SAOIRSE32

BBC

McAleese ’sorry’ over Nazi remark

Mary McAleese has been criticised by unionists

Mary McAleese has said she is “deeply sorry” for the offence her remarks comparing Nazi hatred with Northern Ireland have caused.

The Irish president said Protestant children were taught to hate Catholics in the same way Nazis despised Jews.

She said she was devastated by the reaction which her remarks generated and acknowledged she had been “clumsy”.

Mrs McAleese made the comments before attending ceremonies marking 60 years since Auschwitz was liberated.

President McAleese said the anti-semitism that existed for decades had been built upon by the Nazis.

“They gave to their children an irrational hatred of Jews in the same way that people in Northern Ireland transmitted to their children an irrational hatred of Catholics, in the same way that people give to their children an outrageous and irrational hatred of those who are of different colour and all of those things,” she said.

However, the president clarified her remarks on Friday.

She said she was “personally absolutely devastated” by the furore, that her critics had been “absolutely right” and acknowledged she had been clumsy and had hurt people.

“I was trying to make a point about the job that we in our time have to do, in a sense to vindicate the dreadful, dreadful, awful consequences of Auschwitz, the things that we have to do to prevent sectarianism and racism in our own time,” she said.

“I said that people in Northern Ireland who taught their children for example, to hate for example Catholics, and I should have gone on to say, and Protestants, because the truth of the matter is that, of course, sectarianism is a shared problem.

“The fact that she used the word Catholic suggests that people on the other side were Protestant,” said Gordon
Linney, Archdeacon of Dublin.

She said some people had accused her of making a connection between Protestantism and Nazism.

“That’s a dreadful assertion and indeed if anybody took that from it I should have to say that I would be very, very, very deeply sorry indeed.

“I was trying to make a point and I made it very clumsily indeed. I am the first to put my hands up and say I made it very clumsily indeed.”

The DUP’s Ian Paisley Jnr said her original comments had been irrational and insulting.

Responding, Mr Paisley Jnr said: “So much for bridge-building Mary.

“Her comments are completely irrational and are designed to insult the integrity of the Protestant community and damn an entire generation of Protestant people.”

Ulster Unionist assembly member Michael McGimpsey said he accepted President McAleese’s apology.

He said the matter should now be closed.

“I called for a clarification and I called for an apology and she has taken both of those steps and it seems to me, as far as I’m concerned, having done that it would be crass of me not to accept that she has done what was called for,” he said.

“So as I say in my opinion therefore we will try and put this matter behind us and let the thing rest,” he said.

Remarks defended

The former Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin, Gordon Linney, also criticised her comments.

“Frankly, I was shocked and saddened because… of her choice of words,” he said.

Mark Durkan said the president had a “record of bridge building”

However, President McAleese’s remarks have been defended by senior Catholic clergyman, Monsignor Denis Faul.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the Holocaust could teach everyone “lessons about the danger of unchecked prejudice and unchallenged persecution”.

Meanwhile, the Orange Order has cancelled a meeting with Mrs McAleese.

The Grand Lodge of Ireland said it would not take up her invitation to come to Dublin in March, to discuss the concerns of Orangemen in the Republic.

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin hold first meeting of Aontú and set out priorities for cross border integration

Published: 28 January, 2005

The official launch of Aontu, the Sinn Féin strategy group for cross border integration took place in the Clinton Centre, Enniskillen today. It is one of the party’s major initiatives to advance the all-Ireland agenda and advance preparations for Irish reunification.

Aontu was set up by the party leadership to bring forward and implement plans for the integration of services, developments and infrastructure throughout the border region.

Today’s meeting, hosted by Sinn Féin spokesperson on All-Ireland Integration, Barry McElduff, pulled together almost 40 representatives from the three cross-border corridor groups,the North West Region Border group, the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) and the Eastern Region Border group along with Sinn Féin councillors from Sligo and Donegal where the party has been denied access to the corridor groups. Local Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew along with party chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin MLA also addressed the meeting.

Mr. McLaughlin described the launch as a ‘’very valuable exercise” saying the party’s work on the various border groups and bodies was a perfect “strategic fit into our overall objectives” as republicans. He dismissed the work of the “so-called constitutional nationalists” on the various bodies of being “fine on rhetoric but miserable on action”. “Sinn Féin is and will be the potent driving force in all of this,” he said. “It is part of our project to achieve unity and sovereignty as well as to make the lives of those who live along the border better.”

During the plenary session of the meeting many of the representatives present told of the practical difficulties people sffered as a result of the border. Michelle Gildernew spoke of the problems faced by working parents in accessing childcare services when taxation issues arose, with Revenue on one side of the border not recognising payments for services on the other. Gerry McHugh spoke of the problems faced by the farming community on the northern side of the border who receive grants in euro but are forced to transfer them to sterling accounts at a significant loss. Currency harmonisation was a key feature of many of the contibutions.

The poor provision of health services and the “appalling” lack of public transport were also highlighted.

Telecommunications and the issue of mobile phones and roaming charges in particular were also raised. One representative complained that is was “ridiculous” that using mobiles along the border often meant you were being charged to be told you were leaving or entering Ireland.

Cllr. Padraig MacLochlainn from Donegal for him “this was the most important work he could be involved in” and urged his fellow councillors to make it their priority.” ENDS

::: u.tv :::

Adams challenges London and Dublin over peace process

The British and Irish governments should declare the Good Friday Agreement dead if they have an alternative solution to power-sharing in Northern Ireland, Gerry Adams said tonight.
By: Press Association

As the political fallout continued over last month`s £26.5 million Northern Bank raid, Sinn Fein president Mr Adams insisted inclusive government involving unionists, nationalists and republicans was the only way forward for the country.

And following claims that Sinn Fein was given a stark message by Tony Blair in Chequers today that all IRA criminal activity must end, Mr Adams insisted there was no lecture from the Prime Minister during their first meeting since the robbery.

The West Belfast MP said: “The two governments say they are committed to the Agreement and I cannot see how they can go forward with anything less than it.

“Certainly there has been no discussion between us and either of the governments about such proposals.

“But if the governments want to go with something else, then they should stand up and say the Agreement is finished and we can all negotiate.”

Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde`s confirmation earlier this month that his officers believe the IRA carried out the Northern Bank heist torpedoed any hopes London and Dublin might have had of resurrecting their bid to restore devolution before the General Election.

Mr Adams said tonight the Prime Minister had put forward his view that the IRA was responsible for the robbery but had produced no evidence.

“The spin going into today`s meeting was that there was going to be a row but there wasn`t,” he said. “We were not going to be lectured and we weren`t lectured.

“We have no apologies to make as Sinn Fein is opposed to criminality of any kind.”

Last month, Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern felt they had come agonisingly close to bringing back power-sharing, with an historic deal involving Sinn Fein and the Reverend Ian Paisley`s Democratic Unionists stumbling over demands for photographic evidence of future IRA disarmament.

The bank raid, however, prompted the DUP and others to urge London to look at alternative ways to bring devolution to Northern Ireland which would freeze Sinn Fein out of government.

After today`s meeting, Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said Mr Adams and Martin McGuinness had been told unless criminal activity by the IRA ended there would be no inclusive executive.

“The IRA has to give all criminality up,” he told the Press Association. “Unless that happens, I cannot see a situation where we can restore an executive.”

And in a further warning to republicans, Mr Murphy said the Government would continue to explore other means of getting the Assembly functioning in the absence of devolution.

The DUP and cross community Alliance Party believe one of those ways is to have a voluntary coalition involving the nationalist SDLP.

But the SDLP has instead proposed the recall of the Assembly and the appointment of commissioners drawn from business, trade unions and the voluntary sector to run government departments until full blown devolution returns.

It has also been proposed that Stormont committees could be reconvened to scrutinise the work of Northern Ireland Office ministers.

Mr Murphy said these proposals would be considered at more meetings between the two governments and the parties over the coming weeks.

He also confirmed he would take part in talks next Tuesday involving the Prime Minister, Mr Ahern and Irish foreign minister Dermot Ahern.

“There are a lot of ideas which have been discussed and may well be talking about these over the next couple of weeks,” he said.

Sinn Féin

Maskey brands Unionist reaction to President McAleese’s comments as hysterical

Published: 28 January, 2005

Sinn Féin South Belfast MLA, Alex Maskey, has described as “hysterical” the reaction of unionist politicians to the comments of President Mary McAleese.

Mr Maskey said,

“No-one has done more than President Mary McAleese to build bridges between unionism and nationalism and between our tragic past and a new future. But Unionism is in total denial about the history of this state. The most senior leaders of Unionism routinely practised and encouraged institutionalised anti-catholic discrimination. Unionist leaders to this day refuse to acknowledge that discrimination ever happened.

“There are, of course, many people, including many unionists, working to overcome these out-dated attitudes but the leadership of Unionism, particularly of the DUP brand, needs to face up to the fact that its has, both past and present, promoted the anti-catholic bigotry and prejudice which has characterised the 6 county state since its creation”. ENDS

Politics.ie

Irish government failed to communicate EU Constitution to the Irish people - SF

Thursday, January 27

Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today accused the Irish government of failing to properly communicate the content and ramifications of the EU Constitution to the Irish people. Ms McDonald said that ‘the government had been more concerned with concluding negotiations on the EU Constitution than communicating its content to the people’.

Ms McDonald made her comments after a European survey revealed that nearly 50% of Irish people were not even aware of the existence of the EU Constitution. The survey was carried out by ‘EU Barometer’.

Speaking from Brussels Ms McDonald said:

“During Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union, Sinn Féin consistently called upon the Irish government to effectively communicate the content and ramifications of the proposed EU Constitution to the people. The results of this survey show that nearly 50% of Irish people are not even aware of the existence of the EU Constitution.

“Considering agreement on the EU Constitution was reached during Ireland’s stewardship of the European Union, then clearly this represents a monumental failure on the part of the government. It became increasingly clear during that period that the government was more concerned with concluding negotiations on the EU Constitution than communicating its content to the people.

“The government has a duty to inform citizens in a non-partisan manner regarding fundamental changes which may effect them. It is not good enough for the government to only communicate the contents of this far-reaching document in the period leading up to the referendum on the issue. By that stage it will be much too late.”

BreakingNews.ie

Prison officers injured halting drug smugglers

28/01/2005 - 17:13:00

Three prison officers were injured today as they tried to stop drugs being smuggled into a Northern Ireland jail.

A female warder’s wrist was broken during trouble at visiting hours in the high security Maghaberry complex near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

Forty-two Diazepam tablets were later seized, the Prison Service confirmed.

As police launched an investigation, a Maghaberry spokesman hit out at those behind the violence.

He said: “As well as the harm caused by drugs and the bullying and intimidation associated with them, it is disappointing that some people continue to abuse the visits system which is designed to enable prisoners and their families maintain close contact.”

The attacks came after staff spotted two visitors allegedly passing the narcotics to a prisoner.

As they tried to stop the visit, a nearby inmate became abusive.

He punched one female officer in the face, leaving her needing hospital treatment, the Prison Service said.

A second woman guarding the room suffered a suspected broken wrist and a male officer was left with facial bruises.

Three visitors angered that their appointments were delayed because of assaults had to be removed after threatening staff.

“This type of incident serves to highlight the problems posed by drugs being smuggled in prison,” the spokesman added.

“Maghaberry has made a lot of progress in recent months to create an atmosphere in the visiting room where children and families, in particular, can enjoy their visits in a safe environment free from intimidation and violence.

“The staff involved are to be commended for their actions in preventing drugs being smuggled into the prison.”

IRA2

Firebomb removed from Newry shop

FRIDAY 28/01/2005 08:41:04
UTV

Army bomb disposal experts have removed a firebomb from a shop in
Newry near the border with the Irish Republic.
By:Press Association

Shopkeepers in the city were advised to return to their premises
after the device was found in a store in Hill Street.

The discovery came a day after police warned dissident republicans
may be planning a new wave of firebomb attacks across Northern
Ireland.

Shopowners in Londonderry, Ballymena and Coleraine were urged to
intensify security checks after a hardware and agricultural store was
destroyed in a weekend attack in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

Linton and Robinson`s premises had to be demolished after a massive
blaze ripped through the building on Saturday.
Superintendent Tony Weston, who heads the Operational Command Unit in
the PSNI`s Rural Region, said after the Strabane attack police feared
the terrorists could strike again.

Mr Weston said: “These devices put lives and property at risk and
cause unnecessary disruption to all.

“We would advise business owners and managers to review security
measures and check premises thoroughly both during and after trading.

“An extra few minutes could make a difference.”
Incendiary devices were planted in shops throughout the province last
month in a bid to cause mayhem during Christmas trading.

Derry Journal

Derry Pro-Life Group Defend Image

Tuesday 25th January 2005

A Derry Pro-life group last night defended their decision to use an image of the Virgin Mary holding the bodies of aborted foetuses to promote their anti-abortion campaign in the city.

Bernadette Doyle, spokesperson for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prolife group in Derry, was responding followings complaints made to the ‘Journal’ office about leaflets which were being handed out in the city which showed an image of Mary holding the bodies of aborted foetuses.

“We use quite a few Sacred images that Jesus and our Blessed Mother have given in our fight against the murder of the unborn,” she said.

“The image of ‘Mary, Patron of the Aborted’ is particularly welcomed our group because it was given by Our Lady herself through two Irish visionaries.

“Although not sanctioned by the church, they are under complete obedience to the Magestirium of the Church and 100% obedient to our Holy Father, Pope John Paul.

“The message at the back of Our Lady’s picture stating that the Church will be held responsible for the deaths of these babies through silence and not doing more to oppose abortion, is very much the truth.

“The Church are the people, and we will all be held accountable by God for the defence of our unborn brothers and sisters.

“Our Holy Father himself has given us a stern warning: ‘Woe to you who do not defend life.’ He has also described the work carried out by pro-lifers as the ‘most important work on earth.’

“We are called to defend the unborn child, and we will have to give an account of what we have done to fight against this evil.

“The woman who complained said these photos were like something you would see on a ‘heavy metal’ album.

“Look at the visions Our Lady give to the three children of Fatima. The visions of Hell and the fires of Purgatory are a lot worse than anything you’ll see on the cover of a heavy metal album.

“Our Lady decided to give these images to children, so if she decided to give these to children that’s up to her.”

Ms. Doyle paid tribute to the great devotion there is in Ireland to Our Lady under the banner: ‘Mary Patron of the Aborted.’

“We have an enormous demand for this picture,” she continued.

“And we have a great response to her message which was to fight this evil with prayer and love. “Part of the message Our Lady gave was to place the picture in places where it will be seen. “‘Do this for me, my children,’ she asked. That is what we are doing, praying for mothers, fathers and doctors and all involved in the murder of the unborn. “I would invite the lady who criticised the picture who says she is a pro-lifer to respond to our Holy Father’s call to defend life and come along and join us.”

Anyone who wants to obtain a picture of Our Lady, patron of the Aborted and the messages about abortion is asked to contact our group on 71370635/71308695 or the Sacred Heart house of Prayer on 02886766377.

Derry Journal

‘Explain Yourselves’ - Dissidents Told

Friday 28th January 2005

Republican firebombers have been challenged to explain why they burnt down a business outlet in jobs-starved Strabane.

The call was made by the Sinn Fein chairman of Strabane District Council, Councillor Jarlath McNulty, after police confirmed that they believe an arson attack at the Linton and Robinson store was caused by an incendiary device.

Councillor McNulty said: “If it transpires that this fire to the Dock Street premises was caused by an incendiary then those behind it need to explain the rationale behind it to the people of this area.

“There is definitely no support within the local nationalist /republican community for such an attack and indeed there would be widespread anger that jobs are being put at risk as a result of it.”

The council’s Employment Task Force had been proactively working to maintain and create jobs and the Strabane 2000 group was striving to regenerate the town centre to make it a more attractive proposition for the shopping public and inward investors, he said.

“Attacks like this are extremely damaging to these efforts,” the Sinn FÈin council chairman warned.

Colr. McNulty said: “Regardless of the problems in the peace process, and no matter how intractable they may seem at present, such attacks show the need to speedily replace the present political vacuum with genuine political dialogue and progress.

It is the only way forward.”

DLP West Tyrone MLA Eugene McMenamin described the incendiary attack on Linton & Robinson’s hardware and agricultural stores as a “cruel blow to a town struggling to make a better future for all its people.”

The family-run business, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, was practically synonymous with Strabane and had recently invested hundreds of thousands of pounds renovating its department store.

‘Lowest of the low’ Mr. McMenamin said: “As yet, no group has come forward to claim responsibility. Whoever they are, words of condemnation will doubtless mean absolutely nothing to the people who caused this destruction.”

Branding those responsible as “the lowest of the low,” the SDLP MLA who is also a member of Strabane District Policing Partnership, said: “Extra resources need to be put in place to prevent another attack. The police should make every effort to apprehend these people.”

Also hitting out at the firebombers, West Tyrone UUP Assembly Member, Derek Hussey, said: “The community in Strabane has been striving towards the creation of a town environment that will attract business into the area and enhance the overall social well being of the entire district.

“Linton and Robinson’s have shown their commitment to this regeneration effort in a positive way through the recent major refurbishment of their premises and are deserving of praise and support for their efforts.”

Derry Journal

North West On Fire Bomb Alert

Friday 28th January 2005

Retail businesses in the North West are on red alert amid police warnings of a renewed dissident republican fire bombing campaign.

The warning comes after the Linton and Robinson hardware and machinery outlet in Strabane was destroyed by an incendiary device last weekend.

Police have said that businesses in Derry, Strabane, Coleraine and Ballymena should review their security in a bid to thwart similar attacks.

Superintendent Tony Weston, Head of Rural Region’s Operational Command Unit, also appealed to the shopping public to remain vigilant.

Supt. Weston condemned those behind the incendiary attack in Strabane and expressed concern that further attacks may also be planned.

“These devices put lives and property at risk and cause unnecessary disruption to all,” he said.

“They damage the image of the town as a potential investment location, and their actions can easily result in job losses for local residents.” “I would urge anyone with information about this fire to contact police on 02871 367 337 or alternatively, to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If the community work with the police it is the best chance we have of putting an end to these attacks,” the local divisional commander added.

Damage estimated in excess of £1 million was caused in the arson attack which gutted the Strabane business in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Manager, Gareth Linton, said the family-run firm had temporarily redeployed staff at their main department store in Abercorn Square which is currently undergoing renovation. However, the destruction of the Dock Street outlet would sadly result in jobs being lost.

Mr. Linton said the firm had been trading for 50 years and having to break the news of the fire to his father, who helped found the business, had been heartbreaking. However, they intend to rebuild the premises.

Indymedia.ie

“Talking about criminality? Pasted all around town last night…”

Belfast Telegraph

Police find new footage of heist van

By Jonathan McCambridge
28 January 2005

Detectives have found CCTV footage of what they believe is the white van used in the Northern Bank robbery driving south towards the border, it can be revealed today.

The breakthrough came this week as detectives scoured hours of footage taken from a camera filming a roundabout at Sprucefield off the M1 motorway.

It is understood the footage was recorded shortly before 9pm on the day of the robbery and shows a white van driving through a roundabout near the retail centre.

It is believed the van, a Ford Transit box van with a rear-loading platform, may then have travelled further south in the direction of the border.

The van, used to carry off £26.5m from the bank’s headquarters, has not been found.

This is the first sighting of the vehicle since police released grainy CCTV footage recorded immediately after the robbery showing the vehicle winding its way through traffic in Belfast.

One police source said the latest footage was recorded in the dark but detectives are confident it is the same vehicle.

The new footage means detectives will be able to establish a more accurate picture of the movements of the robbers in the hours following the robbery.

A team of detectives have spent thousands of hours viewing CCTV pictures from all over Northern Ireland.

They have made it their priority to try and identify the movements of the van after the robbery and what subsequently happened to it.

Police have also said that the possibility that the van was the same one which had been stolen several weeks before in Gwent, Wales, was a “strong line of inquiry”.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde has publicly blamed the IRA for the robbery - an accusation which has twice been denied by the organisation.

Belfast Telegraph

Police and girl (3) in blaze drama

By Nevin Farrell
28 January 2005

Four police officers who braved a fire in an attempt to rescue a three-year-old girl from a blazing house this morning have been taken to hospital along with the child who was eventually plucked to safety by firefighters.

The girl and four officers have gone to Antrim Area Hospital for treatment for the effects of breathing smoke.

The alarm was raised shortly after 9.30am when a fire started at Brookfield Gardens in Ahoghill.

A PSNI spokesman revealed that the police officers were beaten back by flames.

On the arrival of the fire brigade, firefighters managed to rescue the little girl.

BBC

Omagh bomb accused freed on bail

Colm Murphy was originally sentenced to 14 years in jail

The only man brought to trial over the 1998 Omagh bombing has been freed on bail after winning an appeal against his conviction.

Colm Murphy, 51, from Dundalk, County Louth, was jailed for 14 years in 2002 for conspiracy to cause an explosion.

However, the Court of Criminal Appeal in Dublin set aside the conviction last week and ordered a retrial.

On Friday, the court said it had no objections to freeing him. The husband of a victim argued against it.

Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby died in the atrocity, made the passionate appeal to the three appeal judges at the court.

The judges varied Mr Murphy’s bail conditions to allow him to be freed.

He had to pay bail totalling 50,000 euro (£34,600) to secure his freedom.

The court granted two independent sureties of 25,000 euro (£17,300) and he had to surrender his passport as well as sign on daily at Dundalk Garda Station and reside at a named address in Mount Pleasant, Dundalk.

The Omagh bomb was admitted by the dissident republican Real IRA.

It killed 29 people and unborn twins and was the worst single atrocity of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Mr Murphy’s retrial has been ordered on two grounds relating to the evidence of detectives at his trial.

BBC

Blair warns Sinn Fein on violence

Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams met Mr Blair at Chequers

Tony Blair has warned Sinn Fein it will be “locked out” of Northern Ireland devolution unless the IRA gives up crime and violence.

The prime minister made the point at a meeting with Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness at Chequers.

It was the first meeting between the men since police blamed the IRA for a £26m bank robbery in Belfast in December - a charge the IRA has denied.

However, Mr Blair said he accepted the chief constable’s view on the raid.

After Friday’s meeting, a spokesman for Number Ten said: “Mr Blair and the taoiseach will be briefed further on the robbery and the investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable and the garda commissioner when they meet next Tuesday in Downing Street.

“The prime minister told Sinn Fein that such activity was incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process.

“He said that while he still wanted to find a way forward which included Sinn Fein, it was his duty as prime minister to underline in the starkest terms that that would not be possible if paramilitary and criminal activity continued to be carried out by the IRA.

“A complete and verifiable end to all such activity by the IRA would be essential if progress towards such an inclusive agreement were to be possible.”

Mr Adams emerged from the meeting, saying that both sides agreed that the peace process was “in profound difficulties”.

He said there had been plenty of “straight talking but there had been no row.”

It is understood that there are no further plans at the moment for a meeting between Mr Blair and the Sinn Fein leadership.

Earlier, Mr Adams told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was confident the peace process could be put back on track.

“I wouldn’t be here in London, I wouldn’t be going to meet the British prime minister, if I didn’t have both the hope and conviction that it can be sorted out. In the meantime, we are going to have to weather this particular storm.”

He said he did not believe the IRA was responsible for the Northern Bank raid and he urged Mr Blair not to “get carried away with the spin of the moment”.

“Tony Blair has made a huge investment in this process. He has shown leadership. This is not the time to be put off because there are difficulties. These difficulties can be overcome if there is the will to do it.”

Secretary of State Paul Murphy said: “We know, as a government, that the IRA carried out this raid.

“Our view is that until that issue is resolved amongst the IRA - the whole question of criminality and giving it up - unless paramilitary activity ceases, then we simply will not be able to go on the way we have in the past.”