SINN Féin will host a major discussion event in North Belfast on Thursday examining the vision for a “progressive and equal new Ireland”.
WEST Belfast MP Paul Maskey has welcomed the submission of the Good Jobs Bill to the Executive by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald.
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has called on the British government to apologise for the Springhill Massacre.
THE Ancient Order of Hibernians has been playing a leading role throughout the US in recent years holding the British government to account. When it comes to legacy, a border poll and Brexit, the AOH has played a pivotal role lobbying the main players in Washington and advising members of Congress on Capitol Hill. The National President of the AOH, Sean Pender, was back in Ireland last week and spent a number of days in Belfast. With a father from County Carlow and a mother from County Kerry, he has been a regular visitor to Belfast over the past quarter of a century, since he first met Clara Reilly and Mark Thompson in the Relatives for Justice office on the Falls ROad. It was around the same time as the Holy Cross dispute when loyalists tried to prevent schoolgirls from going to school in Ardoyne over a gruelling four-month period. He said Clara Reilly is still his hero and admits that those early visits to Belfast left a deep and lasting impression on him. Growing up in New Jersey, Sean joined the Hibernian in 1981, having always had an interest in Irish history. Today the Hibernians are active across the States on many issues. “Constitutionally we cannot endorse or person party or a candidate,” he said. “So therefore, when we go to a Republican or a Democrat we're speaking to an issue. That's it. And I think what that’s done over the years has given us credibility, and it also has made us an honest broker.” One of those issues that the AOH is concerned with the current immigration policy which is best illustrated by the actions of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “We [the Irish] were the immigrants who spoke a different language, worshipped a different God. We were called, you know, apes, drunks and everything like that. And we got to make sure that doesn't happen to anybody, anybody else. So the current climate that's going on in our country and everywhere, I try to remember our people. That's not who the Irish are. You know, the Irish have been treated with oppression, aggression, discrimination, but we got to make sure it doesn't happen to other people. So we're very involved, like I said, with looking for a fair, equitable immigration policy, looking to a peace, justice and unity in Ireland.” In recent years the AOH has lobbied and met with members of Congress to help ensure that there would be no hard border in Ireland as a result of Brexit. It has led the campaign in Washington against the British government’s legacy plans and successfully pressed the Irish government to take an inter-state legal case against the British government over its controversial Troubles Legacy Act. Its strong connections with victims’ families back in Ireland, while also bringing those families out to the US means it is a trusted voice in the States on the legacy issue. “Irish America helped bring the peace to this island,” says Sean. “And we are the largest [Irish-American] group there. We're not taking credit for that, but we have the cohesiveness with members in every state. We're able to reach out and say, let's reach out to our elected officials here. We’re proud of the other work we did. I think it came about because we need to finally finish the job. We see what was coming over here. We see with the whole legacy, thing, which has been heart-breaking.” Sean said that after the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016 there was a fear among the AOH that it would be used as an excuse by the British to put a hard border up in Ireland.
A WEST Belfast MLA has praised a local youth training service following a visit this week. During the visit, the MLA and Councillor Claire Canavan met with staff and youngparticipants at Workforce Training Services to hear first-hand about the impact of programmes designed to equip the next generation with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s jobmarket. “Young people in West Belfast have huge potential, and it’s essential that we providethem with the right opportunities to develop skills and access meaningfulemployment," said Mr Sheehan. "Workforce Training Services is playing a crucial role in helping young people build confidence, gain qualifications, and take real steps towards their future careers.” After the visit Councillor Canavan added: “It was fantastic to meet so many young people who are determined to improve their prospects, gain skills and make a positive contribution to our community. Programmes like these not only support individuals but strengthen our local economy by investing in the incredible talent our young people have to offer.” Both politicians said the visit also highlighted the need for continued investment in youth-focused training and employment pathways, ensuring that nobody is left behind due to a lack of opportunities.
POLITICANS have welcomed the inquest verdict into the killings of five people in the Springhill/Westrock massacre.
FORMER SDLP councillor Paul Doherty has defended criticism from People Before Profit over his decision to resign from the party.
SINN Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has told the party’s Ard Fheis that referendums on Irish unity can be held as early as 2030.
Belfast Media Group columnist Andrée Murphy interviews Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and deputy leader Michelle O'Neill at the party's Art Fheis in the Waterfront Hall today. The interview was broadcast live by RTÉ television.
PAUL Doherty has sensationally quit the SDLP.
BELFAST City Council have voted to reconsider a decision to close a planning enforcement investigation over a statue of hunger striker Bobby Sands in West Belfast.
THE British government has shown “contempt for victims who suffered at the hands of its state forces”, North Belfast MP John Finucane claimed after the Secretary of State announced what he called a “substantial package of amendments” to its Troubles legacy legislation. The Sinn Féin MP made the claim after Hilary Benn said the new amendments to the bill would “improve the process for victims and families” and “further safeguard veterans”. He said unlike the previous Conservative government's controversial Legacy Act, the new bill “does not offer immunity”. Hitting back Mr Finucane said the bill “displays no thought or empathy for families, but rather is designed to placate the British military lobby and the interests of security and intelligence agencies”.
THE Westlink in Belfast is one of several locations signposted for fuel protests this afternoon.
WITH just over a year to go before the next Assembly election, the DUP have been canvassing in the Shankill and Suffolk for their West Belfast candidate Frank McCoubrey. The party is telling voters that there is a unionist seat in the West Belfast constituency and their chances have been enhanced with recent changes to the electoral boundary. In 2022 voters in West Belfast elected four Sinn Féin MLAs and one from People Before Profit. The percentage of first preference votes saw Sinn Féin take 64 per cent; DUP 10 per cent: People Before Profit eight per cent; and the SDLP six per cent. However, unionists are buoyed by changes to the West Belfast constituency implemented by the 2024 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies. DUP MLAs have taken to social media this week sharing photos of party members canvassing for McCoubrey. North Belfast DUP MLA Brian Kingston posted: “A great response for DUP teams door knocking in Gtr Shankill and Suffolk today highlighting there’s a real opportunity to elect a unionist MLA for West Belfast next year and Frank McCoubrey is best placed to achieve that gain for unionist community.” While deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly posted: “Unionism can win a MLA seat in West Belfast. Boundary change has brought in more unionists into West Belfast but it needs you (to) get out and voting for Frank in the election next year. “Let’s get behind this campaign, and get a unionist voice back for the West at Stormont – out campaigning today on the Shankill and wider area.”
MLAs have welcomed news that Special Educational Needs (SEN) summer schemes will now go ahead this year. The Education Minister and the Health Minister confirmed that following engagement between both Departments and the Education Authority (EA) a solution has been secured that will allow special school summer schemes to proceed this year. On Friday a recall petition by the Alliance Party had won the support of Sinn Féin, SDLP and TUV for a recall of the Assembly to discuss the issue. Later that day, however, Education Minister Paul Givan and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed that the summer schemes would go ahead after all after the Department of Health confirmed that nursing support will be provided at every summer scheme location.