Malachi O'Doherty
Malachi O'Doherty is a writer living in Belfast. He is the author of two books on the IRA, The Trouble With Guns (1998) and The Telling Year: Belfast 1972 (2007)
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These new IRA parcel bombs suggest an exasperating tenacity
Malachi O'Doherty: The bombs sent last week that failed to explode reveal the tactical limitations of the lingering terrorist network
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Stormont on the brink
Malachi O'Doherty: As power-sharing teeters over the abyss, Gordon Brown has a job to persuade Northern Ireland politicians to step back
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The real Robinson affairMalachi O'Doherty: The tale of Peter and Iris Robinson has turned from a domestic tragedy into a political crisis that may engulf the first minister
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Where does this leave Gerry Adams?Malachi O'Doherty: Like Catholic bishops dealing with priests' abuse, Adams has handled a family secret badly and may be politically damaged
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Payout for an attack that never was
Senior Sinn Fein man paid thousands in compensation for planned move against him which never took place
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The IRA: nothing to worry about?
Malachi O'Doherty: For some, the IMC report is evidence that the IRA no longer functions. But if that's true, there's no reason not to legalise it
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A spirit of unity
As we approach the week of prayer for Christian unity let's think again about a shared Eucharist: there is a pragmatic solution
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Sacred and profane
Morality is not the definer of religious conduct, despite the fact that churches harp on about it all the time
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Have we learned nothing?
It was dispiriting to hear a man claim, in a Belfast synagogue, that the Middle East conflict was a battle between good and evil
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An amnesty for Amnesty
The Catholic church is fighting an unnecessary battle with Amnesty International over abortion rights for women who have been raped.
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Poetic justice, please
The world of the arts must extend the same courtesy to Ian Paisley as it does to Martin McGuinness.
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Move over, St Patrick!
Tampering with Ireland's most cherished tradition, the Catholic church has changed the date of St Patrick's day.
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Blair's flaky credentials
Tony Blair didn't prove himself as a peacemaker in Northern Ireland, and his experiences there are unlikely to be of any help in the Middle East.
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Bluffing or believing?
By converting to Catholicism, is Tony Blair signalling that he believes its core principles? Or is he a hypocrite?
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Tongue tied
While the government insists immigrants learn to speak English, it seems to think Irish language activists in Belfast are making reasonable demands.
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Lessons from Northern Ireland
Even the most outrageous political ideologue may be willing to compromise principle for power - eventually.
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A difficult journey
A court case involving an Irish teenager who wants to travel to England for an abortion highlights the failures of Ireland's stance on the issue.
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A walk around the Block
If it were a realistic memorial to the Troubles, the controversial proposal for a Maze prison museum would give a whole new meaning to 'Up the RA'.
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Something to hold on to
Some cling to religion because they are unable to accept the reality of our vulnerability. What's wrong with that?
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Faith in the force?
The revised legislation for police recruitment in Northern Ireland only extends the Catholic-Protestant divide into new ethnic communities.
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Seeing is believing
A major political achievement has been secured in Northern Ireland today - but forgive the people of Belfast if they aren't yet jumping for joy.
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The big time
You could never accuse Ian Paisley of being up to date with popular culture, so it seems strange for him to have commissioned his own biopic.
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Caught in the crossfire
Northern Ireland is a small region but its problems have touched the world. Malachi O'Doherty hears how the IRA men and the loyalists rate the films they have inspired.
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Face to faithIt is still this world that matters most to the devout, however literally they appear to take scripture, writes Malachi O'Doherty.
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The Pope they loved but could not obeyMalachi O'Doherty: Catholics everywhere have revered John Paul II, but his death may reveal underlying schisms within communities and across continents.
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Infantilising the IrishMalachi O'Doherty: It wasn't a tantrum that broke the peace process.
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Collapse of faith in an ability to agreeMalachi O'Doherty: Northern Ireland's moderate parties have been routed by more extreme ones because of the collapse of faith in their ability to agree.
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Breeding schemesMalachi O'Doherty says the Guardian is echoing a false dream that a 51% Catholic majority means a united Ireland.
Gerry Adams' arrest marks the end of his career in the south
Malachi O'Doherty: Just days ago Adams was the Irish Republic's most popular leader but the other big parties won't go into office with him now