Faces & Places of Northern

Ireland

Hugh Doyle (West Belfast) served 1 year on remand for bomb possession

The Felon’s Club on the Falls Road, West Belfast

Raymond McCartney: Sinn Fein representative at the Felon’s Club event honoring prisoners.

McCartney served a 17-year sentence, refused food for 53 days during the first hunger strike in 1980.

Gerry McDonnell at the Felon’s Club with his memorabilia of Irish history during “the Troubles”

Gerry McDonnell (IRA):

Interned 3 yrs., 3 mos. without trial (released 11-’75)

Arrested 3-’77 (convicted of bombing London)

Diplock Court sentenced him to 16.5 years

Blanket Protester in HMP Maze (Long Kesh, H-block)

1 week on hunger strike 1980

Escaped from Long Kesh 1983

Captured in Scotland 1985

Released (GFA)

Seamus pictured at the Internment anniversary bonfire in West Belfast. Notice the peace line in the background.

Anthony McIntyre:

IRA (1973-1998)

18 yrs in Long Kesh

Blanket Protest

Writes journal of protest (“The Blanket”) with wide-ranging viewpoints

Critical of Sinn Fein

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Meeting with “?”:

Joined the IRA 1972

IRA/Sinn Fein Dissident

No photos were allowed

Our group was dropped off at an intersection by taxi, met by Anthony McIntyre and brought to an undisclosed location

Possibly head of the Continuity IRA

Denis Bradley (Vice- Chairman, Policing Board):

Ex-Catholic priest

Oversees PSNI

Patten Commission made 175 recommendations to reform the RUC.

Opinion Spectrum on RUC:

• Disband (republicans)

• Leave as is (loyalists)

Initial Problems with Police Reform:

• Badge Design (use all symbols)

• 50-50% Recruitment of Cath/Prot

• Recruiting from less contentious areas, little from working class

Gerry Adams (President/Sinn Fein) at the book signing for Sinn Fein: A Century of Struggle at Rodai Mac Corlai’s club on Glen Road.

By bringing republicans into mainstream politics, Hume damaged support for his own political party, his response to critics was did they care more about saving lives or the party.

Michael Copeland (Ulster Unionist Party):

East Belfast representative

Former commissioned officer with the Ulster Defense Regiment (UDR)

Wife served in RUC and shot with an M60 machine gun in 1978

Member of the Orange Order (claims to walk rather than march in parades)

Michael took us for a tour of Cluan Place…Michael took us for a tour of Cluan Place…

David Ervine (Progressive Unionist Party):

UVF paramilitary

Arrested for possession of explosives

Six years in prison

‘Yes” vote on the Good Friday Agreement

He believes Northern Ireland has a paramilitary subculture with conflicting moralities…”but look what they’re doing to us…”

Margaret Ritchie (SDLP):

Member of District Policing Partnership in County Down

Predicts police force will take 20-30 years to reach proportional representation

Claims Unionists did not bring people along on the Good Friday Agreement and have been intransigent on weapons decommissioning

Gregory Campbell (DUP)

East Londonderry:

Claims 95% of Protestants want to stay with the UK and 60-70% of Catholics agree

Peace process in a state of limbo, and will take a “wait and see” attitude with the IRA permanent cease-fire

Resentful of discrimination against Protestants as a result of Catholic gains regarding jobs

Falls Road Fun: Going to a 70s night at a local pubFalls Road Fun: Going to a 70s night at a local pub

Festival of the People (The Beat)Festival of the People (The Beat)