AS CHILDREN across the state returned to school today, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD set out a number of key demands to off set the costs of back to school time for parents.

“Parents are finding it harder and harder to budget for back to school time. With bills of up to €1,000 for a secondary school student and up to €500 for a primary school... Free article

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SINN FÉIN TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews today attended the launch in Dublin of the public appeal for funds for the ‘Irish Ship to Gaza’ campaign.

The aim is to raise €100,000 to buy a ship to represent Ireland in the Freedom Flotilla 2, trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Fifty Irish activists will be on board the ship when it sails from the... Free article

TAX LOOPHOLES remain open for the well-off while public services and social welfare are cut, says Arthur Morgan after news today that almost 4,000 high earners escaped paying any tax.

Deputy Morgan (left) said the figures from the Revenue Commissioners show that the Government have been slow to close tax loopholes for the rich while being quick to cut social welfare payments... Free article

RIGHT TO WORK RALLY: There is an alternative to savage cuts and mass unemployment, says Dublin City Cllr Dessie Ellis

http://bit.ly/btF4WN

BY DECLAN KEARNEY | Sinn Féin National Chairperson

DUBLIN neighbourhoods are under a continuous assault by the gangland warfare scourging the city.

The relentless cycle of gangland killings and shootings, the increasing forensic sophistication of the killers, and inability of the gardaí to combat their activities points to the level of deeply-entrenched, home-grown organised... Free article

BELLAGHY, Martin McGuinness said, is a proud republican community, who in the most difficult days of our struggle rose up in defiance of Britain’s failed entity that was the Orange state. “Bellaghy continues to play its part in the pursuit of freedom and independence.”

He has “the great privilege to be the elected representative of the people of South Derry and East... Free article

BY LAURA FRIEL

MAKE no mistake about it: the Saville Inquiry and its report represent a huge achievement for the families of the victims and all those who challenged the denial of what really happened on Bloody Sunday. 

In 1972, Widgery had exonerated the British Army, blamed civil rights protesters, blamed the IRA and, most despicably, blamed the victims, those shot and killed... Free article

Gangland crime

GANGLAND killings and violent crime are in the news almost every day. Like the heroin epidemic of the 1980s and the resurgent drugs problem today, it is ever-present in ordinary neighbourhoods and communities, North and South.

In this issue, Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney and Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD write about gangland... Free article

Unions and community sector fight to save local jobs and services

BY DARRAGH O’CONNOR, SIPTU Community Sector Lead Organiser

THE community and voluntary sector, trade unionists, community groups and employers have launched the ‘Defending Ireland’s Communities’ campaign to fight Government cuts.