Following the shooting of leading loyalist and suspected British agent Mark Haddock, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice issues Gerry Kelly said that many would be suspicious of the motivation behind the shooting given the fact that the Six County Ombudsman's inquiry into Haddock, the Mount Vernon UVF and their collusion with the Special Branch was due to be published next month. Free article

Recognising the utter failure of the Irish Government to grasp the reality of the drugs crisis in the 26 Counties, Sinn Féin used its Private Members Time in the Dáil last week to highlight the extent of the problem and to offer an effective way forward. Free article

The 26-County Government is facing widespread anger after a Supreme Court ruling left open a loophole that allowed a man convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl to be freed. Free article

During the month of May 1981 four more republican prisoners joined the historic H-Block Hunger Strike as replacements for Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh and Patsy O'Hara. During the course of the strike, each of the four men were to stand as anti H-Block candidates in the 26 County General Election of June 1981. Joe McDonnell in the constituency of Sligo/Leitrim, Kieran Doherty in Cavan/Monaghan, Kevin Lynch in Waterford and Martin Hurson in Longford/ Westmeath. Free article

The European Court of Justice has ruled that the 26 Counties breached EU law by taking Britain before a United Nations tribunal in relation to the Sellafield nuclear plant. Free article

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said there is an urgency in getting the 26-County Ombudsman Commission fully operational following the latest claims of harassment and brutality against Gardai. Free article