Pontifex Darío

Unionist unity? DUP leader @GRobinsonDUP & TUV leader @JimAllister clash over powersharing at Stormont. #BBCTheView @MarkCarruthers7

Man of the Match! 👊 Super performance from Paddy McClean.

It's MATCHDAY! 🇦🇹 City are on the road to take on Drogheda United at Sullivan & Lambe Park. Away tickets available 🎟️ eventlist.store/drogheda-uni… KO 7.45pm. Live on LOITV.

Today is the day that any concept of a “New Ireland” died. The lies, spin and promises. It was always nonsense, and that had been laid bare. I never want any discord. I want to build a brighter future for Northern Ireland - for all of us. I work to that every day. I believe every person in this place I serve sees that. When others, including the First Minister and her party, have behaved with utter recklessness and disregard for stability and our institutions, I believe in responsibility. I have always embraced those who are different from who I am, and endeavoured to show respect. I have witnessed the tradition I come from treated with such utter contempt and hatred. “Little room, Great Hatred” that is what I’ve seen. That is what we have all saw with our own eyes. I come from the Orange tradition. I am deeply proud of the warmth, compassion, depth and richness of that tradition. All of our traditions come from particular aspects or “sects”. By its very nature, they are “of “something and not “of” something else. They are exclusionary by the very nature of it pertaining to the particular tradition, beliefs or views of some, but it is not exclusionary by experience or engagement. Every religious order or community is exclusionary by doctrine, but not by outreach. We all deserve respect. That respect and tolerance threatens no one. It is hard to believe I have to explain the basics of this so many years after the principles of the Glorious Revolution and our human rights and civil rights frameworks, but here we are. I have been deeply, deeply offended by the way my traditions and culture have been described, treated and expressed. The behaviour, and jubilance tastelessly and appalling shown by some tonight only shines a light on their intolerance, hatred and ignorance. I will never be goaded into punishing the people of Northern Ireland for the reckless of Sinn Fein. But I am disgusted and furious of those who have played to their base and not for what is for everyone. In this election you have a choice - choose those who want Northern Ireland to work, and those who do all they can to make it so.

Sinn Fein and republicans lost. They were defeated using the law. The legal right is established. They’ve shown themselves for what they are: a lawless mob. Our community stands dignified and proud, knowing we won. As for the PSNI and the SoS. Profound political consequences will follow, and that’s on you.

Appeasement only makes the aggressor more aggressive. If unionism continues to give, so nationalism can get, what happens when we’ve nothing left to give?

Derry City FC notes the public statement issued by the PFA Ireland (PFAI) on behalf of James McClean on 6 October 2026. This statement was made without prior notice to the Club, just four days before the biggest match of the Club's season. derrycityfc.net/2026/10/stat… The Club welcomes James' acknowledgement that some of his recent actions were misjudged and that his frustrations should have remained in-house. At all times, the Club has sought to resolve this internal matter privately. Out of respect for confidentiality and the fact that this dispute involves sensitive medical details regarding James’ hip condition, the Club have previously refrained from making any public statement on the matter. While the PFAI and James have chosen to publicise selective elements of the medical advice received, the Club does not propose to comment further on James' current medical condition. The Club is fully aware of the obligations it owes to all contracted players. All squad members who are deemed fully fit remain available for selection. Ultimately, matchday selection remains the sole prerogative of the management team, acting in conjunction with guidance from our medical staff. The Club's absolute focus is on Saturday’s FAI Cup semi-final against Galway United, and the Club will make no further comment on this matter at this time.

A few truths people need to hear dispelling some common falsehoods about Drumcree stand-off: 1) Garvaghy Residents are not living in fear. It is a bogus myth used to cultivate the perception of victimhood. It is not fear that drives them, but hatred of another’s culture and identity. If anything, Sinn Fein are living in fear of Brendan McKenna who is calling the shots. No threat exists from the Orange who have adhered to the law without exception for the past 28 years. 2) The lawful Orange procession is not a sectarian march. It is an expression of faith and culture. It is a church parade that has been walked for generations, along this historic and traditional route. A silent walk by few dozen of your neighbours, who just happen to be wearing collarettes, isn’t triumphalism or supremacism. The illegal roadblock however is purposefully intended to diminish the rights of others simply because they are Protestant. That’s what sectarianism looks like. 3) If anyone is dragging things backwards, it is nationalists. The “No Going Back” message is popularised simply because of its implication - suggesting Unionists want to drag things back to the past. They don’t - and nothing about their actual behaviour or language suggests that. Those who appear to use the language and conduct of the past are within republicanism. Branding a persons culture and identity sectarian simply for existing? Threatening peace if you don’t get your way? Illegally blocking roads? It’s all happening by the same people saying “No Going Back.” For years republicans have claimed they used to be second class citizens, but by their actions, they are denying the human rights of others by breaking the law. 4) Most people involved in the demonstrations are not even from Garvaghy Road. 5) The Orange have been nothing but peaceful, dignified and respectful. They have not sought to disregard the rights and concerns of residents, and have fully complied with everything asked of them by the legal authorities. They only seek to complete their historic church parade, which has been walked by their forefathers, but denied to them for the past 28 years.