14 January 2010 Edition

Bomb attack on PSNI member furthers no cause

14 January 2010

Senior Sinn Féin politicians have condemned the bombers who attempted to kill a PSNI member near Antrim last Friday 8 January. The attack, according to Mitchel McLaughlin, "was timed to counter Sinn Féin efforts to break the deadlock with the DUP over the devolution of justice and policing powers to Stormont". Free article

Fianna Fáil shenanigans on by-election and budget challenged

14 January 2010

IF Fianna Fáil does not agree to a spring date for the Donegal South-West Dáil by-election then Sinn Féin will move the necessary legislation to have the poll held, Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has warned. The by-election is to fill the seat left vacant as a result of the election of Pat the Cope Gallagher to the European Parliament last year. Free article

Solidarity actions successful as Gaza situation deteriorates

14 January 2010

THE one-year anniversary of Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip was marked by a convergence of solidarity activists on the territory in actions that successfully delivered aid and drew the world's attention to the plight of the besieged Palestinians. Around 2,000 activists from around the world, including several from Ireland, joined the Viva Palestina aid convoy and the Gaza Freedom March demanding an end to the economic siege of the Gaza Strip, home to 1.5 million people. While the Viva Palestina convoy was eventually able to enter Gaza and deliver their aid, all 517 activists were later deported from Egypt. Free article

115 jobs in balance in Derry

14 January 2010

ARLENE FOSTER has been challenged to fulfill her pledge as Enterprise Minister to Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson to save jobs at the Arntz Belting engineering company in Derry, where 115 workers fear losing their livelihoods as the Pennyburn-based firm began a 90-day consultation period from last Monday on the future of the plant. Free article

Action demanded after deaths from exposure

14 January 2010

TWO deaths from exposure to the cold in Belfast in the past two weeks have highlighted the vulnerability of homeless people and migrants during this spell of severe wintry weather. Robert Kowalski, a migrant worker from Poland who was aged in his early 30s, died behind a church on Belfast's Lisburn Road on Christmas Eve. A second man, who was homeless, died from exposure in Belfast city centre on 6 January. Free article

Page 1 of 2

European Court rules 'Stop and Search' powers illegal

14 January 2010

North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA and Policing Board member, Daithí McKay, has welcomed a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on Wednesday 13 January that police powers to use laws to stop and search people without grounds for suspicion are illegal. McKay said that the PSNI should now suspend the use of Section 44 powers. The European Court of Human Rights ruled that two people from London had their rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights violated as a direct result of the two being stopped and questioned in 2003 under Section 44 of the British Government's "Terrorism" Act. Free article

Anderson welcomes Raytheon leaving Derry

14 January 2010

Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle, Martina Anderson, welcomed the news on Wednesday 13 January that the weapons firm Raytheon is to leave Derry and close its operations plant there. Anderson has also raised concerns with regard to the finances from Invest NI that would have gone towards the establishment of the firm in the city. Free article

Government must act to save food sector jobs

14 January 2010

Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has described as "deplorable" the news that 36 jobs are to go at Rye Valley Foods in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Ó Caoláin questioned the claim from the parent company, Kerry, that the redundancies were necessary. Free article

Growing concern over dockers' outcome

14 January 2010

THE support group for the Dublin dockers sacked last year by cargo handlers MTL fear that the dispute may not be over. Not one worker has actually got their job back despite the conclusion of a campaign well supported by local Docklands communities and the trade unions in Ireland and overseas. This week, a support group spokesperson said: "On behalf of the MTL strikers/workers, I have been asked to express their appreciation of the support given and the continued interest that has been shown. Free article

Leonard signs in

14 January 2010

Sinn Féin Assembly Chief Whip Carál Ní Chuilín MLA officially welcomed Billy Leonard as the new Sinn Féin MLA for East Derry on Thursday 7 January. Free article


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland