“Cogús” (Fb) or “conscience” is the prisoners’ welfare arm of the Republican Network For Unity (RNU).
The RNU web address along the bottom of both pieces no longer appears to function (Wayback); the organisation does have a Facebook page.
Rossville Street, Derry
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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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“Many suffer so that someday future generations may live in justice and peace.”
Portraits of Nelson Mandela and Bobby Sands are presented side by side, both smiling, in front of the flags of (post-apartheid) South Africa and the Republic of Ireland.
Bogside, Derry.
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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Tomás [Thomas] Ashe Mellon was recently (June, 2014) charged with directing the activities of the New IRA (which was formed in 2012 from the Real IRA and Republican Action Against Drugs) via a letter that was being smuggled into Maghaberry by William McDonnell and denied bail; in March (2015) he admitted possession of the note (and received 40 months) but pleaded not guilty to the charge of directing terrorism (Derry Daily | BBC | Derry Daily).
This board protesting Mellon’s “intern[ment] by Britain” is in Westland Street, in Derry’s Bogside.
Update: In July, Mellon was acquitted of directing terrorism (Irish News).
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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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The bloody hand-prints of children represent the genocide being waged by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza.
Springhill Park, Strabane.
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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This is a new board at the Crumlin end of Brompton Park – launched on August 6th by Gerry Kelly and members of the Cliftonville football team – in support of Palestine and Gaza, and in particular protesting the deaths of the four Bakr children on the beach at the port of Gaza on July 16th (see Child Killers). The image of the man carrying the boy is from Reuters.
See also: a Where Is The World? mural on the International Wall.
Painted by Mickey Doherty and mounted in Brompton Park, Ardoyne, north Belfast.
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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“UFF” in Annadale flats, seemingly hand-cut and hand-painted, and in place since 2008 (at least).
Haywood Drive, south Belfast.
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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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
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Cut-out boards in the shapes of the red hand of Ulster (both left and right hands!), the five-pointed orange star (usually purple) of the Williamites, the crown of the British monarch, and King Billy on his steed line the fence along Bute Park in Ballybeen, Dundonald.
Also included are images of the nearby bonfire on Davarr Avenue, festooned with election posters for Martina Anderson, Nuala Toman, and (from Alliance) Anna Lo.
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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This board is on the end of the Hubb Community Resources Centre and Bowling Club in St. Vincent Street, north Belfast; across the street is Crusaders football ground.
From the Tele: “The building was once the home for local Civil Defence during World War II’s ‘Blitz’. This building is now the one of the last remaining Civil Defence structures in Northern Ireland and has also played home to the local Senior Bowls Club for many years.” The mural also shows bombed-out homes and children going off to the countryside. Short documentary about the 1941 Belfast Blitz (youtube).
Here is a badge of the YRCD & Bowling Club.
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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“In memory of our fallen comrades of the INLA. Paul McCann, Matt McLarnon, Danny Loughran, Gino Gallagher.” Divis flats, St. Peters, and the plough in the stars, form the background. Information about the deaths of each of the four can be found via this IRSP page.
“This mural was erected by Teach Na Fáılte, Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners Support Group. 2014. ‘I owe my allegiance to the working class.’ Seamus Costello 1939-1977”
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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 