16 March 2005 Edition
Attack on women's march highlights Turkish human rights record
16 March 2005
On Tuesday 8 March, women all around the world demonstrated, congregated and celebrated International Women's Day. In every other country in Europe, the day was marked by token government and media gestures; nothing too dangerous or exciting. However, it was on the fringes of that so-called Europe that something very wrong happened: police, armed with truncheons and tear gas, charged a crowd of about 100 people who refused to disperse after an International Women's Day protest in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday 6 March. Free article
Ferris welcomes statement from Castlerea POWs
16 March 2005
Sinn Féin TD for Kerry North, Martin Ferris welcomed last Sunday afternoon's statement from Castlerea prisoners Kevin Walsh, Pearse McCauley, Jeremiah Sheehy and Michael O'Neill. The men, convicted in relation to the 1996 killing of Garda Jerry McCabe, stated that they do not want their release to be part of any further negotiations with the Irish Government because the cause of peace is too important for their case to be used as an obstacle to negotiations. Free article
Anger as sanctions are imposed on SF MPs
16 March 2005
Sinn Féin says the British Government's decision to impose sanctions on the party is undemocratic. British Direct Ruler Paul Murphy announced the decision to strip the party's four MPs of up to £440,000 on Thursday 10 March, following the report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) which held the IRA responsible for robbing the Northern Bank in December. Free article
Families express dismay at new generation of plastic bullets
16 March 2005
Clara Reilly, Chairperson of Relatives for Justice, has expressed the dismay of families bereaved as a result of the use of plastic bullets at news that Hugh Orde is purchasing a new generation of plastic bullets without the approval of the police board. Free article
Deadly weapons
16 March 2005
The use of plastic bullets has proved to be one of the most controversial aspects of policing in the North, writes An Phoblacht's JENNIFER WILLIAMS, who spoke to Clara Reilly of the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets (UCAPB) about some of the deaths and horrific injuries inflicted on people by the crown forces using the lethal projectiles. Free article
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Bearing witness to criminalisation - By Eoin O'Broin
16 March 2005
On Friday 10 March, I travelled to Madrid to testify for the defence in what must be one of Europe's most controversial legal trials. Known as the Macro Sumario 18-98, the legal case is part on a long running attempt by the Spanish Government and judiciary to criminalise Basque political, social, youth, language and business organisations. The case also includes indictments against two newspapers, a magazine and a number of journalists. Free article
Spreading the word
16 March 2005
On Thursday 3 March, a delegation from the US-based Irish Northern Aid met in West Belfast with Clara Reilly and Jim McCabe of the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets. Reilly and McCabe briefed the American visitors on the history of rubber and plastic bullets and told how, despite British claims that it is a non-lethal weapon, the projectiles have been responsible for the deaths of 17 people - seven of whom were children. Free article
Sacrificing the few to save the many
16 March 2005
"The Travers Report is a massive indictment of successive governments and successive ministers for health since 1976." So said Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin last week in his statement to the Dáil on what has become affectionately known as the 'Travesty' report. Free article
O'Hara case shows dire need for autism services
16 March 2005
The return of the O'Hara children to their parents in County Meath has been welcomed by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health and Children, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD. After the five children, four of them with autism, were taken into care, Ó Caoláin raised the issue in the Dáil and highlighted the fact that many families were now living in fear of such a scenario, because the lack of services means families are struggling to cope. Free article
Wexford Sinn Féin reselects Dwyer
16 March 2005
A packed selection convention in Enniscorthy, attended by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and chaired by Mary Lou McDonald MEP, last month saw Wexford County Councillor John Dwyer selected as the party's candidate to contest the next general election in Wexford. Free article