Irish Republican News: Archives

August 31, 2012

Churchmen lead the way

A row has developed between Protestant church leaders and the anti-Catholic loyal orders following Saturday’s Royal Black Institution march in Belfast.

Unionist figures seen behind parade trouble

With unionist politicians and loyalist figures expressing defiance despite last weekend’s trouble at the intersection of Carrick Hill and Donegall Road, fears are growing that a giant loyalist parade planned for the end of September could lead to further conflict.

Massacre bid in Coleraine

Loyalist paramilitaries sprayed bullets at the home of a man who is due to give evidence about the UDA murder of his cousin, Kevin McDaid, on Wednesday night.

Sinn Féin seeks funding for Tyrone loyalists

As nationalist residents battled with loyalist marchers and their supporters on Saturday, both the main nationalist parties have been embarrassed by news of compromising stances on the loyal orders and the marching organisations.

‘Savage’ new health cutbacks

A new round of health cuts to home help and services for high-dependency patients in the 26 Counties has provoked a furious reaction from groups working with older people and the disabled. It has also seen fresh signs of disagreement between the government coalition parties.

Ken Maginnis quits UUP

Former Ulster Unionist MP Ken Maginnis has announced his resignation from the Ulster Unionist Party amid a row over his attitude to gay men.

Progress? Yes. Change? No.

Little has changed in the 40 years since Bernadette Devlin McAliskey took her seat in Westminster. There’s been progress, she says, the token gestures, the handshake. But change?

SF needs to step up in marching debate

Unionists ‘politicians’ knew they hadn’t a leg to stand on when they encouraged people to ignore the Parade Commission’s determination and break the law.

August 25, 2012

Clashes after loyalists, PSNI ignore Parades Commission

Trouble broke out in Belfast city centre this afternoon after a loyalist band was permitted to march past a Catholic church to the same spot where it had conducted a provocative sectarian ritual last month.

August 24, 2012

The Price of oppression

The family of interned political dissident Marian Price have hit out at the North’s prison authorities after warders refused to leave the room while the veteran republican underwent an invasive medical procedure.

UDA threat to Belfast journalist

The unionist paramilitary UDA is believed to be behind a death threat against a Belfast journalist, despite a belated denial issued on behalf of the group.

Rasharkin victim of loyalist attack arrested

A member of a County Antrim nationalist residents’ group has said the PSNI took him “off the streets” ahead of a contentious loyalist -- by arresting him over an attack on his wife’s car.

Dublin commemoration for the RIC

An attempt to rehabilitate members of pro-British police militias who brutally opposed the Irish struggle for freedom during the War of Independence has provoked outrage in the 26 Counties.

Loyalist defiance feared over RBP parade

A notorious loyalist band has called on other unionists to join it in defying a Parades Commission ruling over a contentious sectarian parade tomorrow [Saturday August 25].

Demand for genuine inquest into teen’s death

The family of a teenager shot dead by soldiers during Operation Motorman has called for a new inquest into his death.

A reminder of the worst days of apartheid

At least 34 people were shot dead and 80 more were injured when police opened fire on striking workers at a platinum mine in Marikana, in the North West province of South Africa last Thursday, August 16.

A new march for civil rights

It is beyond belief that nearly all the injustices and denial of people’s rights still exist today in 2012 and that we have to march again for the same rights.

August 17, 2012

Nationalists told: 'Stay indoors'

A Catholic pub was attacked by loyalists during a ‘feeder’ Apprentice Boys parade in County Down last week -- but the DUP has said there would have been no violence if nationalists had stayed indoors.

Price handcuffed during hospital switch

A lawyer acting for internee Marian Price has accused the Six County prison authorities of being “inhumane” after she was handcuffed while travelling in an ambulance between two Belfast hospitals.

PSNI slammed for child riot propaganda

The PSNI has been strongly criticised for making absurd claims that children as young as seven were involved in petrol bomb attacks in Derry.

Villagers concerned as parade tensions escalate

There have been fears that a loyalist parade through the strongly nationalist village of Rasharkin in County Antrim this evening could provoke disorder.

Campaign for Kelly’s bar inquiry

The police ombudsman Michael Maguire has been asked to investigate a bombing and shooting incident of the early years of the recent conflict that bears strong similarities to the McGurk’s bar atrocity.

Irish athletes cheered by large crowds

Ireland’s Olympians for 2012, including gold medal winner Katie Taylor, were welcomed home like heroes on Dawson Street in Dublin on Wednesday.

Arthur Griffith

The Sinn Féin founder, Arthur Griffith, died 90 years ago this week.

Festival of the people marks quarter century

Plans are already being laid for the biggest and best West Belfast Féile for August 2013.

August 10, 2012

Serious clashes over internment bonfires

A 13-year-old girl was among those arrested after the PSNI attacked nationalist anti-internment bonfires this week.

Sinister agenda seen behind Belfast evacuation order

Securocrats have been strongly criticised for a ham-fisted attempt to evacuate over a hundred homes in west Belfast last week -- before declaring that a claimed rocket attack on a PSNI police landrover, which prompted the evacuations, had been a hoax.