02/02/06 09:25 EST
SINN FEIN MOVES TO HAVE IMC DISBANDED
Sinn Fein moved in the Dail (Irish Parliament) today to have the Independent Monitoring Commission disbanded. A Bill was brought calling for the highly contentious Independent Monitoring Commission to be repealed just one day after the body was at the center of furious row over IRA weapons. Sinn Fein`s Aengus O`Snodaigh said the commission was not as independent as its title suggested. "It is quite clear to even the most narrow-minded of observers of the peace process that the so-called Independent Monitoring Commission is nothing of the sort," the Dublin South Central TD said.
02/01/06 07:18 EST
LOYALIST PARA'S YET TO FOLLOW IRA'S LEAD - IMC
There has been no change in the status of loyalist paramilitaries in the past six months, although there is some evidence of efforts to rein in criminality, the Independent Monitoring Commission said today. In its eighth report, the IMC said the UDA, LVF and the UVF showed no signs of disbanding and remained heavily involved in criminality and drug dealing. The report says 22 people were shot and eight others were assaulted by loyalists from the beginning of September to the end of November last year. The Ulster Defence Association (UDA), in particular, has been engaged in continuing paramilitary activity, including the murder of former member Jim Gray in October. Gray was shot dead while on bail after his arrest for money-laundering.
See full text of 8th IMC Report.
01/29/06 10:23 EST
34TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLOODY SUNDAY REMEMBERED IN DERRY
Several thousand people today took part in the annual Bloody Sunday commemoration march in Derry. The large crowd marked the 34th anniversary of the killing of 13 innocent civilians by members of the Parachute Regiment on January 30 1972. It was expected to be the final march before the Bloody Sunday Inquiry team, headed by Lord Saville of Newdigate, reports the findings of its GBP£150 million hearing - the longest inquiry in British legal history. Sinn Fein Assembly member Raymond McCartney warned that the people of Derry would settle for nothing but the truth of what happened that distant day.
01/26/06 13:28 EST
ALL PARTY TALKS TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 6
Northern Ireland's politicians must make significant progress towards the restoration of the North's Assembly and other political institutions during 2006, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today. After a summit with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Mr Blair stressed that Northern Ireland`s politicians could not afford to sit still following momentous IRA moves last July and September to end its` armed campaign. "On February 6 the talks will get under way with (Irish Foreign Minister) Dermot Ahern and (Northern Ireland Secretary) Peter Hain leading them and I hope people realise two things," he said.
01/24/06 15:08 EST
DUP PROPOSES DEVOLUTION-LITE IN DOWNING STREET
The IRA must end all involvement in criminality if there is to be political progress in Northern Ireland, Democratic Unionist leader Rev Ian Paisley insisted tonight. After submitting his 16-page document entitled "Facing Reality" to British Prime Minister Tony Blair outlining his party's plans for phased devolution at Stormont, the North Antrim MP rejected Sinn Féin claims he was trying to hollow out the Belfast Agreement and was abusing trust. "If a person justifies evil as the IRA have done, glorifies it, canonises it and then blames everybody else for mistrust when they are practising mistrust all the time, then the time has come to call a halt to all of it." "Even with the so-called decommissioning which nobody in Northern Ireland really believes in, the IRA has continued to carry on," Rev Paisley alleged.
01/22/06 08:57 EST
ORDE SAID IRA NOT INVOLVED IN CRIMINALITY SAYS AHERN
A recent allegation of continued criminal activity by the IRA, made by a senior PSNI officer to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, was cortradicted by the PSNI Chief Constable himself, according tho Irish premier Bertie Ahern. During a trade mission to India, Ahern claimed the chief constable had given him a different view from that of his Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kincaid, who told the north's Policing Board last week the IRA was still involved. The Taoiseach, speaking in New Delhi, rejected Kincaid's analysis, alleging that Orde, 'the most senior police officer', had given him a different view.
01/19/06 11:14 EST
SINN FEIN ELECTION WORKER ADMITS BEING BRITISH SPY
A former Sinn Féin election worker has issued a statement admitting to being a British spy for over 20 years. In a statement issued through his attorney today, Mr Seán Lavelle, from Donagh near Lisnaskea, gave details of his activities. Mr Lavell, 60, said he was recruited when arrested by the North's security forces in 1980. It is understood that Mr Lavelle is not a member of Sinn Féin despite having worked as an election worker for the party in the past.
01/18/06 11:39 EST
IRISH PRESIDENT SPEAKS ON PROSPECTS FOR UNITY
Irish President Mary McAleese told pupils at a top Northern Ireland school today that it was up to them to decide if they wanted a united Ireland. She met boys at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, an overwhelmingly Protestant school, whose former students include politicians and senior members of the judiciary. During a question-and-answer session with pupils, Mrs McAleese was asked if she thought the North would merge with the Republic in the near future. The President told the pupils she did not know the answer to the question, but said the Good Friday Agreement had put in place a framework for resolving the constitutional dilemma. Mrs McAleese said: "You will be part of the process of change because it is going to be your generation that will take these issues, open them up and explore them. And the happy thing for your generation is that you are the first generation to probably have the joy of debating these issues coolly, calmly, without any threat of violence, in an egalitarian atmosphere, in a democracy, and I think that`s a great gift to your generation."
01/16/06 14:38 EST
PAISLEY RAILS AT PROSPECT OF SINN FEIN IN GOVERNMENT
Democratic unionist leader, the Reverend Ian Paisley today ruled out the prospect of full blown devolved government in Northern Ireland for the foreseeable future. At a press conference at Stormont outside Belfast surrounded by MPs and Assembly members, he said the party was instead proposing a phased system of devolution. The North Antrim MP said: "Given that there is no prospect of an inclusive Executive, I informed the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State (Peter Hain) at the end of last year that we would consider alternative ways of moving forward in Northern Ireland and present them with a paper charging a way forward that would allow locally-elected representatives in the Northern Ireland Assembly to become more deeply involved in local issues."
01/16/06 07:42 EST
NO POLICING DEVOLUTION WITH SINN FEIN IN POWER SAYS DUP
Unionists will not accept devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly if it means the involvement of Sinn Fein in their administration, the DUP has said. DUP MP Nigel Dodds said there was no confidence in the "wider community" of Sinn Fein ministers having such powers. He said it would be "ludicrous" if people thought they could be ministers but not support the security forces and the republican mindset must change.
01/12/06 12:27 EST
BLAIR UNDER PRESSURE OVER STORMONTGATE AFFAIR
British Prime Minister Tony Blair tonight faced new demands to disclose his full involvement in discussions about dropping charges against the Sinn Fein administrator-turned British agent Denis Donaldson. Ian Paisley`s Democratic Unionists challenged the Prime Minister to issue an explanation after Britain's Solicitor General revealed he was consulted a year ago on a case which provoked uproar in Belfast. Mr Blair and cabinet colleagues held talks in January 2005 about the charges against three men accused of a spy ring that toppled the Stormont power-sharing regime, MPs were told. The suspects included Denis Donaldson who was outed in December as a police and MI5 agent.
01/11/06 06:41 EST
BRITAIN WITHDRAWS OTR BILL IN ITS ENTIRITY
The British government's controversial proposals on paramilitary fugitives are being withdrawn, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said. The legislation would have seen those accused of paramilitary crimes before 1998 appear in front of a special tribunal, then be freed on licence. Mr Hain told Parliament the legislation was necessary but, Sinn Fein's rejection of it made it unworkable. He also said he wanted to hold talks on restoring devolution in February. But he said the the issue of dealing with those accused of paramilitary crime who were "on-the-run" would not go away.
01/08/06 11:12 EST
PARTIES MUST MOVE ON SAYS AHERN
Political parties must move on from the Stormont spying controversy to focus on restoring devolved government to Northern Ireland, Irish premier Bertie Ahern said today. In the aftermath of Sinn Fein's head of administration at Stormont Denis Donaldson revealing he was a British spy, Mr Ahern said he believed it was best if people tried to return to concentrating on the peace process. "I think it would be helpful if we continue to try to normalise society in the North where nobody is watching anybody, where we have proper political parties, proper garda procedures, proper policing procedures and that we all move on in that kind of a vein," he said.
12/31/05 16:23 EST
IRA SALUTES MEMBERS IN NEW YEARS MESSAGE
The IRA today hailed its volunteers for abandoning the armed struggle in the wake of the organisation's historic decision to decommission its entire weapons arsenal. In a New Year message the IRA said they remained committed to their republican objectives and endorsed the work of Sinn Fein. The paramilitary group also called on all political leaders to work towards progress in 2006. The statement is the first from the IRA since September when General John de Chastelain announced the organisation had put its arms beyond use.
12/29/05 05:17 EST
UNITY VOTE WON'T HAPPEN WITHIN DECADE OF DEVOLUTION - AHERN
Irish premier Bertie Ahern today said he hoped to see the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly and executive lifted in 2006, and "the earlier the better". Mr Ahern said he still hoped to see a united Ireland in his lifetime, but regarded peace and stability in the North as a more important objective. Mr Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair are expected to start talks on the restoration of devolution with Northern Ireland's political parties following the publication at the end of January of a report on IRA decommissioning.
12/25/05 06:08 EST
LASTING PEACE WILL BE NEW YEAR'S PRIORITY SAYS AHERN
Irish premier Bertie Ahern today said securing lasting peace in Northern Ireland would remain the most important part of his work in the New Year. As Mr Ahern extended Christmas wishes to the nation, he said 2006 would see the development of better infrastructure, better public services and better opportunities for young people. "I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Christmas is traditionally a time when families and communities come together to celebrate a special and significant occasion in Irish life and I hope that everyone gets a well-deserved break," he said.
12/22/05 00:47 EST
ORDE TO BRIEF AHERN IN DUBLIN
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Sir Hugh Orde is meeting senior members of the Irish Government including the Taoiseach in Dublin today to discuss revelations that a British spy was working at the top of the Sinn Fein party in Stormont. Sir Hugh will meet Bertie Ahern, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell. On Tuesday he said he would give the Taoiseach as much information as possible about the Stormontgate affair. He will confirm that records of conversations Mr Ahern had with British prime minister Tony Blair were among documents recovered by detectives investigating an alleged spying operation at Stormont.
12/20/05 20:06 EST
SINN FINE REJECTS OTR LEGISLATION
Sinn Fein has rejected new legislation which is supposed to give so-called "on-the-run" republicans an amnesty. Party vice-president Pat Doherty said the legislation was "far removed" from what had been agreed during 2001 talks with the British government at Weston Park. He also accused the government of "sleight of hand" in that the law would grant amnesty to British security forces who committed murder during the Troubles. But the British government said there was no other vehicle for dealing with OTRs.
12/19/05 23:32 EST
PREMIERS TO MEET IN NEW PUSH FOR DEVOLUTION
The Irish and the British premiers will return to Northern Ireland next month as a new intensive effort is begun to re-establish the Stormont institutions. The announcement was made yesterday in Hillsborough following talks between Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary and Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs. In an unusually strong show of unity following the so-called Stormontgate revelations, Peter Hain and Dermot Ahern said their governments were committed to establishing political stability ahead of scheduled Assembly elections in May 2007.
12/18/05 21:47 EST
AHERN WILL NOT SEEK STORMONTGATE INQUIRY
The Irish Government has indicated it will not be seeking an independent inquiry into the Stormontgate affair and allegations that a key Sinn Féin official was a British agent. It comes as Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern is to raise the controversy with the British Northern Secretary Peter Hain at a meeting in Hillsborough in Belfast this afternoon.
Irish premier Bertie Ahern is expected to seek further information from Mr Hain about recent events, which saw spying charges against three Sinn Féin Stormont officials dropped for unexplained reasons, followed last Friday by the outing of one the three, Denis Donaldson, by Sinn Féin on Friday as a British agent for the past 20 years.
12/16/05 17:43 EST
TOP SINN FEIN MAN OUTED AS BRITISH SPY
A top republican who headed Sinn Fein's Stormont offices, tonight confirmed he was a British agent for two decades. Denis Donaldson, a 55-year-old former head of administration at Stormont, said he was recruited in the 1980s as a paid agent. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams announced today he expelled Mr Donaldson from the party after he admitted in an interview with Sinn Fein members that he worked for the British security services.
Mr Donaldson said he deeply regretted his activities.
12/14/05 19:22 EST
HAIN REVEALS MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN NORTH
A major Sterling £16 billion (€23.6 billion) 10-year infrastructural investment programme for Northern Ireland, with a huge portion of it to be spent on health and education, was yesterday announced by Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain. Mr Hain, in also publishing his budget for the year 2005-06, revealed plans to cut almost 9 per cent of civil service jobs in the North over the next three years.
The budget figures reveal that, excluding over GBP£1 billion spent on policing and the British army, it costs £16 billion to run Northern Ireland annually. Of this, £11 billion is raised mainly through local taxation while the British exchequer must subvent Northern Ireland to the yearly tune of £5 billion.
12/12/05 10:59 EST
NO STATEMENT ON SPY CASE - HAIN
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said he sees no reason for a parliamentary statement on the collapse of the Stormont "spy ring" case. Unionists have demanded that Mr Hain or Attorney General Lord Goldsmith should clarify what public interest reasons led to the dropping of charges. The three were found not guilty last week, and on Monday, Mr Hain said what happened in court was clear enough. The arrests led to the power-sharing executive at Stormont being suspended, after the DUP and Ulster Unionists, led at that time by David Trimble, threatened to collapse the executive with resignations.
12/09/05 09:59 EST
AHERN OUTRAGE AT STORMONTGATE EVENTS
Irish premier Bertie Ahern expressed his bafflement today at the collapse of the Stormont spying trial. Mr Ahern made little attempt to hide his anger over the prosecution of three men, which led to the suspension of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland in 2002. The Irish premier said the affair had caused massive problems both for him and the British Prime Minister, but had now "vanished like snow in June". A judge at Belfast Crown Court yesterday acquitted Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, his son-in-law Ciaran Kearney and civil servant William Mackessy after the Public Prosecution Service said it would offer "no further evidence".
12/09/05 09:32 EST
AHERN AND BLAIR WANT EARLY PROGRESS TOWARDS DEVOLUTION
Irish premier Bertie Ahern said today that 2006 would be a "make-or-break year" for Northern Ireland's political institutions. Speaking after talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street, Mr Ahern said the two were keen to see progress on the restoration of devolution early in the new year. He acknowledged that there were "a number of difficult issues" to be resolved but said he wanted to see power-sharing revived at Stormont over the coming months.
12/08/05 12:06 EST
CHARGES AGAINST SPY-RING ACCUSED DROPPED
Three men arrested three years ago over an alleged IRA spying ring at Stormont have had the charges against them dropped. The acquittal was announced during a surprise and unlisted court hearing. Denis Donaldson (53), Sinn Féin's head of administration at Stormont; Ciarán Kearney (32), Commedagh Drive; and William Mackessy (45), a former Stormont porter, of Wolfend Way, Ligoniel, were arrested in October 2002. The three were arrested following a massive, highly publicised, police raid on Sinn Fein's offices in Parliament Buildings. The ensuing political row resulted in the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive.
ARCHIVE
Read the full stories at The Irish American Information Service
1916 LEADERS SOUGHT INCLUSIVE IRELAND SAYS McALEESE
"The kind of Ireland the heroes of the 1916 Irish Rising aspired to was based on an inclusivity that would 'cherish all the children of the nation equally'" President Mary McAleese said in an address to a conference in Cork today.
"In the hearts of those who took part in the Rising, in what was then an undivided Ireland, was an unshakable belief that whatever our personal political or religious perspectives, there was huge potential for an Ireland in which loyalist, republican, unionist, nationalist, catholic, protestant, atheist, agnostic pulled together to build a shared future, owned by one and all," Mrs McAleese said.
The President said that there was a tendency for "powerful and pitiless elites" to "dismiss with damning labels" those who oppose them, explaining accusations that the 1916 Rising was an exclusive and sectarian enterprise.
She said those who took part in the Rising were "attempting to establish a free country in which we ourselves could take responsibility for our own destiny, a country that could stand up for itself, have its own distinct perspective, pull itself up by its bootstraps, and be counted with respect, among the free nations of Europe and the world."
See full text of the President's speech at the University College Cork conference.
26 January 2006
Joint Statement by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
We met today to consider the way ahead in relation to Northern Ireland.
Since the Agreement there has been, and continues to be, very significant progress in Northern Ireland - a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity and growth. Along with those opportunities, however, Northern Ireland also faces a number of significant economic and social challenges. It cannot afford either complacency or prolonged stalemate.
We strongly believe, therefore, that the interests of everyone in Northern Ireland, and throughout these islands, are best served by the earliest practicable restoration of the devolved institutions.
Decisions that affect the people of Northern Ireland should be taken by locally elected representatives exercising their rights and responsibilities in fully functioning democratic institutions, including the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and North/South structures.
2006 is the decisive year for this process. On 6 February talks will begin with the aim of setting out the arrangements and timetable for the restoration of the institutions, which, of course, we want to see as soon as possible.
We recognize, given the previous breakdown in confidence in the process, that this is an ambitious goal. The Independent Monitoring Commission has a key role to play and the Governments look forward to receiving its next report in the coming days, as well as its further report in April.
We also acknowledge the ongoing work of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning in dealing with the issue of paramilitary weapons.
We believe the parties must also take the necessary steps to allow that trust to be rebuilt - steps that, more than just the passage of time, will rebuild confidence.
This requires that promises made are borne out by actions, and that the strategic decision to commit in a full and verified way to exclusively peaceful and democratic means is being reflected in reality, whatever the practical difficulties involved after such a long period of conflict.
But trust and confidence also requires the parties to take an active role by discussing the issues affecting the future of Northern Ireland together. The Governments believe that now is the time for the parties to engage in that collective discussion.
It is also essential that through dialogue and engagement progress is made in extending active support across all sections of the community for the new policing arrangements throughout Northern Ireland so that no individual or community is denied their rightful access to police protection.
So, too, all those involved in the issues of parades need to join together to ensure that the annual disputes associated with the marching season become a thing of the past.
In that context, both governments will respond positively to those seeking genuine efforts at transformation within loyalism. In particular, we call on those with influence to help bring loyalist paramilitary and criminal activity to an end, and to encourage the full de-commissioning of loyalist weapons. As we move towards devolved Government, we are determined that the process must leave nobody behind.
We are conscious of the responsibilities that the Governments bear. We are fully prepared to exercise those responsibilities. However we are convinced that those best placed to lay the foundations for a prosperous, peaceful and shared future are the political parties themselves. We encourage them to embrace this challenge, and by doing so this year to complete the transition to peace and prosperity so long desired by the people of Northern Ireland.
31 December 2005
IRA STATEMENT:
New Year Statement 2006
The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann sends New Year greetings to our friends and supporters at home and abroad. We send best wishes especially to republican prisoners and their families and we commend those presently working for their early release.
We salute the discipline and commitment of IRA volunteers, particularly following the momentous decisions by the Army leadership this year.
We remain wedded to our republican objectives. We are confident that these objectives will be achieved.
We fully support and commend everyone working for these goals, especially our comrades in Sinn Féin.
We send greetings to the republican activist base which has been so steadfast in the face of severe provocations this last twelve months.
We appeal for continued unity and determination in the year ahead. We are mindful that 2006 marks the 25th anniversary of the hunger strikes and 90th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic in 1916.
We look forward to popular celebrations and commemorations of these events. There is an onus on all political leaders to play their part in achieving the essential political progress desired by all the people of Ireland.
P. O Neill,
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau, Dublin.
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.
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
Seventh report - October 2005
Eighth report - February 2006
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?