04/25/07 00:17 EST
AHERN AND BLAIR TO ATTEND DEVOLUTION AT STORMONT
Irish premier Bertie Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair will give brief addresses at a reception in Stormont on May 8th, after the ministers in the newly constituted powersharing executive have taken their pledges of office. The reception will be hosted by newly elected first minister Ian Paisley and deputy first minister Martin McGuinness. The attendance will include some US politicians who have assisted the peace process. There is speculation that Senator Edward Kennedy, former senator and Stormont talks chairman George Mitchell, and former president Bill Clinton might be present.
04/23/07 09:42 EST
SINN FEIN ANNOUNCES POLICE BOARD NOMINEES
Sinn Fein has announced its three nominees to the newly reconstituted Northern Ireland Policing Board. Party policing spokesman Alex Maskey, North Antrim MLA Daithi McKay and Foyle MLA Martina Anderson, a former IRA prisoner, will join the Board after the Assembly is restored on 8 May. The party`s decision to nominate policing board members came three months after its membership - at a special conference in Dublin - backed a proposal to endorse the police in Northern Ireland for the first time in its history and participate in policing structures.
04/21/07 04:45 EST
EMPEY UNDER PRESSURE FOR TAKING MINISTRY
The Ulster Unionist Party will be asked to carry out an honest self-examination today of how it can make itself more attractive to voters. Party leader Sir Reg Empey will call on colleagues at his party`s annual general meeting to back a six-month review of how the party can be reformed. The move follows a turbulent week for the party following reports that chief negotiator Alan McFarland clashed with Sir Reg over the party leader`s decision to take a ministry in the Stormont government next month. Sir Reg`s leadership has also been called in to question by the party`s sole MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon. Supporters of the UUP leader, however, have accused his critics of learning nothing from the divisions which plagued his predecessor David Trimble when he was leading the party. Lord Trimble left the Ulster Unionists this week for the Conservative Party benches in the House of Lords.
04/19/07 04:15 EST
SEARCH ON FOR O'LOAN REPLACEMENT
The British Government has launched a search for Nuala O'Loan's successor as Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman. Adverts for the watchdog post, with an annual salary topping £100,000 (UD$200,050), will run in national and local press. With Mrs O`Loan due to stand down in November after a seven-year term where she oversaw controversial investigations and clashed with both senior police officers and unionist politicians, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain stressed the scale of the role.
04/04/07 05:59 EST
PAISLEY AND AHERN MEET IN DUBLIN
The first ever public handshake between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Ian Paisley and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern took place before talks between the two leaders at Farmleigh House in Dublin this morning. When Mr. Paisley arrived in Dublin shortly before 11am, local time, he said to waiting reporters "I must shake this man's hand, I must give him the grip", then shook Mr Ahern's hand and slapped him on the back. The handshake is seen as symbolic because Dr Paisley had previously refused to shake the Taoiseach's hand publicly until a political settlement in Northern Ireland was reached.
04/01/07 11:10 EST
PAISLEY AND McGUINNESS REQUEST HAIN'S RESIGNATION
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party the Rev Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness have jointly called on Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain to resign his offices before the return of devolution. In a gesture marking unprecedented collaboration between both parties, the two men, who will sit together at the head of a new administration in Belfast after their historic power-sharing deal, jointly drafted and signed a letter to Mr Hain. Mr Hain hailed the initiative as further proof of the will among unionists and republicans to make their coalition work. He stressed he would be delighted to leave to aid preparations for the new administration.
03/28/07 01:19 EST
DEVOLUTION LEGISLATION PASSES WESTMINSTER
Emergency legislation has been rushed through British Parliament to give effect to the historic power-sharing deal brokered in Northern Ireland. At midnight last night, the St Andrews Agreement (No. 2) Bill became law. It followed a lengthy debate in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords following the DUP's decision to finally share power with Sinn Fein. Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams agreed to share power from 8 May, the date when devolved government will be restored.
03/26/07 10:26 EST
DUP AND SINN FEIN TO ENTER POWERSHARING ON MAY 8
Devolved government is to return to Northern Ireland on May 8th after an historic deal was brokered by the DUP's Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams at Stormont today. The date was confirmed by Mr. Paisley after the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, lasting an hour, in the dining room at Stormont's Parliament Buildings. Dr Paisley said: "This meeting represents an important step on the road to the setting-up of a powersharing executive in six weeks' time." The North Antrim MP confirmed that between now and the date of the restoration of devolved government, the Assembly parties would be involved in preparatory work to ensure that the powersharing ministers would be able to hit the ground running. This would include regular meetings between himself and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness as the de facto First and Deputy First Ministers. Negotiations would also continue to secure a better financial package for the new powersharing government from British Chancellor Gordon Brown.
03/25/07 18:06 EST
POWER RESTORED TO STORMONT ASSEMBLY
Power has been restored to the Northern Ireland Assembly, even though it could be dissolved within a day. An order signed by Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain restarted devolution at midnight local-time (7PM EST) but he says Monday's deadline for a power-sharing executive to be formed must be met. He says the assembly will be dissolved if it is not - but he will consider an alternative if the parties can agree on one. The DUP has again refused to enter government with Sinn Fein, but claims that it will share power in May of this year. It is now highly unlikely that the members of a new Northern Executive will be elected when members of the Assembly meet tomorrow. But there is growing speculation that face to face talks between the DUP and Sinn Féin leaders will be held in the morning. The British and Irish governments are insisting the north's parties must decide between devolution and dissolution by midnight tomorrow. But, they also say they will consider any proposal that the support of all the parties.
03/24/07 14:06 EST
PAISLEY DEFIES BLAIR - SEEKS SIX-WEEK DELAY
Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party tonight urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to push through emergency legislation to delay power sharing in Northern Ireland by six weeks. The request was made after 90 per cent of the party's 120 executives backed the plan at a meeting in Belfast. The party had been under pressure to state that it was willing to share power next Monday. However party sources today said they had made an offer of a date in May for power sharing if Mr Blair was prepared to defer it for six weeks. But Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams has stated that Ian Paisley must persuade Sinn Fein through direct dialogue and other parties if it wants to delay power sharing by six weeks. The Sinn Fein leader said there was deep disappointment and dismay at the failure of Mr Paisley`s party to provide leadership and at their efforts to frustrate the will of the people.
03/22/07 09:10 EST
BROWN ANNOUNCES $68 BILLION PACKAGE FOR NORTH
A total of £35 billion (USD$68 billion) has been granted to Northern Ireland by British Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) Gordon Brown over the next four years. Northern Ireland`s politicians are also to be given extra funds by London and Dublin to help them tackle water charges and other infrastructural problems if they are to revive devolved government, the Chancellor revealed today. After meeting Northern Ireland political leaders, Mr Brown said that in addition to the £35 billion pledged to a new Executive over the next four years, devolved ministers would be able to access £1 billion (USD$1.96 billion) to enable them to do a number of things to improve infrastructure and job prospects in the north.
03/21/07 20:50 EST
SINN FEIN WILL JOIN POLICE BOARD WHEN EXECUTIVE FORMS
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has pledged tonight that his party will move to join the Northern Ireland Policing Board and district policing partnerships "as soon as" the Northern executive is formed. Mr Adams said the party "has been supporting the criminal justice system and Police Service of Northern Ireland and will continue to do so". He made the comments in an interview in An Phoblacht which is not due to be published until Friday. However, Sinn Féin appeared keen to get Mr Adams's message out in advance of tomorrow's scheduled meeting of the DUP's executive.
03/21/07 13:34 EST
MARCH 26 DEADLINE IS FOR REAL SAYS BLAIR
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Democratic Unionist Party's leader, Ian Paisley, that he will stick rigidly to his government's deadline of next Monday for power sharing in Northern Ireland. As pressure mounted on the DUP to say yes to a devolved government featuring Sinn Fein, Mr Blair was adamant he was not going to introduce emergency legislation to change the deadline at the last minute.
03/20/07 13:03 EST
MARCH 26 CAST IN STONE SAYS HAIN
Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams will have to strike their own devolution deal if next week's power sharing deadline in Northern Ireland is missed, Northern Secretary Peter Hain has warned. Both leaders have until Monday to sign up to an agreement to go into government linked to a multi-billion pound economic package. But with the DUP still holding out on a commitment, Mr. Hain claimed the parties would be on their own if they failed to meet the deadline. As Mr Adams prepared to meet Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin, Mr Hain warned those in the DUP who believe they can push past the March 26 deadline that the party will lose everything it gained at the St Andrews talks if there is no devolved government. "March 26 is cast in stone," he said.
03/17/07 09:56 EST
DEVOLUTION IS NOT A DONE DEAL - HAIN
The restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland is not a done deal, Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has warned. He said there was more negotiating to be done and warned there would be consequences if devolution failed. "It is not a done deal and I think there is some final negotiations to be had," he said. "I want all the politicians to be absolutely crystal clear that March 26th is the date set by Parliament and endorsed by the people on March 7th." "There is no getting past it, there is no trying to duck it or dodge it or come back afterwards and say can we start up again. That is it." The Irish and British governments want a power-sharing executive, comprising of four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP, to be set up at Stormont by March 26th. However, Mr Hain does not seem as optimistic as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that the parties will come to an agreement.
03/13/07 10:19 EST
PROGRESS MADE TOWARD DEVOLUTION SAYS PAISLEY
The Democratic Unionist Party's Ian Paisley said this afternoon that progress is being made towards the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland. After a lengthy meeting with Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain at Stormont today, the DUP leader emerged to say: "I think we are making progress, I hope we will succeed in what we are seeking to do. It will rest with the IRA delivering, but I think we are seeing progress and I am encouraged this morning." However, asked whether devolution would occur by the British Government`s deadline of March 26, he said: "I can`t really answer that. We are making progress. I have done all I can do and I have gone more than a second way." Mr Paisley said his increased mandate in last week`s election had strengthened his hand in negotiation. "I can afford now to go a bit further because I am confident the people are with me." But he said he had been severely criticized by people who were personal friends, and remained personal friends, because they did not agree with what he had done.
03/13/07 07:26 EST
AHERN RECEIVES DUBLIN/MONAGHAN BOMBING REPORT
A report into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings has been received by Irish premier Bertie Ahern. A total of 33 people died and 300 were injured when four car bombs exploded in Dublin and Monaghan on May 17th, 1974. No organization claimed responsibility, but it is widely suspected that British Security Forces colluded with loyalist paramilitaries for the attacks. The carnage represented the most worst single day of the troubles. The Irish Attorney General is due to study the findings of Commission of Investigation chairman Patrick MacEntee Senior Counsel and give legal advice on the issue to the Cabinet. The Taoiseach has indicated that he wishes to publish the report as soon as possible, preferably before Easter.
03/12/07 15:07 EST
MONEY WILL FLOW TO MAKE DEVOLUTION WORK
Extra money will be made available if it is needed to make Northern Ireland's political parties agree to form a power-sharing executive, Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said tonight. Mr Hain met at Hillsborough Castle with Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern to plot the days ahead as the two governments seek to encourage the parties to form an administration following last week's Assembly elections. Mr Hain said there was now a crucial countdown period to the March 26th deadline when an executive had to be established, or pull the plug on Stormont and impose direct rule. "The St Andrews legislation leaves no discretion to me to do anything other than restore or dissolve the Assembly," Mr Hain said. And he said there was not the slightest possibility of Parliament revisiting the legislation, he said as he repeated his oft-stated mantra that it was now or never.
03/12/07 08:25 EST
IRA NO LONGER A SECURITY THREAT SAYS IMC
The IRA no longer poses a security threat, but dissident groups remain active, the International Monitoring Commission (IMC) said in its six-month report today. In its 14th report, the IMC said the "Real IRA", which murdered 29 people in the 1998 Omagh bombing, is still intent on violence and is attempting to strengthen its capacities. But the international four-man team, which is assessing paramilitary ceasefires and the British government's two-year demilitarization program in the North, stressed the splinter republican factions do not have the ability to mount a sustained paramilitary campaign. The report covers the period August 1st, 2006 to January 31st, 2007. The British programme of normalisation is due to end July 31st next, and the IMC will submit its final report on it in September 2007.
03/06/07 07:32 EST
POWER-SHARING INEVITABLE SAYS MITCHELL
Former US Senator George Mitchell has said he believes a power-sharing deal in Northern Ireland is inevitable following tomorrow's assembly elections. In an interview with Irish television, Mr Mitchell said he believed the people of Northern Ireland wanted it to happen. However, he confessed he did not think it would take this long to come to the point where a deal would be possible. He said all parties had "come a long way" and Sinn Fein's decision to join the Policing Board was "significant". Mr Mitchell, who chaired the talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement, also said the US still had a "huge role to play" in stimulating investment and trade in Northern Ireland.
03/03/07 16:36 EST
SF WANTS TO BE IN POWER NORTH AND SOUTH SAYS ADAMS
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams today said that his party wants to be in government both north and south of Ireland as a means to fulfill its "historic mission to bring about a truly national republic and a truly national government". Making his keynote address at the Sinn Féin ard fheis (Party convention) in Dublin today Mr Adams denied his party was a high tax party and added that recent budget surpluses proves there is no need to increase taxes. "For ten years there has been unprecedented revenue surplus available to the government here. The government has the ability and the resources, if they so chose, to deal effectively with poverty and inequality. They chose not to do so." "People on low and middle incomes should not be expected to pay excessive tax. But millionaires and tax exiles who currently pay no tax must be made to pay their fair share," Mr Adams said.
The Sinn Féin leader said his party, if in government, would introduce major changes in the area of health including; a minimum of 3000 acute hospital beds to ease over crowding and waiting lists and to cut MRSA, a medical card for every child under the age of 18 and he would stop tax breaks for developers of private hospitals. Mr Adams also promised a reduction in class sizes and the reconstruction and refurbishment of schools. And he said that there must be at least 14,000 social and affordable homes built for every year of the next government.
03/01/07 02:10 EST
DUP WOULD CHOOSE FINANCE PORTFOLIO SAYS PAISLEY
Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley has given his clearest signal yet that his party is preparing to go into a power-sharing government, Sinn Fein said tonight. The party's general secretary Mitchel McLaughlin welcomed Mr Paisley's announcement that the Finance and Personnel portfolio would be the DUP's first ministerial choice in a new devolved administration. In an open letter to voters, Mr Paisley said his party would claim the Finance and Personnel post and insist British Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury Secretary) Gordon Brown resolve the issue of water charges once and for all in his financial package to bolster a new Stormont executive.
Northern Ireland's ratepayers are due to receive their water charge bills next month, based on the value of their homes. There has been widespread opposition to the charges, with parties claiming ratepayers are already paying for water and sewerage services through their domestic rates bills.
02/20/07 11:52 EST
SINN FEIN ATTENDS POLICING CONFERENCE
An Sinn Fein delegation attended a major policing conference today in a further sign of Sinn Fein's new support for the force in Northern Ireland. Senior party representatives Gerry Kelly and Raymond McCartney joined Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and top officers from around the world at the Policing the Future event in Belfast. Mr Kelly, a Sinn Fein Assembly member and spokesman on policing issues confirmed it was the first time his party had attended such a conference since its historic decision last month to end generations of opposition to the police. - He was joined by Mr McCartney, who spent more than 17 years behind bars at the old Maze prison compound.
02/16/07 11:10 EST
BARAK OBAMA URGES DUP TO SHARE POWER IN NORTH
Democratic Party primary contender Barack Obama has urged Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party to commit themselves to power sharing in Northern Ireland after the March 7th Assembly Election. Obama, in an extensive statement issued earlier this week, promised that as president he would "personally engage" where appropriate in the peace process in Northern Ireland. "The gains of the last decade were in part made possible by U.S. engagement. Going forward, we should continue the practice of having a special envoy for Northern Ireland, and the our president should personally engage on where America can play a constructive role, working closely with the Irish taoiseach, the British prime minister, and party leaders in Northern Ireland," Obama said.
Read the full stories at The Irish American Information Service
Paisley and Adams statements
Ian Paisley:
"After a long and difficult time in the province, I believe that enormous opportunities lie ahead for Northern Ireland. Devolution has never been an end in itself but is about making a positive difference to people`s lives. I want to make it clear that I am committed to delivering not only for those who voted for the DUP but for all the people of Northern Ireland. We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future. In looking to that future, we must never forget those who have suffered during the dark period from which we are, please God, emerging. We owe it to them to craft and build the best future possible and ensure there is genuine support for those who are still suffering."
Full text of both statements
Gerry Adams
"We have all come a very long way in the process of peace making and national reconciliation. We are very conscious of the many people who have suffered. We owe it to them to build the best future possible. It is a time for generosity, a time to be mindful of the common good and of the future of all our people. I am pleased to say that collectively we have created the potential to build a new, harmonious and equitable relationship between nationalists and republicans and unionists, as well as the rest of the people of the island of Ireland.
9 March 2007
Results of NI Elections
| Party | % | +/- | Seats | +/- | Party | % | +/- | Seats | +/- | |
| DUP | 30,1 | +4,4 | 36 | +6 | UKUP | 1,5 | +0,7 | 0 | -1 | |
| SF | 26,2 | +2,6 | 28 | +4 | Con | 0,5 | +0,3 | 0 | 0 | |
| UUP | 14,9 | -7,7 | 18 | -9 | SEA | 0,3 | 0,0 | 0 | 0 | |
| SDLP | 15,2 | -1,8 | 16 | -2 | UKIP | 0,2 | +0,2 | 0 | ||
| AP | 5,2 | +1,6 | 7 | +1 | PBP | 0,1 | +0,1 | 0 | ||
| GP | 1,7 | +1,4 | 1 | +1 | OTH | 3,2 | +0,4 | 1 | 0 | |
| PUP | 0,6 | -0,6 | 1 | 0 |
22 Jan 2007
Profound Regret from Blair after Collusion Report Published See full text
Northern Ireland Police Special Branch officers colluded with loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) gang members responsible for many murders in Belfast during the 1990s, according to a report compiled by Police Ombudsman (watchdog) Nuala O'Loan. The report follows an investigation, codenamed "Operation Ballast", which was begun following representations by Raymond McCord. His son, Raymond McCord jnr, was murdered in 1997, allegedly on the orders of the head of the UVF's Mount Vernon unit.
According to the report, published this morning, a number of senior officers -including two retired assistant chief constables, seven detective chief superintendents and two detective superintendents - refused to provide an explanation of police Special Branch and CID internal practices during the period in question. The report found that others, including some serving officers in the PSNI, gave "evasive, contradictory, and on occasion farcical answers to questions".
- - -
However, although files have been sent to the DPP following the investigation, it is understood a recommendation has been made that no charges should be brought against any
officers. Mr McCord said his family were disappointed that prosecutions were not recommended and said he would continue his family's fight to for justice. Mr McCord said: "This report is not the end of our struggle to get justice for young Raymond. It is the means by which we can go forward to get justice and uncover the truth so that these horrible deeds will never be allowed to happen again."
- - -
He also urged Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams not to endorse the PSNI in light of the report's findings.
- - -
The report says that the police investigation into the murder of Catholic taxi driver Sharon McKenna (27) in January 1993 "had the effect of protecting Informant 1 from possible prosecution."
"This is collusion," the report adds.
- - -
Northern Secretary Peter Hain acknowledged this morning that the report made "extremely uncomfortable reading" but insisted that policing in Northern Ireland had now changed.
- - -
A spokesman for Tony Blair expressed the Prime Minister's "profound regret" but urged the poeple of Northern Ireland to support the PSNI, saying the collusion had happened in the past. "This is a deeply disturbing report about events which were totally wrong and which should never have happened. What matters at this stage is that the whole community supports that process of transformation," the statement said.
14 Jan 2007
Sinn Féin Policing Motion to Ard Fheis See full text
13 Jan 2007
Gerry Adams:
Irish republicans and nationalists want, need and deserve proper and accountable policing. On Thursday, December 28, I said that I believe that Irish republicans need now to take the necessary next step on policing -- that it is the right thing to do. This was the position I put to today's meeting. In response, the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle today took the historic and courageous decision to proceed to an Ard Fheis on policing despite the failure of the DUP to respond positively. If the Ard Fheis adopts the proposed motion then we will have the potential, for the first time ever, for the full involvement by Irish republicans in policing structures across the island.
Full text
New Year's Message
Ian Paisley:
The DUP has put the rule of law to the top of the political agenda. Whilst for years others avoided addressing this matter, I ensured that it became a matter central to any resolution of a political settlement. I am certain that the movement by Sinn Fein is the result of the DUP's determination to press home this matter. However words are not enough. It is deeds that count, and the fact that between October and December 2006 there have been no deeds, and that for the next three weeks we must await the outcome of a Sinn Fein party conference on policing, reduces the prospect of any immediate action. Sinn Fein's begrudging movement will only serve to delay opportunities available to us in the incoming months of 2007.
Full text
16 Oct 2006
Documents released after talks at St Andrews
29 June 2006
BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS' JOINT STATEMENT
Statement by the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach
Stormont 29 June 2006
1. We met today with the parties to review progress towards the restoration of devolved institutions in Northern Ireland by November and to discuss the way ahead. While the Assembly has reconvened in recent weeks we note the disappointment and frustration across Northern Ireland at the inability to move more quickly beyond procedural issues.
2. It is absolutely clear that if devolution is to be restored by the 24 November deadline then the parties will need to engage with greater urgency and determination to reach agreement. If the political will exists then we believe the very few issues which remain to be resolved can be satisfactorily addressed in that timescale.
3. In order to facilitate resolution of these issues, and as envisaged in our statement of 6 April, the Assembly will continue its work in the autumn. Given the urgent need to make rapid progress, we urged the parties to make full use of the summer period to continue work at Committee level so that the Assembly can get down to preparing for Government when it reconvenes in September. In order to assist work in the autumn, we have published today a work plan (below) and an indicative timetable for full restoration. Above all, we hope that parties will use the summer to consult their members and their communities on the way forward. The parties need to weigh in the balance any outstanding issues and any lingering mistrust against the prospect of losing devolution for another generation.
4. We were clear when we met in Armagh that people in Northern Ireland are impatient for progress and will not tolerate a political process which stretches out indefinitely. We are convinced that November is the outer limit of an acceptable timeframe. Failure to meet that deadline would be a failure which will put the Assembly in cold storage from 24 November. That would be very regrettable, but everyone accepts that an Assembly subsidised by the public which is not serving its community through active government is simply not sustainable. In this context, we also took the opportunity today to review progress on new partnership arrangements that would need to be put in place to ensure our effective joint stewardship of the Good Friday Agreement in the event that devolution does not take place by 24 November. This work continues.
5. The key to real political progress is genuine and frank political engagement from all sides on the outstanding issues. That conviction is as strong following our discussions today as it has ever been. We look forward to all concerned intensifying their efforts in the period ahead so that fully-restored institutions can become a reality. The issues that really matter to the people of Northern Ireland can best be addressed by the elected politicians working.
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
Patten Report: A new beginning: Policing in Northern Ireland, Sep. 1999
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.
The murder of Patrick Finucane, 19 February 1989:
Sir John Stevens: Stevens Enquiry, 17 April 2003
Justice Peter Cory: Cory Collusion Inquiry Report, 1 April 2004
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
Ninth report - March 2006
Tenth report - April 2006
Eleventh report - September 2006
Twelfth report - October 2006
Thirteenth report - January 2007
Fourteenth report - March 2007
Fifteenth report - April 2007
Work Programme of the Irish Presidency, 2004.
Alledged Collusion in Sectarian Killings, Oct. 2006.
The Ballast Report, Statement by the Police Ombudsman into the curcumstances surrounding the death of Raymond McCord Junior and related matters, Jan. 2007.
An Irish bookshop: Read Ireland
Wesley Johnston's History of Ireland
The CAIN Project (The Northern Ireland Conflict)
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry
Independenr Monitoring Commission 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?