Ulster seems to be brimming with scumbags devoid of any morals whatsoever. Its depressing to think that few people will be overly surprised by the callous attacks in Lurgan last night where police were pelted with 30 petrol bombs while the Army tried to defuse what they thought was a bomb. A BBC TV crew also had petrol bombs thrown at them earlier.

There's a simple solution to this one. If the community aren't prepared to help the police prosecute the culprits - next time there's a bomb alert in the Cornakinnegar Road area of Lurgan, stay away and let it explode.

But that's not what I want to draw your attention to. Oh no, there was something else that went on last night that could be regarded as even more evil.

Even I'm shocked that someone could callously stab a 61 year old pensioner in the chest as he was out walking his dog. What possible reason could there be for that?

It's a depressing indicator of just how sick our country is that these subhuman stains on society don't even think twice about carrying out an attack as abhorrent as this.

A 16 year old has been charged and is due in court today in connection with the rape of an English schoolgirl in west Belfast a couple of weeks back.

I'm honestly (very pleasantly) surprised by this as I was beginning to lose faith in the PSNI altogether. How can you not with stories like this? The reason I didn't post anything yesterday when he was arrested was because I didn't think he'd be charged. 5 people have now been arrested and released over the Lisa Dorrian murder remember.

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OK I know I'm cheating because I haven't gone to bed yet but I spotted this thanks to Andrew at A Tangled Web (article from the Andersonstown News* via Nuzhound) and thought it worth a mention for the sheer stupidity.

"My grandfather was in the Orange Lodge and my grandmother was a republican ... so I think I can see it from both sides."
said Susan, a member of the Troops Out Movement

I don't think I need to say any more!

Disclaimer: the fact that a publication has the word 'news' in the title is no guarantee that the content therein is actually newsworthy

"Same old beggars, always cheating" as some wise and fine upstanding young men were heard to proclaim on more than one occasion tonight.

Northern Ireland's Under 21s were unlucky not to beat the Republic after going 1-0 up through an Alan Sheenan own goal. Northern Ireland led 1-0 at the half-time break and things were looking good when a good effort from defender Sean Webb made it 2-0, but it wasn't to last.

Later n the second half, the Republic were awarded 2 dodgy penalties within the space of 10 minutes both of which were converted by Kevin Doyle (although the first took a bit of effort - rumour has it he was so embarrassed at having to take a penalty awarded in such a manner that he fluffed his first strike).

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Quoted in the Independent today, Michael Buerk suggests that men are being marginalised in the British media, citing the BBC specifically, and claims that the result is that men are becoming more effeminate. I'm just surprised this is news, although perhaps someone needed to say what I suspect many have felt (consciously or otherwise) for some time.

"The traits that have traditionally been associated with men - reticence, stoicism, single-mindedness - have been marginalised. Look at the men who are being held up as sporting icons - David Beckham and, God forbid, Tim Henman."
Michael Buerke, BBC newsreader

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Prior to tomorrow night's senior friendly with Malta, Northern Ireland's under-21 team will take on our neighbours in the Republic at Mourneview Park, Lurgan tonight (kick off at 7:30). For some reason I have it in my head that tickets are £5 (available at the turnstyles) but I could have just made that price up.

Northern Ireland U21's last match was against Scotland at the Oval on 8th February which they won 2-1. Prior to that was a 0-0 draw with Switzerland at the same ground in August of the previous year. Going for 3 unbeaten?

There's team news at the Irish FA website so I won't waste my time and yours repeating it here.

A man was shot dead on Sandy Row in south Belfast today. Michael Green, from Ballysillan, was shot as he got off his motorbike outside his work at 8:15 am.

The LVF denied the victim was a member of their group but Ulster Unionist MLA Michael McGimpsey said the killing appeared to be linked to the ongoing LVF/UVF feud. He was one of a number of local representatives to condemn the murder, and went on to describe the killing as "barbaric and abhorrent."

"Everybody in the area is disgusted by this. It's disgraceful. It has had the trappings of loyalist feud and we have seen over the summer the police apparently being unwilling or unable to intervene in this feud and we have seen matters basically spiralling out of control."
Michael McGimpsey, Ulster Unionist MLA

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Police in Brazil arrested 2 men following the country's biggest bank robbery at the weekend. $68 million was stolen in the raid in Fortaleza, northeast Brazil (what's £26½ million, eh?).

The men were arrested after police stopped a lorry laden with cars they believed were purchased by newly rich thieves.

No doubt we'll see three Irish tourists depart for Brazil shortly to show them how its done.

Never cry over spilt milk... It could have been beer.

More scumbaggery last night as about 50 people gathered for a recreational riot at the Dunclug estate in Ballymena, with police and fire officers the victims.

The police and fire service staff had stones, bricks and broken pavings thrown at them and the rioters tried to set a number of vehicles alight.

SDLP councillor Declan O'Loan said the rioters had been trying to entice the police and fire crews into the estate to continue their assault there and that they had been reluctant to enter the estate.

Scum the lot of them. The country would be better off without parasites like this, but if they insist on attacking public services and draining taxes then I'd prefer it if they could at least do it at Her Majesty's pleasure!