Brendan `Bik' McFarlane, OC of republican prisoners during the 1981 hunger strike, said that the hunger strikes were ``fundamental to the development of the republican struggle. We probably would not be at this stage but for the sacrifice of 1981. It changed the politics of this country.'' Free article

Campaigners for the family of Belfast teenager Peter McBride, shot down by two british soldiers in 1992, have raised serious misgivings about the appointment of Dr John Reid as the new Secretary of State. The Derry-based Pat Finucane Centre (PFC) has published a series of questions which it says the new Secretary of State must address. Free article

Two RUC Special Branch officers may face prosecution for their role in the killing of Belfast defence lawyer Pat Finucane. Papers have been sent by the Stevens team to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide whether the RUC handlers of William Stobie will be prosecuted. Free article

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin urged Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to ensure that the meetings of the All-Ireland Ministerial Council, cancelled because of David Trimble's ban on Sinn Féin ministers, should now be held in light of Tuesday's Belfast High Court ruling. Free article

Nineteen Moldovans came to Dublin on valid work permits to take up jobs in the meat industry last week. When they arrived they were told the jobs had gone and to add to this céad míle fáilte, they were then taken by Gardai and Dublin Airport immigration offices to Mountjoy Jail. They appeared shackled in court four days later, having gone on hunger strike in protest at the abuse of their rights. Their lawyers successfully challenged the wrongful actions of the Gardai and Department of Justice. Free article

An historic decision was taken at the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) meeting in Kells, County Meath, last Monday, 29 January. A very large crowd had travelled to Kells, Co Meath, to let board members know that they want the maternity and gynae units in Louth and Monaghan Hospitals retained and extended. Free article

Sinn Féin's Joe O'Donnell is calling on the housing executive to address the serious housing problem in the Short Strand area. Free article

The Justice for Diarmuid O'Neill Campaign, which is campaigning for an independent public inquiry into the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Irishman Diarmuid O'Neill on 23 September 1996, has published a booklet setting out in detail the case for an inquiry. The booklet will be launched at a public meeting in the House on Commons, London, at 7.30pm on Thursday 8 February. Speakers include Gerry Kelly of Sinn Féin and Diarmuid O'Neill's brother Shane. Free article

Residents of the Killygoan estate in Monaghan are concerned about a possible health risk posed by an ESB mast on the hill overlooking Monaghan Town. The mast was originally erected by the ESB for inter-company communication in the 1960s, long before planning permission for masts was a legal requirement, but in more recent times the semi-state body has allowed Eircell and Esat to hang low intensity radiation telecommunications equipment on the mast. Free article

Sinn Féin chairperson of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, Pat Doherty, commenting on a statement from Secretary of State Dr Reid welcoming the benefits of peace has asked, ``where is the peace dividend?'' Free article