Changing Times

Alas my project here has come to an end. So I no longer have the easy access to keep this blog running at the speed I normally do. So with the reason for dossing gone. I am not sure if I will be posting much here anymore. But if I get to a place where I have the time and the connection to the internet the Dossing Times will rise again. If anyone wants to contribute to this Blog by the way just drop me an email to thedossingtimes@gmail.com and I'll add you to the contributors list. Till I write again slan go foil. simon

IRA Statement DVD

Sinn Fein have placed the video statement on there website if you listen to it carefully you can hear a baby crying in the backround. Also it seems to have been taken outside as the flag is blowing in the wind. It looks also that it was filmed in just before nighttime

Ira Split

Reading some newspapers articles and listening to the radio and reading some boards and slugger. There are some people that are not happy. Will this result in a split .Time alone will tell. Key Words ira split ira irish Reaction

World Headlines

Nytimes I.R.A. Renounces Use of Violence; Vows to Disarm Fox News IRA Calls Off 'Armed Campaign' ABC News IRA Ending Longtime 'Armed Campaign' Boston GlobeIRA announces end of violent campaign Washington PostIRA Says It Will Abandon Violence The Times World is waiting to see if IRA deeds match the grand words The Irish IndependentThe day the Provos gave up the gun The Guardin After 35 years of bombs and blood a quiet voice ends the IRA's war An Phoblacht IRA leads the way The TelegraphThe cost of peace in Ulster The Belfast Telegraph On the road to peace? Daily Ireland History Awaits The Irish ExaminerIRA statement believed to end war technorati

IRA Statement

An interesting article from the irish times about the reaction by some IRA supporters

The photos merry go round is going to restart

Within the IRA statement are the words

he IRA leadership has also authorised our representative to engage with the IICD to complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible. We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this.

not the words that were demanded back in 2004 and early this year. How will the DUP UUP respoded to this lack of photos. well

STATEMENT BY DUP LEADER DR IAN PAISLEY MP MLA Holding statement by Democratic Unionist Party Leader Dr Ian Paisley MP MLA: �The history of the past decade in Northern Ireland is littered with IRA statements which we were told were �historic�, �ground-breaking� and �seismic�. These same statements were followed by the IRA reverting to type and carrying out more of its horrific murders and squalid criminality. The unionist community feels no obligation to cheer the words of P O�Neill. We will judge the IRA�s bona fides over the next months and years based on its behaviour and activity. Even on the face of the statement, they have failed to explicitly declare an end to their multi-million pound criminal activity and have failed to provide the level of transparency that would be necessary to truly build confidence that the guns had gone in their entirety. This lack of transparency will prolong the period the community will need to make its assessment. We treat with contempt their attempt to glorify and justify their murder campaign and we will be evaluating the extent of the price paid by the Government and the consequences that will have for the political process."

Two sentences jump out at me from that statement one

We will judge the IRA�s bona fides over the next months and years based on its behaviour and activity.

Meaning that they intended this period of making sure the IRA are telling the truth will take years and it may also be an attempt to prolong it for as long as possible. and two

This lack of transparency will prolong the period the community will need to make its assessment

ie we still want photos. Alot of positive comments however.

IRA Say the armed Campaign is over

From UTV it came at lunch time Here is the statent in full

The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms. All Volunteers have been instructed to assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means. Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever. The IRA leadership has also authorised our representative to engage with the IICD to complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible. We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this. The Army Council took these decisions following an unprecedented internal discussion and consultation process with IRA units and Volunteers. We appreciate the honest and forthright way in which the consultation process was carried out and the depth and content of the submissions. We are proud of the comradely way in which this truly historic discussion was conducted. The outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA Volunteers for the Sinn Féin peace strategy. There is also widespread concern about the failure of the two governments and the unionists to fully engage in the peace process. This has created real difficulties. The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland fully support this process. They and friends of Irish unity throughout the world want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Notwithstanding these difficulties our decisions have been taken to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland. We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country. It is the responsibility of all Volunteers to show leadership, determination and courage. We are very mindful of the sacrifices of our patriot dead, those who went to jail, Volunteers, their families and the wider republican base. We reiterate our view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate. We are conscious that many people suffered in the conflict. There is a compelling imperative on all sides to build a just and lasting peace. The issue of the defence of nationalist and republican communities has been raised with us. There is a responsibility on society to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of the pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s. There is also a universal responsibility to tackle sectarianism in all its forms. The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation. We call for maximum unity and effort by Irish republicans everywhere. We are confident that by working together Irish republicans can achieve our objectives. Every Volunteer is aware of the import of the decisions we have taken and all Óglaigh are compelled to fully comply with these orders. There is now an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the peace process. This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland. Irish Republican Army orders an end to armed campaign. The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation. Our decisions have been taken to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland. We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country." .

RTE report there statement came with

The statement given to RTÉ was accompanied by a DVD in which former IRA prisoner, Senna Walsh, read out the statement on behalf of the IRA.

Daily Ireland Plays Down Statement *sarcaism

History Awaits Republicans across Ireland are this morning anticipating one of the most significant developments in the modern history of the Irish The remaining text of this article will be available at 15:00 GMT

At least it seems to suggest the statement will be realsed at 3 and that it is favourable.

IRA Statement

Speculation is mounting about what the statement will say. From the Ny times

The Irish Republican Army has given up its armed struggle for a united Ireland, agreeing to turn solely to political methods, an American businessman said yesterday after being briefed on a statement expected from the guerrilla group later this week.

What the statement will say is unclear. But with Taoiseach Bertie ahern (irish Prime minister)going back to Dublin from the races in galway. Something is going to come out soon.It seems to be a bit of a harry potter senario leaving everyone on tender hooks. Anyway im Waiting i guessing very soon in time for lunch time news.McGuninnes is giving a press conference at 5pm in washington so it will probably be before that.

Multiculturism

Multiculturism seems to be the cool buzz word of the 21st century Ireland. WIth people seemingly trying to down grade irish culture thinking it is time to abandon celli music for flamnco. Thinking that the Irish pub culture should be abandon for cafe culture. And that we should all speak a foreign language and disregared irish. With river dance celli music is now popular throughout the world we should be proud of it not embarressed by it. Pub culture is great and europeans i have meet aspire to recreate the friendly atmoshere of an irish pub. Irish pubs are ever where in the world. you don't see french cafes everywhere in the world. Cafe culture is a very nice thing when you wish to have a quiet chat with a friend during the day. but when you are with a big crowd and want to shout and laugh at the top of your voice you can't really do that in a cafe. and if you want a quiet relaxing chat that you have in cafes. There is always the snug in bars. We have all the facets of cafe culture (save maybe the coffee and pastries) do we really need to abandon pubs for cafes. If we all went to cafes istead of pubs it would curb the drinking culture in Ireland but that would take the person to make the initial desicion not to drink. Which of course you can make in a pub anywyay. This rant is inspired by this post from Irish Eagle. While not saying that his views are the ones I am giving out about. But i felt the need to leave this commet.

I have to disagree. I don't think we are ever going to create a multiculturel society. nor should we each culture is as valid and good as each other culture. There is no need to degrade all cultures to create a single multiculture culture.Immegrents should not be britianise or irishise nor should we be forignies. People are what they are why do they need to change. And what is wrong with Multinationalism is it not the basics for the highly succesful E.U. With british and irish and french etc people living in other countries paying tax in other countries but still being irish living in italy for example.

So how popular is your name.

The CSO baby name stats are out.

What Charlie Did next

So now that Charlie McCreevy is the European Commissioner responsible for Internal Market and Services what is he at . i have just come across this interview. Sorry its a bit late. it took place over 3 weeks ago. But i still think it is interesting. He made a great point about Referendums in the EU and how politians need to accept what the people say.

For democrats and for EU political leaders it may be inconvenient when the people say ‘no’ to your proposition. It certainly is for a politician, when he’s standing before the people and the people decide ‘thank you very much Mr McCreevy, we don’t like you any more and we’re going to elect your opponent’. Very tough on Mr McCreevy and worse still when they say ‘and we are going to vote your party out of power’. Very tough on the occupants of government, losing their jobs and their status and everything else, but very, very good for democracy. That is the legitimate price that you pay for having a democratic system. Politicians in Europe should not complain when the issues have been debated thoroughly, they have been given good air time, and we haven’t been able to convince enough of the people of our argument. To me, that is democracy and I don’t ever have a problem with it.

Also in the news today of the 120% mortgageswill Charlie McCreevy statement on Mortgage Credit in the EU change anything

Good afternoon. Today we publish our Green Paper on Mortgage Credit in the EU, launching a wide-ranging public consultation on whether and how the Commission should propose action in this area. A home is the single largest purchase made by most EU citizens. It represents the single largest debt and potentially the single largest asset for most families in Europe. The EU mortgage market reflects this – it is substantial and growing. Figures for the end of 2003 show that outstanding residential mortgage balances stand at about 4.2 trillion Euro, which is equivalent to about 40% of EU GDP. Is the internal market working well here, or is there scope for Commission action to make the EU mortgage market more competitive and to increase choice and value for consumers? That is what today’s Green Paper is designed to help us to assess. It is a central part of the Commission’s on-going efforts to bring the benefits of the internal market in financial services to EU consumers. It has to be seen in conjunction with the asset management Green Paper published last week and the proposal for a directive on payments which I intend to table in the Autumn. Mortgages are a complex subject, involving many areas of law and policy. Our Green Paper reflects this – putting out for consultation options in all of these important areas, including consumer protection and the funding of mortgage credit. For example, we ask whether choice and value would be enhanced by EU standards for the information to be given to consumers shopping around for mortgages, the advice provided on mortgage deals and the fees charged to consumers wanting to switch mortgage loans. In addition, we explore ways in which lenders based in one Member State, can access information on potential borrowers and properties in other Member States, to encourage them to undertake mortgage business across borders, thereby increasing choice and competition in the EU mortgage market. These are just some of the examples of the variety of issues relevant to the development of the internal market for mortgages, addressed in this Green Paper. In considering how to develop our policy on mortgages, we have ensured that we have solid input from a wide variety of stakeholders and experts at all stages. The Green Paper takes into account the very valuable report from December 2004 of the Forum Group of experts on mortgage credit, which we created to advise us on ways to develop the EU market in mortgages. We have also commissioned a study on the general costs and benefits of integrating the EU market for mortgages. The results will be available on our website next month, at the beginning of the Green Paper consultation period. The end of this consultation will be marked by a Hearing, to be held in December of this year, which will provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of the consultation responses. We will study closely all the responses to the Green Paper before deciding whether Commission action in the EU mortgage market can add value and, if so, what form that action should take. As is our approach in all areas of our work, we will propose measures from next year onwards only if the consultation demonstrates that there is a clear business case for action. The benefits of any policy measure to improve the internal market for mortgages should outweigh the anticipated costs of this measure, and these benefits should be experienced by EU consumers and businesses alike. We will decide upon this in due course. Now is the time for reflection and debate.

In the document it is mentioned that placing of caps on interest rate needs to be discussed. So maybe Financial regulator's chief executive, Liam O'Reilly comments.

I don't think the financial institution can stand in the way of a person's constitutional right to make mistakes,"

Could indeed be proved wrong are still correct.

Usury Rules and Interest Rate Variation (26) Some Member States have legally enforceable caps on interest rates, often termed ‘usury’ rules where they are designed to prevent the charge of excessively high interest rates. The Commission has abstained from any intervention in this area, which involves important social considerations. • What are the implications of usury rules for market integration (including any relationship with products such as equity release and mortgage insurance)? • Should this issue rather be examined in a broader, non-mortgage specific, context? EN 10 EN (27) On interest rate variation caps, the Commission remains to be convinced on the extent to which they could hinder market integration or the development of particular funding structures. (28) Finally, the Commission notes that some Member States impose restrictions on the imposition of compound interest rates. • Do such restrictions hinder market integration? • What impact can they have on the development of particular products such as equity release products?

American Presidant 2008

Even though it is 2005 the presidential race is about to begin. An interesting article in USA today about this. I think the demrocratic nomination is pretty much settled .With Hilary looking the favourite.But also it seems that John Kerry will go again. However the Republican nomination seems less obvious with the Vice presidant not puting his name in the hat. The names that The USA Today put foward are

Republicans George Allen of Virginia Sam Brownback of Kansas Bill Frist of Tennessee (majority leader) Chuck Hagel of Nebraska John McCain of Arizona Democrats Evan Bayh of Indiana Joseph Biden of Delaware Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York Russ Feingold of Wisconsin John Kerry of Massachusetts

according to National Journal Georgre Allen is favourite for the Republican Nomination

IRA are not al-Qaeda says Blair

Woh Blair must really be trying to appease republicns now. It is interesting and now that i think of it possible right.

"I don't think you can compare the political demands of republicanism with the political demands of this terrorist ideology we're facing now,"

The IRA have a goal a 32 county republic. Al-Qaeda simply want distruction. But still tell that to someone who was killed. Sir Reg Empey reply was

“At our meeting yesterday the UUP delegation warned the Prime Minister against creating double standards between terrorists. A terrorist is a terrorist. Full stop. There is no point in using the numbers killed to distinguish between terror groups as the Prime Minister seems to be implying. However, if Mr Blair wants to use a crude stratification process in order to establish a hierarchy of terror, he will find that the number of those murdered and maimed in Northern Ireland is greater.”

Discovery Launch

After the Columbia disaster and much delays America has returned to space. With Discovery reaching a safe orbit around the earth.

Fine Gael Fine Dublin

Fine Gael is suppose to mean roughly Family of the Irish but looking at there website it looks like they should be more like Family of the Dubs. Fianna Fail are often critised for being mainly a rural party.But they still have 21 Tds in dublin While Fine Gael have about 3 and yet Fine Gael have such articles on there site as Fine Gael puts the capital city first - giving it back to the people At one point it says

Fine Gael has produced a National Manifesto for the upcoming elections, which addresses the broader challenge facing the nation. However, given the particular nature of the problems facing the capital city, we feel it vital that Dublin has its own set of policies spelt out in detail.

Basicaly saying that Dublin has to be treated differently to the rest country as if it is worthy of more then the rest of the country. From a party that has a leader from Mayo this beggers belief. Also that the website has a section on Fine gael in Europe and Fine Gael in Dublin. It seems to suggest that if Fine Gael get into power Dublin and Europe will get much more attention then the rest of the the country and the people.

Eircell Back

Eircom have bought Meteor. So hopefully this will be the start of a price war that will bring down prices of mobile phone costs. The fact that eircom can bring its size to bear on the market might mean that it can put a dent in to the monopoly of vodaphone and O2 . But the fact still remains that O2 and vodaphone have great financial muscle then Eircom so it will remain to see if eircom can do any better with meteor then Meteor did it's self. Eircom press release

eircom successful in bid for Meteor Issued 25 July 2005 eircom today announced that the company's bid for Meteor has been successful. The company has agreed to acquire Meteor from Western Wireless International at a cost of €420m. The acquisition will be fully funded by a rights issue. Meteor is Ireland's third largest operator and is Ireland's fastest growing mobile business. Over the last eighteen months, its subscriber base has doubled from 181,000 to 410,000. With the acquisition of Meteor, eircom will have delivered on its stated strategy to re-enter the attractive Irish mobile market. The acquisition will accelerate eircom's growth strategy and increase the size of the telecoms market available to eircom from €2 billion to approximately €4 billion. eircom is setting a target to double Meteor's current market share of 10% within three to four years by continuing to be the low cost operator, offering Irish consumers simpler, better pricing combined with quality service. eircom will also expand Meteor's reach into the post-paid market. The acquisition will be funded by a fully underwritten rights issue at a minimum subscriber price of €1.10 per share. The acquisition of Meteor and the rights issue are conditional upon the approval of eircom's shareholders with completion expected towards the end of 2005. Dividends per share are expected to be adjusted for the bonus element of the Rights Issue, such that the dividend yield will remain approximately constant. The Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT) which holds 20.9% of eircom's shares, has undertaken to vote in favour of the Acquisition and the Rights Issue and has stated that it intends to take up its rights in full. Commenting on the proposed acquisition, Sir Anthony O'Reilly, Chairman of eircom said: "Winning the bid for Meteor delivers on our promise to lead eircom back into Mobile. The acquisition will transform the growth prospects for eircom, which is good news for our shareholders and for our employees. Customers will benefit from our determination to ensure that Irish mobile users get a fair deal. Dr Philip Nolan Chief Executive of eircom said: "The acquisition of Meteor gives eircom a winning combination of broadband and mobile. This has been our goal since returning to the market last year. We look forward now to providing our unrivalled base of 1.4m customers with our newly acquired mobile capability, as the only company which can offer Irish consumers the full range of services - voice and data, over landline and mobile."

Cruella de Disney

She wanted the puppies to make a coat. Now it looks like disney just want them gone. They have started to kill the stray dogs in the new Hong Kong Disney Land. I wonder if they see two dogs eating spagetti by candle light will the leave them alone?

McDowell's New Bill

Interesting interview with Mcdowell on RTE news at one. Seems that the article in the examineer was wrong. Thanks to Gavin for finding this. Interview Here A review of the document does seem to support his view.

Strange Picture

This just really looks stange to me.

updates London incidents

Hammmersmith shepards bush line closed. The green sealed off. Seem police are at a pub near the spehpard bush empire. The 26 bus is the number of the bus damaged.

Update

University Collage Hospideal says it has no casuities coming in. but reports of armed gaurds there. Bakerloo line closed.

The London Bus Explosion

It seems that the bus is just pulled in and is not damaged. This is the bus in Hackney source BBC London Radio.

London Explosions

Great story on BBC London Radio. Witness to one of the explosions said that something went bang and a guy was jumped into the air with wires coming out of his bag. But he survived and looked surprised. Also reports of some guy running from the underground up the escllators away from everyone else.

More london bombs

There seems to be another bmb attack in london. maybe at warren street shepards bush ad oval tubes closed bbc reports of shoots at one station and a nail bomb in oe of the tube stations bus bomb on hackney road i hear. Seems so far to have been no deaths more when i hear seems more station closed. and raods closed. check out bbc radio london. waterloo padigton westminster green park amoungest others are closed

CIA Bill

It seems that government consent is needed to proceed with an investigation. This changes my mind on the subject some what.

Article 7 Limitations on Use 1. The Requesting Party may use any evidence or information obtained from the Requested Party: (a) for the purpose of its criminal investigations and proceedings; (b) for preventing an immediate and serious threat to its public security; (c) in its non-criminal judicial or administrative proceedings directly related to investigations or proceedings: (i) set forth in subparagraph (a); or 9 (ii) for which mutual legal assistance was rendered under Article 1 (1 bis)(a) of this Treaty; (d) for any other purpose, if the evidence or information has been made public within the framework of proceedings for which they were transmitted, or in any of the situations described in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c); and (e) for any other purpose only with the prior consent of the Requested Party. 2 (a) This Article shall not prejudice the ability of the Requested Party in accordance with this Treaty to impose additional conditions in a particular case where the particular request for assistance could not be complied with in the absence of such conditions. Where additional conditions have been imposed in accordance with this subparagraph, the Requested Party may require the Requesting Party to give information on the use made of the evidence or information. (b) Generic restrictions with respect to the legal standards of the Requesting Party for processing personal data may not be imposed by the Requested Party as a condition under subparagraph (a) to providing evidence or information. 3. Where, following disclosure to the Requesting Party, the Requested Party becomes aware of circumstances that may cause it to seek an additional condition in a particular case, the Requested Party may consult with the Requesting Party to determine the extent to which the evidence and information can be protected.

Mcdowell Gone to far?

Really should this be allowed. Does this not inpinge on our sorveienty. do we get the same back from the US in return. Irish Examiner

Treaty gives CIA powers over Irish citizens By Dan Buckley US INVESTIGATORS, including CIA agents, will be allowed interrogate Irish citizens on Irish soil in total secrecy, under an agreement signed between Ireland and the US last week. Suspects will also have to give testimony and allow property to be searched and seized even if what the suspect is accused of is not a crime in Ireland. Under 'instruments of agreement' signed last week by Justice Minister Michael McDowell, Ireland and the US pledged mutual co-operation in the investigation of criminal activity. It is primarily designed to assist America's so-called 'war on terror' in the wake of the September 11 atrocities. The deal was condemned yesterday by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) as "an appalling signal of how the rights of Irish citizens are considered by the minister when engaging in international relations". The ICCL said it appeared to go far beyond even what has been agreed between EU countries. On signing the agreement, the minister said that "the international community must do everything it can to combat terrorism with every means at its disposal. "Ireland will not be found wanting," he added. The treaty will give effect to agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition signed by the EU and the US in June 2003. These are aimed at building on mutual assistance and extradition arrangements. Although the Department of Justice insists that the arrangement merely updates existing agreements, it goes much further. The US may ask Irish authorities: To track down people in Ireland. Transfer prisoners in Irish custody to the US. Carry out searches and seize evidence on behalf of the US Government. It also allows US authorities access to an Irish suspect's confidential bank information. The Irish authorities must keep all these activities secret if asked to do so by the US. The person who will request co-operation is US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the man who, as White House counsel, instigated the notorious 'torture memo' to US President George W Bush which advised how far CIA agents could go in torturing prisoners. The person to whom the request is sent is the Minister for Justice. About 20,000 immigrants, who have not been charged with any crime, are currently in prison in the US. In two recent US Supreme Court cases, the US Government argued that US citizens could be imprisoned indefinitely without charge if the president designated them as "enemy combatants". ICCL director Aisling Reidy said: "An extraordinary aspect to this treaty is, despite its scope and its potential to violate basic constitutional and human rights, that all this happened without debate or transparency. "To agree to give such powers to a government which has allowed detention of its own citizens without access to a lawyer for over a year, which has legitimised Guantanamo Bay and the interrogation techniques there, without public debate, is an appalling signal of how highly or not the rights of Irish citizens are considered by the minister when engaging in international relations." The Department of Justice said it was wrong to say the treaty happened without debate, as the agreements update and supplement existing arrangements, and the EU-US agreement has been scrutinised by the Oireachtas four times since December 2002. A spokesperson also rejected that the measures go beyond what was agreed between EU countries. Legislation will be required to give effect to some elements of the Mutual Legal Assistance Instrument. The necessary provisions will be contained in the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill which Mr McDowell expects to publish shortly.

The Bill is Here

Jelly bean rage

One of the best stories I have read in a long time. For any of yee non irish readers the Gardai are the irish police force. jelly beans are a tye of sweet. From the independent

Garda inspector charged over clash with jelly beans AN inspector based at Garda headquarters in Dublin has been charged with three public order offences after trying to buy a bag of jelly beans with the incorrect tender from a vending machine. The officer was arrested by colleagues when staff at a fast-food outlet in Templemore, Co Tipperary, became alarmed at his behaviour and called out the local gardai. The inspector was in Templemore for the weekend and paid a visit to the Abrakebabra restaurant in the town with his wife and brother-in-law. He twice attempted to buy a packet of jelly beans from a vending machine but used a euro coin which was not acceptable currency in the machine. After he failed to obtain the sweets or retrieve his money he became very upset, according to staff, and allegedly began shaking the machine. Restaurant staff then contacted the nearby garda station and efforts were made to calm the inspector down. But after he allegedly refused to leave the area, he was arrested along with his wife and brother-in-law. The three were later charged with three public order offences, intoxication in a public place, threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour, and failing to comply with a direction from a garda. They were all released on station bail but will have to appear at the Templemore District Court in September. The inspector has completed 30 years' service in the force and is due to retire within the next couple of years. He is based at the force's headquarters in the Phoenix Park in a position which does not involve contact with the public. Meanwhile, a senior Garda officer is completing an internal investigation into an claim that a member of the force in north Dublin used a Garda van while on duty to pick up a woman in the capital and take her to Dollymount strand for a stroll. The investigation, headed by an inspector, established that the woman was a tourist and had been taken by the garda to the house where she was staying while in Dublin. Gardai tracked down the woman at her home in England and she denied that she had been taken to Dollymount. She also said there had been no impropriety and complimented the garda for taking her back to the house where she was staying. The alleged incident was reported by a probationer garda who had also been on duty at the time. Tom Brady Security Editor

Chemical spill

From Breaking News So dose anyone care for this. Should we ask chemical companies (some of the main companines in Ireland) to leave. I think not. But still a cover up is never good.

Green groups demand explanation of Cork Harbour leak 21/07/2005 - 08:11:05 Environmental groups have demanded an explanation from authorities following the leaking of a huge quantity of caustic soda into Cork Harbour earlier this month. Local Green Party councillor Dominick Donnelly has claimed that 260 tonnes of the toxic substance were leaked into the harbour on July 1 and 2 from the ADM factory in Ringaskiddy. He is demanding to know why the Environmental Protection Agency did not make the matter public at the time. The lobby group Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment also said the lack of information about the leak was undermining local confidence in the EPA.

Open Source Beer

AS mentioned over on Tom Raffertys it seems that some Danish Students have applied the open source model to beer.Publishing it under the Creative Commons licences. So what will happen an open source beer. should we create an irish version with a stout. only once ever ventured into the world of home-brewing i have to say it sounds like an interesting project. The beer they have created is called Version 1.0.

So what did you do at 18

Well if you are this guy you would say. Start an airline From the Liverpool Daily Post.

New airline chief waiting for his A-Level results Jul 18 2005 By Kate Mansey, Daily Post Staff Daniel Reilly promoting Nexus Airways at Liverpool Airport A TEENAGER dubbed the next Richard Branson has launched his own airline from his bedroom in Maghull. Daniel Reilly has not even received his A-level results yet but has launched a low-cost airline which will fly from Liverpool to the Canary Islands with flights costing as little as £50 for a one-way journey. Tickets for Nexus Airlines, which has been financed by investors in Yorkshire, go on sale at the end of next week. Daniel, a former pupil of Deyes High School, Maghull, said: "I have been planning this for two years and now it is about to become a reality. It's really exciting." The teenager, who lives with mother Nicola Reilly in Brook Road, Maghull, said: "I started flying lessons two years ago and my ambition was to become a pilot. "The idea of setting up my own airline started as a joke when my friends said I should charge to fly people abroad. I put together a business plan and contacted a financial adviser and now it is really happening." The airline, which will lease a Boeing 737 Jet from Palma-based Futura International Airlines, will fly twice a week to Tenerife, and once a week to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. But Daniel will be staying firmly on the ground in a managerial role as all the fully trained crew and other staff will be contracted out to established aviation agencies. A regular holidaymaker in Tenerife, Daniel got the idea when he was visiting his family's second home on the island. Daniel said: "Every time we went out there it was costing around £300 for a return flight which is ridiculous and I noticed there was no low-cost alternative. The British market seemed really far behind in this as Germany has had a service for years." If successful, Nexus Airways will be the first of its kind in the country and a first for Liverpool. The first four-hour-long flight for the no-frills airline is due to depart on November 1 this year. Robin Tudor, corporate affairs manager for John Lennon Airport, said: "Clearly we are delighted to see any new airline operating from John Lennon Airport. This would be a first for Liverpool and perhaps the whole country. We have already received quite a few calls from people interested in the flights." Daniel has now teamed up with Luton-based travel agency Travel Extras Worldwide which will provide hotels, car hire and insurance services for Nexus passengers. Jayne Jackson, marketing and PR director for the company, which currently works with BMI Baby and FlyBe, said: "We will be working with Nexus Airways to supply any passengers with all other ancillary products." Daniel, an only child, receives his A-level results in Business Studies, English Language, Sociology, and General Studies at the end of August but has shunned university to be an entrepreneur. He started the airline with the help of his mother's partner, Michael Smith of Thornton, Bradford. Daniel said: "From the age of 16 I knew university wasn't for me. I just wanted to get out into the real world. I don't know if I will be the next Richard Branson but I wouldn't say no. "I hope this time next year the business will be doing well enough to be able to expand to other destinations."

€13.6bn budjet Surples

Article from Irish Examineer by Fergus Finlay. Interesting points raised about the budjet surples the government is going to get due to increased econmic growth. But as is expected from Fergus "I am the Labour Party" Finlay it is quiet scadding of the Goverment. So what could this 13.6bn be spent on well i think it could be spent on a lot of things. if I had this money to spend I'm not sure roads health servicing the national debt are the ideas that come to my mind. However as we have the second lowest debt to GDP ratio in the EU maybe we should just focus on the roads and health.

The Government is loaded, but don’t ask what they’re doing with it By Fergus Finlay WHAT would you do if someone gave you €13.6 billion? I know the standard answer — you’d probably add a few bob to it and pay your debts. But when you stop to think about it, it's a lot of money an awful lot of money. Even if you had a lot of parties, and invited all the neighbours to each one, you wouldn't make a hole in the first million. Even if you gave them all a car to drive home in. €13.6bn. This is what it looks like when it's set out in figures €13,600,000,000. Do you get the picture? It's almost too much money for any of us to get our heads around. It's actually the equivalent of around €3,500 for every man, woman and child in Ireland. There's no doubt about it, if you were the Government and you had that amount of money available to you, you could solve an awful lot of problems. But guess what? That's exactly the amount of money the Government can expect over the next few years. I'm talking about extra money, not the money they spend at the moment, or the money they raise in taxes. This is extra money they're going to get, year on year, from now to 2010, adding up to the astonishing figure of €13.6bn. What must the Government do for that extra money? Nothing. Zilch. Nada. They just have to count it. They don't have to raise taxes, they don't have to rob a bank (and there isn't a bank big enough to give that kind of heist anyway). They just have to sit and wait, and the extra money will roll in. This is the good news the Government doesn't want us to know. They're afraid we might want some fairly urgent and pressing problems dealt with if we find out. But it's the truth. That enormous pot of extra money will be available to the Government over the next few years. Where's it going to come from? It's not magic, it's the fruit of economic growth, the direct extra payoff to the state from a rapidly-growing economy. Last week, the Central Bank published its annual report. A dry old document, it has to be said. I'd seriously recommend it to anyone who's having difficulty getting to sleep at night. It has an awful lot of sentences like "The former aims at assessing short to medium-term determinants of price developments, focussing mainly on the assessment of current economic and financial developments and the implied risks to price stability." But in the course of publishing the report, the governor of the Central Bank, John Hurley, had some almost jolly things to say about our prospects for future economic growth. Pointing out that the economy had grown by more than 5% from 2003 to 2004, he went on to say: "Looking further ahead, most indicators would point to the Irish economy continuing to grow strongly at a rate of about 5% over the next few years. As a very open economy, the performance of Ireland is significantly dependent on the global economy, the prospects for which are broadly favourable." Now the Central Bank is not given to making jolly predictions about the future. I've often thought they were afraid the politicians would go mad altogether if they gave even the slightest hint that there were good times coming. So, when the Central Bank predicts that our economy is going to grow at the rate of around 5% a year, you'd better believe that that's a reasonably conservative estimate. Now, at the end of 2003, our GNP (one of the usual measures of the wealth of the economy) stood at around €112bn, according to the Central Statistics Office. It has already grown very fast, as you know in 2000 it was €88bn. At around 5% growth a year, it will increase to almost €160bn by 2010. That's a growth rate of between €6bn and €8bn a year. And guess what? Without lifting a finger, or raising taxes by as much as a cent, the Government takes a third of that extra GNP every year in its existing taxes. I'm not arguing that that's a bad thing far from it, if the extra money is spent wisely and fairly. But I do think we should all know that it's there. As I told you already, the Government's share of that extra growth, by the time we get to 2010, will have amounted to €13.6bn. And that's a conservative estimate. Money beyond the wildest imaginings of any government in my lifetime. The capacity to solve any problem we want to, or at least to address the major priorities. SO, when they tell you they can't afford it, it's codswallop. When they tell you that improving essential public services will only lead to extra taxes, that's scare tactics. Properly managed, there is more than enough money in our economy to address any social issue we want to. That's the rub, of course. Proper management. We have more than enough evidence to know that this Government is incapable of managing the wealth of the economy. There are ministers in this Government you wouldn't send to the shops to buy a jar of coffee. They'd bring back the wrong change, they'd buy the wrong brand, and they'd spend half as much again on sweets. And this is the crowd that has just awarded itself a huge pay rise. I've always believed the labourer is worthy of his hire, but if this Government was subject to performance pay on any objective criteria, it's a pay cut they'd be looking at. But given half-decent management, there are issues crying out to be dealt with that could be fixed overnight, and without making a dent in the extra money that is flowing into the Government's coffers from our extra wealth. At one end of the scale, for example, it would cost almost nothing to put a properly resourced and run home help service in place, with a decent career structure to attract people in, so that elderly people could live in the community with dignity and choice. At the other end of the scale, we could make real inroads into the accident-and-emergency crisis, in the only way that will work by opening public beds in our hospitals. This week the Tánaiste announced a hare-brained scheme to pour public money into the building of private hospitals on the campuses of our public ones. Even if they get built on the scale she is proposing, which is highly doubtful, it will only happen if the already very rich private medical sector gets tax breaks and cheap land. And they will concentrate heavily on elective work, leaving the emergencies to the public hospitals. Every bed they build runs the risk of draining the best medical, nursing and non-nursing staff out of the public sector. We can afford better than that. And if the Central Bank report tells us anything, it tells us that we have earned a better service from our Government than that, too.

China Says it is willing to use nukes against the states

From the hindustan times

China could use nuclear weapons to retaliate against the United States if it attacked in any conflict over Taiwan, reports said on Friday citing a Chinese general. "If the Americans draw their missiles and position-guided ammunition on to the target zone on China's territory, I think we will have to respond with nuclear weapons," said General Zhu Chenghu. His comments were reported by the Financial Times and the Asian Wall Street Journal, which attended a briefing with the general organised by a private Hong Kong organisation, the Better Hong Kong Foundation. "If the Americans are determined to interfere (then) we will be determined to respond," said Zhu, a professor at China's National Defence University. "We .. will prepare ourselves for the destruction of all of the cities east of Xian. Of course the Americans will have to be prepared that hundreds ... of cities will be destroyed by the Chinese." Xian is an ancient city in central China. Zhu said the comments represented his personal view and not the policy of the government. Nonetheless, his threat to use nuclear weapons is the most specific by a senior Chinese official in nearly a decade. Although China has a no first-strike nuclear policy, Zhu said he believed the policy applied to non-nuclear powers and could be changed, the reports said. China and Taiwan split in 1949 at the end of a civil war, but Beijing still claims it as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to invade if the island formalises its 56-year separation with a declaration of independence. In March China adopted a law allowing it to use force against any secession moves by Taiwan, triggering concerns in Washington and raising tensions in the region. Since the United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, Washington has acknowledged Beijing's position that Taiwan should be considered an integral part of China. Yet the United States remains the leading arms supplier to Taiwan because it is bound by law to offer the island the means of self-defence if its security were threatened. Zhu's comments come ahead of Washington's annual report on the Chinese military and as a string of US officials raise concerns about the rise of China's military. The issue was most recently brought up by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who, on a visit to Beijing last weekend, highlighted tensions with Taiwan as a key concern. She urged Beijing to reach out to the island's elected leadership.

This could get serious with the recent disbutes over terroitial waters. Tension is rising in this region. The question is will it boil over. This is definitly one area that needs to be watched. We are now in an age of openess from China. Yet this to happened in the 1980s and then we had Tiananmen Square

Eu Reading you Emails

The Eu are going to bring in the EU agress to logging of phone call data

Under the plans, telecom operators and internet service providers would have to store information about phone calls, e-mails and text messages for up to a year. The data would cover the time and duration of the contact and the numbers used, but not the actual conversations or messages.

Is this a invasion of privacy or a vital step in the fight against terrorism. Feel free to add your opinions. (if anyone actually reads this :) Also with the French now having border controls is europe running scared after the london bombings.

Attacker 'was recruited' at terror group's religious school

According to the Scotsman. It really shows the influence school teachers can have on pupils not just of the islamic faith. The same thing happens here with some RA head (Irish term for a person who are fans of the IRA) teacher tells there side of history. But still it probably is not to the total reason. As surely a person enrolling in a foreign school would have researched enough to have found that the school was

run by the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) during a recent visit to the country. The group's founder has publicly stated that he believes suicide bombing to be the "best form of jihad [holy war]".

and if orginally the person was not extreme they would have taken that as a hint that this wasn't a pruely religious school and not attended. But yet he did. So either his parents know about the origins of the school and approved or the guy lied to his parents. So the reason for a British citzen to blow themselves up is still unclear. Perphaps it is as simple as what the streets said.

Geezers need excitement, if life doesn't provide it they stay inside violence, common sense, simple common sense

America Doing good

The media and people seem obcessed with saying America is bad and evil and exploits other countryies for its own gain. Yet they seem to ignore the good it does and how it uses its power for good. You don't see Europe withholding aid to Uzbekistan over the bloody crackdown in Andijan. But then again I did get this from a Media outlet so maybe I'm wrong.

First Bit of Sense from a party in the north in years

I was a bit shocked when i read this comment from Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey

We can't allow what is an issue of cultural rights to be turned into a political football, and there has to be a consensus on how this is dealt with,

I have to say nail on head man Well done.

wohoo My program is working

As the above title says WOHOO

Will Peace ever come

Do people really want peace I think it comes back to the point I made here i.e this is exactly what the DUP and Sinn Fein want.

Harry Potter leaked

It seems harry potter has been leaked is this the greatest security crisis since water gate?

The British Police act fast

My god the british act fast they have already made arrests in conection to the london bomb blasts

The Happiest Place in the World

Looks like it is Galway.

Dissent UK statement about G8 arrests

If this is the type of people they are campaining for. Then I say if they think they are victims of police brutality what do you call the victims of theses yobs brutality.

JULY 2005 PRISONER SOLIDARITY GROUP This is a brief statement, agreed at a meeting in Edinburgh on the 7th July. It is addressed to the general public, to campaign groups, and to the mainstream media, and is intended to make clear our views on the recent wave of arrests and detentions. click [read more] During the recent protests across Scotland the police have arrested and imprisoned around 354 people. We support all the arrestees, almost two hundred of who are still waiting to be processed through the courts of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and Falkirk. We would like to draw attention to specific abuses of police and judicial power: The use of powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994. Originally intended to be used to search for weapons, it has been used as a blanket authority to stop and search, including searching wallets and taking names and addresses. Almost two dozen people have been remanded in custody, including one aged 16 and one with a child. Bail conditions been used as a deliberate tool of repression - enforcing an effective deportation from Scotland for many, and making life difficult for many others. Blocking the public from attending the sheriff's court. Apparently the Principal Sheriff has the power to deny access to court proceedings if there is a ‘fear of serious disorder.' It is chilling how this has easily allowed the creation of secret political trials. We hope to support all July 2005 arrestees over the next few months. Please get in touch if you wish to offer support. Writing a letter or a card to those detained makes a big difference. Any donations are also welcome, as money for prisoners is very tight.

Irish ID cards

Interesting points raise in the Sunday business post article about I.D cards being brought into the Britain. It says that as some people in the north carry Irish passports and are Irish citizens they would not want british I.D cards ie they would prepare to have Irish I.D cards. This point is being raised by Mr McDowell that.

These are serious matters, and issues such as whether the nationalist population in Northern Ireland want to have British ID cards, whether the Irish state would provide them with alternative cards and whether the two systems would be integrated are ones where considerable discussion and thinking have yet to be done

But do we really have to bring them in for this reason. Due to E.U residency law. Anyone in the EU can live in any other country. So does this mean that if Britain brings in id cards Luxemburg has to as well encase any Luxembourg are living in Britian.In my opinion no. But with all things in the North symbolism is the be all and end all. Maybe the solution would instead of a British are and Irish ID card they could just call it an Ulster I.D card. But that probably would not work either. Also if a Southern I.D card was brought in would we have to have an open database with Britain as we are an open travel set of islands. This issue needs a lot of debate. personnel in my opinion we need I.D cards in Ireland and an open database. But I can imagine a lot of people would disagree with me.

London Radio

BBC London show as the news of the bombings broke

Luckly I didn't Run

I was in Pamplona on Sunday and i decided not to run down the street with bulls tearing after me. But it looks like it was possible a good idea. SUndays injury

British Resolve

The British seem to take pride in there abilty to face adversisty about how they survived teh blitz. Well it looks like the same spirt has returned to london. The aim of the bomb attacks was to frighten londoneers to make the country scared. But it looks like the opposite is coming to pass. The last headline the terroists would want to see after the attacks would have been . FTSE hits fresh 3 year high So good for them.

Saddam Show Trial

Thought it has been said that Saddam will have a fair trial. It is looking more likely that it will merely be a show trial. Saddam's head lawyer has left according to El pais Translated using babelfish

The head of the team of lawyers of ex- Iraq dictator Sadam Hussein, Zaiad To the Jasawneh, announced yesterday his resignation of the position and accused his American colleagues to try to control the defense and to look for that the military presence of the U.S.A. in Iraq is not criticized. To the Jasawneh he communicated his decision by telephone to the woman of Saddam, Sajida, that is in Yemen. "I said to Him that he had resigned because the American lawyers of the equipment want to take the control from the defense and to isolate their Arab companions", he explained. In the equipment of defenders of Hussein is the old general prosecutor of the Ramsey U.S.A. Clark, and in opinion of the head of the lawyers, as much Clark as Curtis Doebbler - another American who helps in the defense "was displeased" with the critics of A the Jasawneh to the American occupation of the Arab country. Clark and Doebbler asked their colleague who avoided those critics. The team of lawyers has 1,500 volunteers. Twenty-two of the main lawyers come from several countries: The U.S.A., France, Jordan, Iraq and Libya. Still a date for the beginning of the judgment to the ex- Iraqian dictator has not paid attention, who remains jailed, although the Executive has assured that he will begin in few weeks.

Looks like america wants nothing to go wrong with this trial and are keeping tight control on it.

Irish Eagle

Good post over on Irish Eagle Called Plan C

G8 Tony Blair Statement

From http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page7877.asp

We speak in the shadow of terrorism. But it will not obscure what we came here to achieve. The purpose of terrorism is not only to kill and maim the innocent. It is to put despair, anger and hatred in people's hearts. It is by its savagery, designed to cover all conventional politics with its darkness, to overwhelm the calm dignity of democracy and proper process with the impact of bloodshed and terror. There is no hope in terrorism, nor any future in it worth living. And it is hope that is the alternative to hatred. We offer today this contrast with the politics of terror. Yesterday evening the G8 agreed a substantial package of help for the Palestinian Authority amounting to up to $3bn in the years to come so that two states, Israel and Palestine, two peoples, and two religions, Muslim and Jew, can live side by side in peace. We came here to acknowledge our duty to be responsible stewards of the global environment. We do not hide the disagreements of the past but we have agreed a process, with a plan of action, that will initiate a new Dialogue between the G8 and the emerging economies of the world to slow down and then, in time, to reverse the rise in harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The Dialogue will begin on 1 November with a meeting here in Britain. And above all, we came here in solidarity with the continent of Africa. We came here to announce a plan of action in partnership with Africa. It isn't the end of poverty in Africa, but it is the hope it can be ended. It isn't all everyone wanted, but it is progress, real and achievable progress; it is the definitive expression of our collective will to act in the face of death, disease and conflict that is preventable. The $50bn uplift in aid, the signal for a new deal on trade, the cancellation of the debts of the poorest nations, universal access to AIDS treatment, the commitment to a new peacekeeping force for Africa; the commitment in return by Africa's leaders to democracy, good governance and the rule of law; it does not change the world tomorrow; it is a beginning not an end and none of it today will match the same ghastly impact as the cruelty of terror. But it has a pride and hope and a humanity at its heart that lifts the shadow of terrorism and lights up the future. And that is why in the end the politics we represent, leaders and more important, millions of people who supported us in our work, will win.

Adams offers sympathy and solidarity to people of London

Adams offers sympathy and solidarity to people of LondonI wonder did he say this after Canery Warf and other IRA attacks. Could you imagine him Saying I condemn the bomb attacks in London this morning. I have sent a message of sympathy and solidarity to Mrs. Thacther. Well at least he said it anyway i suppose.

The aftermath

So now that the fog of war has lifted and we can see the full extent of the terror attacks have been seen. What will be the result of this. At time of writing the death toll was officially at 37 and the blame seems to be falling on the Secret Group of al Qaeda's Jihad in Europe. SO will the same thing happen to Blair as did Jose Mari­a Aznar after the Madrid train bombingswhich were attributeded to Aznars fall was the statement first made by the government in which it was stated that ETA was responsible. The train bombings conincided with the elections. The polls before the bombings has Aznar's party in the lead. However at the election 3 days after the bombings the party wasweptpt from power and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero took power. One of his first acts as prime minister was to pull spainish troops out of iraq much to thdisapprovalel oAmericaca. So could the same thing happen iBritainan. Even though the election has passed there is still Gordon Brown waiting in the wings to take over from Mr Blair. Blair did not make the mistake Aznar did and blame the ETA equailivant i.e dissidant republicans without any information to that effect. However the war is still unpopular in britian 100,000 protested against the war in November 2003 even though it is not the same as the 90% figure against the war in spain So is there enough disatisfaction in Britian to force Tony Blair out of power. There are rumours of a protest against terrosism in Trafalgar square tonight this might be a sign that instead of this hasting Tony Blair exit this might increase support for the war and Mr Blair. Also when you get people like Geogre Galloway seemingly trying to score political points by saying Londoners have paid the price for Iraq and Afghanistan this can only anger people and increase support of Tony Blair.

Other Scares

Gavin reports terminal 3 Heathrow is being evacuated. also reports of Cardiff bus and rail stations being closed.

Offical Death Toll rises to 33

Offical Death Toll rises to 33 reported by BBC

Econmic results

One of the main objectives of the terrorist must have been to dent the economy of britian. But after a sharp fall the FTSE looks like it is on the way back up but it is still down 1.76 % from yesterday. Dow Jones has also suffered

So what has happened.

In all the confusion it is difficult to know what has actually happened. So here is what I take as being the current status of things. At around 8:50 this morning there was 4 bomb attacks between some underground stations and on a bus. 1) Russell Square and King’s Cross underground 2) Moorgate, Aldgate, and Liverpool Street underground 3) Edgware Road underground 4) Tavistock Square, where there has been a confirmed explosion on a bus. At the moment the are 2 confirmed fatilities. The royal london hospideal reports in the region of 220 admissions half of which have been discharged. It has been claimed by The Secret Organization of Al Qaeda in Europe however this is not confirmed . Also claimed and not confirmed was that London police informed the Israeli Embassy "minutes" before the series of explosions that it had intelligence on the possibility of terrorist attacks in the city, Israel Radio reported. Tony Blair is returning to London to be briefed.

Problems With rescue

Gavin reports

According to my London Underground sources there are people trapped on the Piccadilly Line between Russell Square and King’s Cross. The problem facing emergency services is the depth, at that point the tunnel, is between 150 and 200 feet down. People who have visited London may know these stations for their very long escalators. The tunnels themselves are also quite narrow, which could mean the tunnels themselves may have been affected by the blast. The emergency services are moving extractors down to take out smoke in the tunnels. This particular line is extremely congested, and was so at the time of the explosion. Becase the line is so deep, the casualty figures will likely remain low for some time, but then dramatically rise. If two trains were involved it could mean as much as 1600 people on board, with uknown figures for people who managed to escape.

he Secret Organization of Al Qaeda in Europe statement

From Foxnews

"Rejoice, Islamic nation. Rejoice, Arab world. The time has come for vengeance against the Zionist crusader government of Britain in response to the massacres Britain committed in Iraq and Afghanistan," said the statement, which was translated by The Associated Press in Cairo. The authenticity of the message could not be immediately confirmed. "The heroic mujahedeen carried out a blessed attack in London, and now Britain is burning with fear and terror, from north to south, east to west," the statement said. "We warned the British government repeated. We have carried out our promise and carried out a military attack in Britain after great efforts by the heroic mujahedeen over a long period to ensure its success." "We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all crusader governments that they will receive the same punishment if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan," the statement went on. It was signed: "The Secret Organization of Al Qaeda in Europe."

Pictures from in side the underground

http://moblog.co.uk/view.php?id=77571 as sluggerotoole said check out wikipedia and Neil McIntosh also there is reports of a controlled explosion of a briefcase in brigton.

Charles Clack Report Highlights

4 explosions confirmed. Don't know who have done it. People advised not to travel. confirmed explosions 1) Russell Square and King’s Cross underground 2) Moorgate, Aldgate, and Liverpool Street underground 3) Edgware Road underground 4) Tavistock Square, where there has been a confirmed explosion on a bus.

Attacks Claimed

Secret Group of al Qaeda's Jihad in Europe have claimed responseablity.

London Explosions Israeli warned

From Jerusalem Post London police informed the Israeli Embassy "minutes" before the series of explosions that it had intelligence on the possibility of terrorist attacks in the city, Israel Radio reported. The Israeli Embassy in central London was shut off by the British army. The Israeli ambassador to London, Tzvi Heifetz, said the embassy was under a state of emergency, with no one allowed to enter or leave, AP reported. Heifetz todl Israel Radio that a major terrorist attack in London was "just a matter of time." British military troops were dispatched to the scene of the blasts and were involved in emergency rescue operations in the Covent Garden area. Israel embassies all over the world have gone on high alert. Seemingly this has been deninded by scotland yard. Now 7 explosions 6 undergounds and 1 bus. A tube train is stuck under kings cross station. And a rescue attempt is under way.

London Explosions

Reports form BBC that the bomber on the bus was a suicide bomber.

Blair Statement

Says that it is terrorist attacks. He is moving back down to london to get reports for police. G8 meeting is going to continue in his absence. All leaders condeme attacks. Called the attacks barrbaric. Says it is designed to coordinate with G8. Our determiniation to defend or values and way of life is greater then there desire to impose extremism on the civilised countries of the world. bbc will probably have the full text soon.

London Explosions

Seems to be reports of entire carriages been destroyed. Also again from Reuters.

London blasts fit al Qaeda-type pattern-analysts Thu Jul 7, 2005 11:49 AM BST Printer Friendly | Email Article | RSS By Mark Trevelyan, Security Correspondent BERLIN (Reuters) - Apparently coordinated blasts across London's transport network on Thursday bear similarities to last year's Madrid bombings and suggest an attack in the style of al Qaeda, security analysts said. Officially, there was no immediate confirmation from authorities that they were treating the explosions as an attack by militants. London's police chief said there were about six blasts. The use of near-simultaneous attacks to cause maximum damage and panic is a tactic frequently used by al Qaeda, from the 1998 bombing of two U.S. embassies in East Africa to the September 11 attacks on the United States with four hijacked airliners in 2001. Since then, the pattern has been repeated in deadly attacks attributed to al Qaeda or like-minded Islamist militants in Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, Saudia Arabia, Turkey and Spain. The London blasts, at underground stations and on buses, had clear echoes of March 11, 2004, when 10 bombs hidden in sports bags exploded on four packed commuter trains in Madrid at the height of the morning rush hour, killing 191 people. "There are lots of parallels with the Madrid blast...We have to assume it's a terrorist attack," said German security analyst Rolf Tophoven. "The first thing that's very obvious is the synchronised nature of the attacks, and that's pretty classic for al Qaeda or al Qaeda-related organisations," said Budapest-based security analyst Sebestyen Gorka. "If we're talking about several attacks on one day, then there's a good likelihood we're talking about a known quantity here...The similarities to Madrid are clear." As with the Madrid attacks, which occurred three days before a general election, the London blasts appeared timed to coincide with a major political event. They took place as leaders of the Group of Eight nations were meeting on the first full day of a summit in Scotland -- an event which required its own massive security operation and drew heavily on police and counter-terrorist resources. Britain has three decades of experience combating Northern Irish guerrilla violence but it has not until now suffered an Islamic militant attack, although police say they have thwarted several attempts and have said repeatedly a successful strike is only a matter of time. Britain presents a likely target for Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda and affiliated groups because Prime Minister Tony Blair's government has staunchly backed U.S. President George W. Bush in the war on terrorism, including the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Casualties from Thursday's attacks were unclear but they sent financial markets diving and threw London, Europe's biggest financial centre into chaos. Propaganda messages from bin Laden have shown a keen awareness of the economic impact of al Qaeda attacks and attached importance to hitting economic targets and key infrastructure.

Bus Bomb From Reuters

rinter Friendly | Email Article | RSS By Trevor Datson LONDON (Reuters) - "I was on the bus. I looked round and the seats behind me were gone." More than that the middle-aged victim of the bus blast in central London could or would not say. Shocked, disorientated, and with oil and pieces of debris in her hair and clothes, she asked for directions to Holborn but refused all offers of help. The scene around Russell Square in the city's heart was one of bewilderment, with little reliable information available on what had actually happened. Traffic wardens, police support officers and private security guards were all drafted in to man the cordons. Policemen spoke of "a bomb" or "bombs," or of "explosions". The slowly expanding police cordon pushed before it droves of confused office workers, evacuated from the surrounding streets. The cellphone networks quickly became jammed with callers trying to reassure loved ones of their safety, and shops filled with people begging the use of a phone. Some young women in a hairdressers' shop were in tears. People talked of hearing explosions, but the lightly concealed panic as the police combed the area for bombs made any degree of clarity impossible. Traffic halted completely, engines off, the police lines blocking escape routes for all but cycles and motorcycles. But the uncanny absence of motor noise was hidden by the constant howl of sirens. Two hundred metres away, the flashing lights and ambulance traffic bore witness to the fact that something had gone horribly wrong. But what? Not knowing was the worst thing.

London Bomb

It has hit the stock market hard

London Explosions

Seems to be 3 buses now. http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1188265,00.html edit. according to meteopolitrian commissioneer only 6 explosions 1 on bus

London tube explosions

Reports of casulaties from BBC Radio 5 being brought to Royal London hospideals in 2 double decker buses. there is a temp hospideal in the hilton hotel in london. seems to be fatilites on the bus witness say that the top has been blown off. Seems diffently to be bombs now.

London tube explosions

this is from bbc web site which is very slow and geting very slow so here is the bbc latest. Also mobiles are not working.

Several injured in London blasts King's Cross Passengers were evacuated from King's Cross station Several people have been injured after explosions on the Underground network and a double-decker bus in London. A police spokesman said there were "quite a large number of casualties" at Aldgate Tube Station. And Scotland Yard confirmed one of several reports of explosions on buses in the city - in Tavistock Place - but said the cause was not yet known. One caller to BBC Five said his friend had seen "the bus ripped open like a can of sardines and bodies everywhere." PA also quoted union officials as saying sources had told them there had been at least one explosive device on the Underground. British Transport Police Surges took place at Aldgate, Edgware Road, King's Cross, Old Street and Russell Square stations. Scotland Yard confirmed they were assisting with a "major incident" and said there were casualties. A spokesman said officers were called out to Aldgate station at 8.50am to assist City of London and British Transport Police. "All of the emergency services are on scene. There have been some casualties. This has been declared as a major incident," said the spokesman. "It's too early to state what has happened at this stage," he said. The National Grid, which supplies power to the Underground, said there had been no problems with its system which could have contributed to the incidents. 'Screaming and crying' Jacqui Head, from BBC News, who had just left King's Cross station on a Piccadilly Line train as an explosion happened, said: "Everything was normal. Suddenly there was a massive bang, the train jolted. "There was immediately smoke everywhere and it was hot and everybody panicked. People started screaming and crying." The train was kept in the tunnel for 20 minutes and no announcement was made to explain the delay to passengers, she added. London Fire Brigade said four crews were at Liverpool Street and more were on their way. Another passenger, who had left the Tube at Fenchurch Street Station, and walked to Aldgate East, told BBC Five Live that he saw injured people. "As I walked through the bus station I could see people lying on the ground, black, as if they'd been covered in smoke. There were about three or four people on the floor being treated." Eyewitness Paul Woloszyn from BBC News, who was at Blackhorse Road station on the Victoria Line, said: "We were told there was a bomb at Liverpool Street station. "I was on the Tube, and they stopped the train and told everyone to get off and evacuate the station." He said staff had said the entire Tube network had been affected, and leaflets had been handed out with details of alternative bus routes. Another eyewitness, Dorothy Molloy, had been on a Tube train at King's Cross and said "staff just chucked everyone out of the station". She said staff there had not given any details, but she said two passengers she had spoken to had said they had received messages saying there had been bombs. "People didn't really know what was going on, they were just huffing and puffing and saying how annoying it was," she said. "People don't seem to be panicked, but there's so many police and ambulances coming into the areas. People are just concerned, and some are just annoyed at the delay."

London tube explosions

seems to be a few blasts. at liverpool street, russel square, kings cross, Aldgate . a bus in tavi stock seemingly has been blown up and is pictured on its side. tube is closed and most train services into london stoped. this blog is keeping up. http://london-underground.blogspot.com/. listing to bbc radio 5 live

Explosion on the undergroung

There has been an explosion on the london underground. Reports on the radio seem to suggest a power surge explosion

If Number 10 says evidencee based policy to me once more I'm going to deck someone

Now you might expect someone at the glen eagles protest to come out with this statement. But no it was Louise Casey director of the Home Office's anti-social behaviour unit. She also stated that

"I suppose you can't binge drink anymore because lots of people have said you can't do it. I don't know who bloody made that up, it's nonsense."

and

Doing things sober is no way to get things done,

Now correct me if im wrong but is decking someone not slightly anti-social.

Decentralisation

Nice post over on where me country I have to say i agree with that view. If its' aim was to bringing the departments nearer to where they are needed they would have decided to move the Department of Marine & Natural Resources to Killybeegs not Cavan

Image CJH doing this.

The big story in south africa at the moment seems to be the case against Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma over charges of corruption. However he has done a TV lie detector test which can not be revealed due to legal reasons However the buissness man in question Schabir Shaik has had the charges droped against him

You thought you sleep walked too much

So you think you sleep walk a bit . Image waking up onto a crane

Sinn Fein Proving My point

I was making the point before in regard to the Daily Ireland about trying to continully only tell one point of view and thus reinforce the division in the conflicting it looks like sinn fein are doing it again. Bridgeen Hagan's Robert McCartney's fiancée's house was attached last night. They and locals say that it was locals that did it. The Security Footage seems to confirm this. However

Sinn Féin says loyalists were seen running off after the attack.

they base this on the fact that

women walking home witnessed the attack and saw loyalists running off towards the protestant Castlerea Road area.

. Now how therecognizeded them as loyalists I would love to know. Were they wearing sashes or something or is it jusconvenientnt to say that it was loyalist. She says it is conjunction with this incident.

On Saturday night a loyalist gang was seen by local people coming down the Mountpottinger Road and throwing stones and bottles at a number of nationalist homes in the Short Strand. " Windows were broken and minor damage was caused to a number of homes. The gang was then seen running away from the scene. " These attacks obviously came in the wake of the weekend Orange Order and UVF parade past the Short Strand and tensions were obviously running high. I would appeal to nationalists in the area to remain vigilant in the days approaching the twelfth."

But the news reports that

Mr McCartney's sister said police CCTV footage showed that only local people were in the area at the time of the attack.

So you make you mind up on who to believe.

Stephen Hawking.

Possible the most famous off all physicist but yet how many people can tell you what hawking radiation is. I have just come from a lecture given by then man about information loss in black holes in the university of Barcelona. Now I have a degree in physics and possible more importantly fluent in English and I understood little of what he said due to 1 it was high mathematical in nature and 2 He is quiet difficult to understand. And I am sure(not wanting to boast) that I was probably one of the most fluent in English in the audience. Yet he had the audience captivated. But I still wonder is the captivation due to the fact that he is explaining convolultion of non-trivial topological solutions are the fact that he is unable to communicate save for moving 2 fingers. So I am left wondering the age of big brother are people captivated by the strange or the sublime.? Feel free to leave yeer thoughts

G8 Clown army

One of there latest press releases. So it looks like there is more to come on the 6th of july with operation HAHAHAA. What this will be it is not clear. But it looks like the residents of edinburgh will yet again get there lives disrupted. I guess this time tomorrow we will know.

CLANDESTINE INSURGENT REBEL CLOWN ARMY (CIRCA) COMMUNIQUE #8.86 CLANDESTINE INSURGENT REBEL CLOWN ARMY (CIRCA) Re: Operation BROWN-NOSE To all our rebel friends in the global justice movement--our brave, beautiful, beatific, bracelet-wearing brethren bent on beating back and baffling the behemoth of Babel that is the Gathering of Eight… We are so proud of you, so in love with you…we share your compassion and desire to TRULY make poverty history. We admire your realization that the only real way to end poverty, in the global South or in the suburbs of Edinburgh, is to stop the Great Eight’s amusingly antisocial habits—their rather nasty slapstick routines—kicking the poorer nations with war, arms sales, and bullying trade policies, manipulating their markets and plundering their resources while dangling the crumbs of “debt forgiveness.” We know the G8, far from being thanked for “forgiving” these illegitimate debts, should beg forgiveness from the Global South for their ongoing crimes and depredations…. Beyond all that, we of CIRCA thank YOU, our friends here at this march, for being part of a beautiful and loving nonviolent social movement to achieve true justice…for of course it is only through social movements that real social change can happen--not from begging the politicians or corporations to behave more nicely. BUT…the CIRCA Advanced Intelligence Team has discovered a grave threat to our powerful movement, just as we are all gaining momentum and making our demands for profound change heard. It has come to our attention through deft infiltration, clever clandestinity, and watching the telly that SEVERAL CRIMINAL, ANTISOCIAL ELEMENTS are trying to HIJACK and CO-OPT our MOVEMENT! They are HERE, AMONGST US, these DANGEROUS EXTREMISTS, and they MAY even be marching in this very demonstration!!! They are GORDON BROWN (MP), the financier of the invasion of Iraq, whose £5 billion War Reserve Fund could, instead, fully immunize EVERY CHILD in the developing world for two years, who has stated explicitly that aid will go down as much as debt is relieved for a net change of ZERO, and that recipient countries will have to restructure their societies to make them even more vulnerable to the market. HILLARY BENN (MP) may also be present, wearing his pretty “development” mask over his true face of privatization and plunder. BEWARE! If you see Brown or any of his Errorist henchmen, please report them to the clown patrol nearest to you on the march, and keep your distance. CIRCA has mobilized to PATROL and PROTECT our movement, so that it is not HIJACKED by these ghoulish buffoons. Our movement’s unique accomplishment is the creation of a grassroots politics WITHOUT professional politicians and parliaments (as they have said in Bolivia, Argentine, Ecuador, Chiapas, and beyond, “Que se vayan todos! (Out with them all!)” We must not let these brown-nosing interlopers mislead us on our own march! Operation BROWN-NOSE will involve giving hugs to the needy, playing games with all our friends, and other similarly militant activities. We request full cooperation from the public for this operation. With love, laughter and red-nosed resistance, Colonel Oftruth General Confusion Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army PS: Operation Brown-Nose is a prelude to Operation HAHAHAA, to take place on July 6th at Gleneagles. PPS: Look out for the CIRCA TATOO coming to a castle near you!!

News Items that grabed me this morning

The guy who created the sasser virus is caught China angered by US oil sale intervention. The Chinese government has angrily responded to calls by US politicians for Washington to block the $18.5billion (£10.5billion) bid by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) for US oil group Unocal. Which seems that america only likes open markets when it benefits them. Woman gets letter saying they are sorry for her death. Looks like all hands on deck for the next war.

politicans and food

What is the deal with politians and food. Chraic has just come out giving out about british food. saying

"We can't trust people who have such bad food, Chirac reportedly told his German and Russian counterparts. "After Finland, its the country with the worst food"

and italian prime minister berlusconi saying In 2001, he told the European Union that Finland did not deserve the food safety agency as "Finns don't even know what prosciutto is". and that "There is absolutely no comparison between culatello (speciality ham) from Parma and smoked reindeer," Like i mean is italian anf french food really that good. Or is finish food really that bad. If you want to try it out maybe Reindeer Tenderloin with Chard and Sautéed Mushrooms might make you agree or disagree with the lads

Ryanair off again

Yet another advertising campaign for ryanair. What would they do without bertie. I mean he would never get in the news. But i still have to say fair play michael. Many a buissness man has the country at least Mr O'Leary stays and pays his 14 million tax bill.

Infilltration of G8 march

It looks like plans are afoot to infilltrate the march at the G8 summit. Labeled Anti-Capitalist Presence within the Make Poverty History Walk . They seem intent on causing mayhem. with the irish branch of dissent saying. WE WILL SHUT THIS SUMMIT DOWN! and the british version declaring From July 6-8th, violent extremists will be coming to Scotland. and plans for the blockade are here.They really look like they are just doing it for kicks and not caring about anyone else. Hopefully there plans don't come to pass and that the locals can get on with there lives. Edit: Looks like they have decided to disregared the will of the edinburgh working class and riot anyway http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4646491.stm

Daily Ireland an sceal ar taobh amhàin

The Daily ireland whos tag line is An Sceal ar fad (the whole story) has shown itself to be turning into the Fox News of Ireland while impartiality has never been trademark of media coverage of the North save maybe http://www.sluggerotoole.com/ this really doesn't even try to hide this. In the article about a protest in the botanic gardensit fails to mention that the IRA killed 11 Royal Marine bandsmen. This kind of unbalanced reporting really makess me beg the question. Do people in the North really want peace. From the people i know from the north the answer is un deniably yes. But then how come papers like the Daily Ireland flourish (with a ABC readership of 10,474. Well my theory on it is that it is all about power and buisness. Think about it with out the IRA who would vote DUP without the DUP who would vote Sinn Fein. Without the violence and the history in the north would labour , Fianna Fail and conservatives not begin to canvass and install canidates in the province. Would the UUP and SDLP still win seats if they had to campain on econmic issues rather then sectarian issues. Watching the pre-election coverage on BBC it was clear that the parties make the problams . In an hour round table debate not once was the words health, economy, social welfare, roads mentioned. For without conflict the major parties would die out. So not only is it in the interests of sinn fein to keep papers like the daily ireland in print it is also in the DUP's interest. As people chose there opinions from the news outlets they pick, the news outlet if biased creates a new generation of people willing to hate and fight for the cause. And thus keep the UUP DUP SDLP and Sinn Fein in power.