Category: Northern Ireland

MPs Overturn Attempts to Scrap Offender Immunity in Legacy Bill

MPs have overturned attempts to remove a conditional immunity provision from contentious legislation aimed at halting post-conflict prosecutions in Northern Ireland. The House of Lords had voted to tear up an element of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which offers those accused of Troubles-related crimes immunity from being prosecuted if they cooperate…


Witness who Claims IRA men Killed in SAS Ambush Were ‘Psychopaths’ Called a ‘Liar’

BELFAST (via videolink)—An inquest into the deaths of three IRA men killed in an SAS ambush in 1991 has heard them described as “psychopaths” by a former member of the Provisional IRA. But Vincent McKenna was immediately accused of being a “liar” and an “attention seeker” by the family of one of the dead men,…


Son of Murdered Politician Tells Tories to Scrap ‘Obscene’ Legacy Bill

Paul Wilson said anyone who committed crimes during the Northern Ireland Troubles should face justice The son of a high-profile politician murdered in one of the most gruesome and shocking attacks of the Troubles, has urged Westminster to halt plans to end conflict-related prosecutions in Northern Ireland. Paul Wilson called proposals under the Northern Ireland…


Troubles Amnesty Expected to Become Law Next Month

Controversial legislation that will create a prosecution amnesty for those who committed conflict-related crimes in Northern Ireland, is expected to become law next month. Cabinet Office minister Johnny Mercer told MPs Thursday that the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill will have cleared all stages by the summer recess, despite fierce opposition. Earlier this…


Tour of The Troubles: Belfast in a Black Taxi

It was a sunny Saturday morning, warm for early spring, and the city was bustling with life. Families pushing strollers. Earnest cyclers on the back of their bikes. Smiling couples walking together, stride for stride, perhaps heading into the center of the city for some shopping and a bit of brunch. But as we cruised…


Seven in Court Charged With Attempted Murder of Northern Ireland Detective

Seven men—including a father and two sons—have been remanded in custody and charged with the attempted murder of a senior Northern Ireland police officer. Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times outside a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, in February. Caldwell had been coaching a youth football match and was with his…


Sinn Fein Becomes Largest Party in Northern Ireland Local Government

Sinn Fein has become the largest party in local government in Northern Ireland for the first time after making large gains in the council elections. Of the 462 seats across 11 councils, Sinn Fein won 144 seats, an increase of 39 from the last council election in 2019. It overtook the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP),…


Northern Ireland Tourists to Face Immigration Checks

Tourists crossing into Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland are set to be hit by immigration checks. The regulations, due to be rolled out by the Home Office next year, will mean those visiting the region from abroad will be legally required to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The scheme will legally require…


AUKUS Is Developing Operational Vitality, but Faces Strategic Challenges

Commentary AUKUS, the nascent Australia-United Kingdom-United States of America strategic pact, continues to show considerable pace and development at an operational level but increasing division and dysfunction at a strategic political level. AUKUS, with three member states of the five-state “Five Eyes” intelligence exchange treaty (UK, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), is showing…


Rishi Sunak Tells DUP to do the ‘Right Thing’ and Return to Power-Sharing in Northern Ireland

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to do the “right thing” and restore the power-sharing executive and assembly at Stormont. Sunak made the comments on Wednesday night during a speech at Queen’s University in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The…