Slugger O'Toole

  • Home
  • Slugger O'Toole

Slugger O'Toole Slugger's a pro conversational politics and culture blog. Non partisan it takes a pluralist rather

Slugger O’Toole is an award winning news and opinion portal, which takes a critical look at various strands of political politics in Ireland and Britain. It tries to bring its readers ‘open source analysis’ from both the mainstream media and the blogosphere. And we are constantly on the look out for opportunities to add value to the debate of matters of regional, national and international concern

. Set up by founding editor Mick Fealty in June 2002 to focus primarily on Northern Irish politics and culture, Slugger was one of the earlier adopters of the blog technology it runs. In April 2010, as result of investment form 4IP and NI Screen the site was given a substantial design overhaul to take advantage and participate in the WordPress open source technology platform. Our editorial approach is pluralist in that we deliberately seek out a range of political opinion. We believe diversity of opinion is essential to building a reliable view of any single problem, great or small. Our aim is to bring our readers accurate reporting combined with honest and informed analysis rather than balance. We continue to focus on Northern Irish politics but increasingly we will seek to bring you high quality blogging and journalism on issues that affect the Republic of Ireland, Britain and the wider world. We bring on particular subject areas like the economy, cultural issues or the environment. The primary language of Slugger O’Toole is English, but we also have blogs in Irish and – potentially at least – in Welsh. Slugger has developed a reputation for hosting an (mostly) intelligent dialogue on a range controversial and important issues.

Based on the most recent opinion polling, Trump will win the electoral college. The main lesson to be learned from the e...
02/11/2024

Based on the most recent opinion polling, Trump will win the electoral college. The main lesson to be learned from the end of WWII and the Cold War is that fascism, totalitarianism, and authoritarianism tend to end in tears, often very bloody ones, but that lesson has been lost in the intervening years. The rise of Trump, the invasion of Ukraine, the Israeli genocide of Palestinians, Brexit, and the re-emergence of hard right parties throughout Europe all challenged the post war liberal consensus that international cooperation, freer trade, economic integration, social inclusion, gender equality, and human rights were the path to greater peace, prosperity, social cohesion, and democratic governance....

Based on the most recent opinion polling, Trump will win the electoral college. The main lesson to be learned from the end of WWII and the Cold War is that fascism, totalitarianism, and authoritarianism tend to end in tears, often very bloody ones, but that lesson has been lost in the intervening ye...

Chancellor confirms City Deals will proceed in Autumn Budget Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP announced during Wednesd...
02/11/2024

Chancellor confirms City Deals will proceed in Autumn Budget Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP announced during Wednesday’s (30 October) Autumn Budget that the City Deals for Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West will proceed. The deals will deliver a combined investment from the UK Government of £162 million over 15 years to rural areas in NI. The Chancellor also announced that the Northern Ireland Executive will be provided with a £18.2 billion settlement in 2025/26, including a £1.5 billion top-up through the Barnett formula, with £1.2 billion for day-to-day spending and £270 million for capital investment....

Chancellor confirms City Deals will proceed in Autumn Budget Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP announced during Wednesday’s (30 October) Autumn Budget that the City Deals for Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West will proceed. The deals will deliver a combined investment from the UK Governm...

We get a lot of questions about our comments policy, and I wanted to be more transparent about how the mods make their d...
02/11/2024

We get a lot of questions about our comments policy, and I wanted to be more transparent about how the mods make their decisions, so this is your chance to ask any questions. Also, I am keen to improve the comments experience, so if you have any suggestions, please do.

We get a lot of questions about our comments policy, and I wanted to be more transparent about how the mods make their decisions, so this is your chance to ask any questions. Also, I am keen to improve the comments experience, so if you have any suggestions, please do. Brian O'Neill I help to manage...

Kevin Rooney is a public sector administrator and previously a local journalist in Downpatrick. We are now in the final ...
02/11/2024

Kevin Rooney is a public sector administrator and previously a local journalist in Downpatrick. We are now in the final few days of the quadrennial US election cycle. The race is so evenly split between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The bookies though have Trump as slight favourite and we all know they are never too far out. But the possibility of Harris winning the popular vote and losing the election is a distinct possibility....

Kevin Rooney is a public sector administrator and previously a local journalist in Downpatrick. We are now in the final few days of the quadrennial US election cycle. The race is so evenly split between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The bookies though have Trump as slight favourite and we all know...

Just over a year ago, Jon Boutcher became the new PSNI Chief Constable. He replaced Simon Byrne, whose tenure came to an...
01/11/2024

Just over a year ago, Jon Boutcher became the new PSNI Chief Constable. He replaced Simon Byrne, whose tenure came to an amidst several controversies. However, Jon Boutcher now faces a headache of his very own. According to the BBC News... "More than 70 Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers watched body-worn video footage of a drugs arrest for their “entertainment and amusement”, an investigation has found....

Just over a year ago, Jon Boutcher became the new PSNI Chief Constable. He replaced Simon Byrne, whose tenure came to an amidst several controversies. However, Jon Boutcher now faces a headache of his very own. According to the BBC News… “More than 70 Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of...

By Niamh O’Kane from the Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast Queen’s University Belfast has been leadin...
01/11/2024

By Niamh O’Kane from the Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast Queen’s University Belfast has been leading research to understand how the environment in which we live causes ill-health and cognitive decline among our rapidly ageing population as part of the SPACE project (Supportive Environments for Physical and Social Activity, Healthy Ageing and Cognitive Health). Environmental factors such as air quality, green space, congestion, noise, and other pollutants can contribute to poorer health outcomes, especially as we age....

By Niamh O’Kane from the Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast Queen’s University Belfast has been leading research to understand how the environment in which we live causes ill-health and cognitive decline among our rapidly ageing population as part of the SPACE project (Suppor...

I was grumbling to a friend a while ago about the commercialisation of Halloween and was picking on the ubiquitous pumpk...
31/10/2024

I was grumbling to a friend a while ago about the commercialisation of Halloween and was picking on the ubiquitous pumpkin, a rather lurid American import in my opinion. She reminded me that the origins of Halloween are Irish and then a few days ago she sent me a photo of the turnip she’d carved “in honour of” her “Irish roots”....

  I was grumbling to a friend a while ago about the commercialisation of Halloween and was picking on the ubiquitous pumpkin, a rather lurid American import in my opinion. She reminded me that the origins of Halloween are Irish and then a few days ago she sent me a photo of the turnip she’d carve...

The Belfast Telegraph reported this week that a respected colleague was forced to leave the profession for doing what, 5...
31/10/2024

The Belfast Telegraph reported this week that a respected colleague was forced to leave the profession for doing what, 50 years ago, every pharmacist did; make and supply medicines for his patients and clients. Known as nostrums, the content of these medicines often remained a trade secret and could add considerably to the value of a pharmacy business as good nostrums were commercially very successful....

The Belfast Telegraph reported this week that a respected colleague was forced to leave the profession for doing what, 50 years ago, every pharmacist did; make and supply medicines for his patients and clients. Known as nostrums, the content of these medicines often remained a trade secret and could...

Ruairí McDonnell attended the Trump rally in New York City. During the September 10 Presidential debate, Kamala Harris ...
30/10/2024

Ruairí McDonnell attended the Trump rally in New York City. During the September 10 Presidential debate, Kamala Harris urged viewers to attend one of Donald Trump’s rallies, mocking the size of his crowds and suggesting attendees might leave due to boredom and exhaustion. However, if those listening to her that night had chosen to attend Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden, they would have found her assessments to be misguided....

Ruairí McDonnell attended the Trump rally in New York City. During the September 10 Presidential debate, Kamala Harris urged viewers to attend one of Donald Trump’s rallies, mocking the size of his crowds and suggesting attendees might leave due to boredom and exhaustion. However, if those listen...

Philip O’Neill is a retired civil servant and should not be confused with the equally retired Chief Operating Officer of...
30/10/2024

Philip O’Neill is a retired civil servant and should not be confused with the equally retired Chief Operating Officer of Translink also called Philip O’Neill You may recall a while back I wrote an OP extolling the virtues of the new Belfast transport hub. At the time Grand Central Station was only open to buses, and the Hub only opened for train services recently....

Philip O’Neill is a retired civil servant and should not be confused with the equally retired Chief Operating Officer of Translink also called Philip O’Neill You may recall a while back I wrote an OP extolling the virtues of the new Belfast transport hub. At the time Grand Central Station was on...

Although Northern Ireland has long considered to be a paradigmatic case of ethnic conflict – a place apart from liberal ...
30/10/2024

Although Northern Ireland has long considered to be a paradigmatic case of ethnic conflict – a place apart from liberal democratic norms – much of its politics continue to replicate trends found elsewhere. The hollowing out of policy programmes works to shield decision-makers from accountability and denude voters of agency. Outwith policy options a kind of anti-politics takes hold whereby the stuff of debate degenerates into platitudes and virtue-signalling....

Although Northern Ireland has long considered to be a paradigmatic case of ethnic conflict – a place apart from liberal democratic norms – much of its politics continue to replicate trends found elsewhere. The hollowing out of policy programmes works to shield decision-makers from accountability...

Former Alliance party leader and current Liberal Democrat peer Lord Alderdice believes the Alliance party should adopt a...
30/10/2024

Former Alliance party leader and current Liberal Democrat peer Lord Alderdice believes the Alliance party should adopt a position on the constitutional question in any border poll. As John Manley writes in this article in 'The Irish News' which is covering the Lord Alderdice's new book 'The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland – Beyond Unionism and Nationalism'... "Former Alliance leader Lord John Alderdice believes it is “not politically realistic” for the party to sit on the fence in a forthcoming border poll....

Former Alliance party leader and current Liberal Democrat peer Lord Alderdice believes the Alliance party should adopt a position on the constitutional question in any border poll. As John Manley writes in this article in ‘The Irish News’ which is covering the Lord Alderdice’s new book ‘The ...

Eva Grew is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychology at Queen's University Belfast The chilled morning feeling. You...
30/10/2024

Eva Grew is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychology at Queen's University Belfast The chilled morning feeling. You open your eyes, make your breakfast, coffee, and sit down to read what’s new in the world. Bum! A friend liked your post, great. There is another war somewhere. Election. Scientists informing about the impact of global warming. A cute video featuring a monkey – followed by an ad about the importance of protecting the natural monkey habitat....

Eva Grew is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast The chilled morning feeling. You open your eyes, make your breakfast, coffee, and sit down to read what’s new in the world. Bum! A friend liked your post, great. There is another war somewhere. Election. Scie...

I read that the recent vandalism case at Belfast City Hall when former DUP Mayor Wallace Browne's portrait was damaged b...
29/10/2024

I read that the recent vandalism case at Belfast City Hall when former DUP Mayor Wallace Browne's portrait was damaged by a Sinn Féin member is now being treated by the PSNI as a 'hate crime'. Now, my understanding of the criteria of a hate crime is that a crime must first be committed and in order for it to be considered a hate crime there needs to be a further aggravating factor surrounding the motivation of the crime, that there needs to be an element of racism, sectarianism etc involved....

I read that the recent vandalism case at Belfast City Hall when former DUP Mayor Wallace Browne’s portrait was damaged by a Sinn Féin member is now being treated by the PSNI as a ‘hate crime’. Now, my understanding of the criteria of a hate crime is that a crime must first be committed and in...

Moderate, sensible, cautionary voices from Irish nationalism and Ulster Unionism are rare enough. But they are still out...
29/10/2024

Moderate, sensible, cautionary voices from Irish nationalism and Ulster Unionism are rare enough. But they are still out there. In the past month I have been reading or listening to four of them: a former Tánaiste, a Southern Protestant, a Northern Orangeman and a distinguished international academic. There is a lot I disagree with Michael McDowell on (particularly on refugees and migration)....

Moderate, sensible, cautionary voices from Irish nationalism and Ulster Unionism are rare enough. But they are still out there. In the past month I have been reading or listening to four of them: a former Tánaiste, a Southern Protestant, a Northern Orangeman and a distinguished international academ...

As a woman of advancing years I very much treasure my beauty sleep and as such I only caught up on Friday’s Graham Norto...
28/10/2024

As a woman of advancing years I very much treasure my beauty sleep and as such I only caught up on Friday’s Graham Norton, on the iPlayer today. I have a love / hate relationship with the format of the show. When the guests have chemistry it really works and when they don’t it really doesn’t. On Friday the camaraderie and chemistry was excellent....

As a woman of advancing years I very much treasure my beauty sleep and as such I only caught up on Friday’s Graham Norton, on the iPlayer today. I have a love / hate relationship with the format of the show. When the guests have chemistry it really works and when they don’t it really doesn’t. ...

It’s not been a good few weeks for Belfast visitors and commuters. Not only are key arterial routes more packed than eve...
27/10/2024

It’s not been a good few weeks for Belfast visitors and commuters. Not only are key arterial routes more packed than ever with traffic jams during most of the day, but the bus and train systems have been up the swannie too, especially on Thursday and Friday last week. This issue hasn't escaped the notice of local politicians. In the assembly, during Infrastructure questions on October 1, the Minister, John O'Dowd, seemed to suggest that Belfast representatives Philip Brett and David Brooks should stop whining as…...

It’s not been a good few weeks for Belfast visitors and commuters. Not only are key arterial routes more packed than ever with traffic jams during most of the day, but the bus and train systems have been up the swannie too, especially on Thursday and Friday last week. This issue hasn’t escaped t...

Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Northern Irelan...
27/10/2024

Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Northern Ireland General Election survey results published Data from the newly published 2024 Northern Ireland General Election Survey shows that the TUV was the main beneficiary from a decrease in the DUP’s vote in the July general election. According to the Irish News, the DUP saw its vote share drop by 8.5 percentage points, with only 17% of those who voted for the DUP in the 2019 election doing so this time around....

Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Northern Ireland General Election survey results published Data from the newly published 2024 Northern Ireland General Election Survey shows that the TUV was the main beneficiary from a decrease....

The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Co...
27/10/2024

The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday.

The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. Brian O'Neill I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing....

In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like he...
27/10/2024

In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday.

In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. Brian O'Neill I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is....

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance released a report today on racism and Intolerance in the UK, (ful...
26/10/2024

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance released a report today on racism and Intolerance in the UK, (full 46 page report available here): The report states that: ECRI’s reports are not the result of inquiries or testimonial evidence. They are analyses based on information gathered from a wide variety of sources. Documentary studies are based on a large number of national and international written sources…...

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance released a report today on racism and Intolerance in the UK, (full 46 page report available here): The report states that: ECRI’s reports are not the result of inquiries or testimonial evidence. They are analyses based on information gathered ...

...novelty ordinarily emerges only for the man who, knowing with precision what he should expect, is able to recognise t...
25/10/2024

...novelty ordinarily emerges only for the man who, knowing with precision what he should expect, is able to recognise that something has gone wrong. Thomas S. Kuhn, Structure of Scientific Revolutions Every time this storm around Sinn Féin looks like abating, something else kicks it off again. Wednesday's committee meeting may have been a cynical attempt to strong-arm an Assembly committee into silence, but it also raised an important question....

…novelty ordinarily emerges only for the man who, knowing with precision what he should expect, is able to recognise that something has gone wrong. Thomas S. Kuhn, Structure of Scientific Revolutions Every time this storm around Sinn Féin looks like abating, something else kicks it off again. Wed...

From the BBC: Police have raided a pizzeria in western Germany which they alleged served customers a side of co***ne whe...
25/10/2024

From the BBC: Police have raided a pizzeria in western Germany which they alleged served customers a side of co***ne when they ordered item number 40 on the menu. Authorities were tipped off about the scheme in March by food inspectors, and drug squad officers began watching the restaurant, criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke said on Monday. When police went to detain the pizzeria manager at his apartment, the 36-year-old reportedly threw a bag of drugs out of the window, which "fell right into the arms of the police officers", Düsseldorf police said....

From the BBC: Police have raided a pizzeria in western Germany which they alleged served customers a side of co***ne when they ordered item number 40 on the menu. Authorities were tipped off about the scheme in March by food inspectors, and drug squad officers began watching the restaurant, criminal...

The Rev Harold Good has a book out today. It is Called In Good Time: A Memoir, and it was written with former journalist...
24/10/2024

The Rev Harold Good has a book out today. It is Called In Good Time: A Memoir, and it was written with former journalist and Irish News Editor Martin O'Brien. Over in the BelTel, Sam McBride covers some of the juicy bits. From the article: A cleric who facilitated top secret discussions between the DUP and Sinn Féin has revealed the truth of what went on, exposing years of DUP lies....

The Rev Harold Good has a book out today. It is Called In Good Time: A Memoir, and it was written with former journalist and Irish News Editor Martin O’Brien. Over in the BelTel, Sam McBride covers some of the juicy bits. From the article: A cleric who facilitated top secret discussions between th...

Kevin Rooney is a public sector administrator and previously a local journalist in Downpatrick. With the US election jus...
24/10/2024

Kevin Rooney is a public sector administrator and previously a local journalist in Downpatrick. With the US election just over a fortnight away, some very interesting polls and data are showing wide support for Donald Trump amongst Latino, Hispanic and black communities in the United States. The aforementioned communities were historically Democrat supporters but the tide actually turned in 2016 then did a reverse in 2020 with Biden pulling the base back....

Kevin Rooney is a public sector administrator and previously a local journalist in Downpatrick. With the US election just over a fortnight away, some very interesting polls and data are showing wide support for Donald Trump amongst Latino, Hispanic and black communities in the United States. The afo...

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Slugger O'Toole posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Slugger O'Toole:

Videos

Former UUP Minister Danny Kennedy questions Sinn Fein election strategy #LE23

Ahead of the (eventual) publication of the Sue Grey report into Partygate, Sam Coates from Sky News questions cabinet members as they enter and exit Downing Street

Lord Patten – Inaugural Seamus Mallon Lecture
Lord Patten – Inaugural Seamus Mallon Lecture

Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes CH delivering the inaugural Seamus Mallon Lecture for the John & Pat Hume Foundation from 7pm on Wednesday 23 June 2021.

Edwin Poots elected DUP Leader
Edwin Poots elected DUP Leader

Slugger O'Toole Editor Mick Fealty shares his views on the election of Edwin Poots MLA as the new Leader of the DUP. Read More: https://sluggerotoole.com/2021/05/14/and-it-turns-out-its-ed-poots-job-to-see-the-dup-into-an-uncertain-unionist-future/

US Election 2020 - Lessons for Northern Ireland politicians
US Election 2020 - Lessons for Northern Ireland politicians

stv
stv

stv
stv

STV
STV

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share