Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness’s resignation should be seen in the context of extolling the virtues of good leadership by taking such a principled stand.
Having been left to paddle their own canoe in the muddy waters of six county politics by the Irish government, and in particular by minister for foreign affairs Charlie Flanagan, who has never put the plight of six county nationalists at the forefront of his concerns, but berates Sinn Féin to placate the deputy first minister’s bogeymen partners on an on-going basis. Perhaps this will refocus his attention on the unfinished business of the Good Friday Agreement. This necessary move by Sinn Féin in answer to ongoing intransigence from the ugly face of unionism has been a long time in the making.
It’s unfortunate that Martin McGuinness has had to resort to such a measure in order to shine a spotlight on the antics of the DUP ‘who are, to all intent and purposes’ hell bent on turning the clock back to a time when they answered to no-one but themselves.
Arlene Foster’s disdain for nationalists is never brewing far from the surface. Her attempts at deflecting from the issue by insinuating that she is being targeted because she is a woman, has been rubbished by Naomi Long of the Alliance Party as well as a list of other females involved in northern Irish politics.
This cash for ash scandal is not the first dodgy deal nurtured to fruition by DUP activities.
Fair play and gratitude must go to DUP member Jonathan Bell who tried to wade against the tide in his own party to expose the cash for ash lottery and who was benefiting from it.
As far as Martin McGuinness is concerned, his legacy is cemented as a revolutionary and a peacemaker, and I wish him well in whatever decisions he makes regarding his future in politics.
He has done his bit, and the Rev David Latimer from First Derry Presbyterian Church can vouch for that. Martin McGuinness helped with the restoration of the church, and was hailed a great leader by the Rev Latimer, who regards him as a lifelong friend and supported him in his 2011 candidacy for Uachtarán na hÉireann.
JAMES WOODS
Gort an Choirce,
Dun na nGall
History that doesn’t fit our ideals can’t be ignored
I am a 22 year old woman living in Co Donegal close to the border. I didn’t experience the Troubles, nor was I aware of such a thing as sectarianism growing up. Both communities in my local area live and have lived in harmony and always have done as I am told. In fact, I have both Protestant and Catholic ancestry. It is not an issue.
As children, we were encouraged to be proud of where we came from – Donegal, Ireland – and our great heritage of stories, songs, dance, poetry and the Irish language.
It is with deep disappointment and hurt that I listen to politicians in Northern Ireland totally disregard and disrespect the Irish language in such a manner that they do. The Irish language is the native language of this Island, irrespective of the current political system.
I cannot understand why people would try to oppose it at all costs. It is a major disservice to the people – our ancestors – who worked, farmed and lived in the lands of Belfast and beyond before us.
Our children should not be set an example that it is okay to cast off and shun the traditions of the past. Children in Northern Ireland should be aware that all of Ireland, including Northern Ireland, was an Irish speaking country and be proud of the fact that we had a national language. It should be celebrated with pride along with the records and stories of the inhabitants of previous centuries. History cannot be deleted or edited. We cannot ignore parts of history that do not fit with our ideals. The Irish language should be embraced. It is as much a part of the national identity of Northern Ireland as it is of the Republic.
MARY SMITH
Buncrana, Co Donegal
Revelations of collusion no surprise
The best thing about this time of year is the revelation of state papers from 30 years ago, which outlines the stark reality that the people of Ulster – republican and unionist alike – aren’t dealing with honest brokers.
The revelation of a Masonic plot against John Stalker over the revelations of collusion is hardly surprising, given the true nature of British authorities. While Charles Haughey threatening to banjax an appearance of the then secretary of state Tom King on The Late Late Show underlines how paranoid Fianna Fáil had become of a public backlash over the Northern question.
However, there will be no hope of a much-needed revolution in Ulster as the public are too busy ‘mourning’ George Michael and Carrie Fisher.
DESMOND DEVLIN
Ardboe, Co Tyrone
SF’s Stormont experiment now a fiasco
LAST year, 2016, has come and gone and so has all the self-deceptive false promises about a united Ireland.
Nationalists and republicans can now only stare into the demoralising mist of watching their one-time ‘revolutionary’ heroes now toadying to the DUP.
Having signed the forever and a day monopoly on Irish unity to intransigent unionism, their paramilitary foot soldiers and the loyal orders, what now?
What was the war all about?
Weren’t IRA volunteers taking an oath to serve the cause, promised it was a 32-county Ireland with no half measures? Wasn’t it on that basis the Hunger Strikers and dozens of volunteers gave their lives? And why do thousands of loved ones lie cold in premature graves and countless families shattered?
Many, many people are now sore and hurt.
As the chief guarantors of British rule and partition in Ireland I say to Sinn Féin, can’t you find the courage to admit your Stormont experiment is now a fiasco? Stormont never did work, can’t be made to work and never will work. Charles Haughey said it was a failed entity and that has been proven many times since.
Pearse, Tone and Co and all those patriots who have gone before and since must now be turning in their graves.
I say to Sinn Féin, forget the gravy train and close Stormont, why would anyone want to vote for more of the same?
LAURENCE O'NEILL
Martinstown, Co Antrim
Expression of gratitude
Rosemount House would like to thank the rector of Clonard Monastery, Rev Noel Kehoe CSsR; Church of the Resurrection; Gary McKenna, SVDP; Michael Sands, SVDP; Maurice Morrow MLA, Clarke Brothers; Ardoyne GAC; NB Housing Association; Flax Street Day Centre for the elderly; Eamon Walker, Brian Maguire, Ann Mullan, Eddie Cullen, Shirley Johnston, Paul McCusker, Paddy Doyle and the youth of Newington and Shore Road; Louis McConnell; Jo Gibson, RUTH; Pauline Kennedy; Fr Myles Kavanagh; Caoimhe Mannion, Tesco; Sr Bernadine and Sr Nuala and all the volunteers who helped all year round with the vulnerable in our society. Thank you for your generous donations they helped to feed the homeless and also families from distant shores. To see the smile on the children’s faces was a joy to behold, you along with other kind hearted people certainly brought Christ into Christmas for so many. So on behalf of those whom we serve, may the new year bring you many blessings.
ORLA NORNEY
Belfast BT15
