After our little article yesterday exposing an IRA supporter, who is advising the government on bigotry and also receiving public money to spout her vicious fabrications. We now have yet more double standards and hypocrisy from Conservative MSP “Bill Butler”.
He has written to the Herald of all newspapers, asking for a coherent anti-sectarian strategy from the SNP government. In his letter (below) you will notice he mentions joint campuses for our children. He also mentions something about school twinning, which for the life of me I don’t really understand.
Could I be a little more straightforward than Bill and all the other cowards, who hide under their blankets at Holyrood and Westminster, when this subject is mentioned? Here's a better idea Bill. Why not just let little Johnny and little Freddie who live next door to each other go to the SAME school?
Are you so scared of losing the so-called green vote and facing the wrath of the RC church you won’t mention what society really wants. We object to financing these schools, which breed a "them and us" mentality. We object to paying for an apartheid state school system and we object to our politicians not taking on the real issues.
I welcome wholeheartedly publication of the STUC’s report into sectarianism in the workplace and applaud its commitment to fight bigotry (“Employers must act on sectarian banter in workplace”, The Herald, November 24).
Sectarianism is complex. To combat it, we need the Scottish Government to work with bodies such as the STUC, police, faith groups and local authorities to bring forward a national strategy.
I have campaigned for such a strategy for more than two years and, through my meetings and discussions with those at the forefront of this fight, it is clear prevention is better than cure. Any successful strategy must have education at its core.
Sadly, in recent years, we have witnessed a decline in the number of twinning projects between denominational and non-denominational schools. This can be attributed, in no small part, to the axeing of a £100,000 government fund to support and encourage such projects.
The Scottish Islamic Foundation has returned a sum of £128,000, which it had been unable to spend, to the Scottish Government. This offers an ideal opportunity for the government to restore £100,000 to the school twinning fund and so bolster the battle to beat bigotry.
The remaining £28,000 could be used to pilot the rehabilitation project for those convicted of sectarian offences, being delivered by the Iona Community free of charge, in Polmont Young Offenders’ Institution. The Minister for Community Safety visited this project and spoke highly of it in the Scottish Parliament last week. Such a modest investment would allow the Iona Community’s work to be rolled out across the country.
A positive response to my suggestion would give a welcome signal that the Scottish Government is determined to develop a coherent anti-sectarianism strategy.
Bill Butler, Labour MSP, 129 Dalsetter Avenue, Glasgow.
The following statement was released by IRA victims group Fair (Families acting for innocent relatives)
The recent intimidation of William Frazer and other members of FAIR staff is testament to the level Irish Republicans will sink to in order to impose their undemocratic will on people. FAIR its staff and its many members will not be intimidated and events such as the attack on a member of staffs car only makes us all the more determined to carry on. We will continue to seek justice against those who have been involved in crimes against the innocent.
We will also continue to expose those currently involved in criminal activity which is aiding and abetting terrorists, this unfortunately also means a few members of the Protestant community who are laundering money for Republican criminals in the Armagh area. An unbelievable state of affairs which many will find shocking.
Intimidation will not work, the good people of Northern Ireland deserve and will get the peace and justice they deserve, no longer will the violent actions of Irish Republicanism dictate how we lives our lives.
Willie Fraser and his group deserve all the praise and support they can get from anyone opposed to terrorism and sectarian murder gangs.
Another day, another kick in the gonads for those nasty Nats. A YouGov/Daily Telegraph poll found that 57 per cent would vote against independence, with only 29 per cent in favour. 15 per cent were undecided or would not vote.
Since voters were last asked this question by YouGov in October last year, support for independence has fallen two points, while backing for the Union has increased by four points. Anthony King, professor of government at Essex University, said: "Alex Salmond increasingly resembles a man trying to drag a heavy vehicle out of a ditch. He pulls harder and harder, but the vehicle remains firmly mired in mud.
"The findings show clearly that most Scots regard the idea of a referendum on Scottish independence as an irrelevant bore and that, if any such referendum were held in the near future, it would be overwhelmingly defeated."
Voters are divided over whether a referendum should be held, with 45 per cent agreeing there should be a referendum within the next two or three years "to settle the matter one way or another".
47 per cent said that there should not be a vote "as this would be a distraction from more urgent issues that need tackling".
At long last, the Scottish public are becoming aware of the patronising Nationalist agenda. However one does have to wonder about Scotland and our voting habits. Voting for Labour increased in Glasgow NE, despite the antics of Mick Martin and the dodgy expenses claims.
The old saying about “If a dog wore a red ribbon, it would be elected” certainly appears to be the case in some Glasgow areas. I suppose we will have to wait and see what happens in Livingston now, after Jim Devine is bulleted for his alleged corruption and sex pesting.
We really do deserve better than these egotists and scammers.
Employers and workers need to do more to tackle sectarianism in the workplace, according to a new report. The study, commissioned by the STUC, found "real progress" has been made in reducing sectarian prejudice, it claims the problem has evolved into a "more subtle and disguised form".
Among the report’s finding’s is that clear guidance is provided to eliminate the passing off of sectarianism as banter or humour. The report says: "By this device verbal abuse of another, or others, can be disguised or deflected, and then more opprobrium can be heaped upon the target by blaming them for their lack of a sense of humour."
Employers should have effective procedures for protecting anyone making a complaint and create an environment in which all employees see it as their duty to fellow workers to report any form of sectarianism and support those who become targets for prejudice.
Firms should also be legally required to monitor sectarian incidents at work, the report said, and this should include examples of direct discrimination. Titled, "Sectarianism and the Workplace" by Professor Gerry Finn, Fatima Uygun and Andrew Johnston of Strathclyde University, the report says "although increasingly rare in its most heinous forms, sectarianism is still expressed in a variety of levels of behaviour" from the "relatively trivial to the relatively serious".
Talfanzine is an IRA supporting fanzine where numerous pages are devoted to Irish Republican groups and issues. Are we really to believe that Fatima conducted this report with an open mind? Are we really being told to believe what Fatima says about bigotry, when she in fact is a bigot and member of bigoted groups herself?
The anti sectarian researcher Fatima Uygun is a hypocrite and exactly why Protestant's in this country do not trust these groups one iota. This is a concerted attack by anti Protestant bigots with an angenda, who will use any method to further their sectarian aims.
The research by bigoted Fatima also included the use of focus groups and interviews with union officials, finding claims of sectarianism from the finance sector to the building industry.One example given by a participant was said to have taken place in the past five years in a well-off area where a house was on fire.
The report said: "Initially the houseowner refused to allow all personnel of the fire service to enter because he did not allow Catholics in his house. The leading fire officer in attendance, who was a Protestant, insisted that unless all of his crew were allowed to enter, no-one would go in to extinguish the fire." STUC general-secretary Grahame Smith said the report was a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about sectarianism .
As someone who agrees we should eliminate bigotry in all shapes and forms, regardless of which side of the fence the perpetrator comes from. It appears this report is another half-baked, one-sided attack on the Protestant community. I’m sure we could find thousands of sectarian incidents, which have occurred over the past few years in this country.
Yet the report singles out a Protestant who would not allow RC firemen to attend a fire in his house. Are they honestly telling us, someone’s house was on fire and the chap in question refused entry to Catholic fire crews? How did he know which religion they belonged to? The anti sectarian debate in Scotland is nothing more than a sham now I’m afraid. Since wee Jack McConnell and his Bhoys became involved, it’s become a concerted attack on the Protestant majority of Scotland.
If these people really are serious about tackling bigotry, why not look at the consequences of dividing children aged 5 into religious groups and educating them through their school years and most impressionable period of life? How much is the taxpayer having to spend on an apartheid system of education which tells children they are not to be educated with their next door neighbours, simply because they are Protestant?
What about the Protestant teachers being refused promotion, for no reason other than they are not RC? Would this same discrimination be allowed in any other place of work? If RC schools, which most non Catholic’s object to paying for are left out of the sectarian debate on the orders of the RC church, then you can’t expect most people to take the campaign with any seriousness.
In fact the much sought after expert on bigotry (Aye Right), Professor Tom Devine gave the game away recently when he stated, it is time to call the problem for what it is. "It isn't sectarianism, it is anti-Catholicism"
Of course, we know fine well the cowardly politicians of Scotland will never question the ethics of religiously divided schooling, as they don’t want to upset the RC church and lose the so called green vote. No one will question Devine or his masters in the RC church, simply because they know the backlash will follow soon after. If the so called anti sectarian groups wish to be taken seriously, then they must call for a study to be carried out on the costs, effectiveness and consequences of the apartheid schooling system in Scotland.
Most decent minded and fair thinking Scots want sectarianism eradicated from society, of that there’s no question. However most non-Catholic’s now see the campaign as a sham and an excuse to smear and attack the Protestant community. Fairy tales like the house on fire above and the constant smearing of one section of society, whilst allowing another section to act without fear and hindrance, only breeds more resentment and a suspicion that in fact, the people who claim to be anti sectarian, are as ill judged and as they are bigoted.
The Government should halt all financial payments to any group such as this now.
What exactly does the SPL match observer do when Celtic FC are playing? The morons who follow the Glasgow club marred today’s game against Dundee Utd again. Songs in support of the IRA now appear to be accepted by those in authority, rather than warning the club about its fans.
What singing about IRA hunger strikers has got to do with Scottish football, I’ll never know? People raised in Scotland, educated in Scotland and have broad Glaswegian accents, singing about an organisation which murdered countless Scots and Ulstermen and women on the grounds of nationality and religion, is utterly repulsive and must stop right now.
Celtic FC must stop pandering to these lunatics and ban anyone found to be singing songs about death and terrorism. Football fans singing about murdering fellow citizens every week and the media and politicians refusal to condemn these bigots, is a smear on the people of this nation.
After the antics of several hundred of this scum at the Remembrance Day tribute, you would have thought they would have the decency to keep their hate filled thoughts to themselves – apparently not!
Why are the police not stepping in and making arrests?
What’s the SPL observer saying when he hears these songs?
Why are no politicians speaking out about these morons?
All decent and right-minded people have had enough of this bigotry and hatred from Celtic fans, it’s time it was stopped, either by self-policing, or by the full weight of the law.
Below is a selection of comments from one of the Celtic websites today.
Today, 06:01 PM
Crossmaglen Bhoy
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I’m sure like most Scots, I sat down and watched the France v Ireland world cup qualifier, not really caring a jot who won or lost. As a football fan, I was looking forward to a good game and plenty of goalmouth action. Two foreign nations playing in a tournament, which has already saw the demise of Scotland, doesn’t really get me to excited to be honest.
Now we can sit and debate about cheats, refereeing decisions, replays and the injustice of the Thierry Henry goal all day long. Yes, there was no question about a handball, but 5 minutes previous, France should have had a penalty. So I looked at the game and thought justice had been done.
Ireland were unlucky, no doubt about that. They also played magnificently and showed Scotland how to fight and play good football. However they got beaten, simple as that. They are out of the world cup and no matter how much moaning and gurning the Irish FA does, the result will stand.
Yet what’s intrigued me in all this has been the Scottish media reaction. Between 8 and 10 pages devoted to this game, involving two nations from distant shores, in most of our newspapers. Indeed, some of the so-called Scots have been in meltdown and calling for the rules to be changed after the game. If I didn’t know better, I would swear these journalists were taking this result too seriously for Scots.
Did these same people call for rule changes when Henry pushed the ball over the line with his hand for Barcelona against Rangers in a Champions league game in the Catalan city? Why no implosion from the Scottish media for the exact same crime?
Rule changes, stopping the game for replays and replaying the match have all been put forward by the disgruntled Irish and their friends in the Scottish media. However I have another idea, although one which may not go down too well with our Gaelic friends and the media.
When you have 6 or 7 good chances to score a goal, put the ball in the net and put the result beyond any doubt. Stop moaning like the Irish have been doing and Celtic did after the Eduardo penalty incident and win the game by your own means.
Accept that sometimes you get the breaks and other times, lady luck is not on your side. The serial moaning after every defeat and the playing of the picked on card, is now becoming very tiresome to most football fans.
The entire basis of the Irish-French morality tale is false. The idea that Henry’s hand alone cost Ireland its rightful place in the World Cup is pure fantasy. For all the talk of what was ‘done’ to Ireland in Paris, the ;chains’ in which it was bonded by the wicked French, in truth the decisive factor on Wednesday night is that Ireland lost rather than France won.
Yes Ireland had a pretty good first half and Robbie Keane’s goal in the 33rd minute was a paragon of footballing precision and simplicity. But it was downhill from there. The blonde bombshell (Lawrence) had already missed an open goal in the first half, and in the second half both Keane and Damien Duff duffed Ireland’s chances of scoring again.
Breaking News...those paragons of virtue, Sinn Fein have called for fair play. As someone once said, You couldn't make it up! http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/17780
A former Northern Ireland police officer, who was once also a member of the Orange Order, has been selected to join Sinn Fein's team in the region's Assembly. At a selection convention republicans in Co Derry chose Coleraine councillor Billy Leonard to succeed veteran Sinn Fein politician Francie Brolly who had announced his retirement.
Mr Leonard's past links to the security forces, where he once served as a Royal Ulster Constabulary reservist, made him a surprise addition to Sinn Fein ranks when he first emerged on the political scene.
The 54-year-old is also a former member of the Orange Order and joined Sinn Fein in 2004 after he left the nationalist SDLP.
I’m sure Billy will be feeling right at home, sitting in office with serial killers, extortionists, drug dealers and the very same people who murdered his fellow Police officers and Orangemen. To think this man was a Protestant lay preacher, who probably consoled family members murdered by his Sinn Fein colleagues, is truly vile. A disgusting insult to all the Protestant people killed, for no other reason than their religious beliefs.
The traitor commented "Sinn Fein is about giving strong leadership and I will be joining a team in Stormont who will stand strong for people's rights and for equality”
No Billy! Sinn Fein is about criminality, murder and sectarianism, only equalled by the Serbian ethnic cleansing of the 90’s. What about the rights of the innocent people, murdered by your friends? What about the rights of the disappeared? What about the rights of two young lads shopping in Warrington?
As Scottish football lurches from one crisis to the next and the national manager merry-go-round is in full swing again. Wouldn’t it be refreshing and go a long way to dispelling the myth that only one set of supporters in Scotland are worthy of attack, if the media and the cowards who masquerade as politicians, came out and attacked the bigots who call themselves the Tartan Army?
After the humping Scotland got on Saturday in Wales, you would think the fans would have took the punishment and slinked off for a few bevvies in downtown Cardiff. Oh No! Not the Tartan transvestites.
You see, we in Scotland have become very sensitive to racism and bigotry. When I say “We” I really mean our media and green vote, chasing politicians. The Famine song sung by Rangers fans which contains no racism, merely stating if you don’t like this country then you can leave, was the catalyst for Irish MP’s, Scottish MP’s and MSP’s and an assortment of hand wringing, do-gooders to vent their spleens and attack Rangers fans with a hatred, which no other support in the land has had to face.
Rangers fans, rightly point out, other supporters from rival clubs sing about killing Protestants and praising many other terrorist atrocities, without so much as a murmur from those in power. Yet they are attacked on a weekly basis and labelled bigots and racists, regardless of the content or history behind each song.
Just last week, a Remembrance day tribute to the fallen was marred by filth singing sectarian and racist songs at Falkirk's football ground. Where were the comments from the SNP or Labour who lead the hypocritical, anti sectarian campaign iniatiaves in this country? Not a word of condemnation from any of these two faced charlatans, shows exactly the double standards we now face.
Now if a set of supporters stood on the terracing of any football ground and sang “If you hate the Effing Irish” Or “stand up if you hate Pakistani’s” then I would imagine these same self styled moral guardians of equal rights, would be in meltdown and on the attack. Rightly so!
Maybe someone can explain to many others, and me why it’s acceptable, to sing the above, only exchanging the word English, Instead of Irish or Pakistani? Do these tartan-clad losers honestly think singing “stand up if you hate the English” or “if you hate the feckin English clap your hands”? Is the image Scottish fans should be portraying?
Where is the mock outrage from our politicians who defend everyone and anyone who may feel offended about the most trivial of things, but remain silent about blatant anti English racism?
As many have said previously, the Scotland support has been hijacked by ultra nationalists, bigots and racists, who shame our nation by their songs, but also by their ridiculous mock up of our national dress and the wearing of Loch Ness monster bonnets etc. Flashing their arses to the female population of every visited city, was funny in the late 70’s. Today it’s boring, sexist and often the work of drunken lunatics.
I’m sure the Scottish Nationalists secretly love the work of the England haters among our support. However for the rest of us football fans who refuse to be drawn into the hate game and dress like a shortbread tin, I can only say this.
Not in my name do you sing your songs of racism and hate! I’m sure our hypocritical politicians are about to denounce these racists very soon.
IRA victims struck back after almost four decades of terrorism in South Armagh. William Frazer audaciously served a writ on Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy at his border strong hold this morning. The Murphy farm complex has long been suspected as the centre of PIRA operations and the scene of attacks upon the security forces themselves when they raided it. Armed only with a writ the victims campaigner tracked Murphy to his border farm, where he hid from the media.
Victims have long promised to hold Murphy and others accountable and today that long legal road began with a first step, literally into Slab Murphy’s yard. As the gates swung open, individuals including it is believed Murphy himself ran for cover, pulling large iron doors behind them they cowered in the cow sheds until the victims left.
They fled on seeing Frazer arrive and couldn’t get the doors closed quick enough, clearly not used to facing victims face to face. It would appear that confrontations in broad daylight on equal terms daunt Slab Murphy and his associates. Victims wonder what exactly they have to fear!. Speaking at the farm William Frazer said:
“ Today victims have taken the first step in the fight for justice and already we have watched Republican run. This will not be the last writ served and we will continue to fight for truth and justice. Just as the brave men and women of the UDR, RUC and British Army before us we will not rest until we make our streets a safer place. Today Slab Murphy hid from us but his days of running are over. The fact that he uses the border to hide behind makes a mockery of the very ethos of Republicanism which wants to remove it. If we lived in a United Ireland where would ‘Slab’ have to hide then?
Today we have given republicans a taste of what devolved policing and justice looks like. Perhaps the Belfast Republican leadership haven’t fully explained the implications of devolving such things. However today was a lesson in what Slab and those like him can expect. This is the reality of justice being put in local hands! To devolve such things is to give local perspective and input and we now urge Unionists to wait and see the results of recent moves in South Armagh before they commit to Devolution. And before Connor Murphy or Gerry Adams issues a statement about how good a Republican Thomas Murphy is let us say we agree. That is the reason we paid him a visit today, and that is why we will be visiting a number of other ‘good solid Republicans’ in the near future. A reference from Sinn Fein no longer cuts any ice, but rather gives us more reason to pursue certain individuals. A good republican is someone who is steeped in terrorism and responsible for the worst our history has witnessed.”
FAIR would like to thank the PSNI for their support in today’s operation which clearly shows that the Queens Writ runs right to the border, and after almost forty years of murder and mayhem Republicans have achieved nothing. Instead they now hide out in sheds waiting for their victims to act, that is the failure that PIRA terrorism has come to represent.
Labour raced to victory in the Glasgow North-East by election last night despite the alleged corruption and grandiose lifestyle of the previous incumbent of the office in the area. But I wonder, will it make any difference to the people of Springburn or Sighthill, now that Willie Bain is in office?
I’ve no doubt Bain means well and being a local lad, will understand the area and its problems better than most. He used his victory speech to say that he was on alert for the next General Election and that he'd take on First Minister Alex Salmond over his treatment of Glasgow.
However the cynics would argue, Labour have held the seat since time began and have controlled the city council for over 30 years, without much improvement in the area to show for all the talk and promises.
A Labour council steeped in the west of Scotland problems, surely won’t change its spots overnight and ditch the perceptions Glaswegians have on the council? Bigotry, nepotism and corruption are often mentioned when the council comes up in conversations between Glaswegians. A council which has promised action on unemployment, drugs, crime and poor housing, yet is widely regarded as inept at best and incompetent at worst.
Then of course we have the rise of the BNP in the area. An area with large scale unemployment, drugs, poor housing and what many perceive to be the favouritism shown to asylum seekers and immigrants, at the expense of locals, is always likely to be a breeding ground for extremists to gain support.
You can run from the immigration debate, but the BNP are on the rise in every constituency in this country and will eventually gain seats in Parliament, unless ordinary British people are listened to and their concerns acted upon. Labour must start consultations with the people who live in these areas, take on board the concerns and then act upon the thoughts and wishes of local people.
With a turn out of roughly 30% at the polling stations, a clear message has been sent by ordinary working class Glaswegians, that most don’t think their lot will improve any time soon, no matter who’s elected.
A choice between a Labour candidate, who precedes a man wallowing in the grandeur of decadence, a religious zealot from the nasty Nats, The BNP, John Smeaton, Tommy Sheridan (the mind boggles), an assortment of other extreme left wing oddballs and Big Brother wannabe’s, was it any wonder the good people of Glasgow North thought better of voting.
Isn’t it about time Glaswegians started voting for people or a party, who will help their plight, their lifestyle to improve and to ensure each and everyone of them is treated fairly, when it comes to housing issues?
The old saying about Labour putting up a dog for election and winning, as long it wears a red ribbon appears to alive and well in Glasgow North East.
The recent documentary by RTE called Cork’s Bloody Secret highlighted the plight of Southern Irish Protestants in the Cork area in 1922 when the IRA murdered innocent and inoffensive people just because they were Protestants. The Republican revisionists have to date been successful in re-writing history as they have potrayed the ‘old IRA’ as a non-sectarian guerilla movement who were not motivated by religious hatred and who wanted an All-Ireland State that would treat all of its citizens equally irrespective of their religious persuasion.
As usual the image that Irish Republican apologists like to promote is somewhat different from reality and the disappearance of the Southern Irish Protestants from Ireland was the result of a carefully organised campaign of religious genocide and religious persecution carried out by the ‘old IRA’ all across the country.
As one Irish journalist rightly stated the Irish Republican movement are experts at Suppression and Denial and they have suppressed the Southern Irish Protestants and to this day they deny that they were motivated by religious hatred and bigotry since the formation of their country in 1922. Thankfully after decades of Republican revisionism and deliberate airbrushing of the truth from the history books some historians and journalists are starting to tell the truth about what really happened to the Protestants left to the mercy of the IRA. Peter Hart’s book called the IRA And It’s Enemies and RTE’s documentary Cork’s Bloody Secret have shed some light on the shameful events that took place all those years ago.
The massacre of Cork Protestants started on 26th April 1922 when IRA gunmen led by Michael O’Neill broke into a house at Ballygorman owned by Thomas Hornibrook situated between Bandon and Cork. There were two other Protestants in the house with Thomas Hornibrook at the time, namely his son Samuel, and his son-in-law Captain Herbert Woods. When Michael O’Neill was going up the stairs a shot rang out and O’Neill was shot dead by one of the occupants of the house. The IRA then called for reinforcements and surrounded the house until the next morning when the three Protestants gave themselves up after the IRA promised them that they wouldn’t be harmed.
The IRA gang asked who fired the shot that killed O’Neill and when Herbert Woods told them he had fired the shot he was beaten unconscious. The three Protestants were taken away in a car and after being sentenced by an IRA kangaroo court they were all murdered in cold blood. Some reports suggest that Herbert Woods was tied to the back of a car before being dragged to death and the Hornibrooks were murdered the next day. The IRA apparently made them dig their own graves before murdering them and after Thomas Hornibrook dug his grave he threw looked his murderers in the face and told them to go ahead and kill him.
The three bodies were buried in secret and they were some of the first people to have ‘disappeared’ at the hands of the IRA. Ballygorman House was burned to the ground and the land was seized by locals and the property distributed amongst them and the event was never reported in any Irish newspaper and to the outside world the Hornibrooks and Woods had disappeared without a trace. There is little doubt that the same thing happened all over Ireland as the IRA destroyed all records of Protestants as they religiously purged the country.
These foul and cowardly murders were only the start as the IRA went on a killing spree in the following days in the Cork and Bandon area which left many Protestants dead and many more forced to flee for their lives. The first wave of attacks against innocent Protestants took place on the morning of the 27th April 1922, and the first Protestant murdered by the IRA was a chemist called David Gray who lived at Main Street, Dunmanway, with his family. There was banging at their door and David went down to see what was going on. His wife Alice heard shouting and then heard a shot and saw her husband falling and then she heard more shots as the gunmen kept firing at her husband as he lay on the ground.
A short time later further down the road another Protestant Francis Fitzmaurice, an elderly solicitor, was gunned down at his doorstep in front of his wife Elizabeth. The IRA gunmen also tried to murder his brother William who barely escaped with his life. They then tried to murder a draper called Willian Jagoe but he too managed to escape with his life. Another Protestant shopkeeper called George Bryan was confronted by two IRA gunmen at his home but when they pulled the trigger of the revolver the gun jammed and George Bryan ran into his garden and escaped in the darkness. The IRA gunmen also tried to kill a schoolteacher called William Morrison but he too managed to evade these cowardly assassins. They then tried to murder a merchant called James McCarthy but he too fled for his life.
At around one o’clock James and Clarina Buttimer were awakened by shouting and banging on their front door. Both James and Clarina went down to the door and the IRA gunmen told James that they wanted to talk to him and Clarina said, ‘Sure, you would not take an old man like him?’. They told her to go back to bed and then James said, ‘Surely boys you would not harm an old man like me?’. The IRA gunmen shot James in the face and he died at once with his brains blown out. A retired policeman called Tom Sullivan fled to the local cemetery for refuge and he heard the shooting and the weeping and crying of the relatives of those who had been shot.
The sectarian killings by the IRA continued the next night, 28th April 1922, in the parish of Kinneigh which lay to the east of Dunmanway in the Bandon valley. At 10 30 pm two IRA gunmen arrived at the door of Robert Howe and shot him twice and they then went to his neighbour’s house were they gunned down Robert Chinnery. A few hours later the IRA gunmen arrived at the village of Ballineen were they shot 16 year- old Alexander McKinley three times in the back of the head as he lay in bed at his aunt, Frances Peyton’s house. They then tried to murder William Daunt but he too managed to escape from these assassins. Further down the Bandon Valley the IRA gunmen murdered a Church of Ireland curate on the rectory steps at Murragh Rectory.
At around 2 00 am the IRA gunmen arrived at the farmhouse owned by John Buttimer were they proceeded to murder him and a ‘feeble-minded’ farm labourer called Jim Greenfield. They also tried to murder John Buttimer’s son but he escaped after a determined pursuit. On the same night 16 year-old Robert Nagle was murdered by IRA gunmen as he lay on his bed in the presence of his mother. The IRA gunmen searched for his father Thomas Nagle but they were unable to find him. The IRA then tried to murder another Protestant called Richard Helen after they abducted him but he miraculously managed to escape. They also tried to kill a farmer called William Perrot but he too managed to evade the IRA death squads.
The sectarian slaughter continued when the IRA murdered a disabled farmer called John Bradfield when they broke into his bedroom and made him stand up before shooting him in the back of the head. The IRA gunmen then tried to murder John Bradfield’s neighbour and cousin Henry Bradfield but he too managed to escape. During the two nights the IRA murdered ten Protestants and tried to murder many more which proves beyond a doubt that they are motivated by religious hatred despite their pathetic denials to the contrary.
As a result of these vile murders thousands of Cork Protestants fled their homes in terror and went into hiding as news of these atrocities spread like wildfire in that area. The panic-stricken Protestants fled the area leaving farms and businesses abandoned and whole families fled the area to the safe havens of Belfast or England. The IRA had achieved exactly what they set out to achieve and that was the religious cleansing of the Southern Irish Protestants as they took complete control of the abandoned farms and property as they persecuted them out of the country.
The IRA revisionists are trying to justify the IRA genocide against the Cork Protestants by alleging that the innocents that they butchered were 'loyalist' plotters, but as Peter Hart rightly points out their victims were mostly old men or teenagers. For instance Alexander McKinley and Robert Nagle were both only 16 years old when they were murdered by the IRA and their families wrongly thought that the youthfulness of the lads would save them from assassination.
It appears that the IRA showed no scruples about murdering youngsters or elderly Protestants even though they were disabled or blind. They callously gunned down John Buttimer who was 59, Robert Howe who was 60, John Bradfield who was 69 and bedridden, Francis Fitzmaurice who was 70 and James Buttimer who was 82 and nearly blind.
After the murders in Cork dozens of threatening letters were sent to other Protestants in the area and Richard Godwil was told that he would be hunted out of the country and all other 'Orange dogs' with him. As one Protestant stated, 'If the campaign against Protestants which has been carried on since the end of last month is continued in similar intensity for a few weeks more, there will not be a Protestant left in the place. Presbyterians and members of the Church of Ireland, poor and well-to-do, old and young, widows and children, all alike have suffered in intimidation, persecution and expulsion.
The campaign is carried out in the nightime, by unnamed persons, who give no reason for their actions. The system which usually is followed is, first the dispatch of an anonymous letter giving the recipient so many days, or hours to clear out. If this notice is disregarded, bullets are fired at night through the windows, bombs are thrown at his house, or his house is burned down. In one case, an old man, who had not left when ordered to do so was visited by a gang, who smashed everything in his cottage, every cup and every saucer, and then compelled him to leave the town, with his crippled son, the two of them destitute.
The list of those proscribed is added to constantly, and every Protestant is simply waiting for his time to come'. The persecution of Southern Irish Protestants was relentless as they were religiously cleansed from the land of their birth but at last their experiences are being brought to the attention of the watching world and the sectarian nature of the Irish Republican beast is being exposed for all the world to see and it is not a pretty sight.
Rumours are circulating amongst the Bluenose website fraternity, that a certain Journalist by the name of Graham Spiers has overstepped his station and went just a little too far. For those of you not up to date on Scottish football, Mr Spiers has an almost unhealthy obsession with attacking Rangers fans and the club.
In his regular column in the Times Online, his remit appears to be to smear Rangers fans at every available opportunity. This week’s rant however, was somewhat bizarre even by the Barcelona Brothel Bhoy’s usual standards.
He decided he would write about the disgusting antics of a few hundred Celtic fans, besmirching the war dead, during a silent tribute before the Falkirk v Celtic game. Instead of attacking the very people who shouted sectarian obscenities and sang Irish Rebel songs, the corduroy Cowboy said the following.
To these Rangers diehards the poor poppy has come to mean Britain, patriotism, and even, in a faintly crass way, Protestantism. In other words, this "Irish scum" that we find in our midst - the oft-repeated phrase for the Irish-Scots who favour Celtic - can go back to Ireland if they don't like "our" ways.
From this contrived scene we now have ludicrous conspiracy theories sprouting. At Falkirk on Sunday there wasn't a cheep to be heard inside the stadium during the minute's silence from either the Celtic or Falkirk fans, but that is erroneously believed by irate Rangers fans to be down to the fact that Sky television, who were broadcasting the match, deliberately obliterated "a protest" by turning their microphones off. Thus, for the Rangers hard core, dastardly Sky can be added to a burgeoning list, including the BBC, STV, Radio Clyde as well as umpteen newspapers, who are due to be boycotted for their "pro-Celtic" bias.
Folks, this saga, this pantomime, I'm afraid is my meal ticket. I'm surrounded by this stuff daily: resentment and counter-resentment, a political, historical and theological ignorance among supposed zealots, and maybe more than anything, a kind of arch-Protestantism whereby the people who might intone "wur Proddy and wur proud of it" in their West of Scotland lingo would be singularly incapable of articulating to you a single tenet of the Protestant faith. Ignorance, however, has never been a barrier to conviction.
Rangers, moreover, appear to have a kind of white underclass attached to the club, which feels threatened and undermined by the modern, changing, more multi-ethnic Scotland breaking out around them. Rangers are about to be clobbered by Uefa this week for further, delinquent behaviour by a section of their supporters, and some believe there is a causal link between this and their wider grievances.
Now as we all know, both sides of the Old Firm have supporters who are a little unhinged when it comes to old rivalry and history. However on this occasion, I fully agree with the Rangers fans that feel deeply annoyed and upset with Spiers. Bigotry must be condemned, no matter the culprit. Yet when Celtic fans are the people involved, Mr Spiers somehow attaches the blame to their rivals.
He mentions Rangers fans being paranoid, yet attacks them with an almost deranged rant on something they played no part in. Can you see why they feel aggrieved Graham? He forgets to mention Sky did indeed mute the sound of the protests, which they have since admitted. He then goes on to call Rangers fans a "white underclass" I can just see Graham try and slate the green 1/3 of Glasgow in such racist terms.
Queersy has already been forced to apologise the previous week, after slating Rangers FC for inviting British soldiers to a recent Champions League game in Glasgow, and now has decided to further vent his spleen on the club for no reason
Anyway, word on the forums is, all News International media outlets are to be boycotted by Rangers supporters, all advertising is to be withdrawn and a strict boycott of all Newspapers to be enforced, unless Mr Spiers stops the attacks and the media treat the club and their fans in an even handed manner.
This article was the last straw for many Gers fans, who see The Sun, Times and other newspapers attached to the News International group constantly attacking Rangers fans, players and the club.
Not only is the Corduroy Cowboy upsetting Rangers fans, I’m also reliably informed he is none too popular with the old hacks who report on the Scottish football scene. One told Scottish Unionist, he’s been known to type up his match report from the comfort of his Ayrshire home and is despised by his colleagues.
Nice works if you can get it…watch this space for the fall out.
On the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day, our nation fell silent for those who fought fascism, terrorism and gave us the freedom we enjoy today. In this week, when others have disgraced the memory of these heroes, the majority of us, have paid our respects and thought of the dead from conflicts long ago, to the presenrt day in Afghanistan.
We wear the poppy as a token of remembrance and to pay tribute to our fallen. A tribute and mark of respect to the people of all nations, creeds and religions. Soldiers who fought in the trenches of the Somme, to innocent civillians caught up in the horrors of war, we remember and salute you.
Tens of millions of men, women and children caught up in wars, not of their making, yet still we have people in Scotland who besmirch their memory for reasons only known to them. We the Scottish people, shall never forget the scarifice our forefathers made and will cherish your bravery forever more.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
On the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day, our nation fell silent for those who fought fascism, terrorism and paid the ultimate sacrifice. In this week, when others have disgraced the memory of these heroes, the majority of us paid our respects and thought of the dead from conflicts long ago, to the presenrt day in Afghanistan.
We wear the poppy as a token of remembrance and to pay tribute to our fallen. A tribute and mark of respect to the people of all nations, creeds and religions. Soldiers who fought in the trenches of the Somme, to innocent civillians caught up in the horrors of war, we remember and salute you.
Tens of millions of men, women and children caught up in wars, not of their making, yet still we have people in Scotland who besmirch their memory for reasons only known to them. We the Scottish people, shall never forget the scarifice our forefathers made and will cherish your bravery forever more.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP have urged voters yesterday in Glasgow North East not to vote for the British National Party in Thursday’s by-election. The three main parties came together to attack the BNP and urge voters not to vote for Nick Griffin's ever increasing hold on local politics.
The mainstream politicians were commenting on the BNP as the final days of campaigning got underway amid growing fears that the BNP candidate Charlie Baillie may succeed on Thursday in saving the party’s deposit for the first time in an election in Scotland.
To add further insult to the big 3, Nick Griffin and co, were given a welcome to the constituency by many local voters. sounding car horns, men got out of passing vehicles and shook hands and passers by, stopped and wished the party well.
The BNP leader, surrounded by a group of minders, predicted during a campaign visit to Duke Street Dennistoun, that his party would certainly save its deposit and even stood a chance of winning third place ahead of both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in the by-election.
Mr Griffin told reporters: “We are going to do very well ... we are getting a tremendous response. We are in with a serious chance of third place.
“The performance which will send a message to the Government to take people’s concern about asylum dumping seriously is for us to beat the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, or both,” he said.
Mr Darling, who was also campaigning in Glasgow North East yesterday, said voters should be under no illusion as to how “unpleasant and nasty” the BNP was.
Mr Darling said: “I think their policies are deeply unpleasant and I hope people will reject them.”
It's all very well waiting for Darling and co to attack the week of a by-election. However, unless the main political parties of this country start to confront the immigration issue, which most people are concerned with, then the BNP will only thrive and grow stronger.
It's about time Labour stopped smearing anyone who voices concerns over illegal immigration, economic migrants and vast areas of this country being colonised and started taking the concerns of normal people seriously.
They should have known Glasgow North East was a potential breeding ground for the BNP to flex its muscles. An area neglected and ignored by Labour for years, an area with huge deprivation and unemployment and large parts of the constituency's housing, handed over to asylum seekers.
The SNP and Labour have put forward candidates who have patronised the people of that area and shown themselves not fit for office. The people of Glasgow deserve better than this.
The SNP has been hit hard in the final days of campaigning in the Glasgow North East by - election. Scottish polling company TNS-BMRB has revealed Labour has gained a ten - point swing in their favour in recent months. Although there are still a few days on the campaign trail and votes can be won and lost. However it does show public support for the Nationalists is falling dramatically.
Government failures such as the Glasgow Airport link cancellation and poor performances from David Kerr on the streets and media interviews, has givenLabour hope the corner has been turned in SNP popularity.
But the swing in Westminster voting patterns is dramatic. Last year, Labour had had a 4 point lead over SNP in the polls, 36% - 32%. However 6 months down the line, the gap has increased to 14 points, putting Labour at 39%, whilst the Nats have slipped way back to 25%
The results are a blow not just to SNP prospects in Glasgow on Thursday but also to Alex Salmond’s target of winning 20 seats at the coming General Election, and the crucial leverage that could bring in the event of a tight outcome at Westminster.
The poll of 983 voters in the week ending November 3 shows the Tories one point down over the six months, on 18%, with the Liberal Democrats up three on 12% and other parties up two on 6%.
The only chink of light in the figures for the SNP comes in the exceptionally high level of those undecided or unlikely to vote. At 43%, and similar to that found six months ago, all parties will be able to argue that there is still all to play for.
On the Holyrood constituency vote Labour are up three to 32% over the summer, the SNP down one on 40%. It is similar on the regional list vote, with the SNP slipping three to 37% but Labour down one to 29%.
Chris Eynon of TNS-BMRB said the poll showed no evidence of a Cameron effect north of the Border, nor “any particular disenchantment with Gordon Brown,” adding: “It is the SNP who have most to be concerned about in these results.
“As the General Election approaches, it would appear that the SNP is once again going to struggle to convince its voters in Holyrood elections that it is worthwhile also voting SNP for Westminster.”
A Labour spokesman said: “It is increasingly clear that people understand the next election is a two horse race between Labour and the Tories. The General Election is all to play for and we will be fighting for every vote, but one of only two men will be prime minister: Gordon Brown or David Cameron.”
SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said: “As we approach the next Westminster election these are encouraging results for the SNP putting us well ahead of our position in the 2005 election.
“With nearly half of Scots still to make up their minds the SNP will be out across the country from now to polling day working hard to ensure there is a strong Scottish block of SNPMPs to give Scotland a louder and stronger voice at Westminster.”
David Kerr will prove beyond all reasonable doubt, that you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Shamed Livingston MP Jim Devine has once again found himself accused of serious misconduct. Nadine Dorries, a Conservative MP, has accused the Labour MP of making sexually explicit comments to her.
She named Devine, whose expenses are being investigated by the police, as “a disgusting fantasist” on a political blog. Dorries last week claimed on Twitter that she was harassed by an unnamed Scot at Westminster.
She wrote: “A Scottish Labour MP ... walked up to me in the cloakroom and said ‘You were in my dreams all night ... Would you like to know what you were doing?’ I refused ... He walked out of the room with me and insisted from two paces behind in telling me, disgusting me.”
A video-clip on the political gossip blog, Guido Fawkes, yesterday claimed the individual behind the lewd remarks was the MP for Livingston.
It claimed: “Who was this disgusting fantasist? Why, none other than Jim Devine.”
Asked who made the sexual remarks, Dorries replied: “It is Jim Devine.” She continued: “He’d had too many to drink. It was lunchtime.”
When quizzed on the subject, Devine said: “I totally deny these allegations.”
The new allegations about wee Jim, comes on the heels of the Police widening their investigations into his claims for furniture, expenses and re-wiring of his office.
Singing IRA songs during a silent tribute to the fallen is utterly shameful and disgusting. About time Reid and Lawwell sorted these vile people out. They really are the scum of the earth these idiots. As for BBC Radio Scotland and Sky Sports - they should hang their heads in shame. David Begg and Richard Gordon refusing to say who was involved and Sky muting the sound. A sad day for Scotland, a sad day for journalistic integrity.
We often hear the expression in Scotland that religion and politics simply don't mix. However many non religious and non Catholic voters are becoming increasingly concerned with what some see as an interference on political matters at all levels from the Vatican.
In the present economic climate, many voters are asking about the costs of subsidising Roman Catholic schools in Scotland. Yet the church is insisting everyone, regardless of their religion or politics, pays for Catholic children to be educated separately from others of a different religion and no religion at all.
However the Vatican is inviting Roman Catholic world leaders to a “top level summit” with the Pope to discuss how the Vatican’s waning political influence can be revived and extended. The two day summit, slated for early next year, will be attended by — among others — the German chancellor Angela Merkel, US vice president Joe Biden, rightwing former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and, inevitably, Tony Blair.
Topics on the agenda include all the Catholic Church’s obsessions: “the family” (a euphemism for the Vatican’s virulently anti-homosexual stance); “life issues” (the Pope’s implacable opposition to abortion and euthanasia); education (how the Church can increase its stranglehold on schools); bio-ethics (how the Vatican can dictate medical research) and “Christian roots” (which means how Catholicism can gain special privileges in law and society). Perhaps the most threatening Vatican policy of all to world sustainability and poverty is the intransigent opposition to “artificial” birth control. This doubtless straddles several of the above topics.
The conference entitled “Witness for Christ in the Political Community” aims to promote the Vatican’s reactionary agenda throughout the international body politic.
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: “The Vatican repeatedly claims that it does not interfere in politics. This conference has no other purpose than to persuade political leaders to incorporate the Catholic agenda into national laws. The Pope may claim his power is being eroded, but the reality is that the Vatican’s political influence is hugely disproportionate. They blackmail Catholic politicians throughout the world into imposing Catholic dogma. Because the papal enclave in Rome is regarded as a sovereign state, they have unparalleled influence in international organisations and an ambassadors, frequently doyen of the diplomatic corps, worldwide – but zero accountability.
“This blatant attempt at political manipulation is to be deplored by any democrat or secularist. These politicians will be bowing and scraping before this dangerous, reactionary and unelected tyrant, and the world will almost certainly suffer because of it.”
Strong views from Terry, but does he speak for most of Scotland or for an anti Christian body only? Is he correct about the Vatican and the influence being held over our politicians?
Anyone have the misfortune to view the SNP's candidate for the forth coming Glasgow north by-election on the BBC'sNewsnight Scotland? (11 mins in) To say wee Alex will be unhappy at the blank expression's, looking at the hands for answers and his refusal to answer a simple question on his place of birth, will be putting it mildly.
David Kerr, the man who was born in many parts of the city, but won't admit he comes from Govan for some odd reason, was truly cringe worthy TV. Asked why he said he was born in Cumbernauld, when standing for election in the Falkirk by-election, he blamed it on "an over enthusiatic leaflet writer" (Aye right!)
Asked if he was born in Dennistoun, he froze live on screen, looked stumped and then prattled on about there not being a maternity hospital in the area. Why not just say where you come from David, we won't think any less of you?
If ever there was a reason to vote Unionist, David Kerr was that excuse you've all been waiting for. Car crash TV at its very best from Mr Kerr and the SNP.
Ebay, the online auction site, is proposing to ban the sale of golliwogs after complaints from MSPs that they are racist.
The website’s owners said they were reviewing their position on the dolls after being contacted by Bill Kidd, a member of the Scottish parliament’s equal opportunities committee who said they were contrary to “the multicultural values of our contemporary society”. Kidd also wrote to Amazon, the online retailer, which sells the dolls.
Is this the same Bill Kidd who's name was mysteriously dropped from the Scottish Republican Socialist website, after details were printed of him being in attendance with Irish Republican flute bands this weekend?
Bill's not keen on Ebay and Amazon having anything to do with Golliwog's, but clearly enjoys the company of vile bigots like the Pollok and Thornliebank Republican flute band. (See Below)
A Lord's claim that the UK faces coming under Islamic rule has been described as "alarmist" and "inaccurate". Make your own mind up on the Lord's views and thoughts. Is he talking sense or spreading religious hatred?
He said the UK was under threat because "the Muslims are breeding ten times faster than us". He added: "I don't know at what point they reach such a number we are no longer able to resist the rest of their demands.
"We must be looking at somewhere between 10 or 20 years. If we don't do something in the next year or two we have in effect lost." In the video interview posted on YouTube, the multi-millionaire went on to warn against the "growing threat of Islamism", rambling: "We have to make sure people understand the threat that faces us from violent Islam."
A Muslim Council of Britain spokesman hit back at the birth rate comment, saying: "It's inaccurate. The policy estimates have already been widely discredited. We would be concerned about this type of alarmist statement."
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