SAOIRSE32

Irish Independent

Our ghostly seas . . . 12,000 shipwrecks litter coast

ARCHAEOLOGISTS compiling the country’s first list of the shipwrecks that litter the coastline believe there may be as many as 12,000.

This year, the Department of the Environment’s special underwater archaeology unit will finalise the first of four volumes on the wrecks that will list those off the east coast. The number of wrecks has soared from an initial examination five years ago when about 7,000 wrecks were catalogued. “We expect that when we finish the number will be 10,000 to 12,000. These would range from dugout boats in prehistoric times up to when we stop at the end of the World War II in 1945,” said Karl Brady, archaeologist with the unit.

“It is the first time they will be documented and quantified as a resource and then after that we hope to map them and ensure they are protected.” Any wreck over 100 years is automatically protected by law and anyone diving on it needs a licence.

Mr Brady said new wrecks were being discovered every year mostly as a result of dredging, pipe-lying and an extensive seabed survey being undertaken by the Geological Survey and the Maritime Institute.

Compiling the inventory involves an extensive search of records in the National Library, TCD library and the databases of other institutions like Lloyds insurance lists, shipping newspapers and registers.

Mr Brady said that while the number of wrecks might seem high it had to be considered in the context of Ireland being an island nation that imported many of its needs for centuries, suffered invasions and is close to major international shipping routes.

The first volume of the inventory will cover Louth, Meath, Dublin and Wicklow. Next month an extra archaeologist will be hired on a six month contract to help with the research. “At the moment we are planning to complete Wexford and Waterford next. At the entrance to the Irish Sea with a number of natural hazards, Wexford has the highest percentage of wrecks of any county.

“Cork will be the third volume and then Kerry to Donegal,” he said. The location of many of the wrecks is unknown and others have been buried by shifting sands. Portmarnock Strand in north Dublin is an example.

“Many people will walk the strand and never see a wreck. But if you walk it at the right time after a storm sometimes you will see wrecks exposed after sand is dragged out. You might see an 18th century or 16th century wreck lying there. I think there are seven or eight wrecks on Portmarnock.” Sand also buried a wreck in Waterford Harbour which is believed to be the Cromwellian flagship Great Lewis that sank in 1645.

It was discovered in 1999 when a dredger working on the commercial navigation channel through the Duncannon sandbar cut into the wreck and brought some timbers to the surface. The unit has been ensuring it is protected.

Andrew Bushe

BBC

Dissidents blamed for firebombs

The area was later reopened

Police believe dissident republicans are responsible for placing firebombs in two NI shopping centres.

Two fire bombs were discovered in the Forestside complex, south Belfast. Army bomb experts made safe a device at Dunnes Stores on Monday at lunchtime.

On Saturday evening, another device ignited and damaged the Next clothes shop in the same complex.

Also on Monday, army experts made safe an incendiary device at Ards shopping centre in County Down.

Police are appealing to both shop workers and to shoppers across Northern Ireland to remain vigilant.

Nl Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland condemned those responsible for planting the devices which, he said, had put lives and property at risk and caused unnecessary disruption.

“All right thinking people should be appalled by these attacks,” he said.

“Some elements of society are intent on causing destruction and putting lives at risk,”

Mr McCausland said the devices were similar to those used by dissident republicans in the past.

‘Harmful violence’

DUP councillor in County Down, Jim Shannon, said the situation was very worrying.

“The people of Ards are angry. They are dismayed and disgusted,” he said.

“Their answer is to get back to business and for the police and army to take very stern and strict action against those involved.”

SDLP assembly member Carmel Hanna also condemned the firebomb attacks.

“I condemn utterly the spate of firebombs at Forestside shopping centre and elsewhere in the north which are a sign that, in the current atmosphere of political stalemate, we are drifting further into a state of low profile but immensely harmful violence,” she said.

Police have warned shop owners across the province to be extra vigilant over the Easter period.

BBC

Officers attacked during inquiry

Police have come under firework attack while investigating a sectarian incident in County Antrim.

Bricks and stones were also thrown at officers called after an attack on a Catholic woman’s home in Ahoghill.

Threats were made against the woman by a masked man who forced his way into her house in the early hours of Sunday morning.

No-one was hurt in the incident, but there was minor damage to the front door.

The woman was left “petrified” by the incident, said police.

She was awoken by noises at her home in Brookfield Gardens at about 0230 GMT. She was alone at the time.

The woman discovered a man standing at the bottom of her stairs, covering his face with a jumper. He made threats to her and then left the house.

However, a short time later the woman heard a bang at her living room window and more threats were made against her.

Police crews came under attack from youths who threw bricks and stones and up to a dozen fireworks.

A resident’s car parked in the street was damaged, as was a police car, said the PSNI.

Superintendent Terry Shevlin, the local police commander, said he totally condemned the incident.

“It is totally unacceptable for any individuals to be targeted because of their religion or race, or just because they are seen as ‘different’ from other people in an area.

“Such incidents will not be tolerated by police,” he said.

Sinn Féin

Republicans needs to look beyond the current crisis in the peace process

Published: 28 March, 2005

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD speaking at the Easter Commemoration in Clones this afternoon said “Republicans now need to look beyond the current crisis in the peace process. We believe that the process can and will be rebuilt and returned to the path of progress. Inevitably, that will mean more hard choices, including more hard decisions for the Irish and British governments and others, as well as for Sinn Féin and for the IRA.”

Extracts of Deputy Ó Caoláin’s address

“As we gather to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising and the Proclamation of the Republic we are joined by tens of thousands of people throughout Ireland and throughout the world in this act of remembrance and rededication. We are remembering the defining event in modern Irish history and our first thoughts are with all those who fell in the struggle to make the Republic a reality. Our commemoration is especially significant this year, marking as it does, Céad Bliain Sinn Féin.

The men and women we honour here gave their all for freedom. Their example demands political commitment, discipline and diligence from all who follow in their footsteps today.

Republicans expect the highest standards of conduct from all in our ranks. That has always been the case and we reject anyone who by their actions would bring the good name of the republican cause into disrepute. For that is what has happened in recent times. I regret to have to say it here and on this occasion but it must be said. The brutal murder of Robert McCartney has sullied the good name of republicanism. Those responsible should own up to their actions. Their continuing failure to do so compounds the outrage of all who proudly proclaim their republicanism this Easter time.

Look beyond the crisis

Republicans now need to look beyond the current crisis in the peace process. We believe that the process can and will be rebuilt and returned to the path of progress. Inevitably, that will mean more hard choices, including more hard decisions for the Irish and British governments and others, as well as for Sinn Féin and for the IRA.

We as republicans are prepared to face up to the difficult decisions we must make, as we have done at every key stage of the peace process. But we will accept no lectures from the likes of Minister Michael McDowell. This week in the Dáil I described him as a unionist and he replied that he was an Irish republican. Very well, Minister McDowell. As the President of the Progressive Democrats, if you are a republican, why don’t you organize your party on an all-Ireland basis? Will you stand candidates here in the Six Counties in the forthcoming Westminster elections? Better still, will you stand yourself? Or is it the case that your republicanism, and your Ireland, stops at Dundalk. I think we all know the answer to that.

British Inquiries Bill designed to cover up decades of collusion

Neither will republicans accept lectures from the British government. In the current climate that Government has been breathing a sigh of relief as the eye has been taken off England as the primary cause of the conflict in our country. Where are the sanctions against the British government for its continuing efforts to thwart any real process of truth and justice for the victims of the policy of collusion - a central part of Britain’s war in Ireland.

No-one who has seriously and honestly studied this conflict of the past 36 years doubts that there was systematic collusion between British forces and loyalist paramilitaries.

It is not ancient history. It is relevant right up to the present day. The British government has brought in a piece of legislation called the Inquiries Bill which is designed to prevent any realistic inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane or that of any other victim of collusion between its forces and loyalist death squads.

That legislation will give the power to a British minister to order an inquiry to be held behind closed doors. Judge Peter Cory, who recommended the Finucane inquiry, has severely criticised this legislation. He has gone as far as to advise his colleague judges in Canada not to participate in any inquiry under such legislation. And of course British ministers and the British military will still have the controlling hand when it comes to the release of information. We have seen how they have used that power.

A Leinster House Committee was established on foot of the Barron Report into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The Committee severely reprimanded the British Prime Minister for his refusal to establish an inquiry, as called for by the Oireachtas, into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. It went further and stated that Blair’s action is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement. The British Secretary of State, the Northern Ireland Office and the PSNI refused to co-operate in any meaningful way with the Barron investigation itself or with the work of the Oireachtas Committee.

As a Teachta Dála for Monaghan and for County Cavan, together with the team of Sinn Féin TDs and activists in Leinster House, I am very proud to represent Irish republicans. There is no British border in our minds and we are guided at all times by our determination to end partition and build an All-Ireland Republic. And it will not be a paper republic or a symbolic republic but a democratic, sovereign state where equal rights and equal opportunities are guaranteed to all. We want to see an end to sectarianism in any form and every republican should work to that end. We are pledged to fight against the scourge of racism and against all forms of discrimination and for a country that cherishes all its people in all their diversity. And we are determined to campaign side by side with communities throughout our country to end the scandal of inequality and poverty on this island of plenty.

Our strategies and our tactics may change but our basic principles remain the same. They are set out in the Proclamation. Our job is to put it into effect. Our task is to move forward, united and strong, to our goal of Irish unity and independence, to an Ireland of Equals in which all the children of the nation are cherished equally.” ENDS

BBC

Parade ‘passes without incident’

Apprentice Boys marchers passed the Ardoyne shops

The Apprentice Boys parade close to a nationalist area in north Belfast has passed off without incident.

Police were out in fewer numbers than previous years to monitor the marchers as the parade passed Ardoyne shops.

Police said the peaceful parade was a result of the work of people in the area.

PSNI Superintendent Gary White said: “All the people of this area in north Belfast are to be commended on the work undertaken before this parade.”

This had ensured its peaceful passage, he said.

“We had the lowest police presence here for many years and this reflects the work undertaken by both communities.”

Supt White, the PSNI’s operations manager for north Belfast, said he would like to see all events in the area policed in such a manner in future.

In the past, protests over some Protestant loyal order parades in the area have led to violence.

In accordance with a Parades Commission ruling, no music was played as it passed the contentious area.

Meanwhile, on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast, 10 Apprentice Boys belonging to the Belfast Walker Club were bussed past the mainly nationalist lower Ormeau Road and into the city centre.

Belfast Telegraph

Firebomb warning to traders

By Deborah McAleese
28 March 2005

An urgent warning has been issued to shopkeepers across Northern Ireland about a new firebombing campaign after a device was discovered in one of the province’s busiest shopping centres.

The Next store at the Forestside shopping complex caught fire after an incendiary device exploded late on Saturday night.

Items of clothing were damaged in the fire which was extinguished by a sprinkler system.

The complex was closed to keyholders for a time, but they were later asked to return to check their premises.

Police have warned shop owners across the province to be extra vigilant over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

A police spokesman said: “Police would like to remind shop owners there is a need for vigilance during the Easter holidays.

“Any members of staff who find anything suspicious should immediately alert the police, and shoppers who discover anything suspicious should alert staff.”

A similar alert to shop owners was issued over the Christmas and New Year holidays following the discovery of devices in Belfast, Lisburn, Newry, Antrim, Londonderry, Newtownabbey and Ballymena.

A number ignited and caused major damage to some of the stores.

Belfast assemblyman Robin Newton said that these type of attacks are setting the province back to the worst days of the terrorist campaigns.

He said: “The firebomb attack on Forestside was an act of madness. Those who plan and carry out such activities have nothing to offer but despondency and despair.”

IrishExaminer.com

Residency amnesty for 30,000 parents

28 March 2005
By Seán McCárthaigh

OVER 30,000 non-EU parents of Irish-born children are likely to be granted permanent residency status over the next few months.
The Department of Justice has confirmed that it has received over 15,500 applications to date from such families as part of a special once-off scheme.

It was announced by Justice Minister Michael McDowell last January after last year’s controversial referendum to limit the automatic right of children of foreign parents born in the Republic to reside here was passed.

In turn, it had followed a landmark Supreme Court ruling in early 2003 which declared the deportation of the Irish-born children of non-EU parents to be legal.

The closing date for the actual scheme is next Thursday, although it is understood documents will be accepted for a short period after this deadline due to administrative delays at Dublin’s Nigerian embassy.

However, official sources said they believed the vast number of potential families who could avail of the scheme had already submitted applications.

The main criterion for allowing applicants to remain living in Ireland is that they are willing to take up employment in the State.

The total number of applicants to date has already surpassed official estimates, which calculated that around 11,000 families would be eligible at the outset of the scheme.

A spokesperson for Mr McDowell said over 3,000 applicants had already been processed and granted permission to reside in the Republic.

It is believed that the number of people who had their applications rejected is relatively small.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear when Olukunle Elukanlo, the Nigerian student at the centre of last week’s deportation controversy, is due to return to Ireland.

Olukunle, who is staying with a priest in Lagos, Nigeria, claims he received no official contact over the weekend to arrange travel back to Dublin.

Mr McDowell admitted last week he was wrong to have signed the original deportation order against the Palmerstown College student who was due to sit his Leaving Cert this summer.

A spokesperson for Mr McDowell said instructions had been issued last Thursday to the Irish embassy in the Nigerian capital of Abuja to provide Olukunle with a new six-month student visa.

The embassy is not due to re-open until tomorrow morning but a justice spokesperson said contact had been made over the weekend with Olukunle, who reported being “safe and well”.

Belfast Telegraph

Murder horror family anguish

By Jonathan McCambridge
28 March 2005

The sister of a father-of-two kicked to death in Belfast has spoken of her horror after she came face to face with a man accused of his murder in a shopping centre.

The family of Thomas Glen Venus from Ballysillan have hit out at the Northern Ireland courts for releasing suspects charged with murder as they wait for trial.

Mr Venus (28), a father of two, was discovered beaten and kicked near the Midland building on York St in north Belfast, almost a year ago. He had serious head injuries and died a short time later.

Four men were charged with his murder in April of last year. All four have been released on bail pending a preliminary inquiry and trial and are not allowed to go within two miles of Ballysillan or York Road railway station.

However, Thomas’ sister Julie Venus said the family could not cope with the fact that the men accused of killing her brother are walking the streets.

She said: “It is ridiculous. The police phoned us one day and told us that they were getting bail. We were told it was about protecting their human rights.

“Then this week my brother and I were shopping in the Abbeycentre when there he was, one of the men charged with Thomas’ murder - he walked right past us. He can go there because it is Newtownabbey, not Belfast.

“I did not know what to say or what to do. I was so angry that I just wanted to cry. It is horrendous that these people can be walking about the streets when Thomas is dead; how do you think that makes us feel?

“We do not even know what happened to Thomas; it is a year later and there has been no trial or inquest. All we know is that he drowned in his own blood after being kicked in the nose - we do not even have a death certificate for him.

“The police still have his jewellery and his clothes from the night he was killed; they also have kept part of his brain because of how he died, so we have not even been able to bury all of him.”

Thomas’ father Francie described how the murder of his son had had a devastating effect on all his family.

“I just feel that life is not worth living anymore. It has destroyed the lives of all of us because we want to know what happened to him.”

RTE News

North parade passes off peacefully

28 March 2005 13:22

A contentious feeder parade by the Apprentice Boys of Derry in north Belfast this morning has passed off without incident.

There were no protests by nationalists as a band and around 16 members of the loyalist order marched past the Ardoyne shops.

In accordance with a Parades Commission ruling, the flute band played no music except a drum beat.

There was no protest this time by nationalist Ardoyne residents.

This was a gesture they said aimed at creating a climate towards real dialogue with organisers of future loyalist parades.

The march moved peacefully into the Protestant Woodvale Road, cheered by about 40 supporters.

Two other feeder parades in contentious areas of the city also passed without incident.

A PSNI superintendent paid tribute to people in the north Belfast area for the work they had undertaken in advance of the parade in order to ensure its peaceful passage.

BBC

Second alert at shopping complex

Army technical experts are examining the scene

There has been a second security alert at a shopping centre in south Belfast.

The alarm was raised after midday on Monday at the Forestside complex. An incendiary bomb started a fire at the centre on Saturday.

Stock in a clothes shop was damaged, but the blaze was put out by a sprinkler system.

Earlier on Monday, Army bomb experts were called to deal with an incendiary device at Ards shopping centre in County Down.

The area was reopened at midday.

Police are appealing to both shop workers and to shoppers across Northern Ireland to remain vigilant.

DUP councillor in County Down, Jim Shannon, said the situation was very worrying.

“The people of Ards are angry. They are dismayed and disgusted,” he said.

“Their answer is to get back to business and for the police and army to take very stern and strict action against those involved.”

Police have warned shop owners across the province to be extra vigilant over the Easter period.

unison.ie

Irish-only signs go up in Gaeltacht

28 March 2005

ONLY the Irish language version of placenames will be on the road and street signs in Gaeltacht areas from today.

And in the non-Gaeltacht areas of Galway, along with Dublin and Tipperary, the Irish language name will be made official as well as the English language version.

The new regulations introduced by Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon O Cuiv come into legal effect today.

The decision to remove English versions from signs in the Gaeltacht prompted criticism from tourism concerns in the regions, who pointed out that it would cause confusion for non-Irish speakers travelling in Gaeltacht areas.

Irish language placenames were given official recognition for the first time ever under the Official Languages Act 2003.

Under section five of the legislation, Mr O Cuiv is gradually giving equal status to Irish language versions of the country’s placenames.

To date, the minister has signed nine placenames orders on December 21 and February 5 last, confirming the official Irish language versions of placenames, including orders for the counties of Kilkenny, Louth, Limerick, Monaghan, Waterford and Offaly.

Fionnan Sheahan

Sunday Life

Operation Laura

By Stephen Breen
27 March 2005

Builder Kevin O’Shea, teacher Francie Toner and social worker Cyril McKinney - founding members of the Ballynoe Romania Team in Downpatrick - have been fighting for a year to bring the little Romanian orphan Laura to the Royal Victoria Hospital for a life-saving operation.

The tiny two-year-old, who is only the same size as a six-month old baby, suffers from a rare heart condition, ventricular septal defect.

She is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, in the town of Barolt.

She has also suffered from anaemia and malnourishment in the past year.

Said Mr Toner: “When we saw her lying in that bed, we knew we had to do something - she is such a brave little girl.

“We’re just glad that we have finally been given the green light to bring her to Northern Ireland for a life-saving operation.”

The charity workers have been visiting Romania for three years, and have undertaken a range of projects in schools, orphanages and villages across the country.

When the three were shown Laura in January 2004 and informed of her critical condition, they vowed to do their best to help her.

But because the child’s parents are Hungarian, their attempts to arrange for her to visit Ulster have been frustrated by Romanian red tape.

It was only when they visited Barolt in January, that they were told by Romanian doctors she could finally make the trip.

They were also told that unless she received the life-saving operation in the RVH, she would not be alive this time next year.

The charity workers now hope to bring the sick youngster to Belfast, next month.

Said Mr Toner: “Laura is going to be three years old on April 23 and we hope to have her over here before then.

“Time is of the essence here - every single second counts.

“We are just delighted that she is able to travel now, because we were told she would not be alive this time next year, if she did not have the operation.

“The bottom line is that we are dealing here with a little girl’s life - red tape should not be allowed to get in the way of this.

“We are now waiting on the Home Office confirming her visa, and we would hope to be flying to Romania on April 9 to bring her to Belfast.”

Mr Toner also paid tribute to the people who have backed the charity’s campaign.

“The pupils where I work, in St Malachy’s in north Belfast, have been great, and they have organised a series of fundraising initiatives.

“The Heartbeat charity and people in Downpatrick, including local pensioners and business owners, have also supported us and we can’t thank them enough.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation should ring St Malachy’s on 028 90 748285.

sbreen@belfasttelegraph.co.uk