In Brief

Finucane's meet Hain

The Finucane family have been told by Direct Ruler Peter Hain that members of Britain's intelligence and security services who were involved in the killing of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989 are still serving as Crown employees. Finnucane's son Michael has accused Hain of refusing to constitute a proper inquiry as recommended by Judge Cory.

Love Ulster riot in Portadown

Sinn Féin councillor Brian McKeown blamed rampaging unionists returning from the so-called 'Love Ulster' rally in Dublin on Saturday 25 February for rioting and destruction that occured in Portadown, County Armagh in the early hours of Sunday morning, 26 February.

Parades Commission Bias

Sinn Féin's Sean Murray, has questioned the impartiality of the Parades Commission for allowing the loyalist "Pride of the Raven Flute Band', who has previously flouted parade rulings, to parade in East Belfast without restrictions on Saturday 25 February while imposingconditions on a republican commemoration in Strabane on Sunday 26 February.

John White another UDA British agent?

Sectarian murderer and former associate of Johnny Adair, John White, has been allegedly 'outed' by the Belfast media as a British agent only weeks after it was claimed that loyalist killer Torrens Knight received £50,000 a year from Special Branch after his early release from prison for the 1993 Greysteel massacare.

Loyalists jailed

A Court of Appeal has handed down two-year jail terms to three loyalists, who initially escaped prison, for mounting an armed road block at an Orange arch in County Antrim.

British must end war

Speaking in South Armagh at the Burns Moley commemoration, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caolain TD called on the British to end their war. Referring to the discovery of documentation detailing on-going British spying against the people of South Armagh, he called on the Dublin Government to press the British to end this violation of civil rights.

SDLP part of Policing establishment

Commenting after the latest attack on CRJ schemes by the SDLP, Sinn Féin spokesperson on justice issues Gerry Kelly said , "/the SDLP have in effect become part of the policing establishment".

McElduff Speaks in Cork

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff was the guest speaker at the Clonmult Commemoration in Middleton, Co Cork, on Sunday afternoon last. Sinn Féin's seven councillors in East Cork and over two hundred local republicans attended including Cork hurling goalkeeper, Donal Óg Cusack. McElduff saluted the fourteen Volunteers who lost their lives and Cork republicans in general.

Electricity increase unacceptable

Sinn Féin economy spokesperson, Mitchel McLaughlin, commenting on the 10.8% increase in NIE electricity costs has said that this will hit those least able to pay hardest. "This is totally unacceptable."

Co-ownership false economy

Reacting to changes to co-ownership rules announced this week Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Fra McCann MLA said that, "Co-ownership was not a solution to the housing crisis. Co-ownership can work out more expensive in the long run. It is a false economy. We need a well thought out strategic response to the housing crisis."

Discrimination in housing points

Dublin City Sinn Féin councillor Tony Smithers has accused 26-County Minister of State for Housing Noel Ahern of discrimination in the way points are allocated on the housing list. Single people and lone parents are allocated five points on application as opposed to 20 for those with partners.

Redress Board for victims

Commenting on the report of Judge Maureen Harding Clark into the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Sinn Féin health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said, "The Minister for Health and Children should respond to the Report with the immediate establishment of a Scheme of Redress."

Suicide Prevention Strategy needed

Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Kathy Stanton has demanded action in bringing forward a regional suicide prevention strategy. "The Department of Health must accept responsibility for the absence of a strategy and lack of resources and funding."

McDowell should resign

Backing the calls from a public meeting this week to oppose the Poolbeg Peninsula incinerator, Sinn Féin's councillor Daithí Doolan condemned Michael McDowell for circulating literature claiming opposition to the incinerator, while at the same time being a prominent member of the Government pushing it through.