In 1982, Dublin's North Inner City was first promised a community college. Now, 18 years down the road, James Larkin College is at last about to open its doors to some 300 secondary school students in Dublin's North Inner City, who at the moment attend Parnell Square and Coláiste Conghaille in the North Strand, when they do go, which for most of them is by no means every day. Free article

Ten years ago next month, Sam Marshall was walking home with two other men when they were confronted by masked gunmen who opened up with automatic fire. The attack took place just moments after the three men had signed bail at Lurgan RUC barracks. Sam Marshall's last words to his two companions before he was shot dead were ``we were let out to be set up.'' Free article

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin voted in support of a motion in the Dáil on Wednesday night, 16 February, which deplored the refusal of the Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy to meet with the Irish League of Credit Unions and called on the government to reform the tax regime to ensure that it is fairer to credit union deposit holders. Free article

Four hundred general operatives from Dublin's building sites took to the streets on Wednesday, 16 February, to protest at low pay rates and inadequate pension and sick pay arrangements. Free article

Some 2,100 Dublin Bus drivers staged a one-day stoppage this week in pursuit of a 20% wage claim. The National Bus and Rail Workers Union (NBRU) made their claim for a wage increase last August and have deferred strike action twice over the last six months. Free article

Chief Judge Robert Carswell, the most senior judge in the Six Counties, and British Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine may be forced to attend Belfast High Court to defend their decision to retain an oath of allegiance to the British monarchy as a prerequisite to promotion to the senior bar. Free article

Councillor Seán Crowe addresses a gathering outside the Department of Justice last Saturday, 12 February, when over 100 people came to support asylum seeker Ekundayo Ominiyi, whose long battle to establish his innocence comes to the District court this week. Free article

Privatisation of the ESB is to begin this week as the Dublin government sets out to implement an EU directive on deregulating the electricity generation industry. Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke is to publish a statement of principles on government plans for the sector. Free article

Tess Kearney, the granddaughter of a Fenian, was herself a great patriot. Free article

Last Thursday, 10 February, the Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, John O'Donoghue, announced to a distinguished gathering of NGOs and their representatives, over smoked salmon and drinks, that it was the policy of his government ``that all classes of immigrants, whether illegal or otherwise, will be treated fairly, humanely and in accordance with principles which respect their human dignity''. He omitted to mention, however, that they will be treated as second-class human beings. Free article