THOUSANDS of health and education workers who joined picket lines across the North in a 24-hour strike against budget cuts have been backed by Sinn Féin, which called for economic power to be held in Ireland, not Westminster.

Michelle Gildernew MP said the Executive needs to have the economic powers currently controlled by the Tory-led Government at Westminster to tackle the... Free article

CRITICS of Martin McGuinness’s past in resisting the institutionalised racism and sectarianism of the Orange state have been challenged by a long-standing civil rights activist – what did you do during ‘The Troubles’?

“Only those who risked their lives and fortunes for non-violent resistance are in a position to lecture republicans on non-violence,” said Fermanagh-born Fr Seán... Free article

SINN FÉIN MP Conor Murphy has said Sinn Féin will continue to work closely with trade unions to resist any cuts to public services. He was speaking as public service unions prepare to stage a 24-hour strike on Wednesday.

He said:

Sinn Féin is adamantly opposed to the Tory cuts agenda.

When other parties claimed we had no alternative but to accept the cuts, we refused to accept... Free article

BY MARK MOLONEY

FROM 6pm onwards a steady stream of people began to arrive at the Pillar Room in Dublin's Rotunda on Saturday night for the official launch of Martin McGuinness's Presidential Campaign.

While supporters and well-wishers enjoyed tea and coffee inside, the media braved the elements at the entrance hoping to catch Martin on his way in. As the rain turned... Free article

THE Presidential election is taking place at a time of major challenges for Ireland and its people.
The economic and fiscal crisis caused by disastrous Government policies has resulted in huge hardship for so many citizens. Many are in despair and are losing hope. Tens of thousands of our young people are leaving our shores.
Citizens are angry that sovereignty is being handed over... Free article

A New Beginning – Tús Nua

A Chara,

Throughout my involvement in political life, all I have ever wanted to do was make a contribution – to make a difference – to empower people and unite them.
I have never sought financial gain or privilege from my involvement in politics and I never will. I still live in the same community where I was born and raised.
I feel a deep bond with... Free article

Fintan O’Toole - A man of high principles and quick exits

» BY JUDE COLLINS

SINCE Martin McGuinness has announced his candidacy for the post of Irish President, I’ve lost count of the number of programmes and newspaper articles that have focused almost exclusively on his past in the IRA. It happened again today, Wednesday 23rd September.
I was on BBC Radio Ulster/Raidio Uladh’s ... Free article

Gusty Spence dies

BY PEADAR WHELAN

IN A LETTER written in Long Kesh in 1981, former UVF leader Gusty Spence, who died on Sunday 25th September aged 78, reflected on his reasons for helping re-form the UVF in the mid-1960s.
“I can’t possibly say that I knew the ins and outs of the political machinations in the background because I didn’t. I was approached to join the UVF. The... Free article

BY MARK MOLONEY

» BY MARK MOLONEY

ONE of the cornerstones of democratic socialism is the idea that means of production, that the infrastructural capital and the natural resources of a state should be state owned or commonly controlled.
In government in the South we have the right-wing Fine Gael party and the self-proclaimed ‘democratic socialists’ of Labour. The sell-off of key... Free article