Features

General election 2007 : A view from the South

This week ROBBIE SMYTH profiles constituencies in Munster and South Leinster, two regions where today there is only one Sinn Féin TD, Martin Ferris in Kerry North, but by 25 May Sinn Féin support figures will show a very different picture as the party capitalises on gains made in the 2004 local and EU elections which brought the first Sinn Féin members onto Cork, Waterford and Wexford county councils, while growing representation on Cork City and Kerry County Councils.

The Mitchel McLaughlin Column

In the run-up to the election Fianna Fáil, the PD's, Fine Gael and Labour have at one time or another accused each other of indulging in 'auction politics'. In an attempt to buy votes in their quest for power they have issued a string of unsustainable promises on tax cuts, abolishing stamp duty, more Gardaí on the beat, a contract with the people, promises to wipe out hospital waiting lists etc.

Dáil General Election Profile: Joanne Finnegan, Meath East

Originally from Dublin, Joanne lives in Bettystown. She commutes daily to Coolock and Darndale where she works as a Senior Community Occupational Therapist. She holds a Diploma in Montessori Education and a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. Joanne has been involved in many campaigns, the most recent being Shell to Sea and the Stardust families' fight for justice.

Dáil General Election Profile : Henry Cremin, Cork South Central

HENRY CREMIN is a resident of Greenfields, Model Farm Road. A married man with a grown-up family, Henry is involved in his residents' committee and is a founding member of a local fishing club and youth club.

Dáil General Election Profile: Shaun Tracey, Dublin South

Shaun Tracey - who is contesting Dublin South with fellow Sinn Féin candidate Sorcha Nic Cormaic - is a plumber by trade and a member of the AEEU trade union. Aged 26, he recently joined the Sinn Féin team at Leinster House as a press officer.

Dáil General Election Profile: Sorcha Nic Cormaic, Dublin South

Sorcha Nic Cormaic - who is contesting Dublin South with fellow Sinn Féin candidate Shaun Tracey - is a primary school teacher in Dundrum, where she has lived most of her life. Sorcha studied Classical Civilisation and Philosophy in UCG and completed a Higher Diploma in Education in UCD in 2005. The Dundrum educationalist recently met other teachers in Palestine and she got to see first-hand how their lives are affected by the Israeli occupation.

The Resistance Campaign 50 years on

This week Mícheál MacDonncha continues a monthly series marking the 50th anniversary of the IRA's Resistance Campaign - more widely known as the Border Campaign - which commenced in December 1956. The series will be based on the monthly republican newspaper of the time An tÉireannach Aontaithe/The United Irishman.

Photo: Dan Gleeson with Gerry Adams at the 1989 Ard Fheis

Cúlchaint

Seoladh an leabhar dá-theangach seo le Marcus Ó Murchú ag an Oireachtas i Leitir Ceannain. Tá sé bunaithe ar léacht leis an Cairdinéal Ó Fiaich i 1972, ag comóradh imeacht na nIarlaí i 1607. Tugtar cur síos ar an long ag imeacht faoi dheifir ó Rath Maoláin le 99 ar bord, ina measc Aodh Mór Ó Néill, muintir Ui Dhónaill agus uaisle Gaelacha eile in éineacht len a bhfilí, scoláirí, lucht freastail, sagairt agus micléinn sagartóireachta. Insíonn sé scéal an turais mhaslaigh go dtí gur shroich siad an Mhór-roinn, na timpistí a thárla ó Louvain go dtín Róimh, 50 acu ag taistil de shiúl na gcos.

The Matt Treacy Column

As we eagerly await the start of this year's senior championship there has been some talk of whether the qualifier, or 'back door', system is working. Particularly as it applies to football. No-one seems inclined really to tamper with the hurling any more. Just content to hope that there will be a few games to remember before either Kilkenny or Cork win the All Ireland!

End Of The Union?

"Changed, changed utterly" was how one commentator described the state of Scotland following last weeks Holyrood election. Such hyperbole was to be expected as the Scottish National Party had emerged the largest party for the first time ever. While the system of proportional representation means it is not quite accurate to say the SNP had won the election it was clear the Labour party had lost the election. The result was only decided when the SNP took the last list seat giving them 47 MSP's and leaving Labour on 46. Following some way behind the Tories emerged with 17 and the Liberal Democrats on 16.

Fifth Column

Letter to the Taoiseach

Do you not think that the detectives in Castlereagh or the Bridewell could have learned a lot from observing Vincent Browne in action? Just a thought.

Photo: Barry McElduff

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