Pro-Agreement and anti-Agreement Unionists were united recently at the funeral of Sir Josias Cunningham, a leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, the largest Unionist party in Northern Ireland. Cunningham was killed on August 9 in a two-car collision in Belfast. He was 66. Cunningham was elected president of the Ulster Unionist Council in 1991. The Council is the governing … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Ulster Unionists Lose Party Leader
Issues
News from Ireland:
The Marching Season –
Less Violence This Year
For the first time in many years, the marching season in Northern Ireland occurs against a backdrop of relatively stable political institutions. Yet as with other years, the marches erupted into almost two weeks of rioting, hijacking, and arson throughout the state. Loyalist areas descended into a state of near anarchy as Orangemen and Loyalist paramilitaries attacked … [Read more...] about News from Ireland:
The Marching Season –
Less Violence This Year
News from Ireland:
“H Blocks” to Close
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, 430 Republican and Loyalist prisoners jailed in the notorious "H blocks" have been released as the Maze Prison prepares to close. Only a handful remain who have been ruled ineligible for release because the organizations they belong to are not on the verifiable ceasefire list. These include members of the Continuity IRA, the Real … [Read more...] about News from Ireland:
“H Blocks” to Close
News from Ireland: Irish Government Curbs Inflation
As Irish inflation approaches 5.5 percent, three times the European average, the Irish government has launched a crackdown. Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern has ordered government ministers to inform bodies under their supervision to postpone increases. Banks and building societies have been targeted in the effort to control price increases. Finance Minister Charlie … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Irish Government Curbs Inflation
News from Ireland: Loyalist Feud Erupts in N. Ireland
A feud between two Loyalist paramilitary groups has brought British troops back to the streets of Belfast. Fighting between the Ulster Defense Association (U.D.A.) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (U.V.F.) erupted in August after the U.D.A. organized a parade of uniformed and masked men carrying U.D.A. banners down the Shankill Road in military formation. This demonstration was … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Loyalist Feud Erupts in N. Ireland