‘I'm justifiably, unapologetically angry. Angry that Opus Dei exists — a relic of cruelty with no place in this world'
Anne Marie Allen is showing me exactly where on her upper thigh she would wear her cilice — a metal chain with sharp spikes on the links — for two hours every day. The higher up and tighter she wore it, the better.
'The looser it was, the more it scraped [the skin], so it was just easier to tie it really tight and then double- or treble-knot it,' she explains. 'And then you whipped yourself on Saturday, to the Hail Holy Queen in Latin. You'd be passing by bedrooms, and you'd hear people doing it. And this was normal.'
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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Book review: Duffy returns for more Ulster noir
There is a certain juncture in every Sean Duffy novel when your mind starts to wander. You picture the troubled detective checking beneath his BMW for a tilt bomb, part of his daily ritual, then gunning the car through inevitably rainy Carrickfergus. He's on the way toward the RUC barracks, his every turn backgrounded by the plaintive soundtrack of his beloved Avro Pärt. Then, you wonder for the umpteenth time why nobody in Britain or Ireland has yet seen fit to turn these books into a television show — as big a mystery as any he has tried to solve himself and Hang on St Christopher, the latest, is the eighth instalment in this enthralling series. For the uninitiated, Duffy is a Liverpool-supporting, weed-smoking, poetry-loving, whiskey-chugging Catholic detective serving in an almost exclusively Protestant police force at the height of The Troubles. There's even some GAA in his background. His colourful career intersects with some of the most infamous characters and significant moments in the turbulent history of the violence in the North. Adrian McKinty's genius is how deftly he places his roguish hero at the centre of storylines involving episodes like the Kincora Boys scandal, the De Lorean car farrago, and the double-dealing of Freddie 'Stakeknife' Scappaticci. Having mined some of the darkest chapters in the province to excellent effect, McKinty and Duffy have moved on to the 1990s. Unbeknownst to those still suffering the Sturm und Drang of paramilitary warfare, the place is ebbing towards the cusp of a kind of peace. So too is our hero, by now cast in a state of semi-retirement as an RUC reservist commuting to work from the home he has made in Scotland with his partner Beth and their daughter Emma. Of course, any sort of domestic peace and superannuation doesn't quite suit his restless spirit and, in the way of all great cop dramas, he gets sucked into investigating one more murder. Not just any homicide, either. Turns out that the deceased portrait painter is also an IRA assassin, and his demise has the potential to derail those attempting to bring an end to the fighting. Trying to unravel the various threads from there is a complicated business that takes McKinty into unfamiliar territory, as far afield as the United States, Iceland, and Dundalk. Thankfully, the wit and sarcasm that sustained him through his various brushes with death all along the way remain resolutely intact. Especially when meeting with the IRA honcho in his border town lair. With every book, Duffy has evolved and those of us who have made the journey with him through all the novels have inevitably grown terribly fond of his imperfect character and tolerant of his foibles. Yet, when he almost, but not quite, strays on his partner in this outing, this long-term reader — and I presume others — shared the haughty disdain evinced by DC John McCrabban, his long-suffering partner. 'Crabbie' is a part-time farmer, full-time straight man, and the perfect Presbyterian counterpoint to Duffy's maverick approach to solving crimes and everything else. Like so much about these books, their relationship is perfectly drawn. I am truly envious of those yet to meet Duffy and 'Crabbie', jealous because these people have eight of these treasures waiting to be delved into. Hang on St Christopher, named like all the others for a Tom Waits song, is as good any of them but they should be read in sequence. Aside from creating a charismatic detective, McKinty has woven his intricate way through Ulster's recent, tawdry history. And made from that entertaining and compelling noir fiction, even for those of us who lived through it just down the road. Some achievement.
The Journal
4 days ago
- The Journal
Nationalist bonfire builders urged to remove hateful messages from pyres
A CATHOLIC BISHOP and former SDLP leader have called for nationalist bonfire builders in Derry to stay away from burning flags or placing offensive symbols on pyres that are due to be lit this evening. The organisers of nationalist bonfires in Derry also faced calls to remove the names of individuals that were written on materials set to be burnt, including the name of former PSNI officer John Caldwell who suffered an attempted murder. Bonfires have been built in several nationalist areas of Northern Ireland this month and are due to be set alight tonight. Bonfires are not as significant an occurrence in nationalist areas as they are in unionist areas for the 12th of July, but are sometimes built in August for the Feast of the Assumption and to mark the anniversary of the introduction of internments without trial in August of 1971. A pyre built in Creggan included a placard with several names, including John Caldwell, a police officer who was shot in 2023 while off duty and suffered serious injuries, and Kyle Bonnes, who was a 15-year-old teenage boy who died in a drowning incident in 2010. SDLP MLA Mark Durkan, the nationalist party's former leader, has urged bonfire builders in the Bogside and Creggan areas to remove offensive items from the pyres before they are set alight this evening. 'The appearance of a large number of flags on the Bogside and Creggan bonfires ahead of them being lit on Friday evening is really disappointing. We have to call this out for what it is, it's wrong when flags and emblems are burnt on bonfires in July and it's wrong in August too,' Durkan said. Advertisement In a statement, he said that he visited the Bogside bonfire site a couple of weeks ago and engaged with some of the young people involved in its construction. 'It was clear that they took enormous pride in their involvement and I wish we could harness the effort and application that they have put into this into something more positive,' Durkan said. 'I attempted to explain to them the futility of burning flags and emblems and the hurt that can cause,' he said. 'I again appeal for all of these flags and symbols to be removed from both bonfires. Far from being a celebration of culture, these bonfires are turning into nothing more than an opportunity to poke the other community in the eye. 'That gets us absolutely nowhere and leaves us trapped in a cycle that is holding this place and our young people back.' Catholic Bishop of Derry Dónal McKeown has made a similar appeal to move away from using bonfires as tools of hatred. In an interview on BBC Radio , he said that the bonfires are being used to 'exploit fear and anger'. He said he recognises that many young people experience 'a lot of pain and distress' in their lives and that the 'question is how do we deal with that', but added that a bonfire that would 'encourage anger' is not the answer. The bishop said that 'nothing beautiful grows in an angry head' and that 'those who are helping young people to be angry are not doing them any favours'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man charged with murder and attempted murder following death of man and assault of priest in Downpatrick
'Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team, investigating the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the serious assault of a priest in Downpatrick on Sunday 10th August, have charged a man to court,' said a PSNI spokesperson. 'The man, aged 30, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. 'He is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Wednesday August 13. 'As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service." Stephen Brannigan died following an incident in the Marian Park area of the town. Police have said they believe the death may be linked to an attack on a priest later on the same day. Fr Murray who was seriously assaulted at the weekend is now 'comfortable and stable' in hospital. He is 'progressing' in his recovery, a colleague said. It came as hundreds of shocked parishioners gathered for a special mass in Co Down this morning. Shortly before mass on Sunday, Fr Murray was approached by a man in his 30s in a distressed state, reportedly shouting and crying out in St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick. It is reported the man sought to have Fr Murray hear his confession in the sacristy. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more However, the suspect is said to have assaulted the priest by hitting him on the head with a bottle. Fr Murray sustained a serious head injury and is being treated in a hospital in Belfast. Fr Murray was due to retire on Thursday, and had been preparing to celebrate his last mass as parish priest. It is believed that the murder of local grandfather Stephen Brannigan, who was found in the Marian Park area of the town on the same day, is connected to the assault. This morning a special mass for Fr Murray is taking place in Downpatrick. It is being celebrated by Bishop Alan McGuckian in St Colmcille's Churchin support of the Brannigan family and for Fr Murray. Bishop McGuckian said: 'At a moment like this when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, 'What is going on? What is happening to us?' Jesus comes to us.' He added: 'Despite the terrible things we have to bare, the horrible things we have to bare we are a people of hope.' The church was packed with parishioners. Speaking at the scene, former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, who is from Downpatrick, said people wanted to show their support for those affected. "First of all I want to offer my sympathy and my condolences to the Brannigan family on the sad death and passing of Stephen in such tragic circumstances,' she said. 'Of course I know Fr John, he has been parish priest here for the last 11 years and he provided excellent pastoral stewardship in the very big Catholic parish of Downpatrick. "He has been very strong on ecumenical relations, particularly here with the Church of Ireland cathedral in Downpatrick. "So for all of those reasons I wanted to come here today to show that support, that solidarity with Fr John and wish him a very speedy recovery.' Speaking before the mass, Fr Martin Graham said there was a lot of shock at recent events. 'From what we understand [his condition] is comfortable and stable. And that is all we have been told,' said Fr Graham told Good Morning Ulster. 'He is progressing. There is a family grieving as well, there are two daughters, there is a dad, there are grandchildren grieving their grandad. 'It is important for us to remember the Brannigan family in all of this. That they get support, they have the support of the parish as well. 'The mass this morning is going to be a very simple, gentle mass. The bishop will offer it to support people of the town, to support the Brannigan family. 'Downpatrick, like every other town, has its problems. But the level of violence that took place on Sunday really upset the people of Downpatrick. 'That's why, even on Sunday evening, the parishioners themselves came together in St Brigid's Church to pray for an support each other.' On Monday night the family of Mr Brannigan released a statement outlining their sense of loss. Fr Graham added: 'They [the family] were willing to make that statement last night, it was absolutely heart-breaking but also so wonderful that they were able to sit down and compose something, which is so difficult to write at the best of times, but to write that in these circumstances, it was just so beautiful of them. 'Fr Murray would have been really appreciative of it, as they are appreciative of the fact that he is also praying for them.'People went to mass that Sunday morning expecting to say goodbye to him and put their arm around him to say goodbye and I think, please God, he will be able to come back and join them for another mass just where they can be able to show them the love that they have for him.'
