30 August 2007 Edition

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News in Brief

Ballymena petrol bomb attack condemned

Sinn Féin Ballymena representative Padraig McShane has utterly condemned yesterday’s early morning petrol bomb attack in the Dunclug estate in Ballymena and has said Sinn Féin shall announce a community meeting for the betterment of the area.
Mr McShane said:
“No motive can justify an attack of this ilk. I utterly condemn this attack which could have had lethal consequences. On behalf of my party I am urging calm in the area.
“Sinn Féin shall be organising a community meeting with statutory bodies in attendance to discuss the situation and to identify the socio-economic issues facing this area.”

Cross party women’s delegation to visit prison

Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann has announced a cross party Assembly group visit to Hydebank Wood prison on 31 August to assess conditions for women there following a hard-hitting report into the prison.
“The recent report details the inhumane nature of locking women in isolation for periods of time, the humiliation of strip searches, the lack of contact with families and the association with male prisoners to and from court.
“Women who have been charged for not paying fines are going to jail which is certainly unacceptable and also women with severe mental health problems are not receiving the care they need.
“As a former political prisoner I can empathise with the women regarding these degrading conditions. These conditions were unacceptable in the past and must be challenged in 2007.
“What is now paramount is action and I as an elected representative want to see the conditions at first hand”, McCann said.

Government ignored warnings over decentralisation debacle

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has described as “a debacle” the Irish Government’s handling of decentralisation following the Labour Court ruling that FÁS cannot link promotion of staff to their willingness to relocate to the proposed new FÁS headquarters in Birr, Co. Offaly. Deputy Ó Caoláin said the Government had ignored repeated warnings from the trade unions and Opposition parties that this would be the outcome. 


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