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Reality matters very little to the DUP or Johnson
Tag: The Irish News
A full inquest into the suspicious death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe will not be completed until January 18th 2021
Preliminary hearing ahead of full inquest into death of schoolboy
A CORONER investigating the suspicious death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe has demanded an end to online speculation about his death.
Coroner Joe McCrisken branded some of the social media commentary about the 14-year-old’s death as inaccurate, baseless and potentially criminal. The St Malachy’s College pupil was found dead in a storm drain near the M2 motorway in June, six days after he went missing in North Belfast. Police believe he entered the drain in the Northwood Road area of North Belfast. He had cycled to the area from his home in South Belfast and shortly before he went missing he was seen with no clothes on. Prior to that the schoolboy was seen falling off his bike on the Shore Road. His disappearance prompted a major search operation with hundreds of people from across Belfast involved.
Noah’s mother Fiona and aunt Niamh attended an opening preliminary inquest hearing in Belfast on Friday July 24th 2020. A full inquest is due to be heard on January 18th next year. The coroner, said there was an understandable desire among the public to establish what happened to the schoolboy, he criticised those expressing opinions online. “Most of this content has been inaccurate and baseless and some has been distressing to Noah’s family, and some may have been criminal,” he said. The coroner, who described Noah as “well liked, fiercely intelligent and hugely talented”, said the speculation had to cease immediately.
During the 15-minute hearing, the coroner outlined some details around Noah’s last movements. He made clear that Noah had not been seen interacting with any other people in all the CCTV footage police had secured of his journey to Northwood Road. He said his bag containing his laptop was found on York Street and his phone was found on North Queen Street. The coroner said while some items of Noah’s clothes had been recovered, other items had not been found – namely a green coat, gray Primark shorts with no logo, white underwear and a dark green T-shirt with a light green and orange skull image.
He urged anyone with information about the items to come forward. The coroner also told the hearing that there was no evidence that his death was linked to any other deaths. Solicitor Niall Murphy, representing the family, said he welcomed the call for the unhelpful and ill-informed commentary to stop. “The family reiterate that that stop today,” he said. Mr Murphy called on residents in the area where Noah went missing to check their CCTV camera recordings. The solicitor said the family hoped the inquest would be able to answer their questions as to how Noah came to be in a state of undress and how he entered the drain. He thanked all of those who had been involved in the search and who had passed their thoughts to the family. Mr Murphy said they had provided a “modicum of comfort” as the family endures a “living nightmare”. A further preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 30th.
With many thanks to: The Irish News for the original story
Follow these links to find out more: https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/as-a-coroner-you-dont-get-paid-to-cry-ive-built-up-a-resilience-to-very-distressing-evidence-but-dont-confuse-that-with-being-hardened-there-are-cases-i-find-difficult-emotionally-35463751.html
(2)-: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-northern-ireland-53513654
(3)-: https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/noah-donohoe-mum-issues-statement-18653260
Woman abused as child by stepmother praised for role in changing ‘unfair’ redress law
A CHILD victim of horrific abuse has been praised for her part in changing the law on compensation payments.
“I recognise the impact this had on all victims whose applications were refused simply because they lived with their attacker”
Naomi Long
“The same household rule was unfair and I recognise the impact on all victims whose applications were refused simply because they lived with their attacker,” the Alliance minister said. Amending the law will bring the Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (NICICS) into line with Britain. Applications for retrospective payments should be made within two years. “The payment can never fully compensate for the injuries suffered, but it is recognition of the pain and suffering of victims who experienced abuse and violence perpetrated by members of their own household,” Mrs Long said.
Follow this link to find out more about Breige McLaughlin (Meehan) -: https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3205039782909107&id=100002093504519&set=a.439170419496071&source=48&ref=bookmarks
Ms Meehan waived her right to anonymity in The Irish News back in 2009, having made a complaint to the PSNI/RUC the previous year about her stepmother. A daughter of prominent republican Martin Meehan, who died suddenly in 2007, she had been subjected to around 15 months of almost constant daily physical and mental abuse at the hands of McLaughlin (Meehan) from the age of nine. She was eventually taken into care in 1980, underweight, covered in bruises and with patches of hair missing. The former Newtownabby Sinn Féin councillor pleaded guilty to two assaults and child cruelty and neglect between July 1979 and October 1980. Seven counts of alleged sexual abuse were left on the books.
She was given a suspended sentence on the basis of her age, guilty pleasure and perceived low risk to the public. Ms Meehan would have been entitled to a criminal injury payment had she not lived with her abuser. However, the antiquated ‘same roof’ policy led to her being refused compensation. That was overturned on appeal by Lord Justice Treacy in November 2018 when he said: “We can think of no reasonable foundation for a decision to maintain in being an arbitrary exclusion of this proven victim of criminal injuries from a compensation scheme which is specifically designed to compensate such victims.”
Victim Support NI chief executive Geraldine Hanna on Tuesday June 9th praised the actions of Mary Meehan in pursuing the change to the law. “I am delighted that this discriminatory clause in the Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme has finally been removed. “It has caused unimaginable hurt and pain to the victims of childhood abuse. Children do not have a choice over where they live – they cannot remove themselves from the home and live independently in order to escape the abuse. “By remaining in the household they are not consenting to the abuse they experienced – they simply had no other choice. This abuse will have affected them throughout their lives.
“We would encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible for this compensation to contact us for independent information and support. “We thank all those who have long campaigned for this change, in particular the victims whose successful legal challenges in 2018 led to the abolition of this rule.” Speaking to The Irish News, Ms Meehan said: “I am delighted that the law has been changed and no-one else will have to through what I have. It’s been a very long journey and a stressful time. “I hope that other victims, who were maybe afraid to come forward, will see this new law and know that things have changed, hopefully for the better.”
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Allison Morris for the original story
How to relieve poverty? Give the poor money
STORMONT is required to produce an anti-poverty strategy under January’s New Decade, New Approach deal. This is the first priority the deal lists in a programme for government.
Of course, Stormont was also required to produce such a strategy under the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements. The executive thought it had done so in 2006 but in 2015 the High Court ruled it had not been detailed enough, in a case brought by lobby group the Committee for Administration of Justice. This generation-long argument is now coming to a head at precisely the moment concepts of government support are being transformed. Over a quarter of all employees in the North of Ireland have been furloughed at public exspence. The self-employed, making up another 15 per cent of the workforce, have been offered almost half a year’s income in grants. Formerly exotic theories about a Universal basic income (UBI) have become a mainstream topic of debate around the world, although that debate as already looming. A UBI trial in the North of Ireland was in the Alliance Party manifesto for last December’s general election. There is no sign any of this new thinking has influenced work on the anti-poverty strategy. Judging by what has dripped out of the process so far, the executive is still beavering away on a classic collection of schemes, initiatives, projects and objectives.
In part, ministers have to do this – there is a High Court ruling to comply with. Largely, they are being carried along by the enormous inertia of public sector and third sector interests involved. Yet realism should not blind us to what now appears an obvious alternative: why not just give the poor some money? Even as a thought experiment, it is useful and revealing. According to the Department for Communities, there are 151,000 people of working age in relative income poverty in the North of Ireland, defined as living in a household with less than 60 per cent of the median UK income, or £17,760 a year. Almost all of these people are also in absolute poverty, defined as being unable to afford a decent standard of living, and so in effect another relative income measure.
It is not a grotesque simplification to suggest that Stormont should stop spending the entire anti-poverty budget on itself
Stormont could give this number of people significant direct assistance. UBISOFT trials tend to offer around £500 a month but this is meant to replace benefits, not in addition to them. As benefits in the North of Ireland are not paid out of Stormonts budget, it could top up the average claimant’s £288 per month in payments to £500 for a total cost of £384 million per year. That is a lot of money, although well within the order of what is spent tackling poverty already. The Department for Communities budget is three times larger and “reducing poverty” is one of its strategic priorities. It is 3 per cent of Stormont’s budget overall. Half as much is reallocated in unspent funds in a typical year.
The sum could be raised in full by putting rates bills up by a quarter, or a large share could be found by cutting existing programmes, spending on which goes mainly on wages for professionals and administrators – the ultimate guaranteed income for the North of Ireland. Stormont ministers have often voiced the view that public spending has a role in stimulating the economy. The most effective form of stimulus spending is giving cash to people on low incomes, as they spend it all immediately on basic goods and services. This so-called ‘helicopter money’ is another once-exotic theory that coronaviris has pushed into the mainstream. There is certainly a powerful case for a one-off helicopter drop this year.
One of the key arguments for a UBI is that it sweeps away the complexity and contention of the benefits system by giving the same entitlements to everyone. While means-tested support would not have this advantage, it could hardly be more bureaucratic or imperfect than the the existing benefits system, which Stormont administers. The issue of unwittingly subsidising low wages already arises through tax credits, administered by HMRC. Stormont could blaze a trail on this through devolution of the minimum wage, also pledged in New Decade, New Approach. Poverty is about far more than a lack of money, which could be seen as merely a symptom of a lack of opportunity. Nevertheless, lack of money is how it is defined and how progress in tackling it is measured. It is not a grotesque simplification to suggest that Stormont should stop spending the entire anti-poverty budget on itself.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Newton Emerson for the original story
The System Is The Problem
This letter appeared in The Irish News today Thursday June 25th 2020
THE killing of George Floyd is tearing apart the farcical myth of ‘land of the free”, of the land ‘of tolerance’ built supposedly by free, loving and equal migrants.
Despite the restrictions people locally and around the world taking to the streets have every right to be angry. This is not about George Floyd. It is about more than 200 years of oppression and savagery. Those who demand that protest remains “civic” and harmless, deploring “vandalism” in far more strident terms than they deplore racism, are nothing but hypocritical defenders of the status quo. The real vandals are those who think that carrying a blue uniform gives them a right to maim and torture at will. The system is the problem, not this or that police officer, not this or that president, not this or that party.
It requires deep transformation of the political institutions which are the product of legacy and brutality, segregation, exclusion, war, militarism, invasion and imperialism. The people on the streets today have the answers, while our ruling elites don’t even know the questions.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Sean Matthews, Crumlin, Co Antrim for the original story
Family of man shot by British Army to take legal action against PPS
The widow of a north Belfast man shot dead by the British army almost 50 years ago is set to launch legal action over a decision by prosecutors not to order a new PSNI investigation into the killing.
Isobel Copeland’s husband John died in October 1971. Mr Copeland (23) was shot close to his Ardoyne home by a member of the Green Howards regiment and died two days later. Just before he was killed another man, Michael McLarnon, was shot by troops in nearby Etna Drive and died a short time later. Mr Copeland’s widow is currently suing the Ministry of Defence for the alleged unlawful killing of her husband. In 2014 Attorney General John Larkin refused a request to order a fresh inquest into the case. However, after the release of a draft Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report by the RUC/PSNI, Mr Larkin was asked to revisit his original decision. In response he wrote to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) asking them to direct the RUC/PSNI to investigate the shooting.
The PPS has subsequently refused to make what is known as a section 35 (5) referral.
“We have been fighting this for 15 years and it’s [still] going around. Hopefully we will get some sort of closure” Eddie Copeland
Mr Copeland’s son, prominent Belfast republican Eddie Copeland, said his family was disappointed by the latest decision. “Legacy cases are just dragging their heels and it’s really disappointing,” he said. “My mother is going into her seventies and we want some sort of closure for her before it’s too late.” Mr Copeland said he is mindful of other family’s who lost love and that his family is determined to continue their campaign despite the latest set back.
“I was one and half when my father was killed and my sister two and a half,” he said. “Between us there will be someone there to fight. “We have been fighting this for 15 years and it’s [still] going around. “Hopefully we will get some sort of closure.” Solicitor Kevin Winters, of KRW Law, said as a result of the Attorney General’s intervention the Copeland family had “raised expectations that at last their case would be looked at”. “With decisions like this you cannot blame families if they become disillusioned,” he said. Mark Thompson from Relatives for Justice, who has helped the Family, said: “Rather than acting in the interest of justice it appears the PPS is content with this continuing situation. “This is unacceptable.” A spokesman for the PPS said: “While we understand why families may view a section 35(5) request as a vehicle by which their case can be expedited, the Director of Public Prosecutions considered such a request inappropriate in this case. “The reasons for this have previously been outlined in a letter to the legal representatives of the Copeland family.”
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Connla Young for the original story
Cases against six retired British soldiers to continue
LEGAL cases in the North of Ireland against six retired British soldiers will not be affected by government efforts to prevent what it has described as “vexatious prosecutions”, it has been reported.
Cases are expected to proceed to trial against six former British soldiers including ‘Soldier F’, who faces murder charges over Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972. The British government has been preparing legislation claimed to stop “vexatious” prosecutions of soldiers linked to the Troubles. The Sunday Times reported that the legislation will not affect the cases already under way, for which trials are expected to start at the end of this year or early in 2021. Government sources told the paper the legislation would not pass through parliament until the end of this year at the earliest.
“There is no existing mechanism for the government to step in with respect to prosecutions in the North of Ireland that are currently on going,” a senior government source said. “Changing the position regarding the government’s powers over prosecutions in the North of Ireland would require primary legislation and would be contrary to the devolution of policing and justice.” Tory MP Bob Stewart, a retired colonel, told the Sunday Times: “I don’t think this is justice for our soldiers who have been investigated number times and then brought before the North of Ireland courts. The prime minister promised he going to sort this out.” UK defence secretary Ben Wallace defended the government’s plans. “The government has repeatedly committed to ensuring equal treatment for veterans, most recently by the prime minister,” he said. “We continue to work with colleagues to deliver on that commitment and end the scourge of vexatious claims and repeated investigations.”
With many thanks to: The Irish News for the original story
‘No misconduct’ in RUC/PSNI handling of officer’s affair with ally of gang linked to Ronan Kerr murder
RUC/PSNI close to Ronan Kerr’s charges as man sentenced over guns and explosive find
PSNI constable Kerr was killed by a booby-trap bomb in his car in Omagh on Saturday,
The update was delivered on the day a 36-year-old was sentenced for a weapons find made three days after the murder.
Officers say that the investigation into the murder is the largest ever undertaken by the force and that they have identified the group they believe carried out the car bomb that killed Kerr in April 2011. They also believe they can link this group to other incidents.
The PSNI’s assistant chief constable for crime operations Drew Harris described the investigation into the murder as “lengthy and complicated”:
Although we have yet to bring charges for Ronan’s murder, this investigation, which is the largest in the PSNI’s history, is far from over. Detectives in serious crime branch have linked a total of 17 incidents to the same network of individuals and terrorist groupings. These include attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies.
“We have made progress and we believe there is potential to bring other individuals before the courts. But we are not complacent,” added Harris.
PSNI constable Kerr was killed when booby-trap bomb went off after he got into his car at Highfield Close in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
The PSNI say that the resultant investigation has led to 14 arrests, 123 house searches and the seizure of 7,947 items.
Coalisland guns and explosive seizure
The update on the investigation was provided by the PSNI as 36-year-old Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Road, Omagh, was sentenced to a total of 10 years after admitting having guns and explosives with intent to endanger life and being a member of the IRA. Five years will be in custody with five
The arms and explosives, which included assault rifles and Semtex, were uncovered by detectives in premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone three days after the murder of Kerr in April 2011.
Following Coyle’s sentencing, PSNI officers have released a number of photos of the items seized that led to his conviction.
PSNI close to Ronan Kerr charges as man sentenced over guns and explosive find
PSNI constable Kerr was killed by a booby-trap bomb in his car in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April
POLICE INVESTIGATING THE murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr have said that they believe they are close to making further charges.
The update was delivered on the day a 36-year-old was sentenced for a weapons find made three days after the murder.
Officers say that the investigation into the murder is the largest ever undertaken by the force and that they have identified the group they believe carried out the car bomb that killed Kerr in April 2011. They also believe they can link this group to other incidents.
The PSNI’s assistant chief constable for crime operations Drew Harris described the investigation into the murder as “lengthy and complicated”:
Although we have yet to bring charges for Ronan’s murder, this investigation, which is the largest in the PSNI’s history, is far from over. Detectives in serious crime branch have linked a total of 17 incidents to the same network of individuals and terrorist groupings. These include attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies.
“We have made progress and we believe there is potential to bring other individuals before the courts. But we are not complacent,” added Harris.
PSNI constable Kerr was killed when booby-trap bomb went off after he got into his car at Highfield Close in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
The PSNI say that the resultant investigation has led to 14 arrests, 123 house searches and the seizure of 7,947 items.
Coalisland guns and explosive seizure
The update on the investigation was provided by the PSNI as 36-year-old Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Road, Omagh, was sentenced to a total of 10 years after admitting having guns and explosives with intent to endanger life and being a member of the IRA. Five years will be in custody with five on licence.
The arms and explosives, which included assault rifles and Semtex, were uncovered by detectives in premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone three days after the murder of Kerr in April 2011.
Following Coyle’s sentencing, PSNI officers have released a number of photos of the items seized that led to his conviction.
- PSNI close to Ronan Kerr charges as man sentenced over guns and explosive find
PSNI constable Kerr was killed by a booby-trap bomb in his car in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
POLICE INVESTIGATING THE murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr have said that they believe they are close to making further charges.
The update was delivered on the day a 36-year-old was sentenced for a weapons find made three days after the murder.
Officers say that the investigation into the murder is the largest ever undertaken by the force and that they have identified the group they believe carried out the car bomb that killed Kerr in April 2011. They also believe they can link this group to other incidents.
The PSNI’s assistant chief constable for crime operations Drew Harris described the investigation into the murder as “lengthy and complicated”:
Although we have yet to bring charges for Ronan’s murder, this investigation, which is the largest in the PSNI’s history, is far from over. Detectives in serious crime branch have linked a total of 17 incidents to the same network of individuals and terrorist groupings. These include attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies.
“We have made progress and we believe there is potential to bring other individuals before the courts. But we are not complacent,” added Harris.
PSNI constable Kerr was killed when booby-trap bomb went off after he got into his car at Highfield Close in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
The PSNI say that the resultant investigation has led to 14 arrests, 123 house searches and the seizure of 7,947 items.
Coalisland guns and explosive seizure
The update on the investigation was provided by the PSNI as 36-year-old Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Road, Omagh, was sentenced to a total of 10 years after admitting having guns and explosives with intent to endanger life and being a member of the IRA. Five years will be in custody with five on licence.
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The arms and explosives, which included assault rifles and Semtex, were uncovered by detectives in premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone three days after the murder of Kerr in April 2011.
Following Coyle’s sentencing, PSNI officers have released a number of photos of the items seized that led to his conviction.
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Ronan Kerr investigation
1/6 Assault rifle from Mountjoy Road seizure
All pictures
With many thanks to: The Journal for the original story
Probe call into RUC/PSNI officer’s affair with associate of gang linked to Ronan Kerr murder
The Irish News yesterday revealed that a policewoman had been reprimanded over having the inappropriate sexual relationship.
A number of complaints were upheld at an internal disciplinary hearing last month and her pay was docked.
She had initially been suspended before returning to office-based work, but has now resumed operational duty.
In 2014 the PSNI sent a file in relation to the case to the Public Prosecution Service, but it decided not to pursue a prosecution.
Police said the matter was not referred to the ombudsman because it was “not the subject of a public complaint”.
It is understood the man with whom the PSNI officer was romantically involved is associated with members of a criminal gang linked to Constable Kerr’s murder.
The 25-year-old Catholic policeman was killed in 2011 when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car in Omagh.
No-one has ever been charged with his murder, which was blamed on dissident republican paramilitaries.
The criminal gang is suspected of involvement in the theft of cars for dissidents involved in the murder plot.
The SDLP’s Dolores Kelly, a former Policing Board member, said she intends to lodge a complaint with the ombudsman to “ensure that a thorough investigation takes place”.
“The PSNI may have taken all necessary steps, and imposed proportionate and appropriate sanctions in response to the misconduct,” the Upper Bann MLA said.
“However in my view, given that public confidence in the PSNI is essential, it is important that the Police Ombudsman scrutinises the actions taken by the PSNI to judge whether or not appropriate action was taken.
“Consequentially I will lodge a complaint to the Police Ombudsman to ensure that a thorough investigation takes place.”
According to the Police (NI) Act 1998, the chief constable may refer to the ombudsman any matter involving an officer facing criminal or disciplinary proceedings if an ombudsman investigation is considered in the “public interest”.
Asked again yesterday why the case had not been referred to the ombudsman, the PSNI said it would not be making any further comment.
The Police Ombudsman’s Office said it had been in contact with the PSNI and can “understand and appreciate why no referral was made”, but declined to say why.
It added: “We frequently receive referrals from police when independent investigations by this office may be appropriate in the public interest, and we anticipate that this will continue to be the case in the future.”
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Brendan Hughes for the original story
THE POLICE OMBUDSMAN has cleared the RUC/PSNI of misconduct in its handling of a policewoman’s affair with an associate of a gang linked to Constable Ronan Kerr’s murder.
Mr Kerr’s family made a complaint to the watchdog after The Irish News in 2018 revealed the policewoman in Co Tyrone had been reprimanded but allowed to return to work. The family raised concerns about the adequacy of the internal RUC/PSNI probe and whether it impacted on the murder investigation. Mr Kerr, a 25-year-old Catholic policeman, was murdered in 2011 when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car in Omagh. No-one has been convicted of the murder by dissident republican paramilitaries, although one person (Gavin Coyle) was jailed for offences connected to the investigation. It is understood the man whom the policewoman was involved is associated with members of a criminal gang linked to the killing. The criminal gang is suspected of involvement in the theft of cars for dissidents involved in the murder plot. The policewoman was suspended from duty after the affair emerged and the RUC/PSNI launched an investigation. In 2014, the RUC/PSNI sent a file in relation to the case to the (PPS) Public Prosecution Service, although it decided not to pursue a criminal prosecution.
In 2008 several complaints were upheld at an internal disciplinary hearing and the officer’s pay was docked, but she returned to operational duty. Police said it never referred the matter to the Police Ombudsmen because it was “not the subject of a public complaint”. The Police Ombudsman’s office in a statement confirmed the conclusion of its investigation. A spokesman said: “On March 14th 2018, The Irish News published a story that a serving police officer had been disciplined following an internal police investigation into her relationship with a man reported to be associated with members of a gang linked to the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr. “We subsequently received a complaint from Constable Keer’s family which raised concerns relating to the adequacy of the internal police investigation of this matter, and about possible implications for the investigation of Constable Keer’s murder. “We investigated these matters and found that the internal police investigation had been appropriately thorough, and that police had given consideration to any potential impact on the murder investigation. “There was no evidence of any misconduct in the way these matters were addressed by police.”
An RUC/PSNI spokesman said the matter had been investigated in 2013 by its Anti-Corruption Unit. “The RUC/PSNI is committed to ensuring that it’s officers and staff behave according to the highest ethical standards and we are committed to working with PONI [Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland] to detect and address behaviour which falls below these standards,” he said. Police said their their investigation into Mr Kerr’s murder is continuing and again urged anyone with information to come forward, “particularly about the origin and sourcing of the component parts of the bomb”. “Since Ronan was killed, detectives have made a significant amount of progress relating to his murder and a series of linked incidents, including attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies,” they said. “Our resolve and the resolve of Ronan’s family remains as strong today as it was on the day that Ronan was killed. “If you can assist in any way by providing information, please do so. It is the right thing to do. Ronan and his family deserve justice.”
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Brendan Hughes for the original story – b.hughes@irishnews.com
Proposed British government (UK) to referendum rules on Irish Unity would override the ‘simple majority’ terms of the Good Friday Agreement
“Because of the nature of the British constitutional legal system an Act of the Westminster Parliament would prevail in domestic law, policy and practice” prof Colin Harvey
NEW proposals to change British (UK) referendum rules requiring almost two-thirds support for any constitutional change would override the ‘simple majority’ terms of the Good Friday Agreement and the Scottish parliaments right to vote on Scotland’s Independence.
The Referendum Criteria Bill, which is awaiting its second reading in the House of Lords, proposes that “constitutional or parliamentary arrangements” can only be changed on a turnout of more than 55 per cent of the electorate. If enacted it would require a majority of 60 per cent to be successful. According to the British (UK’s) leading research body on constitutional change ‘The Constitution Unit’, the 1998 Northern Ireland Act and GFA “are cast in terms of a simple majority vote in a North of Ireland poll, and with no minimum turnout threshold: 50 per cent +1 suffices”, with a “binary” choice “between remaining in the UK and a United Ireland”.
There would be a simultaneous poll in the Republic. The Private Members Bill by Lord Cormack, does not have the official backing from the government and without it is unlikely to become legislation. It is not thought to have been floated specifically as a means of thwarting the recent upsurge in a call for a border poll, with the Conservative peer on the record with his dismay over the way Brexit was handled. Lord Carmack (pictured in the featured image ) has a fractious relationship with the Johnson administration, having criticised the now Prime Minister and then Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt for “an appalling spectacular” of appealing to just “500 paid-up members… in Northern Ireland” during the Tory election campaign during “the gravest crisis in Hong Kong since the handover”.
However, the government benches will take note of what support it attracts as the makes its way through the formal processes in two houses. Private Members’ bills introduced in the Lords can only continue to the Commons if an MP supports the bill and even then are unlikely to have much, if any, time devoted to them. But if they do garner support in the Commons they are more likely to pass the Lords on their return and so become law. QUB Professor of Human Rights Law Colin Harvey (pictured above) stressed that as a Private Members’ Bill rather than a government bill it “is unlikely to go anywhere”.
“However, the thinking that it reflects is worrying. Applying these criteria to a referendum on the constitutional future of this region would, in my view, breach the terms of the Good Friday Agreement,” he said. “Because of the nature of the British constitutional legal system [with its continuing emphasis on parliamentary supremacy] an Act of the Westminster Parliament would prevail in domestic law, policy and practice.
“That constitutional legal fact remains a major challenge for all those who wish to see the effective implantation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements. And also why there must be an agreed British-Irish framework for taking forward the envisaged referendums on this Island.”
RHI DRAFT LAW TO BE TABLED
A DRAFT law tackling many of the flaws in government in the North of Ireland uncovered during the RHI inquiry is to be tabled.
It would create a specific criminal offence for a minister or special adviser to communicate confidential government information to a third party, proposer Jim Allister said. The bill would reduce the number of special advisers within the Executive Office from eight to four and impose a cap on their pay. It would also make plain that the appointing minister is “accountable and responsible” for their actions.
The TUV leader said: “I am throwing the gauntlet down to them.
“Are you for transparency and proper record keeping, bringing things under control or is it so much talk?”
His proposals would ensure the activities and meetings of ministers and special advisers were adequately recorded within the civil service.
It would make it a criminal offence for any minister, civil servant or adviser to use personal accounts for emails involving government business.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Bimpe Archer for the original story
Follow these links to find out more: https://www.thejournal.ie/united-ireland-border-poll-3136932-Dec2016/
(2)-:
Co Down man a ‘person of interest’ in the lorry murders of 39 migrants
A 23-year-old truck driver from Co Down is a “person of interest” in the investigation into the deaths of 39 people in a lorry container in Essex.
Eamon Harrison, from Mayobridge, was arrested at Dublin Port on Saturday. On the same day, he appeared before Dublin District Court on unrelated assault and criminal damage charges. He was refused bail and remanded in custody until October 30th.
Essex Police have said he is a “person of interest” in their investigation. Officers from the English force are thought to have travelled to Dublin on Monday to speak to Mr Harrison. Loyalist Mo Robinson (25), of Laurelvale, Co Armagh, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Monday charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and money laundering as part of their investigation.
Three other people arrested in connection with the investigation – a 38-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman, and a 46-year-old man – have all been released on bail until November.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Claire Simpson for the original story
Follow these links to find out more: https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/eamon-harrison-appears-court-after-17153090
(3)-: https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/areas-we-cover/Northern%20Ireland/County%20Down/Mayobridge
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