Equality in the eyes of the law.

Whats the difference between a Derry Chef and a former member of the UDR / Current DUP Councillor?

This week Belfast DUP Councillor Ruth Patterson who was charged with sending a grossly offensive electronic communication in August had the charge withdrawn 'In the public interest' according to the DPP.

Patterson had commented about an imaginary attack in which marchers, including Sinn Féin figures, are killed. In response to the imaginary attack, she wrote on Facebook: "We would have done a great service to Northern Ireland and the world." 

 

Her party colleague, DUP MLA Jonathan Bell, said his party had "major concerns" about the attempted prosecution of the councillor. "We never saw the need, and don't believe there is justification, for the sensational arrest that she was put through and how she was held for a number of hours.'

This differs completely from what happened to Derry Chef Daryl O'Donnell who got a five month suspended sentence for posting a 'menacing message' about DUP MP Gregory Campbell on Facebook , O'Donnell was also fined £500.

At the time Gregory Campbell said 'Regardless of where such comments are made, they must be taken seriously and should be dealt with in a serious manner by the courts.'

This wouldn't seem to be the case for Councillor Patterson, and lets not forget that Derry DUP Councillor Gary Middleton was giving off earlier this year about people posting what he felt were offensive posts on facebook. 

 

Councillor Middleton was quoted in the BBC as saying '"People seem to find it funny to upload photos of prominent individuals of this city and publicly humiliate them, and make allegations against these people."  This is the same Councillor Middleton who was part of an illegal 'fleg'protest on Derry's peace bridge, so much for shared space eh!

 

So we have yet another example of the hypocrisy of democracy in Northern iron, or maybe the next time a DUP member makes an offensive remark about someone being gay or suggests someone would be doing a great service if someone lost their life in a loyalist terror attack they will come out and robustly condemn them, though I doubt it. 

As for the DPP stating it was in the public interest not to proceed with the charges against Councillor Patterson, I look forward to them giving a full explanation if they say it's in the public interest then let them explain their actions and reasoning to the public.

Iris Robinson once claimed that gay people could be 'cured',
Dirty Ol' Iris said: "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals — trying to turn away from what they are engaged in. I dunno about curing gays, but maybe the DUP could help find a cure for hypocrisy?

And as for political satire.. well it's been around for years from use by political parties to the mainstream media its there. it hasn't gone away ye know!