A True Soldier Of Ulster

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“On a cold Friday afternoon in February 1989, a young Red Hand Commando volunteer, Stevie McCrea, gave up his life to save others during an attack by the IPLO – a republican drug gang – at the Orange Cross Club just off the Shankill Road. Stevie, who was celebrating his last day on a work-out scheme with friends, went to the club for a farewell drink. A short time later, after gaining access through the outer door of the club, three IPLO gunmen burst into the main bar and started shooting indiscriminately. Stevie reacted immediately, placing himself between the gunmen and his friends. He was shot a number of times. Sadly he died from his injuries two days later. Stevie, even as a young man was a willing and active volunteer for the RHC, which culminated with him being arrested in October 1972 and being sentenced to life imprisonment early in 1973. Stevie served 16 years as a political prisoner in Long Kesh. He thoughtlessly gave up his life for others. A true soldier of Ulster. Forever remembered by friends and comrades. Lamh dearg abu.”

The obituary in the March 1998 issue of Combat states that McCrea was no longer in the RHC after his release from prison.

This new photographic mural, with “Loyalist Compound 21, Long Kesh prison camp” as a background, replaces a painted one to McCrea that had stood since 2000.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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North Down West Belfast

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Here are two UDA/UFF “North Down – West Belfast” boards, one in Clandeboye Road, Bangor (above) and the other in Lenamore Park, Newtownards (below). The UDA in North Down is split into two factions, one associated with the Shankill (west Belfast) UDA and the other with the East Belfast UDA. The former is based primarily in Newtownards, but not exclusively, as the board above shows. It is also remarkable for its use of hooded gunmen in “active” poses.

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This Is Our Republic

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Sınn Féın won 73 of 105 seats in the Westminster election of 1918. Instead of taking their seats, they formed an independent Dáıl Éıreann, meeting for the first time on January 21st, 1919, in Dublin. On the same date, Irish Volunteers in Soloheadbeg, Tipperary, ambushed a convoy of gelignite, escorted by two RIC police, both of whom were killed – this attack would mark the opening of the War Of Independence. This new stencil by Lasaır Dhearg (web | tw) aims to promote the Democratic programme of the first Dáıl Éıreann. This is our mandate. This is our Republic.” beginning with the Proclamation of the Easter Rising.

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Bíodh An Chaınt Agaıbh

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“Have the talk” is a campaign encouraging people to use and learn Irish/Gaeılge from Conradh Na Gaeılge’s PEIG (Pobal – Eolas – Ilmheáın – Gaeılge) multimedia web site (Fb | tw). This advertising hoarding is in Belfast city centre.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Britain Remembers

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Although not completely visible in the image below, the ‘Britain remembers’ Remembrance Day flag includes the Ulster Banner, the flag of NI parliament until 1972, rather than the St Patrick’s Saltire. This is also the flag used by the Irish Football Association, the governing body of soccer in NI, to represent its teams, as is shown by the personalised supporter’s plaque in Cosgrave Heights. The organisation’s name derives from the fact that the body pre-dates partition and used to govern the whole island and not just “our wee country”.

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Welfare Reform Destroys Communities

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“Scrap Universal Credit, PIP [Personal Independence Payment] & Bedroom Tax.” The Universal Credit scheme is designed to replace a variety of benefits, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance and Housing Benefit began in 2013 and will take a decade to roll out (WP). (The plan in the North is detailed at NIDirect.) People Before Profit (web | tw | Fb) oppose the programme (and related ones, such as PIP which replaces the Disability Living Allowance, and the Social Sector Size Criteria, a.k.a. Bedroom Tax), as described in this article on their web site.

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Just Because You Feel It, Doesn’t Mean It’s There

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A nightmarish spectacle from Dublin-based artist and illustrator Holly Pereira (web | tw | ig), who was in town for CNBX/HTN18. Comment if you know the inspiration.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Weeds Shall Overcome

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According to the All-Ireland Bumble Bee Monitoring Scheme, data collected by 80 citizen scientists shows that a third of the bee species in Ireland is threatened with extinction (Irish Times). The mural above from UV Arts in Rossville Street aims to bring attention to bees and to promote the growth of wild flowers.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06396 X06397 “This mural was designed and created by participants from Zero Waste North West in collaboration with UV Arts CIC and Grow Wild. The project set out to celebrate our native wildflowers and weeds which bees rely on so heavily. There are many different types of weeds, even the most intrusive gives something back, they green over the dereliction we have created, they grow in the most hostile environments – a bombed city, a crack in a wall – meaning that they insinuate the idea of wild nature into places otherwise shorn of it, but most of all they provide a vital food source for our declining bee population. We want to promote and celebrate the role of the humble weed in our society by encouraging people to grow wild, connect with nature, celebrate diversity, and protect the eco-systems that protect our planet.”

Dinosaurs Under Paisley

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Commentary on the largest loyalist political party, the Democratic Unionists, under the flyover at Nelson Street, Belfast: DUP – dinosaurs under Paisley.

Previously: End The Age Of Dinosaurs.

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