142 Comments

• Thomas84 | Oct 03, 2012, 04:35 PM EDT

  Go on jerry, save us from the corrupt people running the place , you are the nations only hope. Dont mind all the unionists bad mouthing you. More and more people are supporting sinn fein every day and most are praying for your victory.

• leahkinsella | Jul 14, 2012, 03:08 PM EDT

  No way. it will never happen unless his followers cheat their way. Sinn Fein want to take over the Republic and turn it into a Marxist state. It's a horrific thought. He would not be trusted with his background. He belongs in West Belfast and it's time he went back there.

• seamus60 | Jun 28, 2012, 12:13 PM EDT

  Rose. the peace is being bought and its not the ordinary people who sacrificed the most who are getting anything out of it. Apart from their criminal record for political offences SF now use against them when not prepared to tow the party line. No one from SF would turn up for a protest by these families to City hall in Belfast last Saturday. Says it all. Still ruling by fooling.,

• rosegibson | Jun 28, 2012, 10:24 AM EDT

  I think the Queen should not have shook hand with McGuinness,him and his comrade's gave the orders to kill Lord Montbatten, McGuinness and Adams are reformed terrorist, who changed their way of life for financial gain,how many houses do each of them own, yesterday I thought has McGuinness spared a thought for all the young men and woman who were sent out on McGuinness's orders to bomb, kill and maim innocent people in Derry, also a lot of these volunteers were also killed, I am sure these victims were turning in their graves at McGuinness meeting the Queen, If Gerry Adams ever becomes leader of our Government, I will emigrate to another European Country, I am an Irish Catholic who condenmms all the atrocities committed by the Provo's in the past, the two of them a living the high life now,

• Bythebay | Jun 27, 2012, 12:09 PM EDT

  NYCsheridan, right back at you -- a dinosaur, fraud and bar fly in the Bronx is you.

• Bythebay | Jun 27, 2012, 12:06 PM EDT

  sirpeter, on welfare in the US. The Anglo Irish Treaty was effective in 1922. Go shopping with your food stamps.

• Bythebay | Jun 27, 2012, 12:03 PM EDT

  NYCsheridan, needs serious remedial literacy, reads whatever she wants into what's said. The most recent citizenship ceremony in Ireland include immigrants from 105 countries.

• Bythebay | Jun 27, 2012, 11:57 AM EDT

  ancavker, you obviously never learned Irish history there in the US. Collins signed away Northern Ireland, called the Anglo Irish Treaty.

• seamus60 | Jun 13, 2012, 03:48 PM EDT

  Sirpeter. It is the caliber of many good republicans accounts that can`t be ignored. Enjoy.

• sirpeter | Jun 12, 2012, 08:56 PM EDT

  seamus60.I have decided to do a little reading and research on this Blanket site.I'll let you know honestly what I think.I don't just skip through what is been written.I like to take my time so I can separate the bullsh*t from the fact.

• seamus60 | Jun 12, 2012, 07:02 PM EDT

  Seano. I never inferred that Adams let on to have himself shot. He was shot, With a Magnum 44 only the rounds had been doctored by FRU who actually supplied the weapon to the loyalists for the attack. You really should do a little reading from "The Blanket" site.

• seamus60 | Jun 12, 2012, 06:51 PM EDT

  IrelandNorth. I am atempting to impunge no one, Gerry has done that himself. It hardly requires forensic skills either to extract the simularities between Adams and Brady. There as blatant as the fact that some can not see them through what must be called BLIND loyalty. As for the location of these dirty deeds followed by dirtier cover ups. Does it matter ? The victims were inocent children. Why would I bring up members of any other party, more so when the chance of them becoming anything relevant in the 26 are slim to say the least. Is the article not about Adams ? Are you another one with the attitude of they can`t be worse than what went before. Maybe you unlike the others asked can point out all the great achievements of SF since the ceasefires. Excluding the only 2 I know. Them stopping war and getting rich.

• sirpeter | Jun 12, 2012, 11:38 AM EDT

  Deano!!Get away from the computer and go to bed.You have school in the morning.

• esatdigiwank | Jun 12, 2012, 10:23 AM EDT

  Fianna Fail - they've not gone away you know!

• ancavker | Jun 12, 2012, 10:14 AM EDT

  bytheBORE: If you are going to opine on Irish history, you should at least have your facts straight. Collins as sir peter noted did not sign away the six counties it was already done. The Irish civil war was never about partition, as it was assumed by the Irish to be a temporary situation that for the most part would have been addressed by the boundary commission.

• NYCsheridan | Jun 11, 2012, 08:44 PM EDT

  Bythebay is always fond of stating that the country is being populated by Folks from other European countries...in fact that's the only thing the idiot has ever gotten right. Now justimagine....I wonder if all the Poles moving in will want a unified and Catholic Ireland? LOL careful what ya wish for, eh?

• sirpeter | Jun 11, 2012, 08:29 PM EDT

  Bythebay.The Government of Ireland Act 1920 was the Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which partitioned Ireland.The Parliament of Northern Ireland came into being in JUNE 1921.Negotiations between the British and Irish negotiating teams produced the Anglo-Irish Treaty and concluded on 6 DECEMBER 1921.How could Michael Collins signed away Northern Ireland when it was already partitioned against the will of the Irish people ya thick internet Billy troll.Do you EVER get anything right? You don't even know your own history.

• NYCsheridan | Jun 11, 2012, 08:21 PM EDT

  Bythebay, you are a dinosaur. And a fraud.

• Bythebay | Jun 11, 2012, 05:07 PM EDT

  Those of you in the US and elsewhere, you cannot coerce either Ireland or Northern Ireland to do anything. Germany did not sign away East Germany, they were forcibly divided by their conquerors including the US. Ireland eg. Michael Collins signed away Northern Ireland. They are not in the slightest comparable. Neither Ireland nor Northern Ireland has evidenced any wish for a United Ireland. You're wishful thinking.

• ancavker | Jun 11, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT

  sirpeter: You are right on German reunification, and nobody asked the East Germans if they wanted it, it was just assumed it was, and it was the right thing to do. Reunifying the island of Ireland is also the right thing to do.

• IrelandNorth | Jun 11, 2012, 05:55 AM EDT

  Seamus60! Scrolling back through your posts and protracted correspondence with SirPeter, I note in your apparent attempt to impugne the integrity of the Rt Hon Deputy Adams MP MLA TD you hold him responsible for a dysfuntional family/sibling/society-of-origin. You then forensically link that with clerical child sexual abuse in the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church. And then clinically link both with his County Louth constituency. One could bring up the domestic difficulties of the Rt Hon First Minister and financial indiscretions of prominent DUP Assembly/Executive MPs/MLAs. Fortunately, those of us in the 26 counties don't do the politics of pessimism/negativity. Are your sure your not Billy90? We can talk peace or we can talk war. No doubting which is the more constructive.

• IrelandNorth | Jun 11, 2012, 05:40 AM EDT

  Seamus60! Scrolling back through your posts and protracted correspondence with SirPeter, I note in your apparent agenda to impugne the integrity of the Rt Hon Deputy Adams, MP MLA TD

• sirpeter | Jun 10, 2012, 08:06 PM EDT

  seamus60.I can see you're softening lol..Not!! I think that's the best thing.Vote for somebody else.Vote for a prod and move to a prod area.They always had it better anyway and I guess they still do.The country has been broken since partition.Disunity breeds disunity.Look at German reunification.Twenty years later and they are ruling Europe again.You didn't see the younger generation calling their politicians a bunch of Nazi's.Which they were at one time.On this island we can't even get a million people who lived here for 300 years to be Irish.They are most definitely been fooled.But the shame is on all of us.I believe reunification is best for this island.The sooner the better and I'll continue to vote Sinn Fein because that's what they want too.On British passports it says United Kingdom of Great Britain AND Northern Ireland.Why not just The Kingdom of Great Britain? Because they know it was never theirs.

• seanomelb | Jun 10, 2012, 07:51 PM EDT

  In a previous you alluded that Adams was somehow involved in a "pretend shooting) of himself. You are correct that not all was delivered by Sinn Fein and a substantial part of the republican base is disillusioned by the outcome of the GFA. As you live in the north maybe you should work from within Sinn Fein to change the emphasis. Although I live in Australia I am aware that Adams failed to deliver.After all he gained the presidency of Sinn Fein in a clever coup displacing Ruari O bradaigh, maybe one good turn deserves another.But for the moment he's the best we've got.

• seamus60 | Jun 10, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT

  Seano. please explain what doesn`t make sense to you, apart from that you appear to think I implyed Gerry was injured by blanks. I am actually that unhappy I vote for some one else rather than play about with a magnum.

• seamus60 | Jun 10, 2012, 02:24 PM EDT

  Sir peter. He not only kept quiet but allowed his brother to work at various locations as a youth worker in direct contact with children. Brady allowed the same for the priests in his family. I agree with you that acts carried out during the troubles were up the left with the differance that i can`t imagine the deaths of children a result of intent. Regardless Gerry had a hand in that as well, only he`s not responsable for any of that, or is he ? Finally you appear to be contented with people in Gov applying the same as they always have to the ordinary person. I however believe when somethings broke, fix it and expect better. I wouldn`t dare run as a republican against SF. Gerry Mc Geough is testiment to that. I do gladdly vote for some one else. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

• seanomelb | Jun 09, 2012, 07:59 PM EDT

  Seamus your bitter and twisted post makes no sense if you're so unhappy you can borrow the 44 magnum and pretend to shoot yourself as it appears to shoot blanks just like your posting.

• sirpeter | Jun 09, 2012, 05:32 PM EDT

  seamus60.I think I gave my opinion.Seamus it seems the world still want Gerry there.Gerry might have kept his mouth shut.But I can understand why just the same as I understand why mothers and families keep their mouths shut when it comes to pedophiles in the family.He was an important man when it came to the peace process too.He was not the pedophile and as I said before I'm not qualified to judge a mans decision.I don't have difficulty coming to terms with that at all.After 30 years of killing and violence in NI releasing men that killed was part of the GFA.You say pedophiles are the lowest of the low.Well the reality is blowing children up and maiming them or killing their parents is a lot worse.I don't condone abusing kids.But the violence,death and fear in NI was also abusive to thousands of kids caught up in it.Gerry helped stop the war and as far as I'm concerned that man need not deliver anything else.If you are not happy with Sinn Fein then vote for someone else or RUN yourself.As for money not filtering down,there's nothing new in that.

• seamus60 | Jun 09, 2012, 09:42 AM EDT

  Sirpeter. 5 Supergrass`s could prove that Adams and Mc Guinness were provo leaders. Yet neither were arrested whilst everyone around them were. That was way before operation Tauris.

• seamus60 | Jun 09, 2012, 09:36 AM EDT

  ancavker. There is plenty of money getting pumped into West Belfast but its not filtering down to the most needy. The biggest industry we have now is community groups, theres one on every street corner, manned by johnny come lately yesmen in return for a very substantual salary. Most involved in the kick back scheme to the party for earners above the average industrial wage. A job advertised in Derry last week for one of the groups was for a cordinater. Sal=£37,000, Hours Mon to Fri = 10am till 2pm. Nice work if you can get it. No one bothers to apply anymore as the jobs already taken by one of those yesmen up above. The prisons released republicans with Degree`s falling out of their ears. They should`nt have wasted their time. They can`t get relevant employment due to their (CRIMINAL) record. The one they didn`t know they would have. They won`t get it either from these groups if their not on the SF wish list. I would like to point out that this is not a slurr on all community groups, some of them are genuine and do wonderfull work, even though they are gagged to a degree for fear of next years funding.

• seamus60 | Jun 09, 2012, 09:10 AM EDT

  Sirpeter. I have been an active republican and supporter of SF from my teens. I have always debated (argued) on behalf of their aspirations. However since they have entered Gov that has changed, not by my doing but theirs. Why would i speak negatively of the DUP when they are doing a better job of representing their voters and still able to cream off the top. It is they who wish to invoke the status quo. When they stop doing a better job than SF it will be time for their side to slate them. I asked you earlier what achievements SF have to their portfolio in 18 years. Your reply was the right one. They have stopped making war. Thats it. We were led to expect much more than talking shops where all the participants get rich. Where they work in tandom to deprive Catholics of badly needed houses. Hardly the DUP`s fault if SF are happy to go along with it, but worse when they atempt to slip it through by stelph. By your logic i should spend my time praising the DUP instead instead of questioning SF. I have only done it here through need to explain my opinion. As for facts, FACT Gerry Adams has told the world he knew his brother was a peadophile and he done nothing to protect the children of Ireland and the USA. A fact you have difficulty coming to terms with. I treat it for what it is like most other points I have made. There can be no excuses, but if you have any of value, I`m all ears.

• sirpeter | Jun 08, 2012, 06:35 PM EDT

  Springfield9.That's great input there.Well Done!!Can you prove Gerry was in the PIRA? Beeeeep!! Sorry time up. Next contestant.

• Springfield9 | Jun 08, 2012, 06:01 PM EDT

  It's always this way. Aland filled with great philosophers and poets picks an idiot. Adams is a Provo who went Hollywood ...live with it.

• sirpeter | Jun 08, 2012, 03:56 PM EDT

  seamus60. No I didn't!!.Well Sesmus I can see you are not a fan of Sinn Fein anyway.As I said already SF has only 29 seats out of 108.I don't hear you speaking negatively against the DUP or the other parties.It's hard to get to the truth with anybody from NI.They are so polarized in everything they say and tend to place all the woes on the other side.You see I don't just blame FF for the mess the Republic is in.I blame all the parties in the Dail.Having had this discussion you place all the woes of NI squarely on SF.If something doesn't sit right to me,it usually isn't right.The credibility and weight of an argument is either based on excepted facts or a personal opinion.I like excepted facts so that I can check them out.When an opinion on something is totally one-sided and muck slinging.It just means the person is not listening to the other side of the story.

• seamus60 | Jun 08, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT

  Ancavker. I could try asking them, but they don`t do answering to republicans questions. There is a gravy train rolling on its merry way that could be the reason. Another could be that they just settled for too few crumbs off the table in respect of what real clout they would have in Gov. They have all but abandoned their own voters in North Belfast because they won`t lay down for orange parades and they dare ask questions any constituant has the right to. That flys in the face of all their pre election promises of transparency. Maybe they are just plain useless. What ever it is, its financially rewarding.

• ancavker | Jun 08, 2012, 11:52 AM EDT

  seamus60: Your points are well taken, so why do you feel SF has been so ineffective in delivering to the needy in places like west Belfast?

• seamus60 | Jun 08, 2012, 10:51 AM EDT

  Sirpeter. Have you ever ventured into the blanket site ? Some good reading.

• seamus60 | Jun 08, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT

  Ancavker. With respect we have a party in the North who promised the moon, including accountability and transparency. 18 Years later we are still waiting for the very basic of those promises. Instead we are loosing ground, and why wouldn`t we with SF now prepared to buy into the likes of Gerry Mandering against the most needy Nationalists. Something we took to the streets against in 69. They call it progress. lol. The 26 is also an economic basket case so how will Adams do any better. The man is a compulsive liar and it rubs off on the party. Its neither here nor there wat has happened in the past as its only used on a dailly basis to disguise SF`s inability to deliver. The one thing they are wizards at is making a bad result look like a good one. But that doesn`t help those most in need on the ground.

• YoungPike | Jun 08, 2012, 10:17 AM EDT

  I think it would be a very bad move to make such a rabid Anglophobe Prime Minister. McGuinness has realized the British are nice guys really, so what's Adam's problem?

• ancavker | Jun 08, 2012, 09:58 AM EDT

  seamus60: As sirpeter pointed out there is not a whole lot Sinn-Fein can deliver in the north, as it is an always was an economic basket case. The present arrangement is a mere talk shop, that may evolve into and should evolve into a united Ireland at some point. There is no justification,and never was a justification for partition, and it was never supposed to be permanent. We can rightly point out the atrocities committed by all the para militarize including the Provo's. But the unionists in the north bare a big share of the responsibility for why Ireland as a whole has been held back for so long, and the Ireland that could have been did not happen. Ulster could have said yes, or even maybe before saying no. Had they opted in instead of out I truly believe the Ireland envisioned by many could have been a reality

• Bythebay | Jun 08, 2012, 09:57 AM EDT

  Adams has been scooped by the Head of the Orange Order speaking to the Seanad in Dublin (for you in the US so confused by the names of Irish Government entities, that means Senate). Peter Robinson was at Iveagh House in Dublin delivering a lecture on Irish unionism (small u) and Edward Carson who considered himself Irish and was of course a Dubliner. Ha, ha, Irish Central didn't even get the message, Sinn Fein has been outdone. Game on.

• seamus60 | Jun 08, 2012, 09:09 AM EDT

  sirpeter. You don`t get hit anywhere with a Magnum 44 and be out and about walking the scenic roads of Inishowen with your arm in a sling days later. Unless there was devine intervention. Perhaps the one Ingrim talked about. Stone was a renegade who broke ranks. No doubt assisted by others. Had the main loyalist paramillitaries and their partners in dirty ops decided to take Adams out he`d have been gone in a flash.When dirty ops wanted you gone you were. Look at finnucane or Nelson. The brits knew what Adams was having for breakfast and all the rest. Sure the man was surrounded by touts. What about operation Tauris. The list goes on.

• IrelandNorth | Jun 08, 2012, 08:42 AM EDT

  Citizen69! I stand corrected re Craig quote date! Seems Craig was mirroring what he felt was happening in 26 counties. Presume his reference to South/Southern Ireland not just to Munster, but included eastern-, western- and 3 counties of northern Ireland. PS Does quite a while re educational equality in NI include 40 years ago during Gerry's adolescence? No man is his brother's keeper, even if he's a father. And can homosexuals not be peadophiles too? Re Brussels [Austeity] Treaty. Ulster isn't the only province which can say NO! c. 40% of Leinster/Munster and Connacht sid NO to Brussels! Dr Noel Brown may have eradicated TB (Tuberculosis) from Ireland. Too bad Clann na Poblachta didn't eradicate FG/FF (FreeStateOsis). Connolly warned that partition would lead to a "carnival of reaction". Anyone doubt the accuracy of his prediction in hindsight? If Lord Palmerston was correct when he said that "power corrups and absolute power corrups absolutely", would that not mean that Mother Theresa and her Sisters of Charity would be corrupted if they entered Dail Eireann? SFs % popularity is higher on an all Ireland basis!

• sirpeter | Jun 08, 2012, 06:38 AM EDT

  seamus60 Quote"Shot all those times with a Magnum 44 and never lost a limb???Quote"No fear either from the main loyalist paramilitary's.They had their wee private agreement to keep top men safe".Unquote~Seamus are you implying Gerry set the whole thing up?.lol I'm getting a vision here of Gerry saying to Martin.For fu*k sake Martin be careful where you shoot me and for fu*k sake watch the one to the neck.;))lol

• sirpeter | Jun 08, 2012, 06:26 AM EDT

  seamus60.In a lot of ways you are backing up what I have said many times to loyalists on IC.In NI you have 30.8% of the total workforce in the public service.This is significantly higher than the overall UK figure of 19.5%.Then you have the unemployed ect.In total, the British government subvention totals £5,000m, or 20% of Northern Ireland's economic output.Working-age economic inactivity is 28%,which is the highest of any UK region.Throughout the 1990s, the Northern Irish economy grew faster than did the economy of the rest of the UK,due to the Celtic Tiger rapid growth of the economy of the Republic of Ireland.NI is stuck between British government charity and the economic up's and down's of the Republic.Seamus no wonder nothing is happening.The whole set-up is crap for NI and has been since partition.

• seamus60 | Jun 07, 2012, 08:57 PM EDT

  sirpeter. I knew you were from the South. (from some other post i think) Anyway i only included the Northern politicians to point out how little they have delivered. 18 years have passed and they are still wheeling out the old process thing, like an old lady in wheelchair looking the sympathy vote, but still pat one and other on the back. ( probably in celebration that the`ve gotten away with it again). They havent, more and more people are now saying its time to pay the piper. They`ve waited all these years for something more than stopping the war. Its played out just as the myth that any individuals demise could bring down the process. No ones producing in the North more so the politicians. As for Gerrys party in the North, they are now in fairly secure ground should they ever need to make a come back, They aided by all the brit money have control of a real big chunk of community groups who are set up to distribute to the community. Groups like TRIAX distribute funding to sub community groups who know to tow the line. Dev got the media. SF got community group funding office. Its so bad the community is starting to take bets on what might happen when the brits make the slices thinner. Adams. is no hero amongst republicans. Shot all those times with a Magnum 44 and never lost a limb ??? Might as well have got shot with a Magnum ice pop. Super grass trials = exemption from pros cert for Martin ,Gerry and a few others. On the run my ass,they could have lifted him at any time, like all the others in the above saga. No fear either from the main loyalist paramillitarys. they had their wee private agreement to keep top men safe. Can`t remember off hand when the Dark said gerry left his principles behind. Thats right it was when the Dark seen all the ex prisoners down digging the same hole in the road, getting paid pennys, whilst Gerry and Co were actually supplying in the labour at a very substantual differance..

• seanomelb | Jun 07, 2012, 08:27 PM EDT

  Seamus you make the assumption that Jerry gave succour to his brother and then tie him to(cardinal) Brady.As for your question I believe Adams the presidency of Sinn Fein in a coup replacing Ruairi O'Brady as president.This was done by branch stacking and "creatively" creating new branches in the north which shifted the power base from Dublin to Belfast. I believe that now Adams and co. are shifting south a new dynamism will change the party.but I'm not sure if That is for the best.

• sirpeter | Jun 07, 2012, 05:10 PM EDT

  seamus60.Are you from NI? I was talking about the crooks in Dublin.I'm from Cork.It would be great if parties had to give interviews without an agreed question format.But it's not going to happen.I haven't been following the day to day political activities of NI.But if nothing filters down you can't just blame SF.SF has only 29 seats out of 108.Why don't you blame the DUP who have 38 or the rest of the parties? I think it's a bit disingenuous of you to say Gerry Adams has not earned his political stripes and suffered very little.Forget comparisons to most active republicans.I'm talking about politicians.How many politicians North or South were on the run moving from safe house to safe house, interned,tortured and shot in the neck,shoulder and arm? That tells me he didn't join a political party for the money.He had/has political ideals which I believe were just ideals and he did help in no small way to bring peace to NI.If he also helped dismantle the IRA.What more do you expect from the man? Why can't you give him credit for that at least? Every man is a measure of good and bad.I'm sure there are good loyalist politicians who are not squeaky clean either.SF helping to keep the peace process from falling apart is hardly failing miserably.Any sensible person would see that as STILL the number one priority.Embedding peace takes a lot of time.

• seamus60 | Jun 07, 2012, 03:25 PM EDT

  Sirpeter. What we are supposed to do is scrutinise anyone who may be in line for a position such as the gangsters we`ve had till now. Peasants might have just excepted what they got but we should not. There is no transparency because we haven`t demanded it hard enough. Tell me one party, prepared to take part in an interview on any subject without the precondition of an agreed question format. They , all the partys think we have turned into wimps, therefore treat us as such. Bankers and politicians steal the most yet none go to prison, because we tolerate it. When you said "these partys aren`t even bothering to hide thier lies anymore and have the same agenda" I thought you were talking about the DUP and SF. We need a party in opposition ??? Any partys good in opposition, Which is all SF have ever been. Until they got into gov and couldn`t get out of the starting blocks quick enough to attack the likes of Class room assistants , cleaners and school canteen staff. Hardly big earners with off shore accounts. They have had more than enough time to produce and have failed miserably. Almost 20 years after the ceasefire they have begun to mutter slightly about the discrimination against ex pow`s in terms of employment etc. ex pow`s are dropping like flys and most others are too old to work , or will be shortly, but that was obviously Gerrys plan.They have been handed god knows how much by the brits who are quite happy to buy the peace, yet nothing filters down. SF /IRA has nothing to do with it anymore. SF and the brits dismantled the IRA from within whilst it was still on a war footing. Lastly Gerry Adams has suffered very little and has led a charmed life in comparison to most active republicans.

• Bythebay | Jun 07, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT

  The poll was for the political parties, not party leaders. The RecC poll puts Sinn Fein at 18% meaning 82% son't support them. Support for political parties in Ireland changes with the wind.

• sirpeter | Jun 07, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

  seamus60.I agree with you,but what are we supposed to do?The mainstream parties and politicians appear to be useless.FF/FG/Lab got us into this mess with all these EU treaties and down right corruption.These parties aren't even bothering to hide their lies anymore and have the same agenda.Which is why there is no transparency.My logic is that we need a strong party in REAL opposition to everything that's happening in the Dail at this stage.A party that's not afraid to speak up so that the public know what they are up too.This mess we are in is the worst thing that happened since the founding of the state.The only party not guilty of causing it is Sinn Fein.Do you agree with that?SF also seem to be doing a good job power sharing in NI.Maybe they will do a good job in the Dail if they get a chance.You have them condemned and they didn't even get a chance to deliver yet.And this SF/IRA doesn't wash anymore as an argument.It's just SF now.Both FF/FG were both from the gun.I'll vote for any party or politician who has Ireland's interests at heart.Gerry Adams has risked his life for years and suffered for a better future in NI.Yes!!I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in that respect.

• seamus60 | Jun 07, 2012, 06:18 AM EDT

  Sirpeter. We want the same thing. Only I am not prepared to have more of the same, partys pretending to be something they are not. An Ireland of equals, not Adams one where there are some more equal than others. He in my eyes is equal to Brady and as such should be treated accordingly. I wouldn`t dare lump homosexuals or any other decent people in with peadophiles either. A peado is the lowest of the low with their shelterers just behind.You wouldn`t trust any political party yet you are prepared to give Adams the benefit of the doubt. Thats why we`re all in a mess, no ones prepared to call a spade a spade when its doing the digging. I want a UI where the Gov ,no matter who they are are accountable in real time. Transparency is the key, in order that people know what is going on (as its going on). Something SF always promise pre-election but never deliver. They are just the same and should be treated as so.

• sirpeter | Jun 06, 2012, 11:01 PM EDT

  seamus60.It's not a fancy dance.It's reality.Just because he didn't report a peado it's not that serious in the eyes of the law.There is 2 peado's in every 100 people.Think about that.It's part of the human condition.Just like homosexuals.Stop thinking like a peasant and open your mind.If America can bomb and kill a thousand innocent kids in Iraq because the world fears repercussions.Why not Gerry Adams who also has power when it comes to NI?.Anyway Seamus give me a break.Do you really think I trust any political party?I generally agree with what you said to Micheal.But nobody believes Sinn Fein have a secret plan.But we all live on this Island and we are been shafted.Like forever.I believe in a United Ireland.So we can be stronger.I have no time for parades celebrating ancient victories when it distresses your neighbours on either side.I want ONE dynamic government which includes everyone in Ireland.So we can do the best for everyone.We need to be United together as one.Since when did London care about NI or even the shi*tholes of Northern England and Scotland? London has failed FallsRNat below.He's now 12,000 miles away from Ireland.Listening to loudmouth Aussies.Their voice in his brain even when he sleeps lol.A fate worse than death.Seamus if you want change to help the needy Ireland needs to be United again.A land divided is like a divided family.No matter what potential a country has disunity will hold everybody down.

• sirpeter | Jun 06, 2012, 09:25 PM EDT

  Hi Seamus. Did you really move to Melbourne? ;))How are you getting on?

• FallsRNat | Jun 06, 2012, 07:43 PM EDT

  sirpeter - as i lie here in sunny Melbourne after a marathon session at Bridie O'Reilly's, I would like to say on behalf of the democratic half of west falls, god bless Gerry, HM's favourite son, all of his enemies are no more, the republicans, Bobby, Patrick, Kevin, Peter

• seamus60 | Jun 06, 2012, 05:55 PM EDT

  Micheal you are right, its all about the economy thats in shambles. The reason I was asking Sirpeter what achievements SF have had to date for the ordinary people in the North. His answer was quite clear, they brought peace ( stopped making war). SF want the people in the South to believe they have some secret plan, knowing fine well people who are politically worn out from misrule by gangsters are easy to hook. Should SF get into power tomorrow in the South don`t expect big improvements for at least 20 years. Thats how long the people in the North have been waiting on false promises that have dissappeared faster than meercats down a hole at the sight of an eagle. The North is awash with peace funds that are being ate up wholesale by guess who. The same who that are delivering nothing to change living standards for the most needy. Who will pay for all this in the south, the people will whilst listening to the same old "we inherrited this". Just be careful Gerry and Co don`t start a war down there in order to hoodwink you into thinking their great for stopping it. Ruling by Fooling.

• seamus60 | Jun 06, 2012, 05:32 PM EDT

  Sirpeter . do as much fancy dancing as you like around the subject. Simple FACT is Gerry Adams has admitted that after believing his brother liam to be a peadophile he not only kept quiet about it but allowed him to travel to various locations to live including the USA, Co Donegal and Co Louth without advising anyone in authority at any of these locations of the risk from a peadophile. Whether his brother liam is guilty or not is irellevent. Gerry believes he is a peadophile going on what he knows. If its good enough for him its good enough for people like you who fall over themselves to prop him up regardless of any consequences to others like possable victims his brother may have yet to come to light. Gerry has also denied his brother having anything to do with SF after he became aware of his dirty habit. FACT this is a lie. His peado brother had an article in a republican paper about a peadophile ring he had uncovered in his job as a youth worker that stretched from Donegal right down to Louth. This article in a paper Gerry is known to sensor before publication. Gerry also tryed to deny having any knowledge of his brothers nomination to run for the party in Louth, FACT this was totally bombed out of the water as well by local members. Now you want us to believe gerry never thought his brother was a peado in the first place or perhaps he had no right to as a judge hadn`t yet. LOL. Brady would love to get everyone off his back as well, but he`s not got the protection of the so called peace process thats become inbedded to all foolish enough to accept the myth that should Adams or Mc Guinness fall ,it will too.

• sirpeter | Jun 06, 2012, 04:41 PM EDT

  seamus60.Has there been a trial? No!! Do you know the true facts?. No!!Does a judge convict a person on a serious matter on admission alone. No!! Even if it was a confession.The value of confessions,and law generally request cross-checking them with objective facts and others forms of evidence (exhibits, testimonies from witnesses, etc.) in order to evaluate their truth value.Even if Gerry admits to something it does not become fact.YOU want to choose to believe what he says because it suits your opinion of him.If he says he was not in the IRA I bet you choose to call him a liar.Gerry is a politician and like ALL politicians they don't want on-going or continued negative publicity.The are quite willing to admit to a misdemeanor if it gets the media off their backs.Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein have an agenda and an objective.Lastly I don't give opinions in general unless I can back them by hard facts.This is about Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein and I am only interested in if they can deliver something better for Ireland.What has been in the UK ever done for NI? Nothing but a low grade war for 30 years.Now that's a fact.

• michaelidaho | Jun 06, 2012, 03:07 PM EDT

  Despite the diverse range of opinions, I am afraid it is all very simple. If the Irish economy continues in the doldrums under the Fine Gael/Labor coalition, then Gerry Adams has an outside chance of becoming Prime Minister at the head of a very broad left wing coalition. If the economy rebounds dramatically, Gerry does not have a chance and Fine Gael will not even need Labor. KISS -- Its all about the economy, not the Civil War from ninety years ago or the NI conflict.

• seamus60 | Jun 06, 2012, 02:00 PM EDT

  Sirpeter. A confession as given by law is an admission of guilt otherwise there is nothing to confess. Gerry has made it as clear as it ever can, he knew his brother was a peadophile (only after the niece he said he fully believed was going public regardless of Gerry sending Father Troy to her in an effort to have her drop it). If Adams can be charged with any specific crime is another thing. Where surely his admission on tv could not be denied, call it what you like. He has admitted to the whole world that he sheltered a peadophile and apoligised just as bishop Brady who you continue to treat differantly. Almost 20 years since the ceasefire, so thank you very much for admitting they have done little else since. The cease fire where they stopped making war by giving people like me the order to return all weapons to the QM`s department. Imagine us taking them orders from people who were neither in the RA or left it in the 70`s. Catch yourself on.

• sirpeter | Jun 06, 2012, 11:30 AM EDT

  seamus60.In answer to another question.Quote"What have Sinn Fein brought into effect that releives the suffering for the most vulnerable to date, North or South?"Unquote.Are you really asking me that question? Would helping to bring about peace in NI not qualify as helping the most vulnerable? I'll let you think about that one.As for the South.Sinn Fein are trying,aren't they?But they don't have much power ~~Yet.

• sirpeter | Jun 06, 2012, 11:03 AM EDT

  seamus60.Relax.It's only been a couple of days.I didn't get back to this article.Let me make myself clear here.I posted on Jun 02 and on Jun 03 you accuse me of avoiding debate.You see that you been a bollix already.Do you understand that? Anyway. I'm not here to debate what is morally right or morally wrong.That is down to the individual.You want me to pass judgement on individuals where I don't have all the facts.An ADMISSION is not to be confused with a confession of blame or guilt,but admits only some facts.That's the law.Do you get that???However we do have laws in this country and until they are charged and found guilty of something.It doesn't become fact to me.You are making a judgment by what you read in the media.~~That's the end of your argument.Your argument is based on ADDMISSION and the MEDIA. I suggest you open a book on law to see why you are wrong.

• seamus60 | Jun 06, 2012, 05:04 AM EDT

  Sean . Again you are making excuses for some one in position whilst lamblasting some one else in position for a simular practice. Regardless of who Adams and Co hoodwinked at their individual expence, they too are entitled to highlight contradictions. Both men hold position and anyone doing so is open to scrutiny. Where have I said that Adams or Brady were responsable for the actions of either Gerrys brother and father or the peadophile priests ? ( that is a question Seano). Both sheltered and aided peadophiles to stay under the radar and move onto new ground and the prospect of fresh prey. He`s all we`ve got hardly inspires either. Do you not agree he should be called to account by the party and dismissed if nessaccery in order for a new dawn to rise ?

• seanomelb | Jun 05, 2012, 08:07 PM EDT

  Seamus it matters not if he holds a position of power he is not responsible for the actions of his extended family and to tag other peoples failings to Adams(or any other politician) to gain some cheap political point is wrong.Adams turned his back on some good republicans and they felt used.He may not be the best republican on the block but he's all we've got (at the moment) He will be ousted one day as leader of Sinn Fein and a new dawn will rise.

• barneyjo | Jun 05, 2012, 01:26 PM EDT

  All - it hasnt happened yet. Remember an election or two back when Sinn Fein were expected to add signinficantly to their existing 10 seats in the Dail; yet it didnt happen. Sinn Fein still have a lot of work to do in ROI to convince the middle ground that they are more than a single issue party; it has been their achilles heel previously, which has been exploited by their opponents, and, I suspect, will be so again. Mind you, Mary-Lou McDonald's exhortation to the Irish voter that the ECB should be told to F**k Off rather than bail Ireland out, probably did not help their chances on that occasion. Can anyone tell me what has changed, given the margain of victory in the referendum :)

• seamus60 | Jun 05, 2012, 12:24 PM EDT

  Seano. So I as a republican who has lamblasted Cardinal Brady should keep my mouth shut because of skeletons in cupboards. Adams skeleton has been freed from the same cupboard by the victim. Is she a coward ? I don`t hold office that requires integrety and high moral standards, Adams and Brady do. You have neither addressed the FACT that Adams left West Belfast with the statistics of failure in respect to the standard of living for the population there. So will the 26 Counties will be an easier task for him, if so how?.

• ancavker | Jun 05, 2012, 10:15 AM EDT

  seano: The Clann had some excellent wonderful members, real visionaries at the time, sort of like the heady days of 1918-21. It was a bridge between FG, and FF, as there were disillusioned members from both parties who joined the Clann, in addition to social progressives. Some of the FG members who joined did so because they believed that FG betrayed Collins vision of freedom to achieve freedom, and disillusioned members of FF who believed Dev was back wards looking. The Clann had of course Sean Mac Bride as it's leader, and some of the old papers that I have discuss plans for creating a real Republic free of British and Church control, with a progressive social program, and real solutions to end the immigration problem. However, even Mac Bride would not or could not stand up to the vociferous opposition of the church, and alas the party also succumbed to the age old Irish problem of in fighting as well. There has not been an attempt to create this kind of party again since it withered away in the late 50's early 60's. Sinn Fein is no Clann, but perhaps with new blood you never know.

• seanomelb | Jun 05, 2012, 12:51 AM EDT

  Adams been vilified for the sins of others is a cowardly act.If the skeletons were released from all our cupboards the country would run out of glass. Adams can lead a coalition and wouldn't have to work to hard to better lead the country. The west Brits below are running scared, Audrey and his west brit cohorts are a sad lot.

• seamus60 | Jun 04, 2012, 08:32 PM EDT

  Sean. Ability ??? You`re obviously not living in Ireland, more so the North where Gerrys party are in great difficulty to even get party members forward to participate in current affairs programmes for fear they will be asked to explain the partys short falls. But that would take great ability just as with the outgoing partys in the South.

• seanomelb | Jun 04, 2012, 08:07 PM EDT

  "Taoiseach Adams" now that has a nice ring to it.The "faux" Irish like their "faux Fine Gael party" are looking particularly naked today and grasping at straws to undermine Sinn Fein's ability to run the country in coalition with others. The labour party is almost non-existent and deserve their plight,they abandoned the working people of Ireland as they always did when entering government with the other west Brit party(Fine Gael).BTW ancakver The demise of Clann na Poblachta was tragic it robbed us of Dr.Noel Brown who was instrumental in eradicating TB from Ireland. He was vilified by the church for giving free milk and cheese to the poor.

• seamus60 | Jun 04, 2012, 03:14 PM EDT

  Can we conclude by your silence Sirpeter. That you view can be no other than that "people who have lamblasted Cardina Bradys judgement on morality are working to an agenda of sorts rather than genuinely questioning his ability to serve the office he holds" ???.

• seamus60 | Jun 03, 2012, 04:03 PM EDT

  Sir peter. A leading statement ? By Gerrys own admission there were at least 2 peadophiles in his family. A fact by Gerrys own admission, yet you believe its a personal thing that we have no right to question. Had his niece not blown the whistle would we ever have known and would his brother still be roaming the country availing of fresh prey ?. Has anyone investigated his stay in the USA either ? Relevant questions no one, including the media appear to have the will to persue.

• seamus60 | Jun 03, 2012, 10:05 AM EDT

  Sir peter. Avoiding debate appears to be your preferred game. You have not addressed any relevant points in my last post. I have a problem with Adams brothers morality as its as sick as that of peadophile priests. I have a problem with Adams judgement of morality as it is simular to the sick one of Cardinal Brady. I can only conclude you believe Brady has done nothing wrong. It can`t be differant for either. Or can it ? yes that was a question. The calibre of their politicians ? what have they brought into effect that releives the suffering for the most vunerable to date, North or South. I can only conclude you now agree with Gerry mandering as acceptable other wise you would be condemning it as the Civil rights protesters did in 1969. Thank you for at least agreeing my grannies cat could do well if standing for election due to what had come before.

• bobby | Jun 02, 2012, 06:05 PM EDT

  6countybrit you are a burden to us in the UK you cost us billions every year. Your country is a divided mess. Dublin does not want you and we here in London are stuck with you. You cannot go it alone because you could never afford to. I wish the north would go down the same route as scotland and seperate. The only THICK people on the island of ireland is you lot in the north, cannot live together, SAD people. Im a True Brit from London, not a plastic one that you are.

• 6countybrit | Jun 02, 2012, 04:46 PM EDT

  A murdering (Of both Catholic/Protestant/Britsh and Irish) Catholic (Anybody seen what the priests have been up to lately) as the head of state. Aye, you'll do well, it will suit Dublin rightly. I knew the Irish were thick but I didn't think they were that thick!!

• Bailey2000 | Jun 02, 2012, 11:28 AM EDT

  They still don't explain where they get their funds in Sinn Fein.

• sirpeter | Jun 02, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT

  seamus60."There is evil in his family" That's a leading statement and is a matter of personal opinion.Sinn Fein have been gaining ground fast since 1997 in the Republic and all through the Celtic Tiger years.So it wouldn't be quite accurate to say their rise was a purely economic reason.It appears it's the caliber of their politicians that is also a reason.Or if you want to put it another way.It's the poor caliber of our mainstream politicians that has lead to their rise.I'm not getting into a detailed complex argument.Because it IS complex and IC doesn't allow that with ease.I'm posting here over a year and it's mostly futile as users hold onto their own amateur opinion even when expert facts are placed before them.They don't even bother to Google even the most simple facts to make sure they are correct.Are you one of them???I'm only interested in hard facts and maybe personal opinions if they are reasonable.That means I'm not going to allow you to use the morality of his brother as a tool to undermine another persons charector.That wouldn't be an argument.That would be an agenda.So if you are willing to listen then I'll listen to you.You do look as if you could be reasonable.So fire away if you are interested ;))

• seamus60 | Jun 02, 2012, 08:49 AM EDT

  Sir peter. "There is evil in his family" is a far cry from from "his family are evil". Regardless of percentages to this that or the other, its Adams that is open to scruitany as he is the one on the pedestal.He has taken action akin to that of Cardinal Brady yet you promote his as differant ????. As for SF doing well, My grannies cat could do well due to what has come before it. You are right about SF getting the result they really wanted yesterday, for the very reason you have pointed out. The same reason reinforces exactly what i have already stated. They are an opposition party and nothing else. So easy to highlight others blunders is their game. Not so easy though when the poacher turns game keeper as in the North. Sf are the only party to represent the working class LOL. Tell that to the working class in the North or those most in need of housing. Since when has Gerry Mandering been a friend of working class ? As for my silly comment and the old SF are terrorists trick wearing thin, I have never called anyone that but they have. In fact they brand any republican not aligned to them much worse. We can hardly deny Mc Geough is in prison for his differing republican views. More so because he had the ordasity to stand in elections as an independant republican. Poachers turned game keepers are now (still) ruling by fooling and with no shortage of Irish fools their future does look bright.

• seamus60 | Jun 02, 2012, 08:22 AM EDT

  George. Ogra SF were to do the leaflet drop on coca cola and certain death squads operating against rebellious workers in South America. A few quid donation stopped the drop.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 02, 2012, 02:47 AM EDT

  "Sinn Fein is the only party to represent the working class people". So that's why Sinn Fein promotes the Mass Immigration of cheap labor from abroad, because they're the friends of Irish workers? Mass Immigration is the project of the Irish ruling class, you idiot.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 02, 2012, 02:44 AM EDT

  "death squads against workers rights".... In Mayo? Are you crazy, seamus60?

• sirpeter | Jun 01, 2012, 11:16 PM EDT

  seamus60.You wait and see.Sinn Fein were the big winners yesterday.Labour crashed and burned to 10% in the polls.They are finished.Sinn Fein got exactly what they wanted.The treaty passed so they won’t be blamed for what is to follow.Kenny only got his yes vote because he scared the people with dire warning of what would happen if they voted no.I wouldn't be too fast to think Sinn Fein will be easily brought off.It's now quite clear to everybody in Ireland that Sinn Fein is the only party to represent the working class people.You wait and see when the cuts begin to bite the middle class.Your silly comment won't make a difference because the old Sinn Fein are all terrorists trick is wearing thin.If you can't see that you are blind.Kenny was also a disaster.Just you wait until the next election.

• sirpeter | Jun 01, 2012, 08:11 PM EDT

  @littleredpiper.That's a family matter and it's a personal matter.Do you know that 20% of American women have experienced rape or attempted rape? 30% of men have hit their wife's or girlfriends.2% of the human population are pedophiles.Another percentage are murderers,drug addicts,alcoholics,gamblers,drug dealers,adulterers.How much bad sh*t in familes do you want?Is you're family so pure?To say there is evil in that family.Who the fu*k are you to pass judgement on a whole family? You don't know anything about it so it's best you shut up.

• seamus60 | Jun 01, 2012, 07:56 PM EDT

  Sir peter. SF the great peace makers and peoples party weren`t that hard to buy off with a little donation from a multinational like coke-cola. Scheduled 50,000 leaflet drop in Co Mayo by orga SF exploiting things like death squads against workers rights only cost a tenth of that same figure in monery terms to cancel out. So so sad.

• seamus60 | Jun 01, 2012, 07:37 PM EDT

  Littlerepiper. Don`t waste your time. Him and Cardinal Brady are in 2 differant leagues. One protected from a self restrained media. The other cut loose as the church is finally exposed.

• littleredpiper | Jun 01, 2012, 05:07 PM EDT

  No matter what good he has accomplished, he betrayed his own niece! That he protects his rapist brother!!! No one has mentioned the fact that she came to him for protection from her own incestuous father. There is evil in that family.

• sirpeter | Jun 01, 2012, 03:29 PM EDT

  ancavker.I'm not convinced of Sinn Fein's abilities either.But our 2 establishment parties have ruined this country economically for years to come to pay off private debt.They didn't even have to pay off the unsecured bondholders.They don't even know why they did that themselves.Didn't have the full facts I believe is the excuse.More loan money on the way from the Germans to pay back German banks.What abilities have our 2 establishment parties?Sinn Fein has impressed me over the last 20 years.I think Sinn Fein could work with anybody as long as they are given a chance.But this Yes vote means the poor/middle class will have to pay for years to come.It's all too late anyway.I can see riots on the streets if things get worse.The disgusting part is I am a bondholder and I could afford the hit.I wouldn't like it.But I'd still be wealthy.Bondholders know the risks.But our established politicians have a huge sense of entitlement to the point they don't even know they are greedy.I'd listened to multi-millionaires give the poor mouth because they feel they are entitled to live like billionaires.Sinn Fein would have told me go to hell and it would have been right.I vote Sinn Fein.I'm the only Capitalist in Ireland with a conscience. ;))

• citizen69 | Jun 01, 2012, 02:36 PM EDT

  @IrelandNorth: You got the Craig quote wrong. What he actually said was: "In the South they boasted of a Catholic State. They still boast of Southern Ireland being a Catholic State. All I boast of is that we are a Protestant Parliament and a Protestant State.". And it was 1934 not 1922. Also, i don't what you mean by "It's difficult to complete ones education as a Roman Catholic", There are more Catholics in third level education in Northern Ireland than Protestants and it's been that way for quite a while.

• ancavker | Jun 01, 2012, 11:00 AM EDT

  sirpeter: I am not convinced of Sinn Fein's abilities, but they are at least different, and they are an all Ireland party. Can they bridge the gap between the remnants of what are left of the 2 establishment parties in the south? I don't know. It has been tried before, and did not work. My grand Uncle was one of the original members of Clann na Poblachta back in the late 40's early 50's. A party that did well for a while and then ultimaltely imploded. So time will tell.

• sirpeter | Jun 01, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT

  Creakygate.It's hard for you to deal with that possibility isn't it?Wake up Creaky and smell the winds of change.It doesn't take a genius to see that European fiscal union could and is giving rise to Populism and Nationalism.All ye West Brits ever did in Dublin like forever was jump from the Brit gravy train to the Franco-German gravy train.Any gravy train.Ye bunch of Hiberno-English gombeens.And look at the mess the country is in?The only real thing that happened in Ireland that was any good for the WHOLE island in the last 20 years was the peace process.At least with Sinn Fein in government the rest of the country might be able to knock a few German Reich Euros out of the rest of the Gombeen Dublin Government.

• IrelandNorth | Jun 01, 2012, 08:49 AM EDT

  The Peace Process is proving difficult for some who are having withdrawal symptoms from political conflict. It's difficult to complete ones education as a Roman Catholic in a neo-provincial statelet ruled over by "... a Protestant Parliament for a Protestant people" (Craig, 1922). I doubt if Ulster unionists consider themselves 'Paddies' - Ms Dexy! The 26 country republiquette is as democratic as the former East Germany. Army deafness claims against the PDF were legitimate because of the hearing protection they never issued. I know! Power-sharing within Ulster/-Northern Ireland is a dress-rehearsal for powersharing throughout Ireland, and a normalisation between Ireland and Great Britain. Read the subtext of the GRA.

• sirpeter | Jun 01, 2012, 08:45 AM EDT

  Georgie Boy.The only person here that we know for sure has two usernames is yourself.You accused me of been three people at one stage.You have accused many more people of been one and the same person over the last year or so.Now you are doing it to ciaradexy/audreybolton and Cois an Bhá.You're wrong as usual Georgie.These are all different people who think you are an idiot.It's not a suspicious coincidence for people to think you're off your head on IC.That's the norm.

• seamus60 | May 31, 2012, 04:58 PM EDT

  Johnnymac60. I am from Derry and was one of a few hundred ex prisoners etc who would have loved him to appear at the Gasyard and answer our very relevant questions on the Hunger strike. He declined the invitation same as his party have on various issues recently aired on television. As for the establishment painting him a monster, Get real. they had him where anyone would love to have an enemy ( if thats what they ever were)and let him clean off the hook. The same wasn`t afforded to Cardinal Brady who has been rightfully deemed a monster. Apart from that anyone who orders the dissappearance of a single parent (mother of 10)can only be described as a monster. Before you come back looking proof, I like most other republicans believe the Dark. Who led from the front and not above.

• GeorgeDillon | May 31, 2012, 02:59 PM EDT

  Is audreybolton a new manifestation of an old bore--ciaradexy aka Cois an Bhá? The hectoring whining aggressive tone is certainly similar. I've known a lot of Irish women. The great majority are intelligent, witty people--real fun to be with. Totally unlike the dismal dopes here who claim to speak for Ireland. The simultaneous appearance on this site of several aberrations such as ciaradexy/audreybolton/Cois an Bhá is a suspicious coincidence.

• audreybolton | May 31, 2012, 01:50 PM EDT

  O George stop it you skype a cousin in Dublin! Whatever next! I may become a fan! Ancavker and Jonnymac6o, I have close relatives and friends in Derry and Belfast so I well aware of things and have been for years. I do read newspapers and as for Sinn Fein, they are still underhand in their methods, speaking out of both sides of their mouths. Towngate is right, we all know what they are behind the rethoric.

• ancavker | May 31, 2012, 01:30 PM EDT

  Towngate: TO comapre the Sinn-Fein of 100 years ago to the organization today called by that name is a huge stretch. Do you people ever stop?

• Towngate | May 31, 2012, 12:39 PM EDT

  Niall,a chara: Sinn Vain began their 'inexorable march towards power' a hundred years ago ... look how far they've got and the pain and destruction they have caused. Bythebay @ 11.53 is spot on about the bould Jarry. Whatever the Polls say, the people of Ireland will give him the same treatment as that other imposter McGunnless got in his RoI election bid. The People know what they are... they are being tolerated;not wanted! Pearce Doherty shows great promise through his passion and sincerity and should consider arranging for the old warmongering has-beens he is saddled with,to me put out to grass! >>> Btw: congratulations on your correct spelling (at last) of 'Labour Party' I hope it was not just a bit of accidental intelligence on your part! Sláinte!

• johnymac60 | May 31, 2012, 11:47 AM EDT

  audreybolton if you served in the Irish Army, my respect to your service. However, you did not experience the Troubles in any real sense. You must see that the experiences of those who did live through it are not like anything you would understand. While your opinions of Gerry Adams are as valid as anyone elses, take it from someone who did live through it - he is not the monster the establishment wishes to paint him. (Particularly the NI protestant establishment, but unfortunately, also the self-serving politicians in the South.) I think a discussion with someone from Belfast or Derry would be enlightening to you if you have an open mind and the ability to listen.

• GeorgeDillon | May 31, 2012, 07:13 AM EDT

  Folks should remember that some time ago this poster AudreyBolton told us s/he works in the Irish Free State Army. Her postings show the narrow minded Little Irelander mentality of those who gravitate to work in that band of poltroons. Actually "works" is the wrong word, since the Oirish Army has no function that I know of. There is no reason for such a body to exist. It's an army that sues the government if its soldiers hear a gunshot or see a dead body. Paying jerks like Bolton to run around playing soldiers is a disgraceful waste of Irish taxpayers' money. I say disband the useless Oirish Army and break their toys in the scrapyard. Put people like Bolton doing some socially useful work--picking up the trash that cover Irish streets, for example. Every euro spent on paying worthless people like Bolton is a euro wasted. Get a real job and stop playing at toy soldiers, Bolton. I stopped when I was about six. Grow up.

• ciaradexy | May 31, 2012, 05:34 AM EDT

  Seano, the people you mentioned CAME to Ireland unlike you who LEFT when the Troubles were an issue here. You havent a clue what life is like in Ireland any more, you left so long ago but you still think we should be living in fear, hating our neighbours who you have more in common with now because the head of their state is also the head of yours! Remember, I live in Ireland, I know whats happening. You reading 'Irish' news on this site doesnt count.

• seamus60 | May 30, 2012, 08:24 PM EDT

  Like it or not Adams and Mc Guiness are chameleons. Whether by their own accord is yet to be seen. They have long since dropped the idealistic colours of a socialist republic when addressing an American audiance. A long way off targetting the likes of an American Industrialist in Derry as some sort of blow against capitalism. They presently wear the colours of real socialists when addressing politically exhausted potential voters in the 26 counties, who understandably have now decided they can`t be any worse than whats gone before. Only in the North its now apparent what they are. Nothing like a dose of them in power to see through to the core. They are experts at slotting in behind blunders of the highest magnitude. Bloody Sunday, The Hungerstrikes etc etc. They have stolen anyone and everyones ideas. Even 30 years after claiming them as their own. Perhaps the best thing the people in the 26 could have is a term of them making decisions before the next reality check. Hopefully they won`t have wrecked the education system or introduced the totally discredited system of Gerry Mandering. Just 2 of the failures they can lay claim to at present in the north. They can hardly blame either on fiscal powers but rather their vision of whats best for us the people. Like some one already said Gerry had to move South as the people in West Belfast had had enough of his empty rhetoric after decades of his neglect.

• seanomelbourne | May 30, 2012, 06:32 PM EDT

  Here we go again Ciaradexy bloviating about ones address as a justification for here puerile postings.I suppose Connolly should have stayed in Scotland and "The Countess" should have stayed in England and Tone should have stayed in France and so on. Do you see how silly you sound. As I've stated before with your limited knowledge of Irish affairs you may as well move to Mongolia

• joebloggs | May 30, 2012, 06:32 PM EDT

  I wouldn't unduly worry about the Taoiseach / Prime Minister argument if the Former Right Honorable Member of Parliament for West Belfast is elected we will probably end up calling him Comrade Number 1 !!

• RedBranch | May 30, 2012, 05:32 PM EDT

  Er ah Mr Adams what exactly is the % rate of sales tax in the Republic of Ireland? .....

• mamaginnty | May 30, 2012, 05:06 PM EDT

  Ah bythebay, oh how it hurts.....

• audreybolton | May 30, 2012, 04:43 PM EDT

  Those who think Adams will be future Taoiseach of the Republic are living in la la land and so is he. His past will always follow him around. Besides he is a boring speaker and knows nothing about ecomomics. He continually harps on about a United Ireland. We are not mad. We have ecnomic problems but Sinn Fein are opportunits and are against evrything the demoratic Republic stands for and want to force us into an United Ireland and seize power, that is their ultimate aim! We are not going to live in fear with guns at our back. We are not at war and don't want to be again. A United Ireland is not worth it! Those of us who witnessed the troubles in Northern Ireland don't want the same to happen again. Some of the contributors on this site are too war like! They need to calm down and stop living in the past.

• ciaradexy | May 30, 2012, 03:09 PM EDT

  Dear Dildo, I dont agree with everything Bythebay says you gimp, so why the hell would I have 2 profiles that are conflicting? But at least I can say Bythebay is a fellow Paddy unlike yourself.

• GeorgeDillon | May 30, 2012, 12:27 PM EDT

  First LogIn:ciaradexy | May 30, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT ------- Second LogIn; Bythebay | May 30, 2012, 11:03 AM EDT:::::: Just enough time to log out and then log in again under the different ID.

• ancavker | May 30, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT

  oldboreen: And I could argue that many Irish in Ireland are woefully ignorant of Irish history, accept for the revisionist slop they have been served these last 35 years or so.

• Bythebay | May 30, 2012, 11:53 AM EDT

  Complete fantasy, a pipe dream illusion of those in the US. Adams couldn't complete secondary level education. Adams couldn't complete "Brits Out" of Northern Ireland UK or a "United Ireland" after 30 years of terrorism and millions of dollars of US support. Adams couldn't run for re-election in Northern Ireland UK after his first term because he knew he wouldn't be re-elected. Adams wouldn't take his seat in the British Parliament in London and represent his constituency but collected his salary and benefits from his UK masters without flinching. Adams accomplished nothing except a trail of death and destruction and his own enhancement with a pension from Her Majesty. Adams is nothing but a vicious 64 year old failed terrorist and politician who manipulated others for his own gain.

• Bythebay | May 30, 2012, 11:32 AM EDT

  Mary Lou couldn't get support from party members or the electorate to win election as an MEP for Dublin. She was last pick in Dublin Central in the 2011 election and barely scraped through with enough votes. Doherty lost his case this morning in the High Court against the Fiscal Treaty. He wrongfully claimed to be a civil engineer which he isn't, was already suspended in the Dáil for false accusations against the Secretary General of the Department of Finance. Oh yes, winners all!

• mamaginnty | May 30, 2012, 11:13 AM EDT

  If Gerry left the Sinn Féin party tomorrow, I wonder what this lot would moan about then. Many young people are joining now who had nothing to do with troubles in the 70s. The people in his party are younger, they are mainly the ones who have made this impact on the people of Ireland, like Mary Lou and Doherty all true republicans. Communist my ass.

• ciaradexy | May 30, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT

  Sean, if youre such a fan of gerry, why not move to NI and if youre so anti-british, why are you living in part of the commonwealth where the Queen is your head of state?

• Bythebay | May 30, 2012, 11:03 AM EDT

  89West, I know it's difficult for you to understand anything about Ireland. Taoiseach is the correct title for the position according to the Constitution. Your attempt to throw that title away by some lame comparison to using the Irish language and use Prime Minister which is David Cameron in the United Kingdom shows your complete ignorance. No wonder you Americans can't get out of the wars you've started nor tackle your $15 trillion debt.

• IrelandNorth | May 30, 2012, 06:45 AM EDT

  Some posters on this site are still in Cold War mode. Celebrate your victory - PP! (Others are pound shop propagandists.) The Sinn Fein (SF) President, Rt Hon Gerry Adams TD, has not been Taoiseach for 90 years and there hasn't been a United Ireland (UI) yet. How would his election impede such now? A UI would give Ulster unionists a franchise to vote for the Taoiseach of their choice. Have the courage of your - numbers lads! (20% of the Island's population is twice that of critical mass.) Fíanna Fáil (FF) leader Mícheal Martin (MM) is a fellow oppositionist. Why would the SF Rt Hon Deputy Adams TD debate with him. The current Taoiseach, Fine Gael (FG) leader Enda Kenny however did decline one with him. Oppositions are supposed to oppose government parties, not each other. (Someone should tell FF's M&M.) Seoirse Ó Dílean! Tá Cóis an Bá agus ceann eile pearsanta Áontaithí Úladh as an tuarscírt Éireann. Tá siad ag dheanamh diabhlaíocht. Bí ar do cósant! Historically, both FF and FG evolved out of SF. And the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) evolved out of the Free State Army (FSA) and Irish Republican Army (IRA). Irish history may be complicated. But that's no reasons for not understanding it. If there are communist and socialist parties in the European Union (EU), why is the centre- right Irish political establishment so zealous about our integration into it, while SF want us to leave it. (AM! Proposals of love may often constitute economic sodomy.)

• citizen69 | May 30, 2012, 01:38 AM EDT

  If anyone wishes to check the European parliament in Brussels you will see that Sinn Fein have chosen not to sit on the middle left of the house with the socialist parties but on the extreme left with Europe's Communist parties!

• roibaird | May 29, 2012, 11:45 PM EDT

  North Korea Russia China ooooooooooooooooh and Syria could possibly be Irealand's stablemates if yer man Gerry leads the way ! Holy Jaysus ! What a terrible thought!

• seanomelbourne | May 29, 2012, 06:33 PM EDT

  I can feel the west Brits quivering in their tweeds at the thought of a fine man like Jerry been Taoiseach.

• seanomelbourne | May 29, 2012, 06:31 PM EDT

  Jerry would make a fine taoiseach.I can see the west Brits quivering in their tweeds at the very idea of it.

• aloistmartin | May 29, 2012, 05:47 PM EDT

  If the Greek People turn down the Eu proposal of Love; Gerry Adams could become the Irish Lenin ~

• LwaoiseNíMhaol | May 29, 2012, 05:28 PM EDT

  It is actually a possibilty scary...I was born and live in Ireland ...it certainly looks like a strong possibility....they are so far to the left (which i would not mind) that yes they could be red not green almost! But it is the violent past...no Adams was not implicated in the Omagh bombings..Sinn Féin's history is complicated...but they have huge support here now politics has taken a huge leap to the far radical left it seems ..we have no prime minister ...Tsaoiseach..they all speak Irish and Insist upon it so you may aswell..Gerry Adams would go crazy if he heard you say prime minister...I wonder if Irish Americans realize that they are so far to the left of socialism that they could be legitimately accused of communism..and they are now the biggest Irish party with the most support in the polls ... its scary with their past..the connection with violence is really the only thing that bothers me about them

• GeorgeDillon | May 29, 2012, 05:20 PM EDT

  Ya gotta laugh at the hypocrisy of the Irish here who are feigning hurt at the use of the term "Prime Minister" as an alternative to "Taoiseach". There are the very same jerks who have steadfastly refused to learn even one sentence of Irish in ten years schooling! Bythebay, kinvara, is amadain cruthanta sibh beirt!

• oldboreen | May 29, 2012, 05:03 PM EDT

  kinvara7-Actually you have answered your own question! Grieves me to have to say this, but by and large, the Irish- American community is woefully ignorant of Ireland and Irish affairs! Could it be that Niall is fully aware of that?

• seamus60 | May 29, 2012, 04:54 PM EDT

  Chicksooze. Should he run for position, he could use Cardinal Brady as his election agent. As they have something of a common past.

• chicksooze | May 29, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT

  Rock on Gerry, you will get my vote :)

• joebloggs | May 29, 2012, 02:49 PM EDT

  Will it be mandatory to wear Mao suits in the Peoples Democratic Republic or North Korea....Ireland Will the Central Committees Dacha's be on the Costa Del Pro.....

• 89west | May 29, 2012, 02:39 PM EDT

  Bythebay....your wobbling and waffling; the issue is Sinn Fein not what language to use when speaking of what to call the prime minister. With all the money expended, the deflection of educational resources to a failed State goal, the grief and frustration the students endured and lack of progress in making the language universal; why would anyone be fixated on a language only 3% of the population uses or understands. Your own gov't statistics! Come out from under your rock and put your shock behind you and speak to the issue, " Sinn Fein running your Ireland.

• mastersonjp | May 29, 2012, 02:03 PM EDT

  Adams has a much chance of becoming Taoiseach as my cat. He was afraid to debate referendum with Michael Martin because he cant hack it on one to one debates. Just imagine serious debates prior to a general election. Sinn Fein will ditch him before election

• phinsman | May 29, 2012, 01:59 PM EDT

  I have no respect for Gerry Adams. Wasn't he involved in the Omagh bombing on Saturday, 15 August 1998, which killed several innocent citizens?

• Bythebay | May 29, 2012, 01:25 PM EDT

  It's Taoiseach, not Taoiseach(Prime Minister). Not rocket science. They can't comprehend that or anything else about Ireland.

• kinvara7 | May 29, 2012, 01:16 PM EDT

  @NYCsheridan: The name for the office under the constitution is 'Taoiseach'. Why Niall cannot write 'Taoiseach (Prime Minister)' I will never know. It makes the Irish-American community look very ignorant.

• Bythebay | May 29, 2012, 01:06 PM EDT

  NYCSheridan, Northern Ireland UK has evidenced no interest whatsoever in your American named "United Ireland". More pointless dreaming from those whose ancestors had no problem leaving Ireland.

• Bythebay | May 29, 2012, 01:02 PM EDT

  NYCsheridan, that's for you Americans who are so easily confused by Irish names. Using Prime Minister rather than Taoiseach is exactly what the British did which you so called "Irish Americans" are always railing about. If you despise it so much don't do it.

• NYCsheridan | May 29, 2012, 12:46 PM EDT

  bythebay, the Taoiseach website itself defines the Taoiseach as "the Irish prime minister". But thanks for the daily troll. :)

• NYCsheridan | May 29, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT

  Citizen69, it won't matter much, in a few short years the six counties will be majority Catholic and the Orangemen can moan all they want to, Unification will be won, through the vote, just as Michael Collins said it would 90 years ago.

• Bythebay | May 29, 2012, 12:29 PM EDT

  Ireland doesn't have a Prime Minister, that's the United Kingdom. We have a Taoiseach. Despite all the complaints in the US about the British anglicizing Irish names Irish Central continues the same policy.

• greensod | May 29, 2012, 12:26 PM EDT

  Not only is it possible,it is the only hope Ireland has to get out of the mess caused by FF.Already it is evident that the crowd in power at the present are at best spineless servents for the Germans and French.Their records so far has resulted in a medical system that is in shambles,education system in shambles,born Irish leaving the country in greater numbers since the holocost/ famine,no action by the courts on any criminals who plunged the country into bankrucpty due to greed,Property tax increases,water charges,sales of Irish national resources,reductions in pensions and unemployment at 21%,Yes Ireland needs Sinn Fein and Gerry Adams to again lead the country back to a nation once again status.Now is the time to take the keys away from the free staters they have killed the brown cow.and chewed her down to the bones with pure greed and racketeering.

• citizen69 | May 29, 2012, 11:42 AM EDT

  Well they do say societies turn to extreme nationalists in times of economic crisis. I think a Gerry Adams presidency (if it were ever to happen) would be a stumbling block to any probability of United Ireland. I think you underestimate the level of contempt he is regarded with by the general Unionist population. I doubt they would have any desire to merge with a country whose president was such a prominent figure in sectarian terrorism.

• seanaci | May 29, 2012, 10:50 AM EDT

  The swing to the left in Europe has deep roots. In contrast to Americans, Europeans have an enduring tribal and familial heritage to fall back on when they need to recover from the ravages of both greed driven industrial-scale wars, such as those that marked the opening of the 20th century, and the global financial exploitation as of now. Socialism is not a pejorative term in Europe. It is remembered as the force that created the safety net that helped spread a higher quality of life across the continent. Europeans learned the difference between standard of living and quality of life and between real freedom and the so-called free market the hard way. They should be grateful to the world’s bankers and elite for reminding them of these strengths. I hope the failure of the referendum is a first step in replacing an economy with a nation.

• SeamusMor | May 29, 2012, 10:19 AM EDT

  Jean McConville won't vote for him!

• PhlutiePhan | May 29, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT

  Gerry Adams is devious and cunning. So, why not? He could then be called Uncle Gerry just like his mentor Uncle Hugo.

• sirpeter | May 29, 2012, 09:15 AM EDT

  I think it's more than a possibility if conditions decline in Europe.At this stage either the Euro falls or there is full fiscal union.Either way it's more cuts and that is playing right into Sinn Fein's hands.