Top Issue 1-2024

28 August 2015

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Tim Brannigan tweets on meeting Maskey MP

● Tim Brannigan

TIM BRANNIGAN – who describes himself on Twitter as “Black-Irish writer/journo. Opinions on diversity. Known to the police. Jailed by Britain. LFC. Kissed Beyoncé” – took to Twitter to tell of a meeting with Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey and other local reps today after the former republican prisoner voiced his criticisms of Sinn Féin.

Here's what Tim said in his series of tweets.

“Had a meeting with West Belfast MP @PaulMaskeyMP (pictured) and two other @sinnfeinireland elected reps today. TBH, it was more chat among old friends.

“Not to give away too much but SF listened to my views on the recent race attack [by thugs around the 9 August bonfires and condemned by Sinn Féin] and dealt with them point by point.

Paul Maskey

“Sinn Féin also described a raft of projects happening in west Belfast – many of which I was unaware or had forgotten about. These included many facilities and projects which were well-funded and targeted at the people who need them most. Only the terminally cynical could oppose or refuse to acknowledge this valuable work.

“They also asked if I had any ideas or suggestions I might wish to make. I said that, in their position, I would be doing exactly the same things. We agreed that it came down to whether the measures are effective on the ground or not.

“Finally, all three reps have a long history of on-the-ground work in west Belfast. It is important to acknowledge that endless, often thankless, work. The tendency of Twitter to make much debate seem confrontational, dismissive or personal was also discussed. I took that on board.

“I'm fairly certain I don't criticise community work or activists. It's all great work. We just need to address the times when it fails.

“Obviously my recent experiences raised the blood pressure a bit but the work of grassroots SF activists in our areas is phenomenal.

“Oh, and I may have mentioned the 'fucking royal visits' (lolz). And now we move forward. Hopefully.”

Later, Tim added jokingly:

“Someone has just texted to ask if SF have me tied up and are now tweeting from my account! :)”

● Tim's autobiography, Where Are You Really From? Kola Kubes and Gelignite, Secrets and Lies – The True Story of an Extraordinary Family (reviewed here by the Bobby Sands Trust), is available on Amazon.

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