Top Issue 1-2024

8 October 2009 Edition

O'Donoghue resigns in expenses scandal

8 October 2009

The Irish Government is in crisis following Tuesday's announcement by Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil South Kerry TD John O'Donoghue that he would resign his position next week and make a statement to the Dáil. The announcement came after a day in which political pressure, initiated by Sinn Féin, mounted for O'Donoghue to resign over lavish expenses he enjoyed both in his previous role as Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism and in his current role as Ceann Comhairle. Free article

Policing talks at Downing Street 'at a critical point'

8 October 2009

TALKS in Downing Street between the North's First and deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson of the DUP and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinnes, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the transfer of justice and policing powers took place at Downing Street on Tuesday after meetings at Stormont on Monday. Martin McGuinness has said the negotiations are at a critical point. "It's at a critical point but I believe all this is doable," he said in London on Tuesday. Free article

Those who promised jobs from Lisbon 'Yes' must now deliver

8 October 2009

Speaking from Dublin Castle last Saturday following the announcement of the result in the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, Gerry Adams said: "To those hundreds of thousands of people who again voted No, I want to congratulate them for doing so in the face of huge pressure, including threats that a No vote would have negative implications for jobs and the economy. You had the courage to make a stand for a better deal and to stand by the values of decency, citizenship, fairness and democracy." Free article

Adams calls for republican participation in truth process

8 October 2009

THE Legacy Commission suggested by the Eames/Bradley Group (Consultative Group on the Past) does not meet republicans' call for an Independent International Truth Commission, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams declared on Wednesday. The West Belfast MP was launching Sinn Féin's proposals on truth recovery at a Belfast press conference with victims spokesperson Francie Molloy MLA and West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann. Free article

Fianna Fáil bred culture of corruption, cronyism and golden handshakes - Ferris

8 October 2009

Speaking during Dáil Private Members' Business on the scandal at 26 County employment and training agency FÁS on Tuesday Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris accused Fianna Fáil of breeding a culture of corruption, cronyism and golden handshakes. He said the Tánaiste should resign as she has stood over the indecent golden handshake to disgraced former Director General Rody Molloy and has shown herself incapable of addressing the unemployment crisis and getting FÁS doing the job it is funded to do. Free article

GUE-NGL-new-Jan-2106

Inquiry demand after death in custody

8 October 2009

A FULL inquiry into the death of former republican prisoner John Brady in Derry's Strand Road PSNI barracks on Saturday afternoon, 3 October, has been called for by Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty. Brady, from Strabane, County Tyrone, was found dead in a lawyer consultation room. Now questions are being asked about the circumstances surrounding his death during daylight hours. Free article

Wealthy, well off, old and farmers swing EU vote

8 October 2009

SHORT-TERM class interests, fear and age won the Lisbon Treaty re-run referendum last week. Older people with jobs and pensions, others fearing they would lose theirs, larger farmers and a substantial section of suburban young people in third level colleges were the key to a growing Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty II referendum last week. For the record, it would seem that a 20.5% substantial swing, resulting in 67.1% voting Yes, and 32.9% No, won the day. However a combination of count tallies, and pre-referenda election polls paint a picture of an Irish electorate divided on Lisbon between high and low income voters, between young and old offers a more complex poll result. Free article

Correction

8 October 2009

In this weeks An Phoblacht newspaper we published an article from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams on the 1980/81 Hunger Strikes. We claimed that the Irish News had refused to publish it. This was untrue. An Phoblacht regret this and are happy to clarify the point. Free article


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland