Features

THE announcement at the weekend that the UVF and RHC had put their arsenals beyond use and that the UDA had begun a process of disarmament is to be welcomed. Whatever degree of scepticism that some may wish to attach to the statements, Catholics, particularly in places like North Belfast and Mid-Ulster, will sleep more easily knowing that access to weapons by unionist paramilitaries has been diminished.

Bringing it home in Mayo

MAYO Sinn Féiners had plenty to be happy about after the recent local elections, with Therese Ruane getting elected to Castlebar Town Council, Gerry Murray topping the poll in Swinford, and Sinn Féin taking a new county council seat in Belmullet. But in Bellmullet the term 'breakthrough' took on a whole new meaning where, for the first time ever, a woman was elected when Sinn Féin's ROSE CONWAY-WALSH won a seat. ELLA O'DWYER reports.

Photo: HISTORY MAKER: Rose Conway- Walsh the first woman councillor ever elected in Belmullet

CORK: Sinn Féin doubles up on city council

CORK was another constituency that performed well in the recent local elections. It was the result of patience and motivation, attributes a long time associated with the county. Whether on the field of sport or more serious battlefields, you have to hand it to Cork.

Photo: TEA WITH THE MAYOR: Sandra McLellan with daughters Kelly and Lorna

THE JULIA CARNEY COLUMN

MAITH thú Jim Cusack. Last week this paper pointed out to Jim, one of our biggest fans, that he had 'accidentally' omitted to say in his coverage of the Corrib gas dispute that fisherman Pat O'Donnell had turned down compensation from Shell. The way Jim wrote the story implied O'Donnell had taken the money and was therefore being hypocritical for opposing the project.

Photo: BOWMAN: Watch out Mitchel he’s got an oddly coloured tie!

More than a game BY MATT TREACY

THE Antrim footballers find themselves now in a very similar position to the Dublin hurlers. Both have reached a final for the first time in a long time but both now face formidable opposition. I have to admit that I watched the Antrim-Cavan game with every expectation of being bored, as has been the case with most football matches this year including Dublin's win over Meath.

Remembering the Past: Re-interment of Barnes and McCormack

IRISH republicans Peter Barnes and James McCormack were hanged in Winson Green Prison in Birmingham on 7 February 1940. They were buried in the prison grounds and plain crosses with only their initials marked the graves. It took nearly 30 years before relatives were allowed to reclaim their bodies. Peter Barnes was born in Banagher, County Offaly, in 1907. At the age of 14 he joined Fianna Éireann and, three years later, the IRA. He was one of the first to volunteer for active service in England during the campaign of 1939 and was appointed Transport Officer, operating between Glasgow, Liverpool and London.

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