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15 October, 2009

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Coca-Cola boycott call passed by South Dublin County Council

Seán Crowe

ONE of Ireland's largest local authorities, South Dublin County Council, has almost unanimously endorsed a Sinn Féin motion calling for a boycott of all Coca-Cola products during a dispute over the global drinks giant's sacking of 130 workers here in Ireland and the multinational's rejection of a Labour Court recommendation on redundancy or re-employment terms.

Photo: Seán Crowe

Unity call to defend hospital network

UNITY CALL: Voices from across the political spectrum must defend public hospitals against centralisation and cutbacks

SINN FÉIN Dáil leader and Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has called for unity across the political spectrum and among healthcare providers to defend the network of public hospitals against centralisation and cutbacks. Deputy Ó Caoláin was speaking after a visit to South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel on Tuesday.

Photo: UNITY CALL: Voices from across the political spectrum must defend public hospitals against centralisation and cutbacks

OPINION: Budget provides opportunity to break from political pack

ferocious Budget: Fianna Fáil Finance Minister Brian Lenihan

AS the Lisbon Treaty fades in the public's memory and Opposition parties out-do each other on the Dáil expenses scandal, the upcoming Budget provides Sinn Féin with an opportunity to break from the pack. But with only seven weeks remaining till the day of reckoning, time to set out a real alternative is running out. In the first week of December, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will present the most ferocious Budget in the history of the 26-County state. Massive spending cuts and hikes in taxation will lead, predictably, to a media frenzy.

Photo: ferocious Budget: Fianna Fáil Finance Minister Brian Lenihan

Death-drivers knock down Neilly Rooney

INJURED: Neilly Rooney

THE father of 9-year-old Patrick Rooney, shot dead by the RUC during the Falls Road pogroms of August 1969, was badly injured when death-drivers drove into him in the early hours of last Sunday morning, 11 October. The 71-year-old great-grandfather was returning to his Albert Street home from a night out when the incident occurred.

Photo: INJURED: Neilly Rooney

'Hands off Child Benefit'

OUTRAGED: Mary Lou McDonald

THE Economic and Social Research Institute's proposal this week to cut Child Benefit by 20% has been described by Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald, as outrageous, unfair and a scapegoating of children. She said: "Children should not be scapegoated for the incompetence of the fat cats. Child Benefit is part of the average family's income. Families are now struggling to make ends meet and the idea that children are now being asked to carry the can for the greed and incompetence of others is outrageous."

Photo: OUTRAGED: Mary Lou McDonald

Plaque honouring James Connolly unveiled by Gerry Adams in West Belfast

Gerry Adams and new Sinn Féin councillor, Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín at the unveiling

A NEW plaque bearing the image of James Connolly was unveiled at Sinn Féin's Upper Falls constituency office, Connolly House, on Friday 9 October by party President and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams. Andersonstown's new Sinn Féin councillor, Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín, chaired the unveiling at which Gerry Adams spoke to the assembled crowd about the legacy of James Connolly and the important role Connolly House has played throughout the years in providing a service to the people of the Andersonstown area and beyond.

Photo: Gerry Adams and new Sinn Féin councillor, Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín at the unveiling

HSE Board approves massive bonuses while patients suffer cutbacks

HSE Chief Executive Brendan Drumm

SINN FÉIN Dáil leader and Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has described as "nauseating" the decision of the Board of the Health Services Executive (HSE) to approve a €70,000 bonus payment for HSE Chief Executive Brendan Drumm.

Photo: HSE Chief Executive Brendan Drumm

Ferris voices support for farmers

FALLING INCOME: Farmers held a series of protests around the country on Monday

THE Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture Martin Ferris TD voiced his support for farmers who are engaged in a series of protests around the country on Monday in relation to falling incomes and other problems affecting the sector. The Kerry North TD said: "Farmers, in common with many other sectoral groups, are feeling the impact of the current economic downturn. And, as with other sectors, the impact of the recession has been exacerbated by a series of negative Government policies particularly in relation to the withdrawal of funding.

Photo: FALLING INCOME: Farmers held a series of protests around the country on Monday

CUBA: New Cuban Ambassador appeals to Ireland ahead of UN vote this month

Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, Teresita Trujillo

THE new Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, Teresita Trujillo, tells An Phoblacht that despite expectations and the general perception by the International Community, the new US administration under Barack Obama has not meant a change in their blockade policy against Cuba. On the 28th of this month, the United Nations General Assembly will be asked, for the 18th consecutive year, to vote a resolution to end the 50-year-long US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba.

Photo: Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, Teresita Trujillo

Belfast event highlights demand for Irish Language Act

AN GHAEILGE: Rights and revelry

Under the heading of Rights and Revelry Irish langauge enthusiasts gathered in St George's Market, Belfast last Sunday 11 October for a day of craic but also to highlight the demand for an Irish Language Act for the North. The day was officially opened by Alun Ffred Jones who is the Culture and Heritage Minister in the Welsh Assembly.

Photo: AN GHAEILGE: Rights and revelry

Sinn Féin National Councillors' Forum meets in Dublin

MEETING: There was a wide-ranging debate at the National Councillors’ Forum

SINN FÉIN councillors from across Ireland met in Dublin city centre last Saturday in the first gathering of elected representatives following last June's local elections in which the party saw many new councillors elected. The vice-chair of the party's National Councillors' Forum, Seán McPeake, chaired proceedings. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin were in attendance and addressed the councillors on the current political situation.

Photo: MEETING: There was a wide-ranging debate at the National Councillors’ Forum

Repercussions of Gaza Assault Continue

ISRAEL is embroiled in a desperate rearguard battle to minimise the damage it has suffered as a direct result of its murderous assault on the civilian population of Gaza - Operation Molten Lead - which left 1400 Palestinians dead. Last month saw the publication of Justice Richard Goldstone's exhaustive 574 page investigation into that campaign, which concluded that "actions amounting to war crimes, and possibly.....crimes against humanity, were committed by the Israel Defence Forces."

Nuacht na nOibrithe

INN journalists win backing from ICTU, Dublin Docks strikers face Celtic boss and SIPTU condemns call for Child Benefit cut

Séamus McElwain Challenge Walk

IRA Volunteer Séamus McElwain

THE Séamus McElwain Challenge Walk will take place this year on the Cuilcagh Mountains on Sunday 1 November. Séamus McElwain was an IRA Volunteer from Scotstown, County Monaghan. At the age of 18, Séamus joined the IRA and rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential guerrilla fighters of the IRA campaign.

Photo: IRA Volunteer Séamus McElwain

A commemorative weekend in South Tipperary

The well attended Volunteer Eamonn O’Doherty Commemoration in Carrick-on-Suir

A COMMEMORATION was held last Saturday in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of local Volunteer and former Chief of Staff of the IRA Eamonn O'Doherty.

Photo: The well attended Volunteer Eamonn O’Doherty Commemoration in Carrick-on-Suir

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