Features

Falsely imprisoned : Derryman vindicated as all charges quashed

Derryman Charlie McMenamin was falsely imprisoned in the late 1970s having been brutalised and intimidated into signing false statements. Last week, 29 years after his arrest, the High Court in Belfast quashed all charges made against him. McMenamin has waited almost three decades to be vindicated. Here he talks to ELLA O'DWYER about the history of the case, the treatment meted out to him in Strand Road Barracks in Derry and appeals to others who were falsely imprisoned to contact solicitors with a view to having their convictions challenged.

Photo: Charlie McMenamin only had three hours sleep before being taken for interrogation to Strand Road barracks

The Mary Nelis Column

Well it's history in the making. Bertie and Ian at the Boyne last week and Bertie addressing the British Parliament this week, the first Irish political leader to do so since 1921. Wendy Austin the BBC presenter hoped there would be no heckling, a bit like the comments made by the editor of an English daily newspaper some years ago, that he hoped the British Queen was wearing gloves when she shook hands with the distinguished Irish actor Richard Harris.

General election 2007 : Dublin is key area for election

With 47 seats to be decided, Dublin is a key region in the general election. For Sinn Féin to develop as a potent electoral presence in the 26 Counties, success in Dublin is a priority. Take the 2002 election, Fianna Fáil won 21 of the Dublin seats, a net gain of two, the Progressive Democrats went from two to four, Sinn Féin won two new seats, the Greens went from two seats to five while a new independent Finian McGrath won a seat in Dublin North Central. Fine Gael on the other hand lost nine seats and any chance of returning to government. This time around the contest for Dublin seats is as heavy as ever and ROBBIE SMYTH profiles the Sinn Féin record and prospects in Dublin and the Kildare commuter belt.

Roinn an Chultúir - Stocáireamh Bliantúil!

Is gné lárnach í an Ghaeilge sa chultúr Gaelach atá mar oidhreacht chomónta d'achan duine a chonaíonn ar an oileán seo. Is linne uilig an teanga, pé creideamh ná dearcadh polaitiúil atá againn. Saibhraíonn an teanga muid uilig. Sin an fáth a chreideann Sinn Féin go docht go bhfuil gá leis an teanga a chosaint.

Photo: Séanna Breathnach

Cúlchaint

Tá na scamaill arais Buíochas le Dia, beidh 'Chartbusters' agus na tiománaí sásta. Ní raibh rud ar bith le gearan faoi le deanaí. Tá scamaill dubh agus liath lasmuigh, tá an gaoth ag séideadh agus níos tabhachtaí ná sin tá sé ag stealladh báistí.

Dáil General Election Profile: Seán Crowe TD, Dublin South-West

Seán Crowe is TD for Dublin South-West and is the party's spokesperson on Science and Education and Community Affairs. As well as being a leading figure in Youth Against H-Block during the 1980/81 Hunger Strike, in the early days of the Peace Process, Seán was the head of the Sinn Féin mission to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation at Dublin Castle. Seán also represented the party in the multi-party negotiations that led up to the Good Friday Agreement.

Dáil General Election Profile: Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, Dublin South Central

Aengus Ó Snodaigh is TD for Dublin South Central. He is party Whip in Leinster House and spokesperson on Justice, Equality and International Affairs. Aengus joined Sinn Féin in the 1980s at University College Dublin, where he was active in student politics. He completed a BA in History and Geography, and a Higher Diploma in Education. Having secured his teaching degree, Aengus went on to teach at secondary level and as a literacy teacher in Dublin's inner city.

Dáil General Election Profile: Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Cork South-West

Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin (40) is a founder member of the Clonakilty Fairtrade Committee which worked to make his home town Ireland's First Official Fairtrade town in 2003. Cionnaith is active in the Post Office Action Committee, Special Olympics Committee, Carberry Housing Association, PANA (Peace & Neutrality Alliance) and Glór na nGael Cork. He is a member of the Independent Workers' Union.

Dáil General Election Profile: Paul Hogan, Longford/Westmeath

At 24, Councillor Paul Hogan is the youngest candidate in the Longford/Westmeath constituency. He is Deputy Mayor of Athlone and is studying History, Maths and Irish at NUI Maynooth.

The Matt Treacy Column

The championship began with two minor surprises. Down held Cavan to a draw at Breffni Park and Longford took up where they left off last Summer by beating Westmeath.

Media View

Republicans are well used to media bigotry, distortion and downright lies, and the sustained attacks from those who want to keep the status quo, but the current general election campaign is showing that we are not the only ones to feel the boot of those who believe that they have a divine right to rule.

Fifth Column

Letter to the Taoiseach

I was going to go over and say 'hello' but I did not bother. You might be wondering, Bertie, why I did not line up for the handshake with you in the Great Hall.

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