physical force

New Lodge Volunteers

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Twenty portraits in circular frames have replaced the twenty-one square portraits seen on the ‘Out Of The Ashes Of 1969’ mural in the New Lodge. From left to right, those portrayed are Michael P Neill, Seamus McCusker, Gerard Crossan, Colm Mulgrew, Francis Liggett, Brian Fox, John Kelly, Robert Allsopp, Louis Scullion, Billy Reid, Danny O’Hagan, Michael Kane, Sean McIlvenna, Jim O’Neill, Rosemary Bleakley, Martin McDonagh, James McCann, James Sloan, Dan McCann. Paddy McManus is no longer included, as compared with the earlier portraits.

For the mural without any portraits, at the time of its launch in 2012, see X00857.

See also the New Lodge IRA memorial garden.

New Lodge Road, north Belfast.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04307 T04306 [T04305]

Meet The New Boss

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These UVF posters urge residents of east Belfast who owe money to loan sharks not to sell drugs or find some other way to pay it back, but instead to get in touch with a political representative.

The Sunday World reported that repayments are being withheld after the Shankill UVF ordered the leadership in East Belfast UVF to stand down (in November 2023 – IRN | BBC) and took over the operation. The posters thus come from the old (East Belfast) guard, trying to thwart the new bosses and hoping to resume collection themselves.

SDLP councillor Séamus De Faoıte commented (in the Irish News), “Anyone who has knowledge of criminal activity or exploitation of vulnerable people should report it to the relevant authorities, but people do not need to take any lessons from the UVF when it comes to upholding the law.” (Also: BelTel)

Meanwhile, the endingtheharm.com campaign (part of the Executive/DOJ’s programme designed to tackle “paramilitary activity and organised crime”) continues. See They Control You for a 2019 version.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04279 Castlereagh Pl

Easter Commemoration

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This RNU (Fb) board calls for attendees at a gathering in Milltown cemetery to commemorate the Easter Rising of 1916. The signatories to the Proclamation can be seen above and behind the large Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann gravestone on the right.

Glen Road, on the grounds of the old Andersonstown RUC barracks.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04258 [T06468]

Still Undefeated

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The UVF mural in Carlingford Street, east Belfast, that the one shown here replaces was controversial at the time (2013) because of its proposed inclusion of two hooded gunmen in fatigues firing into the air. In response to the concerns expressed, the final version put both figures in WWI uniforms and had only one firing into the air – the other gazed downward in prayer – and the modern UVF was referenced only in the forms of the towers and cages of Long Kesh and of a roll of honour. (See Years Of Sacrifice for both the draft and final murals.)

The cages are retained in this new board but the depiction of violence is more explicit here than in the proposed mural a decade ago: at the centre of this piece is a hooded gunman carrying an assault rifle.

For the wider context of re-imaging and re-re-imaging (that is, the disappearance and return of PUL hooded gunmen), see Visual History 11.)

Long Kesh’s cages are also included in a Shankill board to Stevie McCrea – A True Soldier Of Ulster.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04149c T04148 T05833 X14985 [X14984] courtesy of Seosamh Mac Coılle
Ulster Volunteers 1912 Ulster Covenant In memory of all friends & comrades of the cosy bar east belfast

Carson’s Volunteers

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From the info board (barely visible but mostly out of shot to the right):

“This mural is dedicated to the men and women of Willowfield. In 1912 the 3rd Home Rule bill was introduced and passed by Parliament, and although defeated 3 times by the house of Lords it was sent for Royal assent. On 9th April 1912 over 200,000 unionists attended a rally at Balmoral including the Orange Order and Unionist Clubs which had marched from the city centre. Here they were addressed by among others, Sir Edward Carson, leader of the Irish Unionist Party. On 28th September nearly 500,000 men and women signed the Ulster Covenant. Factories and the Shipyard in Belfast were idle and silent, allowing their workers the opportunity to attend church and then to congregate at the City Hall. 3,242 men and women from Willowfield signed the Covenant, some in their own blood. They then formed into the 2nd Willowfield Battalion of the East Belfast Regiment U.V.F. commanded by Dr. William Gibson. They drilled and trained in the Willowfield Unionist Club that was situated about half a mile from this spot. With the onset of WW1 in 1914, these same volunteers stood to the fore to defend the Empire as the 8th battalion (East Belfast) in the 36th Ulster Division. Many did not return but their bravery and honour will forever be remembered.”

Ardenvohr Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04147

Unrecognisable Britishness

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Billy Wright broke with the UVF over the ceasefire in 1994 and after being expelled (and the Mid-Ulster brigade disbanded) in the summer of 1996, formed the LVF (WP). The tarp shown above, however, is in the UVF Ballykeel area of Ballymena, which has come around to his anti-Agreement way of thinking in the current anti-Protocol environment. There is video of the speeches from which these paragraphs come; the first paragraphs can be seen in this AP report; the third paragraph (from a speech on Xitter) is followed by the claim that “democracy has been stood on its head”.

“”I am living through the death of our nation, the destruction of our way of life. I am sick of ambiguity, I am sick of the government’s lies and deceit. I will not become part of a process that is designed to ease our people into a United Ireland. They shall demand concession after concession, their small inches will soon turn to yards, then yards to miles and finally they shall have their way, your Britishness shall become unrecognisable.” – No Irish Sea border – Maintain the Union – Defending our heritage and culture.”

On top of a Covid-era “NHS thank you” board on Crebilly Road, Ballymena, next to Somme, King Billy, and VE Day pieces.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T03920 [T03921]

Remember Me

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“Remember me – Glenn Quinn. Murdered by cowards. We all know who they are!” The body of Glenn Quinn was found in his Carrickfergus home in January 2020. His family believe he was beaten and left to die by members of the South East Antrim UDA; as a result of their accusation they have been threatened a dozen or more times (BBC). The Crimestoppers’ 20,000 pounds reward has now – on the fourth anniversary of the death – been doubled by an anonymous donor. (BBC)

Spotlight investigated Glenn’s death in 2021 (BBC).

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T03887 [T03888]

Patrick Rooney

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“Murdered by RUC”. Nine-year-old Patrick Rooney was the first child to be killed during the Troubles, when he was hit by a bullet from a Browning machine-gun mounted on an RUC whippet (Shorland armoured car – see a picture at the Police Ombudsman’s report) on the night of August 14-15, 1969, hours before the British Army arrived in Northern Ireland in reponse to the Battle Of The Bogside (Derry). (Irish Times | BBC)

RTÉ has footage of Rooney’s funeral.

The board was unveiled in November by the RNU (Fb), replacing the Rook O’Prey board. There is a plaque to Rooney and Hugh McCabe, who died the same night, on the remaining flat, Divis tower (M02005).

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T03828 T03829 Falls Rd