Troubles Archives

N. Ireland’s experience may offer insight into U.S. policing issues

Jun 16, 2020

The U.S. demonstrations over police aggression toward minorities has an antecedent in Northern Ireland, according to a police commander in Salinas, California, who spent the first 10 years of his life in Northern Ireland in the midst of “the Troubles” there, then later wrote his master’s thesis on the applicability of its policing reforms to the United States.

By Mark Pattison

Journalist death spurs bid to restore Northern Ireland govt

Apr 26, 2019

Britain and Ireland are making a new push to restore Northern Ireland’s collapsed government, as politicians face mounting criticism of politicians after the killing of a journalist by a banned militant group.

By Jill Lawless

Northern Ireland bishop expresses ‘shock, revulsion’ after journalist’s murder

Apr 19, 2019

Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry said a “deep air of sadness” is hanging over the city in Northern Ireland after the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.

By Charles Collins

As Brexit nears, Church leaders have concerns about future

Feb 1, 2019

As the British government continues to frantically try to avoid a no-deal Brexit on March 29, the Catholic Church in the country has been cautious about commenting on the country potentially crashing out of the European Union.

By Charles Collins

Catholics underrepresented in N. Ireland police, quotas being considered

Oct 3, 2018

A lack of Catholic officers in Northern Ireland may require the reinstitution of recruiting quotas to keep in place one of the linchpins of the 20-year-old peace process.

By Charles Collins

Trying to grasp how the ‘Troubles’ broke out in a city full of world’s nicest people

Aug 17, 2018

Spending time in Belfast this week, it’s hard to grasp how decades of bloody conflict could have broken out here given that everyone in the city seems determined to win a “World’s Nicest Person” award.

By John L. Allen Jr.