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09/04/2013
McGuinness Opposes Thatcher Parties
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has taken to Twitter to encourage republicans not to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher.
News of the former UK Prime Minister's death sparked celebrations across the UK and Ireland, including in Bristol, Brixton, Glasgow, Belfast and L'Derry.
But Mr McGuinness tweeted: "Resist celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher, she was NOT a Peacemaker but it is a mistake to allow her death to poison our minds."
DUP Junior Minister Jonathon Bell described parties organised in L'Derry and west Belfast as "disappointing and disgusting".
In L'Derry, a petrol bomb is reported to have been thrown at a passing police patrol near the Free Derry Corner.
In west Belfast, car horns were sounded and street parties saw residents open bottles of Champagne in celebration.
Mr Bell said: "The response from Sinn Féin and republicans to the death of our former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, whom the IRA sought to murder, was both disappointing and disgusting.
"While many will differ on policy – such is the nature of the democratic process – all right thinking people will regard the carnival celebrations following Baroness Thatcher's death as deeply inappropriate. At a time of bereavement there should be human compassion for those in mourning."
Margaret Thatcher's legacy remains contentious on both sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland. Many unionists are critical for her signing of the Anglo-Irish agreement, which saw the Republic of Ireland given a stake in the future of Northern Ireland.
Throughout her reign as Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was a symbol of hatred for republicans and the IRA's biggest target. Republicans hold her responsible for the deaths of ten men on hunger strike in the Maze prison, as a result of her refusal to grant prisoners political concessions.
(IT/CD)
News of the former UK Prime Minister's death sparked celebrations across the UK and Ireland, including in Bristol, Brixton, Glasgow, Belfast and L'Derry.
But Mr McGuinness tweeted: "Resist celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher, she was NOT a Peacemaker but it is a mistake to allow her death to poison our minds."
DUP Junior Minister Jonathon Bell described parties organised in L'Derry and west Belfast as "disappointing and disgusting".
In L'Derry, a petrol bomb is reported to have been thrown at a passing police patrol near the Free Derry Corner.
In west Belfast, car horns were sounded and street parties saw residents open bottles of Champagne in celebration.
Mr Bell said: "The response from Sinn Féin and republicans to the death of our former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, whom the IRA sought to murder, was both disappointing and disgusting.
"While many will differ on policy – such is the nature of the democratic process – all right thinking people will regard the carnival celebrations following Baroness Thatcher's death as deeply inappropriate. At a time of bereavement there should be human compassion for those in mourning."
Margaret Thatcher's legacy remains contentious on both sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland. Many unionists are critical for her signing of the Anglo-Irish agreement, which saw the Republic of Ireland given a stake in the future of Northern Ireland.
Throughout her reign as Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was a symbol of hatred for republicans and the IRA's biggest target. Republicans hold her responsible for the deaths of ten men on hunger strike in the Maze prison, as a result of her refusal to grant prisoners political concessions.
(IT/CD)
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08 April 2013
NI Reacts To Death Of Margaret Thatcher
Northern Ireland's politicians have been reacting to the news today that former UK Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher has died, aged 87. The first female British prime Minister in UK history, Lady Thatcher was elected in 1979 and served 11 years unbroken in office. She had been suffering from dementia and declining health for some years.
NI Reacts To Death Of Margaret Thatcher
Northern Ireland's politicians have been reacting to the news today that former UK Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher has died, aged 87. The first female British prime Minister in UK history, Lady Thatcher was elected in 1979 and served 11 years unbroken in office. She had been suffering from dementia and declining health for some years.
09 April 2013
Cricketer Apologies Over Thatcher Tweet
Irish cricketer John Mooney has apologised for comments he made regarding the death of Margaret Thatcher. The Ireland all-rounder, who plays for club side North County, reportedly tweeted a message saying he hoped the former Prime Minister had died a "slow and painful" death. Baroness Thatcher died on Monday following a series of strokes.
Cricketer Apologies Over Thatcher Tweet
Irish cricketer John Mooney has apologised for comments he made regarding the death of Margaret Thatcher. The Ireland all-rounder, who plays for club side North County, reportedly tweeted a message saying he hoped the former Prime Minister had died a "slow and painful" death. Baroness Thatcher died on Monday following a series of strokes.
12 April 2013
DUP Call For Investigation Into Thatcher Parties
DUP North Down MLA Peter Weir has has written to Chief Constable Matt Baggot to ask that street 'celebrations' over the death of Margaret Thatcher be investigated. Celebrations have been seen in west Belfast and parts of L'Derry since the former UK Prime Minister passed away on Monday, following a series of short strokes. She was 87.
DUP Call For Investigation Into Thatcher Parties
DUP North Down MLA Peter Weir has has written to Chief Constable Matt Baggot to ask that street 'celebrations' over the death of Margaret Thatcher be investigated. Celebrations have been seen in west Belfast and parts of L'Derry since the former UK Prime Minister passed away on Monday, following a series of short strokes. She was 87.
10 April 2013
UUP Refutes Thatcher Hunger Strike Death Claims
East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has publicly condemned claims made by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams that Margaret Thatcher was responsible for the deaths of the 10 hunger strikers in 1981. Mr Adams made the claims in a statement following news of the death of the former UK Prime Minister.
UUP Refutes Thatcher Hunger Strike Death Claims
East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has publicly condemned claims made by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams that Margaret Thatcher was responsible for the deaths of the 10 hunger strikers in 1981. Mr Adams made the claims in a statement following news of the death of the former UK Prime Minister.
16 April 2013
'Respect Thatcher Funeral' - Alliance Chief Whip
Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has called on the public to respect the family of Margaret Thatcher ahead of her funeral at St Paul's Cathedral in London tomorrow. Mr Dickson said there should not be any public parties to celebrate the death of the frmer Prime Minister.
'Respect Thatcher Funeral' - Alliance Chief Whip
Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has called on the public to respect the family of Margaret Thatcher ahead of her funeral at St Paul's Cathedral in London tomorrow. Mr Dickson said there should not be any public parties to celebrate the death of the frmer Prime Minister.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
