November 18, 2013: Local Fermanagh newspaper, the Impartial Reporter, is speculating that the next G8 Summit will take place at an isolated, luxury golf resort outside Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.  The event will be hosted by British Prime Minister, David Cameron.  A spokesperson at 10 Downing Street has stated that Northern Ireland is under active consideration as a location for the event.  The Impartial Reporter claims that the Lough Erne Golf Resort—isolated on a 300 acre peninsula on the Lough—has already been selected.  Hotels in the area have also been blocked booked for the week of the event during June 2013.

For further reading

• The Impartial Reporter, Obama to come to Fermanagh in 2013? by Julie Kenwell, November 15, 2012
• BBC News Northern Ireland, NI 'considered' among UK locations to host 2013 G8 summit, November 15, 2013
• RTÉ News, Reports suggest 2013 G8 summit will be held at Lough Erne golf resort in Fermanagh, November 15, 2012
• RTÉ News, G8 Summit bound for Enniskillen in 2013, November 15, 2012 [podcast]
• UTV, Enniskillen 'could host G8 summit,' November 15, 2013
• Sligo Today, Obama for Enniskillen visit in 2013?, November 15, 2013
• Belfast Telegraph, Hotel possible venue for G8 summit, November 15, 2013
• The Irish Times, Fermanagh resort may be G8 venue next year by Gerry Moriarty, November 16, 2012
• Irish Central, Meeting of world leaders en route to Ireland - G8 Summit may take place in Fermanagh in 2013; Lough Erne Golf Resort could play host to world leaders by Dara Kelly, November 17, 2013

"PSNI are involved in a major investigation into criminality in north and west Belfast involving the UVF which stretches back over a considerable period of time and which runs parallel to the ombudsman investigation Operation Stafford.

"With regard to the investigation into the murder of Bobby Moffett, this remains a live investigation into which police have committed very considerable resources and gone to substantial length to bring charges.

"PSNI has left no stone unturned in the Moffett investigation and is greatly frustrated that it has not been able, thus far, to bring charges of murder against those involved."

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For further reading

• The Guardian, Northern Ireland police watchdog launches inquiry into collusion claims, Press Association, October 19, 2012
• The Belfast Telegraph, Probe into UVF collusion claims, October 20, 2012
• BBC News, Police Ombudsman investigation into UVF collusion claims by Vincent Kearney, BBC NI home affairs correspondent, October 19, 2012

September 29, 2012: To commemorate the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant, about 30,000 members of the Unionist community--including bands from the Orange Order--staged a March from Belfast City Hall to Stormont Castle. A massive police escort ensured the march past Catholic churches, scenes of dispute in the past, took place without incident. The Ulster Covenant (and Declaration) was signed in 1912 by about 471,400 people in protest against a Home Rule Parliament in Dublin. The Covenant (signed by men) and the Declaration (signed by women) are reproduced on the next page.

For further reading

• Thousands attend Ulster Covenant parade by Lyndsey Telford, Belfast Telegraph, September 29, 2012

December 21, 2011: Derry's favorite poet, Seamus Heaney, has donated his personal notes to the National Library of Ireland.  Heaney stated that "it's a privilege and honor to have my own work sheets and drafts and manuscripts and text scripts in our National Library joining the great writers of the past and the great writers of the present."  Heaney was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995.

References and Further Reading

• Heaney 'honoured' do donate notes, Belfast Telegraph, December 21, 2011

December 21, 2011: The Irish Times reported that dogs in Ireland will help contribute to the economy, though not directly.  The cost of an annual dog license is set to increase on January 1 from the current level of €12.70 to a whopping €20.00.  The government will also introduce a life-time license of €140 or €400 for owners of a pack.  Phil Hogan, the Minister for the Environment will also start enforcing tighter controls that were introduced under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act of 2010.

References and Further Reading

• Paws for thought: Minister makes new friends at Dogs Trust by Michael O'Regan, The Irish Times, December 22, 2011.