By the time this article is read, we will know whether Sinn Féin's hope of an historic breakthrough is political reality rather than aspiration. As the people of the North go to the polls, all signs are fortuitous, with door-to-door canvassing promising a significant swing within the nationalist electorate to Sinn Féin and a new willingness among those who traditionally have not supported the party to switch their allegiance or transfer to Sinn Féin. Free article

The brutal sectarian slaying of 21-year-old Catholic James McMahon in Lisburn City centre is making a mockery of Lisburn Council's motto of a "city for everyone", Father Seán Rogan told mourners at Requiem Mass for the murdered man on Tuesday 25 November. Free article

Speaking during Leader's Questions in Leinster House on Tuesday, Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin called on the Taoiseach to raise as a matter of urgency with the British Prime Minister the ongoing series of sectarian attacks against Catholics in the Six Counties which last week resulted in the death of a young man in Lisburn. Free article

The pay packets of Irish bosses rose by up to 50% from last year, according to the Irish Management Institute's (IMI) latest report on the salaries of Ireland's top executives. Their pay rises stand in stark contrast to the 7% pay rise ordinary workers have been bound to over a two-year period in the so-called Programme for Sustaining Progress. Free article

Who is wealthy and who is poor in Irish society today? It sounds like a simple question, but if you're in government in the 26 Counties it isn't. Consider Bertie Ahern, one of the benefits of high political office is that he doesn't need the hooded anorak anymore. A higher income complete with the warmth and comfort of a chauffeured Mercedes and numerous other perks, such as free meals, phones accommodation, etc, means that Bertie is much better off now than when he was a lowly TD. But how do you measure that? Free article

The report of the inquiry by Justice Barron into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is expected to be published next week. This was confirmed in the Dáil by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in response to a question from Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. Free article

2004 marks the 25th anniversary of An Phoblacht/Republican News. Today's newspaper incorporates the titles of two republican papers, An Phoblacht, based in the 26 Counties, and Republican News, based in the Six Counties, which amalgamated in January 1979. Free article

Sinn Féin Director of Elections Danny Power said on Wednesday that he had been receiving a large number of complaints from across the Six Counties about the volume of people being disenfranchised and at the general manner in which the election is being conducted. Free article

The father of a man shot and killed by the UVF earlier this month says he has resigned from the Orange Order because he believes that the man who targeted his son is a fellow member of the organisation. Free article