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12 February, 2004 |
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SF in Six Counties builds for future 
"We need to analyse, organise and act if we are to succeed in building a party capable of carrying this struggle forward. We need to develop new thinking, create new methods and crucially we need to advance, particularly in the present political climate, our All-Ireland Agenda." These were the words of former POW Harry Maguire concluding his address to party activists at the AGM of Comhairle na Sé Chondae in Conway Mill, Belfast on Saturday 7 February. Photo: Harry Maguire Imizamo Yethu Township devastated by blaze Last week, An Phoblacht featured an article about the Imizamo Yethu Township in Hout Bay near Cape Town in South Africa. The article described how Irish property developer Niall Mellon, along with 150 Irish builders, had brought hope to the cramped and impoverished township by building 26 brick houses to replace jerry-built shanty dwellings, and starting a project that would see many more built. But tragedy struck last Sunday when Imizamo Yethu was gripped by a terrible blaze, which consumed half the township. 12 February 2004 
Sinn Féin Environment spokesperson Arthur Morgan reacted angrily last week to the announcement that the State's biggest industries will not actually have to cut levels of carbon dioxide emissions under Kyoto targets. Instead, they will be able to emissions trade with economies whose pollution levels are lower than agreed Kyoto limits. Photo: MARTIN CULLEN Branchmen deny concocting statements 
As the Bloody Sunday Inquiry entered its last week of oral hearings, three former Special Branch members who were present on the day gave evidence to the tribunal. The inquiry heard how the statements of the men, Samuel Donnelly, Samuel Davidson and William Kilfedder, were almost identical and that, most significantly, all three only recalled hearing one shot, fired "from the direction of Rossville Street" on the day. Mahon exposes collective corruption of politics 
Speaking during statements on the Mahon Tribunal on Tuesday, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin described the controversy surrounding the €50,000 cheque received by former Government Minister Padraig Flynn from property developer Tom Gilmartin as another reminder of the "sleaze and corruption" into which politics in this State have been dragged. Photo: Tom Gilmartin 
Ombudsman excuses PSNI Sinn Féin Upper Bann Assembly member John O'Dowd has criticised Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan for excusing the PSNI for turning up almost four hours after being contacted on 9 January about a suspect bomb outside a bar at Brownlow Terrace in Lurgan. The Ombudsman's office was asked by O'Dowd to investigate why it took the PSNI so long to arrive, even though the scene was only 300 yards from the PSNI barracks. O'Dowd eventually removed the device himself. Photo: Nuala O' Loan SDLP anti-racism motion divides City Hall Exactly what are the SDLP doing in Belfast City Council? In a night of political one-upmanship on Monday last, the party chose to put forward a motion which would see the Council unite to condemn racism, but did so in terminology that no other party could endorse. As a result, at a time when racially motivated attacks are on the increase throughout the North, the SDLP has managed to ensure that Belfast City Council appears divided on the issue. UVF commander stood down over race attacks The UVF has "stood down" the notorious South Belfast commander who is alleged to have sanctioned the recent spate of racially-motivated attacks in the Village area of Belfast. The move comes after UVF denials of any involvement in the ongoing racist campaign and amid growing speculation that race may not have been the sole motivating factor in the attacks. 
Incinerators - burning beasts that blight the landscape and pollute the air for over 40 kilometres in every direction. Can you imagine what it would be like to have one of them in your back garden? Well, that is what residents in the Ringsend area of Dublin are facing if Dublin City Council gets its way. Incinerators have become the waste management topic to debate in recent times. International studies have shown that the ash they produce can end up polluting surrounding water supplies and can have a knock-on effect on animal produce, such as milk. Girls Aloud top Paddy's Day bill in Belfast 
As the campaign to force the killjoys in Belfast City Council to fund a St Patrick's Day concert outside the City Hall gathers momentum, chart-topping girl band Girls Aloud have been confirmed as this year's main act. Making the announcement in the Mayor's Parlour in City Hall, with the support of Mayor Martin Morgan, Irene Sherry, chair of the St Patrick's Day Carnival Committee, emphasised their determination that the National Holiday will be celebrated in Belfast as it is in many major cities throughout Ireland and throughout the world. Photo: Belfast Mayor Martin Morgan pictured with Belfast school children Sinn Féin loses funding appeal on poll grants 
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Belfast, ruled last week that Sinn Féin is not entitled to British Government funding set aside for the political development of political parties throughout Britain and the Six Counties. At the Court of Appeal, sitting on Wednesday 4 February, three judges dismissed Sinn Féin's contention that the decision to withhold Policy Development Grants was a breach of the European Convention of Human Rights. Photo: Michelle Gildernew Dramatic under-representation of women in Irish political life 
Sinn Féin spokesperson on EU affairs and candidate in the Six Counties in the forthcoming election Bairbre de Brún, spoke on Friday at an event organised by the EU Commission in Dublin exploring the need for more women candidates in EU elections. "The European Women's Lobby has pointed out that today women count for 31% of the total number of MEPs in Europe. Women's representation in the national parliaments of the member states is 25%. It is particularly important that more women are elected as MEPs because EU provisions have been among the main drivers for increased gender equality here. Photo: Bairbre de Brun Infrastructural problems plague border counties 
Sinn Féin spokesperson on All-Ireland and Cross-Border Integration, Barry McElduff MLA, says that accelerated all-Ireland integration is essential if the legacy of social and economic neglect in the border counties is to be tackled. He was speaking after he and Martina Anderson, the party's All-Ireland Strategy Co-ordinator, met recently with Eamonn Molloy of the North West Region Cross-Border Group (NWRCBG). Photo: Martina Anderson, Eamonn Molloy and Barry McElduff Sinn Féin poll surge in Dublin 
BY DES THORP - Commenting on recent poll findings showing that Sinn Féin support has reached unprecedented levels among the electorate, particularly in Dublin, the party's Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, said the findings reflected the consistent work being carried out on the ground throughout Dublin and many other parts of the state. Ó Caoláin calls for rights-based Disability Bill 
The Taoiseach was challenged last week in the Dáil by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin on the continuing delay in the long-promised Disability Bill, which is to ensure the rights and entitlements of people with disabilities. The Sinn Féin TD said the Bill "must be rights-based" and warned the Taoiseach against once again disappointing people with disabilities and their families. Garda Poll shows reform urgently needed Responding to last week's poll indicating that almost 40% of the population have no confidence in the Garda Síochána, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, said it was a "shocking indictment of current Garda management" and called for "comprehensive reform" to Garda accountability structures than can restore public confidence, such as those proposed by Sinn Féin. Places available for Trade Union Solidarity Committee Cuba visit The Irish Trade Union Solidarity Committee has organised a trip to Havana, Cuba on 1 May this year. Due to a couple of late cancellations, a limited number of places are available. The cost for the visit, which will last for about ten days, is £1,100. 
A Safer Streets for All vigil was held at Penny Lane, off the Andersonstown Road, in Belfast last Thursday 5 February. Sinn Féin Assembly member Bairbre de Brún was the main speaker at the event. Photo: Bairbre de Brún addresses the Safer Streets rally 
Bairbre de Brún, Pierse Doherty, Tina Tully and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláín are pictured at last Sunday's Sinn Féin Cúige AGM for Connaught/Uladh. Bairbre, the guest speaker, gave an update on the peace process and also a rallying call for the EU elections, which she and Pierse are contesting. Caoimhghín addressed the meeting with a Dáil leader's report. Tina Tully was elected the Cathaoirleach of the Cuige. |
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