SAOIRSE32

Whiteline Picket
Dunville Park, Falls Road
3PM Christamas Eve.

32 County Sovereignty Movement
belfast32.blogspot.com
22/12/2008

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement call for the immediate release of North Belfast Republican Terry McCafferty who was returned to Maghaberry gaol last night just four weeks after being released having served half of a 12 year sentence for his part in Republican activity in Belfast.
Terry McCafferty was returning from a holiday in Spain with his family when he was arrested and told he was being returned to Maghaberry having had his license revoked by British secretary of state Paul Goggins.

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement view this action as blatant harassment of a Republican and his family just before Christmas. We have little doubt that there is no reason to revoke Terry’s license and we believe it may be a spiteful reaction to the release of the Derry 4 last Friday. It is quite clear that MI5 did not get the result they wanted in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin and they have ordered that Terry be imprisoned due to the fact that he has been recently released and his first Christmas with his family for years is approaching, It was designed to cause maximum misery to Republicans

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement call on all Republicans to unite to ensure that this spiteful action be overturned immediately.

….or ‘A SWIM FOR EVERY COUNTY!’

**My friend Sharon over at 1169 and Counting… asked if I would post this from their site, and I am more than happy to do so. Please do what you can, and also please stop by Sharon’s site to say hello and to get your daily dose of Irish republican history. It’s important now more than ever.

1169 and Counting…

It began - properly structured and organised - in 1976,as a ‘fundraiser with a difference’ combined with the need to gain extra publicity for a situation which was then - as now - making world headlines. Those who sat down together in early September 1976 to tighten-up the then ‘hit-and-miss’ affair were a dedicated team who fully understood that to fail in their business would not only bring derision on them and the issue they sought to highlight, but would give their enemy a publicity coup which they would exploit to the fullest extent. With that in mind, the team persevered - favours were called-in, guarantees were secured, provisions obtained and word dispatched to like-minded individuals in the near-locale. At the appointed time on the agreed day - 12 Noon, Christmas Day 1976 - a soon-to-be 32-years-young event was ‘born’…

The CABHAIR Christmas Day Swim is, thankfully, still going strong and will be, as mentioned, 32-years-young on December 25th next!

Photographs of last years event can be viewed >>here and, if you can’t make it to the actual swim itself, you might consider posting a donation to the following address (please note that all monies raised go to the republican prisoners themselves and to their families - no expenses or admin fees etc are removed):

CABHAIR
Irish Republican Prisoners Dependants Fund
223 Parnell Street,
Dublin 1,
Ireland

Thank You,
Go Raibh Maith Agat,
Sharon

Irish News
20/12/2008

FORMER IRA hunger striker Sean McKenna has died at the age of 56.

Originally from Newry, Mr McKenna spent 53 days on the first hunger strike in the October 1980 protest.

Against the wishes of the IRA army council Mr McKenna went on the fast with six other republican prisoners including Brendan Hughes, Tommy McKearney and Raymond McCartney.

He had slipped into a coma but before he died, the strike was called off and he was revived.

Before he lost consciousness Brendan ‘The Dark’ Hughes, OC in the Maze at the time, had promised that he would not let him die.

It is believed Mr McKenna suffered ill health since his release from prison, in particular he never fully recovered his eyesight.

–Photo from Larkspirit

Irish News
23/12/2008

THE funeral of a former IRA hunger striker has taken place in Co Louth.

Sean McKenna who was in his fifties, died on December 19, almost 28 years to the day after being taken off hunger strike in 1980. The protest began in October 1980 and was called off on December 18 after Mr McKenna slipped into a coma. Requiem Mass was held at St Mary’s Church, Ravensdale, Co Louth, with burial at Calvary cemetery.

Photo from Larkspirit

News Letter
24 December 2008

LURGAN residents were on full alert yesterday as police revealed they had received a telephoned bomb warning on Monday night.
Members of the public were being urged to be vigilant as searches were carried out in the town.

However the alert was later declared a hoax.

Detectives had been appealing for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity, particularly around Church Walk, Wellington Street and North Street, to contact them.

People were also being warned not to touch any suspicious objects they might come across and contact their local police station.

Local DUP MLA Stephen Moutray said that whoever was responsible for the incident “had absolutely nothing to offer society”, branding it a “sinister attempt to lure the police into a trap”.

He said: “I would absolutely condemn this, and the safety of the police and local population would be my immediate concern.

“Given the economic situation that prevails at the moment this is the last thing business people in Lurgan need in the run-up to Christmas.”

The incident came just days after a similar alert in Co Fermanagh, which yesterday remained ongoing.

A telephone warning had been made on Friday to a “local news organisation” about a rocket-propelled grenade being fired by a terrorist organisation in the Newtownbutler area “in the last 48 hours”.

It was claimed that the device had failed to explode.

But according to a police spokesman the information provided was “imprecise given the large area it referred to”.

He added that whilst police had “no information to substantiate the claim”, they were urging people to be cautious and not touch any suspicious object.

“The location should be reported to police straight away,” he said.

News Letter
23 December 2008

AN SDLP councillor who criticised Education Minister Caitriona Ruane for glorifying hunger striker Bobby Sands in front of west Belfast schoolchildren has been threatened.

Dunmurry councillor Matthew McDermott accused the Sinn Fein minister of “propaganda” while speaking at his old school last week.

During a prize-giving ceremony at St Colm’s High School in Twinbrook, Ms Ruane praised the IRA hunger striker, telling pupils they should be thankful that Sands paved the way for a better future for them.

Now graffiti, some containing obscene language, has appeared on several walls around the area and Cllr McDermott said that he had been verbally abused while out walking with his four-year-old son.

Speaking of the reason behind the threats he said: “It was absolutely wrong for Caitriona Ruane to promote party political positions when acting in her capacity as a minister and it was equally wrong for Jennifer McCann, Sinn Fein MLA, to say that her party thinks it’s fine if a unionist minister were to praise Gusty Spence, a UVF terrorist.

“I would call on the SF leadership to publicly condemn these threats on my family and condemn the use of graffiti and vandalism as a method of getting a message across,” Cllr McDermott said.

“Others and I have worked hard over the past year to ensure the Colin area can be graffiti free – these people should be ashamed. If anyone has an issue with me, they should contact me directly.

“Many members of the local community have been fully supportive and behind me and believe it an absolute disgrace that faceless thugs would subject anyone, least of all a four-year-old, to this threat.”

Writing on his internet blog last Friday, Cllr McDermott said of Ms Ruane’s remarks: “This was blatant Sinn Fein propaganda being delivered by the Minister for Education in a school on official ministerial business. It was inappropriate and irresponsible.

“Is the minister saying this in every school she visits?”

But last night a Sinn Fein spokesman dismissed Cllr McDermott’s comments, accusing him of seeking publicity.

“Sinn Fein aren’t aware at this stage of any threats made against Matthew McDermott, but realistically if he feels that strongly about the nature of what has been written then he should contact the PSNI instead of releasing press statements,” he said.

“Mr McDermott’s Thatcherite comments have caused deep hurt and offence within the Twinbrook community and that hurt and offence has been raised by many members of the community as well as by Sinn Fein representatives.”

However, Cllr McDermott’s party colleague, Tim Attwood, said that he had been right to raise the issue, adding: “This graffiti directed at Matthew McDermott is vicious and threatening.”

Over the weekend the PSNI confirmed that it was investigating an alleged incident of glorifying terrorism following a complaint about Ms Ruane’s remarks at the school.

The school has been in the headlines in recent months after a series of hoax bomb alerts targeted the school following a visit by the Royal Navy.

In September three officers from the Royal Navy visited the school to lead a team-building and leadership event.

Sinn Fein said that parents should have been consulted before the “secret visit”, but principal Imelda Johnston said that pupils had been made aware of the “planned visit”.

News Letter
23 December 2008

SECRETARY of State Shaun Woodward believes the way is now clear for the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

In his Christmas message to the Ulster public, Mr Woodward stressed his belief that Northern Ireland is now a much better place in the aftermath of the DUP-Sinn Fein deal on policing.

2008 will be remembered for the power-sharing administration grounding to a halt for almost five months as the two parties could not agree on a timeframe for the devolution of justice powers.

Last month, both parties signalled they had reached a compromise allowing a fully-functioning Executive to return.

“The historic agreement between the two party leaders, witnessed only a matter of weeks ago, marks the moment when we can say we have begun the final part of the process which will lead to the transfer of powers from me as Secretary of State in Westminster to elected politicians here in a power sharing Government in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“This is the end of a long road for the people of Northern Ireland and an outcome which they so rightly deserve.

“Northern Ireland is in a much better place now and I and my ministerial colleague, Paul Goggins, would like to wish everyone a safe, peaceful and happy Christmas,” he added.

By Scott Jamison
Andersonstown News Monday
22 Dec 2008

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has presented its case on a future bill of rights for the North to the British Government.

The advice was handed over to Secretary of State Shaun Woodward on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Monica McWilliams, Chief Commissioner of the HRC, said the contents would “reflect and safeguard” the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements.

“The HRC has carefully considered how its recommendations reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem,” she explained.

“At the same time, we have acknowledged that the rights and needs of others must be protected. Both objectives can be best achieved through a bill of rights that reflects a common commitment to fairness, equality and justice for all.”

West Belfast MP Gerry Adams welcomed the next stage in the process.

“This is potentially one of the most important milestones since the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) ten years ago and is crucial to ensuring building equality, defending human rights and making sure there is no return to the abuses of the past,” said the MP.

“The history of this jurisdiction has been one in which citizens’ rights were trampled on and ignored.

“Discrimination and injustice against one section of people were integral parts of the fabric of this society since before partition.

“Today, the political institutions have the hard task of overcoming that legacy of structured political, economic and religious discrimination.

“Therefore, the bill of rights must be more than a set of pie-in-the-sky rights that sound good on paper but have no impact on people’s lives.

“It must part of the legal framework that can protect citizens against discrimination and injustice.”

Mr Adams said the onus was now on the Irish and British governments to take the issue forward.

“The British government must not veto or dilute the potential that exists to put in place a comprehensive bill of right for the North.

“Moreover, the Irish government needs to look closely at what has been produced, with a view to moving forward to create the charter envisaged in the GFA.

“To advance this work, Sinn Féin believes it is essential an all-Ireland constitutional court be established to serve as an independent and impartial body to which citizens, special interest groups and those charged with advancing and protecting human rights can refer cases for decisions.”

Derry Journal
23 December 2008

The invaluable local artefacts of the Museum of Free Derry are now even more fascinating - having recently been encased in a series of impressive new display cases.

Now lining the length of the Glenfada Park building, these newly acquired display cases stand floor to ceiling in impressive glass, giving the exhibition space a more coherent, world-class appeal.

These latest additions were funded jointly by DCC and NI Tourist Board under the Tourism and Development Scheme Project. Speaking to the ‘Journal, Adrian Kerr, Manager of Museum of Free Derry, explained some of the newest displays and the work in progress. One case houses a banner saying ‘Queen University Civil Rights Association’.

Adrian revealed: “A guy called Hugh Doherty found this particular banner in the house on Free Derry Corner on the morning of Bloody Sunday, where it must have been stashed as everyone began to flee the shooting. He had it in the attic for many years and lent it to the museum a few years ago,” he says.

An original civil rights logo hand-painted by George Sweeney and carried in many of the early marches is also on display, as is a B-Special uniform and important local newspapers.

Another new addition is the distinctive hat worn by well-known civil rights campaigner Vinny Coyle. The hat was recently donated to the museum by Vinny’s son and is now displayed proudly alongside a photograph of the man himself.

“It’s important to have items like this in the museum,” Adrian explains, “Vinny’s name may not mean very much to tourists but it means an awful lot to local people, and that’s who this museum is for, first and foremost. We’re telling the community’s story for the community. I think local people would find a resonance in having his hat here.”

Another impressive new case houses artefacts from the Battle of the Bogside period, including two particular flags with a distinct local provenance.

Flags

“The flags hanging here are two very specific flags - they’re actually the two original flags which flew from the Rossville Flats during the Battle of the Bogside. We have a photograph of the flats alongside them and you can clearly see the flags hanging from the roof. The Starry Plough comes from the Sharkey family and the Tricolour from Leo Coyle and David Murphy, and to tell the story even better we also have things like old style petrol bombs, a gas mask, a riot helmet and CS gas canisters and rubber and plastic bullets,” Adrian said.

An empty case lines the length of one wall waiting on one very important exhibit - the now famous Civil Rights Association banner from Bloody Sunday - which is currently away being restored. An army jacket belonging to Eamon Lafferty, who was the first Provisional IRA volunteer to be killed in action in Derry in 1971, is also newly displayed.

The most moving and thought-provoking exhibits in the museum are those related to Bloody Sunday and its victims, including Jim Wray’s jacket, John Young’s shirt, a Knights of Malta uniform, a Para helmet that was worn on Bloody Sunday.

Also on display are the camera carried by William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, a belt worn by Patrick Doherty in which you can clearly see the notch made by the fatal bullet, a babygro used to stem the blood of Michael Kelly and a copy of the original Widgery Tribunal.

“The newest addition to this collection is a jacket belonging to Michael McDaid, who was killed on Bloody Sunday, with the bullet hole clearly visible in the back. Michael’s family brought this in to us recently and we’re pleased to have it included in the collection.

“These new exhibits and new display cases have really improved the whole museum because now we can tell the story better,” Adrian added.

Derry Journal
23 December 2008

Concern has been expressed in Derry’s Waterside over the emergence of stickers glorifying a football chant which mocks the events of the Irish Famine.

Known as ‘The Famine Song’, the chant refers to the events of the 1840s which saw more than 1 million people die across Ireland and led to mass Irish emigration.

In September of this year the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh met with the Scottish Government after it had received complaints relating to the singing of the chant at August’s clash between Celtic and Rangers.

Last week a Rangers fan escaped a jail sentence after being found guilty of guilty of breach of the peace, aggravated by religious and racial prejudice, at Kilmarnock District Court.

William Walls was given two years probation and a football banning order for singing the “Famine Song”.

Now the ‘Journal’ has learned stickers carrying a line from the song are being circulated around the Waterside.

One of the stickers, intially posted on a lamp post in the Kilfennan area, was given to the ‘Journal’ yesterday.

Stickers are sectarian

Sinn Féin Councillor Lynn Fleming said the stickers are sectian and aimed at inflaming community tensions in the area.

“The ‘Famine Song’ has been deemed sectarian by the Police and these stickers are obviosly the work of people intent in raising tensions in the Waterside area approaching next week’s Old Firm game.

“I am confident that the work done between the two communities in the Waterside over the past few years will not be undermined by the people who produced this stickers.”

BBC
23 Dec 2008

It was the year the first Superman film was released and John Travolta popped on his platforms in Grease.

Across the UK and Ireland pop culture played itself out from vinyl LPs and people watched Father Abraham and the Smurfs on the Top of the Pops Christmas Special, hosted by Noel Edmonds.

Toy shops were swamped in the run up to Christmas

Thirty years on and Travolta and Edmonds are still high-flying entertainment figures, and just like in 1978 there is a Labour government trying to deal with economic doldrums.

Back in the day in Jamaica the One Love Peace Concert saw Bob Marley unite two opposing political leaders, bringing peace to the civil war-ridden streets of Kingston.

FLICK THROUGH THE ADS

>>Take a trip through 1978 newspaper ads

In Belfast, the Troubles were in full flow but there was the hope of progress.

On 15 February, the SDLP’s John Hume proposed a third option for the Irish question - an “agreed Ireland” with the British government bringing the main traditions together in reconciliation and agreement.

Two days later 12 Protestants, attending the annual dinner dance of the Irish Collie Club, were killed when the IRA blew up the La Mon House Hotel.

Belfast’s Black Santa in 1978 - Watch video

Later that year David Cooke of the Alliance Party became the first non-unionist Lord Mayor of Belfast - this year Sinn Fein’s Tom Hartley was the city’s first citizen.

Away from the politics people lived their lives, as always.

Crossfire was not just a Troubles term, but the name of a popular game - nightmarishly noisy it sent ball bearings rattling down plastic gun launchers to clatter into plastic backboards in a table-top version of air hockey.

There were hints of things to come, with the Atari video game which saw blocky graphics as a gripping substitute for tennis.

Shoppers had to open their bags in a bid to stop the bombers

The ZX Spectrum, never mind the Wii, was a long way away, but a world where consoles would displace more traditional games was beckoning.

However, judging by the 1978 newspaper toy ads, most children were hankering after Action Man, Star Wars figures Sindy dolls and Raleigh pushbikes.

On television the Good Life, Sweeny and Opportunity Knocks were high in the listings, and Scene Around Six was providing local BBC News.

There was shock in the papers though, when in November anchor Barry Cowan threatened to defect to the rival UTV programme Good Evening Ulster, hosted by Gloria Hunniford, unless his contract was improved.

But children were more interested in cartoon Battle of the Planets and Rentaghost, and with the arrival of Grange Hill would also have a bit of realistic drama of their own.

A living present was much more popular back then. There are fewer puppies left under the tree nowadays, with the Dogs Trust noting that fewer than 1.8% of dog owners receiving their dog as a gift instead of 20% back in 1978.

Inflation was just under 10%, milk cost 11p a pint, the average house price was £13,820 and 58p would buy a pack of 20 cigarettes.

Stewarts was later taken over by Tesco

The local supermarket business was dominated by the mighty Stewarts chain, where a can of Smithwicks would cost 22p and turkey was 49p per lb - French wines started at £1.29.

The Crossfire game cost £7.50 and a Bionic Woman doll had been knocked down to £5.95 from £6.99.

Most shops were still on high streets, but the opening of the Abbeycentre in Newtownabbey saw the trend for out of town shopping malls continue to grow.

To buy their presents in Belfast, and many provincial town centres, shoppers had to go through security gates and be searched before heading to department stores.

Those gates have gone now, but so have many of the shops as well, the Aladin’s cave of Leisureworld closed in 1998 the same decade that saw the city centre Anderson and McAuley department store close its doors.

Stewarts/Crazy Prices was taken over by Tesco in 1997. Just before the Tesco takeover, it was the sixth biggest employer in Northern Ireland.

Some 1970s traditions remain, however, with the Black Santa’s annual sit out for charity at St Anne’s Cathedral remaining.

It began with Dean Samuel Crooks in 1976. In an interview with the BBC in 1978 he said that he was hoping to top £3,500. In 2008 his successor, Dean Houston McKelvey, was heading towards a total in excess of £150,000.