2.10.04
BBC
NI jail visits continuing
There are some restrictions to jail regimes
Visits are continuing at jails in Northern Ireland despite an overtime ban by prison officers, the NIO has said.
A 48-hour ban began on Friday in a dispute over pay.
Officers are due to resume overtime on Sunday, but said they would withdraw "goodwill" next week.
A Northern Ireland Office spokeswoman said there were some restrictions to jail regimes.
"In each prison establishment visits are continuing to operate and this will be kept under review," she said.
NI jail visits continuing
There are some restrictions to jail regimes
Visits are continuing at jails in Northern Ireland despite an overtime ban by prison officers, the NIO has said.
A 48-hour ban began on Friday in a dispute over pay.
Officers are due to resume overtime on Sunday, but said they would withdraw "goodwill" next week.
A Northern Ireland Office spokeswoman said there were some restrictions to jail regimes.
"In each prison establishment visits are continuing to operate and this will be kept under review," she said.
Irish Democrat : Reviews
New account of the Dublin/Monaghan bombings
Pegeen O'Sullivan reviews Two Little Boys by Edward O'Neill with Barry J White, Currach Press €14.99/£9.99 pbk, ISBN 1856079090
TWO LITTLE BOYS is an account of the bombing of Dublin and Monaghan in 1974.
The fact one of the authors witnessed the explosion in Dublin in his infancy and movingly shares with the reader the immediate shock of the event and its long-term effects on the the families of the victims gives the account a special slant and value.
While any account of these two atrocities and the obfuscation of governments is to be welcomed, I must admit that I found the book rather diffuse. If only the consecutive account of the event had come at the beginning of the book instead of at the end it would have been clearer.
The greatest anger in this book is levelled at the Irish government's lack of energy in demanding an enquiry immediately after the bombings. The book is also scathing about the "exchanges of information between the Guards and the RUC" and the indifference of the Guards to the interests of the population they are paid to serve and protect.
As happens not infrequently, people who have "turned" from one loyalty to another have revealed the most. Here. it is the ex-RUC man John Weir and the ex-soldier who exposed the Kincora Boys' Home scandal and rivalries between MI5 and MI6, Colin Wallace.
It comes as a shock that the explosives used in the Dublin and Monaghan bombs were made in the Irish Industrial Explosives Factory at Clonagh in the Republic of Ireland.
In December 2003, Phoenix magazine drew attention to perhaps the most sinister act of obfuscation - the enormous destruction of documents on the bombings. By way of contrast, 19th century RIC intelligence on the Fenians remains extant.
In spite of both governments' efforts to stifle the truth much has come out over the years, All honour to O'Neill and Whyte for their persistence in digging it out and making connections between the strands.
New account of the Dublin/Monaghan bombings
Pegeen O'Sullivan reviews Two Little Boys by Edward O'Neill with Barry J White, Currach Press €14.99/£9.99 pbk, ISBN 1856079090
TWO LITTLE BOYS is an account of the bombing of Dublin and Monaghan in 1974.
The fact one of the authors witnessed the explosion in Dublin in his infancy and movingly shares with the reader the immediate shock of the event and its long-term effects on the the families of the victims gives the account a special slant and value.
While any account of these two atrocities and the obfuscation of governments is to be welcomed, I must admit that I found the book rather diffuse. If only the consecutive account of the event had come at the beginning of the book instead of at the end it would have been clearer.
The greatest anger in this book is levelled at the Irish government's lack of energy in demanding an enquiry immediately after the bombings. The book is also scathing about the "exchanges of information between the Guards and the RUC" and the indifference of the Guards to the interests of the population they are paid to serve and protect.
As happens not infrequently, people who have "turned" from one loyalty to another have revealed the most. Here. it is the ex-RUC man John Weir and the ex-soldier who exposed the Kincora Boys' Home scandal and rivalries between MI5 and MI6, Colin Wallace.
It comes as a shock that the explosives used in the Dublin and Monaghan bombs were made in the Irish Industrial Explosives Factory at Clonagh in the Republic of Ireland.
In December 2003, Phoenix magazine drew attention to perhaps the most sinister act of obfuscation - the enormous destruction of documents on the bombings. By way of contrast, 19th century RIC intelligence on the Fenians remains extant.
In spite of both governments' efforts to stifle the truth much has come out over the years, All honour to O'Neill and Whyte for their persistence in digging it out and making connections between the strands.
BBC
Adair's son sentence reduced
Jonathan Adair had been jailed for five years
The son of jailed loyalist leader Johnny Adair has had his prison sentence for drug dealing reduced after an Appeal Court judge took account of the "unusual" circumstances of his life.
Jonathan Adair had been part of a "dial-a-drug" scheme in Bolton, supplying heroin and crack cocaine, after the Adair family fled there during a loyalist feud.
The 19-year-old, with an address at Chorley New Road in Bolton, had been sentenced to five years in prison earlier this year.
He and two cohorts had been caught drug dealing in an undercover police operation.
Adair and his family had been living in Bolton after they left their home in the Shankill Road area of west Belfast in February 2003 to escape loyalist in-fighting.
'Good character'
Adair's father, Johnny, had been returned to jail the previous month to complete a 16-year sentence for directing terrorism.
Cutting Jonathan Adair's sentence by 15 months, the Appeal Court judge in London described him as of "entirely good character" before his prosecution.
Speaking on Friday, he said Adair had lived his life under "an unusual and severe degree of personal strain".
He added that, while this did not excuse drug dealing, it was a mitigating factor.
Two men who were jailed along with him also had their sentences reduced.
Ian Truesdale, 43, had his five-year sentence cut to four years and three months while William Truesdale, 41, of Chorley New Road, Horwich, had his four-year term reduced to three years and nine months.
The Adairs were among a number of families from Belfast who moved to Greater Manchester in 2003 following violent in-fighting between loyalists.
Adair's son sentence reduced
Jonathan Adair had been jailed for five years
The son of jailed loyalist leader Johnny Adair has had his prison sentence for drug dealing reduced after an Appeal Court judge took account of the "unusual" circumstances of his life.
Jonathan Adair had been part of a "dial-a-drug" scheme in Bolton, supplying heroin and crack cocaine, after the Adair family fled there during a loyalist feud.
The 19-year-old, with an address at Chorley New Road in Bolton, had been sentenced to five years in prison earlier this year.
He and two cohorts had been caught drug dealing in an undercover police operation.
Adair and his family had been living in Bolton after they left their home in the Shankill Road area of west Belfast in February 2003 to escape loyalist in-fighting.
'Good character'
Adair's father, Johnny, had been returned to jail the previous month to complete a 16-year sentence for directing terrorism.
Cutting Jonathan Adair's sentence by 15 months, the Appeal Court judge in London described him as of "entirely good character" before his prosecution.
Speaking on Friday, he said Adair had lived his life under "an unusual and severe degree of personal strain".
He added that, while this did not excuse drug dealing, it was a mitigating factor.
Two men who were jailed along with him also had their sentences reduced.
Ian Truesdale, 43, had his five-year sentence cut to four years and three months while William Truesdale, 41, of Chorley New Road, Horwich, had his four-year term reduced to three years and nine months.
The Adairs were among a number of families from Belfast who moved to Greater Manchester in 2003 following violent in-fighting between loyalists.
BBC
Roof protest on MLA's home
Protesters climbed onto the roof of an SDLP Assembly member's County Tyrone home and attached posters calling for the release of a dissident Republican prisoner.
Eugene McMenamin said the incident on Thursday evening was an attempt to intimidate his family but it would not work.
A group of people gathered outside his home at about 2000 BST on Thursday.
Some of them then climbed on the bungalow's roof and placed posters held down by large boulders.
They also tried to smash a CCTV system installed at the house.
"I have no problem with anyone coming to protest outside my home, but whenever they invade your privacy by climbing onto your roof, that is something else - this will certainly not work," he said.
"Over the last year, I have received several hoax bombs at my home and threats as well.
The protesters were caught on CCTV footage
"I am very lucky to have a family which backs me 100%, and incidents like this will only strengthen my resolve."
Mr McMenamin - who was out celebrating his 33rd wedding anniversary with his wife at the time - has offered to meet those who targeted his home.
He has vowed to continue his work as an MLA and a District Policing Partnership member.
Roof protest on MLA's home
Protesters climbed onto the roof of an SDLP Assembly member's County Tyrone home and attached posters calling for the release of a dissident Republican prisoner.
Eugene McMenamin said the incident on Thursday evening was an attempt to intimidate his family but it would not work.
A group of people gathered outside his home at about 2000 BST on Thursday.
Some of them then climbed on the bungalow's roof and placed posters held down by large boulders.
They also tried to smash a CCTV system installed at the house.
"I have no problem with anyone coming to protest outside my home, but whenever they invade your privacy by climbing onto your roof, that is something else - this will certainly not work," he said.
"Over the last year, I have received several hoax bombs at my home and threats as well.
The protesters were caught on CCTV footage
"I am very lucky to have a family which backs me 100%, and incidents like this will only strengthen my resolve."
Mr McMenamin - who was out celebrating his 33rd wedding anniversary with his wife at the time - has offered to meet those who targeted his home.
He has vowed to continue his work as an MLA and a District Policing Partnership member.
BBC
Second term for Irish President
Mary McAleese is to serve as president for a second term
Irish President Mary McAleese is to serve a second seven-year term.
The Belfast woman's appointment was announced on Friday. She was returned unopposed.
The Irish presidential race turned into the one-horse variety when Mrs McAleese's potential rival, the former MEP and Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon, failed to get the support of either four councils or the signatures of 20 Tds and senators.
Mrs McAleese, 53, said on Friday that she was delighted.
She said she would continue with a policy of bridge building and that it was wonderful to watch the peace process grow.
Under the Republic of Ireland's constitution, a sitting president can nominate herself.
Elected in 1997 as the eighth president of Ireland, the Queen's University graduate has an approval rating of more than 80%.
When she announced her decision to run again in September, she said: "These past seven years have been personally deeply fulfilling and, after consultation with my family, I have decided to seek election for a second term.
"It is my desire and ambition to serve my country and serve it well for a further term as president."
The Northern Ireland woman had the support of both Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats when she first ran for office.
Unionist welcome
Unionists in Northern Ireland said they would like to see Irish President Mary McAleese continuing her outreach work to their community now she will embark on a second term.
Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine welcomed confirmation that the Belfast-born Irish President will return to the presidency unopposed for another seven years.
"I think given the journey that society in Northern Ireland has been on, she has been a safe pair of hands and I would like to congratulate her on securing a second term," Mr Ervine said.
"I would not overestimate the contact she has had with a section of loyalism but I think in terms of the outreach work she has done with the unionist community she has done a good job."
In February, President McAleese and her husband Martin enjoyed a successful return visit to loyalist areas of Belfast and to parts of North Down.
She visited schools and a kickboxing club which caters for both communities in the heart of east Belfast.
The president also attended a prayer service at a Presbyterian Church in Holywood and met pensioners in a loyalist area in Bangor.
In June during another visit to her home city, she visited the Chinese community and condemned the rise in racial violence in Northern Ireland.
Second term for Irish President
Mary McAleese is to serve as president for a second term
Irish President Mary McAleese is to serve a second seven-year term.
The Belfast woman's appointment was announced on Friday. She was returned unopposed.
The Irish presidential race turned into the one-horse variety when Mrs McAleese's potential rival, the former MEP and Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon, failed to get the support of either four councils or the signatures of 20 Tds and senators.
Mrs McAleese, 53, said on Friday that she was delighted.
She said she would continue with a policy of bridge building and that it was wonderful to watch the peace process grow.
Under the Republic of Ireland's constitution, a sitting president can nominate herself.
Elected in 1997 as the eighth president of Ireland, the Queen's University graduate has an approval rating of more than 80%.
When she announced her decision to run again in September, she said: "These past seven years have been personally deeply fulfilling and, after consultation with my family, I have decided to seek election for a second term.
"It is my desire and ambition to serve my country and serve it well for a further term as president."
The Northern Ireland woman had the support of both Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats when she first ran for office.
Unionist welcome
Unionists in Northern Ireland said they would like to see Irish President Mary McAleese continuing her outreach work to their community now she will embark on a second term.
Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine welcomed confirmation that the Belfast-born Irish President will return to the presidency unopposed for another seven years.
"I think given the journey that society in Northern Ireland has been on, she has been a safe pair of hands and I would like to congratulate her on securing a second term," Mr Ervine said.
"I would not overestimate the contact she has had with a section of loyalism but I think in terms of the outreach work she has done with the unionist community she has done a good job."
In February, President McAleese and her husband Martin enjoyed a successful return visit to loyalist areas of Belfast and to parts of North Down.
She visited schools and a kickboxing club which caters for both communities in the heart of east Belfast.
The president also attended a prayer service at a Presbyterian Church in Holywood and met pensioners in a loyalist area in Bangor.
In June during another visit to her home city, she visited the Chinese community and condemned the rise in racial violence in Northern Ireland.
1.10.04
BBC
Shot man dies of injuries
Darren Thompson died of his injuries
A 22-year-old man has died after being shot in Londonderry earlier this week.
Darren Thompson, from Harkness Gardens, was shot in the head in the Waterside area of the city on Wednesday morning.
He was found lying at the roadside in Woodburn Park with a bullet wound in the head.
It is believed he was attacked as he walked to work.
Mr Thompson was in a critical condition at Altnagelvin hospital, but died of his injuries at about 1400 BST on Friday.
He is survived by his parents, two brothers aged 15 and 18 and two sisters aged 22 and eight.
Two men and a woman are still being questioned.
Police said they were aware that some people were shielding those responsible for Mr Thompson's killing and said more searches and arrests would take place.
Tensions
A group is to be set up to help ease tensions in the Waterside following the fatal shooting of Mr Thompson.
After the shooting, a number of items - which had been set on fire - were found in the Lincoln Courts estate.
On Friday, the estate was at the centre of a security alert after suspicious objects were uncovered during a search.
"There is a great lot of fear within the community."
William Hay
DUP
Police said the items found included coffee jar bombs, blast bombs, incendiary devices and pipes suitable for manufacturing pipe bombs.
The items were discovered in a garden shed at a house in the estate.
Army bomb disposal experts are at the scene and residents were moved from a number of houses to a local community hall.
DUP Assembly member William Hay said about 12 families had to move from their homes in Lincoln Courts as Army bomb experts examined the scene.
"People are annoyed, angry and upset that this type of violence has been visited on them," Mr Hay said.
He added that concerned people within the community met police on Thursday.
"There is a great lot of fear within the community," he said.
"It is important to get this group so that they can relay the deep concerns of people to the police."
Shot man dies of injuries
Darren Thompson died of his injuries
A 22-year-old man has died after being shot in Londonderry earlier this week.
Darren Thompson, from Harkness Gardens, was shot in the head in the Waterside area of the city on Wednesday morning.
He was found lying at the roadside in Woodburn Park with a bullet wound in the head.
It is believed he was attacked as he walked to work.
Mr Thompson was in a critical condition at Altnagelvin hospital, but died of his injuries at about 1400 BST on Friday.
He is survived by his parents, two brothers aged 15 and 18 and two sisters aged 22 and eight.
Two men and a woman are still being questioned.
Police said they were aware that some people were shielding those responsible for Mr Thompson's killing and said more searches and arrests would take place.
Tensions
A group is to be set up to help ease tensions in the Waterside following the fatal shooting of Mr Thompson.
After the shooting, a number of items - which had been set on fire - were found in the Lincoln Courts estate.
On Friday, the estate was at the centre of a security alert after suspicious objects were uncovered during a search.
"There is a great lot of fear within the community."
William Hay
DUP
Police said the items found included coffee jar bombs, blast bombs, incendiary devices and pipes suitable for manufacturing pipe bombs.
The items were discovered in a garden shed at a house in the estate.
Army bomb disposal experts are at the scene and residents were moved from a number of houses to a local community hall.
DUP Assembly member William Hay said about 12 families had to move from their homes in Lincoln Courts as Army bomb experts examined the scene.
"People are annoyed, angry and upset that this type of violence has been visited on them," Mr Hay said.
He added that concerned people within the community met police on Thursday.
"There is a great lot of fear within the community," he said.
"It is important to get this group so that they can relay the deep concerns of people to the police."
BBC NEWS
Devices found in city alert
Army bomb experts are examining a number of suspicious objects
A security alert is continuing after suspicious objects were uncovered during a search in the Waterside area of Londonderry.
Police said the items found included coffee jar bombs, blast bombs, incendiary devices and pipes suitable for manufacturing pipe bombs.
The items were discovered in a garden shed at a house in Lincoln Courts on Friday.
Army bomb disposal experts are at the scene and residents have been moved from a number of houses in the area to a local community hall.
Meanwhile, a group is to be set up to help ease tensions in the Waterside following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Darren Thompson on Wednesday.
He died in hospital on Friday after he was shot in the head as he walked to work along Woodburn Park in the Waterside area.
After the shooting, a number of items - which had been set on fire - were found in the Lincoln Courts estate.
DUP Assembly member William Hay said about 12 families had to move from their homes in Lincoln Courts as Army bomb experts examined the scene.
"People are annoyed, angry and upset that this type of violence has been visited on them," Mr Hay said.
He added that concerned people within the community met police on Thursday.
"There is a great lot of fear within the community," he said.
"It is important to get this group so that they can relay the deep concerns of people to the police."
Devices found in city alert
Army bomb experts are examining a number of suspicious objects
A security alert is continuing after suspicious objects were uncovered during a search in the Waterside area of Londonderry.
Police said the items found included coffee jar bombs, blast bombs, incendiary devices and pipes suitable for manufacturing pipe bombs.
The items were discovered in a garden shed at a house in Lincoln Courts on Friday.
Army bomb disposal experts are at the scene and residents have been moved from a number of houses in the area to a local community hall.
Meanwhile, a group is to be set up to help ease tensions in the Waterside following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Darren Thompson on Wednesday.
He died in hospital on Friday after he was shot in the head as he walked to work along Woodburn Park in the Waterside area.
After the shooting, a number of items - which had been set on fire - were found in the Lincoln Courts estate.
DUP Assembly member William Hay said about 12 families had to move from their homes in Lincoln Courts as Army bomb experts examined the scene.
"People are annoyed, angry and upset that this type of violence has been visited on them," Mr Hay said.
He added that concerned people within the community met police on Thursday.
"There is a great lot of fear within the community," he said.
"It is important to get this group so that they can relay the deep concerns of people to the police."
Derry Journal
Police Asked Man To Spy On Council - Claims Sinn Féin Councillor
Friday 1st October 2004
Special Branch officers have been accused of trying to blackmail a man to spy on the Sinn Féin chairman of Strabane District Council.
Councillor Jarlath McNulty has claimed that the Clady man was also asked to spy on two other local people after being arrested for drink driving.
West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty, has said he intends to raise the issue with the Irish and British Governments and demand an explanation.
Strabane Sinn Féin say the incident was exposed when the arrested man "refused to succumb to PSNI pressure" and contacted party officials upon his release from police custody last weekend.
Colr. Mc Nulty said: "The Clady man was arrested for drink driving offences over the weekend and, while in custody was approached by Special Branch officers who told him that the charges would disappear if he was prepared to spy on myself and two other named individuals in the Clady area.
"The man refused to succumb to this PSNI pressure and, upon his release from custody, he immediately contacted Sinn Féin about this attempted blackmail attempt."
Hitting out at the alleged incident, the Sinn Féin council chairman continued: "Those who tell us that we have got a new beginning to policing in the shape of the PSNI would need to take a reality check.
"Last Wednesday they were battering nationalist protesters in Omagh and a few days later they are attempting to exploit a person in a vulnerable position to spy on the democratically elected Chairperson of Strabane District Council and two other named individuals."
Jarlath McNulty (39), was elected to Strabane District Council in 1997 and was elected council chairman in June this year. He is also employed as training officer at Cairde, a republican exprisoners' centre in the town.
Also commenting in relation to the incident, West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said: "This is further evidence of the control the securocrats have over policing and their attempts to undermine the work of Sinn Féin in this peace process.
"Combined with the recent discovery of bugging devices at the home of a member of Gerry Adams office staff and at Sinn Féin offices in Belfast, this is a further example of bad faith by the British Government."
Mr. Doherty announced that he would be raising the issue
directly with both the Irish and British Governments and would be demanding an explanation from the British Government.
When contacted in relation to the Strabane "spy" claims, a PSNI spokesman would only say: "If anyone believes they have genuine cause for complaint regarding the actions of any police officer they should contact the Police Ombudsman so that the matter can be fully investigated."
Police Asked Man To Spy On Council - Claims Sinn Féin Councillor
Friday 1st October 2004
Special Branch officers have been accused of trying to blackmail a man to spy on the Sinn Féin chairman of Strabane District Council.
Councillor Jarlath McNulty has claimed that the Clady man was also asked to spy on two other local people after being arrested for drink driving.
West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty, has said he intends to raise the issue with the Irish and British Governments and demand an explanation.
Strabane Sinn Féin say the incident was exposed when the arrested man "refused to succumb to PSNI pressure" and contacted party officials upon his release from police custody last weekend.
Colr. Mc Nulty said: "The Clady man was arrested for drink driving offences over the weekend and, while in custody was approached by Special Branch officers who told him that the charges would disappear if he was prepared to spy on myself and two other named individuals in the Clady area.
"The man refused to succumb to this PSNI pressure and, upon his release from custody, he immediately contacted Sinn Féin about this attempted blackmail attempt."
Hitting out at the alleged incident, the Sinn Féin council chairman continued: "Those who tell us that we have got a new beginning to policing in the shape of the PSNI would need to take a reality check.
"Last Wednesday they were battering nationalist protesters in Omagh and a few days later they are attempting to exploit a person in a vulnerable position to spy on the democratically elected Chairperson of Strabane District Council and two other named individuals."
Jarlath McNulty (39), was elected to Strabane District Council in 1997 and was elected council chairman in June this year. He is also employed as training officer at Cairde, a republican exprisoners' centre in the town.
Also commenting in relation to the incident, West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said: "This is further evidence of the control the securocrats have over policing and their attempts to undermine the work of Sinn Féin in this peace process.
"Combined with the recent discovery of bugging devices at the home of a member of Gerry Adams office staff and at Sinn Féin offices in Belfast, this is a further example of bad faith by the British Government."
Mr. Doherty announced that he would be raising the issue
directly with both the Irish and British Governments and would be demanding an explanation from the British Government.
When contacted in relation to the Strabane "spy" claims, a PSNI spokesman would only say: "If anyone believes they have genuine cause for complaint regarding the actions of any police officer they should contact the Police Ombudsman so that the matter can be fully investigated."
30.9.04
BBC
Children massacred in Iraq bombs
Dozens of children have been killed in a sequence of bomb blasts in Baghdad.
Children massacred in Iraq bombs
 Crowds had gathered for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting |
Officials said at least 34 children were among 41 or more people killed when bombs were detonated near a water treatment plant as US troops passed by.
At least 130 others were injured, many among crowds gathered for the opening ceremony at the plant who had gone up to collect sweets from the soldiers.
It was the most number of children to die in one incident since the war, on a day that saw fatal attacks across Iraq.
The casualties include:
- Two Iraqi policemen and a US soldier killed in the Abu Ghraib district of Baghdad by a car bomb that also left dozens injured
- A US soldier killed by a rocket fired at a US base near Baghdad
- A senior policeman shot dead in the northern city of Mosul
- Also in the north, the Kirkuk mayor's chief bodyguard shot dead
- Four people killed in a car bombing in Talafar that also injured about 16 others
- At least four children among six or seven people killed in Falluja after US forces allegedly fired on their car
- At least three civilians killed in a US air strike on Falluja overnight.
'Evil attack'
Reports from Baghdad said hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of casualties from the bombings in the poor south-west al-Ummal district.
Many of the injured - who included 10 US soldiers - suffered shrapnel wounds in the blasts which began at about 1300 (0900 GMT), correspondents said. 
Pools of blood formed on the hospital floors, while at the scene of the blasts people picked through blood-stained wreckage to recover body parts, news agencies said.
Children who survived the attack described how they had been rushing towards the US convoy to collect sweets from the troops.
"The Americans called us, they told us come here, come here, asking us if we wanted sweets," 12-year-old Abdel Rahman Dawoud told the Associated Press news agency from his hospital bed where he lay naked, with shrapnel embedded all over his body.
"We went beside them, then a car exploded."
Officials say the first blast was soon followed by another car bomb and then the explosion of a device on the road. It remains unclear whether the convoy or the crowds were the prime target. 
Many victims were caught trying to help those hit in the first blast
"This attack was carried out by evil people who do not want the Iraqis to celebrate and don't want [construction] projects in Iraq," National Guard Lieutenant Ahmad Saad told the Associated Press news agency at the scene.
The BBC's Caroline Hawley in Baghdad says the sequence of explosions was a highly co-ordinated attack to prevent the reconstruction of Iraq, as well as spreading fear.
'Good crack at success'
Violence continued in the restive city of Falluja, where doctors said a woman and a child were among at least three people killed when US forces launched air strikes on a house.
The military said it targeted supporters of the Islamic militant, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is blamed for a string of kidnappings and suicide bombings.
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged that insurgents and kidnappers were having some success in making people believe that Iraq was not ready for democracy.
But in an interview with West Virginia radio station WCHS he said that there was information that Iraqis, including those in the minority Shia population, were "getting fed up with Zarqawi and his terrorist crowd killing their friends and neighbours and relatives".
"I am personally convinced that we've got a very good crack - the Iraqis have a very good crack - at being successful in this important and noble effort," he added.
Iraq's interim Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said the government was determined to retake rebel cities like Falluja within weeks and to hold elections as planned early next year.
"We aim to regain control of these areas before the month of November," he told reporters, expanding on earlier remarks by interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi that "decisive action" was being planned for Falluja.
BBC
Children massacred in Iraq bombs
Dozens of children have been killed in a sequence of bomb blasts in Baghdad.
Children massacred in Iraq bombs
| Crowds had gathered for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting |
Officials said at least 34 children were among 41 or more people killed when bombs were detonated near a water treatment plant as US troops passed by.
At least 130 others were injured, many among crowds gathered for the opening ceremony at the plant who had gone up to collect sweets from the soldiers.
It was the most number of children to die in one incident since the war, on a day that saw fatal attacks across Iraq.
The casualties include:
- Two Iraqi policemen and a US soldier killed in the Abu Ghraib district of Baghdad by a car bomb that also left dozens injured
- A US soldier killed by a rocket fired at a US base near Baghdad
- A senior policeman shot dead in the northern city of Mosul
- Also in the north, the Kirkuk mayor's chief bodyguard shot dead
- Four people killed in a car bombing in Talafar that also injured about 16 others
- At least four children among six or seven people killed in Falluja after US forces allegedly fired on their car
- At least three civilians killed in a US air strike on Falluja overnight.
'Evil attack'
Reports from Baghdad said hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of casualties from the bombings in the poor south-west al-Ummal district.
Many of the injured - who included 10 US soldiers - suffered shrapnel wounds in the blasts which began at about 1300 (0900 GMT), correspondents said.
Pools of blood formed on the hospital floors, while at the scene of the blasts people picked through blood-stained wreckage to recover body parts, news agencies said.
Children who survived the attack described how they had been rushing towards the US convoy to collect sweets from the troops.
"The Americans called us, they told us come here, come here, asking us if we wanted sweets," 12-year-old Abdel Rahman Dawoud told the Associated Press news agency from his hospital bed where he lay naked, with shrapnel embedded all over his body.
"We went beside them, then a car exploded."
Officials say the first blast was soon followed by another car bomb and then the explosion of a device on the road. It remains unclear whether the convoy or the crowds were the prime target. Many victims were caught trying to help those hit in the first blast
"This attack was carried out by evil people who do not want the Iraqis to celebrate and don't want [construction] projects in Iraq," National Guard Lieutenant Ahmad Saad told the Associated Press news agency at the scene.
The BBC's Caroline Hawley in Baghdad says the sequence of explosions was a highly co-ordinated attack to prevent the reconstruction of Iraq, as well as spreading fear.
'Good crack at success'
Violence continued in the restive city of Falluja, where doctors said a woman and a child were among at least three people killed when US forces launched air strikes on a house.
The military said it targeted supporters of the Islamic militant, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is blamed for a string of kidnappings and suicide bombings.
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged that insurgents and kidnappers were having some success in making people believe that Iraq was not ready for democracy.
But in an interview with West Virginia radio station WCHS he said that there was information that Iraqis, including those in the minority Shia population, were "getting fed up with Zarqawi and his terrorist crowd killing their friends and neighbours and relatives".
"I am personally convinced that we've got a very good crack - the Iraqis have a very good crack - at being successful in this important and noble effort," he added.
Iraq's interim Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said the government was determined to retake rebel cities like Falluja within weeks and to hold elections as planned early next year.
"We aim to regain control of these areas before the month of November," he told reporters, expanding on earlier remarks by interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi that "decisive action" was being planned for Falluja.
An Phoblacht
John Joe McGirl commemorated
Photo: John Joe McGirl
Monaghan County Councillor and National Organiser for Sinn Féin, Pat Treanor, gave the main oration at the John Joe Mc Girl Annual Commemoration in Ballinamore, County Leitrim, earlier this month. He praised the role played by John Joe in the struggle for Irish freedom and said that the book, The Gentle Soldier, written as a tribute to him, is essential reading for any student of republican history.
"It's difficult to imagine that it's 16 years since we walked behind the coffin of John Joe," he said. "A lot has happened in that time, a lot has changed, and I think John Joe would be proud of the achievements of republicans.
"John Joe McGirl was a proud Leitrim man. He was proud of Leitrim people. He loved his people, all people and dedicated his life to serve them, first as a TD and then for many, many years, as a County Councillor. He received many tributes for his pioneering work in education, in helping the needy, in fighting in support of senior citizens, and in all aspects of community development.
John Joe believed that the struggle was where he was. He believed that the struggle for Irish freedom was where the republican should be, and we have all learned many lessons from that. In June of this year, you demonstrated that when you brought the republican message to every doorstep. And people responded. I would like to congratulate and thank the four Sinn Féin candidates : Martin Kenny, Micheál Colreavey, Maura Mulvey and Johnny Mc Cauley for their great effort.
"For John Joe McGirl the future mattered most. He was not content to preserve the past or commemorate past deeds. He knew that history was important but he looked to the future, to the youth, to devising new ways to struggle, and to achieving the objectives of Freedom, Unity and Equality. Today, John Joe, we remember you, we commemorate your life, we learn from you, and we dedicate ourselves to continue to struggle and achieve the objectives you lived for."
John Joe McGirl commemorated
Photo: John Joe McGirl
Monaghan County Councillor and National Organiser for Sinn Féin, Pat Treanor, gave the main oration at the John Joe Mc Girl Annual Commemoration in Ballinamore, County Leitrim, earlier this month. He praised the role played by John Joe in the struggle for Irish freedom and said that the book, The Gentle Soldier, written as a tribute to him, is essential reading for any student of republican history.
"It's difficult to imagine that it's 16 years since we walked behind the coffin of John Joe," he said. "A lot has happened in that time, a lot has changed, and I think John Joe would be proud of the achievements of republicans.
"John Joe McGirl was a proud Leitrim man. He was proud of Leitrim people. He loved his people, all people and dedicated his life to serve them, first as a TD and then for many, many years, as a County Councillor. He received many tributes for his pioneering work in education, in helping the needy, in fighting in support of senior citizens, and in all aspects of community development.
John Joe believed that the struggle was where he was. He believed that the struggle for Irish freedom was where the republican should be, and we have all learned many lessons from that. In June of this year, you demonstrated that when you brought the republican message to every doorstep. And people responded. I would like to congratulate and thank the four Sinn Féin candidates : Martin Kenny, Micheál Colreavey, Maura Mulvey and Johnny Mc Cauley for their great effort.
"For John Joe McGirl the future mattered most. He was not content to preserve the past or commemorate past deeds. He knew that history was important but he looked to the future, to the youth, to devising new ways to struggle, and to achieving the objectives of Freedom, Unity and Equality. Today, John Joe, we remember you, we commemorate your life, we learn from you, and we dedicate ourselves to continue to struggle and achieve the objectives you lived for."
An Phoblacht
British airport photograph policy anti-Irish
Photo: Sinn Féin Councillor Billy Leonard
Sinn Féin's Billy Leonard has accused the British Government of operating an anti-Irish policy at British airports after he was told he would have to have his photograph taken as he waited to board a flight to Belfast at Gatwick airport.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, the Coleraine councillor said he was travelling home with his family when check-in staff told him he and his family would have to be photographed as he would be mixing in the departure lounge with passengers going on international flights.
"I heard a clicking noise from a camera above the door and I immediately told the check-in staff I was refusing to let anyone take photos of my family and offered my passport, which has my photograph. The check-in staff wouldn't accept it so I asked to see the supervisor and when I told him I was refusing to let anyone take my photograph he told me he would escort me and my family through the departure lounge and straight onto the tarmac to board the plane."
Leonard was allowed to travel the rest of his journey unhindered.
The Coleraine councillor says that taking photographs in this manner contravenes Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention and also the Data Protection Act.
"In the past number of weeks I have been through airports in Holland, Barcelona and even Belfast and never once have I been asked to have my photograph taken. This protocal seems to only be happening at British airports".
Leonard said it seems to be a policy at British airports to photograph all travellers on Irish flights.
"In August, while travelling home from the Basque Country via Bristol airport, I refused to be photographed and was told by a member of the security staff that it was a British Special Branch directive to photograph all passengers travelling over the Irish Sea. Once again we see British securocrats harassing Irish travellers."
British airport photograph policy anti-Irish
Photo: Sinn Féin Councillor Billy Leonard
Sinn Féin's Billy Leonard has accused the British Government of operating an anti-Irish policy at British airports after he was told he would have to have his photograph taken as he waited to board a flight to Belfast at Gatwick airport.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, the Coleraine councillor said he was travelling home with his family when check-in staff told him he and his family would have to be photographed as he would be mixing in the departure lounge with passengers going on international flights.
"I heard a clicking noise from a camera above the door and I immediately told the check-in staff I was refusing to let anyone take photos of my family and offered my passport, which has my photograph. The check-in staff wouldn't accept it so I asked to see the supervisor and when I told him I was refusing to let anyone take my photograph he told me he would escort me and my family through the departure lounge and straight onto the tarmac to board the plane."
Leonard was allowed to travel the rest of his journey unhindered.
The Coleraine councillor says that taking photographs in this manner contravenes Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention and also the Data Protection Act.
"In the past number of weeks I have been through airports in Holland, Barcelona and even Belfast and never once have I been asked to have my photograph taken. This protocal seems to only be happening at British airports".
Leonard said it seems to be a policy at British airports to photograph all travellers on Irish flights.
"In August, while travelling home from the Basque Country via Bristol airport, I refused to be photographed and was told by a member of the security staff that it was a British Special Branch directive to photograph all passengers travelling over the Irish Sea. Once again we see British securocrats harassing Irish travellers."
An Phoblacht
British soldier could be charged with 1971 killing
A British soldier may be charged with the killing of Derry mother of six, Kathleen Thompson, who was shot dead in the back garden of her Rathlin Drive home during a British Army raid in the Creggan Estate in 1971.
The possibility of a murder charge being brought against the member of the Royal Green Jackets, known as Soldier D, emerged after a hearing at Belfast High Court on Wednesday 23 September. Lawyers acting on behalf of the Thompson family applied for a judicial reveiw of the failure of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide full and sufficient reasons for the decision not to prosecute Soldier D, who has admitted firing 18 shots during the midnight raid.
The court action is the second relating to the killing of Kathleen Thompson. Last year, Judge Brian Kerr said that the authorities had failed to hold a proper investigation into her death after it emerged that Soldier D and three other members of his patrol had been interviewed by the British Royal Military Police and not the then RUC.
Kerr declared that in his view it was not open to the RUC to delegate that critical responsibility to another agency such as the Military Police. "By any standards the investigation was not effective."
Barrister Seamus Treacy, acting on behalf of Kathleen Thompson's daughter, Mary Louise, told the High Court on Wednesday that the circumstantial evidence surrounding the shooting overwhemingly pointed to Soldier D as being responsible. 'D' told the Military Police at the time that he shot twice into the rear of the garden where Thompson was killed and never suggested that someone other than he was responsible for shooting her.
"It is absurd, in the light of the totality of the evidence, for anyone to conclude there was insufficient evidence to afford a reasonable prospect of identifying Soldier D as the shooter. Such a suggestion is unsustainable and offensive to the intelligence of the family of the deceased," said Treacy.
Treacy added that the passage of time cannot rescue the decision.
"The decision not to prosecute on this ground was wrong in 1972 and it remains so."
Judge Girvan reserved judgement but Kathleen Thompson's daughter Patricia said she had no wish to see the soldier responsible for her mother's death prosecuted, as the main reason for the legal challenge was to have the DPP admit it was wrong.
"When Hugh Orde listed the unsolved murders of the conflict my mother's name was not even on it," she said, adding that she had no desire to see Soldier D taken away from his family but felt he should be named to help bring closure to her family after almost 34 years.
She added that her mother had been treated as a non person and by seeking the judicial review her family was humanising her mother. "He admitted firing the shots and nothing was done, it was as if my mother didn't matter."
British soldier could be charged with 1971 killing
A British soldier may be charged with the killing of Derry mother of six, Kathleen Thompson, who was shot dead in the back garden of her Rathlin Drive home during a British Army raid in the Creggan Estate in 1971.
The possibility of a murder charge being brought against the member of the Royal Green Jackets, known as Soldier D, emerged after a hearing at Belfast High Court on Wednesday 23 September. Lawyers acting on behalf of the Thompson family applied for a judicial reveiw of the failure of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide full and sufficient reasons for the decision not to prosecute Soldier D, who has admitted firing 18 shots during the midnight raid.
The court action is the second relating to the killing of Kathleen Thompson. Last year, Judge Brian Kerr said that the authorities had failed to hold a proper investigation into her death after it emerged that Soldier D and three other members of his patrol had been interviewed by the British Royal Military Police and not the then RUC.
Kerr declared that in his view it was not open to the RUC to delegate that critical responsibility to another agency such as the Military Police. "By any standards the investigation was not effective."
Barrister Seamus Treacy, acting on behalf of Kathleen Thompson's daughter, Mary Louise, told the High Court on Wednesday that the circumstantial evidence surrounding the shooting overwhemingly pointed to Soldier D as being responsible. 'D' told the Military Police at the time that he shot twice into the rear of the garden where Thompson was killed and never suggested that someone other than he was responsible for shooting her.
"It is absurd, in the light of the totality of the evidence, for anyone to conclude there was insufficient evidence to afford a reasonable prospect of identifying Soldier D as the shooter. Such a suggestion is unsustainable and offensive to the intelligence of the family of the deceased," said Treacy.
Treacy added that the passage of time cannot rescue the decision.
"The decision not to prosecute on this ground was wrong in 1972 and it remains so."
Judge Girvan reserved judgement but Kathleen Thompson's daughter Patricia said she had no wish to see the soldier responsible for her mother's death prosecuted, as the main reason for the legal challenge was to have the DPP admit it was wrong.
"When Hugh Orde listed the unsolved murders of the conflict my mother's name was not even on it," she said, adding that she had no desire to see Soldier D taken away from his family but felt he should be named to help bring closure to her family after almost 34 years.
She added that her mother had been treated as a non person and by seeking the judicial review her family was humanising her mother. "He admitted firing the shots and nothing was done, it was as if my mother didn't matter."
An Phoblacht
PSNI attack peaceful protest
22 September 2004
Sinn Féin in Omagh has accused the PSNI of heavy handed tactics after a number of protestors were beaten with batons and two teenagers arrested as they held a peaceful protest against a British Army public relations exercise at the Silver Birches Hotel in the town on Wednesday 22 September.
More than 100 people attended the protest, organised by the Omagh Demilitarisation Committee.
As the protestors gathered shortly before 7pm outside the hotel on the Gortin Road to picket the British Army information event, members of the PSNI arrived in Land Rovers and minibuses and began attacking demonstrators.
Large numbers of people were batoned to the ground, while others had clothing ripped after they were dragged and thrown about by members of the PSNI.
The two teenagers were arrested by the PSNI for allegedly obstructing and resisting the PSNI and for disorderly behaviour.
The two were brought to Omagh PSNI barracks. Their fellow demonstrators marched to the barracks and protested outside until they were released without charge.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley said a PSNI chief had threatened him with arrest and told him, "if you don't remove these people from outside the hotel you will have your day in court".
Begley described the actions of the PSNI as very heavy handed and on a par with the worst excesses of the RUC.
PSNI attack peaceful protest
22 September 2004
Sinn Féin in Omagh has accused the PSNI of heavy handed tactics after a number of protestors were beaten with batons and two teenagers arrested as they held a peaceful protest against a British Army public relations exercise at the Silver Birches Hotel in the town on Wednesday 22 September.
More than 100 people attended the protest, organised by the Omagh Demilitarisation Committee.
As the protestors gathered shortly before 7pm outside the hotel on the Gortin Road to picket the British Army information event, members of the PSNI arrived in Land Rovers and minibuses and began attacking demonstrators.
Large numbers of people were batoned to the ground, while others had clothing ripped after they were dragged and thrown about by members of the PSNI.
The two teenagers were arrested by the PSNI for allegedly obstructing and resisting the PSNI and for disorderly behaviour.
The two were brought to Omagh PSNI barracks. Their fellow demonstrators marched to the barracks and protested outside until they were released without charge.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley said a PSNI chief had threatened him with arrest and told him, "if you don't remove these people from outside the hotel you will have your day in court".
Begley described the actions of the PSNI as very heavy handed and on a par with the worst excesses of the RUC.
Irish American Information Service
PAISLEY DEMANDS IRA DISBANDMENT
09/30/04 10:49 EST
The Democratic Unionist Party leader the Rev Ian Paisley has emerged from historic talks with the Taoiseach in Dublin demanding more action on the issue of IRA disbandment.
Dr Paisley was joined by his deputy, Mr Peter Robinson, while Mr Ahern was joined by Ireland's new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, for the two-hour meeting this afternoon.
It is the first time Dr Paisley has travelled to Dublin for political talks.
Speaking outside Government Buildings, Dr Paisley said that during the meeting he and the Taoiseach "had a useful exchange of views regarding the problems at the present time."
Reading from a prepared statement he added: "Following on from the Leeds Castle talks we pledged that we would continue discussions on the political institutions and the necessity to bring about changes to them."
On one of the main obstacles to a peace deal - ministerial accountability - Dr Paisley said: "If we are to have a proper and ongoing basis, mutual co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland then it is essential that any relationship is accountable to the people of Northern Ireland through their elected representatives. Nobody has anything to fear from such an accountable North-South relationship of equal partnerships," he added.
Dr Paisley restating the DUP's view "the IRA must relinquish their guns and be out of business for good, as well as all other paramilitaries."
"There is no evidence to sugget that there is any IRA offer on the table at the present time and we have indicated to Mr Ahern that more work will be needed in this area. There will be no toleration of terror in any form," said Paisley.
Speaking as the DUP leader led his party delegation to meet with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty MP said that it was important that the Irish government made it clear to the DUP that they would not be compromising the fundamental principles which underpined the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Doherty said: "While we obviously welcome the visit of the DUP to Dublin and the engagement with the Irish government today it is important that the DUP follow this change of direction up with direct dialogue with Sinn Féin. Direct and meaningful dialogue is the best way to ensure progress and forward movement in the time ahead."
"However since the Assembly election last year and during the recent talks at Leeds Castle the DUP have failed to convince any of the major pro-Agreement parities of the merits in their anti-Agreement position. The DUP are on record as stating that they wish to destroy the Good Friday Agreement. The Irish government are with the British government the co-guarantors of that Agreement and it is crucial that they make it clear to the DUP this afternoon that none of the fundamental principles which underpin the Good Friday Agreement are up for negotiation. Sinn Féin will not countenance changes to the Agreement which are aimed at diluting the power sharing and all-Ireland provisions and providing a basis for the return to unionist rule."
"It is important that the momentum created at Leeds Castle is built upon. The DUP are currently preventing this from happening. The two governments cannot allow this to continue and must move on. There can be no longer any excuse for delay and this must be made clear to the DUP," Doherty concluded.
PAISLEY DEMANDS IRA DISBANDMENT
09/30/04 10:49 EST
The Democratic Unionist Party leader the Rev Ian Paisley has emerged from historic talks with the Taoiseach in Dublin demanding more action on the issue of IRA disbandment.
Dr Paisley was joined by his deputy, Mr Peter Robinson, while Mr Ahern was joined by Ireland's new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, for the two-hour meeting this afternoon.
It is the first time Dr Paisley has travelled to Dublin for political talks.
Speaking outside Government Buildings, Dr Paisley said that during the meeting he and the Taoiseach "had a useful exchange of views regarding the problems at the present time."
Reading from a prepared statement he added: "Following on from the Leeds Castle talks we pledged that we would continue discussions on the political institutions and the necessity to bring about changes to them."
On one of the main obstacles to a peace deal - ministerial accountability - Dr Paisley said: "If we are to have a proper and ongoing basis, mutual co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland then it is essential that any relationship is accountable to the people of Northern Ireland through their elected representatives. Nobody has anything to fear from such an accountable North-South relationship of equal partnerships," he added.
Dr Paisley restating the DUP's view "the IRA must relinquish their guns and be out of business for good, as well as all other paramilitaries."
"There is no evidence to sugget that there is any IRA offer on the table at the present time and we have indicated to Mr Ahern that more work will be needed in this area. There will be no toleration of terror in any form," said Paisley.
Speaking as the DUP leader led his party delegation to meet with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty MP said that it was important that the Irish government made it clear to the DUP that they would not be compromising the fundamental principles which underpined the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Doherty said: "While we obviously welcome the visit of the DUP to Dublin and the engagement with the Irish government today it is important that the DUP follow this change of direction up with direct dialogue with Sinn Féin. Direct and meaningful dialogue is the best way to ensure progress and forward movement in the time ahead."
"However since the Assembly election last year and during the recent talks at Leeds Castle the DUP have failed to convince any of the major pro-Agreement parities of the merits in their anti-Agreement position. The DUP are on record as stating that they wish to destroy the Good Friday Agreement. The Irish government are with the British government the co-guarantors of that Agreement and it is crucial that they make it clear to the DUP this afternoon that none of the fundamental principles which underpin the Good Friday Agreement are up for negotiation. Sinn Féin will not countenance changes to the Agreement which are aimed at diluting the power sharing and all-Ireland provisions and providing a basis for the return to unionist rule."
"It is important that the momentum created at Leeds Castle is built upon. The DUP are currently preventing this from happening. The two governments cannot allow this to continue and must move on. There can be no longer any excuse for delay and this must be made clear to the DUP," Doherty concluded.
IOL
PSNI find arms in shooting investigation
30/09/2004 - 08:20:23
Police investigating the shooting of a man in Northern Ireland have found a gun, ammunition and two pipe bombs.
The weapons were discovered after a planned search of a house in the Lincoln Courts area of Derry.
A woman was arrested at the scene and four men arrested earlier are still being questioned about the attack.
Darren Thompson, aged 22, remains in a critical condition in Altnagelvin Hospital after being shot in the head as he walked to work in the Waterside area of the city yesterday morning.
Police chiefs believe Mr Thompson could be the victim of an ongoing loyalist feud in the area.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Richard Russell said tension among loyalist paramilitaries in the city was one of the main motives being investigated.
“It’s certainly one of the main lines of investigation. There have been tensions between a couple of the main loyalist paramilitary organisations in the city since at least August 15,” he said.
Mr Thompson, who lives with his parents in Harkness Park, was attacked at Woodburn Park, on his way to work.
There are unconfirmed reports that he was recently forced from his home in the loyalist Nelson Drive area after a row between rival factions of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
A number of people have also been threatened recently by the Ulster Defence Association and ordered to leave the city.
PSNI find arms in shooting investigation
30/09/2004 - 08:20:23
Police investigating the shooting of a man in Northern Ireland have found a gun, ammunition and two pipe bombs.
The weapons were discovered after a planned search of a house in the Lincoln Courts area of Derry.
A woman was arrested at the scene and four men arrested earlier are still being questioned about the attack.
Darren Thompson, aged 22, remains in a critical condition in Altnagelvin Hospital after being shot in the head as he walked to work in the Waterside area of the city yesterday morning.
Police chiefs believe Mr Thompson could be the victim of an ongoing loyalist feud in the area.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Richard Russell said tension among loyalist paramilitaries in the city was one of the main motives being investigated.
“It’s certainly one of the main lines of investigation. There have been tensions between a couple of the main loyalist paramilitary organisations in the city since at least August 15,” he said.
Mr Thompson, who lives with his parents in Harkness Park, was attacked at Woodburn Park, on his way to work.
There are unconfirmed reports that he was recently forced from his home in the loyalist Nelson Drive area after a row between rival factions of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
A number of people have also been threatened recently by the Ulster Defence Association and ordered to leave the city.
IOL
UDA blamed for attempted murder of Derry man
30/09/2004 - 12:26:14
The loyalist Ulster Defence Association has been blamed for the attempted murder of a 22-year-old man in the Waterside area of Derry yesterday morning.
Darren Thompson was critically wounded after he was shot in the head while walking to work in a UDA-controlled area. The PSNI believed the attack was linked to an on-going loyalist feud in the area.
Two men and a woman are being questioned about the shooting and sources said all three had connections to the loyalist paramilitary organisation.
The PSNI confirmed today that the UDA had ordered a number of people to leave Derry in recent weeks, but Mr Thompson is not believed to have been one of those threatened.
UDA blamed for attempted murder of Derry man
30/09/2004 - 12:26:14
The loyalist Ulster Defence Association has been blamed for the attempted murder of a 22-year-old man in the Waterside area of Derry yesterday morning.
Darren Thompson was critically wounded after he was shot in the head while walking to work in a UDA-controlled area. The PSNI believed the attack was linked to an on-going loyalist feud in the area.
Two men and a woman are being questioned about the shooting and sources said all three had connections to the loyalist paramilitary organisation.
The PSNI confirmed today that the UDA had ordered a number of people to leave Derry in recent weeks, but Mr Thompson is not believed to have been one of those threatened.
Irelandclick.com
UUP dinner threatens Estee Lauder profits
A boycott of international cosmetic giant Estee-Lauder could be considered by Irish American lobby groups, Fr Sean McManus said last night.
Over recent days top Irish American groups have been challenging the role of billionaire cosmetic king, Ronald Lauder, in hosting a $1,000-a-plate fund-raising dinner for the Ulster Unionist Party in New York.
Representatives from the Brehon Law Society, the Irish National Caucus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians were among the groups calling on Mr Lauder to reconsider his involvement in the event, scheduled for the Cipriani on 42nd Street, last night.
The top Republican Party supporter penned a letter of invitation to the event, at which UUP leader David Trimble was due to deliver a speech.
However, Mr Lauder’s letter sparked outrage among Irish-Americans when he claimed that the UUP “is supported by a large section of the Protestant and Catholic populations”.
The prominent American businessman is also under fire for failing to acknowledge the UUP’s organic links with the Orange Order.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News last night, Fr Sean McManus said he would “hope that Mr Lauder hasn’t understood what he was doing” when he associated himself with the event.
“I cannot know if he intentionally or unintentionally endorsed anti-Catholic bigotry. I do know, however, that he must now publicly denounce and renounce anti-Catholic bigotry. He must also call on David Trimble to renounce the Orange Order until it deletes all anti-Catholic bigotry from the by-laws and constitutions of the organisation.
“It is sad that a famous Jewish-American would put himself in a position where he could be seen to endorse anti-Catholic bigotry, because Jewish activists and members of Congress have been among our best allies in the fight for justice in Ireland.
“I hope that Mr Lauder hasn’t fully understood what he was doing, because he’s now created the question: should Irish-Americans use their purchasing power to subsidise anti-Catholic bigotry in Ireland by purchasing from Estee Lauder, or should they purchase their cosmetics from another company which doesn’t have that record?” asked Fr McManus.
Ancient Order of Hibernians President, Ned McGinley, lashed the claim that a large section of Catholics support the UUP. “After their historical attempts at suppression of the Catholics in the six counties for more than 80 years, that would be like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders,” quipped Mr McGinley.
The Andersonstown News made repeated attempts to contact Ronald Lauder’s spokesperson, Allen Roth, over recent days, but our calls were not returned.
Journalist:: Jarlath Kearney
UUP dinner threatens Estee Lauder profits
A boycott of international cosmetic giant Estee-Lauder could be considered by Irish American lobby groups, Fr Sean McManus said last night.
Over recent days top Irish American groups have been challenging the role of billionaire cosmetic king, Ronald Lauder, in hosting a $1,000-a-plate fund-raising dinner for the Ulster Unionist Party in New York.
Representatives from the Brehon Law Society, the Irish National Caucus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians were among the groups calling on Mr Lauder to reconsider his involvement in the event, scheduled for the Cipriani on 42nd Street, last night.
The top Republican Party supporter penned a letter of invitation to the event, at which UUP leader David Trimble was due to deliver a speech.
However, Mr Lauder’s letter sparked outrage among Irish-Americans when he claimed that the UUP “is supported by a large section of the Protestant and Catholic populations”.
The prominent American businessman is also under fire for failing to acknowledge the UUP’s organic links with the Orange Order.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News last night, Fr Sean McManus said he would “hope that Mr Lauder hasn’t understood what he was doing” when he associated himself with the event.
“I cannot know if he intentionally or unintentionally endorsed anti-Catholic bigotry. I do know, however, that he must now publicly denounce and renounce anti-Catholic bigotry. He must also call on David Trimble to renounce the Orange Order until it deletes all anti-Catholic bigotry from the by-laws and constitutions of the organisation.
“It is sad that a famous Jewish-American would put himself in a position where he could be seen to endorse anti-Catholic bigotry, because Jewish activists and members of Congress have been among our best allies in the fight for justice in Ireland.
“I hope that Mr Lauder hasn’t fully understood what he was doing, because he’s now created the question: should Irish-Americans use their purchasing power to subsidise anti-Catholic bigotry in Ireland by purchasing from Estee Lauder, or should they purchase their cosmetics from another company which doesn’t have that record?” asked Fr McManus.
Ancient Order of Hibernians President, Ned McGinley, lashed the claim that a large section of Catholics support the UUP. “After their historical attempts at suppression of the Catholics in the six counties for more than 80 years, that would be like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders,” quipped Mr McGinley.
The Andersonstown News made repeated attempts to contact Ronald Lauder’s spokesperson, Allen Roth, over recent days, but our calls were not returned.
Journalist:: Jarlath Kearney
Irelandclick.com
20 years on the fight continues...
and plastic bullets remain
As a profile in courage, the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets – twenty years old this month – cannot be bettered.
But there are other words that equally touch on the calibre of the organisation: determination; tenacity; foresight; and, of course, truth.
Two decades after its formation, the group is still leading the charge and setting the agenda in relation to banning the use of lethal weapons as so-called ‘crowd-control mechanisms’.
And it is a testimony to the deep humanity and unwavering dignity of those linked with the United Campaign that their letters still force civil servants to swallow hard before answering, and that their phone calls still leave a withering knot in the stomachs of certain politicians.
In short, the United Campaign makes the government, the security services and their lackeys in wider society feel very nervous – a subversive organisation if ever there was one.
Speaking with Brenda Downes, Jim McCabe, Clara Reilly and Emma Groves this week however, it cannot be forgotten that the reason the United Campaign is still active is because tens of thousands of plastic bullets still rest in the armoury of the PSNI and British Army.
The facts are frightening.
•Seventeen people dead.
•Hundreds maimed, many dying prematurely.
Yet 120,000 plastic bullets have been purchased at almost £7 each in the past two and a half years.
A new plastic bullet with a small sponge on the end will be introduced next year – the same dimensions, the same gun, the same velocity.
Civil servants refuse to say that the new version would not kill a child.
Certain commentators point to the fact that the PSNI has not fired a plastic bullet in two years, as evidence of progress.
But the United Campaign’s ongoing activity suggests a lot more work needs to be done.
The group first came together following the shooting of Sean Downes at a range of three feet by RUC man Nigel Hegarty on August 12, 1984.
Des Wilson and others organised public tribunal into the incident.
A few weeks later, a large public meeting was held at Conway Mill and those most closely affected by plastic and rubber bullets came together for the first time.
Meetings were held in different locations – such as Clara Reilly’s house.
But before it kicked in as a campaigning force, Jim McCabe says that the United Campaign was more of a support group than anything else.
“I found it hard to even leave the house after my wife Nora was killed in 1981, and then I got invited up to a meeting in Clara’s house.
“At the time of Nora’s death there were lots of people dying and I felt isolated. I didn’t feel able to talk about Nora’s death and the United Campaign gave me the comfort and support to talk with people in the same situation as me about our shared experiences.
“It was only after that I became interested in the campaigning side of things.”
The United Campaign have never raised their expectations about what to expect from the British government.
One key recollection that people share is the comment by the late Pat Finucane that “if there was no justice in Nora McCabe’s case, there never would be”.
Among the stalwarts of the United Campaign were Archie and Bernie Livingstone, whose 14 year-old daughter Julie was killed by a plastic bullet, and Kathleen Stewart, the mother of 13 year-old Brian who was killed in similar circumstances.
“I feel they and others should be given great credit for pursuing the campaign in very, very difficult circumstances,” said Jim.
“They did it at a time when you were at serious risk from arrest and harassment even going on a plane or carrying a plastic bullet to a meeting,” added Clara.
Everyone agreed that in the early days it was the humour of Archie, in particular, which kept spirits up, whether he was blessing onlookers from an open window in the Vatican or serenading young ladies who turned up at political meetings expecting a gung-ho Rambo from the heart of the Irish conflict.
Emma Groves was particularly critical of the role played by both the media and the Irish government down the years.
“The media always got the government version out first, that people who were shot had got what they deserved and it always took you an awful long time to put that right.
“As for the Irish government, they never wanted to know. They tried to be very nice but weren’t interested. They were always polite, but they were never really cared.
“They could talk all day about the Gaza Strip or South Africa, but they weren’t interested in what was happening 100 miles up the road,” said Emma.
“Plastic bullets didn’t just steal the lives of children or husbands or wives. They also stole the truth,” added Clara.
Brenda recalls in particular the occasion after the Warrington bomb when relatives travelled to Dublin to take part in a peace protest only to be verbally and physically abused.
“Julie Livingstone’s picture was spat upon. On another occasion a man came up to me during a picket in Dublin and asked where all these killings had happened and then told us we should keep it all in the North,” she said.
Such was the impact of the United Campaign that activists have regularly had their houses raided and family members arrested.
The late Kathleen Stewart even had teeth knocked out by a British Army patrol that attacked her on one occasion.
But it is the irony of Labour Party members in government now supporting the use of plastic bullets – after years of promises to the contrary – that really rankles.
“I remember Peter Hain even accompanying me to hand in a petition to Downing Street calling for the ban on plastic bullets, yet look where he is now,” recalled Jim.
Clara says that the friendships forged out of the campaign have been a driving force over the last twenty years.
But whether it was picketing the company in Scotland who made plastic bullets twenty years ago, or picketing the Policing Board for purchasing more plastic bullets in Belfast two weeks ago, it is clear that the United Campaign is still a force to be reckoned with.
The frequency with which her comrades complimented Brenda’s temper (good and bad), bears out the fact that – whatever else happens – the message of the United Campaign will always be heard.
Those murdered by plastic and rubber bullets can never be replaced, but there is a little girl called Nora McCabe who was two years old yesterday (Wednesday).
The legacy of the United Campaign is that the murder of her grandmother by the RUC in 1981 will not be forgotten.
Through the ongoing commitment, truth and courage of Brenda, Jim, Clara, Emma and many other campaigners, the United Campaign could easily keep going for another twenty years.
But all are agreed that – hopefully – that won’t be necessary…
20 years on the fight continues...
and plastic bullets remain
As a profile in courage, the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets – twenty years old this month – cannot be bettered.
But there are other words that equally touch on the calibre of the organisation: determination; tenacity; foresight; and, of course, truth.
Two decades after its formation, the group is still leading the charge and setting the agenda in relation to banning the use of lethal weapons as so-called ‘crowd-control mechanisms’.
And it is a testimony to the deep humanity and unwavering dignity of those linked with the United Campaign that their letters still force civil servants to swallow hard before answering, and that their phone calls still leave a withering knot in the stomachs of certain politicians.
In short, the United Campaign makes the government, the security services and their lackeys in wider society feel very nervous – a subversive organisation if ever there was one.
Speaking with Brenda Downes, Jim McCabe, Clara Reilly and Emma Groves this week however, it cannot be forgotten that the reason the United Campaign is still active is because tens of thousands of plastic bullets still rest in the armoury of the PSNI and British Army.
The facts are frightening.
•Seventeen people dead.
•Hundreds maimed, many dying prematurely.
Yet 120,000 plastic bullets have been purchased at almost £7 each in the past two and a half years.
A new plastic bullet with a small sponge on the end will be introduced next year – the same dimensions, the same gun, the same velocity.
Civil servants refuse to say that the new version would not kill a child.
Certain commentators point to the fact that the PSNI has not fired a plastic bullet in two years, as evidence of progress.
But the United Campaign’s ongoing activity suggests a lot more work needs to be done.
The group first came together following the shooting of Sean Downes at a range of three feet by RUC man Nigel Hegarty on August 12, 1984.
Des Wilson and others organised public tribunal into the incident.
A few weeks later, a large public meeting was held at Conway Mill and those most closely affected by plastic and rubber bullets came together for the first time.
Meetings were held in different locations – such as Clara Reilly’s house.
But before it kicked in as a campaigning force, Jim McCabe says that the United Campaign was more of a support group than anything else.
“I found it hard to even leave the house after my wife Nora was killed in 1981, and then I got invited up to a meeting in Clara’s house.
“At the time of Nora’s death there were lots of people dying and I felt isolated. I didn’t feel able to talk about Nora’s death and the United Campaign gave me the comfort and support to talk with people in the same situation as me about our shared experiences.
“It was only after that I became interested in the campaigning side of things.”
The United Campaign have never raised their expectations about what to expect from the British government.
One key recollection that people share is the comment by the late Pat Finucane that “if there was no justice in Nora McCabe’s case, there never would be”.
Among the stalwarts of the United Campaign were Archie and Bernie Livingstone, whose 14 year-old daughter Julie was killed by a plastic bullet, and Kathleen Stewart, the mother of 13 year-old Brian who was killed in similar circumstances.
“I feel they and others should be given great credit for pursuing the campaign in very, very difficult circumstances,” said Jim.
“They did it at a time when you were at serious risk from arrest and harassment even going on a plane or carrying a plastic bullet to a meeting,” added Clara.
Everyone agreed that in the early days it was the humour of Archie, in particular, which kept spirits up, whether he was blessing onlookers from an open window in the Vatican or serenading young ladies who turned up at political meetings expecting a gung-ho Rambo from the heart of the Irish conflict.
Emma Groves was particularly critical of the role played by both the media and the Irish government down the years.
“The media always got the government version out first, that people who were shot had got what they deserved and it always took you an awful long time to put that right.
“As for the Irish government, they never wanted to know. They tried to be very nice but weren’t interested. They were always polite, but they were never really cared.
“They could talk all day about the Gaza Strip or South Africa, but they weren’t interested in what was happening 100 miles up the road,” said Emma.
“Plastic bullets didn’t just steal the lives of children or husbands or wives. They also stole the truth,” added Clara.
Brenda recalls in particular the occasion after the Warrington bomb when relatives travelled to Dublin to take part in a peace protest only to be verbally and physically abused.
“Julie Livingstone’s picture was spat upon. On another occasion a man came up to me during a picket in Dublin and asked where all these killings had happened and then told us we should keep it all in the North,” she said.
Such was the impact of the United Campaign that activists have regularly had their houses raided and family members arrested.
The late Kathleen Stewart even had teeth knocked out by a British Army patrol that attacked her on one occasion.
But it is the irony of Labour Party members in government now supporting the use of plastic bullets – after years of promises to the contrary – that really rankles.
“I remember Peter Hain even accompanying me to hand in a petition to Downing Street calling for the ban on plastic bullets, yet look where he is now,” recalled Jim.
Clara says that the friendships forged out of the campaign have been a driving force over the last twenty years.
But whether it was picketing the company in Scotland who made plastic bullets twenty years ago, or picketing the Policing Board for purchasing more plastic bullets in Belfast two weeks ago, it is clear that the United Campaign is still a force to be reckoned with.
The frequency with which her comrades complimented Brenda’s temper (good and bad), bears out the fact that – whatever else happens – the message of the United Campaign will always be heard.
Those murdered by plastic and rubber bullets can never be replaced, but there is a little girl called Nora McCabe who was two years old yesterday (Wednesday).
The legacy of the United Campaign is that the murder of her grandmother by the RUC in 1981 will not be forgotten.
Through the ongoing commitment, truth and courage of Brenda, Jim, Clara, Emma and many other campaigners, the United Campaign could easily keep going for another twenty years.
But all are agreed that – hopefully – that won’t be necessary…
Irelandclick.com
PSNI slammed for Lower Falls response
Sinn Féin councillor Fra McCann has hit out at the PSNI’s handling of the current wave of anti-social behaviour in the Lower Falls after it was revealed that they visited the homes of five of the main culprits to warn them of a planned protest outside their homes.
On Friday night over 400 local residents held a protest outside the homes of five youths they say are behind the vast majority of criminal activity in the area.
The Andersonstown News has learnt that the PSNI visited the homes of the five people earlier in the day to inform them the protest was going to take place.
Local MLA Fra McCann commended those local people who took part in the peaceful protest but added: “I have recently written to British Secretary of State Paul Murphy with regard to the actions of the PSNI in dealing with anti-social elements in the Lower Falls.
“It has been left to the local Community Watch to retrieve stolen cars, clear youths from the street and answer the distress calls of local people.
“I have asked Paul Murphy to visit the Albert Street area and see at first hand the actions of the so-called impartial PSNI.”
On Friday afternoon a number of homes were visited by the PSNI and the occupants told that there would be a protest later that day.
The Andersonstown News has obtained a copy of the PSNI warning handed to one local hood.
Fra McCann said, “For several months now the weekends have been unbearable for the people of this area.
“At no time have the PSNI attempted to arrest the culprits and have by their actions on occasions exacerbated the situation. They have even refused to enter the area and retrieve stolen cars until the Community Watch cleared young people from the streets.
“Yet they were all to willing to enter the Lower Falls on Friday to warn the ringleaders of a possible protest outside their homes.”
And Fra added: “On Friday people stood up and said, no more. I would commend those who travelled to the area to lend support and those local residents who came out, but I would add that further work needs to be done to reclaim our streets.
“Everyone has their part to play.”
Journalist:: Allison Morris
PSNI slammed for Lower Falls response
Sinn Féin councillor Fra McCann has hit out at the PSNI’s handling of the current wave of anti-social behaviour in the Lower Falls after it was revealed that they visited the homes of five of the main culprits to warn them of a planned protest outside their homes.
On Friday night over 400 local residents held a protest outside the homes of five youths they say are behind the vast majority of criminal activity in the area.
The Andersonstown News has learnt that the PSNI visited the homes of the five people earlier in the day to inform them the protest was going to take place.
Local MLA Fra McCann commended those local people who took part in the peaceful protest but added: “I have recently written to British Secretary of State Paul Murphy with regard to the actions of the PSNI in dealing with anti-social elements in the Lower Falls.
“It has been left to the local Community Watch to retrieve stolen cars, clear youths from the street and answer the distress calls of local people.
“I have asked Paul Murphy to visit the Albert Street area and see at first hand the actions of the so-called impartial PSNI.”
On Friday afternoon a number of homes were visited by the PSNI and the occupants told that there would be a protest later that day.
The Andersonstown News has obtained a copy of the PSNI warning handed to one local hood.
Fra McCann said, “For several months now the weekends have been unbearable for the people of this area.
“At no time have the PSNI attempted to arrest the culprits and have by their actions on occasions exacerbated the situation. They have even refused to enter the area and retrieve stolen cars until the Community Watch cleared young people from the streets.
“Yet they were all to willing to enter the Lower Falls on Friday to warn the ringleaders of a possible protest outside their homes.”
And Fra added: “On Friday people stood up and said, no more. I would commend those who travelled to the area to lend support and those local residents who came out, but I would add that further work needs to be done to reclaim our streets.
“Everyone has their part to play.”
Journalist:: Allison Morris
BBC
Fortifications 'to be removed'
SDLP pressed the chief constable to speed up normalisation
Chief Constable Hugh Orde plans to remove heavy fortification from up to 17 police stations, the SDLP has said.
The party's Alex Attwood said Mr Orde confirmed the move on Thursday and that it would proceed if given financial backing by the Northern Ireland Office.
He said anti-rocket fencing and sangar security posts will be torn down as part of new moves to normalise security arrangements.
Mr Attwood said Mr Orde also told the delegation some demilitarisation could be accelerated.
Mr Attwood said: "The chief constable confirmed to us there was now a proposal around 17 police stations.
"It's being put to the NIO for funding and it's a matter for them to release the money.
"It means there are opportunities that should now be quickly grasped around Army numbers, Army bases, joint bases and police stations."
Alex Attwood
SDLP
"The party pressed the chief constable to speed up normalisation in the north. The security situation already justifies this. Overdue developments by paramilitaries would further help this argument.
"The chief constable accepted that there were things the police 'could do quicker', this was positive and should mean progress.
"It means there are opportunities that should now be quickly grasped around Army numbers, Army bases, joint bases and police stations."
Mr Attwood also raised the issue of plastic baton rounds with Mr Orde.
The SDLP has called on the chief constable to withdraw the weapon from the PSNI.
Mr Attwood said the time was right to rule out the use of plastic bullets.
Fortifications 'to be removed'
SDLP pressed the chief constable to speed up normalisation
Chief Constable Hugh Orde plans to remove heavy fortification from up to 17 police stations, the SDLP has said.
The party's Alex Attwood said Mr Orde confirmed the move on Thursday and that it would proceed if given financial backing by the Northern Ireland Office.
He said anti-rocket fencing and sangar security posts will be torn down as part of new moves to normalise security arrangements.
Mr Attwood said Mr Orde also told the delegation some demilitarisation could be accelerated.
Mr Attwood said: "The chief constable confirmed to us there was now a proposal around 17 police stations.
"It's being put to the NIO for funding and it's a matter for them to release the money.
"It means there are opportunities that should now be quickly grasped around Army numbers, Army bases, joint bases and police stations."
Alex Attwood
SDLP
"The party pressed the chief constable to speed up normalisation in the north. The security situation already justifies this. Overdue developments by paramilitaries would further help this argument.
"The chief constable accepted that there were things the police 'could do quicker', this was positive and should mean progress.
"It means there are opportunities that should now be quickly grasped around Army numbers, Army bases, joint bases and police stations."
Mr Attwood also raised the issue of plastic baton rounds with Mr Orde.
The SDLP has called on the chief constable to withdraw the weapon from the PSNI.
Mr Attwood said the time was right to rule out the use of plastic bullets.
BBC
Adams plea for Bigley release
Ken Bigley was shown sobbing behind bars
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has made an appeal on Al-Jazeera for the release of British hostage Ken Bigley.
Mr Bigley was taken hostage by the hardline Tawhid and Jihad group along with the two American colleagues in Iraq.
On Thursday, Mr Adams asked the group to set him free.
The Sinn Fein leader was in London with Martin McGuinness for a series of meetings with the British and Irish Governments.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, the Arabic TV channel, Mr Adams said: "I was approached by campaigners seeking the release of Ken Bigley.
"I spoke yesterday to Paul, Ken's brother. Mr Bigley's mother is from Ireland and this gives us a special interest.
"The majority of people in Ireland were against the invasion of Iraq and are against the war in Iraq.
"I am not here to lecture to people or to dictate to people, but I believe that the cause of those who hold Mr Bigley can be better advanced if they are magnanimous and generous and release him."
Gerry Adams
Sinn Fein
"The taoiseach (Bertie Ahern) and other Irish politicians have called for the release of Ken Bigley.
"I am not here to lecture to people or to dictate to people, but I believe that the cause of those who hold Mr Bigley can be better advanced if they are magnanimous and generous and release him."
A Sinn Fein official has spoken to the Palestinian Authority on Mr Adams's behalf and intends to speak with Jordanian officials later on Thursday.
Mr Bigley has been shown in a new video screened on Al-Jazeera.
The engineer is seen shackled in a cage wearing an orange jumpsuit and pleading for help from the prime minister.
"Tony Blair is lying. He doesn't care about me," Mr Bigley sobbed, looking unwell and distraught.
Mr Blair said "everything possible" was being done to secure Mr Bigley's release but said the hostage takers had not made contact.
In the footage Mr Bigley calls on Mr Blair to meet the demands of his kidnappers to free female prisoners in Iraq and says his captors do not want to kill him.
Following the broadcast of the video, the Bigley family renewed their appeal for the release of the 62-year-old engineer.
"We would like to send a message, on behalf of our family, to the people holding Ken... We want to thank you for this opportunity to see him alive again," said Mr Bigley's brother Philip.
Adams plea for Bigley release
Ken Bigley was shown sobbing behind bars
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has made an appeal on Al-Jazeera for the release of British hostage Ken Bigley.
Mr Bigley was taken hostage by the hardline Tawhid and Jihad group along with the two American colleagues in Iraq.
On Thursday, Mr Adams asked the group to set him free.
The Sinn Fein leader was in London with Martin McGuinness for a series of meetings with the British and Irish Governments.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, the Arabic TV channel, Mr Adams said: "I was approached by campaigners seeking the release of Ken Bigley.
"I spoke yesterday to Paul, Ken's brother. Mr Bigley's mother is from Ireland and this gives us a special interest.
"The majority of people in Ireland were against the invasion of Iraq and are against the war in Iraq.
"I am not here to lecture to people or to dictate to people, but I believe that the cause of those who hold Mr Bigley can be better advanced if they are magnanimous and generous and release him."
Gerry Adams
Sinn Fein
"The taoiseach (Bertie Ahern) and other Irish politicians have called for the release of Ken Bigley.
"I am not here to lecture to people or to dictate to people, but I believe that the cause of those who hold Mr Bigley can be better advanced if they are magnanimous and generous and release him."
A Sinn Fein official has spoken to the Palestinian Authority on Mr Adams's behalf and intends to speak with Jordanian officials later on Thursday.
Mr Bigley has been shown in a new video screened on Al-Jazeera.
The engineer is seen shackled in a cage wearing an orange jumpsuit and pleading for help from the prime minister.
"Tony Blair is lying. He doesn't care about me," Mr Bigley sobbed, looking unwell and distraught.
Mr Blair said "everything possible" was being done to secure Mr Bigley's release but said the hostage takers had not made contact.
In the footage Mr Bigley calls on Mr Blair to meet the demands of his kidnappers to free female prisoners in Iraq and says his captors do not want to kill him.
Following the broadcast of the video, the Bigley family renewed their appeal for the release of the 62-year-old engineer.
"We would like to send a message, on behalf of our family, to the people holding Ken... We want to thank you for this opportunity to see him alive again," said Mr Bigley's brother Philip.
29.9.04
Belfast Telegraph
Man loses action to prosecute police
29 September 2004
A man whose terrorist convictions were overturned after judges held that detectives may have re-written interview notes today lost a High Court action over the decision not to prosecute the officers for perjury.
John Boyle, a 45 year-old father of five, from the Markets area of Belfast, said afterwards that he had been denied justice by the DPP's decision not to charge the two officers who gave evidence at his trial in 1977.
Mr Boyle was convicted solely on a statement admitting his alleged part in an IRA attempt to murder a policeman. He claimed his admission was fabricated but was jailed for 12 years.
He was released in 1986 when his case was investigated by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
The case was referred back to the Court of Appeal, which had dismissed his first appeal, and he was cleared after ESDA evidence revealed that the notes of one of his interviews had been re-written.
The Police Ombudsman then took up the case and following an investigation recommended that the two officers should be charged with perjury.
But the Director of Public Prosecutions decided there was insufficient evidence to afford a reasonable prospect of a conviction.
In today's judgement dismissing the application, Mr Justice Girvan said: "The fact that an apparent miscarriage of justice has occurred and the fact that the Ombudsman's Office had taken a view that a prosecution would be appropriate would be very relevant factors for consideration by the Department.
"But there is nothing to suggest that either of those factors was overlooked in the decision making process."
The judge said counsel had argued that where no reasons were given in a controversial case such as Mr Boyle's, it was not conducive to public confidence.
"There is nothing to indicate that the Director failed to properly apply his policy," he said.
Man loses action to prosecute police
29 September 2004
A man whose terrorist convictions were overturned after judges held that detectives may have re-written interview notes today lost a High Court action over the decision not to prosecute the officers for perjury.
John Boyle, a 45 year-old father of five, from the Markets area of Belfast, said afterwards that he had been denied justice by the DPP's decision not to charge the two officers who gave evidence at his trial in 1977.
Mr Boyle was convicted solely on a statement admitting his alleged part in an IRA attempt to murder a policeman. He claimed his admission was fabricated but was jailed for 12 years.
He was released in 1986 when his case was investigated by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
The case was referred back to the Court of Appeal, which had dismissed his first appeal, and he was cleared after ESDA evidence revealed that the notes of one of his interviews had been re-written.
The Police Ombudsman then took up the case and following an investigation recommended that the two officers should be charged with perjury.
But the Director of Public Prosecutions decided there was insufficient evidence to afford a reasonable prospect of a conviction.
In today's judgement dismissing the application, Mr Justice Girvan said: "The fact that an apparent miscarriage of justice has occurred and the fact that the Ombudsman's Office had taken a view that a prosecution would be appropriate would be very relevant factors for consideration by the Department.
"But there is nothing to suggest that either of those factors was overlooked in the decision making process."
The judge said counsel had argued that where no reasons were given in a controversial case such as Mr Boyle's, it was not conducive to public confidence.
"There is nothing to indicate that the Director failed to properly apply his policy," he said.
Belfast Telegraph
Irish language schools get the go-ahead
By Kathryn Torney
ktorney@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
29 September 2004
Two Irish-medium primary schools in Belfast and Co Fermanagh have been given approval by Education Minister Barry Gardiner.
A new school in Belfast's Turf Lodge will be known as Gaelscoil na Mona, while one in Lisnaskea will be called Gaelscoil na Traonaigh.
The Minister also gave conditional approval to new Irish-medium primary schools in Enniskillen and in Draperstown, to be funded when the schools can achieve minimum viability requirements.
The Minister turned down the establishment of a new Irish-medium primary school in the Poleglass area. He said it had failed to demonstrate that it could sustain viable enrolments and there are also existing Irish-medium places available in other nearby Irish-medium primary schools.
The Minister said: "The Department has a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate Irish-medium education. These new schools will serve the local parents and children who have chosen education through the medium of Irish and I wish them every success for the future."
Irish language schools get the go-ahead
By Kathryn Torney
ktorney@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
29 September 2004
Two Irish-medium primary schools in Belfast and Co Fermanagh have been given approval by Education Minister Barry Gardiner.
A new school in Belfast's Turf Lodge will be known as Gaelscoil na Mona, while one in Lisnaskea will be called Gaelscoil na Traonaigh.
The Minister also gave conditional approval to new Irish-medium primary schools in Enniskillen and in Draperstown, to be funded when the schools can achieve minimum viability requirements.
The Minister turned down the establishment of a new Irish-medium primary school in the Poleglass area. He said it had failed to demonstrate that it could sustain viable enrolments and there are also existing Irish-medium places available in other nearby Irish-medium primary schools.
The Minister said: "The Department has a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate Irish-medium education. These new schools will serve the local parents and children who have chosen education through the medium of Irish and I wish them every success for the future."
28.9.04
BBC
Murphy collapses at conference
Paul Murphy was carried out by paramedics on a stretcher
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy has been stretchered out of the Labour Party conference after taking ill.
Mr Murphy collapsed in the Conference Hall in Brighton on Tuesday afternoon, shortly before he was due to address delegates.
Reporters said the 55-year-old chatted to paramedics as he was wheeled out of the conference centre.
Within an hour of the incident, Mr Murphy's ministerial colleague Angela Smith told the BBC that he was now "fine".
She said it appeared he may have been overcome by the heat shortly after Prime Minister Tony Blair had finished his keynote address to delegates.
Mr Murphy's speech will not be rescheduled for Wednesday as he will take some time off to recover.
He is expected to discharged from hospital late on Tuesday.
Mr Murphy fainted just after the prime minister's speech.
In his address, he had been widely expected to urge Northern Ireland's parties to build on the potential for progress achieved at the recent talks at Leeds Castle in Kent.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman said: "Mr Murphy felt unwell as he was sitting in the hall just after the prime minister's speech and fainted.
"At no time was he unconscious and there's no question of it being a heart attack.
"At the minute, he's undergoing routine tests at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton."
The spokesman said he thought it unlikely that Mr Murphy would be kept in overnight.
Mr Murphy is a former Welsh Secretary, and has been MP for Torfaen since 1987.
Murphy collapses at conference
Paul Murphy was carried out by paramedics on a stretcher
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy has been stretchered out of the Labour Party conference after taking ill.
Mr Murphy collapsed in the Conference Hall in Brighton on Tuesday afternoon, shortly before he was due to address delegates.
Reporters said the 55-year-old chatted to paramedics as he was wheeled out of the conference centre.
Within an hour of the incident, Mr Murphy's ministerial colleague Angela Smith told the BBC that he was now "fine".
She said it appeared he may have been overcome by the heat shortly after Prime Minister Tony Blair had finished his keynote address to delegates.
Mr Murphy's speech will not be rescheduled for Wednesday as he will take some time off to recover.
He is expected to discharged from hospital late on Tuesday.
Mr Murphy fainted just after the prime minister's speech.
In his address, he had been widely expected to urge Northern Ireland's parties to build on the potential for progress achieved at the recent talks at Leeds Castle in Kent.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman said: "Mr Murphy felt unwell as he was sitting in the hall just after the prime minister's speech and fainted.
"At no time was he unconscious and there's no question of it being a heart attack.
"At the minute, he's undergoing routine tests at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton."
The spokesman said he thought it unlikely that Mr Murphy would be kept in overnight.
Mr Murphy is a former Welsh Secretary, and has been MP for Torfaen since 1987.
::: u.tv :::
**Just as an aside--u.tv has to be one of the most garish and annoying sites on the net :P
SF demand to DUP on talks
Mitchel McLaughlin
TUESDAY 28/09/2004 11:51:57
Democratic Unionist leader the Reverend Ian Paisley faced new demands today to engage in face-to-face talks with Sinn Fein.
By:Press Association
As Northern Ireland`s politicians turned their attention to Prime Minister Tony Blair`s speech at the Labour Party conference, Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin welcomed plans for the DUP leader to meet Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin on Thursday.
Echoing a call from Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble at the Brighton conference for a DUP and Sinn Fein meeting, the Foyle MLA said: "In the wake of the Assembly election last year the DUP promised a new, more confident brand of unionism.
"So far we have seen little evidence of this new-found confidence. The DUP are continuing to refuse to engage with Sinn Fein directly.
"If we have learnt anything from the development of this peace process over the past 10 years, it is that dialogue is the key to resolving problems and moving forward.
"Therefore I welcome the news that Ian Paisley is to lead a DUP delegation to Dublin to engage in talks with the Taoiseach and the Irish government."
DUP sources said last night that the meeting with Mr Ahern would focus on the work of a future Stormont Executive with the Irish government through the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council.
A row with nationalists over future power-sharing structures and cross-border arrangements has thwarted a return to devolution.
It has also resulted in the IRA holding back on a statement which Mr Blair and Mr Ahern and their officials believe could break the deadlock on the issues of disarmament and end all paramilitary activity.
Mr Ahern has met the Rev Paisley before in Dublin in the DUP leader`s capacity as Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church.
However, it will be the first time they have met in Dublin for political talks.
At an Ulster Unionist fringe event at the Labour conference last night, Mr Trimble urged the DUP to go into direct talks with republicans to see if the IRA`s offer to the two Governments was genuine.
He told an audience which included Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy: "The DUP should test the word of republicans, and to do that it has to sit down face to face and get them to be crystal clear on what they plan to do.
"It will be the best thing to do for the whole community in Northern Ireland. We need to know what is going on with the IRA."
Mr McLaughlin said today that, by arranging a meeting in Dublin with the Irish Taoiseach, the DUP was sending out the message that it was engaging with people it had refused to talk to in the past.
However, he insisted this also needed to be extended to Sinn Fein.
"Sinn Fein are the largest nationalist party," he argued.
"If the DUP are to ever share power then they will have to share power with Sinn Fein.
"It is now time for the DUP to demonstrate to the nationalist community that they are capable of respecting electoral mandates and engaging constructively with political opponents.
"The time has now come to engage in face-to-face dialogue with Sinn Fein."
**Just as an aside--u.tv has to be one of the most garish and annoying sites on the net :P
SF demand to DUP on talks
Mitchel McLaughlin
TUESDAY 28/09/2004 11:51:57
Democratic Unionist leader the Reverend Ian Paisley faced new demands today to engage in face-to-face talks with Sinn Fein.
By:Press Association
As Northern Ireland`s politicians turned their attention to Prime Minister Tony Blair`s speech at the Labour Party conference, Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin welcomed plans for the DUP leader to meet Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin on Thursday.
Echoing a call from Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble at the Brighton conference for a DUP and Sinn Fein meeting, the Foyle MLA said: "In the wake of the Assembly election last year the DUP promised a new, more confident brand of unionism.
"So far we have seen little evidence of this new-found confidence. The DUP are continuing to refuse to engage with Sinn Fein directly.
"If we have learnt anything from the development of this peace process over the past 10 years, it is that dialogue is the key to resolving problems and moving forward.
"Therefore I welcome the news that Ian Paisley is to lead a DUP delegation to Dublin to engage in talks with the Taoiseach and the Irish government."
DUP sources said last night that the meeting with Mr Ahern would focus on the work of a future Stormont Executive with the Irish government through the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council.
A row with nationalists over future power-sharing structures and cross-border arrangements has thwarted a return to devolution.
It has also resulted in the IRA holding back on a statement which Mr Blair and Mr Ahern and their officials believe could break the deadlock on the issues of disarmament and end all paramilitary activity.
Mr Ahern has met the Rev Paisley before in Dublin in the DUP leader`s capacity as Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church.
However, it will be the first time they have met in Dublin for political talks.
At an Ulster Unionist fringe event at the Labour conference last night, Mr Trimble urged the DUP to go into direct talks with republicans to see if the IRA`s offer to the two Governments was genuine.
He told an audience which included Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy: "The DUP should test the word of republicans, and to do that it has to sit down face to face and get them to be crystal clear on what they plan to do.
"It will be the best thing to do for the whole community in Northern Ireland. We need to know what is going on with the IRA."
Mr McLaughlin said today that, by arranging a meeting in Dublin with the Irish Taoiseach, the DUP was sending out the message that it was engaging with people it had refused to talk to in the past.
However, he insisted this also needed to be extended to Sinn Fein.
"Sinn Fein are the largest nationalist party," he argued.
"If the DUP are to ever share power then they will have to share power with Sinn Fein.
"It is now time for the DUP to demonstrate to the nationalist community that they are capable of respecting electoral mandates and engaging constructively with political opponents.
"The time has now come to engage in face-to-face dialogue with Sinn Fein."
IRA2
UDR 'was believed involved in murder'
William Scholes, Irish News
It is "widely believed" that the UDR was involved in the murder of Co Tyrone
father-of-five Patsy Kelly in 1974, the High Court in Belfast heard
yesterday (Thursday).
Mr Kelly, an independent nationalist councillor on Omagh District Council,
was 33 years old when he disappeared after leaving the bar he managed in
Trillick, Co Tyrone to drive home on July 24 1974.
A judicial review of the PSNI's refusal to bring in an outside police force
to investigate the death resumed yesterday.
Since Mr Kelly's death the case has been surrounded by claims that he was
murdered by a rogue UDR patrol, that the RUC botched the original
investigation and that security forces colluded to keep the killers out of
jail.
The court action, brought by Mr Kelly's wife Teresa, opened last September,
two months after police launched a new investigation into the murder.
Seamus Treacy QC, appearing on behalf of Mrs Kelly, who was in court with
her three sons, said there were "credible allegations of state collusion in
the murder".
"The family believe that members of the security forces were involved in Mr
Kelly's murder in 1974 and that there was a lack of proper investigation,"
he said.
"There are so many criticisms of this case and the ongoing investigation, we
submit that there is an unanswerable case that an outside police force be
appointed.
"The police are failing to provide the family with what they are entitled to
– an independent, effective investigation."
Paul Maguire, responding, said there was "nothing to support the view that
police were complicit in the murder or that they covered it up to protect
the security forces".
Referring to the current investigation – led by Detective Superintendent
Andrew Hunter, who is on secondment to the PSNI from the West Midlands
police – Mr Maguire said: "The reinvestigation will be supported by national
forensic and scientific resources.
"It is difficult to see how that can cover up security force wrongdoing."
He said Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, who had ordered a review into
the case in August 2001, had built "into the process a number of what might
be termed 'confidence-building measures'".
"The senior investigating officer is on secondment from an English police
force. It is difficult to believe that such a person comes to Northern
Ireland with an axe to grind or a bias," Mr Maguire said.
"All of the officers involved were not serving police officers at the time
of this death. They are also not officers with a connection to the area in
question.
"Mr Hunter has gone to very considerable lengths to explain his actions to
the family.
"Police have been sensitive to the concerns and are trying to meet them."
After tracing the history of the case, Mr Maguire said: "It is one thing for
there to be shortcomings, it is another thing to read into those
shortcomings that there is collusion between the police and the guilty
party.
"There may be reasons other than bias or collusion which could explain why
what should have been done was not done.
"It might be that the officers were too busy or were not efficient enough.
But inefficiency does not indicate collusion."
The court also heard that 19 UDR soldiers had been interviewed at their camp
in the time between Mr Kelly's disappearance and the discovery of his body
on August 10 1974.
Referring to a bootprint – thought to have been made by army-issue footwear
– found at the roadside where Mr Kelly is thought to have been shot dead, Mr
Treacy told the court that in 1974 no attempt was made to try and match the
print to a particular boot.
"The explanation at that time was that the RUC had no suspicion of UDR
soldiers," he said.
"But in 1974 it was widely believed that the UDR was involved, to such an
extent that the police conducted interviews with the UDR even before the
body was found. There was a plaster-cast (of the print) but that has now
disappeared."
Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr has reserved judgement.
September 26, 2004
________________
This article appeared first in the September 24, 2004 edition of the Irish
News
UDR 'was believed involved in murder'
William Scholes, Irish News
It is "widely believed" that the UDR was involved in the murder of Co Tyrone
father-of-five Patsy Kelly in 1974, the High Court in Belfast heard
yesterday (Thursday).
Mr Kelly, an independent nationalist councillor on Omagh District Council,
was 33 years old when he disappeared after leaving the bar he managed in
Trillick, Co Tyrone to drive home on July 24 1974.
A judicial review of the PSNI's refusal to bring in an outside police force
to investigate the death resumed yesterday.
Since Mr Kelly's death the case has been surrounded by claims that he was
murdered by a rogue UDR patrol, that the RUC botched the original
investigation and that security forces colluded to keep the killers out of
jail.
The court action, brought by Mr Kelly's wife Teresa, opened last September,
two months after police launched a new investigation into the murder.
Seamus Treacy QC, appearing on behalf of Mrs Kelly, who was in court with
her three sons, said there were "credible allegations of state collusion in
the murder".
"The family believe that members of the security forces were involved in Mr
Kelly's murder in 1974 and that there was a lack of proper investigation,"
he said.
"There are so many criticisms of this case and the ongoing investigation, we
submit that there is an unanswerable case that an outside police force be
appointed.
"The police are failing to provide the family with what they are entitled to
– an independent, effective investigation."
Paul Maguire, responding, said there was "nothing to support the view that
police were complicit in the murder or that they covered it up to protect
the security forces".
Referring to the current investigation – led by Detective Superintendent
Andrew Hunter, who is on secondment to the PSNI from the West Midlands
police – Mr Maguire said: "The reinvestigation will be supported by national
forensic and scientific resources.
"It is difficult to see how that can cover up security force wrongdoing."
He said Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, who had ordered a review into
the case in August 2001, had built "into the process a number of what might
be termed 'confidence-building measures'".
"The senior investigating officer is on secondment from an English police
force. It is difficult to believe that such a person comes to Northern
Ireland with an axe to grind or a bias," Mr Maguire said.
"All of the officers involved were not serving police officers at the time
of this death. They are also not officers with a connection to the area in
question.
"Mr Hunter has gone to very considerable lengths to explain his actions to
the family.
"Police have been sensitive to the concerns and are trying to meet them."
After tracing the history of the case, Mr Maguire said: "It is one thing for
there to be shortcomings, it is another thing to read into those
shortcomings that there is collusion between the police and the guilty
party.
"There may be reasons other than bias or collusion which could explain why
what should have been done was not done.
"It might be that the officers were too busy or were not efficient enough.
But inefficiency does not indicate collusion."
The court also heard that 19 UDR soldiers had been interviewed at their camp
in the time between Mr Kelly's disappearance and the discovery of his body
on August 10 1974.
Referring to a bootprint – thought to have been made by army-issue footwear
– found at the roadside where Mr Kelly is thought to have been shot dead, Mr
Treacy told the court that in 1974 no attempt was made to try and match the
print to a particular boot.
"The explanation at that time was that the RUC had no suspicion of UDR
soldiers," he said.
"But in 1974 it was widely believed that the UDR was involved, to such an
extent that the police conducted interviews with the UDR even before the
body was found. There was a plaster-cast (of the print) but that has now
disappeared."
Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr has reserved judgement.
September 26, 2004
________________
This article appeared first in the September 24, 2004 edition of the Irish
News
BBC
Paisley to meet Irish premier
Paisley is due to meet Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
DUP leader Ian Paisley is to travel to the Republic of Ireland to meet Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
The meeting is due to take place in Dublin on Thursday.
It is the first time that Dr Paisley will lead a political delegation to meet an Irish prime minister in Dublin.
The DUP leader travelled to Dublin about five years ago in his capacity as Free Presbyterian leader.
At that time, he expressed concern about damage to his churches in County Monaghan.
Dr Paisley held political talks with Mr Ahern at the Irish embassy in London in January.
At Leeds Castle, Kent, earlier this month, the DUP held a number of meetings with Mr Ahern and Tony Blair.
Details of the Dublin meeting emerged as Ulster Unionist party leader David Trimble urged the DUP to talk directly to Sinn Fein.
David Trimble was speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference in Brighton on Monday.
He said the DUP were in danger of seeming scared to take up the offer about ending IRA activity, which he said had allegedly been made by republicans at the Leeds Castle talks.
Mr Paisley was elected to the Commons in 1970 as a Protestant Unionist and formed the DUP in 1971.
The political institutions in Northern Ireland were suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the Northern Ireland Office.
Paisley to meet Irish premier
Paisley is due to meet Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
DUP leader Ian Paisley is to travel to the Republic of Ireland to meet Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
The meeting is due to take place in Dublin on Thursday.
It is the first time that Dr Paisley will lead a political delegation to meet an Irish prime minister in Dublin.
The DUP leader travelled to Dublin about five years ago in his capacity as Free Presbyterian leader.
At that time, he expressed concern about damage to his churches in County Monaghan.
Dr Paisley held political talks with Mr Ahern at the Irish embassy in London in January.
At Leeds Castle, Kent, earlier this month, the DUP held a number of meetings with Mr Ahern and Tony Blair.
Details of the Dublin meeting emerged as Ulster Unionist party leader David Trimble urged the DUP to talk directly to Sinn Fein.
David Trimble was speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference in Brighton on Monday.
He said the DUP were in danger of seeming scared to take up the offer about ending IRA activity, which he said had allegedly been made by republicans at the Leeds Castle talks.
Mr Paisley was elected to the Commons in 1970 as a Protestant Unionist and formed the DUP in 1971.
The political institutions in Northern Ireland were suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the Northern Ireland Office.
27.9.04
::: u.tv :::
Don't pander to unionist intransigence, urges Adams
MONDAY 27/09/2004 16:30:11
Gerry Adams today urged the British government to abandon attempts to woo Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists into a peace deal and press ahead with troop cuts in Northern Ireland.
By:Press Association
The Sinn Fein president insisted London and Dublin had spent long enough working on the DUP and should begin moves on a military scale-down.
Still smarting over the failure to restore power sharing in Belfast during the Leeds Castle summit in Kent, when it seemed unprecedented IRA disarmament was on the table, he claimed unionists should not be allowed to grasp for other excuses to avoid a settlement.
Mr Adams said: "Every time there appears to be movement on one issue, for example the whole big issue was around the IRA, every time there appears to be some ability to resolve these issues then they (DUP) move on to some other issue.
"They`re obviously playing for time and our position is that they should not be allowed to do that.
"This phase of pandering to DUP intransigence needs to end."
Although demands for IRA disbandment which have bedevilled the Northern Ireland peace process ever since the Good Friday Agreement was signed six years ago appeared to have been sorted out at the talks chaired by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the whole package stalled over how the Stormont Assembly would function.
The DUP, which has pledged to transform the April 1998 Good Friday accord, wants Cabinet Ministers to be more accountable to the 108 members of the Belfast Parliament.
Both Sinn Fein and the nationalists SDLP have fiercely resisted the move, even though they are desperate to see power sharing restored following a two year break over allegations that the IRA was running an espionage plot inside the Northern Ireland Office.
Mr Adams insisted any momentum from the three-day talks in Kent has not been followed up and called for the two governments to move on.
Despite accepting that as the biggest unionist party in Northern Ireland the DUP could refuse to sit in any coalition cabinet, the Sinn Fein leader demanded action on other outstanding parts of the peace package.
"In terms of political institutions the DUP can refuse to participate and by their absence make that part of the Agreement very difficult," the West Belfast MP accepted.
"But the DUP really have no say on issues which are the responsibility of the governments.
"On all these issues, whether it`s equality and human rights, whether it`s demilitarisation or whether it`s justice then the governments should move ahead and they should make it clear to the DUP that the Good Friday Agreement is going to prevail."
Challenged over whether this would include signing off on IRA decommissioning as well, Mr Adams stressed that all armed groups would have to be part of the agreement.
"The reality is you need an overall political agreement in an overall process of sustainable change," he said.
"As far as I`m concerned all of these issues need to be tackled."
His demands intensified pressure on the DUP after SDLP leader Mark Durkan earlier urged Mr Blair and Mr Ahern to call their bluff by triggering power sharing moves.
Accusing Mr Paisley`s party of failing to engage properly during the Leeds Castle talks, Mr Durkan said both governments needed to resist any attempt to radically rewrite the Agreement.
"The SDLP engaged intensively in the talks," the Foyle Assembly member said.
"Nobody put forward more proposals than we did. Yet in response throughout all the negotiations we got nothing on paper back from the DUP.
"The time has now come to call the DUP`s bluff.
"The two governments should recall the assembly and end suspension now. Then we can see who is for real and who is really causing the problems."
Don't pander to unionist intransigence, urges Adams
MONDAY 27/09/2004 16:30:11
Gerry Adams today urged the British government to abandon attempts to woo Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists into a peace deal and press ahead with troop cuts in Northern Ireland.
By:Press Association
The Sinn Fein president insisted London and Dublin had spent long enough working on the DUP and should begin moves on a military scale-down.
Still smarting over the failure to restore power sharing in Belfast during the Leeds Castle summit in Kent, when it seemed unprecedented IRA disarmament was on the table, he claimed unionists should not be allowed to grasp for other excuses to avoid a settlement.
Mr Adams said: "Every time there appears to be movement on one issue, for example the whole big issue was around the IRA, every time there appears to be some ability to resolve these issues then they (DUP) move on to some other issue.
"They`re obviously playing for time and our position is that they should not be allowed to do that.
"This phase of pandering to DUP intransigence needs to end."
Although demands for IRA disbandment which have bedevilled the Northern Ireland peace process ever since the Good Friday Agreement was signed six years ago appeared to have been sorted out at the talks chaired by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the whole package stalled over how the Stormont Assembly would function.
The DUP, which has pledged to transform the April 1998 Good Friday accord, wants Cabinet Ministers to be more accountable to the 108 members of the Belfast Parliament.
Both Sinn Fein and the nationalists SDLP have fiercely resisted the move, even though they are desperate to see power sharing restored following a two year break over allegations that the IRA was running an espionage plot inside the Northern Ireland Office.
Mr Adams insisted any momentum from the three-day talks in Kent has not been followed up and called for the two governments to move on.
Despite accepting that as the biggest unionist party in Northern Ireland the DUP could refuse to sit in any coalition cabinet, the Sinn Fein leader demanded action on other outstanding parts of the peace package.
"In terms of political institutions the DUP can refuse to participate and by their absence make that part of the Agreement very difficult," the West Belfast MP accepted.
"But the DUP really have no say on issues which are the responsibility of the governments.
"On all these issues, whether it`s equality and human rights, whether it`s demilitarisation or whether it`s justice then the governments should move ahead and they should make it clear to the DUP that the Good Friday Agreement is going to prevail."
Challenged over whether this would include signing off on IRA decommissioning as well, Mr Adams stressed that all armed groups would have to be part of the agreement.
"The reality is you need an overall political agreement in an overall process of sustainable change," he said.
"As far as I`m concerned all of these issues need to be tackled."
His demands intensified pressure on the DUP after SDLP leader Mark Durkan earlier urged Mr Blair and Mr Ahern to call their bluff by triggering power sharing moves.
Accusing Mr Paisley`s party of failing to engage properly during the Leeds Castle talks, Mr Durkan said both governments needed to resist any attempt to radically rewrite the Agreement.
"The SDLP engaged intensively in the talks," the Foyle Assembly member said.
"Nobody put forward more proposals than we did. Yet in response throughout all the negotiations we got nothing on paper back from the DUP.
"The time has now come to call the DUP`s bluff.
"The two governments should recall the assembly and end suspension now. Then we can see who is for real and who is really causing the problems."
::: u.tv :::
Remember 'silent victims' of the troubles, govt urged
MONDAY 27/09/2004 15:46:23 UTV
The British government needs to be more conscious of those who have
lost relatives and friends in some of Northern Ireland's lesser known
killings, ministers were told today.
By:Press Association
Just days after Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy announced an
inquiry into the controversial 1989 murder of Belfast solicitor Pat
Finucane, Ulster Unionist Assembly member Billy Armstrong said he was
concerned about the British government`s handling of thousands of
other murder cases.
The Mid Ulster MLA said: "I am increasingly concerned of the
methodology gvernment practises when dealing with the victims issue.
"We learn recently of the establishment of a public inquiry into the
Pat Finucane case. For many years the Finucane killing has received
prominence within the local media as have the Bloody Sunday events.
"However, to date, the government has failed miserably in providing
for the many thousand innocent victims of terrorist violence whose
loves ones were slain by terrorist extremists over the last 30-plus
years.
"The government must afford these people equilibrium."
In late May and early June, Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy
travelled to South Africa to learn how it handled its truth and
reconciliation process.
Northern Ireland`s most senior policeman, Hugh Orde, has also talked
about the need to have a truth and reconciliation mechanism which can
finally address the past.
However it is not yet clear whether an independent commission will be
set up or if the government will opt for another type of storytelling
mechanism.
The British government has already ordered inquiries into four
controversial murders - Mr Finucane`s death, the killing of Lurgan
solicitor Rosemary Nelson, the brutal attack on Portadown Catholic
Robert Hamill and the gunning down of Loyalist Volunteer Force leader
Billy Wright in the high security Maze Prison.
However the family of Mr Finucane, nationalist politicians and human
rights activists have been angered by suggestions that much of the
inquiry into allegations of police and Army collusion in his murder
will be heard behind closed doors because of national security.
Mr Armstrong said today in thousands of other lesser known cases,
victims needed appropriate resources for counselling, support and
financial assistance.
"Thousands of victims have never received a fair hearing," the Ulster
Unionist MLA said.
"Many of their loved ones` killers have never been brought to justice.
"They continue to walk the streets of our province having never been
made accountable for their heinous crimes.
"The government must act decisively in ensuring that these silent
victims are granted the respect, understanding and support which they
deserve.
"These victims have not embarked upon politically motivated campaigns.
"They rightfully expect that their government will support them and
will do all in its power to bring those who murdered their loved ones
to account.
"They are not asking for much. They are simply asking for justice."
At an Agreed Ireland Forum event at the Labour Party conference on
Sunday night, Sinn Fein human rights spokesperson Catriona Ruane
insisted the British government should not be given control over any
truth process.
The South Down Assembly member told the fringe event in Brighton: "If
there is to be a statutory `Truth Commission` then it needs to be
totally independent and deal with the conflict in a comprehensive
manner.
"There can be no hierarchy of victims and all of the protagonists
need to be willing to co-operate with it fully and openly.
"Under no circumstances can the British government set the parameters
of such a commission and it must also be willing to co-operate fully
with it.
"The British government and its agencies were one of the main
protagonists in the conflict and acted with impunity throughout the
past 35 years. It therefore cannot set itself up as the arbiter in
any Truth Commission."
Nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan, who also joined the debate,
called for a meeting of the Victims and Survivors Forum proposed in
the British and Irish governments` joint declaration last year to
design a truth and remembrance process.
He said an independent team of investigators should be appointed to
probe murder cases during the Troubles which had not been properly
investigated, instead of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
taking on the responsibility.
"From one perspective, the PSNI should not be burdened with
investigating all these past cases," he said.
"From another perspective, they would not be trusted with them."
Sinn Fein Assembly member Raymond McCartney welcomed the SDLP
leader`s comments but claimed it was an admission from Mr Durkan that
his party was wrong to sign up to policing when they did.
"When Mark Durkan says that the PSNI `would not be trusted` to
investigate controversial past killings, he is absolutely correct,"
the Foyle Assembly member responded.
"By accepting that many nationalists would not trust the PSNI to
investigate previous murders, particularly where they are implicated
either as a result of direct collusion or more indirectly of
mishandling the investigation, Mark Durkan also accepts the SDLP
called it wrong on policing.
"The truth is that many nationalists see the same people in the PSNI
today that were also in the RUC.
"They are the same people who operated a policy of collusion and the
same people who failed to deliver policing to the nationalist
community."
Remember 'silent victims' of the troubles, govt urged
MONDAY 27/09/2004 15:46:23 UTV
The British government needs to be more conscious of those who have
lost relatives and friends in some of Northern Ireland's lesser known
killings, ministers were told today.
By:Press Association
Just days after Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy announced an
inquiry into the controversial 1989 murder of Belfast solicitor Pat
Finucane, Ulster Unionist Assembly member Billy Armstrong said he was
concerned about the British government`s handling of thousands of
other murder cases.
The Mid Ulster MLA said: "I am increasingly concerned of the
methodology gvernment practises when dealing with the victims issue.
"We learn recently of the establishment of a public inquiry into the
Pat Finucane case. For many years the Finucane killing has received
prominence within the local media as have the Bloody Sunday events.
"However, to date, the government has failed miserably in providing
for the many thousand innocent victims of terrorist violence whose
loves ones were slain by terrorist extremists over the last 30-plus
years.
"The government must afford these people equilibrium."
In late May and early June, Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy
travelled to South Africa to learn how it handled its truth and
reconciliation process.
Northern Ireland`s most senior policeman, Hugh Orde, has also talked
about the need to have a truth and reconciliation mechanism which can
finally address the past.
However it is not yet clear whether an independent commission will be
set up or if the government will opt for another type of storytelling
mechanism.
The British government has already ordered inquiries into four
controversial murders - Mr Finucane`s death, the killing of Lurgan
solicitor Rosemary Nelson, the brutal attack on Portadown Catholic
Robert Hamill and the gunning down of Loyalist Volunteer Force leader
Billy Wright in the high security Maze Prison.
However the family of Mr Finucane, nationalist politicians and human
rights activists have been angered by suggestions that much of the
inquiry into allegations of police and Army collusion in his murder
will be heard behind closed doors because of national security.
Mr Armstrong said today in thousands of other lesser known cases,
victims needed appropriate resources for counselling, support and
financial assistance.
"Thousands of victims have never received a fair hearing," the Ulster
Unionist MLA said.
"Many of their loved ones` killers have never been brought to justice.
"They continue to walk the streets of our province having never been
made accountable for their heinous crimes.
"The government must act decisively in ensuring that these silent
victims are granted the respect, understanding and support which they
deserve.
"These victims have not embarked upon politically motivated campaigns.
"They rightfully expect that their government will support them and
will do all in its power to bring those who murdered their loved ones
to account.
"They are not asking for much. They are simply asking for justice."
At an Agreed Ireland Forum event at the Labour Party conference on
Sunday night, Sinn Fein human rights spokesperson Catriona Ruane
insisted the British government should not be given control over any
truth process.
The South Down Assembly member told the fringe event in Brighton: "If
there is to be a statutory `Truth Commission` then it needs to be
totally independent and deal with the conflict in a comprehensive
manner.
"There can be no hierarchy of victims and all of the protagonists
need to be willing to co-operate with it fully and openly.
"Under no circumstances can the British government set the parameters
of such a commission and it must also be willing to co-operate fully
with it.
"The British government and its agencies were one of the main
protagonists in the conflict and acted with impunity throughout the
past 35 years. It therefore cannot set itself up as the arbiter in
any Truth Commission."
Nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan, who also joined the debate,
called for a meeting of the Victims and Survivors Forum proposed in
the British and Irish governments` joint declaration last year to
design a truth and remembrance process.
He said an independent team of investigators should be appointed to
probe murder cases during the Troubles which had not been properly
investigated, instead of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
taking on the responsibility.
"From one perspective, the PSNI should not be burdened with
investigating all these past cases," he said.
"From another perspective, they would not be trusted with them."
Sinn Fein Assembly member Raymond McCartney welcomed the SDLP
leader`s comments but claimed it was an admission from Mr Durkan that
his party was wrong to sign up to policing when they did.
"When Mark Durkan says that the PSNI `would not be trusted` to
investigate controversial past killings, he is absolutely correct,"
the Foyle Assembly member responded.
"By accepting that many nationalists would not trust the PSNI to
investigate previous murders, particularly where they are implicated
either as a result of direct collusion or more indirectly of
mishandling the investigation, Mark Durkan also accepts the SDLP
called it wrong on policing.
"The truth is that many nationalists see the same people in the PSNI
today that were also in the RUC.
"They are the same people who operated a policy of collusion and the
same people who failed to deliver policing to the nationalist
community."
Irelandclick.com
Finucane Inquiry' concern
The family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane received a copy of Secretary of State Paul Murphy’s statement outlining further developments in the case at 3.19pm last Thursday – just eleven minutes before the announcement was reported by the international media.
Mr Murphy’s statement of an “inquiry” into the killing of Mr Finucane has prompted concern among nationalist politicians, human rights organisations and the Finucane family, all of whom argue that the inquiry could already be doomed before it has even begun.
Pat Finucane was assassinated at home in front of his wife and three young children by a UDA gang on February 12, 1989.
It later emerged that at least five members of the UDA directly connected with the murder were also agents for various branches of the RUC, British Army or MI5.
The murder has now become an international exemplar for the policy of state collusion operated by the British government in Ireland during the conflict.
Following sustained political pressure, in 2001 the British government agreed that – after an independent review of the case by Canadian judge Peter Cory – it would implement any recommendations that were made.
Reporting to the British government last October, Judge Cory recommended a full public inquiry into the case.
Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, also stated last year that collusion had occurred.
However despite the international focus on the case, Tony Blair’s government reneged on its commitment to implement Judge Cory’s recommendations.
The British government blamed any delay for establishing a full public inquiry on the ongoing trial of loyalist Ken Barrett.
Two weeks ago, Mr Barrett – a former RUC Special Branch agent – pleaded guilty to the charge of murdering Pat Finucane.
That conviction set the context in which Paul Murphy last week announced that “steps should now be taken to enable the establishment of an inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane”.
“In order that the inquiry can take place speedily and effectively and in a way that takes into account the public interest, including the requirements of national security, it will be necessary to hold the inquiry on the basis of new legislation which will be introduced shortly,” said Paul Murphy.
Speaking at length to the Andersonstown News last night, Pat Finucane’s son, Michael, voiced “deep concern” that the British government’s decision to hold large parts of the inquiry in private “has compromised the independence of the inquiry before it is even established”.
“Mr Murphy’s statement contains no detail about the terms of reference, powers or parameters of this inquiry,” he said.
Addressing the controversial issue of national security, Michael Finucane pointed out that his father’s case has – at some time or other – involved every political, policing, military and judicial element of the state.
“The difficulty that I have with saying ‘in the interests of national security this can’t be disclosed’ is that it is national security on the line here.
“But it’s not in some theoretical sense. People are dead – people who should be alive today are dead.
“The key question is, to what extent was collusion a systematic practice between the British establishment and loyalist paramilitaries?
“I point to the fact that all branches of the establishment have been involved at different stages in this case - the RUC Special Branch, the Force Research Unit, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney General, the Defence Secretary.
“There isn’t a single element of the establishment not touched on in that.
“Now I’m sorry, but I didn’t make them do this. They did it to themselves, and it seems to be a real double standard to say that national security was required to do all these things but now national security is being used to hide behind.
“The fear is that this inquiry is compromised before it gets off the ground. It’s not independent and probably won’t be public. We’ve been consistent along the line in demanding a public, independent, judicial inquiry. Now if you take away two of those four words you’re not left with very much.”
Mr Finucane said that his family will be raising their concerns directly with Tony Blair when they travel to Downing Street in the next few weeks.
“We made a request for a meeting with the Prime Minister when my mother wrote to him a number of months ago.
“There was no reply from Mr Blair because the letter was forwarded to Paul Murphy,” said Michael Finucane.
“I understand that during the course of the Leeds Castle talks last week these issues were raised and it was at this stage that the government related to Sinn Féin and the SDLP that the inquiry would be announced based on new legislation.
“It was Gerry Adams who then said that if you’re going to do this, then you have to meet with the Finucane family and Mr Blair agreed and the Irish government, who were also present, supported that,” added Michael Finucane.
Journalist:: Staff Reporter
Finucane Inquiry' concern
The family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane received a copy of Secretary of State Paul Murphy’s statement outlining further developments in the case at 3.19pm last Thursday – just eleven minutes before the announcement was reported by the international media.
Mr Murphy’s statement of an “inquiry” into the killing of Mr Finucane has prompted concern among nationalist politicians, human rights organisations and the Finucane family, all of whom argue that the inquiry could already be doomed before it has even begun.
Pat Finucane was assassinated at home in front of his wife and three young children by a UDA gang on February 12, 1989.
It later emerged that at least five members of the UDA directly connected with the murder were also agents for various branches of the RUC, British Army or MI5.
The murder has now become an international exemplar for the policy of state collusion operated by the British government in Ireland during the conflict.
Following sustained political pressure, in 2001 the British government agreed that – after an independent review of the case by Canadian judge Peter Cory – it would implement any recommendations that were made.
Reporting to the British government last October, Judge Cory recommended a full public inquiry into the case.
Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, also stated last year that collusion had occurred.
However despite the international focus on the case, Tony Blair’s government reneged on its commitment to implement Judge Cory’s recommendations.
The British government blamed any delay for establishing a full public inquiry on the ongoing trial of loyalist Ken Barrett.
Two weeks ago, Mr Barrett – a former RUC Special Branch agent – pleaded guilty to the charge of murdering Pat Finucane.
That conviction set the context in which Paul Murphy last week announced that “steps should now be taken to enable the establishment of an inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane”.
“In order that the inquiry can take place speedily and effectively and in a way that takes into account the public interest, including the requirements of national security, it will be necessary to hold the inquiry on the basis of new legislation which will be introduced shortly,” said Paul Murphy.
Speaking at length to the Andersonstown News last night, Pat Finucane’s son, Michael, voiced “deep concern” that the British government’s decision to hold large parts of the inquiry in private “has compromised the independence of the inquiry before it is even established”.
“Mr Murphy’s statement contains no detail about the terms of reference, powers or parameters of this inquiry,” he said.
Addressing the controversial issue of national security, Michael Finucane pointed out that his father’s case has – at some time or other – involved every political, policing, military and judicial element of the state.
“The difficulty that I have with saying ‘in the interests of national security this can’t be disclosed’ is that it is national security on the line here.
“But it’s not in some theoretical sense. People are dead – people who should be alive today are dead.
“The key question is, to what extent was collusion a systematic practice between the British establishment and loyalist paramilitaries?
“I point to the fact that all branches of the establishment have been involved at different stages in this case - the RUC Special Branch, the Force Research Unit, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney General, the Defence Secretary.
“There isn’t a single element of the establishment not touched on in that.
“Now I’m sorry, but I didn’t make them do this. They did it to themselves, and it seems to be a real double standard to say that national security was required to do all these things but now national security is being used to hide behind.
“The fear is that this inquiry is compromised before it gets off the ground. It’s not independent and probably won’t be public. We’ve been consistent along the line in demanding a public, independent, judicial inquiry. Now if you take away two of those four words you’re not left with very much.”
Mr Finucane said that his family will be raising their concerns directly with Tony Blair when they travel to Downing Street in the next few weeks.
“We made a request for a meeting with the Prime Minister when my mother wrote to him a number of months ago.
“There was no reply from Mr Blair because the letter was forwarded to Paul Murphy,” said Michael Finucane.
“I understand that during the course of the Leeds Castle talks last week these issues were raised and it was at this stage that the government related to Sinn Féin and the SDLP that the inquiry would be announced based on new legislation.
“It was Gerry Adams who then said that if you’re going to do this, then you have to meet with the Finucane family and Mr Blair agreed and the Irish government, who were also present, supported that,” added Michael Finucane.
Journalist:: Staff Reporter
Irelandclick.com
The Way I See It
www.dannymorrison.com
TIME FOR DUBLIN TO STAND UP
The only way of stopping the DUP from wrecking the Belfast Agreement and bringing it around to political reality is to continue to implement the Agreement’s equality and justice provisions and the work of the all-Ireland bodies, even in the absence of an assembly and executive.
Historically, all British governments have been reluctant to confront unionism.
This current Labour administration is turning out not only to be no different than others but, for a variety of reasons, perpetuating the stalemate may well represent to it a more attractive alternative to putting resources into finding a settlement and dealing with the legacy of its dirty war in Ireland.
However, what is of immediate concern is the role of the Dublin government in facilitating this British government’s strategy.
It is regrettable, but it is a fact, that northern nationalists have found successive Dublin administrations derelict when it comes to defending them.
Dublin is often more close to or under the influence of London. Dublin never acts to end partition but acts to accommodate the lowest common denominator between the parties in the North, which, because it is partitionist in complexion, actually disadvantages nationalists.
Though there is now real electoral competition between Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil it would be parochial and mean for Dublin to backslide on the peace process in an attempt to inhibit the domestic growth and popularity of Sinn Féin.
However, a more accurate explanation for Dublin’s behaviour is that it remains junior to and in awe of Britain.
How else does one explain the proposals that Dublin officials agreed with London after the Leeds talks, tinkering with Assembly structures and North-South arrangements?
In 1998 Sinn Féin and the SDLP argued and fought their corner in the negotiations which led to the Belfast Agreement, which was a fine balance of compromises all round.
The Ulster Unionist Party represented and defended its constituency.
But now we have a situation where the party that stayed outside of those talks, refused to negotiate and attempted to sabotage the Agreement at every turn hopes to unpick what the majority of people and their representatives and what two governments painstakingly agreed to.
The DUP, whilst absurdly refusing to recognise Sinn Féin’s mandate, argues that its mandate entitles it to renegotiate all that was previously agreed.
Indeed, so cocky or self-deluded has it become that Gregory Campbell on television last Thursday night spoke confidently about the eventual comparison that would be made between the ‘2005 Agreement’ (sic) and the 1998 model!
The best thing that could happen, for nationalists and pro-Agreement unionists alike, is that the DUP is stopped in its tracks and discovers that all pro-Agreement parties and the two governments are totally committed to the Agreement as it stands.
In such circumstances the DUP would be faced with a choice.
It could refuse to accept the Agreement and force a return to direct rule, thus denying unionists a say in their future, and perhaps pay a political penalty of some description. (A new period of direct rule, one Ulster Unionist has warned, could backfire and lead to increased North-South cooperation, something for which nationalists would definitely be lobbying.)
Or, the DUP, perhaps given a fig leaf or two (that is, some ingenious but meaningless terminology to define the "accountability, stability and confidence" it allegedly requires), could climb down from its intransigent position, share power with Sinn Féin and accept the all-Ireland aspects of the Agreement.
But to do so, the party’s desire for power would need to outweigh the party’s hatred of republicans.
Furthermore, a climbdown would be an acknowledgement that the Ulster Unionists had read it right in 1998 and that the past six years of protests were for nothing.
That turnaround might also carry a political penalty at the next election and is another reason why stalemate might suit the DUP.
In fact, if the DUP had any sense it would have leaped at what was on offer last week at Leeds Castle in order to lord it over the Ulster Unionists.
The proposed retirement of the IRA – a logical outcome of the successful working of the Agreement – was a feather that Ulster Unionists could have claimed in time had they more enthusiastically worked the Agreement, understood republicanism and appreciated the link between the consolidation of political change and the inevitable transformation of the IRA, which they had been demanding.
Ulster Unionists can still claim credit for taking risks and initiating a process which held opportunities for reassuring unionist morale, which the DUP in its short-sightedness is now apparently squandering.
To have any perverse hope of succeeding in achieving its demands the DUP needs an ally, and that ally can only come from one quarter – Tony Blair.
Without the acquiescence of Bertie Ahern, however, Blair will find it difficult, though not impossible, to adopt a position which facilitates DUP attempts to hollow out the fundamental principles behind the Belfast Agreement. Even with Dublin government support for the nationalist/republican concerns in relation to the review of the Agreement, it will still be a task for Dublin to hold the British government to its commitments.
For example, despite having promised at the Weston Park talks, and later to Judge Cory if he were to make such recommendations in his report, that PM Tony Blair would sanction an independent, public inquiry into the assassination of Pat Finucane, last Thursday’s announcement from the British government regarding an inquiry falls considerably short of what is required and what was envisaged by human rights campaigners.
Instead, the British have announced a restricted inquiry which will be defined by new legislation guaranteeing secrecy.
“Because this case deals with issues of national security," said Paul Murphy, the Secretary of State, "much of the proceedings will have to take place in private."
So, just as the DUP throws up obstacles to re-establishing the power-sharing executive, so does the British government present difficulties, a major quandary, for Pat Finucane’s widow Geraldine.
Perhaps it has done so in the hope that if the family doesn’t fully cooperate with and call upon others to endorse the inquiry they can be blamed for handicapping it and for any inconclusive findings.
On the other hand, if it does cooperate and the inquiry absolves a British cabinet and senior military figures from culpability (which is clearly the objective) then the Finucanes, and others, cannot complain about the results.
In British governments – Tory and Labour alike – Irish representatives have always been dealing with deceitful, ruthless opponents.
But now is the time for the Dublin government to stop taking its cue from Tony Blair, a self-proclaimed ‘unionist’, and to defend the interests of the Irish people, the peace process and the Belfast Agreement.
The Way I See It
www.dannymorrison.com
TIME FOR DUBLIN TO STAND UP
The only way of stopping the DUP from wrecking the Belfast Agreement and bringing it around to political reality is to continue to implement the Agreement’s equality and justice provisions and the work of the all-Ireland bodies, even in the absence of an assembly and executive.
Historically, all British governments have been reluctant to confront unionism.
This current Labour administration is turning out not only to be no different than others but, for a variety of reasons, perpetuating the stalemate may well represent to it a more attractive alternative to putting resources into finding a settlement and dealing with the legacy of its dirty war in Ireland.
However, what is of immediate concern is the role of the Dublin government in facilitating this British government’s strategy.
It is regrettable, but it is a fact, that northern nationalists have found successive Dublin administrations derelict when it comes to defending them.
Dublin is often more close to or under the influence of London. Dublin never acts to end partition but acts to accommodate the lowest common denominator between the parties in the North, which, because it is partitionist in complexion, actually disadvantages nationalists.
Though there is now real electoral competition between Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil it would be parochial and mean for Dublin to backslide on the peace process in an attempt to inhibit the domestic growth and popularity of Sinn Féin.
However, a more accurate explanation for Dublin’s behaviour is that it remains junior to and in awe of Britain.
How else does one explain the proposals that Dublin officials agreed with London after the Leeds talks, tinkering with Assembly structures and North-South arrangements?
In 1998 Sinn Féin and the SDLP argued and fought their corner in the negotiations which led to the Belfast Agreement, which was a fine balance of compromises all round.
The Ulster Unionist Party represented and defended its constituency.
But now we have a situation where the party that stayed outside of those talks, refused to negotiate and attempted to sabotage the Agreement at every turn hopes to unpick what the majority of people and their representatives and what two governments painstakingly agreed to.
The DUP, whilst absurdly refusing to recognise Sinn Féin’s mandate, argues that its mandate entitles it to renegotiate all that was previously agreed.
Indeed, so cocky or self-deluded has it become that Gregory Campbell on television last Thursday night spoke confidently about the eventual comparison that would be made between the ‘2005 Agreement’ (sic) and the 1998 model!
The best thing that could happen, for nationalists and pro-Agreement unionists alike, is that the DUP is stopped in its tracks and discovers that all pro-Agreement parties and the two governments are totally committed to the Agreement as it stands.
In such circumstances the DUP would be faced with a choice.
It could refuse to accept the Agreement and force a return to direct rule, thus denying unionists a say in their future, and perhaps pay a political penalty of some description. (A new period of direct rule, one Ulster Unionist has warned, could backfire and lead to increased North-South cooperation, something for which nationalists would definitely be lobbying.)
Or, the DUP, perhaps given a fig leaf or two (that is, some ingenious but meaningless terminology to define the "accountability, stability and confidence" it allegedly requires), could climb down from its intransigent position, share power with Sinn Féin and accept the all-Ireland aspects of the Agreement.
But to do so, the party’s desire for power would need to outweigh the party’s hatred of republicans.
Furthermore, a climbdown would be an acknowledgement that the Ulster Unionists had read it right in 1998 and that the past six years of protests were for nothing.
That turnaround might also carry a political penalty at the next election and is another reason why stalemate might suit the DUP.
In fact, if the DUP had any sense it would have leaped at what was on offer last week at Leeds Castle in order to lord it over the Ulster Unionists.
The proposed retirement of the IRA – a logical outcome of the successful working of the Agreement – was a feather that Ulster Unionists could have claimed in time had they more enthusiastically worked the Agreement, understood republicanism and appreciated the link between the consolidation of political change and the inevitable transformation of the IRA, which they had been demanding.
Ulster Unionists can still claim credit for taking risks and initiating a process which held opportunities for reassuring unionist morale, which the DUP in its short-sightedness is now apparently squandering.
To have any perverse hope of succeeding in achieving its demands the DUP needs an ally, and that ally can only come from one quarter – Tony Blair.
Without the acquiescence of Bertie Ahern, however, Blair will find it difficult, though not impossible, to adopt a position which facilitates DUP attempts to hollow out the fundamental principles behind the Belfast Agreement. Even with Dublin government support for the nationalist/republican concerns in relation to the review of the Agreement, it will still be a task for Dublin to hold the British government to its commitments.
For example, despite having promised at the Weston Park talks, and later to Judge Cory if he were to make such recommendations in his report, that PM Tony Blair would sanction an independent, public inquiry into the assassination of Pat Finucane, last Thursday’s announcement from the British government regarding an inquiry falls considerably short of what is required and what was envisaged by human rights campaigners.
Instead, the British have announced a restricted inquiry which will be defined by new legislation guaranteeing secrecy.
“Because this case deals with issues of national security," said Paul Murphy, the Secretary of State, "much of the proceedings will have to take place in private."
So, just as the DUP throws up obstacles to re-establishing the power-sharing executive, so does the British government present difficulties, a major quandary, for Pat Finucane’s widow Geraldine.
Perhaps it has done so in the hope that if the family doesn’t fully cooperate with and call upon others to endorse the inquiry they can be blamed for handicapping it and for any inconclusive findings.
On the other hand, if it does cooperate and the inquiry absolves a British cabinet and senior military figures from culpability (which is clearly the objective) then the Finucanes, and others, cannot complain about the results.
In British governments – Tory and Labour alike – Irish representatives have always been dealing with deceitful, ruthless opponents.
But now is the time for the Dublin government to stop taking its cue from Tony Blair, a self-proclaimed ‘unionist’, and to defend the interests of the Irish people, the peace process and the Belfast Agreement.
