Ireland

Crisis intensifies within the DUP

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is about to select its third leader this year. Which is a lot for a party steadfastly against change.

Tories bank on Brexit divides in Ireland

Why did the Northern Ireland protocol to the Brexit agreement between Britain and the European Union figure so large at the G7 summit in Cornwall?

Britain’s crimes in Northern Ireland covered up

The government’s plan to announce a bar on prosecutions of soldiers who killed in Northern Ireland was due on the same day as the inquest report into the Ballymurphy massacre. That saw British soldiers kill ten people in 1971.

Northern Ireland—the impact of imperialism and sectarianism today

Continuing division in Northern Ireland is a product of how the peace process was conducted by those at the top, writes Simon Basketter

The roots of armed struggle in Northern Ireland

Repression led to uprising and armed struggle, explains Simon Basketter

How sectarian divides helped Britain rule in Northern Ireland

Throughout its existence, Northern Ireland has been a political slum characterised by repression, sectarianism and poverty.

The partition of Ireland—fighting the empire

19 April 2021
Simon Basketter looks at why Britain split Ireland up during its battle for independence

Northern Ireland riots sparked by legacy of British imperialism

12 April 2021
As Loyalist areas of Northern Ireland face unrest, Simon Basketter explains why the protests are taking place now, and what they mean for Britain’s imperialist interests

Cop drama Bloodlands touches on the Troubles

17 February 2021
Bloodlands sees James Nesbitt star as a cop on the hunt for a serial killer

Report on deaths of 9,000 Irish children is a cover-up

15 January 2021
An Irish investigation reported last week on how over 9,000 children died at 18 institutions for “unmarried mothers” and their babies between 1922 and 1998.

Bosses’ coalition takes over in Ireland

30 June 2020
It’s a desperate attempt to maintain the old set-up after it was rejected by voters earlier this year

Letters: Solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement in Ireland

16 June 2020
Almost 70 Black Lives Matter protesters have been issued with fines for attending the socially-distanced rallies in Derry and Belfast on Saturday 6 June.

Irish elections show angry rejection of establishment

09 February 2020
The major establishment parties took a kicking in the Irish general election last Saturday.

Who are Sinn Fein?

08 February 2020
As counting begins in the Irish elections, Socialist Worker wishes the best to Solidarity-People Before Profit. With Sinn Fein neck and neck for top spot according to exit polls, Simon Basketter looks at the party’s history.

Irish elections set to show long term shift away from three main parties

04 February 2020
Irish taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar was hoping to get an easy ride to re-election this week.

Dublin Murders—more than just another detective show?

08 October 2019
There are some hard bitten cliches in this hard bitten BBC cop drama, writes Simon Basketter, but the character-driven storyline has depth and potential