Obama, in Arab outreach, shifts on Mideast peace
By Matt Spetalnick
WASHINGTON | Thu May 19, 2011 5:46pm EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday backed a key Palestinian demand on the borders of a future state with Israel as part of his vision for a Middle East peace deal and sought to shape political change convulsing the region.
Obama's proposal -- a policy shift that effectively calls for a negotiated Israeli pullback to 1967 borders that existed before it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem -- drew a swift rejection from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the eve of his Washington visit.
The president's first public endorsement of the idea -- in laying out his most detailed framework yet for an elusive peace deal -- came in a much-anticipated "Arab spring" address aimed at recasting the U.S. response to upheaval sweeping the Arab world.
"At a time when the people of the Middle East and North Africa are casting off the burdens of the past, the drive for a lasting peace that ends the conflict and resolves all claims is more urgent that ever," Obama told an audience of U.S. and foreign diplomats at the State Department.
Obama's bid to reset ties with a skeptical Arab world was aimed at countering criticism of an uneven response to the region's uprisings that threaten both U.S. friends and foes and his failure to advance Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.
His blunt language toward U.S. ally Israel about the need to find an end to its occupation of Arab land could complicate his talks on Friday with Netanyahu while easing Arab doubts about his commitment to even-handed U.S. mediation.
Obama also had tough words for the Palestinians for what he described as efforts to "delegitimize" Israel, a staunch U.S. ally in the region for decades.
But he urged Israel to act "boldly" and for both sides to revive long-stalled peace talks. "The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation," Obama said.
MOST DETAILED PEACE VISION
Seizing on the decades-old conflict long seen as a catalyst for broader Mideast tensions, Obama went further than he has ever gone in offering principles for resolving the stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians.
But he stopped short of presenting a formal U.S. peace plan -- an omission that could disappoint many in the Arab world -- after having failed to make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian front since taking office in 2009.
Among the parameters he laid down was that any agreement creating a state of Palestine must be based on borders that existed before Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Arab-Israel war but "with mutually agreed swaps" of land.
Netanyahu said Israel would object to any withdrawal to "indefensible" borders, adding he expected Washington to allow it to keep major settlement blocs in any peace deal.
Before heading to Washington, Netanyahu said in a statement that "the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of Israel's existence."
Obama's insistence on the borders issue -- plus his criticism of continued Israeli "settlement activity" -- sends a message to Netanyahu that Washington expects the Jewish state to make concessions.
Obama and Netanyahu have had a strained relationship, and prospects for their talks to yield any significant progress on peace moves have been viewed as dim.
Still, Obama reaffirmed an unshakable U.S. commitment to Israel's security and condemned what he called "symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations," referring to the Palestinians' plan to seek General Assembly recognition for statehood in September.
And he acknowledged that a new reconciliation deal between the Palestinian Authority and the Islamist group Hamas raised "legitimate questions" for Israel, which has condemned the accord as blocking any new peace talks.
Putting pressure on Netanyahu, who will address the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC on Monday and a joint session of Congress on Tuesday at the invitation of his Republican supporters, could be politically risky for the Democratic president as he seeks re-election in 2012.
"President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus," said likely Republican candidate Mitt Romney. "He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace."
HISTORIC OPPORTUNITIES
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Obama's efforts to renew talks with Israel that collapsed last year in a dispute over Israeli settlement building.
Robert Danin, a Middle East analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations, said that for the first time the United States has "embraced the Palestinian position on borders."
Obama also hailed popular unrest sweeping the Middle East as a "historic opportunity" and said promoting reform was his administration's top priority for a region caught up in unprecedented upheaval. "The people have risen up to demand their basic human rights," he said. "Two leaders have stepped aside. More may follow."
And he ratcheted up pressure on Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, saying for the first time that he must stop a brutal crackdown or "get out of the way," and prodded U.S. allies Yemen and Bahrain as well for democratic transformation.
While throwing his weight behind the push for reform, Obama did not abandon his approach of balancing support for democratic aspirations with a desire to preserve long-time partnerships seen as crucial to fighting al Qaeda, containing Iran and securing vital oil supplies.
Struggling to regain the initiative in a week of intense Middle East diplomacy, Obama seized an opportunity to reach out to the Arab world following the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of U.S. Navy SEAL commandos.
He announced billions of dollars in aid for Egypt and Tunisia to support and encourage their political transitions after revolts toppled autocratic leaders.
Obama has scrambled to keep pace with still-unfolding events that have ousted long-time leaders in Egypt and Tunisia, threatened those in Yemen and Bahrain and engulfed Libya in civil war where the United States and other powers have unleashed a bombing campaign.
(Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle, Alister Bull, Andrew Quinn and Arshad Mohammed; editing by Laura MacInnis, Mohammad Zargham and Todd Eastham)
The Irish Times - Saturday, May 21, 2011
Sterling show as royals win over traders at English Market
BARRY ROCHE in Cork
Prince Philip was taken with the spiced beef while the Queen inquired about the olives
CORK MAY well have to write to Meath to ask for an exchange of nicknames after the Rebel County gave a right royal welcome to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip when they paid a short but highly successful visit to the city yesterday.
Gardaí estimated that about 30,000 people came into Cork city centre to witness the first visit to the city by a member of the British royal family since Queen Elizabeth’s great grandfather Edward VII came in 1903.
They were rewarded when tight security was relaxed just a little to allow the Queen go on an unscheduled walkabout.
Emerging from the English Market, Queen Elizabeth crossed a sun-splashed Grand Parade and made her way up to the corner of Washington Street, chatting with groups of teenagers including some with special needs, who had lined the street to catch a glimpse of her.
Of course, Cork earned its soubriquet as the Rebel County not, as some think, for the daring deeds of War of Independence guerrilla fighters such as Tom Barry and Liam Lynch but for its support in the 1490s for the Yorkist pretender to the British throne, Perkin Warbeck.
But yesterday, it appeared that the Queen was willing to overlook Cork’s mutinous indiscretions when she breezed into the English Market and put in a sterling 20-minute performance where she won over traders with her interest and informality.
Fishmonger Pat O’Connell spoke movingly of how proud his late mother Kay, who established the business in 1962, would have been on such a day before revealing how he unintentionally set Queen Elizabeth laughing merrily.
“I told her it’s almost 30 years to the day since I got married and that was the last day I was this nervous of a morning and she just laughed – she was very relaxed, extremely friendly with a good sense of humour – it’s the most exciting day we’ve had in the market.”
Tom Durcan presented Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with a hamper of local produce from the vendors in the market and revealed that while neither of them commented on the local delicacies of tripe and drisheen, Prince Philip was very taken with the spiced beef.
“He was asking me about the spiced beef and how you cook it so I explained – I think they enjoyed the visit,” said Durcan whose eight-year-old nephew, John St Ledger, presented Prince Philip with a bound copy of Diarmuid and Donal O’Drisceoil’s history of the market.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Michael O’Connell, presented the Queen with a specially commissioned brooch by Cork silversmith Chris Carroll depicting Cork’s Butter Market and finished off with 18 carat gold, and garnets and diamonds to represent the Cork colours.
“I had met her in Dublin on Thursday night and her parting words to me then were as if she had been in Cork all her life – ‘I’ll see you in the market tomorrow’,” quipped O’Connell, adding that she really enjoyed the visit and the warm welcome accorded her in Cork.
Olive stall owner Toby Simmonds, who has lost his London accent after living for nearly 20 years in Cork, told how Queen Elizabeth and Prince
Philip were very taken with his wide selection of olives – including some unusual looking white
ones.
“She asked me did I grow my own olives so I told her we had tried but it didn’t work out too well and then she asked me about the white olives and I explained that they were actually buffalo mozzarella and she just commented on how cosmopolitan Cork was.”
Among the other traders who met Queen Elizabeth was ABC bread shop owner Liverpool-born Sheila Fitzpatrick whose great-great grandmother, Bridget Melia, left Crossmolina in Co Mayo as an Irish speaker and started a market stall in Liverpool.
“I was used to seeing her image on stamps and coins,” she said. “So it’s a bit surreal to see her in front of you but she was very gracious and warm and I was delighted to meet her. It was such a positive experience and a sign things have moved on as they should do and it’s wonderful.”
The Irish Times - Saturday, May 21, 2011
SF mayor shakes hands with Queen
MARY MINIHAN
BOYCOTT: SINN FÉIN has moved to distance itself from the party’s mayor of Cashel, Co Tipperary, who made history by breaking ranks and choosing to shake hands with Queen Elizabeth yesterday.
Michael Browne, who is seriously ill and was using a wheelchair yesterday, defied Sinn Féin’s policy of boycotting events associated with the royal visit and is believed to be the first representative from his party to shake the Queen’s hand.
One of several local dignitaries invited to welcome the Queen to the Rock of Cashel, Mr Browne said he did not regret his action.
“We all stand by our own political parties as best we can, but there comes a time when people must come before political parties,” he said.
He added: “I welcomed her to Cashel as mayor of Cashel and said I hoped she enjoyed her visit.”
The Queen thanked him and the Duke of Edinburgh then inquired about the various symbols on the mayoral chain he was wearing, he said after the visit.
Mr Browne, who unsuccessfully contested the general election for Sinn Féin in February, has been a town councillor for almost 20 years.
“After all, I was elected by the people of Cashel and elected mayor by the elected members. I hope I did the right thing and insulted nobody by so doing,” he told The Irish Times.
Mr Browne said he was “probably” the first Sinn Féin representative to shake the Queen’s hand. “Sooner or later it was going to happen anyway,” he added.
The party’s press office afterwards released a statement in the name of Muiris Ó Suilleabháin, who was described as the “South Tipperary Sinn Féin spokesperson”.
Mr Ó Suilleabháin said party members in Tipperary were surprised by Mr Browne’s action, “especially as he recently signed a statement against the English queen’s visit to the Rock of Cashel”.
He said Sinn Féin’s position on the visit remained that the party’s elected members should not participate in events related to the trip.
“Sinn Féin’s position on the visit of the English queen to Ireland is that it is premature and we are opposed to it and that its elected members should not attend any of the events related to it,” Mr Ó Suilleabháin said.
Ahead of the election, the Sinn Féin website said Mr Browne was urging voters to “seize the chance to rid the country of the gombeen politics of the past”.
Mr Browne is vice-chairman of the joint policing committee as well as mayor. He is a former Tipperary camogie county board chairman.
Irish Times
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Queen attends 'garden party'
EOIN BURKE-KENNEDY
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended an indoor garden party and concert at the Convention Centre in Dublin tonight on the third day of their State visit.
The royal couple’s final public engagement in the capital was hosted by the British embassy as a "return event" which the visiting country hosts during state visits.
The event, organised by Docklands entrepreneur Harry Crosbie with Riverdance founder John McColgan acting as artistic director, was designed to showcase the best in Irish music and culture.
It was attended by President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin McAleese together with some 2,000 guests drawn from the worlds of fashion, sport, business politics and entertainment.
In contrast to the formal ceremonies of the previous two days, the royals were treated to a festive occasion which included music from the Chieftains, Westlife, X-Factor contestant Mary Byrne, 1996 Eurovision Song Contest winner Eimear Quinn and the National Symphony Orchestra.
There was also a fashion show of established and up-and-coming British and Irish designers, including John Rocha, Louise Kennedy, Michael Leong and Victoria Beckham.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnula were also present, as were former taoisigh Bertie Ahern, John Bruton and Albert Reynolds, along with British foreign secretary William Hague and the British ambassador to Ireland, Julian King.
Mr Ahern arrived with his daughter, Georgina Ahern.
There was a decidedly eclectic mix of people at the event with one-time Formula One boss Eddie Jordan rubbing shoulders with businessman Denis O’Brien, theatre director Garry Hynes and writer Colm Tóibín.
Also attending were Jedward’s manager Louis Walsh, broadcasters Gráinne and Síle Seoige, film-maker Gerald Heffernan and magazine publisher Norah Casey.
Newly elected Senator and hospital consultant John Crown attended as did Independent TD Shane Ross.
The Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady, who recently attended the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London’s Westminster Abbey, was also there
alongside former president Mary Robinson and the chief executive of children’s charity Barnardos, Fergus Finlay.
From the world of sport, former world snooker champion Ken Doherty attended together with rugby star Keith Wood and Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin.
Guests at the event, which was compered by Gay Byrne, also head a specially commissioned fanfare composed in honour of the Queen by musician Brian Byrne.
Speaking before the event, John McColgan said: “When we were asked to do this, we thought we would put our best foot forward and try and put together a combination of Ireland’s best across the spectrum.”
Everything in the musical programme has been composed by Irish composers from U2 to Brendan Grahaiti and Seán Ó Riada, he said.
Earlier, Queen Elizabeth visited the National Stud in Co Kildare on the third day of her historic State visit.
Following the high-profile engagements of the last two days, the Queen had a more low-key itinerary today with just two public engagements.
Nevertheless, gardaí have advised the public to expect further delays across the capital to facilitate security surrounding the royal entourage, with a large number of roads closures and diversions in place.
As an ardent racing fan who has owned many champion horses, the Queen had expressed an interest in visiting the National Stud and its prized stallions in the preparations for her visit.
During a tour of the stud, the Queen met representatives of the Irish racing industry, including top trainers Jessica Harrington and Willie Mullins, and champion jockey Johnny Murtagh.
The stud’s most valuable sire, Invincible Spirit, whose first set of progeny set a world-record of 35 individual two-year-old winners, was paraded in front of the monarch.
The chairman of the board of Irish Racing Board, Chryss O'Reilly, thanked the Queen for visiting the stud and for her "gracious support for Irish racing". The Queen also unveiled a sculpture dedicated to the champion thoroughbred racehorse Sea The Stars, designed by artist Anthony Scott.
Minister for Health James Reilly and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney were also in attendance.
Afterwards, the Queen left for a private lunch at Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen, Co Kildare, which is owned by the Aga Khan.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, today attended a reception at Farmleigh with members of Gaisce – the President’s award.
Last night, the Queen made a historic speech on Anglo-Irish relations at State dinner in her honour at Dublin Castle. She spoke of the painful legacy of history that affects Ireland and Britain, but said that while people should bow to the past, they should not be bound by it.
The Queen said it was impossible to ignore the weight of history. “Indeed so much of this visit reminds us of the complexity of our history, its many layers and traditions, but also the importance of forbearance and conciliation; being able to bow to the past but not being bound by it.
“It is a sad and regrettable reality that through history our two islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache, turbulence and loss. The events have touched us all, many of us personally, and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who have died or been injured, or their families.”
The Queen extended her “sincere thoughts and deep sympathy” to all who had suffered as a consequence of the troubled past. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things we wish had been done differently or not at all,
but it is also true that no one who looked into the future over the past centuries could have imagined the strength of the bonds that are now in place between the governments and the people of our two nations.”
Queen Elizabeth began her short speech in Irish saying: “A Uachtaráin agus a chairde,” which drew a round of applause from the guests.
She said she and her husband, Prince Philip, were delighted to be here to “experience at first hand Ireland’s world famous hospitality”. England and Ireland were so much more than just neighbours; they were firm friends and equal partners.
The Queen referred to the ceremony at Messines, in Belgium, in 1998, when she and President McAleese dedicated a tower to the memory of the Irish soldiers who died in the first World War. She also pointed to the successful establishment of a powersharing administration in Northern Ireland, and applauded the work of all those involved in the peace process.
“What were once hopes for the future have now come to pass,” she said.
The Queen was responding to a speech by President McAleese, who said the visit was the culmination of the success of the peace process. It was an acknowledgement that, although none of us can change the past, we can change the future, she said.
“It is only right that on this historic visit we should reflect on the difficult centuries which have brought us to this point. Inevitably where there are the colonisers and the colonised, the past is a repository of sources of bitter division,” Mrs McAleese said.
“The harsh facts cannot be altered, nor loss nor grief erased, but with time and generosity, interpretations and perspectives can soften and open up space for new accommodations."
There were 172 guests at the dinner, including figures from the worlds of politics, sport, the arts and religion. British prime minister David Cameron was there, as were Northern First Minister Peter Robinson and his wife, Iris, who had not been seen in public for more than a year, following a controversy over her private life.
The Irish Times - Thursday, May 19, 2011
GAA says Croke Park visit honours association
DEAGLÁN de BRÉADÚN and ÉANNA Ó CAOLLAÍ
THE GAA had consistently supported and promoted the Northern Ireland peace process, GAA president Christy Cooney told Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Croke Park yesterday.
Referring indirectly to the Bloody Sunday shootings at Croke Park in 1920 when 14 persons were shot dead by British forces, he said it was one of many tragedies in the history of the Anglo-Irish relationship.
“In our shared history there have been many tragic events which have inflicted hurt on us all.
“While acknowledging the significance of the past and honouring all those that have lost their lives, including those that died in this place, the GAA has consistently supported and helped advance the peace process in Northern Ireland.”
In particular, he said, the association had “encouraged the reconciliation and mutual understanding which have so successfully flowed from the Good Friday agreement and its endorsement in referendums”.
He added: “Your Majesty’s state visit, at the invitation of President McAleese, will result in a further important underpinning and advancement of this process, which I firmly believe is now irreversible,” Mr Cooney said.
The GAA president told the Queen that last month he had attended “the tragic funeral of our murdered young member from Co Tyrone, PSNI constable Ronan Kerr”.
However, he added that he was “very heartened by the utter and united determination of people and political leaders across the island, and across the whole community, to stand together against violence and hatred”.
The GAA, for its part, would “continue to try and build new relationships and to reach out in particular to members of the unionist community”.
“Today above all it is in a positive spirit that we welcome your majesty and your royal highness to Croke Park. Your presence does honour to our association, to its special place in Irish life, and to its hundreds of thousands of members. Today will go down in the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association,” Mr Cooney said.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met GAA players from different counties: Tipperary hurlers Lar Corbett and Pádraic Maher; Meath footballer Joe Sheridan; and Dublin footballer Kevin Nolan.
The Abbeyknockmoy Set Dancers from Co Galway performed for the royal couple, who were accompanied by President Mary McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese.
Sitting on the sideline in front of the Hogan Stand the visiting party watched a video about the history of the GAA on the public screens and were treated to a performance of Wim Laseroms’s musical composition Play Away by the Artane Band.
The visitors were shown the Sam Maguire cup for the all-Ireland football champions and the Liam McCarthy cup for the all-Ireland hurling winners, as well as a collection of the sporting medals of the late taoiseach and Cork GAA star Jack Lynch.
Asked to comment on reports that some Northern counties had boycotted the event, a GAA representative said: “I don’t have a checklist of who turned up and who didn’t.”
However, the GAA said that Ulster GAA chairman Aoghan Ó Fearghail had been in attendance. “We didn’t keep a list.”
A spokesman for Co Derry said their representative was not present, but refused to comment any further than to say that a member of Derry County Board was in attendance but only in his capacity as a member of the Croke Park management committee.
Counties Tyrone and Armagh also confirmed they did not have representatives present.
An official from Tyrone said his county did not receive an invitation from GAA headquarters.
A spokesman for Co Armagh said he was “not aware” of any invitation, and said the matter had not even been discussed by the county board.
Fermanagh’s representative was unable to attend due to work commitments, while representatives from Down and Antrim could not be reached for comment.
A GAA spokesman said invitations were extended to all delegates on the central council, a committee consisting of representatives of county boards, and he said all counties would have received an invitation.
Asked if it were the case that an Ulster footballer had refused to meet the Queen, the GAA said the group was chosen in co-operation with the Gaelic Players’ Association and was “selected on availability”.
“Some players may not have been able to attend because of reasons of work, travel or logistics,” the spokesman said.
Among those attending the function at Croke Park were British foreign secretary William Hague, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring.
Also present were British ambassador to Ireland Julian King, Irish Ambassador to Britain Bobby McDonagh, and senior officials and former presidents of the GAA, including Seán Kelly MEP.
The Irish Times - Thursday, May 19, 2011
Symbolism hard to resist as Queen views Hill 16 on visit to Croke Park
The royal party went up to the Hogan Stand, named after the Tipperary hurler murdered on the first Bloody Sunday, writes MIRIAM LORD
THE QUEEN came to Croker and we feared for Her Majesty’s safety.
A petite 85-year-old woman walking through the Croke Park players’ tunnel in the company of legendary Kerry hard man Jimmy Deenihan. With five All-Ireland medals under his belt, he isn’t afraid of a ring of steel.
It may be 30 years since Jimmy, now a Government Minister, last made that adrenalin-fuelled journey from dressing room to pitch, but they say the feeling never leaves you. As he made his way towards the beckoning light with the Queen of England walking a few stately paces ahead, anything could have happened.
Luckily, Minister of State Michael Ring was also present.
“I said to him, I said ‘Now Jimmy, don’t get yourself worked up. Hold back! You’re not playing this time’.” With the royal visit going so well, the last thing anyone wanted to see was defender Deenihan bursting from the tunnel in a whirl of flying hats and bunny hops. But he contained himself and became part of yet another historic occasion on the Croke Park turf.
Above in the Hogan Stand, the great and the good of the Gaelic Athletic Association gathered. When they looked down, they saw Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and ladies in waiting taking up position on the sideline.
And when they looked up, they might have expected to see pigs flying in squadron formation over Jones Road. But this wasn’t make-believe.
Mrs Windsor, with these historic moments, you really are spoiling us. The symbolism. Oh, the symbolism. Who could have imagined so much of it could be crammed into such a short space of time. It was all so relaxed and easy you could have been fooled into thinking that it was just another glitzy corporate reception on the second level of the hallowed stand. Yet it was the Queen of England in the cradle of the GAA, an honoured guest at the happiest of occasions when the talk was of reconciliation and the unifying balm of sport.
As GAA president Christy Cooney pointed out to Her Majesty, the movement “constantly embodied the mood of the nation: culturally, socially and politically.” And for many fraught and fractious decades, that mood was very much set against an English monarch.
But here was one, stepping into the light, shoulder to shoulder with the President of Ireland as the Artane Band played and the ghosts of Hill 16 breathed silent benediction. The Queen, seated near the dugout, turned to watch a short video on the history of the GAA. She faced into Hill 16, where 14 people were murdered by Crown forces in 1920.
Then the royal party went up to the Hogan Stand, named after one of the Tipperary hurlers murdered on that day which became the first Bloody Sunday.
There was little mention of that tortured history – no real need, as Her Majesty’s presence, and her actions over the previous 24 hours, spoke for her. It was a joyous occasion, the welcome warm and sincere.
When the visitors emerged from the lift, they saw young Irish set dancers clattering the floor with infectious brio. The Queen burst into a big smile.
With Mary McAleese by her side – this visit has been a triumph for her – the Queen made her way down the line of GAA officials and club members. Former president Nicky Brennan of Kilkenny, clasped Her Majesty warmly by the elbow. In seconds the royal security had pounced and firmly removed the hurler’s hand from the monarch’s arm.
Even before the Queen arrived in the room, The Irish Times got carried away by the occasion and committed an illegal laying on of hands. With the collusion of former GAA president, MEP Sean Kelly, this reporter fondled the Sam Maguire cup, which was resting on a table with the Liam McCarthy cup and a large board from the GAA museum holding the medals won by the late Jack Lynch. Giddy with symbolism, The Irish Times punched the air and cried “Up the Dubs!” belting Jack’s medals in the process and sending the entire collection clattering to the floor.
As the Queen exited the pitch, a dozen officials were on their hands and knees retrieving them.
But it was that sort of day.
“There’s Willum Hague!” exclaimed a man from Cork as the British foreign secretary ambled past. One woman made an effort and wore a fancy hat.
Then someone told us the Queen had brought her dresser to Ireland, which certainly trumped all those stories that she never travels anywhere without the royal toilet seat.
Where is it? In Farmleigh? No. The Queen’s dresser was the woman wearing the hat.
Prince Philip was given a hurley and a sliotar. He seemed chuffed.
But not as chuffed as Minister Ring, who was introduced on RTÉ television as “Christy Ring”. Meanwhile, Jimmy Deenihan said it was a great honour to be with the Queen in Croker.
But which was the best – this watershed moment in history or winning five all-Ireland’s for Kerry? “There’s no comparison there. Lifting the Sam Maguire would have been bigger for me than anything, and that would include Obama.”
When word reached us that Meath player Joe Sheridan had met the Queen in the dressing room, the jokes began to fly. The Royal county’s Sheridan was the man who “fell” across the goal-line in the Leinster final, depriving Louth of the title.
A statement was issued by an anonymous spokesperson.
“For those of us who love the GAA, today is a step too far. At the site of the single greatest injustice in our history, to invite those responsible back to the scene of the crime is galling. Some will say it is time for neighbours to forget the past, but the sight of the royals out on that pitch, surrounded by gardaí, will only open old wounds.
It was never an effin’ goal and Louth won Leinster fair and square!” One out of two atrocities atoned for in the one day.
That’s not bad.
18/5/11
The Irish Times - Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Few will forget intense minute's silence that crossed the ages
KATHY SHERIDAN
Queen pays homage to the memory of those who died in the cause of Irish freedom
THE MOMENT came not in gilded majesty or 10-gun salutes. It came as an Irish military band struck up “God Save the Queen”
and a host of old ghosts, dear and gentle, fierce and austere, hovered around a small, elderly woman, dressed in pretty ivory and sage, standing in homage before a sculpture inspired by the legend of the tragic Children of Lir and Yeats’s Easter 1916 . “All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born”.
Now on a grey afternoon, in this small city centre oasis announced by the flags of the four provinces and its dedication “to those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom”, the British national anthem was soaring above the clatter of the circling Garda helicopter and the ERU snipers perched on the spire of Findlater’s Church.
Wise heads had ordained that mere words would be superfluous on this day. Present and former taoisigh such as Albert Reynolds, Brian Cowen, Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were silent observers below, as the British monarch and the Irish President ascended the 22 steps to the sculpture platform, where the Irish Tricolour fluttered at half mast in a light breeze, overseen by a precision-drilled guard of honour.
Two Military Police wreath-bearers offered the wreath to the Queen to lay before the monument; another was placed by President McAleese.
There followed a minute’s silence, one of such depth and intensity that few present are likely to forget it.
Later, cynical old hands confessed to being “surprised” by the depth of their own emotions in those charged moments.
The sounds of dissidence were muted in this honoured place. The only visible sign of protest was a rather graceful flight of black balloons floating off to the side as Capt Joe Freeley began his recital of Liam MacUistin’s poem Rinneadh Aisling Duinn (We Saw a Vision) , symbolising rebirth and resurrection.
In the darkness of despair we saw a vision,
We lit the light of hope, And it was not extinguished.
In the desert of discouragement we saw a vision.
We planted the tree of valour, and it blossomed.
In the winter of bondage we saw a vision.
We melted the snow of lethargy and the river of resurrection flowed from it.
We sent our vision aswim like a swan on the river. The vision became a reality.
Winter became summer. Bondage became freedom and this we left to you as your inheritance.
O generations of freedom remember us, the generations of the vision.
A drum-roll accompanied the slow raising of the Tricolour to full mast, followed by a spirited rendering of the Irish National Anthem. Suddenly it was over.
Those present, it seemed, felt able to breathe freely again. As the President and the 85-year-old Queen made their way down the 22 steps, for a millisecond the President seemed instinctively to reach out to assist the older woman but thought better of it.
The Queen managed the steps without faltering and the two chatted easily as they walked past the dignitaries – Bertie giving a slight bow – to make their way back to the cars, one flying the British royal standard.
Next stop Trinity College, where the Union Jack flew overheard.
All is changed, changed utterly.
The Irish Times - Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Twenty arrested as rioters and gardaí clash for almost three hours in city
CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent
DISTURBANCES: HUNDREDS OF rioters clashed with gardaí for almost three hours in Dublin city centre yesterday, throwing fireworks, glass bottles and bricks. Riot squad officers responded by charging the crowds.
There were 20 arrests, with some rioters forcibly handcuffed and removed after they resisted. Gardaí are braced for further trouble today.
Yesterday, both Garda helicopters and the Garda fixed-wing surveillance aircraft could be seen in the skies above the city, recording the rioting. At one point, the trouble on Dorset Street in the north inner city spread about 800m north to the junction with Eccles Street and Temple Street, where roads were open to traffic.
A Bus Éireann coach and cars inadvertently driven into the rioting were hit with bricks thrown over them towards gardaí. Businesses quickly pulled their shutters down and closed when they realised the gathering was turning violent.
Armed detectives mingled in the crowd while some of their colleagues photographed the rioters for prosecution at a later date.
Earlier, at 1pm, there was trouble on Henry Street as protesters tried to break through a Garda cordon for a sit-down protest at the Spire on O’Connell Street, past which the Queen’s car later drove. The small crowd was quickly cleared by gardaí.
The main trouble flared at the edge of a warren of streets north of the Garden of Remembrance closed off to secure the site for the Queen’s wreath-laying at 3pm.
A crowd of about 200 gathered from lunchtime at the main crossroads of Dorset Street, Blessington Street and Frederick Street North.
At about 2pm, flags and banners with emblems for the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and Republican Sinn Féin could be seen in the crowd. The first scuffles began as protesters threw fireworks and missiles at the front line of uniformed gardaí securing the closed roads. A Union Jack was also set on fire.
Uniform and riot squad gardaí linked arms to create a line of defence to keep the crowd back.
One protester had brought a box of soft drinks cans and these were thrown at the gardaí, along with fireworks, bricks and glass bottles. Large wheelie bins filled with rubbish from local businesses were set on fire.
By 3pm, when the Queen was due at the Garden of Remembrance 500m away, a large number of fireworks were thrown and the crowd began chanting “IRA”. For about 30 minutes, missiles were thrown almost continuously. Just after 3.30pm, gardaí dressed in full riot gear emerged and the dispersing of the rioters began. The riot squad fanned out to clear the crossroads, effectively splitting the crowd into three, with small sections of protesters being pushed south down Dorset Street and others into Blessington Street.
A large section of the crowd stayed together and were pushed north on to Dorset Street by riot squad officers who used their shields.
Some gardaí used mace spray and riot squad members drew their batons. Gardaí used loud speakers to ask the crowd to disperse, warning them that if they refused they would be arrested under the Public Order Act.
The small crowd corralled into Blessington Street threw missiles at one line of gardaí, at which point the first arrest was made. A man was plucked from the crowd, wrestled to the ground and handcuffed.
Lines of riot squad gardaí then pushed the largest section of protesters further north up Dorset Street. There were intense scuffles as the protesters were pushed back by the full-length Garda perspex shields, and even paramedics on duty donned riot helmets.
Some seven people were plucked from the crowd in quick succession and arrested. Rioters got a supply of red bricks from a nearby building site and broke them into pieces before throwing them at gardaí for long periods.
There were a number of further arrests as the final charge on the rioters by riot squad members on foot and by Garda vehicles took place. At 4.45pm, a large Garda truck was moved in to carry away those arrested. Council workers began clearing the burning rubbish, planks of wood, cans, bottles and bricks that littered Dorset Street and small side roads where some rioting also occurred. A separate protest by the republican socialist group Éirígí on Parnell Street passed off without incident.
A protest against the Queen’s visit organised by the Irish Anti-War Movement passed off without incident yesterday evening. About 100 people took part in the protest, which began at the GPO and ended with the release of black balloons outside the Central Bank. It sought to highlight the role of the Queen as the head of the British armed forces.
Chairman of the movement Richard Boyd-Barrett said the protest was not anti-British, but was to highlight the role of British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Irish Times - Wednesday, May 18, 2011
GAA president says visit an 'honour'
The head of the GAA Christy Cooney said the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Croke Park was an honour for the organisation and for its thousands of of members.
The visit to the stadium, a site steeped in symbolism for nationalists, was specially requested by the President Mary McAleese during the preparations for the royal visit, as a recognition of the GAA’s special status in Irish society.
Mr Cooney welcomed the Queen and Prince Philip to the stadium saying the visit “would go down in the history of the GAA”.
“We know that in our shared history there have been many tragic events which have inflicted hurt on us all. While acknowledging the significance of the past and honouring all those that have lost their lives, including those that died in this place, the Gaelic Athletic Association has consistently supported and helped advance the peace process in Northern Ireland."
"In particular, we have encouraged the reconciliation and mutual understanding which have so successfully flowed from the Good Friday Agreement and its endorsement in referenda by the people of Ireland, North and South," he said.
Mr Cooney said he was deeply saddened to attend the funeral of PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr and GAA member in Co Tyrone last month but said he was heartened “by the utter and united determination of people and political leaders across the island, and across the whole community, to stand together against violence and hatred”.
“The Gaelic Athletic Association for its part will continue to try and build new relationships and to reach out in particular to members of the Unionist community.”
Mr Cooney presented the Queen with a copy of a limited edition version of The GAA - A People's History which was specially commissioned to celebrate the 125th anniversary in 2009.
Prince Philip was presented with a hurley and a sliotar and was advised that the "only place to use it is on the field!"
Galway Independent
Council to make renewed effort to tackle graffiti
Written by Lorraine O'Hanlon
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Galway City Council is to make a renewed effort in the coming weeks to deal with the “scourge” of graffiti in the city. Acknowledging that reduced staffing and resources have impacted on their ability to remove graffiti from well-known “hotspots”, council officials this week vowed to prioritise the removal of offensive racist and homophobic graffiti.
Speaking at Monday’s city council meeting, Acting Director of Services for Housing and the Environment Kevin Swift said that the local authority continues to work to remove graffiti and uses a special chemical in problem areas that makes the removal of markings easier.
Mr Swift said the council has traditionally tackled graffiti in problem areas during the summer months when additional staff are available, but that this has not been possible for the past two years due to reduced staffing levels.
He said resources would continue to be a problem, but that the council would be prioritising the removal of offensive graffiti, which councillors said was particularly prominent in sections of Knocknacarra.
The council is also currently working with the Probation Service to develop a project that would see offenders on community service orders removing graffiti and cleaning affected sites while under close supervision. The initiative has already been rolled out in Dublin.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting, Deputy Mayor Frank Fahy said that anyone who daubs racist or homophobic graffiti on private homes or public property “deserves a term in prison”, and suggested that covet cameras be rolled out to capture the culprits in hotspots around the city.
Director of Services Ciaran Hayes said that it was not acceptable to deface the city with graffiti and appealed for anyone with information that could be used in legal proceedings to come forward.
Cllr Colette Connolly said the council should adopt a “zero tolerance approach” to racist graffiti, and suggested that those on FAS schemes could help in the removal of such markings. And several councillors also called for increased communication between the council and local residents’ groups.
Meanwhile, Cllr Billy Cameron praised a number of local businesses that had employed artists to paint murals and other artworks on their exterior walls, in a bid to prevent incidents of so-called “tagging”, where obscene language is daubed on walls.
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