Caths, Prots, & two Irelands

For over a decade, I've posted a thread Caths, Prots, & Two Irelands at the Baltimore Sun BB Sunspot and when they asked for $$$ I moved it to Sunspot Lives, which is dissolving in 10 days. One of the main topics at the thread was: The IRA (Caths) and the Red Hand (Prots)  appear more & more to be gangsters using religion as an  excuse for their criminal activities.

I hope some of the excellent opiners find their way here and since Health care is such a big topic, I'll open with a June 2013 article  First case of leprosy reported in R of I

The patient is a Brazilian who has been living in Ireland for several years.
He had suffered a recurrence of his leprosy having first contracted it in Brazil, 10 years ago.

BTW, my  main alias was Fumes at Sunspot and some folks  found a gaseous element in my vents

10/22/13

Are some Prot Loyalists chasing Xmas shoppers to Dublin in Rof I?
Flag protests in Belfast

10/31/13

Gerry Adams unravels

Did he turned a blind eye to his brother Liam's horrific sexual abuse of his daughter, Aine.

11/4/13

Spotlight remains on Adams: 

As a part of a BBC documentary investigating the 1972 murder by the IRA of at least 15 people during Northern Ireland's Troubles. He denies any role in the disappearance of Jean McConville, a woman the IRA considered a snitch for the Brits.

11/7/13

Gerry needs a break

11/17/13

Van Morrison gets the keys to Belfast. It's always noteworthy when a practicing contrarian gets the keys to a city. Van, the keys man

11/23/13

An Irish stereotype that won't fade: Recent statistics show the number of people in NI  dying from alcohol-related illnesses has doubled in the last ten years. link

12/3/13

Yes these headlines occur:

Loyalist (Protestant) jailed for killing Catholic teen 'had propensity to sectarian killings'.  Bobby Rodgers bid rejected

12/6/13

In 2007, the UVF (Prots) declared that it was renouncing violence. Not so fast:

Baggot  told the Policing Board it was thought "individuals linked to the east Belfast UVF" were to blame, but it had not been sanctioned by its leadership.

murder not sanctioned-what an excuse

12/24/13

 Consensus on disputes over flags, parades and the legacy of the Troubles  heading nowhere so put it in your bag of of annual New Years resolutions.  Talks fading

2/8/14

Gerry Adams roots for Scotland  to leave the UK and hopes the same occurs in NI. I inderstand why SinnFein wants to part way with the Brits , but how can they afford it? Adams, Cameron & more

2/27/14

Some tension between NI Prots  (Unionists) and the UK  over On the Run letters

Mr Robinson has called for letters to those On The Run, which give assurances to the suspects that they are not being sought by police, to be rescinded. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-26363493

3/14/14

The Micks need to take a chill pill:  Obama has basically made  the USA wide open.

“unfortunately suffered disproportionately in respect of the unintended consequences of the 1965 Immigration Act” that made it harder for Irish immigrants to move to the US legally.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/undocumented-irish-frustrated-with-us-lawmakers-says-kenny-1.1725552

3/23/14

Meanwhile a Dublin politician in the R of I :

An Irish parliamentarian has resigned after admitting he sent inappropriate messages to a teenage girl on Facebook.

Naughty Nulty

4/8/14

Some R of I news. Irish President Michael D Higgins has been welcomed to the UK by Prince Charles at the start of the first state visit by an Irish head of state. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26932969

4/22/14

It's noteworthy that the cops aren't cooperating with one of their own. Interesting tug of war.  Denis Donaldson (Sinn Fein)

Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire is investigating those claims, but the Garda have refused to give him access to the journal.

5/2/14

I mentioned the McConnville case  in the 11/4/13 post Adams  arrested

5/3/14

story grows

A judge Friday granted police in Northern Ireland permission to hold and question Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams for another two days, authorities said.

5/7/14

Interesting story on R of I : Irish Justice Minister Shatter himself was found to have benefited when, stopped at a road checkpoint screening drivers for alcohol, he was able to avoid taking a Breathalyzer test by claiming his asthma prevented him from blowing into the device. Irish Justice Minister quits

6/8/14

cops won't work with cops  link

The son of an RUC officer killed by the IRA has accused the PSNI of deliberately blocking efforts by the Police Ombudsman to investigate his father's murder.

6/22/14

a peaceful parade   with a slightly altered route  link

The commission last week ruled that the Ballysillan Orange Lodge was not allowed to parade along Woodvale Road and Crumlin Road between Woodvale Parade and Hesketh Road on the return route

7/8/14

N. Irish bakery faces action over 'gay Bert and Ernie cake' snub. The folks were given their money back and someone else baked the caked.  Northern Ireland's Equality Commission  is coming up after them. We'll see  if the bakers can include their religious beliefs in running a bakery. In the USA a baker  who did something similar lost in court.  gay bert & ernie

7/14/14

A woman from Northern Ireland who was missing for over a year has been found after a childhood friend spotted her asleep under a tree in Spain. Can't wait to hear the rest of this story.  Nollaig

8/30/14

Troublesome news from Rof I: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/garda-under-investigation-over-alleged-leak-to-ira-man-30548476.html

The Republic of Ireland's justice minister Frances Fitzgerald has ordered a full investigation into reports that a garda leaked information to a senior IRA figure

9/30/14

Has R of I shined the Apple too much?   link

Apple's Irish tax deal may be state aid, says Europe

10/8/14

Bureacracy is bad everywhere. PSNI takes up to six months to process employment background checks. link

One woman, Nicola, 30, lost the offer of a job because of a long delay in her criminal records check.

10/24/14

I wonder how many folks still refer to the Rof I and NI division as the partition.

11/30/14

Gerry Adams can still stir the pot. He call some Unionists (Prots) bastards and now the deatgh threats are coming.  This time it's the outlawed loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).
more here

12/22/14

It's that time of year: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-30569539

Church of Ireland: Four parishes targeted by thieves

1/4/15

you'd lose a farm in one bet, take you twenty years to drink it

old Irish saying

1/14/15

depends on how  minor is defined NAICRO

People convicted of minor offences as children should be allowed to apply to have their criminal records wiped, a criminal justice organisation has said.

1/25/15

Sinn Fein is a socialist  to the core: link

Anger at Sinn Fein call for Belfast City Council to fund parties to tune of £175k

I'm with UUP on this one

2/6/15

NI takes up the gay cake battle. link
Paul Givan, author of legislation, feels that:

"Gay rights, and the right to have those rights endorsed and promoted by everyone, is more important than the rights of Christians to live according to their conscience," he said.

3/2/15

Pretty bad that NI or anywhere else need to legislate this:  link

Tom Elliott calls for ban on naming facilities after people convicted of terror offences

4/14/15

McConville case lives on. Helen McKendry keeps  going against Adams. link

A. I'm after the one who gave the order and I believe that was Gerry Adams. No one is going to convince me otherwise

5/14/15

spads

 The Northern Ireland Executive spends more on special advisers than any other UK devolved government, it has emerged.

5/20/15

Maybe just a photo-op but Prince Charles shook hands with Gerry Adams in Galway yesterday. Galway

5/23/15

While  most of the world was focused on the pro gay marriage  vote in the mostly Catholic Republic of Ireland,  A separate referendum, on whether the eligibility age of presidential candidates should be lowered from 35 to 21, was defeated..  I'm sure there are some folks under 35 who could handle the job, but it was probably a wise vote

6/14/15

Who owns history? Time moves on and history twists and turns. who-really-owns-easter-rising-1916

Belfast born BBC Radio 4 journalist Andrea Catherwood said 40 per cent of the British Army were Irish in 1900 but their involvement has been airbrushed out of history.

6/27/15

JFK, the first  Catholic to become  President of the USA,  visited the Republic of Ireland  51 years ago today. At that time the R of I had been an independent nation for 41 years. jfk visit

7/23/15

had to read this headline a few times goths

The doors of Belfast City Hall are once again open at weekends having been shut for 15 years - apparently over fears of an invasion by Goths who gather outside most weekends.

8/5/15

Always thought the late John Huston was born in Ireland. I was wrong. Born on 8/5/1906  in Nevada, Missouri

9/8/15

Some things never change. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-34178948
But the Ulster Unionists (Prots) said Sinn Féin's (Caths) denial that the IRA existed caused a breakdown in trust and it left its government role.

9/16/15

Catholicism remains strong in NI . Margaret Key

Londonderry singer Margaret Key

An acclaimed Northern Irish singer will be fulfilling her late father's dream by singing for the Pope on his first visit to the United States.

10/9/15

Keeping it "light":  2016 Euro

Northern Ireland football fans have been celebrating in the streets of Belfast after the team qualified for its first major tournament in 30 years.

11/6/15

Well, many Prots have felt the NI Catholics, if in control, would re-unite with the south, Republic Of Ireland, but this June 2015 poll says otherwise.  poll

Unionist delight as poll reveals only 27% of Catholics want united Ireland in short-to-medium term

12/10/15

Colin Davidson,  an artist from Northern Ireland  painted the German Chancellor Angela Merkel for Time magazine. However, Time's labeling her Chancellor of the Free world is disturbing.link

12/15/15

wow, NI is gettting bad : "I don't trust them [Muslims]." is enough to be prosecuted. Pastor James McConnell denies two charges relating to a sermon he gave in a Belfast church last year. link

1/7/16

This spring marks  the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, the six-day rebellion against British rule in Ireland. And  Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan will launch the official US 2016 Centenary Programme in New York city this afternoon at around 2pm Irish time.  I wonder how many rebellions  are officially celebrated in the USA.

1/29/16

This won't end well.  Bringing in detectives from UK- I just roll my eyes.. stakeknife

The PSNI is to bring in detectives from outside Northern Ireland to investigate the activities of a man alleged to have been the Army's most high ranking agent in the IRA.

2/9/16

 Armed gardai were at checkpoints throughout the city after Eddie Hutch Snr, the brother of veteran crime boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch was shot dead last night as the gangland feud escalated in Dublin city centre.
feud

2/22/16

Would UK's exit from the EU impact   border controls at the NI / Rof I border?

"We have a unique situation on the island of Ireland with a border that now exists constitutionally but, in practice, is invisible to the great benefit of people on the island of Ireland, north and south,"

 Peter Hain said.

3/28/16

Sychronized wreath laying occurred across R of I yesterday marking the centenary of Easter Rising 1916.

4/5/16

A number of George Best commemorative banknotes have been stolen in a robbery in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

4/8/16

Peru released release NI drug smuggler Michaella McCollum. checkoutthe bun. link

http://cdn-02.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/article31319141.ece/31552/ALTERNATES/w620/2015-06-22_new_10578040_I1.JPG

4/28/16 

Love or hate him: Interesting piece on   gerry adams

5/14/16

The other half of the McCollum story: reid

"Drugs mule Melissa Reid is to be released from jail in Peru after authorities agreed to expel her from the country, according to reports."

5/31/16

 White powder, believed to be meth amphetamine, has been found inside a toy egg a little kid found  in the Drumachose area of Limavady, NI. An adult gave it to the police

6/19/16

In NI a sign of the times: A 44-year-old man has been arrested after a laser was pointed at a police helicopter during a security alert in Co Tyrone.

7/5/16

Unionist (Protestants) councillors in Belfast (NI) refused to back a proposal to write letters of congratulations to the Northern Irish and Republic of Ireland soccer teams on their Euro 2016 performances - because England wasn’t included. BTW, England fired it's coach 24 hours after losing to Iceland.

7/20/16

Police chief says killer Billy Wright Cappagh banner 'won't offend everyone' and PSNI must attempt to achieve balance.

Police have defended allowing a banner of loyalist killer Billy Wright bragging over the UVF  1991 Cappagh killings of four men, including three IRA members, at a Boyle's Bar in the Co Tyrone village to remain on display in a Co Tyrone town.

7/27/16

I bow to popular culture. One of the renowned trees which features in Game of Thrones fell onto the Bregagh Road on Tuesday night near Armoy, County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

8/1/16

Sometimes bankers go to jail. Two former executives of the notorious Anglo Irish Bank have been jailed in Dublin after being convicted of conspiracy to defraud. #JohnBowe and #WillieMcAtee

8/18/16

#PatHickey, a senior member ( R of I )of the International Olympic Committee, has temporarily stood down from all his roles after his arrest in Rio over allegations of illegal ticket sales....Police had evidence of a plan to sell tickets "illegally masked as hospitality packages,"  hickey

                                                                      8/23/16

Red Hand County  was voted the saddest ccounty in NI. BTW, Red Hand Defenders is  the name of a violent Protestant paramiltary group with a long history in NI. No direct link between the county  and the paramilitary group.

9/16/16

Sometimes the way the  BBC forms its link titles catches. my attention : Ex-accountant fined for brothel keeping. 

"Paul Ervine, from Ballymacash Park in Lisburn, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges, including controlling a prostitute and having more than £3,000 in criminal property."

9/26/16

#gerryadams:once a terrorist always a ___   Did Gerry Adams 'sanction Denis Donaldson killing in 2005. adams

"Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said Mr Adams should take legal action against the BBC if the allegations were untrue".

11/6/16

an in a post free of politics Ireland captain #RoryBest said his rugby players were "absolutely ecstatic" after beating world champions New Zealand #AllBlacks for the first time in 111 years

12/6/16

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency's ( #NIEA ) bill for admin totalled more than 80% of it's total costs.And folks wonder why bureaucracies are loathed.

12/19/16

Brexit started the anti-EU train and watch for sovereignty issues to increase the strain.
Repubilc of Ireland is contesting EU regulators nixing it's Apple tax deal, claiming they are interfering with national sovereignty.

12/26/16

Northern Ireland offered a financial incentive for businesses and other non-domestic users to install renewable heat systems which  included biomass boilers, mostly burning wood pellets, as well as solar thermal and heat pumps, on their premises.  Since they could legitimately earn more cash the more fuel they burned they heated empty sheds and idle factories 

"cash-for-ash" scandal- heat baby heat.

1/5/17

Sign of the times in NI :   Bishop of Dromore #JohnMcAreavey  announced the end of the only English language Sunday Mass at St Brigid's Church.St  ( #Newry ) due to poor attendance and dwindling clergy. Parishioners were told that  they could instead attend a Saturday evening service or the Sunday Polish Mass in the church.

1/20/17

If you think American politics are wild, check this out,  The #DUP MP (protestant), Ian Paisley, has thanked Sinn Féin's former deputy first minister #MartinMcGuinness (catholic), a former #IRA leader.\And  #Paisley praised McGuinness's contribution to the peace process.

1/31/17

 #Stephen Woodagel claimed he breached a night-time bail curfew because his "half-wolf" pet escaped and he could not leave it roaming the streets of Larne, a seaport town in NI.

2/23/17

 Taking a break from politics: #VictoriasSecret is looking at locations in #Belfast city center as part of a plan to open up for the first time in Northern Ireland. It has stores in #Dublin airports, a part of the Republic of Ireland.

March 21, 2017

RIP #martinmcguiness who went  from second-in-command of the #IRA in Derry at the time of Bloody Sunday to shaking hands with the Queen and working deals with #ianpaisley , a Prot. 

March 26

This headline ain't about McG's 's marriage history. "  #MartinMcGuinness left behind many widows - including myself"

April 7

Wonder what's going on in the #BalticSea ? Three NATO warships led by group flagship, Norwegian frigate Roald Amundsen, along with Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie and Spanish frigate ESPS Reina Sofia arrived in Northern Ireland on Thursday night at Pollock Dock for a brief port visit . They participated in the UK’s tri-service multinational exercise Joint Warrior 17-1 (JW 171) off the north west coast of Scotland.

April 24

Some Protestants in NI have dreaded  a united "Catholic" Ireland, NI and Rof I, but as in many things it may come down to the money.  "whether united #Ireland is desirable, but if it is affordable"

may 9

Remember when you wanted city hall to focus on "pothole"issues. Dublin City Council has agreed to fly the Palestinian flag above City Hall. #republicofireland.

may16

Now this will get things fired up in #northernireland. #republicofireland #EndaKenny has asked fellow members of the bloc to acknowledge that Northern Ireland would enter the EU if NI & RofI unite. I'm not sure if Kenny is choosing to ignore history or just feeling bold.

june 7

Taking "care" of terrorists: #seanKelly #IRA was given nine life sentences for his role in the 1993 #shankill bombing but was released early in 2000 under the terms of the #GoodFridayAgreement. Now he's canvassing for #sinnfein (Catholics)  in the election. 

june 9

Prots #DUP of NI  save UK PM  May much to dismay of many folks including the Sinn Fein Party

june 11

Yes, #Theresa May have nearly sunk her own party, but she did  make a fleeting campaign visit to Balmoral Show  in #northernireland. #corbyn can stamp his feet and demand May give him power, but #arlenefoster #dup leader will prevent that. Corbyn's #SinnFein connections are haunting him more now than ever.

july 5

Stormont (NI) is stalled  but the #DUP and #SinnFein have agreed they need to continue to receive their salaries and expenses. No surprise there!

july 9

To all those viewing  #ICE (USA) tougher enforcement of rules and regulations as focused on non-white minorities: #JohnCunningham, a 38-year-old electrical contractor, was sent back to Ireland after overstaying a 90 day visa by about 18 years.

july 25,2017

#gerryadams isn't giving up #sinnfein power and his #2  #maryloumcdoald is ok with it, but I think folks thought he was going to exit soon.

aug 21,2017

Can't call this hyperbole because I  think #maireadmcguiness , VP of #EU , is serious.

“Our relationship with the UK will be more radically changed by Brexit than it was by the Easter Rising, the War of Independence, the Anglo-Irish Treaty or the Declaration of the Republic in 1949,”

aug 31, 2017

Many folks, particularly Protestants have thought the Catholics won't be happy until Ireland is re-united. #sinnfein 's goal of a united Ireland moves to the forefront. #gerryadams of Northern Ireland wants a bigger role for Dublin  (Republic of Ireland)
  "Sinn Féin would not accept the return of direct rule, with Northern Ireland run by British government from Westminster. He said Dublin would have to be given some role in any new arrangement."

oct 9

Republic of Ireland Minister for Communications #DenisNaughten needs to explain the #CheGuervara stamp. Other than Che had some Irish blood.

oct 12, 2017

#Dublin #stonemasons were  given 14 pints of ale a day in 1565. A pint was about 400 calories and about 7-10 % alcohol.   It had high oat content, as barley was diifficult to  grow.

oct 27, 2017

Over a million dollars to keep #Stormont, Northern Ireland Parliament, open for nine months while legislators  don't convene. I'm sure #sinnfein will be unhappy if  the London direct rule option comes into play.

oct 30 2017

Direct rule from England looms: #GreatBritain will bring in legislation to set a budget for #NorthernIreland if no last-minute deal can be struck on Oct 30.

Nov 16, 2017

Since Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland didn't qualify for the World Cup, chatter has started to form a "United Ireland" team , but  NI is a part of the UK and if a merging of squads were to occur, it would be with Scotland and England.

Dec 5

Tories need the #DUP to hold power, and DUP members of parliament  say Northern Ireland must quit the EU on the same terms as the rest of the UK. #brexit

Dec 13

F the DUP, the NI Prot party that blocked a vote on gay marriage, banners are becoming the rage.  Some members of the #DUP call this a hate crime. Bullshit! While  I feel there are more snow angels on the Left,  this  case shows that shouting hate crime is a tool used across the political spectrum.

Jan 29,2018

 Business is booming at a Belfast (Northern Ireland) private hospital thanks to patients from the Republic of Ireland heading north to bypass long waiting lists there.

feb 13, 2018

Micks and their prolonged altercations:  Three men were arrested in non-fatal stabbings that followed a burial in  #Lurgan , NI .

feb 26,2018

#GerryAdams has lost his appeal against convictions over an IRA  #Maze prison breakout in the 1970s. I doubt if he'll go to prison, but it's staggering how long he's been a free man  and the leader of the #sinnfein party. 

april 28, 2018

 Heart of #StLaurence, an  800-year-old relic stolen in March 2012 and recently recovered by #Gardaí in  Phoenix Park, returns to Christ Church in Dublin. #republicofireland

may 10, 2018

It sure appears that #Google is taking the easy way out by banning all ads  for the May 25th R of I referendum to repeal  the near total ban on #abortion. #Ireland

may 14,2018

I have little interest in royalty, but if folks want to gather and have a tea to celebrate or watch the wedding , who cares. Apparently a bunch of thugs , most likely Catholics, have threatened The #InishowenGateway Hotel in Buncrana, NI into cancelling  a " Harry and Meaghan tea ."

may 30, 2018

#republicofireland is 2-0 against the USA in International Friendly matches with wins in 2002 & 2014. Both teams are struggling in the 2018 European Friendly.  They meet June 2. #USA will likely focus on stoppping #timweah

june 3

Low scoring game. Usa lost  to Rof I 2-1.  Rof I defender John #O'Shea's was given a rousing farewell send off in Dublin when he was substituted after 33 minutes. Neither team is going to the World Cup that starts this month in #Russia.

June 10

Hundreds turned out in Belfast yesterday for a ' #Free TommyRobinson ' march in support of the English Defence League founder.   I wonder if this  will bring the Caths & Prots together in NI. The Free Tommy protest was more hostile in London . In these times where everything is leaked,  news on Robinson has been squelched.

July 2 

I shouldn't but do find this amusing: Andy 'Hard to Kill' Aiken , Red Hand Commando assassin and member of #UVF (Protestant) was found dead of an overdose in #belfast , NI. UVF is conflicted about whether to give #aiken- who will be buried from his parents' home in the Village area of south Belfast later this week - a paramilitary send-off.

July 13, 2018

I recall USA localities moving maintenance for its/our property  to the bottom of the list twenty years ago. Grass cutting in #NorthernIreland gets extra funding. Focus is on "extra."

july 16, 2018

111 of the 564 Republic's Garda (police) stations in the #republicofireland  don't have an internet connection. 

july 20, 2018

#fernBrady , a scottish comedian, is getting heat about her derisive comments on a BBC program likely referring #arlenefoster . "I know mate. My favourite one is the character actor you have here who looks like a butch lesbian masquerading as a straight woman in charge of the #DUP "   Will the #BBC aplogize? I hope not, but I bet they would have immediately if the joke been directed at a lefty. More free speech!

August 1, 2018

It took awhile for #tommyrobinson to get bail:   Chief Justice Lord Burnett ruled there had been technical flaws by the judge who jailed him and quashed the finding. 

Aug 5, 2018

The #SDLP , a catholic leaning party with non-violents roots,  is  reacting strongly to the shooting of a man in both legs in west #Belfast in a paramilitary-style attack. I'm betting this was more about turf, drugs, etc  even if the culprits play the religion card.

Aug 16

Both #Irelands have moved up in the #FIFA soccer rankings : NI  to 27th , RoI to 29th

aug 23

Special anti-drone technology first used  in the Republic of  Ireland at Rory McIlroy's wedding will be deployed this weekend to ensure crowd security during Pope Francis' visit. Pope John Paul II trip to R of I in 1979 was the last Papal visit.

aug 29, 2018

A fire that occurred during the final stages of refurbishment of #BelfastPrimark has been branded a catastrophe for city commerce and heritage. The cause hasn't been determined.

sept 25, 2018

Here's part of the explanation from the NI Prison Service for why five  convicted notorious killers over the age of fifty were allowed to enjoy a hike in the #MourneMountains :  maintain health in the older population.  This not an Onion article.

oct 26, 2018

#ArleneFoster 's message  to Theresa May to "trust her unionist instincts " offer some  support  after the DUP threatened to frustrate the work of the Tories in passing legislation in the Commons should any #Brexit deal appear to damage the union.

nov 5, 2018

#WhiteyBulger , murdered mob boss and IRA sympathiser , may have taken  clues to the unsolved theft of 13 works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990 to his grave.  Many believe the booty is in  the IRA's hand in one of the Irelands.

nov 7, 2018

#EU digital tax  may collapse since all 28 member must agree and  The Republic of Ireland doesn't  . RoI Finance Minister #PaschalDonohoe  fears reduced tax revenue in his country, and said the tax would set a negative precedent for Europe because it would be imposed in states where consumers are located rather than where services are produced. 

nov 11, 2018: Don't go metal (this isn't a musical criticism) is the on-going opinion  #ballyema ,NI   as a "hideous" metal Christmas tree replaces the usual real tree in the #harmonyhub

nov 15, 2018

#theresamay 's Brexit proposal may sink because her allies, the #DUP in NI ,feel like  it opens the door wide for  reunification with the South ROI.  
nov 20, 2018
NI DUP may nix latest #Brexit deal ,then there's Spain stating it will not agree to the draft Brexit withdrawal deal without clarity over how talks on the future status of #Gibraltar should be handled.

nov 29, 2018

#arlenefoster remains adamant that the ten NI MPs in her DUP will not support May's Brexit deal  She said "current proposals contain "68 pages of regulations that will apply to Northern Ireland and will not apply to the rest of the UK".

dec 6, 2018

#DUP lawmaker #SammyWilson said his Northern Irish party would not vote to topple #TheresaMay  in a confidence vote even if she loses a key vote on her Brexit deal next week.

jan 3, 2019

 The leadership of the #SDLP party in Northern Ireland is selling a shaky product when it asks its members to stretch themselves "beyond their comfort zones" over a merger with #FiannaFail .  Discontent is growing over fears that it would become a one all-island party (NI, RofI) under the Fianna Fail banner.

jan 15, 2019

Here's your chuckle for the day: 
R of I Finance Minister #Donohoe insists that increasing carbon taxation is about changing behavior rather than generating more revenue for the Government.

Jan 16, 2019

Since May's Brexit deal gets crushed, #sturgeon may use the defeat for another vote by #Scotland to exit the UK. 

Feb 2

 The backstop clause,  an insurance policy in the Brexit negotiations to keep the NI/RofI border  open has the #DUP , May's usual allies, holding back their votes because #NorthernIreland would remain within the EU's regulatory and customs arrangements indefinitely.

feb 21

 #DUP leader #ArleneFoster may meet with Trump during an upcoming visit to DC, and Brexit may be on the agenda. Theresa May needs the DUP  to vote for her Brexit plan 

march 12

USA Mayors have been a ignorant  on the IRA's past behavior.   New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's  branded St Patrick's Day 2018 as 'Gerry Adams Day' , and this year San Francisco Mayor London Breed apologized for giving a Certificate of Honor to #MartinMcGuinness, Adams longtime IRA henchman.

march 17,2019

 The Public Prosecution Service in  #NorthernIreland will prosecute "Soldier F" for the murders of two marchers and for a further four attempted murders on Bloody Sunday 1972 but will not prosecute other 18 suspects, including 16 former soldiers and two alleged official IRA members. What evidence remains?

march 28, 2019

  Retirement number two for #conorMcGregor , who was born in Crumlin, Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. Can he avoid being arrested before his next retirement?

april 7 

Headlines  announce NI DUP  #arlenefoster blasts her political partner, #theresamay , but if you read further: she " should not waste any extension by subcontracting the UK’s future to Jeremy Corbyn," 

april 19

 "As you face the challenges posed by Brexit, know that the United States Congress, Democrats and Republicans in the House and in the Senate, stand with you," #Pelosi said this in front of the Republic of Ireland Parliament in Dublin yesterday. Once again a little power has gone to her head.

may 3, 2019

 #Bombardier is combining its corporate and regional jet units into a single aviation unit and shedding more assets, including its Belfast and Morocco aerostructures businesses. It employs 3600 folks in East Belfast NI

may 6, 2019

The bust of Pope Clement XIV by #ChristopherHewetson, one of the most celebrated 18th century Irish sculptors goes up for auction.  Hewetson was born in Kilkenny County in 1739 and moved to Rome in  the 1760s, where he remained until his death in 1798.

may 19, 2019

  #AnneMccabe, the wife of a Garda officer murdered by the IRA in 1996 has said it will be "a sad day for the world if the mayor of New York is successful" in his bid for the US presidency. #deblasio renamed St Patrick's Day as 'Gerry Adams Day' in New York in 2018.

june 1, 2019

 98,000 in Northern Ireland, a part of the UK,  have been waiting over a year for first outpatient appointment. Ah, the joys of socialized medicine.

JUNE 10, 2019

  Scotland's external affairs minister #FionaHyslop 's comment on fishing rights conflict with the Republic of Ireland.  "Irish vessels or any non-UK vessels for that matter have never been allowed to fish in this way in the UK's territorial sea around #Rockall ." And Brexit will exacerbate this issue.

June 14

  #DUP (Unionists) have opposed the backstop because it stands for fear it could “trap” Northern Ireland within the EU’s orbit indefinitely.

June 25

 Blame culture forcing #NorthernIreland doctors to consider quitting. This is likely occurring worldwide.

July 11

 #LeeHegarty , a senior civil servant  in N. Ireland, was secretly paid £10,000 after he claimed that under human rights legislation it was unfair to him to have to work where he was offended by portraits of the Queen  and Duke of Edinburg. The portraits were removed and and Hegarty was consulted on what should replace them.

July 16

The UK parliament  voted to legalize same-sex marriages and to extend access to abortion services in #NorthernIreland . If the NI Assembly doesn't reconvene by October 21 and repeal  these measures they become law in NI.

Aug 5

  584,000 illegal  cigarettes were found concealed in a shipment described as tea tables when Revenue officers stopped and searched a shipment originating from China, which had arrived in #Dublin from #Rotterdam on Friday.

aug 6

 Harland and Wolff,  a Belfast, NI shipyard which opened in 1861 and also built the #Titanic, was put into administration  after its bankrupt owner failed to find a buyer and calls for its nationalization were rebuffed.

aug 13

 #nicktimothy, Theresa May's former chief of staff,  claimed that the border backstop would give Dublin more say than Belfast or London over Northern Ireland's laws and could potentially "destroy the Union".

 sept 5

 Another variation of the IRA: 
 A masked and armed #ContinuityIRA (CIRA) member told  Swedish TV that CIRA was responsible for a bomb attack at Wattle Bridge, Co Fermanagh NI,  intended to kill police.

oct 5

I think this comment from East Antrim MP #SammyWilson gets to the core of why the #DUP is sticking with Boris "No unionist will ever tolerate Northern Ireland’s economic future being determined by the Dublin government."

oct 12

 If Stormont, the NI Assembly, doesn't reconvene by October 21 then liberal abortion laws passed by the UK Parliament will be imposed in NI. This has brought the leaders of NI's main churches, Catholics and Protestants, together demanding Stormont re-assemble and prevent the imposition.

Nov 18

 Northern Ireland skipper #StevenDavis said he had no excuses for his penalty miss against Holland, and appreciated the NI fans singing his name after the miss.The soccer game ended in 0-0 tie. A lot of chatter yesterday about the late late 1970's matchups when #georgebest was the NI star and #johanncruyf was the Holland star.

Nov 23

 Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald rejected claims that the recent election of the party's deputy leader has been shrouded in secrecy after criticism that the party announced the outcome but  refused to disclose the numbers. Maybe McDonald needs a dictionary but numbers were finally revealed yesterday Michelle O'Neill  493 votes - - John O'Dowd's 241.

Nov 24

More proof that personal has a ton to do with politics:  #arlenefoster (DUP) criticized Sinn Fein’s failure to condemn the attempted murder of her father during the Troubles. When she was eight she hid in the bedroom of her Fermanagh home while the IRA shot but didn't kill her father, John Kelly, an off -duty police officer.

jan 3, 2020

#HillaryClinton accomplishes a "first". She's been named  Chancellor of Queen's University, Belfast, NI. I wonder if the mostly ceremonial role calls for a lot of boozing.

feb 7, 2020

 A pro-IRA song with the lyrics "ooh ah, up the Ra" has been played from a vehicle in the Ulster province of N. Ireland canvassing for Sinn Féin in the Irish general election. And #SinnFein claims to be a mainstream political party.

march 7

For now cooler heads are prevailing in NI and I'm guessing Corona beer will be available..  From Belfast City Council spokesperson:

At present Belfast City Council has no plans to cancel its annual St Patrick Day celebrations 

april 26

#Gardaí (Irish police) in Rof I in the border region have been ordered not to arrest day-trippers from Northern Ireland for suspected breaches of the Covid-19 regulations. Aside from at the border crossing, I don't know how the Gardai can discern.

may 2, 2020

 May 3, 1945: Republic of Ireland Taoiseach  Eamon de Valera,  called on Dr Hempel, the German minister, last evening to express his condolences over the death of Hitler on April 30, 1945. I guess that fit Valera's definition of neutrality.

june 7, 2020

In 1988,  #johnstockton of the Utah Jazz(NBA)  showed up to tutor some kids at a basketball camp held at St Patrick's College in Dungannon, a mid-Ulster town in Northern Ireland. One of things he noticed was a tall, wired fence with helicopters and armored vehicles next to the school's playground.

june 21

from Belfast ,NI as folks deal with Covid regulations:  If you're looking for a haircut ,you could end up half cut in garage salon serving boutique beer.

July 8, 2020

The furor over Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill(Sinn Fein) attendance at  Bobby Storey's (IRA) funeral in Belfast, NI recently has led to a debate if there is a Covid "hierarchy of pain"because many other families have been unable to have funerals, cremations, etc for their dead relatives.

Aug 13, 2020 

UK PM #BorisJohnson will outline the first stage of plans to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland’s foundation during a visit to the country today. He's getting an early start: Northern Ireland was created on May 3, 1921 following the partition of Ireland into the six predominantly Protestant counties of Ulster in the north, and the remaining 26 predominantly Catholic counties in the south.