Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh responds to last week's article by Eoin O Broin on the possibility of an alternative government to challenge the 26-County status quo. Free article

FR JOE McVEIGH argues that the Catholic Church needs a new kind of leader, curbing the power of the Curia, returning to the vision of Vatican II and focusing on the justice agenda Free article

In recent days, Independent Mayo TD Jerry Cowley announced that a number of Independent Dáil deputies are intending to canvass for Dr Kieran Deeney, who is contesting the West Tyrone constituency in the Westminster elections. Free article

Ní féidir a shéanadh gur fíorcheannaire a bhí i Karol Wojtyla - an pápa ar feadh 27 bliain a thug Eoin Pól a Dó air féin - is é sin ceannaire a d'eascraigh ón eite is coimeádaí don eaglais chaitliceach. Nuair a toghadh é i 1978, is fíorbheagán a cheap roimhe sin go raibh sé le bheith an 263ú comharba ar Naomh Peadar. Ó deireadh na gCaogadaí ar aghaidh go dtí pápacht Eoin Pól a Dó, bhí coimhlint ollmhór ar siúl sa Vatacáin idir lucht coimeádaigh na heaglaise agus lucht leasaithe a theastaigh uathu an eaglais a tharraingt isteach san fhichiú aois. Free article

I am at a stage in life where I have very few prejudices left. I have gone drinking with members of the Progressive Democrats. I have listened to U2 with only a nervous twitch to reveal my feelings towards Bobo (sic). I have listened politely while people from Kildare talk about football. I have read Roddy Doyle. I even nod along to Ireland's Call. Free article

In the third week of April 1940, 65 years ago, Seán McNeela and Tony Darcy died on hunger strike. Free article