Margaret Ritchie getting it from all side - awww

[Belfast-citizen]

Margaret Ritchie acted unlawfully when she withdrew more than £1m of funding from a three-year project in loyalist areas, the High Court has heard.

The social development minister said she made the decision because the UDA failed to decommission its weapons.

But a barrister for the Conflict Transformation Initiative on Wednesday claimed the project had nothing to do with the UDA.

John Larkin QC accused the SDLP minister of "acting unlawfully".
Mr Larkin said dealing with decommissioning was beyond Margaret Ritchie's pay grade - and she was not legally competent to deal with it.


Yesterday he said she was equivalent of John Sergeant off the BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing



And today Orange Order leaders are demanding that Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie withdraws what they say are offensive remarks about the loyal orders.

Speaking at a weekend conference organised by the GAA, Ms Ritchie allegedly said that while there were "some progressive people" in the loyal orders, they remain "deeply divisive" in the community.

The minister condemned all attacks on Orange Order and GAA property - but the loyal orders say they are "gravely concerned" at her words.




Pack it in Margaret you're making a right pigs ear of it

[Keith-M]

Speaking at a weekend conference organised by the GAA, Ms Ritchie allegedly said that while there were "some progressive people" in the loyal orders, they remain "deeply divisive" in the community.

This must take the biscuit for hypocrisy, calling another group group "deeply divisive" at a weekend conference organised by <b>the GAA</b>. I mean you couldn't make it up!!!!!!

[Roger2]

This must take the biscuit for hypocrisy, calling another group group "deeply divisive" at a weekend conference organised by <b>the GAA</b>. I mean you couldn't make it up!!!!!!

Ms Ritchie is an Ulster Catholic who was speaking at a meeting in Northern Ireland. Why do you pass judgement on what any Ulster Catholic does or says in Northern Ireland?

[Belfast-citizen]

Because i have the right too !!

[meriwether2]

This must take the biscuit for hypocrisy, calling another group group "deeply divisive" at a weekend conference organised by <b>the GAA</b>. I mean you couldn't make it up!!!!!!

Thats on interesting point. Could you elaborate on that?

[Roger2]

Because i have the right too !!

And I have a right to pick my nose in company. That does not mean that I should do. The fact that one has a right to do something does not make it good manners to do so.

[Kerrygold]

This must take the biscuit for hypocrisy, calling another group group "deeply divisive" at a weekend conference organised by <b>the GAA</b>. I mean you couldn't make it up!!!!!!

So your comparing loyal orders to the GAA?

You really are a moron.

[Mr Crowley]

This must take the biscuit for hypocrisy, calling another group group "deeply divisive" at a weekend conference organised by <b>the GAA</b>. I mean you couldn't make it up!!!!!!

Multiple exclamation marks are the sign of a deeply, disturbed mind.
Diagnosis; chronic Hibernophobia, abandonment issues and self hate.
If you're feeling suicidal; think Nike.

[nineteensixtyseven]

Compared with some Ministers she is doing fine. Ruane *cough*

[Pat Mc Larnon]

It was only 3 years ago that the Orange Order along with Unioinst politicians and Unionist paramilitaries promised and delivered massive violence on the Springfield Road if they did not get marching where they wanted to. There is even footage of a O.O. member (in sash) swinging a sword at a PSNI member.
During this Unionist rampage, that lasted a few days, hundreds of rounds were fired as wel as dozens of pipe bombs being thrown. A number of PSNI and RIR vehicles were burnt out.
So I think it is fair of Ritchie, on this occasion, to draw the distinction between the GAA and the pro violence O.O.