R V SOLDIER F - STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM MCKINNEY Following the judgment delivered at Belfast Crown Court this morning, Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney said: “Today marks the end of the prosecution of Soldier F for the murder and attempted murder of the innocents on Bloody Sunday. “The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements. “Soldier F has been discharged from the defendant’s criminal dock, but it is one million miles away from being an honourable discharge. “Unlike his victims, there has been no declaration of Soldier F’s innocence. “Soldier F created 2 young widows on Bloody Sunday and he orphaned 12 children. And he deprived dozens of siblings of a loving brother. “The Bloody Sunday families do not lay the blame for today’s decision with the trial judge. “The blame lies firmly: - With the British state; - With the RUC who failed to investigate the murders on Bloody Sunday properly, or indeed at all; and - With the British Army who shielded and enabled its soldiers to continue to murder with impunity, and immunity, and also with the office of the then Director of Public Prosecutions who, with a nod and a wink, complicitly signed off on decisions not to prosecute in 1972 without even raising an eyebrow. “Most importantly however, responsibility lies with the thugs of Frank Kitson’s private army, the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment who opened fire, and those who directed and protected them. “Despite the heroism, steadfastness and dignity of the Bloody Sunday Families and Wounded, a coward walks free from the dock. “Not through the front door of this courthouse like every other vindicated, wrongly accused defendant proudly does, but instead, once his curtain has been pulled back for him, creeping out the back door. “The type of thug, who is well used to special treatment, well used to having important and powerful connections, with his police escort in tow, back over to hide in Palace Barracks, where it all began. “Thank you.”

Full Time : U15 National Fèile Cup Final Coolmeen/Kildysart 1.06 St.Loman's 1.05 Champions 🏆 @feilegaa

Huge thanks to @eugemccafferty and everyone at the @ClareChampion for including photographs of our @McKeeverSports Super 9’s series launch in the @cusackcentre in today’s edition. Míle buíochas! Key Dates: Wed. 30th April - Camogie Super 9’s Wed. 14th May - Hurling Super 9’s

Gort Community School GAA initiative now going nationwide! Fantastic Super 9s Camogie, football, ladies football and hurling competitions for secondary schools across the island.

My heart besieged by anger, my mind a gap of danger. I walked among their old haunts the home ground where they bled; And in the dirt lay justice like an acorn in the winter Till its oak would sprout in Derry where the thirteen men lay dead.

For Yeats' anniversary today, here is the poem 'Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' written down on a postcard in the 1930s by WB Yeats himself. The postcard was a gift for the child of Alfie Byrne (1882-1956), Lord Mayor of Dublin, 1931-1939.

@McKeeverSports Super 9s 2025 Announcement 📣 The U-15 post primary All-Ireland schools 9-a-side series is back and it’s better than ever. 100 days to go to the Super 9s. 💯 #McKvrSuper9s

In drifts of sleep I came upon you Buried to your waist in snow. You reached your arms out: I came to Like water in a dream of thaw.

Brian Lohan among the nominees for Sport Manager of the Year.

An independent analysis of Gaelic games activity by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre has found that the Social Value of Gaelic games is worth at least €2.87 billion to Irish society. #GAABelong

Ogonnelloe have just made contact to say their pitch is unplayable therefore today’s U21B Hurling Semi Final v. Broadford is postponed until next weekend. Please spread the word.

Well done @GAA_Abbeydorney on a fantastic win today, you certainly represented Kerry with pride, heart and skill. It was a pleasure to commentate for it alongside @AndrewRadioDJ for @radiokerrysport. The dream final against @wtnsgaa is still possible 🤞

The GAA/GPA All-stars take place tonight. Shane O’Donnell is nominated for player of the year. He feels he wasn’t the star player growing up & might not even be the best hurler in the room. He was a joy to watch in 2024 🎙️The GAA Social 🎧Listen here: bit.ly/4f1eNET

Tonight marks another momentus achievement for clubman Mark Rodgers in 2024, National League champion, All Ireland champion and now a coveted All Star ⭐️. Well done Mark we in Scariff GAA are very proud, enjoy the celebrations.🥳🥳💪💪💪 @ClubClareHS

And some time make the time to drive out west Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore, In September or October, when the wind And the light are working off each other So that the ocean on one side is wild

Heart-wrenching testimony from Karina Leahy on how her beloved dad “was failed at every step” by UHL. Excellent documentary by @VirginMedia_TV. Urgent political response to this ongoing crisis is needed NOW! #uhl

At the County Committee meeting tonight , Mr. Danny Chaplin presented Pat Gavin and Declan Moroney of Bord na nÓg Iomáint the newly refurbished Willie Chaplin Minor A Hurling Cup . Many thanks to the Chaplin family for this which will keep the memory of Willie alive in Clare hurling . @HurlingUnderage @SMBGAA

188 players have lined out for @GaaClare since 2010. Here's the top 25. @davidtubs leads the way. With 26-513 (591) the @DoonbegFootball star is also the Banner's top scorer in that period. @CoolmeenGAA legend Cathal O'Connor retired this year and had 2nd highest apps since 2010.