Author, Blogger, Journalist & Writer
I have deliberately held back this blog until my anger subsided to the point that I could focus on what was important and relevant. I had originally written a blog in response to the killings in Antrim. Then two good young men lay dead. Then came Craigavon. Now three good men are dead who should be alive. The people who planned and executed these operations clearly have a high degree of technical proficiency. The security forces on both sides of the border are, as these words blink to life, hunting for them I know where they reside. I know where …
I was discussing this story with the news editor of the Irish Post this week. As ever when journalist and editor discuss a piece the question from the editor is always “what is the peg?” I didn’t have to think too much about that one. I immediately said: “Groundhog day at Celtic Park!” That was my initial feeling. It felt like the first few days of September last year when I had reported on the singing, by Rangers fans, of the now infamous “Famine song” at Celtic Park. Most of you will know that following on from that soccer match …
Interview on “The Right Hook” with Ivan Yates on 22nd January 2009 after the sentencing in the “Roscommon Incest case”.
AMERICA’S INEVITABLE DECLINE. I had thought it better to hold back on this piece until the euphoria of the United States having a bi-racial president had subsided. Like the revelry through the night every 1st of January. After a few weeks the New Year looks remarkably like the old one. Of course Obama is as different is style from Bush 43 as is possible to get. The problems he has to deal with are the same ones that caused “Dubya” to stare into the headlights. Obama’s soaring rhetoric will not change a few unpleasant facts. The USA is bankrupt. …
I suppose when an institution has been in some kind of existence since the days of the Roman emperors then they know a thing or two about re-positioning themselves to stay at the top table. A leading Vatican official declared recently that Darwin’s theory of evolution was compatible with Christian faith, and could even be traced to St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas. “In fact, what we mean by evolution is the world as created by God,” said Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture. The Vatican also dealt the final blow to speculation that Pope Benedict …
Hello all. Due to me being in transit to a sunnier clime over the next week or so you may find that your postings may not appear right away. When I do get to a working terminal I will log on and approve comments. I am encouraged that,in recent weeks, there has been an observeable tendency to robustly play the ball rather than the man. Regards Phil Mac Giolla Bhain PS: last month saw the site register over 170,000 hits. This is the best month since the site was created in 2006.
Ireland has been stunned by the “Roscommon incest case”. People have been incredulous at the details of the case. A mother-of-six from County Roscommon was sentenced last week to seven years in prison after being convicted on ten counts of incest, sexual abuse and neglect of her children. Because the mother was sentenced under 1908 legislation she could only receive a sentence of 7 years. A man convicted of the same offences could face up to life imprisonment. Circuit Court Judge Miriam Reynolds said there was room for future legislation to be drawn up to deal with the actions of …
Hello. I have not approved several comments over the past few days (one tonight specifically was out of order and has prompted this response). If such comments were made in, say, print journalism then they would be actionable. In 20 years of being in print I have never cost any publciation a penny in legal fees. I would not dream of writing such defamatory statements. A basic rule-worth reiterating-is play the ball dont play the man. I have no problem in approving comments that take a 180 perspective on my views. It is heartening to see a robust debate taking place …
This week marks the 90th anniversary of a democratic revolution that would, in time, dismember the biggest empire the world had seen since the time of the Mongols. In the Mansion House in Dublin on the 21st of January 1919 the democratically elected representatives of the Irish people met in session. The winners of the 1918 election in Ireland, Sinn Fein, had stated that they would not attend the British parliament in London if elected. Instead they promised to meet as a parliament for all of the people of Ireland if they were elected. This they did. Of the 105 …
EXCLUSIVE
By Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
An ex-Republic of Ireland international and anti-racism expert has slammed the official inaction at anti-Irish racism in Scotland after the most recent stunt by supporters of Glasgow Rangers.
At the recent old firm match in Glasgow Rangers supporters unfurled a banner with a bus on it imploring that the city’s Irish community should go back to Ireland. The banner was made by “The Blue Order” the Ibrox club’s official fan club.
