Sinn Féin is standing 18 candidates in all Westminster constituencies and 183 local government candidates on 5 May, more than ever before. The party is seeking to win seats on a number of local councils for the first time. This election will be a real battle, with a number of the constituencies too close to call. Free article

The widow of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane has written to every senior judicial figure in England, Wales and Scotland asking them not to sit on an inquiry into her husband's 1989 killing. Free article

A web of deceit was unravelling in West Tyrone this week as Westminster candidate Kieran Deeny was forced into a public apology for telling porkies to the UUP and DUP. In fact, it soon became apparent that the Omagh doctor, who had specifically sold his candidacy on the grounds of his integrity and independence, had pretty much lied to everyone. Free article

The opening of an inquiry into the murder of Lurgan defence lawyer Rosemary Nelson this week was largely symbolic, with the immediate adjournment of the proceedings to allow an investigation process to begin. Free article

It's election time and it is becoming more apparent what party is setting the pace and threatening the status quo. At the beginning of last week, the Fianna Fáil Minister Dermott Ahern was in South Down in support of Eddie McGrady. On Saturday, Pat Rabbitte was in Derry in support of Mark Durkan and on Monday Michael McDowell was in Belfast in an attempt to boost the campaign in South Belfast for Alasdair McDonald. And I have no doubt that Fine Gael will be here in the coming days and weeks. Free article

• East Belfast It is highly likely that this will be Peter Robinson's seventh successful election in East Belfast. He won the seat in 1979 and has held it against all comers ever since. In 2001, the DUP deputy leader took 45.54% of the vote, almost unchanged from his 1997 showing. This left the UUP languishing on 23.22%, with former Alliance Party leader David Alderdice trailing in third with 15.84%. The Alliance were the biggest losers in 2001, their vote down nearly 8% on 1997. Free article