July Articles

Des O’Malley warned Ireland about Sinn Fein populism

Since the death last week of Desmond (Des, Dessie) O’Malley, minister for justice in the Irish government from 1970 to 1973, I’ve been thinking a lot about that period. Published: 27 July 2021 It was a time when I was settled in London, quite often visiting my parents...

Years of IRA appeasement have distorted Northern Ireland’s justice system

I spent the best part of three days reading newspapers and posts and tweets and listening to hours of radio and watching video clips relating to the British government’s proposals to draw a line under Troubles crimes. Published: 20 July 2021 In phone calls, people...

Reasons to be cheerful about the England football team and the Orange Order

Now I should warn those who are happy only when pointing sadly to their half-empty glass and looking for somebody to blame for it, that I intend here to be cheerful about football, Orange festivities, and — a bit — about the Northern Ireland protocol. Published: 13...

Unionists should fear not — the south does not want a united Ireland

With some of the usual suspects still boring on about a border poll, I want to go back to basics. Published: 6 July 2021 I apologise to those who have heard this story before, but I think it one of the most telling comments about Irish aspirations to unity I’ve ever...