25 March 2004 Edition
Upsurge in unionist violence on St Patrick's Day
25 March 2004
Unionist paramilitary violence, already on the increase this year, saw an intense surge of attacks throughout the St Patrick's Day holiday with pipe bombs being used against Catholic and nationalist targets across the Six Counties. Free article
Demonstrations worldwide on Iraq War anniversary
25 March 2004
Anti-war protestors poured into the streets of cities all around the globe on the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq to demand the withdrawal of US-led troops. Free article
Catholic family lucky to be alive
25 March 2004
Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Charlie McHugh said the petrol bomb attack carried out on a Catholic family in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, at around 11pm on Sunday night 20 March, "was the most serious in a series of sectarian attacks in the Newtownstewart and Castlederg area by loyalists in recent months". Free article
EU must do more to resolve Iraq crisis
25 March 2004
Speaking one year after the start of the war in Iraq, Sinn Féin spokesperson on European affairs Bairbre de Brún has called on the EU to do more to bring about an end to the ongoing occupation. Free article
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Loyalists found guilty in Lowry killing
25 March 2004
Two loyalists who were found guilty at Belfast Court on Tuesday 23 March of killing 49-year-old Trevor Lowry were given life sentences after judge Justice Girvan described the attack as having been "fuelled by alcohol". Free article
ETA ready to negotiate
25 March 2004
In a statement released on Sunday 21 March, the Basque pro-independence organisation ETA reiterated its readiness to find a solution to the conflict in the Basque Country through dialogue. In its message, the organisation asked Socialist leader and incoming Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to be "brave" and asserted that it is possible to achieve an end to the current situation "using wisdom and reason". Free article
Truth lost in An Post
25 March 2004
Over 500 mail sorting workers are sitting idle this week, effectively locked out by management, after days of turmoil at Ireland's largest mail sorting centre in an industrial relations dispute that threatens the long term viability of An Post as a commercial business. Free article
Hamills let down again
25 March 2004
The Hamill family have spoken of their shock after the collapse of a court case against a former RUC member and two others arising out of an investigation into the murder of their brother, Robert Hamill, in Portadown. Free article
Sinn Féin rejects citizenship referendum
25 March 2004
Sinn Féin has rejected the Dublin Government's plan to strip the citizenship rights of children born in Ireland to non-national parents as violating rights secured under the Good Friday Agreement. Michael McDowell announced last week plans for a referendum that may coincide with the local and EU elections in June. Free article