MLA proudly representing the people of North Belfast since 1998. Policing Spokesperson. Leonard Cohen fan. Enjoys reading and writing poetry and hill walking.
A crowd of UVF gangsters go into an area to violently intimidate a family- police do nothing. Relatives of those massacred on the Ormeau Road in1992 lay flowers to commemorate their loved ones and the PSNI move in aggressively and arrest a victim who was shot during the massacre
One of the first actions of the new British Secretary of State has been to sign a PII certificate to conceal information on the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe! He should read the files and withdraw the use of conflict gagging orders in the case of this innocent child’s death.
37 yrs ago 38 Irish Republican prisoners were getting into a lorry at H7 and heading to the front gate of Long Kesh and freedom. One of Big Bob’s best ops! I had the privilege of the front passenger seat. Well someone had to check we were taking the right route out!!
In answer to DUPs Trevor Clark calling on me to step down, let me say that I am deeply proud to have placed our National flag on the coffin of my close friend and comrade Bobby Storey. If Mr Clark had a tenth of the courage and integrity of Bobby I might have taken him seriously.
There has been big reaction to my tweet on the 1983 H Block escape. There are opposing views of legacy events. I am proud of being part of the biggest escape in British penal history,in wake of the British systemic brutality of prisoners and deaths of 10 comrades on Hunger Strike
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson skips over to Belfast gets elected as MLA, pulls down the Assembly Executive, threatens ‘perpetual instability’ abandons the seat in that Assembly,and skips back to secure his own future in Westminster! Showing contempt for voters.
Very Leaderly-not!
36 years ago today I was in H Block 7, getting ready to escape from the ‘most secure prison in Europe’ with 37 other political prisoners. We succeeded . Boris, I’m prepared to give you some advice.
I heard Ian Paisley Jnr calling for PSNI Chief Constable to step down from his position. TheDUP have called for the sacking of every major position holder in the North over a fifty year period of course.I am intrigued to know if he made the call from holidaying in Sri Lanka?
The bonfire in Derry with posters including reference to murdered Police Officer Ronan Kerr is a disgrace and is NOT representative of the Derry people. It is as bad as any of the Loyalist bonfires throughout the years with burning effigies and hate posters.
So, here’s a question. How can a Unionist political leader talk to representatives of criminal paramilitary organisations but refuse to talk to a Chief Constable about them orchestrating violence against police and the community?
To the group of loyalists tearing down my election posters on North Circular/Ballysillan Road tonight-you will not intimidate voters making their democratic choice in a polling booth on May 5th Assembly elections. Those days are long gone.
Cliftonville players bow their heads in dignified protest at the decision of the IFA Board’s refusal of their request NOT to play the British national anthem at the Irish Cup Final. A team to be proud of win or lose the game.
39 yrs ago 38 political prisoners escaped from the ‘most secure prison in Europe.’My thoughts today are with those who lost their lives on active service in the conflict and those who died of natural causes in the years since.
The British government colluded in the killing of Pat Finucane and Unionist politicians are now colluding with the British government to hide the full truth from being unearthed.
Just back from a week off to hear Jim Wells insulting everyone in the GAA followed by Gregory Campbell attacking all Irish language speakers and then Nolan invites Wells on to defend the bigotry of both. Failing spectacularly. Beam me up, Scotty.
The PSNI informed me of a bomb threat at my office on upper Antrim Rd. Thankfully nothing found. The threat was phoned from a loyalist area.The second attempt at intimidation in a few days. I WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED. Sinn Féin will continue to serve all people in North Belfast.
British Secretary of State is on radio encouraging Irish Nationalists to celebrate the British Partition of Ireland. Is he really that thick? Do all the lands of the world that Britain colonised celebrate colonialism. Why would we celebrate 50 years of one-party, unionist rule.
Arlene Foster says a
#BorderPoll
on Irish Unity would be reckless and incredibly decisive. There was and is nothing more ‘incredibly devisive’ than the Partition of Ireland. History has proven that.
DUP refusing to agree a ban on travel from Britain at this time, is not just stupidly ideological but will bring danger of death to so many more vulnerable people, by opening up to the more virulent strain of COVID running riot in Britain.
I understand that the sectarian flag with loyalist killer Michael Stone on it which was erected outside Holy Cross Girls Primary School has been removed. The hate mentality of whoever erected it is mind-boggling in its intent.
Trying to rebrand an East-Belfast UVF bonfire as a family funday by adding a bouncy-castle is stretching credibility to a ridiculous point-even for Jamie Bryson!
I, with many others, will be remembering the death of human rights lawyer, Pat Finucane, shot down by a state-force murder gang on this day in 1989. I remember also the death of Irish Republican, Frank Stagg on hunger-strike in an English jail, on 12th February 1976.🇮🇪
I find it ironic that all those unionist DUP & UUP, demanding my removal from the Policing Board are among those who are gung ho in support of the British Government breaking International law around Brexit!
No one will be surprised at DUP Gregory Campbell’s rant about Gospel singers on Songs of Praise. It is who he is, who he always was and unfortunately, who he will always be.
Every time Political Unionism get to a crisis-as they see it- they go for unity with Loyalist Paramilitary organisations. The same organisations CURRENTLY involved in Criminality including murder, intimidation and drug dealing.
Here we have an illegal parade in Portadown led by loyalists and bandsmen in balaclavas. UUP Leader Doug Beattie and DUP MP Carla Lockhart attended and spoke. Who is leading (or winding up) who here. Will the PSNI be questioning the 2 political reps? We’ll see.
Arlene Foster says that it’s time for EU to ‘have respect for unionism in Northern Ireland’. Really?-Will she ever be capable of showing any respect for Irish Republicans or Nationalists living on the island of Ireland .
The DUPs anger is because SF moved tactically around them to achieve Irish language rights and DUP can no longer block those rights. Lesson-embrace people’s rights, it’s personally liberating
With over 1000 dead on both sides a ceasefire is needed asap,followed by talks What is not needed is an Israeli Govt Minister calling 2.2million Palestinians’human animals’ and threatening massive loss of lives through cutting off all food and water supplies to the whole of Gaza
Arlene Foster DUP has asked for legal advice on Mary Lou Mc Donald’s comments on PSNI holding back information from bereaved families waiting decades for truth. On 8/3/18 a court ruled that Foster unlawfully blocked funding for legacy inquests. She obviously doesn’t do irony.
How can Arlene Foster and the DUP describe Loyalist paramilitaries as representative of any community?Let’s be clear UVF & UDA do NOT represent, but are a scourge on loyalist or Unionist communities. If DUP were telling them to disband-good. But they are asking for their support
Jeffrey Donaldson, in the week where he is threatening to boycott the NSMC and bring down the Assembly,has the gall to demand that the President of Ireland comes to the North to celebrate the partition of Ireland. DUP spent years whining about Irish politicians going North!!
This is a memorable and proud moment from 1972 when a group of young Volunteers from Belfast met and spent time with Commandant Tom Barry. I am sitting to Tom Barry’s left. He gave wise counsel. Thanks to the comrade who sent the photo.
I joined, thousands in Belfast to show solidarity with the people of Gaza facing death and destruction on a massive scale. If governments will not speak out against the Israeli oppression of millions of Palestinians ordinary people will speak for them. Stop the invasion of Gaza.
Bobby Sands, died on hunger strike 42 years ago today. Poet, revolutionary, gaelgóir, Republican hero and icon. He has inspired and will be remembered by generations for his courage.
The real problem for the DUP is that, Trumpian-like,they can’t accept the democratic outcome of May’s Assembly election. Instead, they complained in the Assembly today,one after another, that they were being ‘disrespected’ by everyone else who disagreed with them!!
I’m in Washington giving a political update for Senior Congressional Reps on the Protocol and Legacy Legislation being pushed through Westminster. Support for protecting the Good Friday Agreement remains strong.
Now that political Unionism is under pressure as a result of their disastrous stand on Brexit, they are trying to do what they always have in the past- wind up Loyalists to react and then wring their hands in denial of any responsibility.
The illegal and criminal UDA canvassed for various DUP candidates for years. Why is anyone surprised that the UDA turned their criminality on DUP members once they disagree with them. Criminality is what the UDA exist for.
When will the DUP candidate condemn the vitriolic attacks on the Finucane family. When will the media even call on the DUP to say something or call on them to condemn the loyalist or unionists involved in this personalised hate campaign.
Glenanne Gang member Garfield Beattie has said in court (Irish News) that every Catholic killed by the UVF in Armagh and Tyrone in the 70s was shot with British Army weapons. This is what Boris Johnson’s Amnesty legislation is about.
UVF mob go into an area to violently intimidate a family - police do nothing. Relatives lay flowers to remember loved ones shot dead in massacre, police arrest a survivor. Impartiality??
Good decision by SDLP not to run in North Belfast in the upcoming Westminster election. Well done. John Finucane is the only Remain candidate who can win. I would call on all Remain voters to vote for John, a man who has proven as Mayor,that he will represent all citizens.
Bobby Storey ran the marathon of life at a sprint,in conflict and in peace. A 24 hour a day activist and leader who led from the front all his life. His loss will be felt personally by all those who knew and loved him. His legacy will drive us all forward in Struggle.
DUP’s Gregory Campbell was on GMU this morning ( as was I) to talk about the Ombudsman’s report into 19 killings by UDA between 1989-93 which found collusion between State forces and loyalists. His reaction was to attack the Ombudsmans office!!
It is heart rending to hear that a body has been found in the search for Noah Donahoe. My thoughts are with his mother and family at this terrible time. The whole community will feel the loss as can be seen in the hundreds who turned out to search for Noah.
I know there are hundreds of photos now on Social media, of our friend and comrade Bobby Storey. But I really like this one which encapsulates Bobby’s contagious humour. We couldn’t stop laughing!
If Loyalist paramilitaries are threatening workers at ports then put it up to them publicly to remove any threats. If there is evidence of threats on social media and of people taking car registrations-make arrests.
Gavin Robinson DUP is on media saying we Irish, are all British whether we like it or not. The problem with going for a headline is that it’s best being right and he’s absolutely wrong-again! Wake up and read the GFA as well as smelling the coffee.
I am delighted that the party has asked me to stand in the upcoming Assembly Election in May. It has been an honour to serve the people of North Belfast since 1998.
To this British Government;
Truth doesn’t matter.
International Agreement’s, and rule of law doesn’t matter.
Political stability doesn’t matter.
Economic certainty doesn’t matter.
The Tories will only ever act in their own self-interests. Never in the interests of people here
At 6.30 this morning we had the pleasure (despite heavy rain😊)of seeing the the Flax St gates open to traffic after nearly 40 years.A substantial move for the regeneration of the area,led by the community and those who have worked cross community on this for decades.well done.
It is astounding that PSNI,while refusing to release files to Fiona Donohoe,central to the investigation into her son Noah’s death could think it right or acceptable to question Fiona and her sister Niamh about daring to walk the route that Noah took on the day of his death.
Friday 4th March ..Musgrave POLICE STATION from 3pm...
@NiamhDonohoe78
and I being interviewed for prosecution for " Parade to Cavehill from City centre."
Niamh and I were going for walk on Noah's Route ..Which he should have taken..past the blind spot of CCTV on Royal Ave
Just home from the election count. What a victory for SF in North Belfast. A victory for John Finucane MP. Victory for hope over fear.Victory for Remainers.For equality and rights for all.For change.For reaching out. I’ll leave the negativity to others. Congrats to Team Belfast.
DUP hypocrisy on Sean Kelly knows no bounds.This party was wedded to Ulster Resistance which brought guns in that killed 100 people.They share platforms with,and form electoral pacts with loyalist paramilitaries active in drug dealing, prostitution, extortion and murder.
Edwin Poots, not for the first time, is speaking with a forked tongue. After agreeing to a collective position in the Executive he is now trying to sectarianise COVID blaming Nationalists and Republicans.
DUPs JeffreyDonaldson says we should respect the loyalist bonfire, placed on the interface with the Nationalist New Lodge. It was deliberately placed there to cause conflict and the site has been the base for sectarian attacks on New lodge residents since March. Respect?
Did the DUP leadership, including the Assembly first minister, Arlene Foster, even ask the UVF, and UDA about their current violence and criminality during their meeting??
So DUPs Jeffrey Donaldson threatens to pull down the Assembly from Westminster and in answer the British Government will bring back double-jobbing as MP/MLA so he can do it on site at Stormont? What next-council job as well?
While colleagues John Finucane and Carál Ní Chuillin were in Belfast discussing future plans with UU VC Paul Seawright and Duncan Morrow I was in Jordanstown campus personally enjoying the benefits,proudly watching my daughter Aoife graduate with a Masters. 👏👏👏🍾
#prouddad
I listened to the powerful and emotional,statements of truth from the families of the 10 innocent people who were murdered in Ballymurphy by the Parachute regiment. The British Govt answer is to give the killers an amnesty. Same attitude to Irish lives as it was 50 years ago.
Arlene Foster doesn’t just try to rewrite history-she’s trying to rewrite the present, claiming political Unionism is inclusive. Tell that to Irish speakers, LGBT community and victims of State violence.
The DUP (and Jamie Bryson) are on media complaining that the recently appointed members of the Policing Board may not be legal (cos there’s no Ministers) Of course if the DUP allow an Executive to be formed, then there would be no controversy at all!!
The refusal by DUP to support an effective lockdown last month has drastically affected the hard pressed health service with the upsurge in COVID transmission. Their determination to keep children in school put sitting the 11 Plus above people’s health.
Here we go again- Chris Mc Gimpsey on Nolan describing Irish Language Street signs as ‘Cultural Apartheid’. A bit like blaming the Black population in South Africa on the Apartheid regime.
Those who planted the bomb in Derry last night are living on a different planet if they believe it will achieve anything other than to increase and solidify opposition to them by the rest of the Irish population.
To be clear-from the mouths of DUPs themselves-They are AGAINST Irish language rights; they are AGAINST LGBT rights and they are AGAINST victims and survivors rights to Inquests. What are they for?
More evidence is emerging of the influence the UDA has with and over the DUP. This partnership is well documented. Since it is infested with agents of the British Security Services they also know of that influence. What is their direction to their agents?
The attack on a property of a Portuguese woman is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Nine masked men armed with hammers points to it being a loyalist paramilitary attack. This is the second attack in North Belfast and police action is crucial against these gangs
Couldn’t go to Ballina without visiting the graves of Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg who I and other comrades, were on hunger strike with in early seventies. Also went to see the mural on Michael launched recently. Thank you to the locals who brought me there and took the photo.
Demanding a million Palestinians leave their homes is impossible.Therefore the claim of safeguarding civilians is false.The Israeli Defence Minister describing all Palestinians as’human animals’ shows the intent of Invasion. Stop the invasion,start dialogue,prevent catastrophe!
At the first major test of collective governance since the Assembly was reinstated the DUP have reverted to the One Party State mentality ignoring the cost in lives that will ensue. No matter how much they long for it-this is not 1969.
Boris Johnson says he’s ‘going to unite this amazing country’. Must have been talking about Ireland cos he ain’t bringing unity to Britain, never mind the British Conservative Party!
Thankfully those involved in last nights bomb attack on police did not succeed. They will also not succeed in dragging our community into conflict. Police, as well as residents could have been killed. I urge people to assist the police investigation and help prevent such attacks.
No one can be above the law. I made a voluntary arrangement to meet the police and met them today for interview. I want to get the issue resolved as soon as possible.
In November I asked the Chief Constable to withdraw any application to hold back or redact crucial information from Fiona Donohoe about the death of her 14 yr old son Noah. 4 mnths later, today, I had to ask again. Noah ‘s mother deserves and is entitled to the whole truth.
Tomorrow Gerry Adams will publish the latest pamphlet in the Léargas series. It’s on Bobby Storey. I wrote the poem below in August, which will be included in the publication.
When DUP and especially it’s leader cannot accept Irish Republicans burying our dead, grieving and remembering them then it is THEY who have a long way to go. They are anti-equality to life and death.
As one of SFs Negotiating Team during and since the Good Friday Agreement, I was closely involved in delivering fundamental changes in policing and justice. So I am fully committed to the rule of law,based on the principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability.
There is a breathtaking arrogance in this British Government trying to exclude the Sinn Féin President from talks when there isn’t a single vote cast for this government anywhere on the Island of Ireland while Sinn Féin has the biggest mandate in Ireland!
This is a time for inclusion, dialogue and engagement. There is serious and urgent work to be done. This is a time for mature and civil politics. There’s no room for bad faith and petulance from the British government.
DUPs Nigel Dodds is complaining that the Dublin Government won’t negotiate with The DUP. Really? The DUP have not fallen over each other to negotiate with Irish citizens in The North.
After anti Catholic graffiti being painted on a house in Kilcoole area of North Belfast, another couple have been forced out. While police are investigating this hate crime we need voices from all political parties,publicly telling the bigots to stop.
It is the DUP who are blocking implementation on movement on flags and emblems. They wouldn’t even agree baby steps like no flags outside hospitals or places of worship or schools. Who could disagree with that?
20 year old Taylor Mc Grann about to be declared elected as the first Sinn Féin councillor in Macedon. Brilliant candidate who is already working for the people. Comhghairdeas 👍👏🎉
Yet another vile and abhorrent threat has been made against journalist Patricia Devlin and her child on her Facebook. Whoever is behind these threats needs pursued and brought before the courts. It is the only way to stop them.