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5 February, 2004 |
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Other News
Irish volunteers build homes in South African township 
Poverty - you have never seen the like of it - tiny shacks, one after another, 'housing' a million people or more, stretching for miles across Cape Flats, stretching as far as the eye can see, and beyond, little shacks made of hardboard, of corrugated iron, strips of wood, with black plastic bags to keep the rain out. There are narrow paths through the reddish earth, which flood in the rains, no running water into the shacks, no sewage out; cooking by little paraffin primers, electrics by 'illegal' hook-ups to the power lines - so infinitely dangerous when the hook-up shorts and the houses catch fire. Concern at delay in Colombia verdict 
The EU and the Dublin Government need to make strong representations on behalf of the Colombia Three. This was the message of a delegation of Irish parliamentarians who have returned from a visit to Bogota last week. There, they visited with the three Irishmen who are awaiting a verdict on charges of training FARC guerrillas, and held meetings with Colombian officials, international diplomats and human rights groups. Photo: Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and Jim Monaghan 
Sinn Féin TD SEÁN CROWE was among a delegation that travelled to Colombia last week to highlight the case of the Irishmen known as the Colombia Three, Jim Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McCauley. Here, he writes about that visit. In the aftermath of Belfast's anti-racism rally, a report issued by the Housing Executive has revealed that more than 30 families and individuals have been forced to flee their homes in the last year due to racially-motivated attacks. For the first time, the Housing Executive has compiled separate figures on ethnic minorities desperate to move after suffering racial intimidation. The results reveal that the Executive dealt with an average of two cases a month over a 12-month period. Brits renege on plastic bullet pledge 
Sinn Féin has reiterated its demand that plastic bullets be immediately removed from operational use in the wake of an NIO-commissioned report into possible alternatives to the lethal projectiles. The publication of the fourth report by an NIO-led steering group follows an announcement by Direct Rule Minister Jane Kennedy that plastic bullets will remain in use until at least 2005. Kennedy's declaration breaks the British Government's pledge - made in April of last year - that the plastic bullet would be phased out by Christmas 2003. Clare Lockout - Community management board shuts up shop Imagine a scenario where you, the taxpayer, has ordered that some of your taxes be directed to a worthwhile local scheme finding work for the long-term unemployed. Imagine that that scheme is extraordinarily successful and is slowly helping an area of disadvantage get back on its feet. Now imagine that the management board of that invaluable service, the board whose wages you pay, has decided to shut the service down because, they claim, there are problems with the staff. No negotiations are held, no arbitration help is sought, just bang - we're closing, and 16 people, also paid by you, who staffed the service with dedication, are now locked out of their offices and forced to picket on the street to bring some attention to their plight. Young racists target Indian family 
An Indian family who recently moved to Bangor has been subjected to regular racial abuse from children as young as ten and plagued by young racists attacking their home with eggs and stones. The devoutly Christian family has already endured a long line of attacks since they moved into their new home on Beechwood Avenue only three months ago. Special Branch up to old tricks Sinn Féin in Derry says the PSNI Special Branch kidnapped a man in an attempt to recruit him as an informer. The incident came to light after the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted Sinn Féin. Councillor Barney O'Hagan told how the man was abducted after being stopped on Foyle Bridge in the early hours of Friday 23 January by uniformed members of the PSNI and his car was searched. Those behind an alleged threat issued to a County Armagh Sinn Féin activist are "lacking in political intelligence and credibility", says Sinn Féin Councillor Cathy Rafferty. A Mass Card with a bullet enclosed and containing the words RIP and was signed Continuity IRA, Armagh was sent to the member last week. 80 maritime distress flares in UDA hands The nautical distress flare used in a sectarian attack on children at the Lamh Dhearg GAA pitch on the outskirts of West Belfast on Sunday 25 January by the UDA was the first one used from a batch of 80 stolen by unionist paramilitaries from business premises in Dunmurry last February. Antrim Road PSNI heads civilian complaint list Newly-released figures from the Police Ombudsman's office show that the PSNI barracks located on the Antrim Road in North Belfast has received more complaints and allegations of mistreatment than any other in the Six Counties. Statistics show that out of 552 allegations of misconduct made between October 2000 and November 2003, a shocking 444 were upheld. British Government under pressure over Cory Report Pressure is mounting on the British Government to publish the Cory Report after the family of assassinated human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson lodged papers at the High Court in Belfast last Wednesday 28 January seeking a judicial review of the British Government's refusal to publish the report. PSNI accused of media manipulation 
Sinn Féin Councillor Marie Moore has accused the PSNI of "media manipulation" after they carried out a series of house raids and arrests in the Ballymurphy area of West Belfast last Wednesday 28 January. And the Sinn Féin councillor has revealed that just hours after the PSNI briefed journalists that four men arrested in the raids were part of "an IRA punishment squad", all four were released without charge. Belfast petition for St Paddy's Day funds 
SDLP Mayor of Belfast and Sinn Féin Councillor Tom Hartley joined forces with Irene Sherry of the St Patrick's Day Carnival Committee to launch a petition outside City Hall in Belfast calling for Belfast Council to fund a St Patrick's Day Carnival at the City Hall. Catholic man escapes sectarian murder bid Sectarian tensions have increased in Newtownabbey and North Belfast, where a young man was lucky to escape with his life after he was attacked by two loyalists armed with a machete or large kitchen knife on Sunday 1 February. Liam Hughes (24), a father of one, was set upon at 7.30am by two men who jumped out of a white Vauxhall Astra car near the Boundary bar on the Shore Road. A step towards an All-Ireland Agricultural platform Despite the current suspension of the Assembly, and the delays in progressing joint Ministerial co-operation in key areas of government, as laid down in the GFA, there was a meeting last week between the Dublin Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, and Britain's Direct Rule Minister with responsibility for Agriculture, Ian Pearson, to discuss crucial all-Ireland agricultural issues. 
This week AN DRAOI RUA poses a simple question 'Why do so many people litter this country? Tharla gur bhreathnaigh mé ar an chéad leathanach de 'Foinse' Dé Domhnaigh seo chaite agus chonaic mé griangraf de bhruscar caite ar leataobh ag ceann de na radharcanna is áille in Éirinn. Is dócha go bhfuil an radharc ar Inis Tuaisceart ar cheann de na radharcanna is deise a thiocfadh le duine a fháil ón tír mór i gCiarraí. Cúige to debate building the party Cuige na Sé Condae, which is holding its AGM in Conway Mill in Belfast this coming weekend, will have party building as its main theme. And with this week's review of the Good Friday Agreement dominating the political landscape, the AGM will be addressed by Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, who will update activists on progress. Stalling on prisoners a scandal 
The delays in repatriating Irish prisoners from Britain to serve their terms closer to their families are "entirely unsatisfactory" says Dr Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland. The Archbishop said it can take three times as long for Irish prisoners to be repatriated as it does for British prisoners to be transferred from elsewhere. Photo: Dr Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland Urgent action needed on Cavan Hospital Sinn Féin Health spokesperson and Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has called on the Minister for Health and Children Mícheál Martin to intervene directly to address public concern at the current situation in Cavan General Hospital. This follows representations to the Minister from consultants at Cavan and the continuing delay in beginning an inquiry into a dispute between two consultants - an inquiry established in August 2003. Sinn Féin confident of Galway breakthrough 
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams officially launched a number of the party's candidates for the local elections in Galway on Friday last. He was on a visit to Galway City promote his latest book, Hope and History, and to attend a public meeting in Salthill. |
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