Another Night Of Rioting In Northern Ireland (The 40th Night In A Row)

Union Flag Protests: Twenty-Nine Officers Hurt In Belfast -- BBC

Twenty-nine police officers have been injured in rioting in Belfast following a loyalist protest over the union flag.

Officers fired six baton rounds and used water cannon during the 40th day of street protests.

The latest unrest began around 14:30 GMT, when loyalists and nationalists clashed at a sectarian interface at Short Strand, east of the city.

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said officers had used "exceptional courage" to bring the situation under control.

Demonstrators were passing the nationalist Short Strand area - after a 1,000-strong protest outside Belfast City Hall against the council's decision to restrict the flying of the Union flag - when the violence broke out.

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More News On The Unrest In northern Ireland

29 Belfast cops hurt in Catholic-Protestant clash -- USA Today
Northern Ireland police injured in sectarian clashes -- Reuters
Belfast riots lead to questioning of police tactics over flag dispute -- The Guardian
Belfast: 'It's not just the flag. They want to take everything British away' -- The Guardian
Protests, riots, petrol bombs... but life goes on -- BBC

My Comment: This dispute has been ongoing for centuries .... I do not expect it to change in the next few days/weeks/months/years.

Another Night Of Violence In Northern Ireland

Violent Demonstrations Injure Dozens Of Police In Northern Ireland -- CNN

Belfast, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- Petrol bombs, smoke canisters and hurled bricks have injured dozens of police during weeks of violence in Northern Ireland, officials said Sunday.

At least 52 officers have been wounded since pro-British protests erupted in the Northern Ireland city of Belfast last month, police said. Authorities have arrested 70 people in connection with the violence.

Tensions have been high since City Council members there voted a month ago to stop flying the Union Jack flag year-round, restricting it instead to certain days.

Politicians, clergy and community leaders were meeting Sunday afternoon to discuss ways of ending the unrest.

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More News On Northern Ireland

Man arrested after shots fired at Northern Irish police in flag riots -- Reuters
Gunmen fire on police in Belfast as flag dispute continues -- The Guardian
Police arrest 70 after Belfast flag riots -- Financial Times
Belfast flags trouble: Matt Baggott in warning to rioters -- BBC
Northern Irish paramilitaries hijacking flag protests - police federation -- Reuters
Peace talks on Northern Ireland violence -- The Australian

My Comment: Yup .... Northern Ireland's sectarian anger is still simmering.

Sectarian Fears Rise In Northern Ireland After Prison Officer Ambush

Forensic officers search the scene on the M1 where prison officer David Black was shot as he drove near Lurgan, Co Armagh. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters

Northern Ireland Prison Officer Ambush Prompts Fears Of Sectarian Shooting War -- The Guardian

Dissident republicans may have opened a new front in their armed campaign – if so there will be frantic efforts to persuade loyalists not to retaliate.

Since a booby-trap bomb exploded underneath the car belonging to the Catholic police recruit Ronan Kerr in April 2011 most of the violence from republican terror groups has been directed at their own communities.

Since Kerr's death there has been one murder over the border in County Donegal and more than a dozen shootings, with all of the victims young Catholic males who were the targets of republican anti-drug vigilante attacks.

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Update #1: NI murder condemned ahead of North-South council meeting -- Irish Times
Update #2: Murdered Northern Ireland prison officer was Orange Order member -- The Guardian
Update #3: NI prison officers - the threat from dissident republicans -- BBC

My Comment: What gives me hope that Northern Ireland's sectarian violence will not return is the universal condemnation from almost everyone in Northern Ireland against this murder. The key now is to arrest the perpetrators of this murder, and to bring them to justice.

MI5 Downgrades The Terrorism Threat From Northern Ireland

MI5 Downgrades Terrorism Threat From Northern Ireland -- The Telegraph

The threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism has been downgraded from substantial to moderate, meaning an attack is possible but unlikely, the Home Secretary has said.

Theresa May said the threat level to Great Britain is being reduced, but the threat to Northern Ireland remains at severe, meaning an attack there is highly likely.

The threat from international terrorism also remains substantial, meaning an attack is a strong possibility, she added.

In a written statement to MPs, Mrs May said: "Today the Security Service reduced the threat level to Great Britain from Northern Ireland-related terrorism from substantial to moderate.

"This means that a terrorist attack is possible, but not likely.

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More News On MI5 Downgrading The Security Threat From Northern Ireland

MI5 downgrades dissident Irish republican GB threat -- BBC
Home Office downgrades threat to England from Irish republican groups -- The Guardian
Government downgrades IRA security threat but warns international terrorism risk to Britain remains high -- The Independent
UK Downgrades Threat Posed by N Ireland Terrorists -- ABC News/AP
Northern Ireland terror threat downgraded -- AFP
Britain lowers Northern Irish republican security threat -- Reuters
Downgrade of terror threat from Northern Ireland is 'premature', ministers are warned -- Daily Mail

Riots Breaks Out For Second Night In Belfast

Police Fire Baton Rounds In Second Night Of Belfast Rioting -- The Telegraph

Fifteen police officers have been injured in a second night of serious disorder in Belfast.

Officers used water cannon and fired six baton rounds at the crowds as troubled flared last night.

Three officers were taken to hospital during trouble that saw rioters throw 15 petrol bombs at police lines in the Carlisle Circus area in the north of the city.

Rioters also hurled stones, bottles, fireworks and rocks and hijacked a van in Denmark Street before pushing it towards police lines.

The extent of the injuries sustained by the police officers taken to hospital is not yet known.

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More News On A Second Night Of Riots In Northern Ireland

Belfast rioters 'tried to murder' police officers -- The Guardian
Belfast police officers injured in second night of violence -- The Telegraph
15 police officers hurt as rioters throw petrol bombs in second night of Belfast disorder -- Daily Mail
15 police hurt as riots flare again -- Press Association
Clashes erupt for second night in Belfast -- CNN
Northern Irish Police Officers Hurt in Second Night of Violence -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Police injured in Northern Ireland violence -- The Australian/AFP
Police chief urges action as violence flares in Belfast -- BBC

The 'Troubles' Return To Northern Ireland

More Violence At Carlisle Circus, North Belfast -- BBC

Police have fired six baton rounds during further trouble in the Carlisle Circus area of north Belfast, where 47 police officers were injured during disturbances on Sunday.

Nine officers have been injured on Monday night, with three hospitalised.

Loyalists gathered in Denmark Street and nationalists on the Antrim Road. Petrol bombs, bricks, stones and fireworks have been thrown at police.

A van has also been hijacked and pushed into police lines.

Four water cannon have been deployed by police and at least one man has been arrested.

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More News On The Troubles In Northern Ireland

Second night of clashes erupts in Belfast -- CNN
Further disorder in north Belfast -- The Guardian
Plastic bullets fired to disperse Belfast rioters -- The Guardian
Trouble flares again in Belfast -- Press Association
Fears mount over anti-Home Rule march after 'savage' Belfast rioting -- Irish Times
Police blame loyalists for Belfast parade trouble -- BBC
Almost 50 police officers injured in Northern Ireland riots -- The Telegraph
"Savage" Northern Ireland sectarian clash injures 47 police -- Reuters
47 police officers hurt during Belfast riot triggered by Irish republican parade -- Washington Post/AP

The Murder Of Jean McConville 40 Years Ago May Reopen Old Wounds In Northern Ireland

Jean McConville with two of her children shortly before her disappearance. Photograph: REUTERS

US Ruling Reopens Old 'Troubles' In Northern Ireland -- Christian Science Monitor

A Boston College research project meant to collect testimony about Troubles-era crimes may now be a political time-bomb for Northern Ireland, thanks to a federal appeals court ruling.

When Boston College launched its Belfast Project the aim was to create an insiders' oral history of Northern Ireland's so-called "Troubles" by collecting the testimonies of participants on all sides of the conflict. What no one expected was for history to rear up and become the present once more.

That is precisely what has now happened as a US federal appeals court has ruled that the researchers' right to free inquiry is overridden by the British state's right to investigate past crimes.

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My Comment: Even though this murder happened 40 years ago .... the IRA are still afraid of the truth.

Riots Return To Northern Ireland

22 Police Officers Injured In Belfast Rioting Ahead Of Twelfth Of July Marches -- The Daily Mail

* Bus hijacked and driven at police cordon
* Fire and ambulance crews ambushed on emergency calls
* Violence does not need to be inevitable, says police chief

Violence erupted on the streets of Belfast last night with petrol bombs and bricks launched at police ahead of the annual Orange parades.

Four officers were taken to hospital but none of their injuries were life-threatening, said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). A further 18 officers were treated for minor injuries.

A bus was hijacked and driven at a police cordon but crashed a short distance away during the trouble in west Belfast.

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More News On The Unrest In Northern Ireland

Tension follows night of violence in Belfast as Orange parade begins -- The Guardian
Belfast Riots Injure 22 Police as Protestants Prepare to March -- Bloomberg
22 police hurt in Northern Ireland riots -- CNN
Bus hijacked and 22 police injured in Ulster rioting -- London Evening Standard
Night of violence in west Belfast -- The Telegraph
Petrol bombs and violence in Belfast ahead of Twelfth of July marches -- The Journal
Petrol bombs thrown at police during Belfast riots -- BBC
12 July Orange Order Demonstrations: A History of Violence -- IBTimes
London keeps Ireland security alert high -- UPI

My Comment: You just know that it is going to be another violent night tonight.

Did Irish Leader Gerry Adams Run A Death Squad During The "Troubles"?

Photo: Questions: Gerry Adams interview tapes are being sought by prosecutors

Northern Ireland Police In U.S. Court Bid For Tapes Linking Gerry Adams To Running Secret IRA Death Squad -- Daily Mail

* Two convicted IRA terrorists told researchers in America of his involvement
* Lawyers for Boston College argue their release would damage peace process and break IRA 'code of silence'
* Police believe tapes can help solve up to nine murders as well as kidnappings during the Troubles

Prosecutors in the U.S. are demanding that a university hands over to Britain taped interviews in which former IRA members purportedly accuse Gerry Adams of running a secret death squad.

Researchers on an oral history project for Boston College obtained the testimonies from two convicted IRA terrorists between 2001 and 2006.

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My Comment: If Gerry Adams had nothing to hide ..... he would openly advocate the release of these tapes. But ..... he has been silent since this case broke out.

Another Night Of Riots In Northern Ireland

New Riots Break Out In Belfast: More Shots Fired As Violence Erupts Again Between Rival Factions -- the Daily Mail

More shots were fired last night as trouble ignited in Northern Ireland again.

Bricks and bottles were thrown between nationalists and unionists in east Belfast as a heavy security presence tried to quell serious unrest.

Several hundred people had gathered near interfaces close to the Newtownards Road and police confirmed that three shots were fired, one of which struck a press photographer in the leg.

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More News On Another Night Of Riots In Northern Ireland

NIreland police face fresh riots in Belfast -- Yahoo News/AP
Three shot in Belfast sectarian clashes -- Yahoo News/AFP
Photographer shot in Belfast riot -- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast police in Northern Ireland face fresh riots -- Herald Sun
Sectarian rioting rocks Belfast for second straight night -- CNN
Violence erupts in Belfast for second night as hundreds clash -- The Independent
Photographer shot and injured as 700 riot in east Belfast -- Irish Times

Violence Returns To Northern Ireland

Photo from TNT Magazine

Sectarian Violence Erupts In Belfast -- The Guardian

Petrol bombs, fireworks and bricks are thrown during clashes in Lower Newtownards Road and Short Strand areas

Sectarian violence involving hundreds of people erupted in Belfast on Monday night, leaving two men with gunshot wounds to their legs in what police called "major disorder".

Officers said shots, petrol bombs, fireworks, bricks, stones and smoke bombs were fired as violence broke out at 9pm in the Lower Newtownards Road and Short Strand areas.

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More News On The Sectarian Violence In Northern Ireland

Belfast riots: two men shot in Short Strand violence -- The Telegraph
Sectarian rioting rocks Belfast -- CNN
Two shot as violence flares in Belfast -- AFP
Short Strand: Police say riot was 'orchestrated' by UVF -- BBC
Short Strand:shots fired by nationalists and loyalists -- BBC
East Belfast interface: a familiar pattern continues -- BBC

Massive Bomb Plot Foiled In Ireland

Police Foil Plot To Stage 'New Omagh Massacre' -- The Telegraph

A van bomb containing a wheelie bin packed with 500lbs of home-made explosives could have been destined for a town centre in Northern Ireland, police said.

Detectives believe the vehicle, found near Newry at an underpass beneath the main A1 route between Belfast and Dublin, was abandoned because of the presence of a police checkpoint.

The foiled attack is being blamed on dissident republicans opposed to the peace process, who last Saturday killed constable Ronan Kerr in a booby-trap bomb in Omagh.

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More News On Irish Authorities Foiling A Massive Bomb Plot

PSNI fear defused bomb intended for town in North -- Irish Times
Massive bomb left on Belfast-Dublin road -- AFP
Police treated massive bomb as abandoned vehicle -- The Independent
Police criticised over handling of Newry bomb alert -- Belfast Telegraph
Police adamant: we can cope with wave of security alerts -- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster on edge after bomb plot foiled -- The Australian/AFP
Irish bomb threat link to coming elections -- Sydney Morning Herald

A Priest's Ties To The IRA And The Deaths Of Innocent Civilians

Killer Priest: Report Into IRA Atrocity Reveals British Government And Catholic Church Conspired To Cover Up Cleric's Involvement In Bombing -- The Daily Mail

* Priest was IRA director of operations and prime suspect, says report
* Nine people died in attack on village, including an eight-year-old girl
* Head of the church: 'Knew the priest was a very bad man'

A priest suspected of being an IRA leader and masterminding a bombing atrocity was allowed to escape arrest after a secret deal was struck between police, the Government and the Catholic Church, a report revealed today.

Father James Chesney was the ‘prime suspect’ after nine people, including an eight-year-old girl, were killed and 30 injured when three car bombs exploded in the quiet Northern Ireland village of Claudy in July 1972.

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More News On The Claudy Bombing Report

Report: Cover-up in 1972 NIreland bombing -- AP
Claudy bombings cover-up revealed in police report -- The Guardian
Claudy bomb: conspiracy allowed IRA priest to go free -- BBC
Claudy bomb: A priest who got away with murder? -- BBC
Catholic Church accused of cover up -- ABC News (Australia)
Claudy bombings: Father Chesney, the 'Provo Priest' -- The Guardian
Suspect priest protected over N.Ireland bombings -- AFP
Catholic Church denies IRA cover-up -- Sydney Morning Herald
Cardinal Sean Brady on Claudy bomb report -- BBC
Families react to Claudy report -- BBC
Claudy families still looking for justice -- BBC
Claudy bomb: A dark day in the bloodiest year -- BBC
IRA bombing of Claudy described as Northern Ireland's forgotten atrocity -- Northern Ireland
Cover-ups and the church in Northern Ireland -- The Economist

Are The 'Troubles' Returning To Northern Ireland?

The Government is involved in secret talks with dissident republicans,
Martin McGuinness claims. Photo from The Independent

Car Bombers Again Stalk Belfast -- Global Post

A new breed of anti-British republicans is acting to reignite tensions in Northern Ireland.

BELFAST, Ireland — On Tuesday morning, Aug. 10, a former police officer in his 50s left his house in County Tyrone climbed into his red Ford Mondeo and set out for the police station, where he worked as a security guard.

There was a bang as a bomb partially exploded under the car along Sweep Road. The man, badly shaken, walked away unscathed. If the explosive device had fully detonated he would be dead, according to district police commander Michael Skuce, who called his survival “unbelievable.”

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More News On Northern Ireland

Sinn Fein: British, Irish talk with IRA dissidents -- AP
'Secret talks' held with dissidents -- The Independent
London, Belfast in secret dissident talks: McGuinness -- AFP
Irish dissidents 'in talks with British government', says Martin McGuinness -- The Guardian
Governments talking to dissidents: McGuinness -- BBC
'Talks ongoing with dissidents' - SF -- Irish Times
Gerry Adams in bid to calm fresh Ulster violence - Feature -- Earth Times

Northern Ireland Fears That The "Troubles" Are Returning After Nights Of Rioting

Young IRA Rebels Plot New Bomb Horror To Destroy Northern Ireland Peace Process -- The Daily Mail

IRA dissidents are plotting a major bombing campaign to tear apart the Northern Ireland peace process.

Intelligence chiefs have warned ministers that splinter groups such as the Continuity IRA are on the verge of a wave of killings.

The security services believe a new generation of Republican fanatics are intent on exploding a lorry bomb on the mainland as well as killing Ulster Protestants.

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More News On The Riots In Northern Ireland

Political Rifts Reappear in Northern Ireland Riots -- New York Times
Northern Ireland leaders urge calm, denounce violent Belfast protests -- L.A. Times
Belfast rioters 'will not plunge Northern Ireland back into conflict' -- The Guardian
'Theme park' rioting raises old fears -- BBC
Belfast battles become 'Disney theme park' as rioters use high-powered laser lights to blind police -- The Daily Mail
NI rioting hoped to create "martyrs" - Irish foreign minister -- Reuters
Belfast riots police should get tough, says father of injured officer -- The Guardian
Father of injured policewoman says she could have died -- BBC
Belfast Riots Morph for YouTube Generation -- New York Times
Poverty is the backdrop to the riots in Northern Ireland -- The Guardian opinion

Sectarian Riots Break Out (Again) In Northern Ireland

Up To 30 Northern Irish Police Officers Injured During Nationalist Rioting -- The Guardian

Dissident republicans blamed for violence after three officers hit with shotgun pellets during Eleventh Night celebrations in Belfast.

Up to 30 police officers were injured in the early hours of this morning in two separate riots at sectarian flashpoints in Belfast.

Three officers were hit with shotgun pellets after a masked gunman opened fire on police lines in North Queen Street. One of those injured remains in hospital with wounds to his arm.

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More News On Last Night's Riots

Belfast police, Catholic rioters clash over parade -- AP
Three officers shot during riots in Belfast -- BBC
N. Ireland tense as marching season begins -- CNN
Sectarian riots shake Northern Ireland -- Financial Times
Nationalist rioters shoot 3 police officers and injure 27 during Protestant 11th Night 'mayhem' in Northern Ireland -- The Daily Mail
Protestants rally after Belfast sectarian riots -- AP
Catholics attack Protestant parade, police in N.Ireland riot -- AFP
30 police officers hurt in Belfast riots -- UPI

UK Government Releases “Bloody Sunday” Report

Bloody Sunday: PM David Cameron's Full Statement -- BBC News

This is the full transcript of the statement Prime Minister David Cameron made to MPs in the House of Commons on the day the Bloody Sunday report was published.

"The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is publishing the report of the Saville inquiry - the tribunal set up by the previous government to investigate the tragic events of 30 January 1972, a day more commonly known as Bloody Sunday.

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More News On Today's Release Of The "Bloody Sunday" Report

Report: NIreland's Bloody Sunday killings unjust -- Yahoo News/AP
Report: NIreland's Bloody Sunday killings unjust -- AP
Britain finally says sorry for Bloody Sunday killings -- Yahoo News/AFP
Bloody Sunday: Cameron key points -- BBC
Bloody Sunday Inquiry: Cameron apologises as Saville says shootings 'unjustified' -- The Telegraph
Bloody Sunday: Key findings -- BBC
Main findings of Bloody Sunday inquiry -- Irish Times
UK leader: We are 'deeply sorry' for Bloody Sunday -- AP
British Prime Minister "deeply sorry" for Bloody Sunday massacre -- Deutsche Welle
British PM apologizes for 'Bloody Sunday' massacre -- CTV News
General Sir Mike Jackson apologises for Bloody Sunday -- BBC
Bloody Sunday: Victims' relatives welcome Saville report findings -- The Guardian
In pictures: Bloody Sunday report finally for families -- BBC
David Cameron was right to apologise: Bloody Sunday diminished us all -- David Hannon, The Telegraph

The Legacy Of "Bloody Sunday" Still Haunts Northern Ireland

A Para grabs a youth by the hair as he arrests him in Derry on Bloody Sunday. Photograph: Fred Hoare/Belfast Telegraph

Publication Of Bloody Sunday Report Stokes Fears Of Bomb Attack -- Times Online

Security and political tensions are rising sharply before tomorrow’s long-awaited report into the fatal shooting of 13 protesters by British troops on Bloody Sunday in January 1972.

The police are mounting a big security operation around Londonderry amid fears of a bombing by dissident republicans. Commander Chris Yates, a senior officer, described the threat as severe. He said there had been 16 pipe blasts in the area this year, up from 15 in the whole of 2009.

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More News On The Release Of The "Bloody Sunday" Report

Bloody Sunday: Amnesia among troops, inflammatory claims by officers -- The Guardian
Bloody Sunday killings to be ruled unlawful -- The Guardian
Families plan to sue Bloody Sunday paras -- Times Online
Paterson calls for end to Bloody Sunday 'speculation' -- BBC
Return to Bloody Sunday -- Times Online
Bloody Sunday: The only winners were the IRA -- The Telegraph

A Last Gasp From Irish Extremists?

Bomb Explodes Outside MI5 Headquarters In Northern Ireland -- Washington Post/Reuters

BELFAST (Reuters) - Republican dissidents exploded a bomb near the headquarters of the British intelligence services in Northern Ireland Monday, minutes after police and justice powers were transferred from London.

Hours later, the British province voted in its first justice minister to embody those powers, the final piece of a devolution process that stretches back to the Good Friday Agreement between pro-Irish Republicans and pro-British Unionists in 1998.

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More News On Today's Bombing In Northern Ireland

Bomb rattles British spy HQ in Northern Ireland -- AP
Real IRA attack MI5 headquarters in Northern Ireland -- The Telegraph
Residents evacuated after bomb attack on Army base -- Belfast Telegraph
Car bomb explodes near MI5 base in Belfast -- Times
Northern Ireland Leaders Condemn Bombing -- New York Times
Parties condemn car bombing -- BBC
Real IRA bombing meant to derail last step of N. Ireland peace -- Christian Science Monitor

My Comment: I am old enough to remember when the violence in Northern Ireland was a constant and daily affair. Still .... this bombing is an ominous sign that indicates to me that many in Northern Ireland are still spoiling for a fight.

Peace In Northern Ireland?

Gordon Brown Hails Stormont Vote To Devolve Policing And Justice Powers -- Times Online

Gordon Brown tonight hailed as “the final end” to the Irish peace process a decision by the Northern Ireland Assembly to devolve policing and justice powers from Westminster, as a political row continued over David Cameron’s relationship with the Ulster Unionist Party.

Today's vote on the Hillsborough Agreement brokered between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein ends recent instability in the province’s power-sharing institutions, caused by a lengthy standoff between the two parties and exacerbated by a sexual and financial scandal involving Peter Robinson, the DUP leader and First Minister.

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More News On Northern Ireland

History made as Northern Ireland votes for new Department of Justice -- Irish Central
N.Ireland backs transfer of key powers despite row -- AFP
Ulster devolution gets go ahead after vote to hand back police and justice powers -- The Telegraph
Belfast votes in favor of police, justice transfer -- Reuters
NIreland lawmakers back next power-sharing step -- Reuters
US Congress warns Cameron over danger of failed Ulster police deal -- The Guardian
Belfast police decision 'marks end to decades of strife' -- ABC News (Australia)
Why Divisions in Northern Ireland Are Reopening -- Time Magazine
N. Ireland opens 'new chapter' -- Montreal Gazette
TIMELINE - Ups and downs of Northern Ireland peace process -- Reuters