Maybe we could look at the history of Paddy Cooney, Mark’s father. The Justice Minister for a significant period of the 70′s. He has many dishonourable mentions from that period, and especially in relation to the constitutional crisis that forced President o’Dalaigh to resign. O’Dalaigh, who was once Chief Justice regarded the right of the President to defend and adhere to the constitution to be inviolable. The Govt. had an other view. His tenure as Justice Minister can best be described as when the Gardaí ran amok, and undesirable elements in them were promoted rather than sacked. Many a Guard that has been since disgraced traces his time back to Cooney’s Justice circus.

The Cooney’s should go up to East Belfast and throw stones at the PSNI with the other dinosaurs. Complain if they like but the days of censorship and our way or the highway are over in this country and not a day too soon.

Well said!

So your basically saying down with this sort of thing.

isnt that what the EU is all about? destroying nations history so we all become good “europeans”.fg are members of the european peoples party & are all for a federal europe.how come they havent been charged with treason? this latest stunt is an attempt at destroying irish history.

*not HAVE their responsibility to do this,,,

abandoning fine gael/labour/ff would be a better track to be on

The Cooney’s would have no problem with that. The likes of them would have shot Collins if he had survived the civil war. They are only getting over 1916 “stab in the back” now. Don’t even mention the Civil war.

He is absolutely right to request this art to be taken down. This is insulting and glorifying terrorism. The 1800+ and their families of which so many of them innocent civilians would find this glorification disgusting.

Your very own tricolor is a glorification of terrorism so demand thats also taken down

Cholly appleseed. Just for the record about 80% of those killed by the PIRA were combatants or working as part of the state war machine, ie Judges etc. That is not much good to them or their families or the 20% civilians. Neither was the fact that 90% of those killed by the Loyalists were civilians or that half by the security forces were as well.

TopDog1 those figures are incorrect – consult the CAIN website.

Glen, if I recall correctly they’re broadly accurate per CAIN: can’t remember the exact figures offhand or find the link, but it’s there or thereabouts.

Whole thing is a disgrace – Cooney’s “think of the children” comments after were particularly cringeworthy. Apparently the exhibition’s had 1,200 visitors to date, and 3 complaints.

For a while I thought Cooney might be trying to whip up some national profile ahead of a run in 2016 with this stunt, but the more I hear of him, the less I believe he’d have the brains for that.

By FFG do you mean Fianna Fail Government? Just wondering.

Yawn Cal. I see that chip on your shoulder has increased in size…

Toorkeel, if people are allowed to drag up the past of Sinn Fein then they should be allowed to do it about every political party and their past mistakes.

The Free State government is a disgrace that is nothing more than a british puppet thats wrapped up in its own corruption and ineptness.Why should we be ashamed of anything the IRA have done?Brits arent ashamed of 800 years of slaughter,they have statues of Cromwell in England and he is on their list of Greatest Britons,they arent ashamed of the firebombing of Dresden nor the massacre of Indians,they arent ashamed of Bloody Sunday and readily shower praise on the British Army.

I agree Jason but its the whole jargon and lingo like, sell out of the “6 counties”..boundary commission, free state, North of Ireland (He never refers to his home as Northern Ireland)..etc etc, this is what I’m referring to…the ever expanding chip…

I highly doubt that. Sinn Fein get temporary sugar highs when people are angry, desperate, and are sick of a highly incompetent government. If we look at the last 60 years; people just keep switching between FF and FG when they are mad at the other one. Most people didn’t vote for FG/Labour because they really believe in them. They voted because they did not want FF who caused the situation or the rhetoric of loony left-wing/stuck in the past Sinn Fein. They feel absolutely no hope and choose the less “corrupt”/ “irritating” party in their opinion. That’s all it is, most people would love a new party to enter the scene.

Thankfully Rob the electorate in the Republic can see through the SF manure PR machine no matter how many goodies they offer. This always and ever will be the case. SF remind me of the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood….try and lure you in to a false sense of security and then they pounce….

Ah I think u are mixing then up that more FG style my friend. SF deliver on what they say. Lying to get what they want is Gilmore and Kenny style !

SF deliver on what they say….bombs and bullets perhaps..
Cheers for that Bobby RIP, I needed a laugh

Really “Robert”…you sound very like Gerry…are you camouflaging your face to throw us of the scent?

Well said Kevin

Well Kevin you didnt get an Irish passport because the irish govt asked nicely.You have a very niave view of your own history,a product of the british pr machine if ever there was.

“Well Kevin you didnt get an Irish passport because the irish govt asked nicely.”
-True, but the people who sacrificed their lives for my passport had a majority backing by the South. The reason they had a majority backing is because all the elections on an independent Ireland were overruled/ignored by London against the wishes of the Irish people. Northern Ireland has the option of leaving the Union when the majority of people in the 6 counties wish to do so; the South was never given such an opportunity. Saying that Northern Ireland is “occupied” or inferring that it has no right to exist is extremely hypocritical. I am no fan by any means of Ulster Loyalism as it is based off of ethnic/religious supremacy and the state of Northern Ireland treated Catholics as second-class citizens. But I can’t help notice the contradiction of a number of people who like to mock the people in Ulster who call themselves “British” but at the same time like to point out how we are the “authentic” or “real” Irish. What makes someone “real” Irish? Gaelic last name and follower (or background) of the Roman Catholic Church? What about all the Ulster-Scots with Scottish Gaelic surnames? The Anglo-Normans who started British rule over Ireland 800 years ago; most of their descendants are Irish-Catholics. The Fitzgerald’s and Butler’s being the most famous of them. If Connacht decided tomorrow by a majority vote that they wanted to become an independent state, they have every right to do so. The Troubles helped promote this artificial British identity. The PIRA didn’t exactly win hearts by shooting people coming out of church, placing bombs under school buses and in random locations, executing people they didn’t like, murdering Catholics who join the army/police force or anything in government. Essentially the PIRA is the result of anti-Catholicism/second class status but it never justified a barbaric murder campaign in my opinion of so many innocent people. The reality is that in the end the PIRA lost. Is the ROI and Northern Ireland, united? The only time Ireland was ever united was under Brian Boru and the Act of Union. Why is that? Our history shows that we have never been a very close/united people, which is sad.
“You have a very niave view of your own history,a product of the british pr machine if ever there was.”
-I have no interest in arguing/insulting you, Robert. I can see you obviously have very strong views along with strong prejudices judging by your comments on other articles. I thought it was interesting that you said:
“Why should we be ashamed of anything the IRA have done? Brits arent ashamed of 800 years of slaughter,they have statues of Cromwell in England and he is on their list of Greatest Britons,they arent ashamed of the firebombing of Dresden nor the massacre of Indians,they arent ashamed of Bloody Sunday and readily shower praise on the British Army.”
-In my opinion: We shouldn’t be ashamed of the IRA (1919-1921) who got independence/freedom for the South. But we should be ashamed that certain individuals murdered/terrorized Southern Protestants during/right after independence. We should be ashamed of remarks by Valera saying “this is a Catholic country for a Catholic people”. We should not be ashamed of PIRA because they never represented the Irish people in the first place. But a person should be ashamed if they supported the PIRA’s murderous/brutal campaign. From my understanding the British government has apologized a number of times, for even the famine which affected our ancestors. Britain’s cruelty to Ireland didn’t justify/validate mass murder in Northern Ireland. The constant back and forth blaming/tribal mentality is the reason why Northern Ireland is the way it is still. Everybody is more concerned playing the “victim” and doesn’t want to acknowledge the grievances of the other “side”.

If your referring to people like Mary Lou McDonald and others who have no connections to murders/baggage. Then yes I see growth for Sinn Fein but not until the dinosaurs retire and the new generation takes over. Which will happen eventually. But that doesn’t change the fact that people want a new/fresh party as an alternative to all the ones that exist now; there all horrible.

If they’re to have any hope they need to get rid of that clown McDonald too!!

Mark Cooney seems to forget the irony that his father was the Justice Minister during a period of our history when Govt. abuse of power and contempt for the constitution and legal rights ran wild. A period rightly described by some historians as being like a South American tinpot dictatorship. Control freaks always react badly to being challenged. Angry at the hoi polloi not knowing their place. That is why the hatred spans generations and will continue to.

I thought you were dead

Sinn Fein will deliver if you look at their policies there not just spouting bull crap so they can get elected to be honest they not worried about elections they are concerned for Irish citizens, they are put forward fair alternatives and not one of the rats in there would even look at, you think any human being if they taut there was an alternative to cutting carers they would at least thoroughly look at it ! As for bombs will ye give it a rest that is the past it was a war for our fellow citizens basic rights! Bobby Sands was an intelligent inspirational man who DIED for his country . There was innocent victims like there is in any war but the British shed a lot o innocent Irish blood before the IRA ever began so stop now there was a peace process I will talk with anyone about problems they have with Sinn Fein politics but just give the rest a rest for now.

Bobby, after reading that comment…I’m at a crossroads in emotions, do I laugh or cry…I’ll do both at once….cry laughing! If you are the average example of the SF voter, our little Nation is safe for eternity from ever having to look at those bandits in camouflage drag in Government. May you Rest In Peace Mr Sands.

Bloody west Brit/free stater. It happened In Ireland.

Typical blueshirt…….

West Brit, Freestater, Blueshirt if somebody else can call me right wing then I can get a line in jingoistic bingo this morning.

What’s a Free Stater?

Part of an electrical motor I think

Its someone who only cares about the 26 counties and couldnt care less about their own people being slaughtered while marching for CIVIL RIGHTS,shot in the head for running a checkpoint,forced out of their homes by the British Army while they stand and let loyalists burn them down,being murdered with state consent etc etc.Oh and the soldiers that did it all get nice shiney medals and a pat on the back

I think Pierces’ explanation is correct Robert, your version sounds very similar to a “Nordie”…particularly the running through a checkpoint bit….

No Torkeel,Dublin born and bred,im not a Celtic supporter nor of any English football team,nor am i from the inner city or any other ‘deprived area (sorry to use that word)
Hate to burst your stereotype of southern republicans.

That’s nice for you Robert, your background or lack of sporting prowess is irrelevant on this occasion though..your version still sounds like a “Nordie”…..

Nice to be put in my place by someone hiding behind a picture of a donut with a fake name.Need i say more.

Now “Robert” don’t be like that, I didn’t put you in your place, it was just my interpretation of your comment…and as for my avatar of a doughnut…its the real deal, can the same be said for yours…

blueshirt unionist

Browns cows if we don’t know our History and learn from it then the blue shirts will tie us up in bondage again. The truth of how these people suffered at the hands of the Brits should never be forgotten or hid away. Mark blueshirt Cooney should be doing more constructive work for Athlone than going on a rampage about truthful art. I’m proud that the Luan Gallery has this work on display. The suffering these men and their families endured should never be forgotten or hid away. Hang on would you and mark Cooney like to put a picture of Maggie Thatcher up so that ye can praise and thank her for what she brought to our country?

A snapshot of what the pictures look like might give people a better indication if they should be removed or not in your poll…

If it was a loyalist maze prisoner that wanted to hang his pals notes in a gallery you would all be up in arms. Funny how people you and the rest of the hate mongers on this call everyone a ‘West Brit’ & Blue Shirt’. Ireland will never be free or at peace as long as bitter bigots on both sides live on and spew their evil hate venom.

@Browns
I think you are a bit over the top my friend
Yes if it was Loyalist prisoners they should stay up aswell
Art is expression of freedom

Browns Cows. The UVF “Brigadiers” were invited to a State function in Dublin to meet Betty Windsor. There wasn’t a peep out of any one. Nor would anyone give a toss if there was a Loyalist letter up in a gallery. Indeed I have seen historical exhibitions that have had materials from both sides.

Seem to recall loyalist Michael Stone on the Late Late show a few years ago talking about his “art” and the sky didn’t fall in. Mind you he has been locked up again since so maybe not the best example.
Fine Gael arrogance however seems to be consistent over the years (am I allowed say that? ) ;-)