BY EFFIE DEANS France is a rather odd place. It is not merely the chunk of the European continent across the Channel. It also includes two islands in the Caribbean, Guadeloupe and Martinique, a little bit of South America, French Guiana, and two islands in the Indian Ocean, Réunion and Mayotte. These are part of France in just the same way as Picardy and Normandy. … Continue reading Macron’s Geography Lesson
Robert Adam’s new novel ‘On the Green Hill of Tara’ explores the beginning of Ireland’s formal relationship with the EEC. The backdrop to Ireland’s final accession application on 30 June 1970 was the second year of the Northern Ireland Troubles and in May of that year, the ‘Dublin Arms Crisis.’ This was the political scandal when members of Jack Lynch’s cabinet, no less, were caught … Continue reading On the Green Hill of Tara
BY JAMIE FOSTER Senior Tories are demanding that Boris Johnson cut the powers of a historic investigations unit (HIU) as part of his deal to get power sharing back on at Stormont. The unit is tasked with investigating the deaths caused by the British Army during the troubles. There are real concerns that the unit will investigate all 302 deaths caused during the period. Tory … Continue reading Time to Neutralise the HIU
BY A FORMER BRITISH ARMY SERGEANT MAJOR The young man carefully approaches the recruiting sergeant, intent on being ‘just like him’. He’s smart, worldly, well turned out and confident – he wants to join the 350-year-old going concern that is the British Army. The sergeant welcomes his interest and informs him of all the available options to improve his character. How to better his lifestyle, … Continue reading End Spineless Prosecutions
BY DOMINIC WIGHTMAN Despite vicissitudes, the Good Friday Agreement settled in Belfast on Good Friday, on the 10th April 1998, has lasted well. If it can persist for a couple more generations, then perhaps those still restless characters in the Republic and in Northern Ireland can get accustomed to peace-driven progress and put the tragedy of past troubles behind them for good. Ugliness has surfaced … Continue reading Decorate Not Investigate
