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Martin McGuinness to run for Irish presidency
Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Friday 16 September 2011 17.25 BST
Martin McGuinness, the former IRA chief-of-staff who is now deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, is to run for the Irish presidency.
Sinn Féin will announce his bid to succeed fellow northerner Mary McAleese as head of state in the Irish Republic later tonight.
The Sinn Féin MP who admitted he was the Provisional IRA's second-in-command in Derry during Bloody Sunday will hold a press conference on Sunday explaining why he is standing for president.
But senior sources in Belfast were stressing that McGuinness' decision to stand in the presidential race south of the border would not destabilise the power-sharing executive back at Stormont.
McGuinness has built up a close personal relationship with Peter Robinson, the Democratic Unionist first minister in the five-party coalition in Northern Ireland.
Although McGuinness will have to step down temporarily from the post as deputy first minister during the three-week long presidential campaign sources said that would be "mess but not a crisis" for the power-sharing government in Belfast.
Whilst he is likely to increase Sinn Féin's national share of the vote in the Republic above the 9% it gained in this year's general election McGuinness is not expected to win the presidential contest.
In the intervening three weeks before polling day in the Republic McGuinness may well be temporarily replaced as deputy first minister by another Sinn Féin figure possibly the Newry and Armagh MP, and former IRA prisoner Conor Murphy.
The Derry-born former IRA commander's entry into the presidential election will inevitably raise questions about his past inside the Provisionals. The Guardian revealed earlier this week in documents it had obtained containing evidence from a former military intelligence officer Ian Hurst alleging that McGuinness was aware of the murder plot against two top police officers in 1989.
Hurt's testimony to the Smithwick Inquiry into alleged Garda-IRA collusion includes claims that British state agent Freddie Scappaticci was centrally involved in the plot and reported directly to McGuinness who was then on the IRA's council.
If McGuinness were to be elected as head of state it would mark a career during which he had been chief of staff of AN organisation outlawed in both Northern Ireland and the Republic and ends up being chief of staff of the officially recognised Irish Defence Forces.
Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Friday 16 September 2011 17.25 BST
Martin McGuinness, the former IRA chief-of-staff who is now deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, is to run for the Irish presidency.
Sinn Féin will announce his bid to succeed fellow northerner Mary McAleese as head of state in the Irish Republic later tonight.
The Sinn Féin MP who admitted he was the Provisional IRA's second-in-command in Derry during Bloody Sunday will hold a press conference on Sunday explaining why he is standing for president.
But senior sources in Belfast were stressing that McGuinness' decision to stand in the presidential race south of the border would not destabilise the power-sharing executive back at Stormont.
McGuinness has built up a close personal relationship with Peter Robinson, the Democratic Unionist first minister in the five-party coalition in Northern Ireland.
Although McGuinness will have to step down temporarily from the post as deputy first minister during the three-week long presidential campaign sources said that would be "mess but not a crisis" for the power-sharing government in Belfast.
Whilst he is likely to increase Sinn Féin's national share of the vote in the Republic above the 9% it gained in this year's general election McGuinness is not expected to win the presidential contest.
In the intervening three weeks before polling day in the Republic McGuinness may well be temporarily replaced as deputy first minister by another Sinn Féin figure possibly the Newry and Armagh MP, and former IRA prisoner Conor Murphy.
The Derry-born former IRA commander's entry into the presidential election will inevitably raise questions about his past inside the Provisionals. The Guardian revealed earlier this week in documents it had obtained containing evidence from a former military intelligence officer Ian Hurst alleging that McGuinness was aware of the murder plot against two top police officers in 1989.
Hurt's testimony to the Smithwick Inquiry into alleged Garda-IRA collusion includes claims that British state agent Freddie Scappaticci was centrally involved in the plot and reported directly to McGuinness who was then on the IRA's council.
If McGuinness were to be elected as head of state it would mark a career during which he had been chief of staff of AN organisation outlawed in both Northern Ireland and the Republic and ends up being chief of staff of the officially recognised Irish Defence Forces.
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Replies: 47
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Terrorist scum,like a clown without make up.
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THAT'll put the cat amongst the pigeons, to say the least... and the Grauniad may be being a little quick to dismiss him out of hand...
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Special Olympics organiser to run for Irish presidency
Aras an Uachtarain The Irish president's residence, Aras an Uachtarain Special Olympics organiser Mary Davis has announced she intends to run for the Irish presidency. Ms Davis is best known for bringing the Special Olympics to Ireland in 2003, as the then chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland. In 2004, she was appointed to the Council of State by President Mary McAleese, whom she is now seeking to succeed. The council advises the Irish president in the exercise of her powers. The current president, Mary McAleese is from Northern Ireland. She succeeded Mary Robinson as president. |
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Would DeValera not have been classed as a terrorist in his day also??
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I voting for Micky McGuinness.
If Ian Paisley thinks he is good enough to sit around the table with after all the history he is good enough for me. Come on Martin[;)] |
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David Norris in Irish presidential campaign row
By Conor Spackman BBC News Magill article on David Norris David Norris has said the original Magill magazine article took his comments out of context If the last few Irish presidential election campaigns were anything to go by, it was probably unlikely that this one would proceed without controversy. The path to becoming head of state has become fraught with barely a single candidate emerging without some allegation or innuendo against them. Allegations of casual drug use, workplace bullying, and a lack of dedication to family life have all featured. There are still seven months before this year's election, but already the campaign is filling column inches. 'Concerns' Academic David Norris sits in the upper house of the Irish parliament and has become well known in the country for his human rights campaigns, particularly around the issue of gay rights. He wants to stand as an independent and is hopeful of garnering enough political support to do so. But before he can, he needs to fight off concerns about his suitability for office. Those issues have been raised by a journalist, Helen Lucy Burke, who interviewed Mr Norris in 2002 and subsequently quoted some views he had expressed on the subject of paedophilia and incest. "I cannot understand how anybody could find children of either sex in the slightest bit attractive sexually," he said. "But in terms of classic paedophilia, as practised by the Greeks for example, where it is an older man introducing a younger man or boy to adult life, I think there can be something to be said for it. "And in terms of north African experience this is endemic. Now again, that is not something that appeals to me." Ms Burke told state radio on Monday that the contents of the article were "startling" - prompting Mr Norris to make his own appearance on the airwaves 24 hours later, insisting that he had been taken out out of context. He said: "Do you think I'd be allowed to babysit for my neighbours' children? Do you think I'd be allowed to teach young people? "If anybody is in any doubt, I abhor and condemn the abuse of children, sexual, physical or psychological - and my record shows that." While admitting that he had been "foolish" to have discussed the issues, Mr Norris also expressed his concerns about the timing of the controversy. Mary Robinson Mary Robinson was said during her election campaign to have had "a new found interest in her family" "This is calculated. This is quite specific. This story has been out there for the past 10 years. Why now? Why now at this minute?" he asked. The row has briefly disengaged Irish commentators from their focus on the country's economic woes. An Irish Times editorial on Wednesday said there was a "whiff of prejudice" about the controversy and warned that Mr Norris' sexuality should not be a factor in the campaign. Irish Independent columnist Jonathan Fallon wrote that while Mr Norris' comments were "ill-judged", their emergence now was an "ugly smear". "They are seizing an opportunity for their own ends that is neither Christian, fair or in the true spirit of any republic," he said. Despite the row, Mr Norris remains the bookmakers' current favourite to become head of state later this year. Recent history suggests that there may be a few twists and turns before anyone who has backed him will be able to collect their winnings. |
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He's not the brightest spark by any means coupled with his Psycho problems ,Ireland could have big problems
if he gets in. |
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Micky McGuinness will be visiting The Queen in Central London in a few years.
Afternoon tea in the palace  ,At least himself and the Duke would have the CRAIC!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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[:o]
Hardly, Messi. That old fellow is a Battenberg and, some say, the head of the masons. On the other hand, Robinson is said to get on very well with Martin, so maybe stranger things have happened. One negative could be that the six become destabalised with first Gery and now (possibly) Martin "going south". Btw, the british media ( and this forum) seem to be obsessed with bringing up anti-Irish and anti-Traveller stuff of late. Does this herald some terrible bad news from british government, I wonder? Their usual ploy is to try divert attention away from their own failings by attacking somebody else. Nothing new, of course, but I wonder what bad news they're trying to cover up.  |
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I THINK THERE MAY BE MONEY TO BE MADE HERE... Possible false favourite, 2nd fav not certain to go on the ground, 3rd fav is tempermental and not an easy ride, 4th fav is unfathomable, 14/1 shot withdrawn on vetinarian advice... 16/1 outsider with some promising wins behind him stepping up to grp 1 company cld be interesting...
Michael D Higgins 8/13 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Higgins Gay Mitchell 2/1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_Mitchell Martin McGuinness 8/1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_McGuinness Mary Davis 12/1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Norris_%28politician%29 David Norris 14/1 - WITHDRAWN NOT UNDER ORDERS (vet's certificate [;)]) Sean Gallagher 16/1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se%C3%A1n_Gallagher 18/1 bar QUESTION - is the favourite going to be seen to be too academic, to high brow etc? QUESTION - is the 2nd Fav at risk of being seen as unreliable and even "Dangerous" http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015630/Gay-Mitchell-Controversial-views-lavish-junkets-notorious-gangster-cousin.html QUESTION - Could Martin McGuinness pick up protest votes, by default, in addition to core supporters QUESTION - is the 16/1 shot actually more like a 6/1 shot??? WILL ANY OF THE BOOKIES TAKE AN EW BET - i.e. your candsidate makes the last two??? Gonna watch this one with interest and will have a little interest bet on the businessman Sean Gallagher for the hell of it... |
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You couldn't make it up,could you..and I bet..
He lives in a nice hice. |
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It gets better...
Former Eurovision Song winner Dana makes last minute entry into Irish presidential race Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039218/Former-Eurovision-winner-Dana-makes-minute-entry-Irish-presidential-race.html#ixzz1YUQq08v5 Eurovision Song Contest winner Dana is hoping to win an even bigger prize – the presidency of Ireland. Dana Rosemary Scallon last night announced she was seeking the nomination for the country’s top job. She said she planned to run as an independent candidate. Dana, who won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with ‘All Kinds of Everything,’ campaigned for the presidency in 1997, but was defeated by the present incumbent, Mary McAleese. The 1970 Eurovision Song Contest winner's political career did not end there, however, as she successfully contested a seat in the European Parliament in 1999 in the Connacht-Ulster constituency, a seat she held until 2004. When the Irish Daily Mail talked to her as she alighted from a ferry from the UK yesterday, she made it clear that she has the Áras in her sights. 'The keys of the Áras cannot belong just to the political parties, that office is for the people of Ireland,' she said. 'And I am now considering entering the Áras race,' she added. 'People have been very supportive in recent days and I will be announcing my decision shortly,' she said. A reliable source very close to Mrs Scallon said the announcement would be that she is going to announce her intention to stand for President. He also confirmed that she has contacted Independent TDs seeking their signatures for a nomination and has received some assurances, although he could not divulge how many names she has so far. Mrs Scallon has also been in touch with individual TDs and Senators from Fianna Fáil since it was announced the party would not be putting forward a candidate. This makes tomorrow's testy meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party – where they are to resume discussions on the Presidency – even more significant. Mrs Scallon knows that she will need more support than is available from the Independents and some Fianna Fáil members have also pledged support for her. Mrs Scallon, pictured third left, stood for the presidency in 1997, but was beaten by Mary McAleese. A source has confirmed that Mrs Scallon has been in touch with Fianna Fáil’s top brass. She has written a letter to leader Micheál Martin some weeks ago letting him know of her intentions, although she has not yet received a reply. It is believed that she also spoke to the general secretary of Fianna Fáil who gave her permission to contact all of the party's Oireachtas members – and she has contacted a vast number of these. A source close to Mrs Scallon said that she had no intention of running until the media brought it up in the middle of the summer. But then she is said to have been convinced to reconsider following the deluge of support she was receiving – more than 15,000 emails and phone calls encouraging her to throw her hat into the ring. Winner: Mrs Scallon won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with the song 'All Kinds of Everything', also the title of her book |
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the presidential race is more like fookin big brother, that was until micky mac put his name in the ring. needless to say they dont allow terrorists into big brother
cant believe hes 8/1 who in the right mind would vote for him?hes a murderer dana is a whiney cow david norris has severe issues maybe bertie should throw his name in the ring afterall, hed be better than most if all he did was leech off taxpayers money |
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nelson mandela and martin mcguinness very similar
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Is there time for O'Driscoll to throw his hat in?
Oh but I'm getting ahead of myself... that's for 12yrs time[;)] |
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Maybe mick mac could have a drink,in one of the pubs him and the rest of ira/SCUM ordered to be bombed in BIRMINGHAM in the 70's,the six they arrested,traces of semtex on there hands and clothing and put down at the time have all been let off.
Or maybe was it just a bad case of "pass the parcel". [>o][>o] |
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legends bluenose what have u ever done only post carp on a forum
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im sure its very cold in ure liverpool council flat
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FIANNA FAIL leader Michael Martin appeared to have won the battle within the parliamentary party today when Senator Labhras Ó Murchú dropped his bid to become President and the party decided not to nominate any candidate.
The move effectively ends the chances of Dana Rosemary Scallon and David Norris who needed a critical mass of Fianna Fail votes to secure a nomination |
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Have to agree with Dave.Legends!
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Thats how f'cking stupid you are dave or is it Rodney
I live in a house [;)] Bought (no mortgage) [;)] I live in BIRMINGHAM  Now dave plzzz get f`cked [;)] |
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bluenose bow to the list of legends above my good man
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Bluenose, I understand that anyone who played cards in the seventies would have the same traces of "semtex" on their hands
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bluenose was too busy playing wit himself in the 70's
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Bluenose is a good egg, and I guess if you live in Brum this is an emotive subject, dave
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many people in many countries been affected by invasions
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They have, m8. The Brits on tour did a lot of damage as well as the odd bit bit of good.
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he dead
John (Jackie) Duddy (17). Shot in the chest in the car park of Rossville flats. Four witnesses stated Duddy was unarmed and running away from the paratroopers when he was killed. Three of them saw a soldier take deliberate aim at the youth as he ran. He is the uncle of the Irish boxer John Duddy.[38] Belt worn by Patrick Doherty. The notch was made by the bullet that killed him.[39] Mural by Bogside Artists depicting all who were killed by the British Army on the day Patrick Joseph Doherty (31). Shot from behind while attempting to crawl to safety in the forecourt of Rossville flats. Doherty was the subject of a series of photographs, taken before and after he died by French journalist Gilles Peress. Despite testimony from "Soldier F" that he had fired at a man holding and firing a pistol, Widgery acknowledged that the photographs showed Doherty was unarmed, and that forensic tests on his hands for gunshot residue proved negative.[38][40] Bernard McGuigan (41). Shot in the back of the head when he went to help Patrick Doherty. He had been waving a white handkerchief at the soldiers to indicate his peaceful intentions.[6] Hugh Pious Gilmour (17). Shot through his right elbow, the bullet then entering his chest as he ran from the paratroopers on Rossville Street.[38] Widgery acknowledged that a photograph taken seconds after Gilmour was hit corroborated witness reports that he was unarmed, and that tests for gunshot residue were negative.[6] Kevin McElhinney (17). Shot from behind while attempting to crawl to safety at the front entrance of the Rossville Flats. Two witnesses stated McElhinney was unarmed.[38] Michael Gerald Kelly (17). Shot in the stomach while standing near the rubble barricade in front of Rossville Flats. Widgery accepted that Kelly was unarmed.[38] John Pius Young (17). Shot in the head while standing at the rubble barricade. Two witnesses stated Young was unarmed.[38] William Noel Nash (19). Shot in the chest near the barricade. Witnesses stated Nash was unarmed and going to the aid of another when killed.[38] Michael M. McDaid (20). Shot in the face at the barricade as he was walking away from the paratroopers. The trajectory of the bullet indicated he could have been killed by soldiers positioned on the Derry Walls.[38] James Joseph Wray (22). Wounded then shot again at close range while lying on the ground. Witnesses who were not called to the Widgery Tribunal stated that Wray was calling out that he could not move his legs before he was shot the second time.[38] Gerald Donaghy (17). Shot in the stomach while attempting to run to safety between Glenfada Park and Abbey Park. Donaghy was brought to a nearby house by bystanders where he was examined by a doctor. His pockets were turned out in an effort to identify him. A later police photograph of Donaghy's corpse showed nail bombs in his pockets. Neither those who searched his pockets in the house nor the British army medical officer (Soldier 138) who pronounced him dead shortly afterwards say they saw any bombs. Donaghy had been a member of Fianna Éireann, an IRA-linked Republican youth movement.[38] Paddy Ward, a police informer[41] who gave evidence at the Saville Inquiry, claimed that he had given two nail bombs to Donaghy several hours before he was shot dead.[42] Gerald (James) McKinney (34). Shot just after Gerald Donaghy. Witnesses stated that McKinney had been running behind Donaghy, and he stopped and held up his arms, shouting "Don't shoot! Don't shoot!", when he saw Donaghy fall. He was then shot in the chest.[38] William Anthony McKinney (27). Shot from behind as he attempted to aid Gerald McKinney (no relation). He had left cover to try to help Gerald.[38] John Johnston (59). Shot in the leg and left shoulder on William Street 15 minutes before the rest of the shooting started.[38][43] Johnston was not on the march, but on his way to visit a friend in Glenfada Park.[43] He died 4½ months later; his death has been attributed to the injuries he received on the day. He was the only one not to die immediately or soon after being shot.[38] |
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A lot more brum pubs need blowing up
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bluenose7
Date Joined: 18 Oct 08 Add contact | Send message 20 Sep 11 12:56 Joined: Maybe mick mac could have a drink,in one of the pubs him and the rest of ira/SCUM ordered to be bombed in BIRMINGHAM in the 70's,the six they arrested,traces of semtex on there hands and clothing and put down at the time have all been let off. The six that were arrested never had semtex on their hands and clothing you scouse fookwit.They were innocent men on their way back to a funeral and the british intelligence knew the guys who blew up the brum pub were already back in dublin and dundalk. Their third appeal, in 1991, was successful. Hunter was represented by Lord Gifford QC, others by noted human rights solicitor, Gareth Peirce. New evidence of police fabrication and suppression of evidence, the discrediting of both the confessions and the 1975 forensic evidence led to the Crown withdrawing most of its case against the men. The Court of Appeal stated about the forensic evidence that "Dr. Skuse's conclusion was wrong, and demonstrably wrong, judged even by the state of forensic science in 1974."[13] In 2001, a decade after their release, the six men were awarded compensation ranging from £840,000 to £1.2 million. |
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Not much compo was it, some women get that much for sexual discrimination at work these days
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By the way group 13 (ex-sas and mi5) abducted and murdered many innocent catholics in the 70's and 80's as part of the shoot to kill policy.
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McGuinness could be good for Ireland
By George Galloway on Sep 19, 11 08:00 AM in From the jail house to the state house? From paramilitary to president? Could it be thus for Martin McGuinness? I've spent the last couple of days in Ireland, north and south, and I'm actually writing this from Derry, Martin's constituency - and where, his opponents will surely point out, he was a senior IRA commander. But wherever I've been, the prospect of him finishing his journey as president of Ireland has provoked feverish interest and speculation as well as a lot of heated criticism. I first met McGuinness at a demonstration more than 20 years ago where the bald and beautiful Sinead O'Connor sang the Christy Moore song, I Wish I Was Back Home in Derry, with lyrics by Bobby Sands. A few months ago I was checking into a hotel in O'Connell Street in Dublin when the door opened and a uniformed chauffeur walked in carrying the luggage of the now Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, a civil servant clutching his valise with McGuinness striding behind. "Changed days Martin," I said and he collapsed in laughter. One of the many ironies is that the boy from the Bogside won't even be able to vote for himself because he lives north of the border, and if you believe the pundits, his task is looking impossible. But his party, Sinn Fein, has made remarkable inroads into the votes of the tired old other parties, taking 10 per cent and 14 constituency seats in the recent Irish elections. And McGuinness is universally known, unlike some of his competitors. There won't be any recognition problem on the doorsteps. To win on October 27 he probably has to double the number of Sinn Fein votes, from 220,000 to half a million. But he'll be helped by the remarkable decision of Fianna Fail not to put up a candidate. They polled almost 400,000 in the last election, 17.4 per cent, and many of these will go to McGuinness. hey polled almost 00,000 in the last lection, 17.4 per cent, nd many of these will o to McGuinness. The election is by roportional epresentation, with otes ranking the andidates in order of reference, so he'll pick p a goodly share of econd preferences too. The election is by proportional representation, with votes ranking the candidates in order of preference, so he'll pick up a goodly share of second preferences too. I believe he'll do it. And, if I believe he'll do it. And, if is team hasn't already come p with it, I can offer a ampaign slogan: "McGuinness Is Good For You!" his team hasn't already come up with it, I can offer a campaign slogan: "McGuinness Is Good For You!" |
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IF YOU GUYS could KINDLY take your argie bargie out into the streety, PLEASE... this is a thread about the irish presidency and the betting ops therein... not an excuse for bigots to rehearse and deliver age-old hatred-riden tirades
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Thank you, Somerset: my thoughts exactly!
BTW are you still seeing that naughty girl from North of the Border? |
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Shhhhhhhh!! That was years ago. I hear you had a fling with a lass from the Bandit country along the border.
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22,000 Text in to the Joe Duffy show at lunchtime with 7 options for president. Majority of the votes was for McGuinness
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Classified info that, SM!
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