DALARADIA

PRESS RELEASE

PRETANI ASSOCIATES LTD

Date: 19/6/17

Attn: Journalists

Use: Immediate

More Info: Helen Brooker 07817 587860

Dr Ian Adamson OBE 07803 186293

Offering Hope In Tumultuous Times…

Ironically, it’s easy enough to think of things which are equally beloved by the whole community in Northern Ireland: Comber spuds dripping with butter, Tayto Cheese ‘n’ Onion crisps and the creamy pint of Guinness, to name but a few…

So why is it that people in Northern Ireland simply can’t stomach each other?

This is the question that has focused the minds of common identity strategists Helen Brooker and Dr Ian Adamson OBE for the last four years.

Under the banner of Pretani Associates – the Pretani were the first people of the British Isles – Mrs Brooker and Dr Adamson were invited to the Sorbonne in Paris early in April, 2017, to launch their strategy in the European intellectual heartland of the humanities.

Brooker and Adamson’s project seeks to use the early history of these islands as an antidote to the poisonous legacy of Northern Ireland’s recent, ‘troubled’ past…

The Universite Sorbonne Nouvelle faculty, was, not unlike the Northern Ireland Troubles, born out of major civil unrest in 1968, so the choice of venue was, in fact, appropriate – while the original university can trace its roots back to the 12^th century.

Pretani Associates were hosted by Senior Professor Wesley Hutchinson, a native of these parts, who now finds himself Professor of Irish Studies at France’s most renowned seat of learning.

In the hallowed surroundings of the Grand Amphitheatre, Institut du Monde Anglophone, a rapt audience made up of professors, undergraduates and masters students heard how Northern Ireland is still riven by sectarianism, decades after the end of the conflict which left over 3600 people dead.

Cultural confusion has denied the population of Northern Ireland any sort of deep peace dividend, Pretani Associates contend, and old animosities are kept on the boil by a never-ending cycle of enquiries into atrocities and the machinations of the two main political parties, Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party.

Common Identity on the other hand, highlights the commonalities between the two tribes of Northern Ireland, and from a standpoint of mutual respect and conscience, would seek to remove the ‘branding’ which creates division, and thereby stimulate cultural, economic and political stability – the cornerstones – along with prosperity, of any successful society.

The Pretani Associates pairing of former nurse and founding Chair of East Belfast landmark Belmont Tower, Helen Brooker, and retired paediatrician and politician Dr Ian Adamson, were supported on their mission by hefty, no nonsense, leading Loyalist the Dalaradia Chairperson, whose Dalaradia Historical Group are converts to the Common Identity cause, enabling them to explore a broader perspective to their particular history.

Commenting on the new initiative, strategy co-author Helen Brooker said, “Common Identity is something we all share. The cultural instability which is holding Northern Ireland back socially, educationally, financially and developmentally is caused by people’s perceptions about their culture and other people’s cultures. What Common Identity does is remove the old triggers which constantly cause friction and conflict here, and offers the hope of a stable, normal society.”

Dr Ian Adamson OBE added, “The Pretani were the first people of the British Isles, and that’s where our organisation takes its name and inspiration from. Everyone in this country, regardless of religion or politics, shares a common identity stretching back to ancient times. If we concentrate on what we have in common, and set aside recent differences, we can find lasting peace and harmony.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about Common Identity can visit the Pretani Associates Facebook page or their website at Pretani.co.uk.

ENDS.

Pic Caption: Pictured in April in Paris are (l-r) Helen Brooker of Pretani Associates Ltd, Professor Wesley Hutchinson, Professor of Irish studies at the Sorbonne and Dr Ian Adamson OBE, of Pretani Associates Ltd.

STATEMENT ON THE GENERAL ELECTION ISSUED BY THE LOYALIST COMMUNITIES COUNCIL

Embargoed to 0700, 5 June 2017
The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) urges every unionist and loyalist voter to ensure they turn out and vote for unionist candidates in the forthcoming general election. Sinn Fein, and the other anti-unionist parties are seeking to capitalise on the uncertainty created by the collapse of the Stormont Executive, and the impending Brexit negotiations to move Northern Ireland away from the United Kingdom. This will only succeed if unionists fail to register their votes for unionist candidates.

The LCC deplores the unwillingness of the main unionist parties to co-operate to maximise unionist representation at Westminster. In constituencies where there is a risk of losing a seat to republicans, we ask that unionists vote for the unionist candidate most likely to win that seat. In particular we offer the following guidance:

In Fermanagh South Tyrone we ask that every unionist votes for Tom Elliott

In North Belfast we ask that every unionist votes for Nigel Dodds

In East Belfast we ask that every unionist votes for Gavin Robinson

In South Belfast we ask that every unionist votes for Emma Pengelly

If there is a maximum turnout of the unionist electorate not only will three unionist seats be protected but a fourth (South Belfast) will be won back for Unionism.

The LCC particularly warns all unionists and loyalists against voting for Alliance Party candidates. Many unionists think they can retain their unionism yet vote for Alliance candidates. They are sorely mistaken in that belief. No party does more to undermine the Britishness of Northern Ireland, and foment community mistrust and division than the Alliance Party. Any unionist who votes for the Alliance Party is driving a nail into the coffin of the Union. This Party must be rejected at the polls by all unionists and loyalists.

The LCC will be continuing its efforts after the general election to encourage greater co-operation amongst unionists to ensure that unionist representation in Councils and in any future Assembly is maximised.
END
For clarification or comment:

http://www.lcc-ni.com

Human Rights Commission 1/6/17

18/5/17 Heads Up programme

On Saturday 13th May Dalaradia attended the Red Hand Comrades Association ‘D’ Company Annual Memorial Day parade.

The parade formed up at Drumhirk Drive and proceeded to the remarkable memorial garden at Owenroe Drive for a short service.

Afterwards there was entertainment in the Kilcooley Community Centre.

http://eamonnmallie.com/2017/04/proposals-past-open-path-truth-winston-irvine/

How we think about the future in Northern Ireland is inevitably informed by the past and the processes and mechanisms we develop to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.

This should not be about drawing a line under the past – it is both unfair and inappropriate that we should ask people to draw a line under their suffering and pain – but rather about drawing a clear line between the past and our present and future.  This process is complex and convoluted and is one that a series of agreements – including the most recent Stormont House Agreement – have failed to come to terms with and there remains no clearly articulated and logical approach.

The recent report published by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee (Investigations into fatalities in Northern Ireland involving British military personnel) makes an important and valuable contribution to the argument.

A starting point is the assertion (noted in Select Defence Committee report) by Professor Kieran McEvoy and Dr Louise Mallinder (Truth, Amnesty and Prosecutions: Models For Dealing with the Past, 2013) that “the duty to investigate does not amount to a duty to prosecute.”

Here, they are distinguishing between the requirement for ‘independent’, ‘effective’ and ‘transparent’ investigations of incidents involving fatalities under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the need to prosecute based on the outcome of any investigation. In other words it is possible to have a legally compliant investigation without prosecution.  This is of significant importance in how we think about legacy and the past as it provides a context through which victims, survivors and their families have the best possible opportunity to retrieve information about what happened by allowing for thorough investigation without the fear of prosecution.  In this way it provides a context through which we can begin to draw a clear line between the past and our present and future.

The Defence Committee report, which it should be noted had a focus on military personnel involved in the Troubles, recommends initially an “enactment of a statute of limitations,”  covering all Troubles-related incidents, up to the signing of the 1998 Belfast Agreement, which involved members of the Armed Forces” (p. 17).  However, it also states that a future government may also wish to consider “whether the statute of limitations should also cover all Troubles-related incidents” (p. 18), that is be extended to include all state and non-state actors.  Such a statute of limitations provides a framework through which the fear of prosecution can be removed, allowing for thorough and transparent investigation.

It is inevitable and understandable that for many victims and survivors from all backgrounds, such a statute of limitations may be both difficult and unpalatable. However, it remains the best possible context through which legacy issues can be resolved.

It provides the space through which we can develop a comprehensive and bespoke approach to supporting victims, survivors and their families rather than one that is piecemeal and divisive. Too many complex, and sometimes contradictory institutions only serve to prolong suffering.

This approach should include properly resourced provisions so that all survivors and bereaved families can avail of the best possible services in terms of health and wellbeing, education and employment. It also paves the way for effective information and truth retrieval.  Loved ones will have a much greater chance of finding out those details and answers they are desperate to hear.  We all have a duty to ensure that the past is not a burden and liability for future generations who bear no responsibility for the conflict and should not continue to suffer from its consequences and legacy.

If we are to move forward together as a society, then a statute of limitations for state and non-state actors covering all conflict related cases offers the most effective way of providing information and truth for bereaved families and moving Northern Ireland toward a more stable, tolerant and peaceful future.

We would like to congratulate our friend, Pittsburgh University professor Tony Novosel on winning the Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award.

The Chancellor’s letter pulled from all the endorsements Tony got from Northern Ireland including one from a Dalaradia member.

Tony is being honored for “the important impact that you have had on communities and students in Northern Ireland and on the ongoing peace process,” the chancellor’s letter states. “Through oral histories, presentations, writing, panel discussion, friendships and mentorships you have had a powerful positive impact on political factions, communities and students.”

He first visited Northern Ireland at the height of the conflict in 1973 and admits he knew very little about the causes of the war, but set about to study it. Since then, he has visited Northern Ireland more than 50 times and began researching his book, Northern Ireland’s Lost Opportunity: The Frustrated Promise of Political Loyalism, in 2006. Before carrying out his research, Novosel admits going into the project with a negative view of loyalism. “I thought of loyalism as nothing more than fascism,” he said. “To outsiders like me, they were Neanderthals. We thought of them as being similar to the Afrikaners in South Africa. This is very much a common opinion. For instance, I remember at the beginning of the project, a friend of mine asked me what I was researching. I replied ‘loyalist political thinking’. His immediate response back was, ‘do they think?’. That’s the general attitude that’s out there. However, when I started speaking to the people involved, I saw a very different picture. It’s something that’s difficult to take in at first.”

Well done Tony and we look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

http://www.history.pitt.edu/news/tony-novosel-wins-chancellors-distinguished-public-service-award

You can purchase his book here – http://booksplea.se/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=704034&google=GBP&gclid=CjwKEAjw_PfGBRDW_sutqMbQsmMSJAAMpUapVJtw14W2Ky909LvKpZVX4Whsa1DDTxCA-qvI4eqxUBoCfqnw_wcB

The REACH Project, of which Dalaradia is associated with, has launched their new website.

http://www.reachproject.co.uk/

Please be advised more will be added to the site in the coming weeks/months.