From wickipedia- not my choice of sources but here it goes:
Claud Cockburn, born June 6, 1941, is a self-described radical Irish-born journalist who has lived and worked in the United States since 1973. Together with Jeffrey St. Clair he edits the political newsletter CounterPunch. He also writes the "Beat the Devil" column for The Nation and a weekly syndicated column for the Los Angeles Times. Cockburn was also a regular contributor to the Anderson Valley Advertiser....
So if Patrick here is part of Alex's clan of radical Irishmen... it reminds me of James Abourezk of S Dakota...