Category Archives: News

news as it is happening-ish

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx2EP-6he-0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpeZDzQhqyU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1AQv6hI2oo

Via today’s Irish News (unavailable online)

NI First Minister Peter Robinson has voiced support for the Belfast preacher whose firebrand sermon is at the centre of a hate crime investigation.

The DUP leader said that in the past he had joined the congregation of Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle to listen to Pastor James McConnell (above) preach and that he intended to go back to the church in the future.

He described the preacher as “somebody who has lived his life for Christ”. The first minister said it was “the duty of any Christian preacher to denounce false doctrine”. “That’s a duty – so he’s perfectly entitled to do that – it’s an appropriate thing for a minister to do”, he said.

The DUP leader also said he did not trust Muslims who had been involved in “terrorist activities” or those who were “fully devoted to Sharia Law”. But he did say he would “trust them to go down the shops for me” and undertake other day-to-day tasks.

Right so.

No word from the First Minister about the homophobic sermons then?

Peter Robinson under fire for backing Pastor James McConnell’s Islamic remarks (BBC News)

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Former Fianna Fáil senator Dan Kiely is pressing ahead with a legal challenge to the result of the local election in the Listowel electoral area. The now independent candidate lost out by just two votes to Fine Gael’s Mike Kennelly in the final count – a result that was upheld in a recount demanded by Mr Kiely on Sunday.

Mr Kiely is now going to the courts in an effort to force another recount – one that will allow him to look at the 173 spoiled votes in the Listowel local electoral area.

Mr Kiely said that neither he nor any of his agents were party to the adjudication on the invalid votes on Saturday and did not have an opportunity to examine them before the recount.

Former Senator lost out by two votes (Dónal Nolan, The Kerryman) (not available online)

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The first TUV councillor to be elected to Belfast City Council has apologised for sectarian comments she made about Catholics on Facebook.

However, Jolene Bunting (21) said she does not regret their content.

“I wrote them in the wrong. I’ve matured since then and I realise now that ranting on Facebook isn’t going to change anything. The council chamber is where I will be voicing my concerns,” she said.

“I do want to apologise for the innocent people in the Court ward who I offended with by using the word Catholic when I meant republicans,” she said.

“At the time I was young and not a member of the TUV and I know that since then I have matured in my knowledge and understanding.”

 Fenian bastards not Catholic bastards then.

What about the asylum seekers/Eastern Europeans/travellers/hairdressers?

TUV councillor Jolene Bunting ‘sorry’ for anti-Catholic rants on Facebook (Dave Whelan, Belfast Telegraph)

Previously: A Traditional Voice

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(Top) Brian Hayes and  Eamon Ryan  (above) calling for a recount.

4am: A night of high drama in the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin as the Dublin European election went to a 7th count to decide the final 2 seats.

Lynn Boylan of Sinn Féin was the first candidate to be elected on count 3 after recording an initial 83,264 first preferences votes.

By count 7, it came down to Eamon Ryan (Green), Nessa Childers (Ind) and Brian Hayes (Fine Gael) for the remaining two seats.

It ended with victory to Childers (73,598) and Hayes (73,405) with Ryan closely behind on 72,256 votes who immediately asked for a recount.

A decision on whether a recount will be held will be made at 2pm this afternoon. If Brian Hayes is elected, a by-election in Dublin South West will be needed to decide his vacant Dáil seat.

Recount Requested in Dublin Constituency (RTE)

Meanwhile, earlier…

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From top: Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) following the third count; and the eliminated: Emer Costello (Labour) with her husband Joe Costello TD and Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail).

(Laura Hutton, Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)

 

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Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore spoke to Aengus Mac Grianna on this evening’s Six One News in light of Labour’s performance in the local and European elections.

He said:

“We have to renew Government. We have to renew what we’re doing in Government. We have to hear very clearly the squeeze that families are under and to address that….and the Labour party has to renew itself.”

When asked about his leadership he said:

“Well there’s no question about my leadership. I’ve taken on a responsibility and the responsibility we took on in Government we knew at the time was always going to be a difficult responsibility and I intend to discharge that responsibility and to continue doing so.”

Gilmore intends to continue as Labour leader (RTÉ News)

Meanwhile…

Previously: When You Say Nothing At All