Comments on The Pensive Quill: Ford Must Step Aside

Robert- I am not in Cookstown now and i only wish...

2013-03-13T22:01:42.174Z

Robert-

I am not in Cookstown now and i only wish i could be in Brazil with a pina colada in one hand and a fan in the other- power in the 32
would be better-hope you dont mind us going for it-

MichaelHenry, I am surprised that you are stuck i...

2013-03-13T21:50:34.343Z

MichaelHenry,

I am surprised that you are stuck in Cookstown and not on the Copacabana with 'Deputy Dog' as his aide-de-camp! I can just picture the scene as Marty addresses the 'Brazilian Sheet Metal Workers Union Conference' -'Will anyone here object if, with a factor 30 in this hand and a pina colada in the other, me and Peter take power in Northern Ireland? And you Michael by his side nodding approvingly.

Oh yes I can prove it. The statistics I quoted ref...

2013-03-13T21:39:55.539Z

Oh yes I can prove it. The statistics I quoted referred to Northern Ireland during the Troubles only.

From Wikipedia:

Number of civilians killed by Republicans: 728

Number of civilians killed by British forces in Northern Ireland: 187

I think it is unfair to lump the loyalists with the security forces as the UDA et al. are not internationally recognised organisations and have just as much legitimacy as the IRA.

I should have made myself clearer. I believe that Sean should stop campaigning for people who committed acts of terrorism (Brendan Lillis), and denounce the "armed struggle" component of Irish republicanism. Sorry for the confusion.

Young Ireland- " Supporting an ideology that...

2013-03-13T20:56:40.568Z

Young Ireland-

" Supporting an ideology that has murdered Four times as many civilians as the British "

So the UVF-UFF-LVF are now not as british as the SAS-brit army to you-the british are still killing civilians in Afganistan-i know you cant prove your numbers game-four times more my ass-

" All am i doing is asking him to pubicly renounce Irish republicanism "

You want Sean to renounce his belief-not an armed group but Irish republicanism itself-are you wise-

Hello Sean, I see that you have admitted to being...

2013-03-13T18:21:32.667Z

Hello Sean,

I see that you have admitted to being a republican. As a fellow pro-lifer, let me say this: is there not an inherent contradiction between defending innocent unborn children while supporting an ideology that has murdered FOUR times as many innocent civilians as the British? As someone with a prominent position in the pro-life movement, how do you reconcile these views? In my opinion, your activities are scandalising the young, impressionable people that make up the bulk of your organisation. May I politely suggest that you publicly renounce Irish republicanism to prevent any more scandal. (And to any YD people who may be reading this: I am not libelling Sean as he himself has now admitted having republican sympathies, nor I am damaging his reputation in any way. All am I doing is asking him to publicly renounce Irish republicanism. That is all.)

I am an Irish Republican, as were my father and gr...

2013-02-02T00:19:43.667Z

I am an Irish Republican, as were my father and grandfathers before me. I am a Catholic as were my father and forebears for longer than I will ever know. I am a doctor, a fully qualified specialist, as was my father before me. I am a human rights activist, as was my father before me. In Ireland, the professional class tend to remain silent on political issues and often do the bidding of their political masters. I found that out to no small degree in Maghaberry prison and in other fora over the years. I am a humanitarian. I will use every power within my human armoury to protect life. When Comrade Stalin and his ilk try to destroy my good name, they will accuse me of being any of the above. However, I am proud of all these identities and have never sought to hide them. I act for my fellow man or woman.I would undoubtedly have ended up in the G.U.L.A.G. if Comrade Stalin had his way. That just shows his disrespect for those who stand for the vulnerable. I hope that one day, as I face my Judge, that I am found guilty of any of the charges levelled against me by C.S.. Then I will know that I have lived the life I wished. Slán agus beannacht Dé oraibhse go léir.

Nuala, I am glad you brought it to my attention. ...

2011-08-13T16:38:40.571+01:00

Nuala,

I am glad you brought it to my attention. I am amazed that I hadn’t found out by now.

The frontnpage of the Andytown News Today carries ...

2011-08-10T22:39:16.968+01:00

The frontnpage of the Andytown News Today carries the headline 'HE'S LIVING ON ICE CUBES' in reference to Brendan Lillis. Sorry, Comrade Stalin, but your friend David Ford called this seriously wrong. This man's health has been utterly destroyed over the past two years to the point were his life now hangs in the balance.

I agree with Mackers on this one. The system showed no mercy nor compassion for BL probably because he was a former republican lifer and blanketman.

Comrade Stalin, 'It only gets cancelled if yo...

2011-08-10T20:44:11.088+01:00

Comrade Stalin,

'It only gets cancelled if you're judged to be getting involved in things again.'

In some cases despite any evidence that would stand up in court.
It is not as rare as you think. Over the years there have been licences revoked but usually it follows from a charge that leads to a conviction. Once the sentence is served for the charge the licence tends to be issued again.

There was a tendency at the beginning for the licence to be revoked if a person on licence was charged with something violent, even a bar room brawl, whereas it would not be withdrawn for a non-violent offence.

Marian Price and Martin Corey have had their licences revoked in recent times. Colin Duffy had no licence to revoke.

I was about to reply to this but I see that others...

2011-08-10T19:17:18.067+01:00

I was about to reply to this but I see that others have made the point already. The license doesn't get cancelled automatically because new evidence becomes available about something in the past. It only gets cancelled if you're judged to be getting involved in things again.

I can't find any immediate information on licenses cancelled, but it's pretty rare. I know Séan Kelly and Brendan Lillis had theirs cancelled, I can't think of any others (was Colin Duffy's cancelled ?). Johnny Adair was the first person to be returned to jail AFAIK.

Mackers, sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. ...

2011-08-10T15:16:06.225+01:00

Mackers,
sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. Yes, you are perfectly correct they could not revoke his licence because the murder took place before the GFA.

I know Anthony no justification in killing innnoce...

2011-08-10T12:43:49.157+01:00

I know Anthony no justification in killing innnocents no matter whos side they come from.

Marty, killing an unarmed teenage woman was hardl...

2011-08-10T12:09:40.354+01:00

Marty,

killing an unarmed teenage woman was hardly a brave act. But it is not something the loyalists had a monopoly on

The fickle finger of fate Anthony,who knows where ...

2011-08-10T11:37:36.225+01:00

The fickle finger of fate Anthony,who knows where and at who it points and why? its really sad when kids and innocent people like Eileen get taken away for no just reason other than they came from the wrong side or the colour of their skin, that bastard of a community worker is imo a cowardly cunt.

Marty, the UFF claimed the killing and falsely ac...

2011-08-10T09:44:21.325+01:00

Marty,

the UFF claimed the killing and falsely accused Eileen of having been in the guard of honour at jim Bryson's funeral.

Now they are saying Rodgers did life for the UVF killing a nationalist in 74. And it seems the PUP rather than those linked to the UFF/UDA are taking up his case.

I think his licence has not been revoked simply because an act that took place prior to his life sentence would not be classified as a breach of his licence which is really a guarantee of future good behaviour.

It is a small world indeed.

I normally went on the taxi runs but even had Ronnie been on that night I would not have gone because I was on crutches. I guess I was lucky that they did not decide to shoot up the taxi depot.

Ffs Anthony its a small world indeed I mentioned ...

2011-08-10T09:08:28.373+01:00

Ffs Anthony its a small world indeed I mentioned this case a few months ago when that community worker was lifted for her murder,and as Nuala has rightly mentioned he hasnt had his licence revoked, Eileen Doherty was an innocent kid and was also a friend of mine,her younger sister worked with me in Grundig,her death was brutal and needless and like yourself a cara I have never forgotten that lovely lass.

Nuala, just reading up on that case and found he ...

2011-08-10T08:10:47.340+01:00

Nuala,

just reading up on that case and found he was charged as far back as December. Amazed at how I missed it. Glad you raised it. Had uneasy dreams about it last night, not aided by the fact that I had drank a fair bit of whiskey before reading your comment! There was a formal for a neighbour's child so I ended up on the drink!

I have such a vivid memory of that night in 73.

Can someone explain to me why the British governme...

2011-08-10T00:00:36.094+01:00

Can someone explain to me why the British government released the Lockerbie bomber, who was convicted of killing hundreds of civilians, but are refusing to release Brendan Lillis? I don't think anyone is denying that Lillis fought for the PIRA; all his supporters are asking for is compassion and fair play.

I am still shaking with emotion on reading your co...

2011-08-09T23:39:47.023+01:00

I am still shaking with emotion on reading your comment on someone being charged with Eileen Doherty's murder. It was the first I knew of it.
Apart from the taxi driver I was the main witness in that case. I sat with her for half an hour in the taxi depot on the Ormeau Road. The two men who shot her were in the depot with us throughout all the banter, conversation and slagging. I thought one was sick as he sat with his head down and hand over his face. I took it they had just left the Stick club. I recall standing over her grave and her boyfriend crying, that I was 'my friend, my friend.'
The night before I had kicked a window through full of the cider and was on crutches. Normally I would travel with the driver for the spin, a guy called Ronnie. That night it was John Sherry as the Ronnie was not on. My ma had dated John's brother Tommy before she met my da. John did his best to save her and actually threw her out of the car and the two of them got away. But as they walked along the embankment to safety the UFF came back around in the taxi they had taken over and opened fire on her. She was only 19. Every Sunday after I got out in 75 I travelled over to Andytown to spend time with her mother. I then met her at the mass for Mick Kearney when it was finally admitted that he was not an informer.
Still shaking at all this, and there is not much shakes me. She was the best.

Mackers, this is such good news. I was just wonder...

2011-08-09T23:11:22.984+01:00

Mackers,
this is such good news.
I was just wondering if Comrade Stalin or anyone else could tell me why the loyalist who was recently charged with Eileen Doherty's murder has not had his licence revoked?

Comrade Stalin, no, we shall not agree. But it is...

2011-08-09T22:43:35.500+01:00

Comrade Stalin,

no, we shall not agree. But it is a bit late for Alliance to start showing concern. The man would not be so ill had Ford have done the just thing

AM, We aren't going to agree on these things...

2011-08-09T22:40:47.402+01:00

AM,

We aren't going to agree on these things, but it doesn't feel appropriate to explore this further when a man's life may be in the balance. I hope that Brendan recovers speedily.

Comrade Stalin, there was really no reason other ...

2011-08-09T21:48:42.996+01:00

Comrade Stalin,

there was really no reason other than punitive to continue holding him. I am not sure the doctors can be blamed. The micro minister for Justice has a case to answer here. Everything should be brought into the open. The decision to continue holding Brendan Lillis was political.

I just saw this news coming through. It sounds bad...

2011-08-09T21:14:22.939+01:00

I just saw this news coming through. It sounds bad.

It will be an extremely serious matter if it turns out that doctors failed to accurately report on the seriousness of Lillis' condition. If it turns out that this has happened, there would have to be malpractice prosecutions.

Press release on Brendan Lillis Roisin visited ...

2011-08-09T17:43:53.791+01:00

Press release on Brendan Lillis

Roisin visited Brendan Lillis today and after five minutes the visit was stopped and a doctor declared Brendan to be critical and in need of removal to hospital. Roisin was not notified when he would be moved or to where he would be moved and she left the visit in a distressed state.

We have been highlighting the critical nature of Brendan’s condition for a long time and while we are pleased that he is to at last receive appropriate treatment, the delay in making this move does nothing to instil confidence in the justice system in the North of Ireland.

Gerard Hodgins 07549663246

Roisin Kane 07543800824