February - Division 87

M ONTHL Y N EWS L ETTER OF A NCIENT O RDER OF H IBERNIANS DIVISION 87, P ORT R ICHMOND , P HILADELPHIA , PA 19124
C HARTERED A PRIL 14, 1898—D AILY P RACTICING O UR M OTTO OF F RIENDSHIP , U NITY AND T RUE C HRISTIAN C HARITY
T HE B RIMMER
T ÁIMID
V OL . 117, I SSUE 02
TUIRSEACH DE SNEACHTA
T HE P RESIDENT ’ S M ESSAGE
B
rothers, We recently held our annual beef and beer at Finnigan's Wake and despite the weather and the Eagles losing in the
first round of the playoffs, we were still able to make it a great day for
AOH 87. I want to thank everybody who came out to make it a day to
be proud to belong to AOH 87 and celebrate with your family and
friends.
Next, we have St. Patrick's Day coming up fast. We are making arrangements for the parade and after-party which will be held at AOH
87 on Sunday, March 16. This year's theme is “St. Patrick Bless the Contributions of Irish-Americans to Our Nation." This theme is something
we can be proud of as Irish-Americans.
So as members of AOH Div. 87 let's make this another great day for
AOH 87 with a strong turnout for this year's parade. And celebrate and
raise our glasses with our brothers and families!!!
God bless us and St. Patrick and St. Brigid protect us!!!
Chris Asinos,
President, AOH 87
S PECIAL P OINTS OF
I NTEREST




Support the Parade at this
fundraiser in the new Philly
police union hall.
Page 2
Freedom of speech a no-no
for Scottish football fans
Page 4
Reds Falcon: His Valentine’s Day jokes are better
than kissing your sister
Page 5
Stephen Murney finally
released from prison as he
fights trumped up charges.
Page 6-7
I NSIDE
THIS ISSUE :
P ARADE EVENT
2
O FFICERS L IST
3
F EATURE
4
Isle of Erin
M EETINGS
5
Major Degree Team
R EDS F ALCON
5
S ICK /D ECEASED
5
The Major Degrees of the Order will be presented
on Sunday, Feb. 16, at noon at AOH Div. 1 Bucks County
614 Corson St., Bristol, PA
Candidates and observers should pre-register online at
www.aohnd1.com (click the Degree Team link in the menu)
As part of our oath, all Hibernians agreed to pursue Major Degrees. In
addition, all division office holders must be degreed members.
S TEPHEN M URNEY 6-7
D UES
8
R ENTALS
8
S PONSORS
9
T HE B RIMMER
P AGE 2
Support the Philadelphia
St. Patricks Day Parade
Sunday, Feb. 23, 3 to 7 p.m.
Heroes Ballroom at FOP Lodge 5
11630 Caroline Road
Jamison – Bogside Rogues – Raymond Coleman
The Celtic Flame Irish Dancers
Beer, Wine, Soda, Buffet, Raffles Door prizes, Vendors
$30 tickets ($15 child)
Contact Mary at 267-228-0418 or Joe at 215-429-0193
or Kathy at 267-237-2953
F EBRUARY 2014
P AGE 3
D IV 87 C LERGY AND O FFICERS
H OME B OARD
Chaplains
Rev Joseph Howarth
Resurrection of Our Lord
2000 Shelmire Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19152
215-745-3211
Standing Committee
Edward “Obie” O’Brien
3156 Aramingo Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19134
215-739-6560
215-300-6332
Chairman
Tom Lavelle Jr.
6 Nancy Dr.
Richboro, PA 18954-1325
215-942-9745
Rev Joseph F Okonski
Saint Athanasius Rectory
2050 Walnut Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19138
215-548-2700
Marshal
Gene Long III
7142 Cottage St.
Philadelphia, PA 19135-1202
215-594-9935
[email protected]
President
Chris Asinos
2021 Griffith St.
Philadelphia, PA 19152-3201
215-284-4275
[email protected]
Vice President
James Hughes
15050 Endicott St.
Philadelphia, PA 19116-1508
215-671-1361
[email protected]
Recording Secretary
Patrick Dever
2657 E. Schiller St.
Philadelphia, PA 19134-5412
609-760-4899
[email protected]
Financial Secretary
Sean Coyne
1333 Thompson Road
Abington, PA 19001-2241
610-405-8466
[email protected]
Treasurer
Michael Nolan
12421 Tyrone Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
215-281-3346
Sentinel
John Jones
11867 Colman Terrace
Philadelphia, PA 19154-2510
267-608-9694
[email protected]
Immediate Past President
James Lockhart Jr.
2442 E. Lehigh Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125-2347
267-226-8843
[email protected]
Historian
Robert McConomy
3214 Miller St
Philadelphia, PA 19134
215-426-1779
Catholic Action
William Gibbons
3153 Englewood St
Philadelphia, PA 19154
Pro-Life
Joseph Golden
2318 Ripley St
Philadelphia, PA 19152
Freedom for All Ireland
James Lockhart Jr.
2442 E. Lehigh Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125-2347
267-226-8843
[email protected]
Financial Officer
Chuck Welsh Jr.
2817 Sellers St.
Philadelphia, PA 19137-1922
Recording Secretary
James McGinley
3255 Glenview St
Philadelphia, PA 19149
215-331-6239
Trustee
Ed "Mo" Moore Jr.
8412 Crofton Lane
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
215-805-8496
Club Steward
Thomas Wenger
4050 E. Cheltenham Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215-288-8140
Webmaster
John Jones
11867 Colman Terrace
Philadelphia, PA 19154-2510
267-608-9694
[email protected]
The Brimmer
Bill Kenny
8606 Glenloch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19136
267-249-1768
[email protected]
T HE B RIMMER
P AGE 4
M EANWHILE IN S COTLAND ...
National (and loyalist inclined) football officials conspired to defame selected republican fans of Celtic Football
Club while opting not to issue any actual punishment for said fans’ supposed inappropriate stadium banners. In
short, the Scottish Professional Football League talked a good game, but lacked the conviction that its accusations
had the merit to withstand scrutiny.
Here’s the story from RTÉ Sport (www.rte.ie) ...
Celtic escape punishment over 'H Block' banner
Celtic have escaped punishment over an "offensive" banner displayed at Parkhead, the Scottish Professional Football League has confirmed.
The SPFL launched an investigation after fans held aloft a large 'H' symbol - representing the
Maze Prison block in Belfast where 10 Irish Republicans died on hunger strike in 1981 - alongside
lyrics derived from Flower of Scotland, "they fought and died for their wee bit hill and glen".
The display came during
Celtic's Scottish Premiership fixture against Aberdeen on November 23.
A spokesman for the league
said: "The SPFL has concluded
its investigation into the appearance of a large 'H' banner on 23
November 2013 during Celtic's
home match against Aberdeen.
"SPFL regulations forbid
'words or conduct or displaying
any writing or other thing which
indicates support for, or affiliation
to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism
Act 2000'.
"The SPFL found that the banner was offensive and breached the SPFL's rules.
"However, Celtic FC were able to demonstrate that they had taken all reasonably practicable
steps to prevent the banner being displayed at Celtic Park.
"As a result, it was determined that there was no evidence of any breach of the SPFL's rules by
Celtic FC.
"The SPFL wishes to reiterate, for the avoidance of doubt, that any banners indicating support
for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms
of the Terrorism Act 2000 or are otherwise offensive, are not welcome at SPFL grounds."
Celtic were fined about £42,000 by UEFA over a similar display during their Champions
League clash with AC Milan four days later, after the European governing body decided the "illicit
banner", including images of hunger striker Bobby Sands and Scottish nationalist icon William Wallace, broke their rules.
Celtic demanded fans leave their political views at home after UEFA announced the disciplinary action.
The supporters' group responsible for the banners, the Green Brigade, later defended the displays and insisted they were football-related as they were designed to protest against the Scottish
Government's Offensive Behaviour at Football Act and Police Scotland's implementation of the
legislation, which it claims has criminalised political expression. 
F EBRUARY 2014
N EXT D IV . 87 M EETING
Tues., Feb. 11, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Donnelly Hall, 2171 Wakeling St.
C OUNTY M EETINGS
Thurs., March 6, 2014, 7 p.m.
AOH Div. 87, 2171 Wakeling St.
Thurs., June 5, 2014, 7 p.m.
AOH Div. 61, 4131 Rhawn St.
Thurs., Sept. 4, 2014, 7 p.m.
AOH Div. 88, 15000 Bustleton Ave.
May the saddest day of
your future be no worse
than the happiest day
of your past.
S ICK AND D ECEASED
P LEASE
OFFER YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND
SOULS OF THE DECEASED LISTED BELOW
Committee for the sick: Peggy Nicholson, Terry
Orr, Joe Bell, Michael Rad (Rags), Erin Martin, Rich
Hrapzinski, Anne McGovern, Big Ed, Terry Rad, Maria
Gallagher, Frank Gallagher, Elwood Horner, Stephen
Smith, Curt Schilling.
Deceased: Ray Mansfield, Kenny Goodman, Eileen Boyle, Marie Collins, Hank Reeves, Patricia Gault,
Joseph Clifford, William J. Deputy, Margaret Dugan.
P AGE 5
N ONSENSE ...
By REDS FALCON
• If you want a good-looking date on Valentine's
Day, look in the supermarket next to the raisins.
• Bill Gibbons: "I think I have hearing loss in one
ear." Tug McGraw: "Which ear is it?" Bill Gibbons:
"2014."
• Kieran McGovern: "Is it true when you ask a
Division 87 member a question he answers by asking another?" Obie: "Who told you that?"
• When nothing goes right ... go left.
• Note: You know how Tug McGraw always
claimed in his column that you can't
make up this stuff?
He made is ALL up.
• Old Reds had a
long day at Northeastern Hospital for
some medical test
last week. I knew as
soon as I put on the
gown the end was in
view.
• When you rearrange the letters in the word "astronomer," you
get "moon starer."
• "Two things in the universe are infinite; the
universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure
about the universe." --– Albert Einstein
• Most children threaten at times to run away
from home. This is the only thing that keeps some
parents going.
• Trial attorney: "Now doctor, isn't it true
when a person dies in his sleep he doesn't know
about it until the next morning?" Witness: "Did you
actually pass the bar exam?"
• If corn oil is made of corn and vegetable oil
from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Reds
P AGE 6
T HE B RIMMER
T HE CURIOUS CASE OF S TEPHEN M URNEY
Who is Stephen Murney?
(Source: éirígí party website, www.eirigi.org)
Stephen Murney is a 29-year-old Irish political activist from the border city of Newry, which is located just inside British-occupied Ireland. As well as being active in community politics Stephen is also a member of éirígí, a
legal, socialist republican political party. On the morning of November 28, 2012, as he prepared to celebrate his
birthday, Stephen’s home was raided by a unit of heavily armed British police. Stephen was arrested and taken to
the high security interrogation centre in Antrim town.
On December 1, 2012 Stephen was taken to court and charged with a number of spurious “terrorist” related
“offences.” He was then
remanded to Maghaberry
high security prison.
Stephen’s arrest and
imprisonment followed a
long-running campaign of
harassment by the PSNI (a
British paramilitary force)
against republicans in the
Newry area. Before his
arrest Stephen was to the
fore in highlighting and
challenging the activities
of the PSNI both in the
local media and on social
networking websites.
As a result of his cam- Murney’s supporters protest at 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newry.
paigning work Stephen
found himself the target of continuous harassment by the PSNI, including near daily stop and searches, threats and
assault. Independent human rights organisations are currently investigating this campaign of harassment against
Stephen and others in the Newry area.
Stephen Murney released on bail as judge retires to make trial decision
(Source: éirígí party website, www.eirigi.org)
Jan. 28, 2014 – Éirígí party member Stephen Murney was this evening re-united with his family and friends
after the judge conducting his trial released him on bail.
The dramatic twist occurred late this afternoon at the conclusion of oral submissions by both the prosecution
and defence on what was the fifth day of hearings in the case.
At the end of those submissions, the judge said she would consider a bail application from the defence as it was
unlikely that she would be in a position reach a decision in the case until February 17.
In contrast to all other bail applications made since Stephen’s arrest in 2012, the judge then released Stephen on
a personal surety of £200 and an independent surety of £1,000, along with several conditions including a night-time
curfew.
The more draconian conditions imposed by previous courts which included wearing an electronic tag, not being
allowed to enter Newry city for any reason and having to reside at an address at least 12 miles from Newry were
gone.
F EBRUARY 2014
P AGE 7
T HE CURIOUS CASE OF S TEPHEN M URNEY
This afternoon’s developments took place on the fifth day of trial.
Yesterday (Monday, Jan. 27), the judge announced her decision in respect of last Thursday’s application by the
defence for all charges to be struck out. She then dismissed that application.
Following that decision, the defence case began in the afternoon with Stephen entering the witness-box to give
evidence on his own behalf.
At the end of his evidence, the prosecution stated they were seeking a disclosure ruling before another judge
prior to their cross-examination of Stephen.
That application was heard before a second judge in another court on Tuesday morning and it became apparent
very quickly that the prosecution was actually attempting to have material introduced which related to other
charges that had been dismissed last November. The judge refused their application.
The scene then moved back to the original court-room where Stephen was intensely cross-examined by the
prosecution throughout the morning.
After lunch, a closing submission was made by the prosecution.
The defence submission followed with the judge being alerted to the wider political and human rights implications regarding the charges against Stephen including possible infringements of his rights under Articles 7 and 10 of
the European Convention on Human Rights.
Article 10 expressly states that “Everyone has
the right to freedom of expression. This right shall
include freedom to hold opinions and to receive
and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.”
Given Stephen’s membership of a political
party and his position within the party as a
local public relations officer, his defence
case was that the photographs which the
charges related to were ones taken in the
course of legitimate political activities and
which had been used to accompany party
news stories and party press releases to the
local media.
As such, the charges relate directly to the
Murney with his family outside Laganside bail office.
expression of a particular political viewpoint.
Both the judge and prosecution were clearly taken aback at the reference to Article 10 in particular, with the
prosecution stating that they had not expected or prepared for such a legal argument.
Further legal arguments took place with the judge then setting out a schedule for the prosecution and defence
to present final written submissions to the court regarding the various points of law that had been raised.
As it was approaching the court’s closing time, the judge then stated that, as it would clearly take some considerable time to deliberate on her decision, that she would accept a bail application. Her statement came as a total
surprise to Stephen’s family, friends and comrades in the public gallery.
Shortly after 5pm, Stephen Murney walked out of Laganside court-house accompanied by his family along with
several party comrades and a number of his friends. 
T HE B RIMMER
P AGE 8
C HANGE
OF
A DDRESS & D UES S UBMITTAL F ORM
AOH Division 87
Port Richmond, Philadelphia
Member ID#, 36PH87____________
Name__________________________________
New Address_____________________________
City____________________________________
C LUB R ENTALS
Hall Rental : 4 Hours
$275 for non-members
$250 for members
$225 for Brick Members
$30 for bartender
$30 cleanup
Overtime on rentals is available for an additional
$75, with a 1-hour limit.
State__________________________ Zip_______
Home Phone______________________________
Email___________________________________
Amount Paid ($35/year)___________
Check ___ Cash ____ Date______________
This form must be submitted to the Financial Secretary when you
change your address:
Sean Coyne
1333 Thompson Road
Abington, PA 19001-2241
610-405-8466 / [email protected]
H UNGER P ROJECT
The Hibernian
Hunger Project
reached many people, parishes and
outreach programs
over the holidays.
To replenish the
funds, project organizers are hosting a karaoke night
with celebrity bartenders.
The Hibernian Hunger Project Night will be
held at AOH Div. 39, 7229 Tulip St., on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 11 p.m.
All tips will be donated to the HHP.
Beer (per 1/2 barrel)……………… *
*
Liquor (per liter)………………….. *
*
Premium Liquor (per liter)………… *
*
Wine (1/2 gallon)…………………. *
*
Soda (case)………………………… *
*
Orange Juice (1/2 gallon)………….. *
*
Table Covers (each)……………….. *
*
Wine Coolers (case)……………….. *
*
Non-alcoholic Beer (O’Doul’s) case… *
*
Ice (40lbs)………………………… *
*
To arrange for rental of the hall,
Contact Gene Long at 215-594-9935
May love and laughter light your days
And warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours
Where ever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
With joy that long endures
May all life’s passing seasons
Bring the best to you and yours.
F EBRUARY 2014
P AGE 9
[email protected]
Florida Waterfront House Weekly Rental
3 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 1.5 Blocks from the Beach
10 Miles from Phillies Training Field
Seasonal price ranges from 1200 – 2000 per week
Brochure available for full details!
Call: Mike Nolan 215-281-3346 for info.
Your Ad
Here!
Call 267-249-1768
Mother of Divine Grace School
A small school with a BIG HEART!
Mrs. Jane Ellen Lockhart
Principal
2612 East Monmouth Street
Philadelphia PA 19134
215-426-7325
[email protected]
motherdivinegrace.com
Visit Binlids
AOH Div. 87’s
official cocktail lounge
2171 Wakeling Street
Winter Schedule
Wednesday evenings
Thursday evenings
Friday afternoons, evenings
Saturday afternoons
Saturday evenings
Sunday afternoons
Best Prices in Town
Mailing Label Must Go Here
D IVISION 87
A NCIENT O RDER OF H IBERNIANS
I N A MERICA , I NC
2171 W AKELING S T
P HILADELPHIA , PA 19124
AOH D IVISION 87
P ORT R ICHMOND
2171 Wakeling St
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215-533-7070
ALL EVENT LISTINGS AT
WWW.AOH87.COM
FRIENDSHIP, UNITY AND CHRISTIAN
CHARITY
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Catholic, Irish American Fraternal Organization, whose members strive to live by our motto of Friendship, Unity and
True Christian Charity. If you are interested in joining our organization, you
must be of Irish decent and a practicing Catholic. Go to www.AOH87.com for
more information on joining Division 87—Port Richmond.