We reported before Christmas on America OnLine, the world's top
Internet Service Provider's censorship of Irish nationalist and
republican ideas and of the Irish language.
The response from Irish America has been swift and decisive. The
Irish People, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Irish American
internet users have demanded an explanation from AOL for their
actions.
One internet user described it as ``a latter day form of (cyber)
McCarthyism.''
AOH President Thomas Gilligan wrote: ``If this episode is the product
of loyalist and British collusion to harass and intimidate bona fide
participants in these Heritage Boards, I have asked our [legal]
counsel to consider a class-action lawsuit.''
AOL partly rescinded their ban but so far they have come up with no
evidence to warrant their action.
Thomas Gilligan wrote to AOL Chairman Steve Case: and one question he
asked him was: ``Just what specifically is the objection to the Irish
language other than you apparently were not aware there was one?''
We'll watch the battle with interest.
RUC pennypinchers fell out over lottery money when a poor old RUC
office clerk found out the hard way that ``if you're not in you can't
win'' when she sued ticket holder Janice Robinson for her share of
£5,700.
Diane Smart (or not so smart) from Huntingdale Manor, Ballyclare was
trying to get a share of £68,000 won by an RUC office syndicate in
the English national lottery. Her claim was dismissed by Judge John
Petrie as she was on sick leave over 12 July 1997 when the money was
won and, therefore, she had not paid her stake.
A Presbyterian minister has offered `Hope' to all those who are
suffering at the hands of sectarian bigots. At an annual function
held in Armagh to mark Christian Unity Week, which had the theme
`Hope', he announced that bigots `can be rehabilitated'. The speech
was delivered to an audience which included the unreformed bigots of
the RUC.
Unfortunately the minister did not offer any suggestions on how
bigots can be rehabilitated. May we suggest, as a first step, the
disbandment of the RUC?
Up to as many as seven soldiers serving with the 26 Counties army, in
the Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin, have been warned by their
commanding officer, who is also the local intelligence officer, to
stay away from the Felon's Social Club on the Falls Road.
All of the soldiers were questioned, in depth, about their attendance
in the Republican club and asked why did they go.
When all seven reported that the Felon's was the best night club in
Belfast, it would be fair to say that their O/C was none too happy.
They were then asked if they knew that the club was run by Republican
ex-POWs, and that the money raised went to the cause, the boys
replied they didn't know this. Asked if they knew that the RUC was
trying in vain to shut the club, and that it had been covered in the
papers, again they replied in the negative.
The top man then took a different line of questioning the lads,
asking if they were acquainted with any IRA Volunteers, drug-dealers
or joyriders. Despite their long stay in Belfast, they all said that
they didn't know anyone who fitted these descriptions.
They were let off with a warning that if they returned to the Felon's
they could say ``bye-bye'' to their career in the army. So much for
peace and reconciliation.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)