Community Relations Council

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: CURRENT ISSUES (FEBRUARY 2005)

Paramilitaries

• A Co. Down man appeared in court charged with a mortar attack on a police station seven years ago.  It is understood the charges relates to a mortar attack on an RUC base in the Newry city's Corry Square.
• British Army bomb officers last night declared a suspicious object discovered in Lurgan as “viable”.
•  A man was shot in both knees in a paramilitary style attack in North Belfast.  The man was discovered on a waste ground beside Queen Victoria Gardens in Skegoneil.

Sectarianism

• Lisburn's self proclaimed aim to be a 'city for everyone' is being hampered by sectarian displays marking out areas as nationalist or loyalist according to the Alliance Party.  Alliance councillor Trevor Lunn said a sign bearing the slogan 'Welcome to loyalist Ballymacash' at the entrance to the housing estate in Lisburn was an example of a sign that hindered the aspiration. Persuasion decisions
• President McAleese was last night urged to stay away from the loyalist Shankill area of Belfast for a planned visit later this month.  She is due to meet staff and pupils at a primary school. This follows on from comments made by the President before attending ceremonies marking 60 years since Auschwitz was liberated.  The president was quoted as saying children were taught to hate Catholics in the same way Nazis despised Jews.
• Irish President Mary McAleese will be invited back to the Shankill Road in Belfast, a leading loyalist has said. Jackie McDonald was speaking as Ms McAleese visited the city for the first time after comparing prejudice against NI Catholics with Nazi hatred of Jews. Earlier this week, she cancelled plans to visit Edenbrooke Primary School in the Shankill area. Mr. McDonald said: "No matter what she said or whatever way it was taken, it wasn't meant that way."
• Youths in north and west Belfast have been meeting online in chat rooms to coordinate brutal nightly riots in flashpoint areas.  Up to 200 youths have been meeting in designated areas for the sole purpose of starting the fights.

Victims and Survivors

• Secretary Of State Paul Murphy has indicated that he saw “great merit” in the appointment of a commissioner for dealing with the victims of the troubles in Northern Ireland.  Mr Murphy stated that he hoped to make a commons announcement “very shortly”.
• Relatives of IRA 'Disappeared murder victim Jean McConville may hold a face to face meeting with Sinn Fein chairman Mitchell McLaughlin after he controversially said her killing was 'not a crime'.

Minority Ethnic

• The Ulster Unionist Party distanced itself from a councillor's comments that “Travellers are the scum of the earth”.  Antrim councillor Adrian Watson originally escaped censure in January after he labelled a group of Travellers who were staying on a temporary camp site as “scum bags”.  The UUP councillor defended his comments alleging the group had demanded £1,500 to leave the site.

Crime, Policing and Justice

• Garda may soon be policing the streets of Northern Ireland in the uniform of the PSNI.  An all Ireland dimension to policing will be unveiled in a deal that will further strengthen already close links between the two forces.  The secondment package which will see the Garda and PSNI swap expertise in the fight against crime follows lengthy negotiations by the Irish and the British governments.
• Troubles flared for a second night in the Markets area of south Belfast last night when police in riot gear arrived to carry out searches as part of an investigation into the death of east Belfast man Robert McCartney.
• People should give information about the death of a man stabbed after a pub fight, Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams says. Mr. Adams said he supported the McCartney's search for justice: "No one has any right, as has been claimed, to prevent anyone from helping the McCartney family." He said those who would not talk to the police should contact the family. "People with reservations about assisting the PSNI should give any information they might have either to the family, a solicitor or any other authoritative or reputable person or body," he said. He added: "I want to make it absolutely clear that no one involved acted as a republican or on behalf of republicans."
• An IRA statement urging the killers of Robert McCartney to take responsibility for their actions has been welcomed by his family. Mr McCartney, 33, was stabbed after a pub fight in Belfast two weeks ago. His family said republicans were pressuring witnesses not to talk to the police. His sister Paula said it was a way of removing obstacles for witnesses. A man arrested in connection with the killing was released without charge by police on Thursday.
• The sister of a man found murdered in Belfast last month has said she is considering standing for election to the city's council in May. Robert McCartney, 33, was stabbed in the city centre on 30 January. No-one has been charged in connection with his killing, although it is believed there were up to 70 witnesses to the crime. His sister Paula said her family will do anything to bring her brother's killers to justice. "Our primary concern is the capture of the murderers of our brother. That is our agenda," she said. "We have said before we will do anything, if that means standing for election, whatever it takes we are prepared to do it."
• The PSNI is hosting a human rights conference in Belfast this month.  Restorative Justice – From the Mechanics to the Dynamics will feature Ulster, national and international speakers.  It is part of the PSNI's commitment to human rights.

Public Policy

• The Parades Commission is to rule if a loyalist flute band can hold a march in support of the tsunami appeal.
• Catholic School heads yesterday outlined their commitment to promote inclusion, equality, respect for diversity and social justice.  The Council for Catholic Schools (CCMS) said it wanted to provide an “appropriate educational environment” by working towards embedding a culture of tolerance philosophy.
• Proposals to ban flags and emblems from the route of Twelfth parades have been condemned by unionists and the Orange Order.  A consultation document, soon to be brought before Parliament, suggests the removal of Ulster and Union flags and loyalist emblems from major roads and interface areas.  It also raises the possibility of banning them completely.  The proposals are outlined in the 'Shared Future' document.
• New laws which will allow the Parades Commission to stop members of the public following “contentious” Orange Order walks are being planned by the Government.  Draft Legislation is to be rushed before Parliament next month.  It will grant the parades body the legal option – in instances where parades are opposed by nationalists - of preventing Orange supporters walking behind or beside marches.
• A motion calling for consultation on the reunification of Ireland failed at Derry City Council last night because Sinn Fein and SDLP members couldn't agree on the wording.
• The search engine Yell.com – the internet equivalent of the Yellow Pages has become the first of its kind to recognise local lingo.  Web shoppers can now browse the webpage using Norn Iron speak.  If you're looking for trainers type in gutties or an opticians put in gleckers or if you're looking for a night of entertainment simply type in craic.

Community Relations

• The SDLP are pushing for the recall of the Peace and Reconciliation Forum stating that it would give parties an opportunity to express with one voice a determination to see all paramilitary and criminal activity ended.

Equality & Human Rights

• Chief Commissioner Professor Brice Dickson has blamed the British Government for failings in the Human Rights Commission which he stepped down from this month.

Youth

• Young people in North Belfast are being encouraged to kick out anti-social behaviour.  A 'midnight soccer' initiative is being introduced at weekends, between 9pm and midnight, at a time when young people can become involved in anti-social activities.  Republic of Ireland Manager Brian Kerr will officiate the opening.
• All 57 of the provinces integrated schools are staging special events to mark Integration Week.  “Its an opportunity to tell the community what they've been doing and the kind of work they have been involved in” said Francis Donnelly of the NI Council for Integrated Education.