Sunday World Editor attacked in Belfast City Centre

Journalist attacked in Belfast City Hall

The Sunday World newspaper is well known for its investigative journalism and over the years it has exposed and uncovered some of Northern Ireland’s leading and most ruthless killers, terrorists and drug-dealers, but because of this the newspaper and it journalists have had to suffer the consequences. Their newspaper office has been firebombed and a bomb was left on the premises, former Sunday World editor Jim Campbell was shot and seriously wounded because of his association with the paper and Sunday World journalist Martin O’Hagan was shot dead by Loyalist paramilitary group LVF.

No Justice for victim’s families

In previous blogs I talked about the issue that was dominating the news, that issue was of course devolution of policing and justice to Northern Ireland, whilst our politicians love to bang on about this subject to anybody that will listen it seems that the ordinary people of Northern Ireland don’t share the politicians enthusiasm on who has responsibility of our country’s policing and justice. At present Policing and justice matters remains the responsibility of the UK Government and Parliament at Westminster.

People of Northern Ireland would show more interest in this issue if politicians did their job better by demonstrating to people how this will have an effect on their lives and how it is significant to them, in the news this past week there has been a few examples of families who feel hard done by at a lack of justice, and these are regular people in terrible circumstances that anyone could find themselves in.

Holland family make “Compelling case” to Attorney General

Holland family make “Compelling case” to Attorney General                   
The family of Harry Holland the West Belfast greengrocer who was killed near his home two years ago have met with the British Attorney General Baroness Scotland this week to protest at the sentences that were handed out to those involved in his death, members of Mr Holland’s family were joined by the West Belfast MP Gerry Adams.
The 65 year-old was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver when he tried to stop a group of joy riders who were trying to break into his delivery van in September 2007 he was found outside his house by neighbours and he later died in hospital.
Two teenage boys and two teenage girls were arrested for Harry’s murder, but one of the girls was not charged. Before the case went to court, the Public Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to charge Patrick Crossen and the other girl with murder.

Gaddafi to compensate protestant victims

The DUP released a statement on their website today stating that they have had a series of meetings at a very high level in Tripoli at the invitation of the Libyan authorities- The meetings were held to negotiate with the Libyan government over compensation for protestant victims of IRA violence, The DUP believe that Libya should compensate the victims because Colonel Gaddafi supplied the IRA with weapons and explosives during the troubles, the DUP said their MPs met with the Mayor of Tripoli, the Libyan minister for Europe and the Speaker of the General Peoples Congress. On his return from Libya Nigel Dodds said “This has been a constructive and positive first direct engagement with the Libyan authorities. It constitutes a major milestone in our campaign on behalf of Libyan involvement in helping IRA terrorism.”

Devolution of Policing & Justice to Northern Ireland

The devolution of policing and justice has always been a contentious issue between political parties in Northern Ireland, back in 1999 when power over matters such as Education, Health and Agriculture were devolved to the N.I Assembly, policing and justice was shelved until a later day. Well that day has arrived and last week Prime Minister Gordon Brown unveiled a proposed budget to Northern Ireland’s first and deputy first minister’s, Gordon Brown said his Billion-pound offer to complete devolution in Northern Ireland would secure peace and prosperity in the region but the two main political parties are feeling far from peaceful and prosperous.