18 November 2004 Edition

The people's leader - Yasser Arafat dies

18 November 2004

Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestinian people, guerrilla icon and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, died last Thursday 11 November. As the news broke in the early hours of Thursday morning, the people of his homeland expressed shock at the sudden demise of their 75-year-old leader. In towns and refugee camps across the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, tens of thousands of Palestinians poured into the streets with wails of grief and volleys of gunfire. Free article

Condolences to Hassan family

18 November 2004

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin joined with other party leaders in offering condolences to the husband and family of murdered Irish Iraqi aid worker, Margaret Hassan. Free article

Batasuna in fresh talks bid

18 November 2004

On Sunday 14 November, the Basque pro-independence party Batasuna presented a fresh proposal for a political solution to the conflict between the Basque Country and Spanish and French states. Batasuna believes that this is the right time to "open new ways" to negotiate and, in a public meeting attended by around 15,000 people, representatives from the past and the present of the pro-independence movement reiterated their commitment "to work for peace". Free article

'Socialist' Bertie challenged on Health

18 November 2004

During Leader's Question in the Dáil on Tuesday, Ireland's newest 'socialist', Bertie Ahern, was challenged on the state of the health services by Sinn Féin, including the fact that 25,000 workers in the services have been so alienated by lack of clarity on so-called reforms that they are refusing to co-operate with the new Health Services Executive. Free article

Monaghan man wins case against Gardaí

18 November 2004

The owner of a dwelling near Monaghan Town was recently awarded €10,000 in damages after the Circuit Court acknowledged that a Garda search team forced their way into his house and used drilling equipment and jack-hammers to damage walls, floors, carpeting and furniture in what many locals believe was a spurious attempt to intimidate the family. Free article

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O'Donnell will not seek re-election

18 November 2004

Joe O'Donnell, the Sinn Féin deputy mayor of Belfast, has disclosed he will not be standing in next May's council elections, citing personal reasons. Free article

Announcement of collusion inquiries met with caution

18 November 2004

A judge who acted for the British crown during internment proceedings will chair the inquiry into the 1999 killing of Lurgan defence lawyer Rosemary Nelson. Sir Michael Morland, who also served on the Gardiner Commission into internment in 1974, will be joined by Sir Anthony Burden a former chief constable of South Wales police and Dame Valerie Strachan, vice-chair of the Big Lottery Fund. Free article

British must give Human Rights Commission proper powers

18 November 2004

Sinn Féin Equality, Human Rights and Women's Spokesperson, South Down MLA Catríona Ruane, has called on the British Government to introduce the proper range of powers required by the Human Rights Commission to fulfil its remit to protect and promote human rights in an effective way. Free article

Gráinne Mhic Géidigh selected for Údaras

18 November 2004

On Saturday night last, Sinn Féin members from all over Donegal gathered in Teach Jack, Gweedore to choose a candidate to contest the impending Údaras election in April. There were over 150 in attendance to choose a candidate to contest the impending Údaras election in April, which could ultimately lead to the party taking its first seat ever on the board Free article

Call for full Citizenship Rights for ex-prisoners

18 November 2004

Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle and former political prisoner Raymond McCartney on Tuesday attended a conference in Dublin Castle involving republican and loyalist former prisoners. The conference was organised to discuss the difficulties faced by former political prisoners and promote the need for dialogue. Free article


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