Can I just remind all journalists attending the count today in Magherafelt that you will be in Ma-her-a-felt. Anyone caught saying “Makrafelt” will be escorted to the town boundary and banned from further entry to the town.
This is like your 35 year old cousin who has lived with the same "flatmate" for the last 15 years coming out as gay. Everyone just goes "yeah we know" and gets on with their day.
The tirade of abuse I’ve received from two women sitting opposite me on the train for politely asking them to wear their facemasks is unreal. If yer Ma and her mate got the train from Portadown to Dublin this morning, you might want to come and take her home.
Phil Coulter: "I have performed this song in Carnegie Hall, for Presidents and Nobel laureates... But there is no place it will ever mean more to me than right here, right now"
The Town I Love So Well
#BloodySunday50
Kate Hoey’s platform piece in today’s
@irish_news
is that republicans and nationalists are better at politics now than unionists so they should stop doing politics until unionism gets its act together again.
The relentless pile-on by media commentators and trolls on
@cjhumanrights
is obscene and dangerous and they know it. But Colin has more supporters and a stronger backbone that any of them will ever have.
Why?
Because he's right.
My Auntie Marie graduated summa cum laude in dentistry from
@QUBelfast
, was an All-Ireland camogie champion, raised thousands for
@selfhelpafrica
and many others, taught my cousins and I to ride horses, fed the parish, and yet this is the
@DownRec
headline on her obit?! 🤷🏻♀️
DUP get their wings clipped by Bombardier on Election Day.
They previously signed a letter to MPs urging them to take a no deal Brexit off the table to safeguard jobs. Don’t tell me this isn’t connected.
I remember my mother crying at the television the day the Guildford 4 were released and not really understanding at the time why she was so upset. Reading the
#BallymurphyMassacre
inquest findings today, I understand.
#Innocent
Statement on behalf of the family of John Patrick Cunningham, on the passing of Dennis Hutchings | KRW Law-LLP - Human Rights Lawyers
It is important that we stick to facts at this time. And here they are.
Irresponsible from Newsletter to publish an article that’s fundamentally flawed. It was not nationalists and republicans who negotiated the NI protocol. It was the British government, to whom the author presumably gives allegiance, who negotiated it with the EU.
Philip Wilson, a young unionist, writes: "The protocol has sent a very clear message about how nationalism treats unionists and unionist rights whenever nationalism is intoxicated with political power"
Actually
@vonderleyen
was elected by the European Parliament. The LCC, on the other hand, was elected by Uncle Andy, Big Mervyn and Pastor Begbie at a a lock-in at the Kneebreakers if that statement is anything to go by.
The equitable application of the rule of law isn’t appeasement, it’s justice. The passage of time, the age or health of the accused aren’t relevant. The wrong done to victims and survivors are what should always be at the forefront of our judgements.
Honoured to support Dennis Hutchings today. A man of 80 years old, with severe heart and kidney problems, being dragged before the courts to appease Republicans. The same Republicans who are safe in the knowledge they will never be before the courts for heinous crimes.
Our Samhain celebration: the marriage of our beautiful daughter Méabh to Ian. We were blessed to be surrounded by family and friends on this most precious of days.
Watch as Tory MP for Cities of London & Westminster
@MarkFieldUK
grabs a Greenpeace protester who interrupted a Philip Hammond speech in London tonight
#weshallovercome
Paddy Doherty
Gerald Donaghey
Jackie Duddy
Hugh Gilmour
John Johnson
Michael Kelly
Michael McDaid
Kevin McElhinney
Barney McGuigan
Gerard McKinney
William McKinney
Willie Nash
Jim Wray
John Young
#BloodySunday50
Here's a little Christmas story about my childhood/
The tablecloth was ironed and spread out over the big mahogany table, ready to be laid for the Christmas dinner the next day. The six MacBride children had divided up the tasks of peeling potatoes...
Brilliant work from
@EimhearONeill
and
@FPF_Docs
for their work on tonight’s
#SeanBrown
documentary on
@RTEOne
It’s staggering that the Secretary of State is taking legal action against the coroner for telling the family the truth.
If you were to accept Allister’s point that the protocol represents a breach of sovereignty (which I don’t) then why is his anger not directed at the British government who signed up to it? This was not unilaterally imposed, Jim.
Amnesty International
@amnesty
has issued a statement calling on authorities to ensure safety of Professor Colin Harvey
@cjhumanrights
and protect freedom of expression.
“In Northern Ireland, the reality is that there is no equivalent network of unionist activists using access and credentials obtained via positions in the professional class to advance the cause of unionism.”
Is that a fact, Kate?
Lá fhéile Bhrighde shona daoibh go léir! I get my name from St Brigid. In Irish, it's Ni Giolla Bhrighde which means daughter of the follower of Brigid. Proud of my ancestors for trusting women!
Does Alan Shatter think the people of Gaza and the West Bank demolished their own houses and ripped up their own olive trees? A two state solution based on stolen land will never work.
@TodaywithClaire
My column: The overwhelming majority of nationalists and republicans did not need to read this report to know that collusion was very, very real via
@irish_news
Tis the season, so here’s my flag etiquette.
- It is your national flag, not an item of clothing. Show it some respect.
- Do not hang it upside down or back to front
- If it’s torn or tattered, take it down
- If you’re only putting it up to annoy people, catch yourself on.
Having watched footage of Mark Sykes’ arrest, I’m wavering between upset and anger. Appalling treatment of victims and families today by PSNI. Chief Constable needs to establish facts and act swiftly in respect of the officers involved.
This year, when we cannot meet together, wearing an
#EasterLily
is an important act of remembrance. I wear mine for Thomas McDonagh, my Grandmother's UCD Professor. He helped her find her voice, something she passed on to her children & grandchildren. Who do you wear yours for?
“This negative image of the Northern Ireland state is in large part a distortion of reality...allegations of discrimination have been grossly exaggerated.” Where do you even start with nonsense like that?
There is no famine in
#Gaza
. There is an Israeli blockade which prevents humanitarian aid from being allowed in to feed almost two million people on the brink of starvation. That is genocide.
On this day 100 years ago, Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera and Arthur Griffiths were elected to Stormont. Unsurprisingly, they did not take their seats.
#OTD
@janky_jane
Came home from America one Christmas and went out for the night wearing a dress with shoulder pads. Barman says to me “how’s life in Dallas?”
Someone needs to remind Michael O’Loughlin that the English Market is in Cork, not in Belfast. Although that’s probably the least of the problems with his piece in today’s Irish Times.
The
@PONIPressOffice
report on Police handling of loyalist murders and attempted murders in south Belfast from 1990 - 1998 is grim reading. It can’t be looked at in isolation as some proxy PSNI spokesperson suggests on the wireless this morning.
Massively proud of the amazing women who took part in our
@WIMBelfast
end of year review last night. Activists, agitators, and great craic. Would do your heart good!
The son is just home from work and I said "I take it the boss was off today?"
His boss is on the
@TyroneGAALive
team so there might have been a bit of celebrating done.
"No, he was in. You know what those Tyrone boys are like, they give no quarter, especially to a Derry man!"
Eileen Paisley interview with
@AudreyCarville
on
@bbcradioulster
says that she could live in a united Ireland if there was freedom of religion. Significant that she’s thought about what conditions she would wish to be met.
So the Loyalist Communities Council wouldn’t rule violence off the table. Against whom? One must assume it’s the British government as it is they who are operating the protocol. Who else will be targeted? PSNI need to nip this nonsense in the bud if it starts.
NI Affairs Committee Chair Simon Hoare, MP, is left virtually speechless as LCC member, Joel Keys, says, in the context of loyalist rejection of NI Protocol, he "wouldn't rule violence off the table".
No votes for non tax payers...
OK full-time students, unemployed, low-income pensioners, stay-at-home parents and you pesky disabled people who want to work but can’t find jobs - you’re all off the electoral register next presidential election cos Ciara won’t “allow” you to vote.
Some commentary on
@bbcradioulster
Nolan programme is so depressing. Justice and accountability should never be viewed as a zero sum game. Victims and survivors deserve to have access to all evidence and information available and, where possible, seek justice.
Remembering those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday in Derry, 30th January 1972. “Unjustified and unjustifiable” said Cameron in 2010. Kinsella’s poem Butcher’s Doze articulated that a month after the event:
Bloody Sunday - A Poem by Thomas Kinsella
The Seanad bye election carve-up is complete. If the government parties were genuine and sincere in reaching out to those of an Ulster British identity on this island, then
@IanMarshall_
would be re-taking his seat this afternoon. Fine words butter no parsnips.
Just got sent a load of screenshots from a Twitter account making a number of nasty comments in reply to my tweets. So I had a look and the guy has me blocked. Good grief, some trolls are so stupid they can’t even troll 😂😂😂
We laid Grandma to rest today. She was a great mother in law and was never happier than when surrounded by her family. Covid restrictions made the process challenging but we did our best for her. Ar lámh dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.
Honoured to have been selected by
@fiannafailparty
to contest the Dublin Central seat in the next General Election. My heart will always be in Derry but over the last few years, Stoneybatter/Cabra has become home. I want to be a strong advocate for the people in Leinster House.
Today felt really hopeful. I never took for granted how big a deal it was to watch your county playing in
@CrokePark
But being back there today made me realise just how much I had missed it.
#doireabu
The next question that Zapponme will face (or may have been put and not answered) is when did she travel to Ireland from the USA? Given the event happened on the 21st July and travel rules changed on the 19th, this is relevant.
Heard
@AshleyMcBryde
on Radio Ulster for first time yesterday, listened to her on Spotify today, Googled her tonight. Do NOT tell me that me n this girl don’t share a great great grandpa who got the spelling of his name changed at Ellis Island!
And I remind them that you don’t have to be in the same room as those who love you to feel them hugging you and hear them tell you that you’re great altogether.
Happy Christmas
Nollaig shona
Pleased to say I've had my first run-out as an
@irish_news
columnist today, with more regular contributions from the end of the month. It's a story about my family and partition.
#buyapaper
If Boris Johnson is saying there will be no border poll for ‘very long time to come’ then, given his track record, maybe we should all be preparing for a snap referendum! via
@IrishTimes
Sixteen lights over Derry tonight for the 14 who died, the injured, and all who lost their lives in the conflict. How can your heart be full and broken in the same moment?
#BloodySunday50
This Doug Beattie interview is a car crash. The women who served under him as their commanding officer will be transcribing this for their solicitors tout suite.
Dublin-Belfast train to take less than two hours and run hourly after multimillion investment writes
@SeaninGraham22
And can we work on fare parity so you’re not paying more if originating in Belfast please?
An Taoiseach
@LeoVaradkar
speaking at the
#SharedIsland
forum in Dublin Castle says we have both a shared history and shared future on this island. We need a shared infrastructure and all-island economy and he will work with all political traditions to create that shared future.
We would expect that the Dublin government would set out how a reunified Ireland would look in advance of a border poll says
@Simon4NDorset
on
#SundayPoliticsNI
On that, I agree with the chair of the Commons select committee. Over to you, Michéal and Leo.
Shall we be seeing their election posters and effigies on bonfires on the twelfth of July then? Lundys! 😱
DUP must be ragin’ after buying them a feed in the Tullyglass.
Those of you who knew my brother Lughaidh know how proud he would be of his daughter Sinéad, as are we all. She’s following in her father’s footsteps as a paramedic and already making a difference whilst still a student. Maith an bhean!
"Kids, would you like Granny to tell you the story about how a Pole, a Luxembourger, a Belgian and a Frenchman helped us get a united Ireland in 2021, 100 years after partition?
Waking up wondering will Harris out his fellow trolls himself so that he gets another run out on the wireless, or do we have to wait for the High Court writs...
All these people tweeting about the 11+/transfer test DO realise the 10 and 11 year olds who got their results today aren’t on Twitter to read about how wonderful your life is despite it, right?
The analysis published today by Fitzgerald/Morgenroth on cost of reunification is based on incorrect assumptions regarding the size of the north’s subvention says ESRI Professor.