News in Brief

Shane O'Connor, Joanne Corcoran and Martin McGuinness at the selection convention in the Pollyhops Pub, Newcastle for Dublin Mid-West

Corcoran selected for Dublin Mid-West

Sinn Féin has selected Joanne Corcoran to contest the constituency of Dublin Mid-West at the next 26-County General Election.

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness attended the selection convention in the Pollyhops Pub in Newcastle and said he believed Sinn Féin was on target to take a seat in the constituency.

Corcoran, an An Phoblacht journalist for several years said: "It is a great privilege to represent Sinn Féin in the coming General Election and I am very conscious of the responsibility I have taken on," she said.

The staff of An Phoblacht would like to wish Joanne the best of luck for the future.

Ludlow murder - new information

Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has called for the setting up of an independent Inquiry into the Séamus Ludlow affair. Speaking after an anonymous third party promised new information into the murder of the County Louth man, should such an inquiry be set up, Ó Caoláin welcomed the prospect of substantive and crucial new information being made available.

"The campaign of the Ludlow family for truth and justice in relation to the murder of Séamus demands that the Government leaves no stone unturned in that search," he said.

Special Branch destroyed shoot-to-kill evidence

PSNI Special Branch deliberately destroyed evidence about the 2003 killing of Neil McConville and refused to co-operate with an investigation by the Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, it has emerged. All material relating to the killing, including a computer hard drive, were removed from Special Branch offices before O'Loan's investigators arrived.

The PSNI claimed the removal of evidence had been the result of "human error" but O'Loan is to conclude it was a deliberate act of sabotage. The report will accuse the PSNI of withholding evidence and describe PSNI officers overseeing the operation as "non-co-operative, obstructive and difficult".

McConville, believed to have been a petty criminal, died after an armed PSNI unit opened fire on the red Vauxhall Cavalier in which he was travelling on 29 April 2003 near Upper Ballinderry, County Antrim. A second passenger in the vehicle, David Somers (22) was also wounded in the gunfire but survived.

The incident bore all the hallmarks of a classic shoot-to-kill operation.

Privatisation of North's Water Service signalled

The appointment of Christopher Mellor as head of the North's water service is a clear indication of the British Government's intention to privatise the service.

Criticising the appointment Sinn Féin's Regional Development spokesperson Raymond McCartney said it took privatisation a step closer.

Mellor, former Chief Executive of Anglian Water will be the first chair of the new British Government owned water and sewerage company, Northern Ireland Water Limited. The company will be funded in part by charges levied on householders across the Six Counties.

Raymond McCartney said he was aghast at the appointment and accused the British Government of treating citizens in the North with contempt.

"The appointment of Christopher Mellor signals the real agenda of British Direct Rule Ministers. This, coming on top of the publication of the Strategic and Financial Review of the Water Service shows that the British Government's privatisation agenda is becoming clearer".

1916 Plan Welcomed

Sinn Féin Dáil leader, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD has welcomed the invitation by Bertie Ahern to all parties to participate in the planning for the 100th anniversary of 1916. It was wrong for the State to stop commemorating the event and that given that many of the aspirations of 1916 remain unfulfilled it was extremely relevant.

Sinn Féin meet Victims Commissioner

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Truth, North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan has urged that the 1,500 victims of the British state and their surrogates not be forgotten or marginalised. Following a meeting with Victims Commissioner Bertha McDougall he said the British Government must acknowledge its role in the conflict.

Ballymena inequality

Ballymena Sinn Féin Councillor Monica Digney has highlighted the display of exclusively unionist symbols such as the union jack in Ballymena Council. She said she expected the Equality Impact Assessment on Flags and Emblems for the council, due in March, to adequately address this issue.

Parliamentary Privilege Abuse

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has slammed Unionist abuse of Parliamentary privilege to tarnish the names of those with differing political viewpoints. The practice had went into overdrive in recent days with a number of attempts damage peoples‚ reputations.