Opinion Pieces | Belfast Media

ANDREÉ MURPHY: British history project a key part of the legacy cover-up

IN the dying hours of the inquest into the killing of Paul Thompson, the legal representatives of the Northern Ireland Office and the Secretary of State worked to the last minute to prevent Eugene Thompson, Paul’s only surviving relative, from getting a 'gist' of withheld papers which may have been relevant to the murder.

CINEMA AND STREAMING: Just when you thought the apes had gone

CinemaKingdom of the Planet of the ApesWhen the curtain closed on the most recent offering in the Planet of the Apes franchise, which starred the absolutely brilliant Andy Serkis, we didn’t think we'd be monkeying around with any more post-apocalyptic armies of militant chimps any time soon.

MOTORING: MOT shake-up hasn’t been properly thought through

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister, John O’Dowd has announced the introduction of one-year temporary exemption certificates (TECs) for some private cars. TECs will apply to private cars first registered between 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2020 or between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018, which have a valid MOT certificate issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

DÚLRA: The winds of change sweep through Belfast

EVERY morning Dúlra danders around the outside of the house to scatter some seeds for the birds. The dunnock especially keeps an eye out – as soon as Dúlra steps back indoors, this shy bird quietly emerges from the hedges to gobble up some of the energy-rich food.

HEALTHWISE: When is a Brazil nut not a Brazil nut?

DESPITE its name, the Brazil nut is technically a seed rather than a nut. That’s nuts, isn’t it? And to complicate things even more, the seeds do come from the Brazil nut tree. We’ll keep calling them nuts, however, just to keep things uncomplicated.

THE WEEK IN VIEW: That policeman looks strangely familiar

WHAT have the Romans ever done for us? You probably know the rest of the famous scene from Monty Python’s Life of Brian sketch, so I don’t propose to go over the People’s Front of Judea, roads, aquaducts, sanitation, wine and the rest of it. (Yes, since you wondered, I just watched the scene again; partly to recall the details and partly because god knows I need a laugh at the moment.)

EYE ON THE PAST – May 1983: Adams set to take on Fitt for West Belfast seat

We look at the stories that were making the headlines this week in 1983

WE SAY: Who will speak against UDA/UVF?

YOU’LL never hear it said in the usual quarters, but the total disappearance of the IRA has been one of the most – if not the most – comprehensively delivered promises of the peace process.

JUDE COLLINS: Irish bigotry is painful to admit – but let's not pretend it doesn't exist

HELEN McEntee, the South’s Justice Minister, chanced her arm last week. She said that 80 per cent of immigrants presenting themselves for registration in Dublin had arrived there via the North, even though there were no reliable figures to support her claim.

GERRY ADAMS: Down through the ages similarities have endured in prison life

CUMANN na Meirleach Poblachtach Éireannach/the Irish Republican Felons Association celebrated its 60th birthday last weekend.

THE WEEK IN VIEW: Who'd have thought sectarianism would do us a good turn?

AS I watched the Newtownmountkennedy Irregulars on manoeuvres in recent weeks, the question occurred to me that always occurs when the Free State Far-Right (henceforth FSFR) attempt to claim the mantle of Plunkett, Pearse and Tone: Where the hell are Belfast’s Tommy Robinson wannabes?

DÚLRA: Máirín’s lifetime of love and knowledge

IT’S the most impressive book Dúlra has ever set eyes on.

HEALTHWISE: Find your best food-supplement protein mix

PROTEIN is needed for growth, repair and maintenance of our bodies, especially for bones and muscles.Supplements provide a concentrated source of protein to supplement a person’s usual food intake.

MOVIES AND STREAMING: You’re going to fall for this new Fall Guy

CinemaThe Fall GuyWith more snap, crackle and pop than a youngster's favourite breakfast cereal, Atomic Blonde and Bullet Train director David Leitch delivers yet another hugely fun and incredibly entertaining early summer action flick.

MOTORING: Skoda’s popular duo enjoys equipment boost

SKODA has announced a significant specification update for its Fabia and Karoq ranges. As part of the brand’s claimed commitment to delivering exceptional value to customers, both models enjoy a boost in standard equipment along with the availability of updated, more efficient drivetrains.

Soccer: Reds return to Cup final with Larne victory

Boxing: Wonderful Walker enjoys Beech party to land first title

Boxing: Farrell overcomes Kerr in title thriller

Gaelic Games: St Gall's see off Tír na nÓg in hurling opener

MINDFULNESS MOMENT: Unveiling the ancient origins of Easter

GERRY ADAMS: UN rep was right to censure Irish government 'zero' response to Gaza genocide

DÚLRA: How childhood spawned a love of spring

HEALTHWISE: Enjoy your Easter pleasures

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