Category Archives: Sinn Fein

Is the future green (saving the planet) or green (driving on to Irish unity)?

Posted on Monday, 1 June, 2020 by

We in the Republic of Ireland have two prospects when it comes to the colour of the next government (and indeed the one after that), I would suggest. Those prospects have little to do with Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Irish reunification, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein, The island environment | 2 Comments

Three things Sinn Fein need to do before I can trust them

Posted on Thursday, 5 March, 2020 by

I have been working hard to overcome my hostility to Sinn Fein, recognising that after last month’s election they are now the party with the largest popular vote in the republic (although still only 24.5% of first preferences). I take … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Sinn Fein | 7 Comments

My plea to Irish voters: don’t put Sinn Fein close to power

Posted on Thursday, 6 February, 2020 by

We in the Republic have a general election in two days, and it looks as though Sinn Fein are going to do exceptionally well. The unhappiness of people – particularly young and poor people – with the shortcomings of Fine … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein | 4 Comments

The anti-colonialist bullies versus the reconciliation persuaders

Posted on Monday, 25 September, 2017 by

Gerry Adams is a majoritarian bully. He showed his true colours in a letter to the Irish Times last month when he wrote that the Good Friday Agreement “allows for Irish reunification in the context of a democratic vote: 50% + 1. … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Irish reunification, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein | 2 Comments

The most interesting conversation I have had about Irish unity for a very long time

Posted on Sunday, 26 March, 2017 by

Last week I had the most interesting conversation about Irish unity that I have had for many long years. It was with Alex Kane, the North’s most widely-read unionist-minded columnist: he has opinion columns in both the Belfast Newsletter and the Irish … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Irish reunification, Northern Ireland, Protestantism, unionism and loyalism, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein | 2 Comments

Getting ready to be governed by Sinn Fein in the Republic

Posted on Thursday, 23 February, 2017 by

Politics is a strange business. One word and one man’s name that were almost entirely unknown a few years ago now look as if they are going to change modern Irish politics and history: they are ‘Brexit’ and ‘Maurice McCabe’. … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein | 1 Comment

Why do people like me demonise Sinn Fein?

Posted on Wednesday, 27 January, 2016 by

In a response to the revised version of my last blog published in the Irish Times, which began with a laudatory profile of Julie-Anne Corr Johnston of the Progressive Unionist Party, a reader called Joe Nolan chastised me in the following … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Sinn Fein | 1 Comment

Why Enda Kenny should say ‘thank you’ prayers for Kevin McGuigan and other killers

Posted on Tuesday, 27 October, 2015 by

Taoiseach Enda Kenny should be saying ‘thank you’ prayers these days for Kevin McGuigan, Gerard ‘Jock’ Davison and the other IRA killers and lethal Northern leopards who cannot change their spots. Just as he is beginning his election campaign around … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein | 1 Comment

A constructive Sinn Fein proposal to begin healing and reconciliation?

Posted on Monday, 27 April, 2015 by

I have been reading Uncomfortable Conversations, an interesting little book on reconciliation published by Sinn Fein earlier this month. It contains one rather good idea, but is also notable for what it leaves out. The booklet is largely based on a … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein | 1 Comment

Why Sinn Fein preferred a No vote in the Scottish referendum

Posted on Thursday, 25 September, 2014 by

One of the most thought-provoking (and to an Irish audience, most relevant) articles on the Scottish independence referendum appeared on an inside page of the Irish Times two days before the vote (i). It was an interview by Northern editor … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Sinn Fein | 1 Comment