Posted by Jim on June 18, 2018
Belfast.Wednesday, June 13th, 2018
Raymond McCord
The father of a loyalist murder victim has been appointed to the board of an international peace group.The South Korea-based World Peace Prize organisation has members across the globe.
The latest is Belfast man Raymond McCord whose son Raymond junior was killed by the UVF in 1997.
Mr. McCord joins US priest Fr. Sean McManus on a 14-strong panel of judges for the peace prize.
He’s been speaking with Q Radio…
The group has issued the following statement:
The World Peace Prize was initiated in Seoul, South Korea in 1989 by the Reverend Dr. Han Min Su, a Presbyterian Minister, who has dedicated his life to promoting world peace by bringing together East and West and representatives of all the major world religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Russian Orthodox and Zoroastrianism.
Dr. Han said:” We are most pleased that Raymond McCord is joining our International- Interfaith Board as a Judge and as a UK representative. Mr. McCord has demonstrated what one person can accomplish through dedication to justice and peace. He has been honoured by being invited to testify before the United States Congress, where he has received strong support, and where his views are regularly disseminated. And now, he honours the World Peace Prize Awarding Council by joining us in our mission of world peace.”
Mr. McCord said: “This is a huge honour and I am humbled and very grateful. It is powerful encouragement to me and my work for justice. I will strongly support the wonderful work of Reverend Dr. Han, liaising with the Headquarters in Seoul through its Washington office, headed up by Chief Judge, Fr. Sean McManus, President, Irish National Caucus and Barbara Flaherty, Executive Vice President, Irish Nation Caucus, who is also a Judge and Corporate Manager of the World Peace Prize Awarding Council.”
Fr. McManus said: ” It is well known that I am a strong supporter of Raymond’s long campaign for justice. I deeply believe that reconciliation, ecuminism and religious cooperation are at their truest and best when different religions come together not just to talk about reconciliation but especially when they come together to work for justice. So, for example, in this case, I am proud, as a Fermanagh Catholic, to work on Capitol Hill with Raymond, a Belfast Anglican/Protestant.”
Posted by Jim on
Seamus McKinney
18 June, 2018 01:00
The day before the Caledon sit-in protest, the Goodfellow family were dragged from the home they had been living in for eight months.
In occupying a house in Caledon in 1968 for a few brief hours, former Stormont MP Austin Currie believes he helped change history.
While Dungannon GP, Con McCloskey and his wife, Patricia had been pioneering the civil rights’ campaign for a number of years, most accept the Caledon Protest on June 20 1968 moved the campaign onto a new level. The protest was in some ways the birth proper of the civil rights movement.
Housing was one of the key means of control used by the unionist state. By controlling housing, unionist leaders were able to ensure Catholic and nationalist votes were limited. By ensuring new housing was confined to certain wards, they were also able to gerrymander whole authorities.
Against that background, many Catholic families across Northern Ireland were forced to live in slums and abject poverty.
Nichola Mallon: Even half a century after Caledon inequality in housing is glaring
In October 1967, at her wits end, Mary Teresa Goodfellow, her husband Fran and children, Dawn and Brian, took possession of number 11 Kinnard Park in Caledon. They had hoped that Dungannon council would allocate one of the new houses to them as they were living in cramped conditions with her parents and six brothers at Brantry near Dungannon. But nearly all of the 15 new homes were allocated to Protestants.
A court fined the family for squatting but ordered they could remain in the house for six months in the hope that a new house would be allocated. However, on June 19 1968, bailiffs arrived to evict the family.
Mrs Goodfellow’s sister-in-law, Geraldine Gildernew – mother of Sinn Féin MP, Michelle, Sinn Féin MLA, Colum and wife of Sinn Féin councillor, Phelim – was with her on the day of the eviction. Mrs Gildernew recalled Mrs Goodfellow’s mother was also in the house on the morning of the eviction.
“We’d gone to Currie (Austin) and asked him and he said we were right to move into the house in October and if they evicted us, he said he would squat in the house,” she told the Irish News.
On the day of the eviction, Mrs Gildernew recalled bailiffs using hatchets to break down the door.
“We were told that if we sat on the floor and let ourselves go loose, it would be hard to move us but they trailed me out by the feet onto the street and Teresa out the back door,” she recalled.
To make matters worse, the house next door, number 9, was let to a single 19-year-old Protestant woman, Emily Beatty.
Mrs Gildernew said that, with other family members, she went to the home of her local Stormont MP, Austin Currie and reminded him of his October promise.
The following day, Mr Currie was joined by Mrs Gildernew’s brother-in-law, Patsy and local farmer, Joe Campbell in what was to become the Caledon protest. A Nationalist Party MP and one of the young Turks of the civil rights’ movement, Mr Currie (78) told the Irish News he had pledged to support the Goodfellows.
“It seemed to me to be the most blatant of injustices; they were just thrown out on the street.”
With the aid of a poker, entry was gained to Number 11 Kinnard Park and Mr Currie, Mr Gildernew and Mr Campbell awaited their fate.
The former MP said: “The police arrived, a sergeant that I knew, but he said it was a civil matter and he would not get involved unless there was a breach of the law and so he left.
“But then after a few hours, a brother of Emily Beatty who was a policeman as well but was in plain clothes arrived and told us to get out. We told him it was a non-violent protest so he went off and got a sledge hammer and broke down the door.
“He tried to throw us out physically but we walked out to the waiting cameras and reporters. It was big news because an MP had taken part in the protest and WD Flecks from the television was there.”
Mr Currie said that through his efforts to bring about change at Stormont, he was aware that unionists would not change and the British government would ignore the injustices being visited on the Catholic population.
“I believed the only way to change things was to get the British government to put pressure on the unionists to change and that meant the media,” he said.
After the protest, Mr Currie said he worked with Doctor Mr McCloskey and his wife, Patricia – whom he described as his “political parents” – to build on the momentum created by the Caledon protest.
“We went to a meeting of the civil rights’ executive in Maghera and asked them to organise a march.”
That march, the first of the civil rights’ movement since partition, took place on August 24 from Coalisland to Dungannon. While it passed off without incident – despite a loyalist counter demonstration – two months later, on October 5, a similar civil rights march in Derry was beaten off the streets by police, a moment that most regard as the start of the Troubles.
Both Mr Currie and Mrs Gildernew are proud of what was achieved by the Caledon squat and protest.
Mrs Gildernew said: “I think there has come a lot of good things out of it. It is not perfect but it is better than it was. I am proud of my role in it.”
Her husband, Phelim is now the councillor for the seat once held by the unionist who allocated Number 11 Kinnard Park to Emily Beatty.
Mr Currie has no regrets over his role.
“It was the beginning of the civil rights campaign proper. In a very, very short time, we managed to have a successful resolution to many of the abuses. The Housing Executive was set up; gerrymandering was stopped with the introduction of PR voting and the B Specials were abolished.
“I believe it was a beginning and I believe I helped change history,” he said.
Mr Currie returned to Dungannon on Friday last to take part in a conference on housing organised by the SDLP to mark the 50th anniversary of his protest. He was joined by retired Ulster University professor, Paddy Gray, the university’s Professor Duncan Morrow and other leading experts in the field of housing.
Today, an exhibition focusing on the Caledon squat and protest will be held at the former courthouse in Caledon (1pm to 4.30pm).
Posted by Jim on
The Troubles
Protesters regularly took to the streets to call for civil rights in the late 1960s
The civil rights movement and Sinn Féin were infiltrated by an officer from the Metropolitan Police during the early part of the Troubles.
The police force has disclosed the information to an inquiry into undercover policing by forces in England and Wales.
The Times reported that the officer, known as Sean Lynch, worked in Northern Ireland in the period 1968-74.
His involvement coincided with Bloody Sunday in February 1972.
Thirteen men and youths were shot dead and another later died of his wounds when the Army opened fire on a demonstration organised by the NI Civil Rights Association (Nicra) in Londonderry.
‘One eye closed’
In addition to Nicra and Sinn Féin, the now-deceased Mr Lynch, whose real name has not been revealed, also infiltrated the Irish Civil Rights Solidarity Campaign and the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign.
The revelation has renewed calls for the remit of the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) to be extended to Northern Ireland.
Image caption
Bloody Sunday – 13 men and youths were shot dead and another later died of his wounds
Lawyer Darragh Mackin is seeking a judicial review to extend it.
He said the time period “falls squarely into the time that (Nicra) had organised the Bloody Sunday march” and this was an element of undercover work that had “fallen completely under the radar”.
“The legacy investigations into the Troubles have been effectively operating with one eye closed,” he added.
Behind schedule
UCPI was set up in 2015 by the then Home Secretary Theresa May to investigate claims of wrongdoing by forces in England and Wales.
It followed a series of allegations, including claims Met undercover officers had tricked women into sexual relationships.
Mr Mackin is seeking a judicial review to extend its remit on behalf of Jason Kirkpatrick, an environmental activist in Northern Ireland in the mid-2000s.
He claims that an undercover Metropolitan Police officer infiltrated a group he was part of in Northern Ireland during that period.
UCPI has suffered serious delays and is currently running well behind schedule.
It is not expected to report until at least 2023.
Posted by Jim on June 16, 2018
Sinn Fein faces difficult decisions today at the party’s annual
conference as a row over the the party’s attitude to abortion threatens
to overshadow the launch of its bid to enter government following the
next 26 County general election.
At the opening of the Sinn Fein ard fheis last night, deputy leader
Michelle O’Neill backed Mary Lou McDonald to become the first female
Taoiseach in Irish history, while Ms McDonald said the party’s ard fheis
purple hue colour was in homage to the suffragette movement.
Two votes are to take place later today on plans to back unrestricted
access to abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy. One, backed by no
less than two dozen branches of the party, would bring Sinn Fein into
line with other parties in Ireland and Britain and allow members to
oppose liberalising abortion as a matter of conscience. However, the new
Sinn Fein leadership is implacably opposed, and that could ultimately
see at least two TDs, Peadar Toibin and Carol Nolan, quit the party.
The key votes will take place on the second day of Sinn Fein’s annual
ard fheis in Belfast and amid fears that the party leadership could seek
to use the abortion controversy to mount a purge of ‘difficult’ members
ahead of plans to enter government in Dublin, almost certainly in
coalition with a right-wing party.
There is significant opposition from within the party’s northern and
rural ranks to backing abortion on request. The move represents a huge
somersault for Sinn Fein which just three years was described by the
late Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness as a “pro-life party”.
In addition, a popular motion from 24 other cumanns [branches] has
called for the party to be “strong enough” to allow differing views on
the “painful” issue and to let members vote “according to their
conscience”, instead of being told by headquarters what they should do.
Despite the division, the party is making a concerted effort to position
itself for the next electoral contests. Deputy leader Pearse Doherty
confirmed that Sinn Fein wants to meet with all parties and independents
after an election “to see whether we could deliver a programme for
government that deals with the big crises”.
“It is time for a woman Taoiseach”, the party’s deputy leader Michelle
O’Neill told delegates in her opening speech, carried in full below.
“And surely you know that woman is Mary Lou McDonald TD,” to cheers.
Plans to “positively consider” putting forward a candidate should any
presidential election take place later this year were backed by
delegates as well as party officials. And in a further indication that
Sinn Fein is ramping up for elections, the party’s finance spokesman
said they will introduce a living wage, implement a universal
healthcare, and abolish third level fees.
“So whenever Leo and Micheal decide the love-in is over, and an election
is called, they will know – Sinn Fein is ready,” Pearse Doherty told
delegates.
Mr Doherty said that in government Sinn Fein would “free families from
the unrelenting burden of worry and insecurity”.
“We will begin implementing our plan for universal healthcare, free for
every citizen as a birthright. We will abolish all student fees, create
thousands of apprenticeships, and unleash the potential of our young
people,” he said.
Mr Doherty told delegates now was the time to build a new economy for a
changing Ireland. He said Sinn Fein offered “economic transformation”
and a vision for a society “underpinned by stable and shared
prosperity”.
“We offer a programme to create a modern economy across our island, for
the first time guaranteeing world-class services as your birthright,
from cradle to grave,” he said.
“A new Ireland is coming. It needs new leadership and big ideas, to have
your back and to deliver real economic and social transformation. Sinn
Fein is that leadership – for all of us,” he added.
Addressing the abortion issue, the party’s deputy leader Michelle
O’Neill told delegates Sinn Fein “stands for women” and privately said
the party will not accept elected members who do not back the party
line.
She claimed other political parties in Ireland and Britain, every one of
whom allow conscience votes on abortion, were “copping out”.
“We provide legislation for all people, your own personal opinion
doesn’t come into it,” she said.
Posted by Jim on
A rally by far-right unionists and neo-Nazis at Belfast City hall last
weekend has raised concerns over the increased visibility of fringe
loyalist groups ahead of the sectarian marching season.
The march was in support of Tommy Robinson, the founder of the far-right
English Defence League, who was jailed last week in England for contempt
of court.
Notorious unionist councillor Jolene Bunting organised the protest at
which loyalists made Nazi salutes outside Belfast City Hall. Black and
yellow flags of the extreme racist group Generation Identity were
displayed at the rally, and there were a series of inflammatory speeches
by Bunting and other prominent figures of Britain’s far-right.
SDLP representative Donal Lyons, who has previously filed complaints
regarding Bunting’s behaviour, said it is not hard to understand the
message the extreme unionist was trying to send.
“Bringing a group of men, many of whom came over from England
especially, to mill around outside Belfast City Hall throwing Nazi
salutes, waving white supremacist flags and shouting about their racism,
is as clear a signal as you could find,” he said.
Councillor Lyons said the demonstration should not be dismised as a “few
isolated individuals with anger issues” but warned if left unchecked,
“they will in time pose a threat”.
Loyalists have also provocatively erected an ‘Orange Arch’ in north
Belfast. It took place with the active support of the PSNI police, who
blocked the road while the arch was being raised.
Activists from the Belfast branch of republican political party Saoradh
condemn the structure and the PSNI’s involvement. Posting on Facebook, a
party spokesperson said: “Having been contacted by local residents,
Saoradh Beal Feirste condemn the annual display of sectarian bigotry via
an illegal Orange arch in the centre of Glengormley being built this
evening.”
Pointing to the changed demographics of Glengormley which show the
immediate area is mainly nationalist, the spokesperson said the display
should be removed immediately “as it simply exists in order to try and
intimidate the majority community in the local area”.
Meanwhile, an application by a newly constituted branch of the
anti-Catholic Orange Order to march through a largely nationalist area
of north Belfast has drawn criticism from Sinn Fein. Led by Gerry Kelly,
a Sinn Fein delegation met the Parades Commission to protest. He said
there had already been a significant number of objections from
residents.
Saoradh’s Dee Fennell and long-time campaigner against sectarian parades
in north Belfast was scathing of Kelly’s intervention. “Sinn Fein
opposes Orange marches in their new leafy suburb heartlands, but
facilitates them in Ardoyne,” he tweeted.
But Mr Kelly said there had never been a parade by in the area
previously. “We have received several calls and emails from residents
worried and angered by this development. It is a mixed area and clearly
this application would create tensions if approved,” he said.
“I urge those involved not to go ahead with their planned march out of
respect for community relations. The last thing north Belfast needs is
another contentious parade.”