November, 2005

Ah the infamous Northern Bank robbery. Almost a year now, isn’t it?

And in a bizarre twist, one of the employees involved in the heist is also suspected of being involved in the heist.

Jimmy Porter on Desolate Row tells us why he thought Chris Ward was involved in the Northern Bank robbery since his television interview in January last year. Strangely, Mrs Levee and her Sister were talking about this very same thing the other evening.

I said to friends after Ward’s ‘interview’ with Kevin Magee on BBC’s Spotlight back in January, that I thought Chris Ward may have been involved. They scoffed at this idea, saying I shouldn’t be so judgementative. But lets look at the evidence I picked up by simply watching a 30 minute interview with half a bottle of merlot in me.

I didn’t have any definite thoughts either way about Chris’ possible involvement, so I’d be interested to hear what others thought about his arrest.

Update: Because this piece is ranking frighteningly highly in Google at the moment, here’s a bit of a disclaimer! I don’t know Chris Ward, or enough about the actual Northern Bank Robbery last year to comdemn the fella. A number of commenters here and elsewhere have suggested that they know Chris and his family personally. I’ve heard similar things from my In-Laws who lived in that area at a time and know the family.

I am watching this case with much interest at the moment, anyway. What is the circumstantial evidence? What raised the suspicions of the PSNI? Where are the mass protests at the court from Sinn Fein?

Wednesday, November 30th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

I’ve been pondering this quite a bit recently. You look at the news of “On The Run’s”, claims of the Review of Public Administration being weighted in favour of Sinn Fein, etc, etc, and sometimes you wonder whether the British Government is working for Sinn Fein. I’m thinking this, and I’m not a Unionist!

You know what I’m talking about - despite overwhelming public opinion, the Government seems hell-bent on pushing through concessions that are pissing off politicians and ordinary pleblings alike. (I include myself in pleblings - I’m under no illusions!)

The Newsletter carries a letter from a concerned Unionist fellow about this distinctly un-democratic activity.

These humiliating, demoniacal acts imposed upon the Unionist people and others are just awaiting around the corner for you, if and when you achieve your intended aims by the driving force policies of the G8, the standards of which you presently do not display.

Not just imposed upon the Unionist people. Imposed upon all of us, whether we like it or not. Does it fall under the legendary ‘mandate’ that our parties claim we gave them? Certainly not on the ground. Most people I’ve spoken to are completely baffled by what’s going on between the Government and Sinn Fein. Have our political parties bickered for so long that the British Government have picked their horse and are sticking with it?

Today, Peter Hain is claiming that “[the Government] won’t accept any wrecking amendments [to the OTR legislation]. If there are strong cases put we will look at that constructively.”

My own question is “Are Sinn Fein considering anyone else in their drive for a United Ireland, or is it one triumphalist victory over another and to hell with the consequences?” I really do wonder. And I’d be especially interested to hear from Chris on this.

Wednesday, November 30th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

Boke. Boak. Boake.

Is it the more European ‘boque’? Of is it more Oirish, as in ‘mBhokhe’?

Hell, whatever it is, Baby D’s good at it. He can babble and spew bile out his mouth simultaneously.

Unfortunately, this means he’s destined to become a politician. Your prayers at this difficult time are appreciated.

Tuesday, November 29th, 2005 // Observations

Sis sent this to me today and it is scary how many people I know that have done some of these things!

Only in Ireland… Can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.

Only in Ireland… Do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters.

142 Irish were injured in 1999 by not removing all pins from new shirts. (Happened to Mr Levee on our wedding day!)

58 Irish are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers. (Have done this myself more than once)

13 Irish have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.

Irish Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling accidents.

101 people since 1999 have had to have broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of the soles of their feet. (In our house we often injure ourselves by standing on plastic toys but thankfully have not yet had them embedded in our feet)
18 Irish had serious burns in 2000 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.

A massive 543 Irish were admitted to A&E in the last two years after opening bottles of beer with their teeth.

5 Irish were injured last year in accidents involving out of Control Scalextric cars.

AND finally……… In 2000, 8 Irish cracked their skull whilst throwing up into the toilet! (A good friend of mine didn’t quite crack her skull but did lose a few teeth, something she has never been allowed to forget!)

Tuesday, November 29th, 2005 // General, Observations

It seems like everywhere we go these days Santa appears. So much so that even our 4 year old has started to get suspicious. When asked by her granny the other day whether she had been to see Santa yet, she replied that she had seen santa, but not “the real one”.

Its hard to explain to her why all the Santas look different, why some are friendly and some not and how its possible for Santa to be in every shop and centre that we visit!

Wannabe Santas should definitely have a dress code to adhere to. There should be no skinny Santas, no Santas with really crap and obviously fake beards and no Santas with DM boots. Most of all they really should be jolly.

We came across a rather dour specimen in Junction One on Saturday who wouldn’t even look at the kids as he walked past, never mind return their excited waves.

In an effort to explain the phenomena I have tried the old Santa is magic spiel which hasn’t worked. Next I will try to explain the imposters as Santas elves, just lending a helping hand. If anyone has any better ideas or suggestions I’d love to hear them, as with three young children this is a trick we are going to have to master very quickly!

Tuesday, November 29th, 2005 // Family Life

When I saw an article on Slugger earlier today about the ROI on the Peace Process, I thought it was a badly worded attempt to analyse the Republic of Ireland’s place in the Northern Irish puzzle.

Actually, what Mick was highlighting was that despite millions of pounds, dollars, euros in investment into Northern Ireland (and ultimately toward a lasting peace), our society is as dvided as ever, if not more so, and all that investment is wasted. The piece Mick is referring to is on the New Stateman website.

Perhaps the most telling quote was:

“Compared to the North, the republic got roughly one-third of EU funds made available, but they built a real economy, creating jobs and opportunity. We preferred the less travelled road of building an inter-community infrastructure around what is not there. Despite spending hundreds of millions of taxpayers? money on community relations, we have ended up more polarised than ever before.”

This isn’t a new idea. Peter Hain took serious flack not long ago for suggesting that we’re not paying our way.

Isn’t it true? We’re receiving millions in investment funds and they’re being frittered away on hare-brained schemes while at the same time our politicians fight tooth and nail to maintain division:

Increasingly, the fate of 1.7 million UK citizens is in the hands of two parties that hardly bother to compete with or relate to one another, but seek above all to ensure dominance of their own communities. And the state merely acts as their facilitator.

As someone who is religiously and politically neutral (well, free from the tunnel-vision of Nationalism/Unionism), it bothers me that in this day and age, parties like the DUP and Sinn Fein can railroad our society and carve it up according to their own agenda. It’s a source of constant frustration that ‘real’ politics is a sideshow and sectarian warfare (albeit verbal these days) takes center stage.

It also irks me that much of the funding we receive here is sucked up by cover organisations who have applied for peace funding, but used them in the eternal quest to keep NI segregated.

What’s to be done? Can we change things? Who’s going to listen? Answers please….

Monday, November 28th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

I came across this moment of pure brilliance by Simon Heffer over on ninme.com about the “On The Run” legislation.

wouldn?t all the troublesome aspects of the law and order business be removed if only the Government were to grasp the nettle and legalise crime? Just think of it - no need to spend all that money on police, judges, lawyers and jails. We could blow it instead on far more deserving causes, such as giving that nice Gerry Adams and his pal Martin McGuinness even more taxpayers? money to fund their campaign of hating the British.

Interesting concept, eh?

The problem today is that the legislation now appears to suit no-one. Gerry Adams is incandescent that the legislation includes members of the RUC and British Army. And - inconveniently - nobody in their right minds (we’ll call them ‘The Rest Of Northern Ireland, for ease of reference) wanted this legislation in the first place.

So, Marky Mark Durkan has appealed to Gerry Adams to withdraw the ‘On The Run” legislation altogether. Let’s hold off on that legalising crime idea - maybe Gerry will see sense and walk away. I mean, what sort of signal would it send out if he pursued this legislation against the wishes of all the other political parties and the moral conscience of Northern Ireland?

People might start to think he’s only looking out for the terrorists.

Sunday, November 27th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

Yes, folks. I know I’ve been laying the boot into Sinn Fein lately. It’s not as if I’m alone in doing that.

After all, it does seem that the British Government is pulling out all the stops to make life easier for the party. We’ll shortly be welcoming back our old “On The Run” muckers. The Northern Bank and McCartney investigations appear to be on a go-slow. Sean Kelly walking the streets after a very shady re-arrest. Etcetera, etcetera.

Anyway, it was with some amount of glee that I read about Francie Molloy being suspended from the ‘thought-police’ party this week. Molloy, as you probably all know, opposed the review of public administration in Northern Ireland. Well, not all of it. He was in favour of 15 councils instead of 7. That’s still a reduction from the 26 councils we currently have.

Molloy’s concerns were that the 7 council model would be an effective re-partitioning of Northern Ireland and that the proposed reforms represented a “sectarian headcount”. And then he was suspended.

Now, I’ve long held that Sinn Fein are a control-freak kind of political party (almost like Mr. Blair’s crowd). You don’t make up your mind, it is made up for you. And never deviate from the position as you have been told it. The suspension of Francie Molloy adds weight to this notion.

Sinn Fein supporters should look at this issue carefully. Why should Molloy be silenced? What is wrong with voicing an alternative opinion? Surely this is healthy?

Ask yourself - when was the last time a Sinn Fein member publicly opposed the official party line?

Friday, November 25th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

We’ve been having great debate about the On The Run legislation this week.

To my frustration and disappointment, the “On The Run” bill was approved in the House Of Commons by a majority of 310 to 262. However, I was heartened when I heard that this isn’t the end of the road for this legislation. Apparently it faces significant amendment in light of the strong opposition to it.

The “On The Run” Issue Is A No-Brainer

Why are we even discussing this?

These people - regardless of whatever cause they claim - chose to take the lives of their fellow human beings. Whether this was fuelled by religious hatred or political differences, it clear that these people are capable of murder. Has being ‘on the run’ rehabilitated them in any way?

Each of us is blessed with free will. We choose to take certain actions, and we have to deal with the consequences. So, if I walk into my local shop today and choose to shoot the checkout girl, will I be granted an amnesty? Of course not.

Now, I don’t care whether this applies to Republicans, Loyalists or security forces. The principle is the same. Kill a person - go to jail. Not kill a person, leave the country then return a decade later without serious consequence.

Really, what kind of message is this sending out?

The Motivations Of Sinn Fein

In Northern Ireland, terrorists consistently top the agenda, ahead of any other single issue. And why exactly is that? Because folk consistently vote for parties that have a narrow, often sectarian focus.

Look at our ‘friends’ in Sinn Fein.
levee: “What’ve you been up to lately, Gerry?”
Gerry: “Oh, well, we’ve just negotiated a bit of legislation that allows some of our old muckers in the ‘Ra back into the country without going to jail. Cracker, levee. Cracker.” His eyes glaze over a bit as he images those emotional reunions
levee: “What’s the latest on those water charges, Gerry? I’m worrying about how we’ll cope with the extra burden, you know.”
Gerry: “Err…water charges? We’ll need to work something out with Tony about the Northern Bank gang first….”

So, it comes as no surprise that Gerry and his pals aren’t willing to share this amnesty with ’state forces’. Oh no, because that means they’d effectively have to shut up about collusion. And all the while those water charges are looming larger…

How Many More Hurdles Until The Politicians Leave Us In Peace?

I ask myself every time something like this happens in Northern Ireland. How many more hurdles are going to be invented by political parties here before there’s nothing left to argue about? There’s always something, isn’t there? How much of it is reality and how much of it is fabrication designed to keep the conflict alive and the wounds raw?

Finally, does anyone else wonder what the result would have been if this had been submitted to a referendum? More importantly, does anyone wonder why it was not submitted to a referendum?

Friday, November 25th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

Like any blogger, I love seeing comments on stuff I’ve written. I think The Levee Breaks definitely benefits from the opinions that you guys bring, whether it’s about politics or movies or music or family life.

Just to make things a little easier, I’ve added a little check box to the comments form so that you can receive updated comments by email.

If you’re leaving a comment, just tick the box and - providing you’ve left the right email address - you’ll automatically get any follow-up comments by email. The email also contains an easy ‘unsubscribe’ link if you want to stop the emails. And don’t worry, I won’t use your email address for evil purposes. I’m not that kind of guy.

Thursday, November 24th, 2005 // General