2 February 2006 Edition

Wrigley cave in not first environmental U-turn

2 February 2006

Multinational firms Ikea, Indaver and Wrigley's have all now engineered u-turns in Dublin Government policy or legislation by lobbying of the Fianna Fail Government, particularly Environment Minister Dick Roche. Free article

A question of respect

2 February 2006

The people of the Occupied Palestinian Territories have endorsed a new political reality, one in which a radically changed Legislative Council in which Hamas, standing on the platform of Change and Reform have taken 75 of the 126 seats, reducing Fatah's share to 45. Despite the continued hardship of the occupation a 78% Palestinian turnout has spoken in what can only be praised as authentically democratic elections. As such not only must the manner in which they were held be respected but so too its outcome. Free article

Picket on Ballyfermot Ferrovial Site

2 February 2006

An official picket has been placed on the new Ballyfermot Leisure Complex building site by bricklayers of the BATU union. All 250 workers have observed the picket, including non-BATU members. The dispute relates to employment practices of Ferrovial who are displacing skilled Irish workers in favour of workers from Poland and Mexico due to cheaper labour costs. Free article

Palestinian enthusiasm in face of obstructions

2 February 2006

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún was in Palestine last week as an election observer. Here she speaks to An Phoblacht about what she witnessed. Free article

SIPTU backs negotiations

2 February 2006

SIPTU has voted overwhelmingly in favour of re-entering negotiations around a new partnership agreement on Tuesday. SIPTU General President Jack O'Connor told delegates that: "This is a crucial time for the Trade Union Movement and we will not leave the negotiating table until we have played all the cards we have been dealt, in an effort to improve the working lives of union members and working people generally." Free article

Page 1 of 2

Support grows for sacked Dunnes' worker

2 February 2006

Pickets will be mounted on Dunnes Stores' outlets this weekend in Belfast and Derry as support grows throughout the country for Joanne Delaney, the Mandate Shop Steward sacked for wearing a union pin. Free article

Gallagher selected for Dublin West

2 February 2006

Felix Gallagher has been selected as the Sinn Féin candidate to contest the next general election for the constituency of Dublin West. Gallagher won an uncontested selection convention in Myo's pub in Castleknock village last week. Free article

President praises work of parents and carers of autistic children

2 February 2006

President Mary McAleese acknowledged the work of Tyrone parents and carers of autistic children when she welcomed them to Áras an Úachtaráin, in Dublin's Phoenix Park, Dublin, on Thursday 26 January. Free article

Sligo commemorates Volunteer Kevin Coen

2 February 2006

The 31st anniversary of the death in action of Sligo IRA Volunteer Kevin Coen from Riverstown was commemorated at his graveside in Sooey on Sunday 22 January. Volunteer Kevin Coen tragically lost his life on 20 January 1975 during a gun battle with the British Army at Cassidy's Cross on the Fermanagh/Cavan border. Free article

Loyalist suspect on bail when schoolboy murder committed

2 February 2006

It has emerged that the main suspect in the sectarian killing of North Belfast schoolboy Thomas Devlin in August last year was on bail at the time. The 20-year-old suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was subsequently sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Free article


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland