You Are Now Entering Free Londonderry

Derry City Council have failed in their bid to change the city to Derry (dropping the London bit). In a decision which is certain to piss nationalists off from a height, Mr Justice Weatherup ruled that just because the council had changed its title to Derry, this did not mean the name specified back in the 17th century was changed. The council had wanted the government to accept its view that the name of the city is Derry rather than Londonderry.

Londonderry was established in a Royal Charter granted by King James I in 1613. The name has naturally been a source of contention. Such contention is understandable considering that London is internationally recognised as a deeply troubled area, largely populated by 'chavs' (an English variety of the common or garden spide).

Unionists can now shelve plans for they're 'I Cant believe it's not Londonderry' Ad campaign. Derry's County Board are to meet tomorrow night to determine whether the County will use the name on Jerseys in next summers Championship.

Paying Over The Odds for the Fourth Green Field

1 Billion plus in the NDP for cross border projects. The DUP grudgingly say thank you, although many of their supporters have collectively said fuck off in various blogs. The logic is of course straightforward, the border is economically a pain in the arse and this money will help remove some of its significance.

Serious money for tourism, cross border energy, science and technology, human capital and my own favourite - The Ulster Canal (woot!!!!). While 1 billion out of the pot is damn all, its certainly more than counties like Donegal are gonna see in the carve up. And its only a tiny fraction of what we'll eventually have to shell out if we ever get the chance to buy the fourth green field back from her maj.

You always end up paying over the odds for agricultural land.

RUC In Collusion Shocker

So we get an announcement or a leak of kinds that the RUC were actually involved in collusion in a number of murders. Even to a light green republican (thats a D6 republican) this aint exactly news. But what does come as interesting is the timing of the announcement.

Why should this appear in the papers now. Surely no one is trying to play silly buggers with the minds of SF members who are deciding whether they want to join the polis.

Selective leaking and strangely timed allegations, it must be the peace process on the move again.