News In Brief

Women to fight Supreme Court judgement in Neary case

A Supreme Court judgement on Tuesday ruled against a medical malpractice case going ahead involving Dr Michael Neary of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Rosemary Cunningham's left ovary was unnecessarily removed by the disgraced obstetrician, struck off last year for wrongly removing wombs. Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said the decision was regrettable and pointed out that the women had resorted to the courts because the Medical Council had delayed investigating the matter for so many years before it struck off Neary. He called for an inquiry to be set up with a wider scope and the ability to ensure the cooperation of witnesses.

Up to 20 former patients are now to fight for the right to sue Neary, despite the Supreme Court ruling.

Legal finding for Derry

Derry is the official name for the Northern city, which has witnessed many arguments over its title, according to new legal advice. Sinn Féin Councillor Barney O'Hagan welcomed the announcement on Monday, when a senior barrister agreed that 'Derry' became legitimate when the City Council changed its name from 'Londonderry' in 1984. O'Hagan said the city could now market itself without causing any confusion over what it is called.

Concern at attempt to amend Housing Sales Scheme

West Belfast MLA Fra McCann has expressed concern at the proposed changes to the Six-County Housing Executive Sales Scheme, which allows social housing tenants the right to purchase their homes. The changes, suggested by the NIO, will lengthen the qualifying period for eligibility and reduce the discount available. McCann said that tenants should be supported in buying their homes and that the money generated from sales should be put into building new social housing schemes.

Failed Government in denial

A UN report revealed last week that 15.3% of the 26-County population live in poverty, but the Dublin Government has refused to accept the statistics. Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin, Mary Lou McDonald, criticised the government's denial, saying the figures originally came from its own departments. She added that the government has to address its current policies on eliminating poverty to include creating proportional taxation to generate revenue for spending on social inclusion.

Doherty calls for massive voter registration campaign

Addressing the MacGill Summer School in Donegal on Monday, Donegal Sinn Féin Councillor Pearse Doherty called for a huge voting drive to take place across the country. Doherty said it was a growing concern that people weren't registered to vote, or interested in voting, and called for pro-active policies to make politics relevant.

Opposition in Kerry to ESB hike

Kerry County Council has unanimously passed a motion, submitted by Sinn Féin Councillor Toiréasa Ní Fhearaíosa, opposing any further price hikes by ESB. Ní Fhearaíosa said that bills had increased by 30% in three years and called on the Commission for Energy Regulation to refuse any request by the ESB for another price increase.

Doolan calls for time extension on Waste Management Review

Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan has called on the Department of the Environment to grant more time for public consultation on the review of current Waste Management Plans. Doolan said the current timeframe of August is unrealistic and should be extended to September. He added that Sinn Féin intends to make a detailed submission to the review, addressing the need to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Hospital infections linked to privatisation and under investment

Upper Bann MLA John O'Dowd said on Monday that there is a link between increased risks from hospital infections, such as MRSA, and the privatisation of hospital services and underinvestment. O'Dowd said that privatised hospitals are accountable to no one for cleanliness and hygiene, and that underfunding has brought many hospitals' standards down, encouraging the development of so-called superbugs.