Free T Taylor

RNU member Tony Taylor was jailed for three years in 2011 for possession of a rifle and had his early release license revoked in 2016 and returned to Maghaberry. Over the last month, both Sınn Féın and SDLP politicians in Belfast and Derry have called for him to be either charged or released, alleging that his detention is contrary to section 6 of the Human Rights Act (Irish News | Derry Now | Derry Now). Gael Force Art (Fb) took to Slıabh Dubh/Black Mountain to highlight the case.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Common Sense

 The Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) (Tw | Fb) is an advisory body to the UDA and produced Common Sense (available at CAIN) in 1987 (and before that, in 1979, NUPRG produced Beyond The Religious Divide, which is mentioned in the long-standing John McMichael mural in Lemberg Street (see We Must Share The Responsibility); this is the side-wall to the new C Coy South Belfast UDA/UFF/UDU/UYM/LPA mural in Tavanagh Street.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Divis Bonfire 2017

There were riots last night in the Divis and Markets areas of the city, after material for August 9th anti-internment bonfires was removed (Tele). On the lower Falls, the disused Credit Union building on Ross Road was burned down (Belfast Live). Here are three images from last week of graffiti from the Townsend Street side of the Divis Street from the Divis Hoods Liberation Army (DHLA).

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Join The People’s Army

Another vintage IRA image is reproduced, not a road sign like Sniper At Work but a badge, which originally had “provisionals” rather than “IRA”.

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The Battalion Of The Dead

Gary “Magoo” McCann is honoured as “a dedicated Vol of 2nd Battalion C Coy Village who on the 17-11-2016 was called to join his friends and comrades in the Battalion of The Dead” in a new Red Hand Commando board on Frenchpark Street below the memorial to Sammy Mehaffy, John Hanna, and Steve McCrea. Tributes were paid by South Belfast Protestant Boys and Linfield Supporters Club who called him “a Village legend”. The mural in the second image (below) is on Donegall Avenue, under the Tates Avenue bridge, on the way to the Railway stand at Windsor Park.

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What Did I Have?

Gerard Gibson, aged 16, was shot dead by members of the Royal Green Jackets (“murdered by British crown forces”) in Lenadoon on 11 July 1972. His case was examined by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) but the family rejected the findings (BBC). This board show today is in a similar style, and close to, that of Fıan Sean Ó Rıordan, but Gibson is not identified as a youth member of the OIRA (as Sutton identifies him).

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04336 beechmount ave erected by the gibson family four green fields that was my grief

North West Volunteers

“Hungerstrike & North West Volunteers Commemoration. 1:30 pm Sunday 21st May, Rosemount Factory, Derry.” The march will go from Rosemount to City Cemetery (Derry Journal).

IRSP placard on railings in Foyle Road, Derry

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Buster Keenan

A new mural to William “Buster” Keenan was unveiled this month – July 8th – coincidentally the anniversary of wife Eileen’s death. Both are listed on the UVF memorial stone (image 3) in front of the mural, along with David Ervine and the Long-Cordner-Bennett-Seymour quartet.

According to ACT, Keenan was involved in the Battle Of St. Matthew’s (in which Bobby Neill and James McCurrie were killed, along with Henry McIlhone). To the left (fourth image) is another “Ulster Volunteers” stone, a “Sydenham roll of honour – to those who gave their lives in the Great War”.

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inverary dr ycv east belfast battalion fusiliers rifles canadian inniskilling rifleman royal navy highlanders

Met With Resistance

A bleeding poppy, representing the conquests of the British Empire, is added to the PSNI officers in riot gear, part of a Saoradh protest of political policing at Creggan shops. “End PSNI/MI5 abuse.”

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Freedom Fighter For The Republic

IRA volunteer George McBrearty was shot, together with Charles “Pop” Maguire, by the SAS on May 28th, 1981. This new mural was painted by Bogside Artist Kevin Hasson and unveiled on the 36th anniversary of his death. McBrearty is wearing an Easter lily on his lapel and the proclamation of independence backgrounds his portrait. (Video of the launch.)

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X04298 X04299 in proud memory and tribute to IRA óglach patriots fighting for freedom pat mcbrearty unveiled by mother bridie 2017