The events of the past week have demonstrated very clearly the need for strong and resolute leadership. Make no mistake about it although these attacks were directed against members of the British Army and PSNI, the 'real' target of these organisations is the Peace Process. Free article

THERE seems to be a distinct air of sour grapes emanating from those none too pleased about the decision of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to back the motion calling for a ban on the barbaric practice of blood sports, including hare coursing, a 'sport' which is banned by the British Government who, let's face it, are not exactly renowned for their compassion towards other living things. Free article

IT IS 25 years ago this month that Arthur Scargill, the leader of Britain's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), then Britain's most powerful union, called a national strike in response to Margaret Thatcher's government's plans to implement coal pit closures. Free article

Tugadh cuireadh dom, seachtain ó shin, d'fhreastail ar léiriú den scannán Hunger ag imeacht i bPort Lách i gContae Port Láirge, agus ba cheart domh mo bhuíochas a thabhairt dóibh siúd an d'eagraigh an imeacht, ar dtús agus don slua mór a tháinig amach ar an oíche féin le comóradh a dhéanamh ar na stailceoirí ocrais. Free article

EVENTS in the North have seen a return to some dark days we thought we had left behind. Unreconstructed, macho attitudes coupled with a refusal to try and understand the roots of the conflict while advocating simplistic and naive solutions no matter how daft they might sound. Free article

BY March 1959, internment without trial under the Offences Against the State Act had been in operation in the 26 Counties for a year and eight months. Republicans were held in huts in a closely-guarded compound on the military lands at the Curragh in County Kildare, a site which had also been used for internment during the Second World War. Free article

CONTRARY to the rumour that my daily reading consists of the Racing Post (and that apparently I spent all of my time in the Big House listening to cricket on the BBC World Service!), I no longer pay much heed to the racing of horses. And no, not because I think it is cruel but because there are more predictable sports to bet on. Free article