The Al-Khansaa Brigade, also spelled Al-Khanssaa Brigade, is an all-women police or religious enforcement unit of the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), operating in its de facto capital of Raqqa and Mosul.[1] Formed in early 2014 and apparently named after Al-Khansa, a female Arabic poet from the earliest days of Islam, it is unclear how widespread and sustained the group is.
An ISIL official, Abu Ahmad, said in 2014, “We have established the brigade to raise awareness of our religion among women, and to punish women who do not abide by the law.”[2] The outfit has also been called ISIL’s ‘moral police’
ISIS ‘female Gestapo’ leading campaign of terror against own sex – and 60 are British
Al Khansaa brigade rule by terror
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Daesh Defectors – 3 women leave al-Khansaa brigade
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
19th November
Thursday 19 November 1970
Figures were released by the Commissioner for Complaints showing that there had been 970 complaints in the first ten months of his office, with 74 of them alleging discrimination.
Sunday 19 November 1972
Seán MacStiofáin, then leader of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), was arrested in Dublin.
[He was subsequently sentenced to six months imprisonment in Republic of Ireland.]
Monday 19 November 1984
Anglo-Irish Summit Meeting Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, held an Anglo-Irish summit meeting with Garret FitzGerald, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), together with British and Irish ministers and officials, at Chequers in England.
A joint communiqué was issued following the summit meeting. At 5.00pm Thatcher gave a press conference at 10 Downing Street, London. Responding to a question from a member of the press Thatcher ruled out the…
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
18th November
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Thursday 18 November 1971
A British soldier was shot dead by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Belfast.
Monday 18 November 1974
It was announced that a new high-security prison would be built at Maghaberry, County Antrim at a cost of £30m.
Tuesday 18 November 1975
Two civilians were killed and 23 were injured when members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) threw a bomb into Walton’s Restaurant in Walton Street, Knightsbridge, London.
Thursday 18 November 1982
Raymond Gilmore
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) kidnapped Patrick Gilmour in Derry. Patrick Gilmour was the father of Raymond Gilmour who had been a member of the IRA and an Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) informer and who had gone into protective custody to become a ‘supergrass’.
[The IRA later said that Patrick Gilmour would not be released until…
I just want to stay alive to see my kids make 21… Rugby’s first superstar is desperate for a second kidney transplant, but is still fighting
Sadly that wish ended today
Rugby’s gentle giant catapulted to world fame after the 1995 World Cup
It seemed then that nothing could ever stop him, not even the rare kidney disorder known as nephrotic syndrome
But rugby’s wunderkind is 40 now and he is at bay. A kidney transplant in 2004 fixed him for seven and a half years but his body rejected it in 2011
He has been a prisoner of dialysis ever since
Now his ambition for life centres on seeing the sons he thought he could never have grow into men
‘My goal is to make it to the boys’ 21sts,’ says Lomu. ‘There are no guarantees that will happen, but it’s my focus. It’s a milestone that every parent wants to get to. My dad died young and that makes you think. I want my boys to be healthy and if they get to 21, they should be fit and healthy and live a normal life.’
So Lomu sinks into a sofa in the plush lobby of The Savoy hotel and smiles when he recalls taking the two children he thinks of as his ‘miracles’ on an open-top London double-decker bus last week. He and his wife, Nadene, retreated downstairs out of the wind and the rain. Brayley and Dhyreille insisted on staying upstairs, their hoods pulled tight around their faces, happy to be buffeted by the elements.
‘These are new adventures for them,’ says Lomu. ‘Getting them to write about this fantastic new world they have come to is going to be fun.’ He smiles again when he talks about how Nadene has to manage her ‘three boys’, but somewhere amid the great gentleness that is Lomu’s defining characteristic, there are also hints of melancholy and weariness.
Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM (12 May 1975 – 18 November 2015) was a New Zealand rugby union player of Tongan descent.[1] He had sixty-three caps as an All Black after debuting in 1994. He has been described as the first true global superstar of rugby union[2] and as having a huge impact on the game.[3] He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame on 9 October 2007,[4] and the IRB Hall of Fame on 24 October 2011.[5]
Lomu burst onto the international rugby scene during the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament and was widely acknowledged to be the top player at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa even though New Zealand lost the final to the host Springboks. At one time Lomu was considered ‘rugby union’s biggest drawcard’,[6] swelling attendances at any match where he appeared. He was one of the Rugby World Cup all-time top try scorers with 15 tries, a record he shares with Bryan Habana of South Africa—despite never winning a World Cup.[7]
Lomu started his career in the forwards, mostly as an openside flanker (no.7)[8], before switching to the left wing in what he described as the “best move he could have made”.[9] He represented New Zealand in the national under-19 side in 1993, as well as the under-21 side the following year.[10] He first came to international attention at the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament as part of a team including Eric Rush.[11]
At the age of 19 years and 45 days, Lomu became the youngest All Black test player as he debuted on the wing against France in 1994, breaking a record that had been held by Edgar Wrigley since 1905.[10] The match was played at Lancaster Park in Christchurch, and the All Blacks lost 22–8. The second match was played at Eden Park in Auckland with France winning again, 23–20. Lomu marked Emile N’tamack and admits that his inexperience led to him being exposed by the French team.[9]
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Jonah Lomu creates carnage vs British Isles at RWC 1995
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1995 World Cup
Despite having just two All Black caps, Lomu was included in the squad for the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. Lomu scored seven tries in five matches, two in the first match against Ireland in Johannesburg, a try in the quarter final against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld, and four tries in the semi-final against England at Newlands. The first try in the English match occurred after Lomu received a pass behind him, beat two defenders and then, after a stumble, ran straight over the top of Mike Catt.[12] This reduced one New Zealand commentator, Keith Quinn, to gasps.[13] After the game, England captain Will Carling said: “He is a freak and the sooner he goes away the better”.[14] In 2002 the UK public voted Lomu’s performance no. 19 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.[15] New Zealand played the World Cup final at Ellis Park against South Africa (the Springboks).[16] Neither side scored a try, with South Africa coming out on top 15–12 after kicking a drop-goal in extra time.
1996–1998
Following the World Cup New Zealand played Australia home and away for the Bledisloe Cup with Lomu scoring tries in both matches.[17] Lomu’s scoring for New Zealand continued later that year when he scored two tries in the All Blacks victory over Italy in Bologna.[18] Lomu played in a losing effort against France in Toulouse, where New Zealand failed to score any tries.[19] He scored a try in the second test in Paris, helping his team to victory. Lomu played for the All Blacks in matches against the touring Samoa[20] and Scotland teams in June 1996, scoring in one of the Scottish matches.[21]
Just before the World Cup final a deal was struck between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia (SANZAR) to create the Tri-Nations, an annual round robin competition between the three nations launched with the advent of professionalism in rugby.[22] New Zealand won all their games to become the first Tri-Nations winners.[23] Lomu scored a try in a 43–6 victory over Australia in the inaugural match, which has been described by New Zealand Herald journalist David Leggat as “the perfect wet-weather game”.[24]
At the end of 1996, he was diagnosed with a rare and serious kidney disorder, which saw him take time off from the sport. As a result he did not play in the 1997 Tri Nations Series, but he was included in the All Blacks tour of the northern hemisphere at the end of the year. Lomu played in the two warm up matches, scoring tries against Wales ‘A’ and Emerging England. He played the first test against England at Old Trafford, as well as the test against Wales at Wembley Stadium, and the second match against England—he did not score in any of the three games.
At the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, he won a gold medal representing New Zealand in the Sevens Rugby event.[25] The English rugby team came to New Zealand the following year for a two test series. Lomu played in both of the matches, scoring in the first, which was a 64–22 win in Dunedin, but not in the second test won 40–10 by the All Blacks.
1999 and the World Cup
Lomu’s 1999 international season kicked off with a warm-up match against New Zealand A, which was followed by a game against Samoa in which Lomu scored one of the All Blacks’ nine tries. He came on as a replacement in every game of the 1999 Tri Nations Series with Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga preferred as starters on the wings.[26][27][28][29] New Zealand were crowned Tri Nations champions despite losing the last game against Australia.
Lomu scored eight tries at the 1999 World Cup. In pool matches he scored two tries against Tonga, one against England and two against Italy. The All Blacks, finished top of their pool and proceeded to the quarter-finals. They defeated Scotland, with Lomu scoring one of New Zealand’s four tries. Lomu scored twice in the semi-final match against France, though it was not enough to see them through to the final as France went on to win 43–31.[30] Following the World Cup, despite speculation that he would be moving to play American Football in the National Football League or continue to play rugby in the English Premiership, Lomu returned to New Zealand.[31]
After playing the 100+ victory over Tonga, Lomu and Tana Umaga scored five tries between them in the subsequent match against Scotland. One of Lomu’s tries was a characteristic bulldozing effort down the wing, leaving Scottish defenders in his wake. In the opening match of the 2000 Tri Nations Series, the All Blacks raced out to a 21 to nil lead, which had the potential to be 28, had George Gregan not stopped Lomu from scoring one of his own. Australia amazingly fought back, and with minutes remaining, both sides had scored five tries each.The world record rugby crowd of 109,874 was treated to the highest scoring match ever between the two sides. With just minutes remaining, the Wallabies led 35 to 34; until Lomu “brushed past a desperate Stephen Larkham to tip-toe down the line and score the winning try”.[32]
The match was followed by a victory over South Africa, and then a re-match of the thrilling Bledisloe Cup game, which Australia won by just a single point, 24 to 23. A barn-storming Lomu was stopped short of the line early in the second half in the final match against South Africa. The Springboks eventually won, 46 to 40. The All Blacks finished second on the table, with Australia winning the Tri Nations. Lomu played in one other test that year; against France at Stade de France in November, which the All Blacks won 39 to 26.
Lomu also led the New Zealand Sevens team to victory at the 2001 Sevens World Cup, filling in for Rush, who suffered a broken leg during the competition. In the lead up to the 2001 Tri Nations Series, the All Blacks played Argentina and France at home, Lomu scoring a try in the French match. Despite causing havoc for the Springboks, no tries were scored in the opening match of the Tri Nations, which was won on penalty goals by the All Blacks. Lomu played his 50th test for the All Blacks at the Carisbrook ‘House of Pain’, scoring a try in the second minute of play. The Wallabies spoiled the party however, winning 23 to 15. This was followed by a win over South Africa, and loss to the Wallabies at Stadium Australia.
During the 1999 off season, Lomu transferred to Wellington and won many plaudits by signing up with Wainuiomata RFC which at that time was a second division club. Lomu played his debut match against Northern United scoring twice and attracting a bumper crowd and followed that up with a further appearance in 2001. Supporters and club members were particularly proud when Lomu wore the green and black club socks when he played for the Barbarian F.C. in 2000.
At the end of the year, the All Blacks played Ireland at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Lomu was a central figure in the 40 to 29 win, setting up Aaron Mauger for his debut try, and taking an inside pass to blast through for one of his own.[33] The All Blacks end of season tour continued at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, where they defeated Scotland 37 to six, with Lomu contributing one try. In the final match of the tour, the All Blacks played Argentina at the River Plate Stadium. Lomu put the All Blacks in front after Argentina took an early lead. New Zealand won the match by a score of 24 to 20.[34]
In his first test of 2002, he came off the bench in the second half to score a try in a match against Italy. He was again injected into play from the bench in the first of a two test series against Ireland in New Zealand; setting up the All Blacks second try coming on in the last fifteen minutes of play. Lomu was back at his usual starting position for the second test against the Irish, which New Zealand won 40 points to eight. Lomu did not score in the subsequent match against Fiji; though he did however make a trademark run down the wing, setting up Christian Cullen’s third try in the match. Lomu came off the bench in the All Blacks first game of the 2002 Tri Nations Series against South Africa, though he did not play in the rest of the tournament.
He was, however, back in his starting position on the wing for a game against England in November. Lomu ended up scoring a double, though it was not enough to secure a New Zealand victory, with England winning 31 to 28.[35] The subsequent match against France resulted in a draw, the first between the two nations in 96 years. The last match of the end of season tour was against Wales, which the All Blacks won 43 to 17.
Lomu scored tries against every major test playing nation in World Rugby except South Africa and Wales.[36] In his career, Lomu scored eight tries against England—more than any other All Black. Lomu set a record of 15 tries in World Cup tournaments, which was equaled by South African Bryan Habana in 2015.[37]
In 1996, Lomu married South African Tanya Rutter and they lived together in New Zealand for four years before divorcing. He married his second wife Fiona in a secret ceremony on Waiheke Island in August 2003, holding a party on the island a week later.[38] In 2008, Lomu and Fiona divorced after he had an affair with Nadene Quirk.[39] Lomu and Nadene later married and at the time of his death he was living with Nadene and their children.
At the end of 1995 Lomu was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney disorder. His rugby union career went on hold whilst the disorder was treated. In May 2003, the NZRFU announced that Lomu had been put on dialysis three times a week due to deterioration in his kidney function. Side effects of Lomu’s dialysis treatment led to severe nerve damage in his feet and legs; his doctors warned him that he faced life in a wheelchair if a kidney transplant was not performed soon.[43] At the end of July 2004 it was reported that Lomu had indeed undergone a kidney transplant on Tuesday, 28 July, in Auckland, New Zealand. The kidney was in fact donated by Wellington radio presenter Grant Kereama.[44]
Lomu’s vital statistics have been cited as an example of the problematic use of Body Mass Index as a measure of obesity.[45] Lomu had a BMI of 32, in excess of the value of 30 usually taken to signify obesity.[45]
Comeback
Jonah Lomu playing with French club Marseille on 22 November 2009.
In January 2005, Lomu announced his intention to lead a team against Martin Johnson‘s invitational XV on 4 June 2005, at Twickenham. He scored a try in the first half of the Johnson testimonial, but injured his shoulder in the process and did not return for the second half, dampening an otherwise encouraging first appearance.[46] As it turned out, his injury was more serious than originally thought; he underwent surgery on the shoulder, causing him to miss the 2005 NPC season.
Before returning to professional rugby, he needed special clearance from the World Anti-Doping Agency, as one of the anti-rejection drugs he was required to take is on the WADA list of banned substances.[47] On 8 April 2005, he signed a two-year contract to play for the New Zealand first division provincial team North Harbour in the NPC.[48]
On 9 August 2005, he joined North Harbour, but the shoulder injury he had picked up in the Martin Johnson testimonial game ruled him out for the season, so he worked with the team in a coaching capacity.[49] North Harbour agreed to allow him to play overseas during the NPC offseason, so Lomu signed with the Cardiff Blues of the Celtic League and began playing in Wales in December that year,[50] though he would then return to North Harbour for the 2006 NPC season.[51] Lomu made his first appearance in a competitive match since his transplant on 10 December, in Cardiff’s away Heineken Cup fixture against Italian club Calvisano. He started the match and played 60 minutes, although he did not score, making a key line break leading to Cardiff’s first try in their 25–10 win.
One week later, he made his home debut for Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park and played for the whole match. Again, he did not get onto the scoresheet but his presence was enough to create space for other players to score in a 43–16 win over Calvisano. In front of a record home crowd, Lomu scored his first try for Cardiff on 27 December 2005, with a man-of-the-match performance during a Celtic League 41–23 win against the Newport Gwent Dragons. In early 2006, he was sidelined while he concentrated on gaining speed and strength, stating that “I have now lost between 10 and 11 kilos [1.7 and 1.9 st; 24 and 26 lb]”[52] He got his first start since January against Border Reivers on Saturday, 15 April, but broke his ankle as a result of a cover tackle on him four minutes from time. He was denied a try, but managed to get the ball away for Mark Lewis to score the Blues sixth try in their 46–11 win. He was estimated to be out for six weeks, as reported by his manager and wife, Fiona Lomu, meaning the end of his Celtic League season.
After three seasons of absence from rugby in New Zealand, Lomu played for Massey against Marist in the North Harbour club competition. Lomu was on for 30 minutes, making a blocking run before he twisted his right ankle and was subsequently replaced. Lomu said that it was “a small step”[53] in his comeback. Lomu’s aim was to return to the National Provincial Championship and reclaim his All Blacks jersey for the 2007 World Cup. Lomu ended up playing for North Harbour in round four of the National Provincial Championship, in a match against Wellington, playing in the last 26 minutes of the game. Harbour won the match 31–16. Lomu said after the match “For me it’s a dream come true… I’ve always said this is my goal—to come back and play in New Zealand.”
It became apparent in early 2007 that Lomu was not going to make the Rugby World Cup after not signing with a New Zealand Super 14 franchise, therefore ruling him out for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.[54] Previous to not gaining a Super 14 contract,[clarification needed] Lomu had been demoted to the North Harbour 2nd XV. Lomu stated that he was disappointed by his failure to gain a Super 14 contract, but that he had not failed himself.[54] It was subsequently speculated that Lomu may have played in Australia in 2007 for one of the then new national competition clubs.
On 16 October 2006, it was reported that Lomu was close to switching codes and signing for the Gold Coast Titans, a new Queensland franchise in the National Rugby League competition. He was offered a relatively small contract of one hundred thousand dollars. However, the deal did not materialise as Lomu had numerous important sponsorship contracts with companies associated with rugby union and it would have proved difficult to reconcile these if he was to play in the NRL.[55]
On 5 November 2006, the BBC reported that Lomu was considering a return to Welsh rugby.[56] He last played rugby in Hong Kong to take part in the Tens competition.
On 9 April 2007, Lomu appeared on New Zealand’s version of This Is Your Life, in which he was united with his brother John Lomu.
Lomu was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list on 4 June 2007.[57]
Retirement
Lomu retired from rugby in 2007, but was persuaded to play in the Help For Heroes charity match at Twickenham a year later, although he had to withdraw after injuring his ankle in training.[58]
Later that year after recovering from the injury Lomu played in another charity match at Aberavon RFC‘s Talbot Athletic ground. The match was arranged by friends that Lomu had made during his playing days in Wales with Cardiff Blues. Lomu donned the navy blue jersey of the Aberavon Naval RFC, playing against a Port Talbot select XV made up of players from various local clubs such as; Aberavon Quins RFC, Baglan RFC & Taibach RFC in order to raise money for a local children’s charity. The match was covered by the BBC rugby show Scrum V.[59]
However, in June 2009, the BBC claimed he was close to joining French third division club Marseille Vitrolles and was expected to start in the first match of the new season.[60]
In September 2009, Lomu took part in an amateur bodybuilding contest in Wellington. He revealed that he had lost weight since preparing in March and weighed 115 kg (18.1 st; 254 lb), due to intensive gym work and a diet without carbohydrates. He claimed his weight had not been this low since he left school at 19. He finished second in two categories, including the men’s open over-90 kg, and the mixed pairs. His bodybuilding partner, Tracy Toulis, suffered from breast cancer but had recovered as Lomu had from his kidney transplant.[61] He also prepared for his comeback to rugby, joining French Fédérale 1 team Marseille Vitrolles in November.[62] Lomu made his debut against Montmelian, they won 64–13 at home.[63] Lomu started the match at centre and was nervous but enjoyed the occasion very much. Lomu then moved to number 8 successfully with Marseille Vitrolles Rugby, the position he played as a youngster in New Zealand.
Lomu also made an attempt to take part in a charity boxing event in New Zealand called “Fight for Life” 2011, which he was intended to be the captain of the rugby union team. He was intended to fight the main event against former league player Monty Betham. On 14 November Lomu pulled out of the competition as he had just recently been hospitalised for over a week due to his failing kidney.[64]
Death
On the morning of 18 November 2015, Lomu died unexpectedly in Auckland. The previous night he had returned from the United Kingdom with his family after a short holiday stay in Dubai. Lomu had been receiving dialysis treatments during his recent visit to Britain where he was involved in heavy promotional work during the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
19th November
Thursday 19 November 1970
Figures were released by the Commissioner for Complaints showing that there had been 970 complaints in the first ten months of his office, with 74 of them alleging discrimination.
Sunday 19 November 1972
Seán MacStiofáin, then leader of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), was arrested in Dublin.
[He was subsequently sentenced to six months imprisonment in Republic of Ireland.]
Monday 19 November 1984
Anglo-Irish Summit Meeting Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, held an Anglo-Irish summit meeting with Garret FitzGerald, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), together with British and Irish ministers and officials, at Chequers in England.
A joint communiqué was issued following the summit meeting. At 5.00pm Thatcher gave a press conference at 10 Downing Street, London. Responding to a question from a member of the press Thatcher ruled out the three options proposed in the Report of the New Ireland Forum: “… a united Ireland was one solution. That is out. A second solution was confederation of the two states. That is out. A third solution was joint authority. That is out.”
[Thatcher’s ‘out, out, out’ comments were considered by many Nationalists as being perfunctorily dismissive.]
Douglas Hurd, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, also gave a press conference. At 6.00pm FitzGerald gave a press conference at the Irish Embassy in London.
Tuesday 19 November 1985
The 18 District Councils that were controlled by Unionists voted for a policy of adjournment against the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA). The councils also threatened to refuse to set the ‘rates’ (local government taxes).
[These developments sparked a long period of disruption in local government in Northern Ireland.]
Thursday 19 November 1987
George Seawright
A Loyalist activist, George Seawright, was shot and fatally wounded by the Irish People’s Liberation Organisation (IPLO); a splinter group of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). [George Seawright achieved notoriety for his extreme anti-republican and anti-Catholic views. He died of his injuries two weeks later.]
Friday 19 November 1993
The Irish Press (a Republic of Ireland newspaper) carried a report of a secret plan drawn up by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on the future of Northern Ireland.
Saturday 19 November 1994
Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern, was elected as the new leader of Fianna Fáil (FF).
Thursday 19 November 1998
A spokesperson on behalf of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) said that the group had decided to postpone the handover of (some) weapons. The reason given was the remarks made by Ken Maginness, Security Spokesman of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), when he called the LVF “ruthless” and “sectarian killers”.
The Northern Ireland Act, which provides for the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, became law. The United Nations (UN) Committee Against Torture published a report calling for a ban on plastic bullets, the closure of Castlereagh and other Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) detention centres and the “reconstruction” of the RUC. The report was criticised by Unionists.
Friday 19 November 1999
An application to the High Court in Belfast for a judicial review of the decision of Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam, former Secretary of State of Northern Ireland, to accept as intact the ceasefire of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The application was dismissed by the court. Two men lost their appeal against their life sentences.
The two men had been convicted of the murder of Greg Taylor, a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer, on 1 June 1997. Taylor had been off-duty and was beaten to death by a Loyalist mob as he left a public house in Ballymoney. [The two men were later released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.]
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Remembering all innocent victims of the Troubles
Today is the anniversary of the death of the following people killed as a results of the conflict in Northern Ireland
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die
– Thomas Campbell
To the innocent on the list – Your memory will live forever
– To the Paramilitaries –
There are many things worth living for, a few things worth dying for, but nothing worth killing for.
4 People lost their lives on the 19th November between 1980 – 1992
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19 November 1980 Thomas Orr, (38)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
Shot outside his workplace, Ulster Bank, Boucher Road, Belfast.
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19 November 1981 John McKeegan, (49)
Protestant Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while delivering wood, Olympic Drive, Ballycolman, Strabane, County Tyrone.
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19 November 1992
Ian Warnock, (27)
Protestant Status: Royal Irish Regiment (RIR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while sitting in his stationary car outside his wife’s workplace, Moypark factory, Seagoe, Portadown, County Armagh.
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19 November 1992
Peter McCormack, (42)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot during gun attack on Thierafurth Inn, Kilcoo, near Castlewellan, County Down.
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
18th November
————————-
Thursday 18 November 1971
A British soldier was shot dead by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Belfast.
Monday 18 November 1974
It was announced that a new high-security prison would be built at Maghaberry, County Antrim at a cost of £30m.
Tuesday 18 November 1975
Two civilians were killed and 23 were injured when members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) threw a bomb into Walton’s Restaurant in Walton Street, Knightsbridge, London.
Thursday 18 November 1982
Raymond Gilmore
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) kidnapped Patrick Gilmour in Derry. Patrick Gilmour was the father of Raymond Gilmour who had been a member of the IRA and an Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) informer and who had gone into protective custody to become a ‘supergrass’.
[The IRA later said that Patrick Gilmour would not be released until his son retracted his evidence.]
Sunday 18 November 1984
Garret FitzGerald, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), travelled to Chequers in England for an Anglo-Irish summit meeting with Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister. [FitzGerald held a private meeting with Thatcher during the evening and the main summit meeting took place on the following morning (19 November 1984).]
Monday 18 November 1985
Mary Robinson, then a Senator (and future President) in the Republic of Ireland, resigned from the Labour Party in protest at the lack of consultation before the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA) was introduced.
Tuesday 18 November 1986
James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), travelled to London to hold a meeting with Neil Kinnock, then leader of the Labour Party.
Monday 18 December 1989
Richard Needham, then Minister of Economic Development, announced a £65 million investment in Derry half of which was being invested by a Boston developer.
Thursday 18 November 1993
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) organised a series of 16 peace rallies across Ireland.
Saturday 18 November 1995
The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) held its annual conference. The conference voted to leave open the possibility of a future electoral pact with Sinn Féin (SF).
Tuesday 18 November 1997
There were riots in Lurgan and Armagh following the arrest of Colin Duffy, then a prominent Republican based in Lurgan.
[Duffy had been charged with assault following a fracas involving Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers in the town.]
Adam Ingram
Adam Ingram, then Security Minister, defended changes made to the Northern Ireland Emergency Provisions Bill particularly the removal of the powers to use internment.
[Unionists criticised the government for removing internment from the statute books.]
David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), held a meeting with Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, to emphasise the UUP’s opposition to cross-border bodies which have executive powers.
Wednesday 18 November 1998
Michael McGimpsey, then Security Spokesperson of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), warned that the Good Friday Agreement could collapse if there were moves to disband the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
[This statement followed reports in the Irish Times on 17 November 1998 that the Commission on the RUC would recommend members having to reapply to a new police service.]
Thursday 18 November 1999
End of the Review of the Agreement George Mitchell, then chairman of the Review of the Agreement, issued his final statement concluding the Review. He said that the basis existed for devolution to occur and the formation of an Executive to take place. Before leaving Northern Ireland to return to the USA, the Senator was thanked during a press conference in Castle Buildings by all the participants and parties involved. The review had taken 10 weeks to complete.
[The British Government later issued a statement which expressed gratitude for Senator Mitchell’s help in transforming the Northern Ireland situation from one of conflict and confrontation to one of dialogue and peace.]
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Assembly team met to discuss the political developments and authorised David Trimble, then leader of the UUP, to put the matter to a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council (UUC) on 27 November 1999. Michael O’Hara, then a community activist from Short Strand in east Belfast, was injured when he was attacked by two men using a machete.
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Remembering all innocent victims of the Troubles
Today is the anniversary of the death of the following people killed as a results of the conflict in Northern Ireland
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die
– Thomas Campbell
To the innocent on the list – Your memory will live forever
– To the Paramilitaries –
There are many things worth living for, a few things worth dying for, but nothing worth killing for.
10 People lost their lives on the 18th November between 1971 – 1989
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18 November 1971
Edwin Charnley, (22)
nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Shot while on British Army (BA) guard duty at bus depot, Anderson Street, Short Strand, Belfast.
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18 November 1973 Charles Logan, (26)
Protestant Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Died in premature bomb explosion at farmhouse, Desertmartin, County Derry.
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18 November 1975 Audrey Edgson, (45)
nfNIB Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Killed by bomb thrown into Walton’s Restaurant, Walton Street, Chelsea, London.
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18 November 1975 Theodore Williams, (49)
nfNIB Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Killed by bomb thrown into Walton’s Restaurant, Walton Street, Chelsea, London
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18 November 1976 William Kidd, (37)
Protestant Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Off duty. Shot at his workplace, a building site, Trench Road, Altnagelvin, Derry.
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Shot while on his way home from work, Newbuildings, County Derry.
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18 November 1985 Robert Boyd, (55)
Catholic Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Off duty. Shot outside his home, Prehen Park, Waterside, Derry.
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18 November 1989
Stephen Wilson, (23)
nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Killed by remote controlled bomb hidden in derelict cottage, detonated when British Army (BA) mobile patrol passed, Mayobridge, County Down.
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18 November 1989
Donald Macaulay, (20)
nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Killed by remote controlled bomb hidden in derelict cottage, detonated when British Army (BA) mobile patrol passed, Mayobridge, County Down.
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18 November 1989
Mathew Marshall, (21)
nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Killed by remote controlled bomb hidden in derelict cottage, detonated when British Army (BA) mobile patrol passed, Mayobridge, County Down.
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Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
17th November
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Sunday
17 November 1968
A policy of civil disobedience was adopted by the Nationalist Party at its annual conference.
Monday 17 November 1975
Over the next few days Merlyn Rees, then Secretary of Sate for Northern Ireland, held meetings with local political parties to discuss possible ways forward.
[The Report of the Convention was published on 20 November 1975.]
Tuesday 17 November 1981
The funeral took place of Reverend Robert Bradford.
James Prior, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, attended the funeral but was given a hostile reception from members of the congregation.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) announced that it was cancelling all holiday leave for its officers.
Monday 17 November 1986
Peter Robinson, then deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), defied a ban and marched in Portadown with other members of Ulster Resistance in paramilitary style uniforms.
Sunday 17 December 1989
James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), denied that he had ended the UUP boycott of ministers.
Thursday 17 November 1994
Albert Reynolds, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), and his Fianna Fáil (FF) ministers were forced to resign ending the coalition Government of FF and the Labour Party (LP).
The resignation followed a controversy surrounding the appointment of Harry Whelehan to the position of President of the Supreme Court.
[On 19 November 1994, FF elected Bertie Ahern as the new party leader. A new government was formed on 15 December 1994.]
Gerry Adams, then President of Sinn Féin (SF), said that his commitment to the peace process was absolute, and did not depend on who was in power in the Irish government.
Friday 17 November 1995
H-Block
Following the change in the law regarding remission of sentence for paramilitary prisoners, 83 people were released from jails in Northern Ireland.
[The law was changed on 7 November 1995.]
Sunday 17 November 1996
A report in the Sunday Tribune (a Dublin based newspaper) claimed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) were effectively observing a ceasefire while they engaged in contacts with the British government. Unionist parties maintained their stated position that decommissioning of IRA weapons would have to take place before Sinn Féin (SF) could be involved in any talks.
Monday 17 November 1997
The Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) claimed that it had left four bombs in Dundalk, Republic of Ireland.
The Garda Síochána (the Irish police) removed some “suspicious devices” for examination.
Lee Clegg
Lee Clegg, then a member of the Parachute Regiment, began his third appeal at the High Court in Belfast against his sentence for the murder of Karen Reilly (16) on 30 September 1990.
[Clegg had been released from prison in 1995 having served two years of a life sentence for the murder and had been accepted back into the British Army.]
Tuesday 17 November 1998
The government accepted that the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) ceasefire was genuine thus making it possible for LVF prisoners to be considered for early release.
The Irish Times (a Republic of Ireland newspaper) published an article claiming that preliminary drafts of the Independent Commission report on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) had recommended that the existing membership of the police should be made to resign and reapply to join a newly constituted police service.
The article also said that the draft report had recommend that all symbols seen as partisan, including the flying of the Union flag, the hanging of Queen Elizabeth’s picture and the force’s current insignia, should be dropped.
Chris Patten, then Chairman of the Commission on the RUC, denied that there was a preliminary report on the RUC. The newspaper also carried an article by Robert (Bob) McCartney, then leader of the United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP), on the issue of decommissioning.
Wednesday 17 November 1999
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued a short statement saying it was committed to peace and acknowledged that the Good Friday Agreement would contribute to a lasting peace. It endorsed the leadership of Sinn Féin (SF) in the negotiations and agreed to nominate a representative to enter discussions with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).
Those political parties in favour of the Agreement welcomed the IRA statement. Five Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MPs issued a statement which called the IRA’s move “totally inadequate”. David Trimble, then leader of the UUP, disassociated himself from the statement of his fellow MPs.
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Remembering all innocent victims of the Troubles
Today is the anniversary of the death of the following people killed as a results of the conflict in Northern Ireland
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die
– Thomas Campbell
To the innocent on the list – Your memory will live forever
– To the Paramilitaries –
There are many things worth living for, a few things worth dying for, but nothing worth killing for.
5 People lost their lives on the 17th November between 1974 – 1989
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17 November 1974
John Bailey, (17)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot from passing car while walking along Upper Crumlin Road, near Ligoniel Road, Belfast.
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17 November 1981
Peadar Fagan, (20)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot from passing car while outside friends home, Levin Road, Lurgan, County Armagh.
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17 November 1981
Albert Beacom, (43)
Protestant Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot at his farm, Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh.
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17 November 1981
Silas Lyttle, (59)
Protestant Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Died two months after being shot outside his shop, Ballygawley, County Tyrone.
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17 November 1989 David Halligan, (57)
Protestant Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot shortly after leaving Drumad British Army (BA) base while driving his car along Hamiltonsbawn Road, Armagh.
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See below on how to order a copy of my No.1 Bestselling book: A Belfast Child
This is simply the story of a boy trying to grow up, survive, thrive, have fun & discover himself against a backdrop of events that might best be described as ‘explosive’, captivating & shocking the world for thirty long years.
ISIS executes 73 of its own militants for evacuating headquarters in Sinjar, Iraq
The terrorist group of ISIS has reportedly executed dozens of its insurgents who fled recent battles with the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Shingal (Sinjar) district in northern Iraq, official sources reported on Sunday.
“Under the request of the group’s alleged caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, some 73 ISIS militants, who apparently fled the fighting with the Peshmerga forces in the Yezidi region of Shingal few days ago, were executed,” the Kurdish official Saeed Mamozini told reporters in Erbil.
He stressed the executions were carried out by firing squad south of Mosul.
Earlier this week, the terror group executed a number of its local Iraqi militants in Anbar province west of the country on charges of high treason and dissidence from the group, an eyewitness said on the condition of anonymity.
The source revealed that the extremist group has recently arrested dozens of its Iraqi members, who were apparently trying to desert the group and flee outside the ISIS-held city of Ramadi.
“The group has executed eight local members in the town of Zankoora, in Anbar province,” the source added.
In the meantime, ISIS foreign members carried out a campaign of arrests against Iraqi members of the group, executing dozens on charges of high treason.
Over the past few days, the terrorist group has faced defeat in both Syria and Iraq. In Syria, ISIS lost control of the key town of al-Hawl in Hasakah province, northeastern Syria.
Raymond Gilmore 
belfastchildis.com 