Sinn Féin's general election campaign continued at a cracking pace across the 26 Counties in the past week with doors being knocked and people canvassed by the party in 40 different constituencies. Free article

I have no doubt that when the votes in the general election are counted, Sinn Féin will once more have increased our political strength. Whatever political permutation makes up the next government one thing is for sure - Sinn Féin will be better placed to influence the political future of this country, North and South. Free article

John Carthy was shot dead by Gardaí outside his home in Abbeylara, County Longford on Thursday, 20 April 2000. Last month saw the publication of In Search of John, a book written by his sister Marie in tribute to a brother she describes as cheerful, intelligent and full of fun despite the fact that he suffered from depression since the death of their father in 1990. Here MARIE CARTHY talks to ELLA O'DWYER about her brother, the circumstances surrounding his death and about how the Gardaí got it wrong from start to finish. Free article

Tá na polaiteoirí ar an raidió ag argóint le Vincent Browne faoi Oideachas! Cheap mé nach raibh sé mar cheist sa toghchán leis an méid bladar a bhí a rá faoi gruaig Enda agus culaith Pádraig Mac an Coinín. Tá me ró thógtha le cursaí eile faoi lathair - tá ár bhfoireann scoile i gcluiche ceannais Camógaíochta Bhaile Atha Cliath amárach. Ta an obair crua déanta agus cosúil leis na polaiteoirí tá sé as mo lámha anois - tá na brait agus na pom poms déanta agus an péint aghaidh ullmhaithe. Free article

As voters go to the polls across the 26 Counties and as Sinn Féin candidates await the outcome of the general election, they do so on the eve of the 16th anniversary of the assassination of Sinn Féin Donegal County Councillor Eddie Fullerton. Free article

On the way to Croke Park on the bus last Sunday I overheard a man in his sixties behind me become increasingly irate. I find it is always prudent to pay attention to such developments in order to be prepared for any sudden assault from the rear should Mr. Angry decide that the best way in which to deal with his issues would be to set about a random stranger with a blunt instrument. Free article

The media consensus on the two party leaders' debates on RTE television last week was almost uniform: firstly, Enda Kenny had stopped Bertie in his tracks, forcing a creditable draw and second, Gerry Adams had been put in his place by that masterful barrister and justice Minister, Michael McDowell. Free article

Stroking Willie’s brush

What did a quarter of a million radio listeners listen to Defence Minister Willie O’Dea having stroked on-air last week by a female admirer - (a) his knee, (b) his moustache, (c) his ego? Answer: all three.
One Ms Mary O’Connor popped into Ray D’Arcy’s morning show studio at Today FM to stroke Willie’s moustache and sit on his knee. (Whatever turns you on,... Free article

Maybe you have been too busy to check the Aertel Pages but, shock, Clonoe O'Rahilly's put Carrickmore out of the Championship at the First Round stage. Free article