There was a terrible silence in Omagh in the days after the bombing. It seemed that not even birdsong could be heard in a town that was full of life and joy and laughter when the world turned upside down on 15 August 1998. To those who know nothing of Northern Ireland it may seem distasteful to engage in the arithmetic of tragedy, but the difference with Omagh was that the … [Read more...] about The Last Word: The Far Side of Revenge
The Irish Times
Sinn Féin Ordered to Fly Union Jack
December / January 2001
The British government has announced that it will be assuming powers to order Sinn Féin members of the Northern Ireland Executive to fly the Union Jack over their offices on specified days. A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair told The Irish Times that the Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson would order the Union flag to be flown over headquarters and other official … [Read more...] about Sinn Féin Ordered to Fly Union Jack
Independent TDs Demand Abortion Referendum
Kerry South TD (Member of Parliament) Jackie Healy -Rae has changed his tune and added his voice to those of the three other independent TDs, whose votes the government has counted on for support in their demand for an abortion referendum. Healy-Rae told The Irish Times in August that he had no interest in pushing for an abortion referendum, saying, "I'll be putting no pressure … [Read more...] about Independent TDs Demand Abortion Referendum