Former Ulster Unionist councillor Harvey Bicker has joined Fianna Fáil. The ex-British soldier has not been active in frontline politics for several years. Whether or not one is a supporter of Fianna Fáil, it's certainly good news that those who formerly pledged allegiance to the British Crown are beginning to turn to the Irish...
Today's Irish News published details of how highly sensitive information on school pupils and their families was found lying about in Camlough, Co. Armagh. The revelation was made by SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley, who had been passed the information.The highly sensitive material contained information on 120 people who were pupils quite a few years ago and included details about threadbare clothing on unwashed children and derogatory descriptions of parents. The files included details of of doctors' examinations, information on admissions to a psychiatric institution and prosecutions for non-attendance at school.One parent was described as a 'n'er do well'. Nice.However, rather than accept Mr Bradley's right as a democratically elected politician- nay, a citizen- to publicise...
In
Education,
SDLP,
Sinn Féin,
Newry and Armagh,
Dominic Bradley,
South Armagh,
Northern Ireland Assembly,
Camlough,
Irish News,
personal data,
lost files,
Caitríona Ruane,
SELB,
South Down
I reported a few days ago how PJ Bradley's posters have been ripped down in parts of South Down. Thankfully there have been no other reports coming through from that neck of the woods, but it seems that this wasn't an isolated incident. SDLP Assembly candidates across the north are reporting that attacks on their posters are concentrated in certain parts of a few constituencies, and all the indications are that teams postering for other parties are responsible for the major attacks.The SDLP's East Derry candidate John Dallat hit the nail on the head when he said that really we ought to pity these oafs. He said: "Within one hour of being erected in Garvagh, our posters were removed by local ‘loyalists’ who took time off from their usual anti-social activities to try and cancel...
Yet again I hear the despicable news that SDLP South Down stalwart PJ Bradley has had his election posters torn down from lamp-posts by his political opponents. I don't suppose the fact that PJ has worked tirelessly for the community in the area has any bearing on these idiots' outlook. Time and again the good people of Warrenpoint, Burren, Mayobridge, East Newry and beyond have thrown their weight behind PJ, and every time he delivers on the ground.PJ commented: "For the second time in two weeks I have had up to posters removed in a specific area. Modern posters are expensive and the cost to me runs into hundreds of pounds. This is organised political sabotage of a kind which I had hoped we had left behind us. I am certain that there are no local people involved in these incidents, but...
Here is a brief video of the SDLP's South Down MP Eddie McGrady talking about the instability of partnership between the DUP and Sinn Féin, and how it is necessary to have a strong SDLP to effect real progress and bring stability.The fact is that since 2003 when the DUP and Sinn Féin became the biggest parties in the 'Assembly', progress has been painfully slow. Even now the public is left unsure of whether it will be voting people into an Assembly that will actually meet, or whether things will end up being wound-down by Peter Hain, leaving us to endure another generation of Direct (mis)Rule.On 7th March, progress can only be guaranteed if people vote for progressive...