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Daily Ireland

Car maker DeLorean dies at 80

(click to view full page photo)

One of the motoring industry’s most colourful and innovative entrepreneurs, John DeLorean, died at the age of 80 on Saturday.
Mr DeLorean left an indelible mark on the North’s economy. His Dunmurry plant in Co Antrim collapsed in 1983 after rolling out just 8,900 cars over three years and following a high-profile cocaine case.
At the peak of its production, the Dunmurry factory employed almost 3,000 people to make the pioneering gull-winged cars that bore the DeLorean name.
The flamboyant car maker was later acquitted of charges of conspiring to sell cocaine worth $24 million to save the plant. The car later shot to cult status when it appeared in the 1985 film Back to the Future.
The British government had poured £77 million (€111 million) of public funds into Mr DeLorean’s doomed project in the hope that it would create 2,000 jobs in an area dogged with unemployment.
Mr DeLorean died on Saturday at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey, of complications from a recent stroke.
He was among a handful of US entrepreneurs to start a car company in the last 75 years.
Brendan Macken, who was chairman of the shop stewards committee at the DeLorean plant, described his former boss last night.
“Every time you saw him, he arrived with an entourage of public relations people. He never really interacted with the workforce.
“He was like a film star in Belfast and the project was a very exciting one for Belfast in a time of trouble, shooting and bombings. He had a model wife and got a lot of media attention.
“His project was a good-news story when there wasn’t much in the way of good news.”
Car historians have credited Mr DeLorean with “breaking the mould” of car executives in the Midwestern United States. He pressed General Motors to offer smaller car models to the public.
He was cleared of having defrauded his investors but found himself in legal wrangles that kept him on the periphery of the car world. However, his passion for the motor trade continued. After declaring his bankruptcy in 1999, he said he wanted to produce a speedy plastic sports car selling for only $20,000.
John Zachary DeLorean was born on January 6, 1925 in Detroit.
Never far from the public eye, he was frequently seen with some of the world’s most beautiful women. His 1974 marriage to supermodel Cristina Ferrare bore him his son Zachary and daughter Kathryn.
In 2001, DeLorean car enthusiasts from across the world held a four-day festival in the North to celebrate the car’s 20th anniversary.
Some 200 drivers congregated on the outskirts of Belfast at the spot where the cars went into production in 1981.
Many of the original cars are still on the road after more than 25 years. It is estimated that 6,000 cars survive out of those built in Belfast. There is a thriving community of enthusiasts, with owners’ clubs in several countries.

RTE News

Israel plans 3,500 homes for West Bank

21 March 2005 13:27

Israel plans to build 3,500 new homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank to cement its hold on Jerusalem.

Palestinians have warned that peace efforts are at risk following the reports.

The blueprint for construction between the Maaleh Adumim settlement and Arab East Jerusalem clash with the US-backed peace road map.

The plans have also weakened hopes for a breakthrough buoyed by a truce declared by Israel and the Palestinian Authority last month.

The road map requires a halt to settlement expansion in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

US President George W Bush said in 2004 that Israel, which intends to quit occupied Gaza this summer, could expect to keep some West Bank settlement blocs under a final peace accord.

However, Mr Bush also expressed support for establishment of a Palestinian state that is viable and contiguous.

Israeli government sources said the Israeli President, Ariel Sharon, last week approved the construction plan, drawn up six years ago, for 3,500 new homes east of Jerusalem.

BreakingNews.ie

McDowell to introduce anti-social behaviour orders

21/03/2005 - 20:02:53

Justice Minister Michael McDowell vowed tonight to introduce new anti-social behaviour orders.

Mr McDowell told the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) that officers needed more power to control nuisance neighbours and drunken gangs.

“Critics have claimed that these orders would needlessly criminalise those who engage in trivial and essentially harmless behaviour, but this is simply not the case,” he said.

“The orders will be civil orders, and the question of an offence will only arise if a person the subject of an order wilfully defies that order and continues to engage in the behaviour.”

The minister said the orders would effectively bind people over to keep the peace – the same power as a district court judge would have.

“Armchair critics of the proposal clearly have no idea of how the quality of life of decent, vulnerable, law-abiding citizens can be badly affected by the continuing anti-social behaviour of a bullying, abusive minority,” he said.

“People should not have to put up with this, and gardaí should have the power to deal with it.”

Anti-social behaviour orders are due to be brought in with the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 to enhance the powers of the Gardaí in the investigation and prosecution of offences.

The minister also told the 27th annual AGSI conference that it was a simple fact that the IRA remained the single biggest impediment to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

“I do not believe that there could be any doubt where I stand on this issue. As a result I have been singled out for criticism from the Provisional movement and they even suggest that I in some way am obstructing the peace process,” he said.

“That, of course, is to stand reality on its head.”

Mr McDowell went on, “Seven years after the Good Friday Agreement we still have a movement that robs banks and brazenly denies it; that pretends to protect communities while doing the exact opposite; and that responds to murder by threatening to shoot people.

“It really is an act of monumental self-delusion to think that the problem is caused by the people who point out these facts rather than the activities of the movement itself.”

Mr McDowell said the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney reminded the people of Ireland of the true nature of the Provisional IRA.

But he said co-operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland was now at an all time high, with protocols signed allowing for personnel exchanges between the forces.

“The implementation of these protocols will provide a two-way flow of experience and expertise which will enhance policing standards in both organisations,” he said.

BreakingNews.ie

McCartney murder: Four statements to Ombudsman

21/03/2005 - 18:14:46

Just four statements from people who were in the pub where IRA murder victim Robert McCartney was attacked have been handed to the Police Ombudsman, it emerged tonight.

And the victim‘s sisters believe the level of non-cooperation proves republicans never genuinely wanted to aid their quest for justice.

The McCartneys insisted the Belfast bar was packed with drinking IRA men and Sinn Féin members when the violence spilled outside.

After arriving home from White House talks with President George Bush, Catherine McCartney said: “If they had been serious about people coming forward they could have said this is a list of people who were there on the night and they are willing to go forward to the Ombudsman.

“It seems they have had no real intention of helping us.”

Even though republicans refuse to deal with the police service, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has urged all 70 people who were in Magennis‘s Bar when the cut throat gang first struck to give details to Ombudsman Mrs O‘Loan‘s staff.

But so far only three Sinn Féin representatives and a fourth, unidentified witness have provided accounts on the January 30 brawl which have been passed from their solicitors to the Ombudsman.

Party election candidates Cora Groogan and Deirdre Hargey, along with former Belfast councillor Sean Hayes have given statements.

All three are understood to say they saw no fighting in the bar, with sources confirming they have little evidential value to the police investigation.

But the sisters were astonished by Ms Groogan‘s version, claiming she has not supplied vital information.

They claimed a taxi driver who took her to another bar in the city heard her describe events in Magennis’s over the phone.

So far 11 people have been questioned about the murder which has plunged a republican movement, already under unprecedented pressure over the Northern Bank heist, into its biggest ever crisis.

The IRA has expelled three men suspected of being involved in the killing, while Sinn Féin has suspended seven members.

Yet the party has continued to face a barrage of attacks, none more vicious than from the victim‘s family.

Mr McCartney‘s five sisters and fiancee have accused republicans of a wall of silence that has thwarted police attempts to hunt down the murderers.

After last week‘s meetings with President Bush and other Washington powerbrokers, they now plan to take their fight to Europe.

A campaign centre is also to be opened in Belfast in a bid to stop interest from flagging.

Another sister, Gemma, pledged there would be no let up.

“It seems that that bar was more or less full of Sinn Féin members and IRA members than originally we thought,” she said.

“We thought at the start maybe that they were blood related – which was what was preventing people coming forward – ties of loyalty to each other.”

Catherine McCartney also confirmed she would not be standing for elections, but stressed it was because the effort would detract from the campaign rather than any Sinn Féin caution to avoid party politics.

In a savage attack on republican strategies, she claimed attempts had been made to undermine a group of women who refuse to give up.

“It‘s a sexist smear campaign,” she insisted.

“The fact that we are women means there must be someone pulling our strings because we can‘t think for ourselves.

“But the reality is this is just an issue of justice.”

Belfast Telegraph

Fears for missing Belfast boy (14)

21 March 2005

Police said today they were becoming increasing concerned for the well being of a young east Belfast boy who has been missing since last Wednesday.

Joseph Glassford (14) was last seen at his Toronto Street home at 11pm on March 16. He is 5ft 7ins in height, of medium build with short brown hair.

When last seen, he was wearing a blue bomber jacket, jeans and trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Strandtown police on 028 9065 0222.

Belfast Telegraph

Inquest hears boys describe death of friend
Drowned Jordan (14) had shouted for help.

By Deborah McAleese
21 March 2005

Three teenagers today recalled how they saw their 14-year-old friend being swept to his death at Killough Harbour.

Jordan Alexander Murdock from Seaview called for his friends to help him then shouted that he loved them before he was swept away on January 11, 2004 Belfast Coroner’s Court heard today.

It was three weeks before his body was recovered.

Jordan’s heartbroken uncle Jim Murdock said the family is relieved that the inquest is over but it is still a very traumatic time.

“People say that time will heal, but the family are still devastated, we will never get over Jordan. It’s still very hard, I don’t think we will ever get over it, we are more than grateful to everyone who helped us search for Jordan’s body for three weeks.”

Jordan’s friend David Hackett told how he tried to save him but the waves broke them apart.

He said: “Four of us were at the harbour watching the waves, I heard someone shouting that Jordan had fallen in.

“I ran over and saw him, he said someone jump in and help me, Jordan then said I love you, I jumped in, he started panicking and I grabbed him, the waves broke us apart.

“I told him to take his clothes off as they were dragging him down, I grabbed him again but the waves broke us apart.

“I then told him to grab on to my leg, but yet another wave broke us apart. Jordan was trying to swim, I looked around towards the bay, but Jordan had gone, I saw his hand disappear.”

Two other friends, Padraig Crane and Steven McManus, also tearfully recalled how they saw Jordan being swept away. Steven said when Jordan first fell in he was laughing, but then realised he was in trouble.

He said: “I started to run over to the rocks to get closer to Jordan but I fell and hurt my leg, I could still see him but he was away out, I watched him until I could not see him anymore and then I fainted.”

Coroner David Hunter commended the three teenagers and said that no-one should reproach themselves for what happened.

He said: “I know how dangerous and unforgiving the sea is and hope people will pay some heed that the sea is such a dangerous element of nature.”

BBC

Firefighters targeted in attacks

Firefighters were attacked five times across Northern Ireland on Sunday night, the Fire Brigade has said.

One officer was hit by a stone and a fire engine was damaged in the attacks in Belfast, Lurgan and Newtownards.

Fire officer Graham Crossett said attacks on crews are making their job very difficult.

“Fortunately we had only minor damage and no injuries on these occasions, but the potential is always there for serious damage,” he said.

Meanwhile, it is hoped that a campaign targeting children will help cut the number of hoax 999 calls in Northern Ireland over the Easter holiday.

Emergency services stage a rescue demonstration for the children

Last year the Fire Brigade alone received over 700 hoax 999 calls over the Easter period, a 20% increase on the previous year.

The campaign aims to deter children between 9 and 14 years of age who are the key group for making hoax calls.

All the emergency services are taking part in the initiative.

The campaign was launched at the Fire Brigade’s Belfast training centre on Monday, with more than 100 schoolchildren present.

Fire, rescue and road crash drills were carried out by fire crews, police and ambulance crews to show pupils the consequences of making a hoax call.

They were also shown control room technology, where calls can be immediately traced, even to mobile phones.

Daily Ireland

It’s over to you, Bertie, as SDLP unveil unity plan

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds last night called on the Dublin government to publish a green paper on Irish unity.
Mr Reynolds was speaking to Daily Ireland ahead of today’s launch of a new SDLP document on Irish unity: ‘A United Ireland and the Agreement’.
Sinn Féin last month published its own policy document on how it sees a united Ireland operating.
The fact that the two nationalist parties in the North have now published unity documents last night prompted calls for the Irish government to follow suit.
Mr Reynolds, one of the key architects of the peace process in Ireland, said he believed it was the way forward.
“I think the time is right for the Irish government to launch a paper on Irish unity now that the two main nationalist parties in the North have put forward policy documents on a united Ireland,” said the former Taoiseach.
“I wouldn’t like to lecture the Irish Government in what they should have in the policy document but I do think that now would be a good time for it to be brought forward.”
The landmark SDLP document will be launched by party leader Mark Durkan in a three-stage event in Belfast, Dublin and Newry today.
Among the core proposals of the document are that the Stormont Assembly and Executive will be at the centre of regional government in the North in a united Ireland.
Constituencies in the North would continue to elect representatives to the Assembly but they would also elect representatives to Dáil Éireann.
Daily Ireland can also reveal that, under the SDLP proposals, the North would cease to elect MPs to go to Westminster but there could still be a presence from the six counties in the House of Lords in London, in the same way there are currently Northern representatives in Seanad Éireann.
The Good Friday agreement would remain intact as a guarantee of the rights of all in a united Ireland.

The Stormont assembly and executive will be at the centre of regional government in the North in a united Ireland, according to a new SDLP policy document on Irish unity.
The landmark document, entitled A United Ireland and the Agreement, is being launched today by party leader Mark Durkan in a three-stage event in Belfast, Dublin and Newry.
Sinn Féin launched a discussion document on Irish unity last month, so the two main nationalist parties in the North are now waiting on the Irish government to follow suit.
Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds last night told Daily Ireland that the time was right for the Irish government to publish a green paper on Irish unity.
The 1998 Good Friday agreement is central to the new SDLP blueprint for a united Ireland. People in the North would continue to elect representatives to the Stormont assembly while also electing representatives to Dáil Éireann, according to the plan.
SDLP assembly member Dominic Bradley said: “Basically, we believe that the Good Friday agreement and the structures of the Good Friday agreement can be maintained in a united Ireland. The assembly will be a regional government in the North in a united Ireland.”
The relationship between the Dáil and the assembly would resemble the present relationship between Westminister and Stormont. The central government would retain specific powers but the assembly would play a central role in regional government. The North would cease to elect MPs to go to Westminister but there could still be a presence from the North in the House of Lords in London in the same way as there are currently Northern representatives in Seanad Éireann.
“At the moment, Northern representatives are allowed to sit in the Seanad in Leinster House so we would propose that, in a united Ireland, representatives from Northern Ireland could sit in the House of Lords,” said Mr Bradley.
“The equality and human-rights protections laid out in the Good Friday agreement would still be guaranteed in a united Ireland. We would also hold that people from Northern Ireland would still have the right to have British or Irish citizenship and hold British or Irish passports.
“The east-west co-operation laid out in the Good Friday agreement would remain. The British government would have a say in the North of Ireland in the same way as Dublin has now.
“We think this is a practical way of establishing a united Ireland. One of the biggest challenges for nationalists is ensuring that a united Ireland will not be a cold place for unionists,” said Mr Bradley.
“We believe that, by safeguarding the Good Friday agreement, it will provide reassurance to unionists and we feel this is a practical way forward for persuading unionists that they have a place in a united Ireland.”
Irish foreign minister Dermot Ahern will speak at the launch of the SDLP document tonight during a discussion on Irish unity.
Sinn Féin general secretary Mitchel McLaughlin told Daily Ireland last night: “While we welcome the SDLP’s publication of a united Ireland document, it follows a month after Sinn Féin published its discussion paper on Irish unity urging the Irish government to publish a green paper.
“We note that Irish foreign affairs minister has chosen to associate himself with this document from the SDLP.
“He would be better directing his energies towards his government publishing a green paper on Irish unity.”
Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds said: “I think that the time is right for the Irish government to launch a paper on Irish unity now that the two main nationalist parties in the North have put forward policy documents on Ireland.
“I wouldn’t like to lecture them in what they should have in the policy document but I do think that now would be a good time for it.”

::: u.tv :::

McCartney sisters accuse SF

21/03/2005 11:21:13

The McCartney sisters claimed today that a majority of customers in the Belfast bar near where their brother was murdered were Sinn Fein and IRA members.

The family said several republicans had been drinking in Magennis`s Bar on the night of the brutal killing and had failed to come forward with information.

And they accused Sinn Fein members of forming a conspiracy of silence to protect those who killed father-of-two Robert McCartney.

“It seems that that bar was more or less full of Sinn Fein members and IRA members than originally we thought,” Gemma McCartney said.

“We thought at the start maybe that they were blood related which was what was preventing people coming forward - ties of loyalty to each other.”

The family said it had become apparent over the last few weeks that a wall of silence had been built up by a number of republicans who had been drinking in the bar.

The McCartney sisters accused Sinn Fein election candidate, Cora Grogan, of telling lies and failing to come forward with vital information.

They claimed a taxi driver had taken Ms Grogan to another bar in south Belfast and heard her describe the events inside Magennis`s Bar.

The family told RTE radio that it was inconceivable to think that republicans who were in the pub on the night of the murder and failed to come forward were potential governmental officials who could sit on the policing board.

The sisters also claimed the police investigation was being stifled even though the Sinn Fein leadership had called on anyone with information to come forward.

“No-one has gone to the Ombudsman. Yes, people have went to their solicitor with notes … and a prepared statement so, in effect what`s happening here, is they are being told yes to go forward but say nothing,” Ms McCartney said.

The sisters spent last week in the United States in a bid to drum up support for their fight for justice.

The family held dozens of media interviews and met with US senators such as Ted Kennedy, John McCain and Hillary Clinton and had talks with President George W Bush.

The McCartney family vowed to continue the campaign by organising a national petition, holding rallies outside Magennis`s pub in Belfast and visiting senior members of the European Parliament.

An European Parliament spokesperson said, however, that the Parliament is unaware of any plans by the McCartney sisters to address their campaign for justice in either Brussels or Strasbourg.

A decision on whether any of the sisters will stand in the upcoming elections in Northern Ireland is expected in the coming weeks.

BreakingNews.ie

Loyalist mob lured PSNI into riot, claims MP

21/03/2005 - 14:53:09

A paramilitary mob lured police into a riot to avenge the shutdown of an illegal drinking den, it was claimed today.

Officers were pelted with stones as a crowd of up to 50 went on the rampage in Northern Ireland.

Six cars were also set on fire and a petrol bomb thrown when violence erupted at the Bowtown estate in Newtownards, Co Down.

Trouble flared in the area last night – 48 hours after officers seized a gambling machine and alcohol in a raid on the estate.

Iris Robinson, the Democratic Unionist MP for the area, was outraged by the disorder. She said today: “While no one is attempting to deny the existence of paramilitary problems in the town, Sunday night’s events represent a watershed.

“Never (in my time) as an elected representative for this area have the police been attacked in such an orchestrated and sustained manner in relation to an issue which is purely criminal.”

A man, 35, was charged with disorderly behaviour and assault on police. He is due in court next month.

A teenage boy was also arrested but later released pending further reports. Extra police had to be drafted in to Bowtown, a loyalist stronghold, to quell the riot.

As she called for an urgent review of policing arrangements in Newtownards, Mrs Robinson said innocent residents had suffered as their cars were burned out.

She added: “It would appear the disgraceful behaviour at the Bowtown estate may be linked to a successful operation by the local police in closing down an illegal drinking den in the estate and would therefore seem to have been orchestrated, in order to lure police into the estate for pay back.”

Indymedia.ie

**Although I think the writer takes this a bit too far, I think it’s interesting

McCartney sisters admit being advised

by Hilaal Monday, Mar 21 2005, 11:42am
hilaalabu@yahoo.co.uk

Then quickly deny it

On this mornings Marianne Finucane Show the McCartney sisters admitted being advised to watch out for “anti-police propaganda” , by a person or persons they did not identify. When later questioned as to whom the advise had come from they quickly denied what they had earlier said.

A caller to the Marianne Finucane Show asked the McCartney sisters what they thought about the police telling two witnesses who went to a PSNI barracks to make statements regarding the fight between their brother , his friend and a gang in Maginnis’s bar, being casually told by police to “come back later” .

They dismissed the question with a very telling comment :

“THIS IS ANTI-POLICE PROPAGANDA. WE WERE TOLD TO EXPECT IT”

Another caller asked who had advised them to expect “anti-police propaganda” and they quickly and very tellingly flip-flopped and tried to fudge the question and their earlier comment with their usual ,”don’t be condescending to us because we’re women ” tactic.

One of them said , “I have a degree in Modern History. I know that this type of thing can happen”. Yes you do have a degree in Modern History, but who advised you to expect, “anti-police propaganda”, as you said?

Another said ,”We live in the Short Strand. We were brought up in a Republican/Nationalist area and we understand the politics of it. I mean, it’s very condescending to be told(asked), “who advised these women”. These women think. We’re intelligent women. We’re educated. We know that these propaganda attacks will be made”. Yeah, but when you said you were “told to expect anti-police propaganda”, who was it that advised you in this way, was the question.

I would think they are very stupid people to go to the greatest mass murderer and terrorist of our time looking for justice for the victim of a bar room brawl: to George Bush a man who has presided over the mass murder of women and children and inflicted vandalism and destruction of property on a monumental scale

The term “propaganda attack” itself is not a term a “simple” or “stupid” person would use. It is a term from someone with a degree in Modern Politics or someone with friends in either military intelligence or the security services.

But perhaps their familiarity with such terminology comes from associating with people like George Bush, Anne McCabe and Michael McDowell ?

They were also asked why Brendan Devine, the other party involved in the bar-room fight, couldn’t give evidence against his and their brothers attackers , as he would have seen those involved better than other patrons of the bar that night . Again they waffled about not, “getting away from the issue”. Ah, but this is the issue.

Brendan Devine is currently out on bail , facing charges of grievous bodily harm for an assault going back years. He is not, “in a hospital bed fighting for his life”.

Sinn Féin

Do SDLP Proposals Mark Shift From Post Nationalism?

Published: 21 March, 2005

Commenting on the launch today by the SDLP of a document on Irish Unity Sinn Féin General Secretary Mitchel McLaughlin said that the apparent shift by the SDLP from the politics of post nationalism to the politics of Irish Unity was welcome.

Mr McLaughlin said:

“The Sinn Féin demand for Irish Independence and Unity has always been up front and clear. The same cannot be said of the SDLP. During a recent election campaign the SDLP told us that we now lived in a post nationalist situation and the demand for Irish unity was no longer a realistic goal. Sinn Féin rejected this notion at the time and continue to do so.

“If today’s launch by the SDLP is a genuine shift away from the folly of their post nationalist position onto the ground of Irish unity then that would obviously be a welcome move and comes a month after Sinn Féin published detailed proposals and launched a campaign for the Irish government to bring forward a Green Paper on Irish Unity.

“I also note that the Irish Minister Dermot Ahern has chosen to associate himself with these proposals. I would make the case that the campaign to achieve Irish unity would be far better advanced if he directed his energies and those of the Irish government into publishing at the earliest opportunity a Green Paper on Irish Unity which could then enjoy the support of the vast majority of people on the island who wish to see national re-unification.” ENDS

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin launch campaign for a Green Paper on Irish unity

Published: 25 February, 2005

**[Download PDF document on site]

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP today launched a campaign urging the Irish government to bring forward a Green Paper and to begin the practical planning for Irish unity now. At the launch, which took place in the Writers Museum in Dublin, Mr. Adams was accompanied by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Councillor Joe Reilly, Caitríona Ruane MLA and Martin McGuinness MP.

Mr. Adams said:

“In 1992 Sinn Féin published a document ‘Towards a Lasting Peace in Ireland’ which set out our party’s peace strategy. That document signposted the development and evolution of the peace process.

Now in 2005 we are setting out our roadmap for Irish unity and launching a campaign to urge the Irish government to bring forward a Green Paper and to begin the practical planning for Irish unity now.

These are difficult times in the peace process and of course our primary focus has to be on moving out of the current crisis. But we need to do more than that. We need to put the peace process back on track and ensure that what we achieve is democracy and a permanent peace.

Sinn Féin believes that:

* There is a responsibility on the Irish government to take the lead and bring forward a strategy to achieve national self-determination, Irish re-unification and national reconciliation.
* The British Government should address this democratic imperative by becoming persuaders for Irish unity and by developing policies to end partition and end its jurisdiction in Ireland.
* Now is the time for Irish people to engage on the shape, form and nature that a re-united Ireland will take.
* There is a need for widespread consultation at home and abroad.
* Every effort must be made to engage with unionist opinion and to consider, discuss and engage with them about the nature and form a new Ireland will take.

“This campaign will form the centerpiece of this the centenary year of Sinn Féin. We will be seeking support in every county in Ireland and among the Irish Diaspora. We will be engaging with political parties, the social partners, local communities, the churches, young people. We will be working to ensure that Irish unity is a reality in our lifetime.” ENDS

BBC

SDLP launch united Ireland policy

Mark Durkan launched the policy document on Monday

The SDLP’s vision for a united Ireland has been launched with a new policy document by party leader Mark Durkan.

The Better Way document was launched in Belfast and Dublin on Monday.

The party is hosting an event at Dublin’s Mansion House with political parties from the Irish Republic and the foreign minister Dermot Ahern is due to attend a public seminar in Newry later.

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds has called on the Irish government to produce a green paper on the issue.

The SDLP policy states the party’s support for “the will of the people”.

“That is why we are 100% for the Good Friday Agreement, just as we are 100% for a united Ireland.

“And it is why, in our strategy for a united Ireland, we believe the Agreement must endure,” it says.

Sinn Fein recently launched its own policy document on Irish unity.

BreakingNews.ie

Dáil protest demands ban on fur-farming

21/03/2005 - 12:54:41

Animal welfare groups have mounted a protest outside the Dáil today as part of a campaign to secure a ban on fur-farming in Ireland.

The protest was arranged to raise awareness of the matter ahead of a Dáil debate tomorrow evening on legislation designed to prohibit the rearing and killing of animals for their fur.

Campaigners said six mink farms were currently exterminating around 153,000 animals in Ireland every year, many of whom spend their entire lives in tiny cages.

Speaking outside the Dáil today Mary Anne Bartlett from Compassion in World Farming said: “We feel fur-farming would be one of the most serious animal welfare problems in the Republic of Ireland at the minute.”