17 February 2005 Edition

Democratic resistance brings Six Counties to standstill

17 February 2005

Nationalists, angry at the British-led onslaught against Sinn Féin, took to the streets in protest last Thursday 10 February. Motorways, major road junctions and main arterial routes in Belfast and Derry as well as other major junctions in Counties Derry, Tyrone and Down were blocked for 30 minutes, bringing traffic to a standstill during the evening rush hour. Free article

200,000 votes missing off register

17 February 2005

Sinn Féin's Director of Elections in the Six Counties, Seán Begley, has described as a scandal the latest revelation from the Electoral Office that up to 200,000 voters are missing from this year's register. Free article

M3 motorway must avoid Tara/Skryne - Reilly confident for by-election

17 February 2005

As the by-election for the Meath constituency was this week called for 11 March, Meath Sinn Féin Councillor and by-election candidate Joe Reilly was campaigning on the M3 motorway. He says that the controversial motorway can be accommodated, but not through the historic Tara and Skryne valley. Free article

Spellar U-turn on water charges exposes Labour hypocrisy

17 February 2005

A copy of a letter received by An Phoblacht exposes the U-turn on water charges by NIO Minister John Spellar, who is now charged with imposing this double taxation in the Six Counties. Free article

Murphy aims to take Newry and Armagh seat

17 February 2005

Sinn Féin Newry/Armagh MLA Conor Murphy was unanimously re-selected as the party's Westminster candidate for the Newry/Armagh constituency at a recent packed party convention in Belleeks, County Armagh. Free article

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Sinn Féin demands speaking rights on Banbridge Council

17 February 2005

Upper Bann Sinn Féin Assembly member John O'Dowd and South Down Assembly members Caitríona Ruane and Willie Clarke have responded angrily to a motion passed by Banbridge District Council in favour of writing to Bertie Ahern, Tony Blair, Paul Murphy and George W Bush seeking their support in excluding Sinn Féin from any restored northern assembly. Free article

PSNI body search of Council Chair slammed

17 February 2005

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has described the stopping and body searching of Jarlath McNulty, the Sinn Féin Chair of Strabane District Council, and John Kelly, the Chair of Strabane National Graves, at a checkpoint on the Strabane to Lifford Road on Tuesday as blatant political harassment. Free article

Congressman takes governments to task

17 February 2005

US Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ) made a statement on the House floor last Thursday urging the British Government to recommit to the Irish Peace Process and implement the recommendations of the Patten Commission in reforming the police service. Free article

Sinn Féin highlights Kerry A&E crisis

17 February 2005

Over 60 people gathered outside Kerry General Hospital last Saturday to highlight the problems at the Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department. Free article

MEP meets local community groups

17 February 2005

MEP Mary Lou McDonald met with a number of community groups during visits to Ballyfermot, Crumlin and the South West Inner City on Monday 7 February. The Sinn Fein MEP wanted to consult with local organisations and individual community activists about their work in the community and to keep updated with their needs and the problems they face in terms of access to funding and the decision making process. Free article


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