21 February 2002 Edition
Derry families mount legal action against DPP
21 February 2002
The families of nine Derry people killed in disputed circumstances by the security forces have announced that legal action against the Director of Public Prosecutions is to go ahead following what they have described as "an insulting and inadequate response from the office of the DPP". In a letter to the families, the DPP has again refused to give reasons for his failure to prosecute, despite the landmark ruling of the European Court last year requiring him to do so. Free article
Poll boosts for Sinn Féin
21 February 2002
An IMS poll taken for the Irish Independent and RTE's Primetime puts Sinn Féin candidate Daithí Doolan at 10.2% in the constituency of Dublin South East, while an MRBI poll for TG4 in Donegal South West puts the two Sinn Féin candidates at a combined 9%. Free article
Debating Empire
21 February 2002
David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, Eamon Nolan of Sinn Féin and SDLP politician turned journalist Brian Feeney debated last week before an appreciative crowd in Dublin. Free article
Irish protestors blockade Sellafield
21 February 2002
On Thursday morning, 14 February at 6pm, just as Sellafield staff arrived to work so did we, a group of 200 concerned individuals from Ireland. Our plan was simple, we wanted to close Sellafield for a day, by preventing staff getting to work. We blocked the two main entrances, leaving only minor roads to cope with 11,000 workers. Free article
Mitchel McLaughlin focuses on health in Galway
21 February 2002
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin was in Galway on Thursday and Friday last as part of a nationwide tour. The Foyle Assembly member spoke at a function in the Letterfrack area in Connemara on Valentine's night, where he told party activists that Sinn Féin would make major breakthroughs in the forthcoming general election. Seán acCoistealbha and Daniel Callanan, the two Galway West candidates, were congratulated on their hard work in ensuring that orthodontic health care would be secured for the Connemara region. Free article
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Colombia Three to face charges
21 February 2002
On Saturday 16 February, Colombia's Attorney General office announced its decision to press charges against the three Irishmen who were arrested in the Latin American country in August 2001. Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly will face charges of training laft wing FARC rebels in Colombia and of using false documents, the attorney general's office said. Free article
Fermanagh's untold stories
21 February 2002
Fírinne, a Fermanagh-based group representing people who have suffered state violence, is to launch a booklet documenting the stories of ten of its members. Free article
SDLP bows the knee in Craigavon
21 February 2002
Sinn Féin councillor John O'Dowd has called on SDLP members of Craigavon Council to "publicly outline their position on the continued British military presence on the streets of Craigavon Council area". Free article
Cookstown outlaws plastic bullets
21 February 2002
Cookstown Council passed at motion at its monthly meeting on 12 February calling on the new Policing Board to immediately ban the use of plastic bullets by members of the PSNI. The motion, proposed by Sinn Féin Councillor Oliver Gibson, was passed by 10 votes to 4 and supported by all Sinn Féin and SDLP cllrs. An attempted amendment by unionists to the effect that plastic bullets should be maintained until an alternative was found failed. Free article
Progress on symbols at Fermanagh District Council
21 February 2002
Sinn Féin has forced Fermanagh District Council to examine its record on equality. At its monthly meeting on 18 February, the Council agreed to set up an Equality Impact Committee to report back in April. Free article