Brexit Could Lead to UK-Ireland Border Control

Northern Ireland suffered almost 30 years of violent conflict before it ended two decades ago. Much of that was because the border with the Republic of Ireland was dismantled allowing free movement of people and goods. But the UK's decision to leave the EU could mean Britain’s only land boundary with an EU country would need new controls. Al Jazeera’s Tony Birtley reports from the Irish border.

Brexit to Affect Northern Ireland’s Economy

Prime Minister Theresa May's expected to trigger article 50 in the coming days, beginning Britain's divorce from the European Union.

Brexit Stirs Up Old Divides In Northern Ireland

In March, British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to begin the process of having the United Kingdom formally exit the European Union. While a majority of voters in the UK voted to leave the EU, voters in Northern Ireland favored remaining, in part because of fears that Brexit could affect a peace agreement between Catholics and Protestants. NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent Patricia Sabga reports.

Scottish Leader Meets with EU Heads

The Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been in Brussels today, meeting with European leaders. Sturgeon wants to keep Scotland in the EU, hinting that to achieve that, another referendum on Scottish independence from the UK could be held. RT's Peter Oliver has more.

'Satanic Islam' Sermon Pastor McConnell Ready to Face Justice

A firebrand preacher who goes on trial today for branding Islam "Satanic" says he is ready to go to jail for his beliefs - but hopes the court will first let him spend Christmas with his family.
BELFAST TELEGRAPH: 'Jail doesn't scare me, but let me have Christmas at home,' says James McConnell

In a hard-hitting interview from his Greenisland home, Pastor James McConnell said he had no regrets about his controversial comments and, even if jailed, would repeat them on release.

He said "freedom of speech and freedom of conscience" were at stake in the landmark trial. Hundreds of Pastor McConnell's supporters are expected to protest outside Belfast Magistrates Court as the case opens today.

"This is about Christians fighting back," the pastor said. "There is an agenda at work to restrict our rights while allowing followers of other religions to say and act as they please. » | Suzanne Breen | Monday, December 14, 2015

'Satanic Islam' Sermon Belfast Pastor James McConnell Says He Faces Six Months in Jail

BELFAST TELEGRAPH: Controversial preacher James McConnell says he faces up to six months in jail for calling Islam satanic.

In an exclusive interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Pastor McConnell last night defiantly said he'd go to prison rather than withdraw the remarks.

"I am 78 years of age and in ill health but jail knows no fear for me," he said.

"They can lock me up with sex offenders, hoodlums and paramilitaries and I will do my time.

"I have no regrets about what I said. I do not hate Muslims but I denounce Islam as a doctrine and I make no apologies for that. I will be pleading 'not guilty' when I stand in the dock in August."

Pastor McConnell's solicitor Joe Rice vowed to fight the case "tooth and nail".

He called for the PPS to withdraw the charges and said pursuing the case was "an absolute waste of scarce public funds". » | Suzanne Breen | Friday, June 19, 2015

Related »

Belfast Preacher to Face Court over Islam Slurs

THE GUARDIAN: Pastor James McConnell is defiant after being told he will be prosecuted for describing Muslim religion as ‘satanic’ and ‘spawn of the devil’

A born-again Christian preacher in Belfast is to be prosecuted for describing Islam as “satanic” and “the spawn of the devil”.

Pastor James McConnell was accused of Islamophobia after he denounced the Muslim religion as a “heathen” faith in May 2014. He issued a public apology, but not before Northern Ireland’s first minister, Peter Robinson, came under fire for initially defending him.

Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service said on Thursday that McConnell was offered an “informed warning” that would have avoided a prosecution but he declined to accept it. » | Henry McDonald Ireland correspondent | Thursday, June 18, 2015

THE GUARDIAN: Belfast preacher who denounced Islam as evil issues apology: Pastor issues apology just hours before Northern Ireland police question him about allegations he has been inciting hatred » | Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent | Friday, June 06, 2015

Islam 'Satanic' Comments Defended

Islam Row: Peter Robinson Makes Public Apology for Causing Offence to Muslims after Meeting in Belfast

Peter Robinson along with Muslim leaders outside the Islamic
Centre in Belfast

BELFAST TELEGRAPH: First Minister Peter Robinson has publicly apologised for offence caused to Muslims following comments he made in defence of a firebrand pastor who denounced Islam as "satanic".

Speaking outside the Islamic Centre in Belfast following a meeting with Muslim leaders, Mr Robinson said he had made a "face-to-face, man-to-man" apology.

"I have had a very welcoming visit to the Belfast Islamic Centre. I have been received in friendship, and respect," he said.

"I came here to make it very clear that the members of the Islamic community are a very important and valued part of our society in Northern Ireland.

"I know many of you centre on an issue of an issue of an apology - I apologise to these gentlemen, if anything I said had caused them hurt.

"I can see in many cases, it has. I say I apologise, face-to-face, man-to-man. The way it should be done." (+ video) » | John Mulgrew and Michael McHugh | Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Preacher at Ian Paisley's Former Church Denounces Islam as a 'Wicked Religion'

Rev Ian Brown blasted Islam as a "violent intolerant wicked religion"

BELFAST TELEGRAPH: Just two weeks after a scandal was sparked by a preacher slating Islam as "satanic", another preacher has launched a broadside against the faith.

The minister at Lord Bannside's former church, Martyr's Memorial Free Presbyterian in east Belfast, has blasted Islam as a "violent intolerant wicked religion".

The Rev Ian Brown was speaking at a recent Sunday evening service in defence of Pastor James McConnell, whom he described as a "prophet".

The Free Presbyterian minister told his flock last Sunday evening he felt the situation had become "thoroughly ridiculous".

In an sermon posted on the Martyr's Memorial website, Rev Brown is heard saying: "Now the allies and sympathisers of Islam are up on their hind legs; what we can call that secularist Taliban who dominate our medium, they are sharpening their literary sabres and they are swinging for him, their attempt at their own version of a verbal hanging with a couple of blistering attacks which were passed off as interviews on the Nolan radio and television shows."

He blamed "anti-Christian intolerance" for the row.

"This all becoming thoroughly ridiculous. » | Rebecca Black | Monday, June 02, 2014

Second evangelical Christian minister joins James McConnell row as he compares Islamists to Hitler »

Peter Robinson Faces Backlash After Saying He 'Wouldn't Trust' Muslims

BELFAST TELEGRAPH: Petition calls for First Minister to resign after he gave his backing to controversial pastor James McConnell

Peter Robinson has faced an angry backlash from the public and fellow politicians after saying he "wouldn't trust" some Muslims.

Northern Ireland's First Minister made the remark during an interview in which he defended under-fire pastor James McConnell, who gave a sermon in north Belfast denouncing Islam as "heathen" and "satanic".

Mr Robinson said a Christian minister had a right to "denounce false doctrines".

The DUP leader added that he would not trust Muslims either for spiritual guidance, or those engaged in terrorist acts, but would trust Muslims to "go down the shops for me" or to deal with a number of other "day to day issues". » | Claire Cromie | Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Preacher Who Said ‘Islam Is Satanic’ Is Facing Police Probe Over ‘Hate Mongering’

Pastor James McDonnell of Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast

MIRROR: Fundamentalist pastor James McConnell said he doesn't trust Muslims at church attended by Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson

A fundamentalist preacher who said “Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell” has been accused of “hate mongering” as the police confirmed they are investigating a possible hate crime.

The PSNI launched an investigation after Pastor James McConnell branded Islam “satanic” at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church in North Belfast.

The church, which is attended by First Minister Peter Robinson, heard McConnell say he doesn’t trust Muslims.

Asked about the incident, a PSNI spokesman said: “Police are aware of an incident at premises at the Shore Road on Sunday, May 18. Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, police are investigating a hate crime motive.”

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said “this type of hate mongering must be condemned in the strongest possible terms”.

He added: “Coming in the wake of recent spate of disgraceful racist attacks against families in parts of Belfast and elsewhere, such inflammatory comments only serve to fuel hatred.” » | By Mirror.co.uk | Thursday, May 21, 2014



Belfast Pastor Denounces Islam as the Devil’s Doctrine »

Belfast Pastor James McConnell Denounces Islam as the Devil's Doctrine at Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church Sermon

BELFAST TELEGRAPH: Controversial clergyman tells audience "people say there are good Muslims in Britain — that may be so — but I don’t trust them"

An outspoken evangelical pastor has defended describing the Islamic faith as "satanic" and a "doctrine spawned in hell".

Senior Pastor James McConnell made the remarks as he addressed his congregation at the Whitewell Tabernacle Metropolitan Church on Sunday evening.

They were described as "very offensive", "hurtful" and "irresponsible" by a representative from the Belfast Islamic Centre.

There has also been an outcry on social media, with some calling for a police investigation into his comments.

One posted: "If this was a Muslim Imam speaking about Christianity, he would be arrested for inciting hatred."

During his sermon, the clergyman said: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell." (+ video) » | Claire Williamson | Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Obama and Putin: The Best of Friends

Source: The Daily Telegraph »

Irlande : Le spectre des "Troubles"

FRANCE SOIR: Les récents affrontements à Belfast entre catholiques et protestants rappellent un temps que les Irlandais croyaient révolu.

Mercredi, la priorité était d'apaiser les esprits. Les représentants des deux communautés, ainsi que des religieux, se sont réunis afin de tenter de ramener le calme. Depuis deux jours, en effet, Belfast revit une ambiance de « Troubles », ces affrontements interconfessionnels qui, en une trentaine d'années, avaient fait 3 500 morts jusqu'à ce que la paix soit signée en 1998, entre catholiques et protestants. D'où l'inquiétude du Premier ministre protestant, Peter Robinson : « Voir ce niveau de violences revenir dans nos rues est à la fois désolant et très inquiétant ». Quant au vice-Premier ministre, Martin McGuinness, un catholique, il a assuré qu'il « ne sera pas permis à la petite communauté d'individus déterminés à déstabiliser nos communautés de nous faire replonger dans le passé ». » | Par Alain Vincenot | Mercredi 22 Juin 2011

Riots Rage in Northern Ireland
Tensions are running high ahead of the annual marching season in Northern Ireland.

Petrol bombs, bottles and bricks have been thrown at police officers during a second night of violence.

Politicians say it's the worst violence seen in East Belfast in more than a decade.

Al Jazeera's Mariana Sanchez reports.

The Great EU Debate: Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP
Mr. Hannan, you’d better be careful what you wish for! You seem not to be taking into consideration that the people of Scotland and Wales might well not wish to come out of the EU as you so desperately wish to do. So, if the time came to vote on it, the Scots and the Welsh could well decide to remain in the EU. After all, the Irish have done very well out of the EU, haven’t they? Indeed, the EU has brought the Irish a great deal of prosperity.

There is a strong separatist element in Scotland. In Wales it is rather weaker, but it is there nevertheless. It is not beyond the realms of possibility, therefore, that the Scots and Welsh would indeed choose to remain in the European Union even if England were to choose to come out. If this happened, it would leave England very badly isolated. Then the English would have neither Europe nor Scotland nor Wales to count on. Be careful, therefore, what you wish for, Mr. Hannan. The outcome might not be that which you intended. – © Mark



The Case for Leaving the EU >>> Daniel Hannan | Saturday, November 14, 2009

The Great EU Debate >>>

New Dark Age Alert! Shameful! Racist Attacks Against Romanians in Northern Ireland
THE TELEGRAPH: More than 100 Romanians sought shelter in a church hall after fleeing their homes in Belfast because of racist attacks.

Romanians flee homes
Around 20 families were helped by police to evacuate their homes in the Lisburn Road area of south Belfast and seek safety on Tuesday night.

Police and community leaders condemned racism in the area which culminated in an attack on a rally in support of the east European migrants on Monday night.

Youths hurled bottles and made Nazi salutes at those taking part in the anti-racism rally.

The men, women and children, including a five-day-old baby girl, first sought shelter in a house where they thought they would be safe.

But there were so many trying to cram in a local church offered them the use of the church hall.

Pastor Malcolm Morgan claimed the church had been happy to help, saying: "It is a sad indictment of our society, but hopefully we can show them a different side to Northern Ireland and a caring side to Northern Ireland."

Pastor Morgan later said he believed a "small group of racist thugs" were behind the attacks. Romanians Fleeing Racism Seek Sanctuary in Belfast Church Hall >>> | Wednesday, June 17, 2009