Opinion

Here are our most read opinion pieces of 2016

Alan Hawe with his wife Clodagh and their children Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (six). Picture from Hawes/Coll families via Press Association 
Alan Hawe with his wife Clodagh and their children Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (six). Picture from Hawes/Coll families via Press Association  Alan Hawe with his wife Clodagh and their children Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (six). Picture from Hawes/Coll families via Press Association 

1) The most read opinion piece in The Irish News in 2016 was about the brutal murder by Alan Hawe of his wife and their three children in Cavan. 

Columnist Allison Morris argued that the outpouring of sympathy for Hawe was sickening.

Her name was Clodagh - she was a victim, her killer was notOpens in new window ]

Coffins are taken into Saint Mary's Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the funeral of the Hawe family was held. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association
Coffins are taken into Saint Mary's Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the funeral of the Hawe family was held. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association Coffins are taken into Saint Mary's Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the funeral of the Hawe family was held. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association

2) Allison Morris tackles another heartbreaking story in her column about the Buncrana pier tragedy.

Louise James, her family wiped out in a tragedy of mammoth proportions, would have been left with no one to hold for comfort had Davitt Walsh not swam out and saved little Ríoghnach. 

Buncrana pier tragedy: One hero saved a life, another gave his own

The Buncrana pier victims, from left, Mark McGrotty (12) and Evan McGrotty (8), Sean McGrotty (49), Ruth Daniels (57), and Jodie Lee Daniels (14)
The Buncrana pier victims, from left, Mark McGrotty (12) and Evan McGrotty (8), Sean McGrotty (49), Ruth Daniels (57), and Jodie Lee Daniels (14) The Buncrana pier victims, from left, Mark McGrotty (12) and Evan McGrotty (8), Sean McGrotty (49), Ruth Daniels (57), and Jodie Lee Daniels (14)

3) Brian Feeney criticises First Minister Arlene Foster and her Leave campaign following the result of the Brexit referendum in June. He argues that when it comes to talking about the EU, Arlene doesn’t speak for the people of Northern Ireland.

Arlene Foster ignoring the truth over north's position on EU 

Brian Feeney argues that when it comes to talking about the EU, Arlene doesn’t speak for the people of Northern Ireland.
Brian Feeney argues that when it comes to talking about the EU, Arlene doesn’t speak for the people of Northern Ireland. Brian Feeney argues that when it comes to talking about the EU, Arlene doesn’t speak for the people of Northern Ireland.

4) In January, Newton Emerson shone the light on nurses pay, who he argues are well paid in Northern Ireland 

Despite the claims, nurses are not badly paid 

Nurses: well paid
Nurses: well paid Nurses: well paid

5) Patrick Murphy says that Arlene Foster was correct to claim there is no equivalence between the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme. The first minister declined to attend any 1916 commemorations at Easter. The Taoiseach argued that since nationalists are willing to commemorate the Battle of the Somme, unionists should be prepared to commemorate the Rising.

Arlene Foster right on Easter Rising and the Somme 

First Minister Arlene Foster. Picture by Jonathan Brady, Press Association
First Minister Arlene Foster. Picture by Jonathan Brady, Press Association First Minister Arlene Foster. Picture by Jonathan Brady, Press Association