesty and lived , worked , rearing his family around home for a number of years. He contested an election against Sinn Fein on issues of pro life,Catholic principles and Policing that was not part of the GFA. On the night of the count when it was announced ,he lost, his arrest followed and eventual sentence.This injustice speaks volumes regarding democracy.Marian Price got a Royal pardon and still interned under suspicion .The Royal pardon disappeared and British civil servants admitted it was issued. Strange they cannot issue another.When it appeared Marian would be released through no evidence an emergency bill was forced through called Selective , secretive ,evidence. Her democratic right of free speech against the GFA, Sinn Feins change of course and continued British rule has her interned. European human rights have called for her immediate release,m plus a number of free state politicians do likewise.Nearly all who were convicted for any Political crime have been released as theres little evidence. Understandably most have heard little on this as its all Govt censored media reporting. Any who oppose ,through free speech, contest an election, etc, are charged under this new bill. Then held for two or more years, released through lack of evidence .If your a noted committed public figure like Marian ,then you dont get out and are not sentenced. North Korea has a similar policy

• Joe Glackin | Feb 04, 2013, 01:42 AM EST

  Sinn fein won a landslide victory in 1918 due to the British reaction to 1916. Similarly Sinn Fein got off the ground after 1981 hunger-strike.If Sinn Fein had a strong Political organisation and support when the Sunningdale Agreement was being drafted and Britain wanted peace, it would have succeeded. The Unionists /loyalists sectarian bigots like Harry West ,Paisley etc wouldnt have it. If Britain wanted ,it could have been implemented there and then.It took more than 20 yrs for the GFA similar to Sunningdale to be voted /passed by the vast majority.Many atrocities and sufferings could have been averted.It wasnt Britains intention as they allowed the Masonic controlled Protestants to bring Sunningdale down. The GFA was passed through democratic and correct procedure. The DUP etc said they would take their seats to destroy the agreement.This has happened as can be plainly seen by present day injustices against Irish Republicans or any that oppose Sinn Fein. What we were sold is not what is being implimented. I cannot say what gun was held to Sinn Fein in the secrecy of Weston park etc.Nor do I believe Sinn Fein sold out as such. But by their present lack of actions on various issues they proclaim ,speaks volumes. Britain,s rotten deception is still thriving and the goodwill created by Mo Molem etc have been dishonored.The British /DUP are in control. Theres no argument at present to support the democratic result in 1997 as an excuse against any who oppose, SinnFein or GFA. Democracy ensures and maintains civil and human rights to all including opposition .Its administration is of integrity , equality, justice and free speech.This does not apply to the British Governance of our six counties nor a democratic will by any vast majority vote regarding all Ireland or free State concerning G F A.

• IrelandNorth | Feb 03, 2013, 06:20 AM EST

  Sinn Fein won a landslide victory in the election of 1918, a democratic mandate for secession for all of Ireland from the British union. Neither partition nor the original constitutional sleight of hand called the Act of Union were remotely democratic by conventional standards. If it's a crime to be a democratic, then most of us are criminals. If arguing for reunification is subversive, then some of us are terrorists. It's all in the semantics.

• IrelandNorth | Feb 03, 2013, 06:20 AM EST

  Sinn Fein won a landslide victory in the election of 1918, a democratic mandate for secession for all of Ireland from the British union. Neither partition nor the original constitutional sleight of hand called the Act of Union were remotely democratic by conventional standards. If it's a crime to be a democratic, then most of us are criminals. If arguing for reunification is subversive, then some of us are terrorists. It's all in the semantics.

• IrelandNorth | Feb 03, 2013, 06:20 AM EST

  Sinn Fein won a landslide victory in the election of 1918, a democratic mandate for secession for all of Ireland from the British union. Neither partition nor the original constitutional sleight of hand called the Act of Union were remotely democratic by conventional standards. If it's a crime to be a democratic, then most of us are criminals. If arguing for reunification is subversive, then some of us are terrorists. It's all in the semantics.

• Joe Glackin | Feb 02, 2013, 11:37 AM EST

  DanOLoingsigh,Im from outside Enniskillen and only sick evil people can justify this or any atrocity.In war all sorts of acts are committed purposely or accidental.The Unit behind the Eniskillen bomb were disbanded and this is common knowledge.If everyone in history did, as you feel is right, all of Ireland would still be under British rule. In 1916 very few supported the Easter Rising ,as it was seen to be a minority national militant volunteers. The Irish Independent called for their Leaders immediate execution. John Redmond ,Tom Kettle etc were already leading 20,000 Irish Nationalist Volunteers fighting for Britain in France. They were deceived into being granted home for supporting the British Army. Eoin mc Neill was a leader opposed to the Rising. Some people spat on captured Rebels leaving the GPO.The vast majority of people were against armed struggle in 1916.Today its seen as the real beginning of Irish freedom. Do you, Dan ,believe 1916 was wrong. Today its fairly well accepted that militant Republicanism is no longer an option. In 1968/69 when we marched for civil rights and were being murdered by RUC, B specials Loyalist gangs ,should all have stopped.Stay as discriminated abused people. An armed struggle was needed and could have been stopped by Britain. Events lead to 30 years of many wrongful deaths.Who created this war.You should know the answer.30 years of war for what was gained today was,nt worth it. Too many victims ,for what. British wrongs again started all this. They have never treated or respected Irelands right to freedom.Today they still dont and are creating situations where some believe in a minority armed struggle like 1916.Writing and condemning British Policy regarding Ireland would be more effective than ridiculing Irisdh armed struggle.

• DanOLoingsigh | Feb 02, 2013, 06:12 AM EST

  Car bombs on public streets are not myths…be they streets in Dublin, Warrington or Enniskillen… only naïve apologists for sectarian conflict continue to claim otherwise.

• DanOLoingsigh | Feb 01, 2013, 05:51 PM EST

  Events such as Enniskillen – 10 civilians including 7 senior citizens killed, and Warrington, a 3 year old and a 12 year old killed, are no myths. After Warrington, thousands demonstrated against the IRA in Dublin, and signed a book of condolence at the GPO. The Irish people consistently rejected the so-called ‘armed struggle’…and enshrined it in the constitution…but naïve apologists for violence continue to claim otherwise.

• curtisjohnson | Jan 31, 2013, 10:08 PM EST

  The lie that the IRA targeted civilians recycled again and again. Of course, the british terror state has targeted unarmed civilians for centuries – even Churchill advocated using poison gas against “brown” people. Dano recycles this lie with the “democracy” myth as if the statelet was created or sustained as the result of any type of democratic process – it was created under the threat of the launch of a modern war machine against a defenceless populace to compound the already existing terrorism of the black and tans. Of course, the Irish people had already voted for unity.

• seamus60 | Jan 31, 2013, 02:03 PM EST

  Portia. Who has said her contribution to the BC interviews was related to her death ?

• seamus60 | Jan 31, 2013, 05:01 AM EST

  Joe Glacken. Well said of the brave sisters. A bravery that very few now reaping the most could ever lay claim to, not that the sisters have ever sought recognition for that, but rather what it was always about. We only have to look at the winners in the BC interviews, Adams faultering credability as a Republican got a boost, in that he was and still is such, the brits are determined to nail him. Even though they didn`t bother their ass all the times they could have, with real life witness`s ( supergrass`s) who were all deemed competent by the same brits. Goverments who have a fear of whistle blowers returning from theatres of war may also have been deterred from such activity.

• seamus60 | Jan 31, 2013, 04:42 AM EST

  Dan. Its just a pity the people of Ireland didn`t vote to change the Proclamation, would have solved a lot of problems. Then again it would have meant the Republican leadership better representing Republicanism rather than just buying into Sunningdale for slow learners.

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 31, 2013, 03:59 AM EST

  Those who still believe that trying to bomb your fellow countrymen and women into your way of thinking is a patriotic duty, need to remember that the democratic will of the vast majority on the island of Ireland is to resolve matters by peaceful means…those who act against that democratic will, and their apologists who encourage from a safe distance, are no patriots…

• Joe Glackin | Jan 31, 2013, 12:03 AM EST

  Up to 100 years ago Gaelic was spoken in the Islands of Monserrat.They were known as the Black Irish and were descended from widows and orphans Cromwell sent. Many Irish were sold into slavery to the West Indies after Cromwell's conquest and others followed in lesser numbers after 1798 rebellion. Alex Hailey author of Roots traced his maternal great great grandfather to Co Monaghan.Sad but true.

• WoundedKnee | Jan 30, 2013, 11:44 PM EST

  Pilib: "Their offspring maintained the Gaelic language in the Caribbean."??? I don't believe that. GIve us some evidence.

• Joe Glackin | Jan 30, 2013, 11:35 PM EST

  What the Price sisters endured through brutal abuse and Marian still, is beyond reproach. Any that know of their family history which lead the girls into a life of unbelievable Patriotic duty would admire them. Their resilience is astounding. Dolores was not well for a number of years due to the post traumatic effects from prison abuses.The Boston tapes credibility regarding statements would not be taken as evidence in a court of law due to Dolores mental health.It would do people better to read up on their lives before making judgement. Heres a factual part of their imprisonment ,that came from a prison officer who couldnt live with his conscience. He believed that by their physical treatment being force fed lead to unbelievable mouth ulcers and infections.When the feeding wasnt a success, the screws would take out their frustration by giving beatings ,sexual assaults .He believed Rape also was committed. They remained resilient to this very day.Dolores said and it wasnt denied that the procedure was as follows......Four male prison officers tie you into the chair so tightly with sheets you can't struggle. You clench your teeth to try to keep your mouth closed but they push a metal spring device around your jaw to prise it open. They force a wooden clamp with a hole in the middle into your mouth. Then, they insert a big rubber tube down that. They hold your head back. You can't move. They throw whatever they like into the food mixer – orange juice, soup, or cartons of cream if they want to beef up the calories. They take jugs of this gruel from the food mixer and pour it into a funnel attached to the tube. The force-feeding takes 15 minutes but it feels like forever. You're in control of nothing. You're terrified the food will go down the wrong way and you won't be able to let them know because you can't speak or move. You're frightened you'll choke to death .

• pilib04 | Jan 30, 2013, 07:05 PM EST

  cillowen, escaped irish slaves intermarried with escaped african slaves in the Caribbean. Their offspring maintained the Gaelic language in the Caribbean.

• cillowen | Jan 30, 2013, 06:44 PM EST

  Did you know about Irish slavery? It seems that Irish slavery has escaped many texts, and therefore the entire education of many. Surprised to learn that there were Irish Slaves in the Caribbean? The reign of Elizabeth I, English privateers captured 300 African Negroes, sold them as slaves, and initiated the English slave trade. Few people know that the majority of Slaves in the Carribean, during the 17th Century, were actually Irish

• Portia_O'Neill | Jan 30, 2013, 06:24 PM EST

  Did Dolores participate in a bombing? Apparently so, yet she was later freed. There's no disputing she was a revolutionary patriot of some sort but the state would be negligent if they hadn't kept close watch on her after she was released. It's unfortunate her disclosures to researchers at Boston College led to her death.

• seamus60 | Jan 30, 2013, 04:48 PM EST

  Marian should be released from DETENTION is a far cry from his old one of END INTERNMENT. Says it all about his bogus sincerity.

• pilib04 | Jan 30, 2013, 01:44 PM EST

  Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD commenting on the death today of Dolours Price said: “I want to express my profound sadness at the news of the death of Dolours Price. "I want to extend my sincere condolences to her family and especially to her two sons, Danny and Oscar, and her sister Marian. Marian should be released from detention.” "I have known Dolours for a very long time. She endured great hardship during her time in prison in the 1970s enduring a hunger strike which included force feeding for over 200 days. "In more recent years she has had many personal trials. "I am sure all of those who knew Dolours will be very sad at the news of her death. "Go ndeanfaidh Dia trocaire uirithi.”

• Searlit | Jan 30, 2013, 11:37 AM EST

  It's terribly sad. A peaceful resolution is what stands between violence and progress. Hasn't it been a hard struggle to get that far in NI.