In February (2015) the SDLP changed its position on the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Assembly voted to allow it to operate (beyond ‘customs and borders’ functions) in Northern Ireland – it has been operating in Britain since 2013 (BBC | Irish Times). Sınn Féın continues to oppose the NCA (BBC).
Falls Road, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12550
“On May 7th vótáıl Gearóıd Ó hEára. Leading positive change” – Sınn Féın electoral billboard for the 2015 UK elections, on the back of Free Derry Corner.
Ó hEára would go on to take second place, behind the SDLP’s Mark Durkan (WP).
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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12547
Kieran Doherty died on August 2nd, 1981, after 73 days on hunger-strike. The (repainted – compare to 2001 | 2004 | 2011) mural in his memory depicts scenes from his funeral on 1981-08-04.
The photograph on which the central panel is based is by Derek Spiers; see also this set at hungerstrikes.org. The volley took place outside the Doherty family home in nearby Commedagh Drive (Belfast Media).
The portrait of Doherty in the top left replaces a similar one in the same location; the plaque at the portrait’s top-right corner remains from before. The angled panel shows Doherty’s parents, Alfie and Margaret.
The (actual) memorial stone, which is here reproduced on the perpendicuar joining wall, was also seen in 2007.
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Copyright © 2014/2015 Peter Moloney
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[M11488] [M11487] M12358 [M12360]
This is an interesting set of images from Main Road, Moygashel.
The first three employ familiar imagery of the UVF and the 36th Division (the Home-Rule era “Deserted! Well – I Can Stand Alone” is less familiar but goes back to at least 1988; the UVF flag also references the anti-Home Rule movement in the “1912” date of the founding of the Ulster Volunteers).
The stencil (“It is not racist to protect your own community”) and hand-painted board (“Don’t be DUPed”) indicate a recent change in attitudes.
In the May elections for the European Parliament, UKIP received the most votes and the most seats (24), campaigning on an anti-immigrant and Euro-skeptical message; this is its best electoral performance to date (WP). Perhaps in response to UKIP’s increasing popularity, Conservative leader David Cameron last year (2013) promised (gov.uk) a referendum on EU membership, should the Conservatives be elected in next year’s (2015) general election.
The source of dissatisfaction with the DUP is less clear. The party won the largest number of seats in the local elections in May (WP).
These are perhaps the first appearance in the Peter Moloney Collection of both sentiments.
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M11247 [M11248] [M11249] [M11250]
M11245 M11246
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“Sınn Féın – putting Ireland first / Éıre chun cınn. Vótáıl Mary McConville, Jim McVeigh, toghcheantar na Cuırte / Court”. Local elections will be held on May 22nd, for the newly amalgamated councils (11 rather than 26); the Court district has also changed somewhat – it now includes the [CNR] areas of Clonard and Falls as well as [PUL] Ballygomartin, Forth River, Shankill, and Woodvale (WP).
“Belfast Easter Commemoration 1916 – Sunday 20th April. Assemble Beechmount Ave 1pm, parade leave 1.30 pm sharp. Speaker: Martina Anderson MEP. Honour Ireland’s patriot dead, wear an Easter lily. Cumann Uaıgheann[a] Na Laochra Gael – National Graves Association”
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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“RNU in west Belfast are today leading the way in combating anti-social behavior [sic], reclaiming republican values, fighting the benefits cuts, tackling the increased drug problem, exposing the slum landlords, rebuilding community pride.” RNU [Republican Network for Unity (Xitter)] stencil on Northumberland Street. Tommy Doherty (leaflet) is running in the local council elections taking place on May 22nd.
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M10862 [M10863] [M10864]
Electioneering is under way in Northern Ireland, ahead of the local and European parliament elections on May 22nd.
“Vótáıl Éırígí #1 Pádraıc Mac Coıtır, Máıre Drumm”. This “Máıre Drumm” is the daughter of Sınn Féın vice-president and 1976 RHC victim Máıre Drumm.
“Think Independently, Vote Independent #VoteMulholland1 Cıarán Mulholland. Neamhspleách/Independent candidate for the Black Mountain ward. The political parties have failed the people of west Belfast. Have your say and change things on the 22nd of May #VoteMulholland1”. Mulholland is an independent (socialist).
Hugo Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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“Important/Tábhachtach – Faıgh do vóta/Get your vote. Is everyone in your house on the electoral register? Gach vóta luachmhar…/Every single vote counts …” This is a generic electoral board encouraging voter registration (for Sınn Féın voters, at least) as there are elections scheduled until the local and European votes in May, 2014.
For the mural above, see The Final Salute.
Whiterock Road, west Belfast.
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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M10522
Also 2014 M10787 at Falls Rd/Glen Rd
“… vote for Sınn Féın.” This vintage board in Juniper Park, Belfast/Dunmurry, goes back to at least 1998 (compare D00788 around the corner in Juniper Rise).
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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M09388
A road sign repurposed by Sınn Féın at Ford’s Cross near Silverbridge, Co Armagh, previously the site of a “Sniper at work” road-sign.
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 