Irish political prisoner Kevin Barry Artt was transferred back to the Federal Detention Center at Pleasanton, California, last week, and is now housed in the wing with fellow Long Kesh escaper Pól Brennan. Terry Kirby, another Long Kesh escaper, is held at the same facility, but in another wing. Free article

ROCKLAND COUNTY, part of the New York state legislature passed a resolution in its last session of 1997 supporting `CEARTA- Charter for change', thus becoming the first US government body to throw its weight behind the newly formed organisation. In a similar move the Uniformed Firefighters Association in New York City has become the first US union to adopt a resolution supporting the Cearta. Free article

DUBLIN mourned the loss of one of its leading stalwarts over Christmas with the passing away of Charlie Casey. Free article