09/22/05 11:39 EST
IMC ISSUES SIXTH REPORT
Nearly 150 people have been warned their lives may be under threat from feuding loyalist paramilitaries, it was revealed today. The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) said the Ulster Volunteer Force`s latest shooting war with the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force, which left four men dead this summer, involved the worst violence it has ever investigated. The four-man team`s new dossier accused the UVF of trying to wipe out the smaller organisation and claimed its political representatives in the Progressive Unionist Party had lost any control over it. Its report said: "This feud has erupted in bloodthirsty thuggery between paramilitary groups. A number of explanations have been offered to us: the history of rivalry and hatred, personal animosity, the LVF`s involvement in drugs, allegations and counter allegations about treachery, criminal competition, greed and power."
See full text
09/19/05 10:22 EST
AHERN PRESSES IRA ON DECOMMISSIONING
Irish premier Bertie Ahern has says the sooner IRA decommissioning happens the better for the peace process in Northern Ireland. Speaking in Dublin this afternoon, Mr Ahern said he could not give a date when the operation to put republican weapons out of action for good would start. But he said he believed decommissioning would provide an `injection of confidence`, which would help alleviate some of the tensions, which led to last week`s loyalist riots. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein said today that Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party must not be allowed to set the pace of political progress in the North.
09/13/05 07:42 EST
UNIONIST VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN BELFAST
Loyalists blocked key roads in Belfast and rioted for a third night in a row last night. Rioting resumed in several parts of the city where loyalist gangs hijacked and burned vehicles and attacked police. The PSNI today said 10 officers had been injured and a total of 63 people have been arrested since Saturday night. Loyalist gangs hijacked and burned more vehicles on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast, although police prevented the hijacking of a bus and seized crates of petrol and paint bombs. Around 30 people, including two juveniles, were arrested for riotous behaviour during the widespread violence.
09/08/05 09:50 EST
IRISH MINISTER HOPES FOR IRA DECOMMISSIONING WITHIN WEEKS
The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs said today he hoped the long-awaited final decommissioning of IRA weapons would take place within the next couple of weeks. Speaking during a visit to Belfast, Dermot Ahern said: "We are aware there are moves towards the preparation of decommissioning and as I have said before the sooner the better. There is something of a hiatus. The IRA statement was made and nothing has happened since then and there are tensions on all sides for something to happen."
He said a clear signal in relation to decommissioning would compliment the very clear signal the British Government gave of rapid movement towards demilitarisation once the IRA acted.
08/30/05 14:23 EST
DE CHASTELAIN RETURN TO BELFAST PROMPTS SPECULATION
The Canadian General John de Chastelain is expected to arrive back in Ireland tomorrow to recommence his work on the issue of paramilitary disarmament. The British and Irish governments have strengthened his decommissioning body by re-appointing Finnish brigadier Tauno Nieminen who resigned in 2001. The third member of the commission, Andrew Sens, is also understood to be ready to return to work. The moves will increase expectations the IRA will resume disarming soon. However, there is nothing to indicate that loyalist paramilitaries are about to follow suit despite recent media reports that loyalists have recently been responsible for five deaths, fourteen non-fatal shootings and twenty-two bombings.
08/21/05 04:07 EST
SECTARIAN RIOTS IN EAST BELFAST
Up to 400 nationalists and loyalists clashed during eight hours of rioting in Belfast, police said today. The violence erupted in Cluan Place and Clandeboye Gardens in the east of the city around 6pm yesterday. Police have yet to establish a motive for the trouble but it is thought it may have been sparked by the Rangers v Celtic match in Glasgow yesterday afternoon. At its height bottles, bricks and bolts were thrown and up to five high velocity rounds were heard. One person was taken to hospital with a head injury but no gunshot wounds were reported.
08/19/05 03:29 EST
MO MOWLAM DIES FOLLOWING FALL
The former Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam died this morning in a hospice, a family spokesman has confirmed. Mowlam (55) who previously suffered a brain tumour, died at the Pilgrim's Hospice in Canterbury, Kent, at 8.10am local-time. Mowlam had difficulties with her balance as a result of radiotherapy treatment for the tumour. Earlier this month she fell and banged her head and never regained consciousness. She was taken to King's College Hospital and was transferred last week to the hospice. She had earlier asked not to be resuscitated and in the last few days food and water were withdrawn.
08/18/05 18:05 EST
ONE OF COLOMBIA 3 DETAINED FOR QUESTIONING
One of the Colombia Three has been arrested while the other two this evening left Garda stations after all three voluntarily met police today. Niall Connolly is this evening still being questioned at Harcourt Terrace Garda Station after he was earlier arrested on a charge of obtaining a false passport.
08/18/05 07:49 EST
IRISH POLICE INTERVIEW COLOMBIA THREE
Gardaí (Irish police) have confirmed they are interviewing the Colombia Three in Dublin Garda stations. It is understood James Monaghan, Martin McAuley and Niall Connolly, together with their legal representatives, presented themselves by arrangement at Garda stations in south Dublin this morning. "All three of the above named are currently being interviewed at various Garda Stations in Dublin," the Garda press office said in a statement.
08/13/05 05:58 EST
15,000 LOYALISTS MARCH IN DERRY
More than 15,000 loyalists are marching in Derry today as the Apprentice Boys stage their major annual demonstration. Security will be tight as the march commemorating the Relief of Derry more than 300 years ago takes place. However trouble has been minimal at Apprentice Boys gatherings in recent years and they have been held up as an example of how the Orange Order should use dialogue to achieve agreement with opponents to its parades. The Derry march will be the high point of a week long Maiden City Festival of music, art and drama which has drawn thousands to the city.
08/05/05 10:41 EST
COLOMBIA THREE RETURN TO IRELAND
The three Irishmen who were acquitted of training FARC rebels in Colombia have returned to Ireland. Martin McCauley, Niall Connolly and Jim Monaghan left Colombia after they were released from jail pending an appeal in their case. In an interview with RTE, the national Irish broadcaster, Jim Monaghan confirmed that the men had returned to Ireland in the past few days.
However, he would not say how they got here. He said that they had got a 'lot of help from a lot of people' and that he would not endanger them. Mr Monaghan said that no deal had been done with either the British or Irish governments for their return and that he did not consider himself to be on the run.
08/04/05 10:06 EST
DUP SEEKS PROLONGED DELAY BEFORE POWERSHARING
The Democratic Unionist Party said today it will need a "prolonged period of assessment" to determine whether the IRA had given up its armed struggle. But Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams accused the DUP of engaging in "delaying tactics" and warned "the old days are finished and equality has to be the future".
Speaking after a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London, DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley said there could be no return to a power-sharing government in the North until his party was certain that the IRA had given up all its arms and ended its paramilitary activities.
08/02/05 00:38 EST
REACTION TO DEMILITARIZATION PLANS IN NORTH
The British government has set out a two-year plan to scale down the British Army's presence in Northern Ireland and change the way the North is policed. Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain made the announcement yesterday after the IRA said it was ending its armed campaign. The number of troops will be reduced from 10,500 to about 5,000 "if the security climate is right". The British government is also aiming to repeal within two years counter terrorist legislation particular to NI.
07/31/05 11:30 EST
POPE WELCOMES IRA STATEMENT
Pope Benedict welcomed today the Irish Republican Army's decision last week to end its armed campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland and urged all sides to take further steps for peace. "It's fine news that contrasts with the painful events that we witness daily in many parts of the world," the Pope told crowds after his weekly Angelus blessing at his lakeside summer residence outside Rome.
07/29/05 08:56 EST
DEMILITARIZATION MOVES IN SOUTH ARMAGH
The British Army has begun dismantling a number of security posts and bases in south Armagh following the IRA's statement saying it had ended its armed campaign. A base at Forkhill will close, while a watchtower at Sugarloaf Mountain and an observation post at Newtownhamilton police station will also be removed. The British and Irish governments are considering the next steps to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. An updated programme of "security normalisation" will be published soon.
07/28/05 08:24 EST
REACTION TO HISTORIC IRA STATEMENT
Irish premier Bertie Ahern said that today's IRA statement meant that "the war is over". "The war is over, the IRA's armed campaign is over, paramilitarism is over and I believe that we can look to the future of peace and prosperity based on mutual trust and reconciliation and a final end to violence," said Mr Ahern.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it paved the way for the restoration of the suspended institutions in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters at Downing Street, Mr Blair welcomed the clarity of the IRA statement and said it paves the way for the restoration of the suspended institutions in Northern Ireland. "I welcome the recognition that the only route to political change lies in exclusively peaceful and democratic means," he said. "It creates the circumstances in which the institutions can be revived." "Unionism will want to know that these circumstances are permanent and verified, but if in time they are, proper devolved democratic government should be restored to Northern Ireland."
07/23/05 11:11 EST
BOMB ATTACK ON HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
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Emergency services attending the scene were attacked by stone-throwing youths. The church is situated on the Crumlin Rd interface between nationalist Ardoyne and loyalist Woodvale. The firefighters were attacked by people from the loyalist Woodvale area. The area was the scene of rioting by nationalists two weeks' ago when a police cordon was formed to allow a contentious Orange Order parade pass through the area.
07/21/05 06:28 EST
HAIN TO CONSIDER WITHDRAWAL OF PUP ASSEMBLY ALLOWANCE
The group that monitors paramilitary ceasefires is to examine the feud between the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF). In a short statement, the 'Independent' Monitoring Commission said that the killing of two men as part of the feud would be a particular focus of an inquiry "over the next few weeks". Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain is considering withholding the PUP's Assembly allowance over loyalist feuding.
07/13/05 06:40 EST
BATON ROUNDS FIRED AT ARDOYNE PROTESTORS
Police officers in Northern Ireland fired a number of baton rounds during last night's rioting in Belfast that left some 80 police officers and seven civilians injured in the nationalist Ardoyne area of the city. A police spokesperson confirmed that a number of 'attenuated energy projectiles' (AEPs) were fired during fighting last night. It is the first time baton rounds have been fired in a riot situation in over three years. Clashes broke out last night after police used water cannon to disperse the crowds who had gathered to vent their anger against a contentious Orange march passed through the nationalist area earlier in the evening.
07/12/05 04:15 EST
POLICE CLEAR ROAD OF NATIONALIST PROTESTERS IN ARDOYNE
PSNI officers in riot gear backed up by the British army moved in to clear a sit-down protest by nationalist residents in Ardoyne in North Belfast this morning. The protesters were removed ahead of the first leg of a controversial Orange march that passed peacefully through the mainly nationalist north Belfast district. However, tensions remain high in the area amid concerns that the return leg of the Orange Order parade past Ardoyne shopfronts could erupt into serious violence. The Orange march passed by the Ardoyne shops shortly after 9am, local time. More than 100 locals gathered outside the shops, but they were unable to see the parade as large screens were erected by the British army.
07/04/05 13:34 EST
ORANGE ORDER TO MARCH PAST ARDOYNE ON JULY 12
An Orange Order March is to be allowed to pass the flashpoint nationalist Ardoyne shops area of north Belfast on 12 July. However, the Parades Commission has imposed restrictions on band music being played and the conduct of supporters. There was violence in the area during an Orange parade last month. In a separate ruling, Orangemen have once again been banned from marching along Garvaghy Road in Portadown after this Sunday's Drumcree service. In another ruling on a contentious route, Orangemen and two bands will be allowed through Workman Avenue in west Belfast on the morning of the 12th, but not on the return journey in the evening.
The Drumcree parade has passed off peacefully in recent years but was at the center of violence over the years. Orangemen last walked down the Garvaghy Road in 1997. The Parades Commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted. Of the more than 3000 Loyal Order marches every summer, less that 5% of them are contentious.
06/25/05 13:02 EST
ORANGEMEN PROTEST OVER RE-ROUTING
Hundreds of Orangemen have taken part in a protest march in Belfast over the re-routing of a controversial parade. The Order wanted to go through Workman Avenue, off the Springfield Road, but was ordered by the Parades Commission to go through a former factory site. However, the Order said it was still determined to hold its traditional Whiterock parade by fall.
06/24/05 16:24 EST
EMPEY BECOMES NEW ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER
East Belfast assembly member Sir Reg Empey has been elected as the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. The ex-Stormont enterprise minister was selected after a vote by 618 members of the party's ruling council. He was elected in the second count with 321 votes. Ex-Army major Alan McFarland got 287 votes. Strangford MLA David McNarry was eliminated after one count. Sir Reg, 57, succeeds David Trimble who resigned after the party lost all but one of its MPs in the general election.
06/24/05 14:24 EST
McCARTNEY FRIEND JAILED FOR 7 YEARS
The man injured during the attack that killed Belfast man Robert McCartney has been jailed for seven years for his part in a robbery. Brendan Devine (31), who was left for dead outside Magennis's Bar in January, was sentenced with two other men in Belfast Crown Court by Judge Derick Rodgers today. Judge Rodgers told the three that as robbers they were "playing for high stakes and must accept appropriate sentence when they are caught".
06/20/05 15:16 EST
AHERN SEEKS ANSWERS FOR KELLY RE-ARREST
The Irish premier, Bertie Ahern, tonight revealed he had asked officials to find out the reason IRA bomber Sean Kelly was returned to prison last week. Mr Ahern said it would be odd if Kelly was arrested without a good reason. "Either it is a mistake and if it is the authorities look at it, or there must have been substantial evidence that he was not kosher," Mr Ahern said.
Kelly was sent back to jail on June 18 last by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain for breaching the terms of his early release under the Belfast Agreement.
06/18/05 16:13 EST
POLICE INVESTIGATE PARADE VIOLENCE
The police are investigating a possible breach by protesters of a Parades Commission ruling after violence during an Orange Order parade in Belfast. Eighteen police officers and 11 others were injured when trouble erupted at Friday's Tour of the North parade. Missiles were thrown by protesters as the parade passed a flashpoint area at Ardoyne. Three people were arrested. Gary White of the PSNI said police did their best to deal with the situation.
ARCHIVE
Read the full stories at The Irish American Information Service
28 July 2005
IRA STATEMENT:
ARMED CAMPAIGN OVER
The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm this afternoon.
All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms. All Volunteers have been instructed to assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means. Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever. The IRA leadership has also authorised our representative to engage with the IICD to complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible.
We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this.
The Army Council took these decisions following an unprecedented internal discussion and consultation process with IRA units and Volunteers. We appreciate the honest and forthright way in which the consultation process was carried out and the depth and content of the submissions. We are proud of the comradely way in which this truly historic discussion was conducted. The outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA Volunteers for the Sinn Féin peace strategy.
There is also widespread concern about the failure of the two governments and the unionists to fully engage in the peace process. This has created real difficulties. The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland fully support this process. They and friends of Irish unity throughout the world want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Notwithstanding these difficulties our decisions have been taken to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland. We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country. It is the responsibility of all Volunteers to show leadership, determination and courage. We are very mindful of the sacrifices of our patriot dead, those who went to jail, Volunteers, their families and the wider republican base. We reiterate our view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate.
We are conscious that many people suffered in the conflict. There is a compelling imperative on all sides to build a just and lasting peace. The issue of the defence of nationalist and republican communities has been raised with us. There is a responsibility on society to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of the pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s. There is also a universal responsibility to tackle sectarianism in all its forms.
The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation. We call for maximum unity and effort by Irish republicans everywhere. We are confident that by working together Irish republicans can achieve our objectives. Every Volunteer is aware of the import of the decisions we have taken and all Óglaigh are compelled to fully comply with these orders.
There is now an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the peace process. This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland.
Irish Republican Army orders an end to armed campaign.
The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation. Our decisions have been taken to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland.
We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country.
10 May 2005
Final Results from Local Elections in North
The DUP have emerged as the biggest party in Northern Ireland's local government election. Sinn Fein came second, the Ulster Unionsts were third and the SDLP were in fourth place in terms of seats.
| Party | Seats | Seats (+/-) | Votes (%) | +/- % |
| DUP | 182 | +52 | 29.6 | +8.2 |
| SF | 126 | +18 | 23.2 | +2.7 |
| UUP | 115 | -40 | 18 | -5.2 |
| SDLP | 101 | -16 | 17.4 | -1.9 |
| Alliance | 30 | +2 | 5 | -0.2 |
| Greens | 3 | +3 | 0.8 | 0 |
| PUP | 2 | -2 | 0.7 | -0.9 |
On Belfast City Council the DUP became the biggest party beating Sinn Fein into second place with its 15 seats. In overall terms the Ulster Unionist Party's share of the vote dropped most sharply by just over 5%.
22 March 2005
IRA Releases Easter Message
The IRA in its Easter statement said its members are not criminals, and it has done all in its power to assist the McCartney family to bring Robert's killers to justice.
"The IRA moved quickly to deal with those involved. We have tried to assist in whatever way we can," it said. "Unfortunately, it would appear that no matter what we do it will never be enough for some. The IRA has spelt out its position in relation to the killing of Robert McCartney. It was wrong, it was murder, it was a crime. But it was not carried out by the IRA, nor was it carried out on behalf of the IRA. Those in the political and media establishments, who have been so quick to jump on the bandwagon, have again laid bare their own hypocrisy. This causes justifiable resentment among republicans. But it must not cloud the issue. Óglaigh na hÉireann expects the highest standards of conduct from our volunteers."
The IRA made no reference to the Northern Bank robbery but said it was not criminal. "Our patriot dead are not criminals." There was no hint or threat of the IRA potentially ending its ceasefire. Not was there was any suggestion that the IRA was preparing for a radical initiative to help end the Northern political logjam. It said that from over 10 years ago "until now", it had "demonstrated our continuing support for this process".
The IRA said for the past two years the process "has been locked in stalemate and has slipped backwards into deepening crisis", but blamed this situation on "rejectionist unionism, aided and abetted by the two governments".
The statement, carried in today's edition of An Phoblacht, blamed unionists for rejecting IRA "initiatives" in October 2003 and December last year. "The DUP attempted to turn the initiative of December 2004 into a humiliation of the IRA," it said. "The concerted efforts of both governments since then to undermine the integrity of our cause, by seeking to criminalise the republican struggle, is clear evidence that our opponents remain fixated with the objective of defeating republicans, rather than developing the peace process."
2 February 2005
IRA withdraws offer to complete decommissioning process
Complete Text of Today's IRA Statement
"In August 1994, the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann announced a complete cessation of all military operations. We did so to enhance the democratic peace process and underline our definitive commitment to its success. That cessation ended in February 1996 because the British Government acted in bad faith when the then British Prime Minister John Major and Unionist leaders squandered that unprecedented opportunity to resolve the conflict. However, we remained ready to engage positively and in July 1997 we reinstated the cessation on the same basis as before. Subsequently, we honoured the terms of our cessation with discipline and honesty, despite numerous attempts to misrepresent those terms by others. Since then - over a period of almost eight years - our leadership took a succession of significant and ambitious initiatives designed to develop or save the peace process.
Those included:
* Engaging with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning;
* Agreeing that independent inspectors could inspect the contents of a number of IRA dumps, allowing regular re-inspections to ensure that the weapons remained secure and the reporting of what they had done both publicly and to the IICD;
* Setting out a clear context for dealing definitively with the issue of arms;
* Acknowledging past mistakes, hurt and pain the IRA has caused to others and extending our sincere apologies and condolences for the deaths and injuries of non-combatants caused by us;
* Agreeing a scheme with the IICD to put arms completely and verifiably beyond use;
* Implementing this scheme to save the peace process by putting three separate tranches of weapons beyond use on:
- 23 October 2001
- 11 April 2002
- 21 October 2003; and
* Seeking to directly and publicly address unionist concerns.
"In 2004 our leadership was prepared to speedily resolve the issue of arms, by Christmas if possible, and to invite two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this. In the context of a comprehensive agreement we were also prepared to move into a new mode and to instruct our Volunteers that there could be no involvement whatsoever in activities which might endanger that agreement. These significant and substantive initiatives were our contributions to the peace process. Others, however, did not share that agenda. Instead, they demanded the humiliation of the IRA. Our initiatives have been attacked, devalued and dismissed by pro-unionist and anti-republican elements, including the British Government. The Irish Government have lent themselves to this. Commitments have been broken or withdrawn. The progress and change promised on political, social, economic and cultural matters, as well as on demilitarisation, prisoners, equality and policing and justice, has not materialised to the extent required, or promised. British forces, including the PSNI, remain actively engaged in both covert and overt operations, including raids on republicans' homes. We are also acutely aware of the dangerous instability within militant unionism, much of it fostered by British military intelligence agencies. The British/loyalist apparatus for collusion remains intact. The political institutions have been suspended for years now and there is an ongoing political impasse.
"At this time it appears that the two governments are intent on changing the basis of the peace process. They claim that 'the obstacle now to a lasting and durable settlement... is the continuing paramilitary and criminal activity of the IRA'. We reject this. It also belies the fact that a possible agreement last December was squandered by both governments pandering to rejectionist unionism instead of upholding their own commitments and honouring their own obligations.
"We do not intend to remain quiescent within this unacceptable and unstable situation. It has tried our patience to the limit. Consequently, on reassessment of our position and in response to the governments and others withdrawing their commitments;
* We are taking all our proposals off the table.
* It is our intention to closely monitor ongoing developments and to protect to the best of our ability the rights of republicans and our support base.
"The IRA has demonstrated our commitment to the peace process again and again. We want it to succeed. We have played a key role in achieving the progress achieved so far. We are prepared, as part of a genuine and collective effort, to do so again, if and when the conditions are created for this. But peace cannot be built on ultimatums, false and malicious accusations or bad faith. Progress will not be sustained by the reinstatment of Thatcherite criminalisation strategies, which our ten comrades died defeating on hunger strike in 1981. We will not betray the courage of the hunger strikers either by tolerating criminality within our own ranks or false allegations of criminality against our organisation by petty politicians motivated by selfish interests, instead of the national need for a successful conclusion to the peace process.
"Finally, we thank all those who have supported us through decades of struggle. We freely acknowledge our responsibility to enhance genuine efforts to build peace and justice. We reiterate our commitment to achieving Irish independence and our other republican objectives. We are determined that these objectives will be secured."
P O'Neill
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau
Dublin
Irish Proclamation of Freedom Read by Patrick Pearse from the Steps of the General Post Office, Dublin, Ireland on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916
The Irish Government, June 1997:
Bloody Sunday and the Report of the Widgery Tribunal
Full text of the Good Friday Agreement, April 10, 1998.
Investigation into the human rights in Northern Ireland, September 29, 1998
Statement by Rosemary Nelson, solicitor for Garvaghy Road residents
Nobel Peace Price Award, December 11, 1998:
Nobel Address by David Trimble, First Minister and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
Nobel Address by John Hume, leader of the catholic SDLP
George Mitchell's Peace Principles, November 1999:
Statements of November 16 and 17, 1999, by Ulster Unionist Party, Sinn Féin, Progressive Unionist Party and IRA
George Mitchell's statement, November 18, 1999
Suspension of Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. February 2000:
Decommissioning reports, Mandelson in House of Commons, IRA statements
Peace process resumed. May 2000
British-Irish joint statement and IRA statement.
Inspection of IRA weapons dumps, June 2000
Arms inspector's report
Abortion Referendum March 7, 2002
IRA Statement on Decommissioning April 8, 2002
Speech by Tony Blair, British Prime Minister, at the Harbour Commisssioners' Offices in Belfast, 17 October 2002.
Independent International Commission on Decommissioning
Report, October 23, 2001
Report, April 8, 2002
Report, October 21, 2003
Report, September 26, 2005 - Confirming complete decommissioning
Joint statement by the British and Irish governments
Programme for reaching a normal security end-state by April 2005
Joint declaration by the British and the Irish governments, May 2003
Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC):
First report - May 2004
Second report - July 2004
Third report - November 2004
Fourth report - February 2005
Fifth report - May 2005
Sixth report - September 2005
Work Programme of the Irish Presidency, 2004.
An Irish bookshop: Read Ireland
Wesley Johnston's History of Ireland
The CAIN Project (The Northern Ireland Conflict)
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry
Sinn Féin Homepage
The Irish Times
I started reading about Ireland and about its history in order to understand just a bit of the Irish paradoxes. Although I started from the very beginning the matter was still incomprehensible. I therefore began to write down the headlines in Danish.
In 1998 when I got my own website I wondered what to put there. My family, my career or my garden could not attract much attention. But my Danish survey of the history of Ireland would be different from most other websites, so I uploaded the whole story.
I considered my web-project to be complete by then. However the beginning of 1998 was to become a turning point in the history of Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement created optimism and a new hope of lasting peace. I therefore added new chapters on the peace agreement and on the ups and downs since then. Obviously there is still a way to go before a real peace has been achieved and right now I can't see the end of my project.
A lot of people wrote to me asking for details or references. This has proved the need for a brief Danish version of the history of Ireland. In 2001 more than 50 persons on the average have been visiting my website every day.
However about 10 % of the visitors on my website are non-Scandinavians. I have added this page in order to serve these people with some information about my project and with some of the important references.
I considered reference documents and speeches most interesting in the original English language. I also have to admit that a proper translation of the documents to Danish is not that simple. On the other hand the number of visitors to the reference pages in English has been very limited. Therefore all information in English will be concentrated in this English section of my website together with selected news.
I have no intention of making an English version of the whole story. I have neither the ability nor the capacity to write in English and several excellent sites already offer that sort of information.
E-mail me your comments and questions
Ireland History in Maps
North West Ireland - Gaoth Dobhair
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
BLOODY SUNDAY 26 Years On ...
BBC News Bloody Sunday Inquiry
CAIN Web Service 'Bloody Sunday', Derry 30 January 1972
Ulster Unionist Party
The Irish Republican Socialist Party
Fine Gael
Ulster Democratic Unionist Party, DUP
Fianna Fáil
The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Progressive Unionist Party
Ulster Nation
The Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Wild Geese (USA) Irish soldiers in exile
Visit Danish Irish Society
December 16, 2001 Top
Since my first visit to Ireland the history of Ireland was a puzzle to me. Why has this beautiful country with its charming and hospitable population become the arena of a never-ending conflict? Differences in religion, language, race or culture gave no reasonable explanation. Which coincidence has caused so much suffering in Ireland while other countries such as Denmark had nothing but trifles to quarrel about?