Posted by Jim on December 20, 2017
Deepening disquiet over PSNI’s failure to deal with past
Brian Feeney. Irish News.Belfast. Wednesday, December 20, 2017
There’s a distinctly unpleasant whiff beginning to rise from the PSNI.
Yes, there are various surveys and polls indicating levels of satisfaction that the unlamented, discredited RUC could never have attained but there is growing dissatisfaction with critical aspects of policing and no sign they will be addressed.
People living in mixed districts and some Nationalist districts are deeply unhappy with the failure of the police to deal with loyalist flags and paraphernalia. The police have completely failed to deal with loyalist paramilitaries who still despoil working-class Unionist districts, prey on businesses and prevent investment. The PSNI record on recruiting Catholics has stalled and gone into reverse. There’s more. The reasons and excuses provided are well known but the results never change.
The major aspect which has crystallised dissatisfaction in recent months is failure to deal with the past in ways which obstruct dealing with the past. On December 15, we had a lengthy self-serving epistle from the chief constable explaining why he is going to appeal a High Court order commanding him and his force ‘to expeditiously honour its enforceable public commitment to provide an overarching report into the Glenanne group of cases’. This to be done independently, expeditiously and with ring-fenced funding.
The reason Mr. Justice Treacy issued such an order is that on July 28 he quashed the PSNI decision to abandon the HET inquiry into the notorious Glenanne-based police/UDR murder gang and ordered an independent investigation. However by November the court found that the PSNI had ignored the court’s instruction; had done precisely nothing. Now the Chief Constable, still having done precisely nothing, is appealing the order to the Court of Appeal with your money. He has no hope of overturning the order but will appeal on esoteric legal grounds. Another year’s delay.
In his letter explaining why he has not complied with the order but is appealing, the Chief Constable cites cost. He has conjured a figure of £60 million over five years out of misty Hy-Brasil. The Glenanne cases involve the killing of 120 or more people in the 1970s by a gang composed of RUC, UDR, and UVF. Most had dual membership. The HET was tasked with examining 2,555 cases involving 3,260 killings. The North’s Criminal Justice Inspection team found in 2013 that the total cost of the HET was £60 million.
How come the disparity? How could investigating the Glenanne gang cost so much? Their names are well known. All you have to do is pick up Anne Cadwallader’s book, Lethal Allies and you will find the gang’s whole modus operandi, their weapons, their scenes of crime. It’s a textbook for anyone pursuing an inquiry. Cadwallader makes a credible case without being paid £60 million.
Chief Constable George Hamilton asserts in his letter that there are ‘insufficient detective resources’ in the UK for carrying out an independent investigation. Rubbish. Pull the other one. The HET was able to set up and get under way using retired detectives. They successfully completed dozens of cases, few as straightforward as the pre-prepared treasure trove sitting waiting for Glenanne investigators.
The chief constable asserts that the Historical Investigation Unit recommended in the Stormont House Agreement is the body to investigate the Glenanne gang. It isn’t. That’s just kicking the can down the road. Mr. Justice Treacy ordered an independent, ring-fenced body. So the non-existence of the HIU is a red herring.
Mr. Hamilton also takes a swing at ‘the continuing political vacuum’ as a reason for not proceeding. No. Our useless invisible proconsul [James Brokenshire, NI Secretary of State] could allocate targeted funds for the past immediately. Has Hamilton asked him?
Unfortunately the Glenanne case is simply the most egregious example of the PSNI stalling, blocking, redacting, asking for Public Immunity Certificates, losing evidence and so on. Although Hamilton denies it, the inescapable conclusion is that the PSNI is preventing truth emerging but searching for delays and pretexts to protect State interests.
Regardless of motive the result plays to the political position of Unionism, not, altogether now, ‘the political vacuum’. It’s unionists and our proconsul who don’t want appalling conspiracies like the Glenanne RUC/UDR/UVF murder gang investigated. The consistent failure of the PSNI to proceed proactively supports that position. It smells fishy.
Posted by Jim on December 19, 2017
December 19th
FDNY TRIATHLON TEAM 2018 SEASON REGISTRATION
Join the FDNY Triathlon Team for the 2018 race season. Registration is now open to all Department Members. We urge everyone who is racing triathlons, or who has aspirations to race triathlons, to be a part of the team and represent the Department at races. We have coaches available to assist with your training and other resources to help you have a successful season. Team Uniform Kit order will be placed in January. Train with the group locally at swim, bike, run sessions & clinics, or join the crew at our multi day camps in Lake Placid and New Paltz in the spring and summer. Reach out to us this week at info@fdnytri.com for registration info. If you are interested in the FDNY Cycling Team only, reach out to us as well. We have the newly reorganized team doing races and events this season and invite all to join the crew.
ANNUAL FDNY SKI RACES
The 45th Annual FDNY Firefighters Ski Races at Hunter Mountain will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Proceeds will be donated to the NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. There will be a plaque dedication honoring FF William Tolley, L 135. Trophies for each 1st, 2nd, 3rd place Ski teams and Snowboard teams will be awarded along with many lottery prizes. “Let’s keep the tradition going.” Register your team online at www.Huntermtn.com ASAP to get the discounted fee. For additional information contact Joe Jove 518-263-4023.
FDNY VS NYPD HOCKEY GAME
The 45th Annual FDNY vs NYPD Hockey Game will be played at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at noon. Tickets are available from team members or can be purchased in quantities of eight or more by sending an email to Capt. Tom Reno at FDNYhockey25@gmail.com.
FDNY HOCKEY TEAM 2018 KING OF THE ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
The 2018 King of the Ice Tournament will be held at the Freeport Rec Center Rink in Freeport, NY from February 26 through March 21. Round robin will be played from February 26 – March 14. Playoffs will be March 19-21. Registration will be available on January 5th at www.FDNYhockey.org. Space is limited to the first 96 teams, no exceptions. Days and times of tournament are listed on the website. Any questions please email Frank Heal at frankFDNYhockey@gmail.com.
FDNY HOCKEY TEAM 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The FDNY Hockey Team will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a reunion in March of 2018. All Alumni members are asked to send their contact information to Frank Heal at frankFDNYhockey@gmail.com for details.
Posted by Jim on December 15, 2017
“All of the participants in 1916 had come to perceive and recoil from what was a constant theme in the assumptions of the imperialist mind: that those dominated in any colony such as Ireland were lesser in human terms, in language, culture and politics.The historical evidence for this view was all around, in the circumstances of housing, hunger, emigration, exclusion and language loss. The cultural freedom allowed was a freedom merely to imitate or ingratiate.” — President Higgins
President unveils art installation honoring 1916 rebels
Ed Carty. Irish News. Belfast. Friday, December 15, 2017
A new art installation in honor of the 1916 rebels has been unveiled at Aras an Uachtarain as a permanent testament to the journey towards an inclusive Republic.
The sculpture, Dearcan na nDaoine – The People’s Acorn, by artist Rachel Joynt, was placed in the grounds of the president’s official residence as part of Easter Rising commemorations.
President Michael D Higgins said: “What we sought was an appropriate and permanent tribute to the women and men whose effort and sacrifice contributed so much to Irish freedom and a symbol that would also serve as an inspiration towards realising the promise of a true republic, which remains a challenge for us all.
“I hope that what we have achieved with this commemorative work is a fitting tribute to the memory and vision of the signatories of the Proclamation, and all those who stood with them. It is, I think, both an accolade to our shared past and a beacon for a brighter future.”
Among those at the ceremony were some of the relatives of the signatories of the Proclamation and descendants of others who fought and died in the rising.
Others at the unveiling included 170 children from seven schools, who contributed their thoughts and wishes for Ireland’s future. Among them were P7 pupils from St Teresa’s Primary School in west Belfast.
Principal Terry Rodgers said St Teresa’s was one of seven schools included in the project and the only one from the north.
“For the children to see their names and writings inserted into a time capsule and sculpture in the grounds of the Aras an Uachtarain and to be able to bring their own children to visit the sculpture in years to come – what a wonderful experience,” he said.
The artwork is a giant bronze acorn which contains letters and poems while the shell is impressed with text and used pencils.
“All of the participants in 1916 had come to perceive and recoil from what was a constant theme in the assumptions of the imperialist mind: that those dominated in any colony such as Ireland were lesser in human terms, in language, culture and politics.
“The historical evidence for this view was all around, in the circumstances of housing, hunger, emigration, exclusion and language loss. The cultural freedom allowed was a freedom merely to imitate or ingratiate,” the president said.
Next year Mr Higgins will install an artwork at Aras an Uachtarain commemorating the 1913 Lockout.
Posted by Jim on December 14, 2017
December 14th
PUTNAM COUNTY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY BLOOD DRIVE
Please give a life sustaining gift. Donate a pint of blood so others might have a chance. Unfortunately, because of the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, the blood supply is very low and the demand is high. Please come join Putnam County members at the Daniel O’Brien VFW Hall, 32 Gleneida Ave (Rt.52) Carmel on Friday, December 29th, from 2:00 till 8:00pm. For information please call Paul DeLeo 347-408-6052, Denis Hanrahan 845-225-3048.
MEMORIAL MASS
On Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 1100 hours, E-46/L-27 will have a Memorial Mass honoring the memory of Lt. Curtis W. Meyran, B-26, Lt. John G. Bellew, L-27 and Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo, R-3, all of whom made the supreme sacrifice as a result of injuries sustained while operating at Bronx Box 3-3 2997, January 23, 2005. The mass will take place in quarters, 460 Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
MEMORIAL MASS
On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 1000 hours, E-290/L-103 will have a Memorial Mass honoring the memory of Firefighter Richard T. Sclafani, L-103. The mass will commemorate the 13th anniversary of his supreme sacrifice and will take place at St. John’s Church, 479 New Jersey Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Friday, January 19, 2018 at 1100 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Robert F. DiGiovanni, L-144, who died on January 27, 2017. The dedication will take place in the quarters of E-295 and L-144, 12-49 149th Street, Queens, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Monday, January 22, 2018 at 1100 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Kevin A. Rooney, E-42, who died on January 22, 2017. The dedication will take place in the quarters of E-42, 1781 Monroe Avenue, Bronx, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Monday, January 22, 2018 at 1500 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Brian J. Masterson, M-9, who died on January 22, 2017. The dedication will take place in the quarters of M-9, 305 Front Street, Staten Island Homeport, Staten Island, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
Posted by Jim on
IRISH MEP Martina Anderson ripped into Britain over the Brexit deal and said as soon as the deal was done the UK “rubbished the joint report they solemnly signed”.
Charlotte Davis. Express. UK. Wednesday, 13, 2017
Ms. Anderson was furious after David Davis implied in a television interview that the Brexit deal was not legally binding and could be altered. But Mr. Davis since insisted his words were misrepresented by the media.
Mr. Davis’ claim caused uproar among the Irish Government, who demanded a concrete promise on there being no hard border in Ireland – with Dublin insisting it considered the agreement bullet proof.
Speaking prior to the EU summit, Ms. Anderson said: “The British Government has done it again. They have pulled of a spectacular piece of theatre over the last week or so.
Martina Anderson said Britain are opposing the rights they signed up to
The UK Government has been making promises to Irish people for years and then refusing to fulfil them
“Only a statement of intents says David Davis. We are coming to a gentleman’s agreement with David Davis who thinks nothing of misleading his own parliament.
“But its no surprise, it’s the way they do things. They create drama through late night and last minute negotiations. They flush out bottom line of those they are negotiating with.”
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed on Friday enough progress has been made on key Brexit issues in order to move on to trade talks.
But Ms. Anderson claimed Britain makes promises to get others to move things forward and then it “negotiates compromises downwards”.
She said: “They use ambiguity to confuse and disorientate their opponents.
“And then when they don’t like what the final compromise is they simply ignore it and don’t implement it.
“No one knows them better than us. The British Government has been making promises to Irish people for years and then refusing to fulfil them. Even today they are negating to implement the Good Friday Agreement.”
Ms. Anderson demanded the Brexit deal become legally binding. She said once the resolution is turned to legal action there can be “no more ambiguity, no more contradictions, no more taking the British Government as their word”.