SAOIRSE32

Daily Ireland

**I am including this article on aspartame from Daily Ireland because I didn’t know all this controversy surrounded something I use every day.

Diet foods: more harm than good?

Aspartame is the name of an artificial sweetener which is probably by far the most dangerous substance knowingly added to our food today. Also known by the name “NutraSweet”, you will find aspartame in many foods, particularly foods labelled “diet” or “no added sugar”, such as Diet Coke and other “diet” drinks, yoghurts, ready meals, chewing gum – the list goes on and on. Aspartame can lurk in many products masquerading as “healthy”. New lower sugar healthy baked beans? Check the label, chances are they now contain sugar and aspartame!
But we all know that sugar is bad. So, a tin of Diet Coke has to be better for you than ordinary coke, right?
Wrong. Refined sugar is extremely toxic, and causes blood sugar imbalances, hyperactivity in children, and weight gain. But aspartame is actually even worse. And it doesn’t even work as a “diet” product!
Dr Julian Whitaker, MD says: “Aspartame has been proven to increase appetite, especially cravings for sweets”. It upsets your blood sugar levels, affects insulin levels, and can cause diabetes, just like sugar does. Also, it is highly addictive.” Dr HJ Roberts, MD says: “Addiction to aspartame products is as real as abuse of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.”
According to researchers and physicians, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by aspartame: Brain tumours, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.
Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol.
Aspartic acid makes up 40 per cent of the structure of aspartame. Under excess conditions, the structure of aspartic acid can cause endocrine (hormone) disorders and vision problems. It also causes hyperactivity. Aspartic acid is a neuroexicter, which means its structure affects the central nervous system. Adverse reactions to aspartic acid are: headaches/migraines, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, vision problems, anxiety attacks, depression, and asthma.
The second isolated amino acid in aspartame’s chemical structure is phenylalanine, fifty per cent of aspartame’s 3-D structure. Too much phenylalanine causes seizures, elevated blood plasma, is dangerous for pregnancy (causing retardation), PMS caused by phenylalanine’s blockage of serotonin, insomnia, severe mood swings, and even schizophrenia.
Aspartame’s third component is methanol. In this structure, methanol bonds the two amino acids together, but when released at a mere 30 degrees centigrade, the methanol becomes a poisonous free radical. This would occur when an aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated. Symptoms from methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioural disturbances, and neuritis. The most well known problems from methanol poisoning are vision problems which can lead to blindness.
Dr. Morgan Raiford, MD, DSc (Med) Ophtl, said: “Methyl alcohol has no place in a product, whole or in part, to be allowed to be produced by any manufacturer for human usage.”
Since “diet” drinks and foods containing aspartame have come onto the market, the incidence of brain tumours has shot up.
It has been found that the introduction of aspartame into the US was followed by an abrupt increase in the reported incidence of brain tumours. There has also been a marked change in the incidence of particular types of brain tumours, with an increase in the aggressive (and all too often terminal) type of tumour (glioblastomas). This rise in the incidence and aggressiveness of brain tumours has also been seen here.

“Methyl alcohol has no place in a product, whole or in part, to be allowed to be produced by any manufacturer for human usage.”

Manufacturers assure us that aspartame is completely safe. But, Professor Ralph Walton of Northwestern Ohio Universities states: “I believe Aspartame increases risk of cancer. Virtually all the studies attesting to its safety have been funded by the industry.”
They are also ignoring the growing victims’ support groups and the increasing number of health practitioners who are talking about people “cured” from serious diseases just by stopping taking aspartame.
Dr. Reuben Matalon, a pediatrician and geneticist said: “Let us say cigarettes were invented today, and you give 20 people two packs a day and after six weeks, no one has cancer, would you say that it was safe?”
But perhaps things are about to change. Last April lawsuits were filed in three separate California courts against 12 companies (including Coca-cola, Pepsi and Nutra Sweet) who either produce or use the artificial sweetener aspartame in their products.
And, in September, The National Justice League in America filed a $350 million class action lawsuit against companies for manufacturing and marketing aspartame.
Perhaps these companies will finally be brought to task; in the meantime the best thing we can do is read labels carefully, and avoid aspartame and other artificial sweeteners like the plague!

BBC

SF members expelled over killing

Two members of Sinn Fein have been expelled over the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney.
The party said they had been expelled because they refused to follow an instruction to give a full and frank statement about the killing.

The order had been given by party leader Gerry Adams.

A Sinn Fein spokesman refused to name the two members and suggested that doing so could prejudice any future court proceedings.

The 33-year-old father of two died in hospital after he was stabbed following a row in a Belfast bar on 30 January.

Four members of the party resigned following Mr Adams’ call for co-operation from anyone who was in and around Magennis’ bar. Six members have been suspended until the party’s executive meets.

So far, police investigating the murder have arrested and questioned 12 men, all of whom were released without charge.

BreakingNews.ie

New police team to probe paramilitary murder

25/04/2005 - 21:56:54

A new team of detectives has been brought in to probe a loyalist paramilitary murder dogged by allegations of a police cover-up, it was revealed tonight.

One of Northern Ireland’s most senior detectives, Phil Wright, is heading the inquiry into the savage killing of Raymond McCord in 1997.

The ex-RAF radar operator, 22, was beaten to death and his body dumped in a north Belfast quarry in 1997.

His father, Raymond McCord Sr, has defied death threats to speak out against the Ulster Volunteer Force men he blames for the attack.

Mr McCord believes Special Branch blocked the original investigation to protect two high-ranking moles within the terrorist organisation.

Raymond Jr was killed on the orders of asenior UVF man and police informer who has never been charged despite links to at least a dozen murders, he alleges.

His claims are being examined by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan.

Mr McCord, who has rejected an invitation to meet political representatives in the Republic of Ireland, met with Chief Superintendent Wright and Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid in Belfast today.

He told PA: “There’s a new team of investigators and I’m more confident because the last team were hindered.

“Sam Kinkaid seems to be doing a lot more than his predecessors and Phil Wright impressed me.”

During their talks Mr McCord gave the officers the names of two UVF men he claims were involved in both his son’s killing and an attempt to bomb Sinn Féin offices across the border in Co Monaghan months earlier.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed tonight the meeting took place, with more expected in future.

A spokeswoman would not comment on changes to the investigation, but said: “There are a number of lines of inquiry being pursued in relation to the murder of Mr McCord’s son.”

Meanwhile, Mr McCord has turned down a chance to discuss his case with political representatives from a number of parties in the Republic.

He was invited to Dublin along with Liam Kennedy, a critic of paramilitary human rights abuses standing as an independent election candidate in Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams’ West Belfast constituency.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the August 1998 Omagh bomb massacre, was also asked to attend.

But Mr McCord was withering in his assessment of the southern parties sincerity.

He claimed: “Seven and a half years after my son’s murder they have never offered me any support, and it’s not just young Raymond’s case.

“They have failed to speak out on behalf of Protestant victims, it has always been a nationalist agenda.”

Mr Gallagher said he understood Mr McCord’s decision, but insisted it was better to challenge those in authority to help.

He said: “If I go down there might be doors open that wouldn’t otherwise.

“I don’t care how they are opened, I want to take advantage of that.”

Evening Standard

**Via IRA2

Bloody Sunday soldier found shot dead

By Alun Rees, Evening Standard
25 April 2005

A senior soldier who served in Northern Ireland and gave evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry has been found shot dead.

Mike Norman, 62, a former sergeant-major and once the British Army’s top sniper in the province, was found dead at the wheel of a hired BMW in Hounslow.

His death - by a shot in the stomach from a 9mm pistol - is being investigated under the direction of a senior Scotland Yard officer because of his former role’s “sensitivity”.

His body was found in the green BMW last Sunday. Although Mr Norman is thought to have committed suicide, Scotland Yard has now assigned the inquiry to an assistant commissioner.

During the height of the Ulster troubles of the Seventies, military sources say, the sergeant-major - a lethal shot - accounted for about six Provisional IRA men in anti-terrorist operations.

Sources also claim he was cleared during that period, by a secret army board of inquiry, of the murder of a terrorist suspect. He gave evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry under conditions of anonymity.

Mr Norman continued in army service after his Ulster tours of duty, playing a key role in rebuilding its Warminster sniper school.

During a colourful career he played polo against Prince Charles at the Guards Polo Club.

His second wife, Fiona McNab, told the Evening Standard: “Because of his background I’m sure the police will be looking at all the possibilities including, I’m afraid, foul play. There’s no doubt the IRA would have liked to see him dead, with or without a ceasefire.

“Personally I find it impossible to believe that Mike would have taken his own life in that dreadful way.

“He was a trained marksman and game shot, and I can only believe this was some terrible accident if no one else was involved. I suppose we will now have to wait for the outcome of the investigation and the coroner’s inquest.”

Ms McNab met Mr Norman at a ball at the army’s Sandhurst military academy, where he was a drill sergeant and her father also a servingofficer. She said: “He was accused of murdering a civilian believed to be an IRA operative who he shot at a road block.

“I remember him having to fly back and forth to Ulster, and then he came back after one trip and said he’d been cleared.

“More recently he gave evidence at the Bloody Sunday inquiry.

“I don’t know the nature of his evidence, but I do know he was held in very high esteem by senior officers and was acknowledged to be a soldier’s soldier. He was made a regimental sergeant-major of the

Coldstream Guards, which is a big job, but he developed diabetes and was given other duties.”

Ms McNab said Mr Norman left her and eventually married his third wife Sue three years ago, but that they had still been on good terms.

She said: “He was a fine man who served his country very well.

“He never hated the Irish but he hated terrorism - he had Irish roots and family land in Roscommon, but he could never visit it because of his battles with the IRA. I suppose that’s the tragedy of Ireland.”

An army source said: “Mike Norman was acknowledged as a top sniper and I believe he accounted for a number of IRA terrorists in the days when they tried to take on the British Army in a shooting war and failed.

“He himself claimed six hits - but this is not the sort of thing the Army wants to talk about, either then or now.”

::: u.tv :::

McCartney sisters challenge Adams over ousted Sinn Fein pair

Two Sinn Fein members have been thrown out of the party over the Robert McCartney murder, the party’s president Gerry Adams has revealed.

By:Press Association
MONDAY 25/04/2005 18:19:35

Another four who were also in the Belfast bar on the night of the IRA killing have quit after refusing to make statements.

The six were among 12 suspended by the party leadership under pressure to act by the dead man`s sisters.

Tonight the sisters challenged Mr Adams to declare whether the ousted pair were among the men suspected of direct involvement in the January 30 pub brawl murder.

When asked a Sinn Fein spokesman said: “I wouldn`t know. It`s up to the IRA to name who they expel.”

In the aftermath of the attack, the Provisionals said they had thrown out three of their men.

Catherine McCartney said tonight: “Gerry Adams is confusing matters more than clearing them up.

“He hasn`t addressed any of the issues the family wanted him to address, apart from saying he would make public the findings of an internal investigation.”

Mr McCartney`s sisters and partner Bridgeen Hagans have fought a relentless campaign to bring the killers to justice.

They have been to the White House and the European Parliament in a bid to pressurise the chief suspects into court.

But even though the family claim the republican movement has been shielding the murderers, Mr Adams insisted the party fully backed their demands for the murder gang to face trial and was doing all it could to help.

He said: “I called on those responsible to come forward and admit their responsibility for this horrendous murder.

They have refused.

“I also called on everyone who was in the vicinity of Magennis` Bar to provide full and frank statements.

“Because Sinn Fein takes this matter so seriously, we suspended the 11 members of the party who were in the bar that night and the one who later arrived on the scene.

“They were suspended, without prejudice, while the party establishes whether they complied with the call by party leaders for everyone to provide a full and frank statement.

“Of the 12 members suspended four resigned and two were expelled for refusing to follow this instruction.

“As we have already stated publicly, the other six remain suspended pending a report to the party`s Ard Chomhairle (National Executive).

The conclusions of this process will be made public.”

But the West Belfast MP`s response failed to satisfy the McCartneys, who had presented a series of demands, including why Sinn Fein did not immediately approach the family, its reason for initially describing the murder as part of a growing knife culture, and at what stage the party realised SF election candidates were in Magennis` that night.

They also wanted to know when the party launched its internal investigation, its purpose, and timescale.

Police Ombudsman Nuala O`Loan`s office, which has offered to take witness accounts to aid the investigation, could not confirm allegations that statements from Sinn Fein members have not been signed.

It is understood, however, that between ten and 20 statements have now been received by the Ombudsman`s staff.

Turkish Press

**Some of you might wonder what’s up with the Turkish Press here as a source. It’s because I am using the Google and Yahoo news RSS generators in my feed programme, and you would not believe some of the sources I get!

Sinn Fein calls for removal of ‘imperialist’ British post boxes

Published: 4/25/2005

DUBLIN - Ireland’s post office has rejected out of hand a demand from a nationalist group to scrap more than 1,000 old post boxes which still carry the British royal crown and insignia, calling the demand “clap-trap”.

An Post, the state postal company, was responding to a call from Sinn Fein, Northern Ireland’s biggest Roman Catholic political party, which also fights elections south of the border.

Last week, Sinn Fein — which opposes British rule in Northern Ireland — said the post boxes were a throwback to the days when London ruled all Ireland, before the south attained independence in 1922.

“People fought and died to end British rule in Ireland,” Sinn Fein spokesman Sean Crowe said.

“It sends the wrong message for an independent state to have the crown on public post boxes,”

“I know there are historical reasons why people would like to see them there but I don’t think they should be used.

“I have no problem with them being set aside for posterity but I don’t think a modern independent state should have the insignia of another country on their postal service.”

Crowe said the old crown-adorned boxes could have their letter slot blocked up and be left where they were, as historical artefacts.

When the new Irish administration took over independence, the red British post boxes with their crowns and insignias were painted green and were continued to be used.

A small number of post boxes later had their door replaced with one that says SE (Saorstat Eireann, or Irish Free State, but in most cases the crown remained on the box above the door.

Late last week, Irish Communications Minister Noel Dempsey answered a parliamentary question on the issue from Sinn Fein by saying it was a matter for An Post.

A spokesman for An Post said the company had no plans to change the old boxes.

“They are part of our history. They were bequeathed to us as part of the postal services and are part of our culture and heritage and we have no plans to make changes on the basis of any pseudo-republican clap-trap,” he said.

He said over a fifth of the 4,675 or so post boxes still in use throughout Ireland were pre-1922.

04/25/2005 11:58 GMT

BBC

**I get it. If you’re RUC/police and a soldier shoots you, you get lots of money. If you’re a Catholic, for instance, and a soldier shoots you, you get zip - if you live - and the soldier is never charged.

Police officer awarded £400,000

A police officer who was shot by an undercover soldier while on duty in Belfast seven years ago has been awarded over £400,000 in compensation.

Stephen Mullock, 49, sued the Ministry of Defence after he alleged the soldier had been negligent in the control and discharge of a gun.

After the incident Mr Mullock had to give up an active police career and take up a desk job in the PSNI.

Mr Mullock was shot after he stopped the soldier’s car on 14 January 1988.

He had given chase to the vehicle, turning on his car’s blue light and two tone horn, after he had seen it acting suspiciously.

The soldier stopped her car close to Carlisle Circus in the north of the city and got out and shot Mr Mullock, even those he was wearing his Royal Ulster Constabulary uniform.

Mr Mullock’s barrister told the High Court in Belfast that the action had been settled for £416,000.

In court papers it was claimed the soldier had failed to respond to requests and efforts to stop and had failed to show adequate regard for the fact that the car driver following him was a police officer acting in the course of his duty.

It was also alleged that the soldier opened fire when it was not necessary to do so.

The papers stated that Mr Mullock had never been given an explanation for the shooting and no apology was ever offered.

This led to a claim for aggravated and exemplary damages because of what was described as the MoD’s “arbitrary and oppressive behaviour”.

IrishExaminr.com

**You might at first think this would be a good idea, but there are plenty of decent, hard-working, responsible parents whose teens go bad and exhibit uncontrollable behaviour. To punish the whole family rather than to get some kind of help or restraint for the problem is not the answer in my opinion.

Call to fine parents for anti-social children

25 April 2005
By Michael Brennan

THE parents of out-of-control teenagers should be forced to pay on-the-spot fines, Fine Gael claimed last night.
The party said the fines, which would range between €50 and €100, would be part of a series of measures to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Justice spokesman Jim O’Keefe said it would make parents accept responsibility for their children’s behaviour.

“I was told that last St Patrick’s Day the gardaí had to ring the parents of 150 teenagers who were drunk out of their mind and had to be brought home for their own protection. My approach will be that the next time they have to do that, they’ll tell the parents to bring in €100 as well.”

He added that, if parents could not afford to pay the fines immediately, they could do so in instalments, and, if they refused, it would be deducted from wage packets or social welfare payments instead.

People over 18 would be handed the on-the-spot fines directly.

Fine Gael is proposing 30 measures as part of its anti-social behaviour campaign, including a ban on the selling of spray paints to under-18s, a ban on the sale of alcopops in off-licences and a doubling of the fines for supplying alcohol to underage drinkers - from €1,500 to €3,000.

It is also in favour of giving the courts the power to impose curfew orders on people convicted of anti-social behaviour and to ban groups of people from congregating in areas such as park corners and under bridges.

There will be a new website, safestreets.ie, and a national billboard campaign with photographs of burnt-out cars, drunken street fights and underage drinking.

There will be a national series of meetings to debate the proposals.

“My sympathy is with local communities have put up with this situation for far too long. Desperate situations call for desperate measures,” said Mr O’Keefe. However, he emphasised that the ‘get tough’ campaign also contained proposals to prevent anti-social behaviour.

The drugs courts, which allow addicts to get treatment rather than jail sentences, would be rolled out nationwide and community-garda forums would beset up in towns and cities.

Local authorities would have the power to issue repair notices to owners of derelict buildings and there would be an anti-social fund to pay for community clean-ups.

Mr O’Keefe said that, if Fine Gael got into government, the party would appoint a dedicated Minister of State to deal with anti-social behaviour.

“Fine Gael refuses to ignore or accept anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods. It infringes on people’s lives, damages families, and destroys communities.”

IrishExaminer.com

Ahern champions ‘true republicanism’ at Rising ceremony

25 April 2005
By Harry McGee, Political Editor

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday rejected the Provisional movement’s claim that it alone continues the tradition of Irish republicanism.

Delivering his address at Fianna Fáil’s annual commemoration of the 1916 Rising in Arbour Hill, Mr Ahern strongly contended that “democracy has always been the fundamental goal of true republicanism.”

He said the Easter Rising had only taken place after the democratic wishes of the Irish people for self-government had been frustrated for over 30 years.

In claiming that the Rising had popular backing, Mr Ahern argued that the position had then unalterably changed in 1923 with the creation of an internationally recognised State of Ireland.

Republicans then had a choice: to embrace democracy or continue on the path of violence.

In questioning the democratic basis of the IRA post-1923, Mr Ahern said: “A small minority chose the other path of a closed anti-democratic militaristic elitism, unaccountable to the people and dangerous to this State and its freedom.”

Mr Ahern went on to make several other pointed criticisms of Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA’s brand of republicanism.

“A healthy republicanism never relied on the proceeds of crime or physical attacks and intimidation of those who dare to speak or behave differently. It does not assume the right to take the law into its own hands,” he said.

Turning to the present impasse in the peace process, Mr Ahern said the Good Friday Agreement will only succeed if there is a complete abandonment of violence and law-breaking by all organisations.

Mr Ahern said the questions he had posed to the Sinn Féin leadership on decommissioning, violence, and paramilitary activities had not yet been answered.

In response to recent assertions by the DUP and UUP that they will no longer entertain a devolved government involving Sinn Féin, he reiterated the Government’s position that unionists “must live up to its commitments to participate in government with all democratic parties”.

Mr Ahern later said he did not expect the IRA to respond to Mr Adams’s call on it to disband until late in the summer.

He repeated his view that it would take some time for the IRA to conclude its internal debate.

Daily Ireland

Innocent blood on RUC hands

On the April 27, 1975, an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) gang led by RUC agent Robin ‘The Jackal’ Jackson sprayed the Bleary Darts Club near Lurgan, Co Armagh, with gunfire killing three Catholics and wounding ten other civilians.
Those murdered were John Feeney, Joseph Toman and Brendan O’Hara – three friends enjoying a quiet pint and a game of darts.
In the days leading up to the attack members of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) were discovered hiding in undergrowth watching patrons coming in and out of the bar.
The families of those murdered believe the British army unit was staking out the premises for possible targets.
This belief is strengthened by the fact that a number of people who would have frequented the Bleary Darts Club were missing from the bar on the night of the UVF attack.
The weapons used to kill Feeney, Toman and O’Hara were British army and RUC issue Sterling machine guns.
And the men pulling the triggers and driving the getaway vehicle were made up of UVF and UDR members from the north Armagh area.
Christine Fitzpatrick lost her brother Joseph Toman in the attack.
She recalls how he was shot in the back and the effect his death had on her family.
Mrs Fitzpatrick said: “Joe was sitting chatting to friends with his back towards the door. My dad was further back talking to a friend when someone entered with an automatic gun and sprayed the room with gunfire, killing three people. One of them was Joe.
“Needless to say, numbness was the only feeling I could describe. My dad died a little each day from that moment. He passed away a year later. The killer, who wrecked all our homes by his deeds, was never brought to justice.”
Mrs Fitzpatrick added: “But I can feel proud because Joe died as he had lived – everyone’s friend. He never saw the evil hand that entered the bar that night.
“That hand had the most to lose, unlike Joe who had so much to give.”
None of those murdered in Bleary had any paramilitary
connections. Leading Unionist politician and former Stormont prime minister, Brain Faulkner, attended the funeral of John Feeney.
The 45-year-old father of eight worked as a huntsman for Iveagh Harriers, Mr Faulkner’s former hunting club. In the weeks after the attack the remaining members of Bleary Darts Club decided to organise a minibus to take people from the village to bingo in nearby Banbridge.
On August 1, 1975, the bingo bus was attacked by a UVF gang led once again by Robin Jackson just outside Gilford.
Pensioner and father of 12 Joseph Toland was killed instantly. Another man, John Marks, was fatally wounded and died in January 1976.
There were nine people on the bus and only two escaped injury as the gunmen opened fire with two rifles and a machine-gun.
The RUC originally blamed the attack on the IRA, however, within hours, it was confirmed it had been the work of the same UVF gang involved in the Miami Showband massacre the previous day.
Portadown loyalist Robin Jackson helped plan the attack on the popular band in which prominent UVF men Harris Boyle and Wesley Somerville also died.
RUC agent Jackson, who died from natural causes in 1998, was involved in more than 50 sectarian murders during the 1970s, ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Among them were the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the Bleary Darts Club massacre, the murder of shopkeeper William Strathearn, the attack on Hayden’s bar in Pomeroy, Co Tyrone, and the killing of the Cairns brothers in Bleary.
Perhaps the most damning indication of the RUC and UDR’s collusion with the UVF in planning and carrying out murders in the north Armagh area came in a statement from former RUC sergeant John Oliver Weir, who was convicted for his part in the murder of William Strathearn in 1977.
In statements signed in 1999, he explained how senior RUC members throughout Armagh worked with the UVF in selecting targets.
Mr Weir said: “I think it is important to make it clear that this collusion between loyalist paramilitaries such as Robin Jackson and my RUC colleagues and me was taking place with the full knowledge of my superiors.
“I recall that after I had told Chief Inspector Harry Breen (who was later killed by the IRA) about my involvement in the Strathearn murder, he told me to forget about it.”
Mr Weir also remembered witnessing a conversation between Chief Inspector Breen and another senior RUC officer, during which both men discussed with approval collusion between RUC/UVF member Billy McCaughey and a second RUC man with Robin Jackson.
Mr Weir adds: “I recall another occasion, in the toilets at the Pit Bar near Bessbrook when an RUC Special Branch Constable indicated to me that he knew I had been involved in the Strathearn murder and suggested he would not object if I was to kill an identified IRA man in Newry.
“For these and other reasons I did not think there was the slightest possibility that I would ever be arrested or charged with my role in the Strathearn murder.”
The 30th anniversary of the Bleary massacre, allegedly involving members of the UVF, RUC, UDR occurs next Thursday.

Daily Ireland

Fianna Fáil to oust SDLP in the North?

Fianna Fáil will supplant the SDLP as the voice of moderate nationalism in the North if Mark Durkan’s party experiences meltdown at next week’s Westminster election, according to an inside with the Dublin-based party.
The insider claims the party is already preparing to pick up the baton handed on by the SDLP.
“Some people believe that the SDLP will link up with Fianna Fáil as its sister party if they endure a drubbing at the hands of Sinn Féin this time round. But the reality is that the Fianna Fáil leadership feels it has nothing to gain from being associated with a failed political party,” our insider said.
“It would do much better standing in elections under its own steam, and that would give the lie to Sinn Féin claims that it is the only truly national party in the country.
“Sinn Féin is predicting that it will be the first party in government North and South but Fianna Fáil could beat them to it if it organised in the North.”
Our source, a prominent figure in Fianna Fáil in the Border counties, said the party would stand with the SDLP during this election campaign. “But if they go down, we won’t be wasting our time with fancy coalitions when what’s really needed is for Fianna Fáil to organise itself in the North.
“Anyone in the SDLP who wants to join our ranks will be made most welcome.”
Liam Bradley, organiser of the Fianna Fail Eamon de Valera cumann in Derry, last night said he hoped the SDLP would be “embarassed” at the forthcoming Westminister elections.

RTE News

O’Donoghue trial fixed for October

25 April 2005 16:08

The murder trial of 20-year-old Wayne O’Donoghue has been fixed to go ahead on 18 October next at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Cork for the first time.

The engineering student from Ballyedmond, Midleton in Co Cork is charged with the murder of 11-year-old Robert Holohan at Ballyedmond on 4 January last.

This morning, Mr Justice Paul Carney fixed the October date for the trial to commence.

Paddy McEntee, Senior Counsel for Mr O’Donoghue, told the court he had not yet seen papers in the case and suggested it might go back for further mention at another date.

However, Mr Justice Carney said he had read the Book of Evidence, which was a remarkably slim document, and the court proposed to set the case down for trial on 18 October.

RTE News

Casement papers go on exhibition

25 April 2005 16:13

A collection of personal papers relating to the Irish nationalist Roger Casement, which had been lost in storage in Co Clare for 34 years, are to go on exhibition at The Clare Museum.

The collection includes over 50 documents relating to Casement’s time in Germany during the years 1914 to 1916.

They consist of mainly correspondence, as well as receipts, essays, leaflets, and newspaper cuttings.

The letters address a range of subjects including the enlisting of Irish soldiers fighting in World War 1 in Germany, and encouraging them to organise an Irish battalion to fight for Irish Liberation.

They also refer to the work of Fr Crotty who was working among Irishmen in German prison camps.

The documents had originally been donated to Clare County Council by the Houlihan family, solicitors based in Ennis, in 1969. But they remained in storage until their discovery in 2003 by archivist Roisin Berry.

The exhibition runs until 3 June, after which it travels to the county libraries throughout Co Clare.

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin sets out radical agenda to transform Local Government

Published: 25 April, 2005

Speaking today at the launch of the Sinn Féin local government manifesto in Belfast Castle, party President Gerry Adams said that the party was standing its largest local government team in this election. Mr Adams said:

“Sinn Féin is standing its largest ever team for the Local Government elections.

“We are standing 182 candidates across 24 councils. Almost one third of our candidates are women and 78 are standing for the first time.

“Sinn Féin has 234 Councillors across Ireland - 108 Councillors in the North and 126 in the South. As the only all-Ireland party our aim, in the time ahead is to have representation on every local council in Ireland.

“We will use our mandate to advance the peace process, build for Irish unity and bring forward real social and economic change. We will use our mandate to build a radical alternative.

“Joining me this morning are former Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey, Councillor Francie Molloy who currently holds the position of President of NILGA, Valerie Leonard who standing for the first time in Coleraine, James McKeown in Larne and Breige Meehan in Newtownabbey.

“Without singling out individual councillors or council groups, those Sinn Féin members who have taken on leadership roles, mayors and chairs, and represented by those here today, have sought to use these positions, not for personal gain or advancement, but to provide effective and courageous political leadership.

“Whether that be reaching out to unionist communities, or challenging racism in our society, or simply opening up the council chambers to ordinary citizens Sinn Féin has delivered real and meaningful change.

“This document is about building upon all of that work and setting out in very clear terms our agenda for the next four years.”ENDS

Sinn Féin Councilor and former Lord Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey has called on the electorate to judge Sinn Féin on its record on Local Councils across the north and to allow us to continue to deliver our agenda for change.

“In the 22 years since Sinn Féin Councilors were first elected to local authorities in the north the face of local government, in many areas, has been transformed.

Sinn Féin is leading the way in:

1. Delivering quality services to all on the basis of equality
2. Promoting power-sharing and ensuring fairness in the allocation of Chairs and Deputy Chairs on Councils, Council Committees and in representation on external bodies
3. Tackling discrimination within Councils and across society
4. Promoting all-Ireland co-operation

“We have provided genuine civic leadership in bringing forward positive proposals - promoting equality, tackling discrimination and sectarianism, challenging racism and promoting good community relations and on remembrance.

“Sinn Féin Councilors have provided, and will continue to provide, strong local representation - working with communities to bring about change and to ensure that local councils deliver for local people.

“We have demonstrated responsibility and vision - acting in the best interests of all those they represent in bringing forward innovative solutions to difficult issues, campaigning for employment and tackling social exclusion and fighting against the privatisation agenda and unjust double taxation like water rates.

“Despite the progress that has been made, much more needs to be done.”

Sinn Féin MLA and President of NILGA Councillor Francie Molloy said a vote for Sinn Féin is a vote for a party committed to transforming Local Government so that it delivers for local communities.

Mr. Molloy said:

This is a hugely challenging time for local government. The ongoing Review of Public Administration provides an opportunity to strengthen the powers of local government and to make local councils must more radical, effective and accountable.

“Our Local Government manifesto sets out the priorities for our councillors. It puts forward our positions on a range of social and economic issues of vital importance such as democracy on Councils, promoting reconciliation, delivering quality services, opposing water charges, supporting major changes to waste disposal strategies and a range of initiatives to make local government more relevant.

“Copies of it will be distributed to community groups, NGOs and the people we work with every day.

Among our main priorities are:

* Legislation to ensure fairness in the allocation of Chairs and Deputy Chairs on Councils, Council committees and nominations to external bodies for elected representatives.
* Continue to argue for the highest quality public services and oppose the creeping privatisation of public services
* Promoting reconciliation at council level and in local communities
* A continuation of EU Social and Regional Funds, and in particular the Peace Programme to continue post-2006
* Irish Language Officers to be appointed to local councils to spearhead and provide support for Irish Language projects, in line with the highly successful approach adopted by Newry & Mourne Council
* A significant increase in the number of new house building allocations for rural areas
* A properly resourced and effective waste management strategy -based on waste reduction, re-use and re-cycling
* The rejection of any form of incineration, as a means of waste disposal
* Oppose the proposed imposition of the unfair double tax on water
* The Housing Executive should play a leading role in the building and supply of social housing
* Opposing cuts to vital frontline services in education

BreakingNews.ie

PSNI seizes rifles in child shooting investigation
25/04/2005 - 14:07:27

Police in the North have seized a number of legally-held rifles in an attempt to identify the person who may have shot a five-year-old boy in the head last Friday.

The boy remains critically ill in hospital after being struck by a bullet from a .22 rifle while he was playing at a school in Mullinaskea, Co Fermanagh.

He is believed to have been hit by a stray bullet fired by someone shooting in nearby fields.

Up to 10 firearms have been seized from people living in the vicinity of St Patrick’s primary school in an effort to trace the person who fired the shot.

Irelandclick.com

Mala Poist

Knife culture in West Belfast

Through your letters page I would like to respond to the letter ‘Knife culture is not the right term’ by Michael Ferguson on April 9.
I live in West Belfast (Twinbrook) and was reared in Ballymurphy. I love both these communities and agree that it is tough when our community is demonised.
But common sense also tells me that we have to face the fact that we do have demons living in our community.
No-one wishes to stereotype young people or, at times, adults but when you physically watch these demons in full view of the community, I believe you have a right to say as it is seen to you.
Let’s call it freedom of speech without sensationalism or political undertones.
These demons have robbed and beaten our senior citizens, they are consistent car thieves, alcohol and drug abusers.
There have been attacks and finds throughout this community of machetes and knives.
Many of these incidents have not been reported to the PSNI, hence the low statistic rate. So I feel that if we have three knife attacks in as many weeks reported to the PSNI, that is three too many.
I do grasp what he’s trying to say about the statistics in Scotland but we in West Belfast do not need to worry about Scottish honeymooners fighting over a pillow although that is a serious issue.
Let’s worry about where we live, face our problems and get together in our thousands and clear this community of those demons.
His Scottish statistics were startling and clearly show that knife culture in West Belfast is only the tip of the iceberg.
I agree about education in the schools but let’s also educate those standing in our streets drinking, taking drugs and on occasion attacking innocent members of our community. No one group can possibly have the resources to control these demons so I will make a suggestion that I have voiced openly over the past ten years when I was a community representative. Zero Tolerance.
Let’s start by removing designated drinking areas, they don’t work, no-one is benefiting from them especially the community.
Our agenda should always have been to keep this community safe, I believe we have failed in this.
I gave up my nights for over four years to spend time on the streets to help ensure our community was safe, it didn’t work and designated drinking areas made it worse.
Now the age of drinkers has reduced to as low as ten years, these kids are being preyed upon by older demons in the community who supply them with drink and drugs.
So, without sensationalising knife attacks or using political undertones to make headlines, let’s be honest and say that any life lost by such violence deserves headline exposure.
Johanne McCullough

Hierarchy of victims

I never write letters to newspapers but feel compelled to do so because of the way politicians and press have reacted over recent events.
Have I been dreaming or was a 25 year old girl (Lisa Dorrian) abducted and murdered in the Ards Peninsula by suspected paramilitaries?
Four weeks on, her family are still awaiting the discovery of her body to enable them to have a Christian burial yet there is very little media coverage or statements from politicians North or South regarding this.
No visits to the White House, no rallies from the public, no front page or headline news coverage, with the exception of the day after her abduction, and no global press representatives on her distressed parents’ doorstep requesting interviews.
One has to ask why and the answer is plain for all to see: there is no IRA link to the murder.
While the McCartney family have my deepest sympathy at their tragic loss, this murder has to be set in context.
It was a drunken bar room brawl involving two parties that got totally out of hand resulting in the unjustifiable killing of Robert.
I hope and pray that the McCartney family get justice, but if past experience in the North is anything to go by, they are in for a long wait.
I say this with regard to another Robert who died in similar circumstances in Portadown, albeit he was kicked to death by a mob.
All these years on and his poor family is still awaiting justice for him despite the fact that his murder was witnessed at close range by our forces of law and order, the RUC.
Here’s hoping.
Eyes Wide Open

Black taxi man has his own say

In reply to ‘Overstepping The Boundaries’ in Mála Poist (April 23), the West Belfast Taxi Association would like the following comments to be noted.
First of all we would like to thank the writer for acknowledging that the West Belfast Taxi Association has been providing a service in dangerous circumstances. In fact this very service has been operating for approximately 35 years and unfortunately during this time the Association lost eight of its members with countless others injured. In some areas it was the only form of transport for the community.
Firstly the West Belfast Taxi Association has a taxi/bus plate. This enables the Association to carry out the normal service provision on the already defined eight specific routes approved and licensed by the Department of Environment as a ‘Road Service Operators Licence’. This licence also gives us the facility on the taxi side of the licence to carry out occasional private hire.
Occasional private hire covers the areas of vehicles for people with special needs or to cover any request to provide a private taxi. Unfortunately at the moment some private taxi firms do not have vehicles suitable for people with special needs. This may be in the case of the tours of West and North Belfast murals and other places of keen interest.
In relation to the fact that the writer begrudgingly accepted that the black taxis can use the bus lanes, we would like to advise that for this facility each Association member in June has to pay an annual fee. This annual fee is also levied to the Association members who operate the North Belfast route even though there are no bus lanes on this defined route.
In relation to the writer’s disgust at what the black taxis are doing, i.e. operating outside popular bars and clubs, we wish to advise that this was after written or verbal requests were received from the various bars and clubs. In one particular instance I personally met with the owner of the Whitefort, a fact that should the writer wish he can confirm with the owner of the Whitefort.
We would stress that it is a voluntary service provided by the Association members. In addition to this we operate a fare structure of £3.00 minimum fare or a £1.00 per mile irrespective of whether there is one person or six in the vehicles. It provides the patrons of the bars and clubs with an economic and safe service that is easily identifiable by the blue and white taxi plates displayed on our vehicles. The facility also helps to reduce any anti-social behaviour that may occur outside the bars and clubs especially those in residential areas.
The facility is known as the ‘Safer to Home Campaign’ and the Association has received numerous compliments from people who have availed of the service. A number of other bars and clubs have also approached the Association to provide the facility but unfortunately we have only a small number of members voluntarily supplying the service for which they justly receive payment.
The writer rightly states that customers at the end of the night are waiting and obviously the demand is greater than the vehicles available.
The writer states that he has talked to other black taxi drivers who are appalled at what the small numbers of Association members are doing voluntarily. If this is the case then like all Association members they can raise this issue or for that matter any other issues of concern with a member of the Association Committee who can, in turn, raise the issue at the fortnightly committee meetings.
In relation to the queues at the black taxi stand between 5.00pm and 6.00 pm I would like to offer the writer the opportunity to visit the complex and see the service provision in operation.
The delay in providing a more efficient service directly relates to the volume of traffic at this time.
In relation to the last point of the writer’s letter: the black taxis should stick to their work and let the private drivers earn a living. Firstly what are the black taxis’ defined work?
This is the taxi/bus provision. Secondly if the writer is not earning a living as a private taxi driver then he has the option to apply to join the West Belfast Taxi Association.
The Association has in the past met and been open and honest with private depot owners and is willing at any time to discuss any issue with the owners or private taxi drivers themselves.
We hope that this has given clarity in relation to all matters but the writer can contact me in writing or by phone if they wish to discuss these matters further.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Long
General Manager
West Belfast Taxi Association

Words of comfort

If anything should move the conscience of people living in West Belfast, surely the story of Margaret McAlorum receiving words of comfort from the Portstewart community should be enough to turn the hatred which both sides in Belfast show to each other.
This woman has proved that the hatred of some on both sides can be buried when a loved one is murdered by unknown persons. Perhaps this can be utilised to foster better understanding between the two communities just as it does in Newry.
Comforted

They haven’t gone away

I would like to express my disgust at the stories going around, true or false that the IRA are going to disarm. Are they living in a cuckoo land? What have we gained?
I am sure most people recognise that the threat from pan-loyaist gunmen have not gone away. The DUP will not share power and never will with Sinn Féin.
Have people forgotten about Bombay Street and the many innocent Catholics killed? If they surrender because their politicians say so it will be taken as surrender and 50 years from now another generation may have to give their lives.
Disgusted

Irelandclick.com

Pupils put pressure on BBC over Irish

Irish speaking children in the Upper Springfield area are raising the roof over the lack of Irish language TV programmes on the BBC.

Pobal, an umbrella group which raises the profile of the Irish language, has organised a letter and art project in conjunction with three Gaelscoileanna (Irish speaking schools) to highlight the lack of commitment to Irish programming in the BBC’s charter.

The children from these three schools will be drawing pictures of what they would like to see in Irish on the BBC.

Their work will be used for an exhibition to highlight the campaign for the same rights to be afforded to Irish speakers as are given to both Welsh and Gaidhlig speakers.

Cormac Ó Briain, development worker with Pobal, said, “We are working with the schools to show the need for Irish language programmes to be shown on television and this comes hot on the heels of the release by the British government of a Green Paper on the BBC Charter.”

The charter is only changed once every ten years and at the minute contains no reference to the Irish language in the document or to the duty of the BBC in the North in relation to Irish language broadcasting.

There are, however, significant references to the BBC’s duty in relation to Welsh and Scots Gaidhlig. The BBC are currently inviting the public to make comments on their charter and Pobal are asking people to reply before May 31 asking the BBC where they stand on Irish language.

This can be done via their website www.bbccharterreview.org.uk by e-mail, bbccharterreview@culture.gsi.gov.uk or by post: BBC Charter Review Consultation, Department for Culture Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5DH.

Journalist:: Staff Reporter

Irelandclick.com

**In a perfect world, we would all be able to walk about anywhere at any time, but this is not a perfect world, and I wish that the vulnerable members of society would consider their safety when they are out late at night and in the early hours of the morning. Certain precautions would deflect attacks like these. This attack occurred at one in the morning.

Outrage as local woman is beaten

A West Belfast woman with severe learning difficulties was mugged and beaten so severely over the weekend that she is now afraid to leave her home.

Elizabeth Doherty, 42, of the Whiterock Road, had been socialising with friends from her Day Centre on Friday evening. As she was making her way home up the Whiterock Road, she was attacked by a gang of youths who beat her up and stole her necklace and phone.The attack occurred around one o’clock on Saturday morning after Elizabeth said goodbye to her friends and was making her way home.

Elizabeth was too distraught to speak to the Andersonstown News yesterday but her aunt Margaret McOwen, who looks after her, explained what happened.

“She was walking up the road when the gang approached her and asked her for money. She said she didn’t have any which is true because I hadn’t given her any pocket money yet and she only gets a few pounds from the centre.

This wasn’t what these scumbags wanted to hear so they began hitting her, she fell to the ground and they kept on kicking her,” said an emotional Margaret.

As the youths relentlessly beat her, Elizabeth kept a firm grip on her necklace which is of great sentimental value to her, having been given to her by a deceased relative. Thinking that it may be worth monetary value, one of the youths callously yanked the jewelry from around her neck despite her pleads to them not to take the chain.

The gang only fled when passers-by, who recognised Elizabeth, stopped their car.

“It was a friend of mine who spotted someone getting beaten up. When they realised who it was they pulled over and jumped out which caused the gang to run away,” said Margaret.

The three occupants of the car brought Elizabeth the short distance to her home. She was covered in blood and was crying at the time.

Margaret explained that her niece, who loves nothing more than a walk and a chat with passers-by, has yet to go over the door and has spent the past two days in bed.
“People around here know Elizabeth and she would always be out chatting to the neighbours but she hasn’t left her room since the attack and is visibly nervous when people come into the house. She is harmless, she wouldn’t lift her hand to anyone – not even in self-defence – and it sickens me to think that these people are lurking, waiting on vulnerable people like her to come along.”

The 42-year-old was in obvious pain when the Andersonstown News called yesterday and has complained of back pains as well as the facial injuries, a swollen nose, bruising to her legs and swollen fingers from clinging onto her necklace. Elizabeth has been living with Margaret for the past 16 years.

“I’ve always told her not to be out on her own but ordinarily I would know where she is and she is never out past 11pm unless she is with a member of the family. I had spent a few hours ringing hospitals as I knew something must be wrong but I didn’t expect this. It just shows that our areas are no longer safe at night.”

Sinn Féin councillor for the area, Maire Cush, condemned the cowardly attack.
“I condemn this disgraceful attack on a vulnerable lady of our community. I hope the perpetrators are ashamed of themselves for beating up a woman with learning difficulties. This goes to show that people are no longer safe to walk through the streets at night.”

Journalist:: Staff Reporter

Belfast Telegraph

Elderly ‘freezing to death’
Group says hundreds are dying each year

By William Allen
25 April 2005

Almost 1,500 elderly Ulster people are dying needlessly every year due to living in cold conditions, it has been claimed.

The shock claim emerged as National Energy Action said there were more deaths from the cold because of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland than in colder countries like Finland or Sweden.

The charity said the Department of Social Development’s figures showed there were an annual 1,360 deaths from fuel poverty related illnesses.

Calling for urgent action, Majella McCloskey, Director of NEA also said that there has yet to be a single meeting of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group or Interdepartmental Group on Fuel Poverty which were set up as a recommendation of last year’s DSD Fuel Poverty Strategy.

She said: “How many older people in Northern Ireland have to die before we even get a long promised meeting to discuss it? DSD’s own figures paint a picture of suffering and despair, with hundreds of people dying every year from the cold.

“There are simple actions which could be taken to alleviate fuel poverty, to actually save lives, but Government is singularly failing to get to grips with the problem. Quite simply, more people die from the cold in Northern Ireland than in Finland or Sweden.

“We’re calling on the political parties during this election to support the widening of Eaga Partnership’s Warm Homes Scheme, a straightforward action which will help save lives. We’re calling on the political parties to take steps to end the litany of deaths which are entirely preventable.”

NEA highlighted the contrasting cases of two elderly people who live three streets apart in East Belfast.

Albert Jackson paid his pension as he worked for the City Council for more than 20 years. Now that pension means he does not qualify for the Warm Homes scheme.

Bell Ritchie got her free central heating system through Eaga Partnership’s Warm Homes Scheme two years ago and her life was transformed.

Mr Jackson said: “My life is one long battle to stay warm. I’ve worked hard all my life, but now I live in a cold, damp house.”

On the other hand, Bell Ritchie said her life had changed for the better since she got the Warm Homes Scheme’s free central heating installation.

The Northern Ireland House Condition Survey (2001), published by NIHE showed that fuel poverty affects 203,000 households across Northern Ireland.

Majella McCloskey said the fuel poverty strategy issued by DSD last November has had no additional impact on the problem, and that the extension of the Eaga Partnership’s Warm Homes Scheme would be a success.

NEA is calling for the DSD to draw up an implementation plan that includes the extension of central heating to all vulnerable households - older people, families with children and people with disabilities.

“People like Albert are dying every day in Northern Ireland and we can take some simple steps to change that. Fuel poverty is a disgrace, but we have the power to end it,” said Ms McCloskey.

Belfast Telegraph

Appeal for airgun ban as swan is shot in head

By Lisa Smyth
25 April 2005

The director of an Ulster wildlife rescue organisation today called for air pellet guns to be made illegal after a swan suffered an horrific injury to its skull.

Norman Elder, of Wildlife NI said “enough is enough” after the latest distressing incident, which left a young swan with an air pellet lodged in its skull.

He also revealed that the Ulster charity deals with several such cases every week.

“At the moment, air guns are regarded as toys, but if you saw the damage caused by them, you would understand very clearly that they’re not,” he said.

“The first time I saw an animal that had been shot by one of these guns, I went home and was physically sick because it upset me so much.”

Mr Elder was called to Carrickfergus on Thursday to administer first aid to the swan after members of the public witnessed it crashing into some trees next to a leisure centre in the town.

At first, he thought the bird, which was extremely disorientated and covered in blood, had sustained a broken jaw.

However, an x-ray revealed a steel pellet lodged in the skull of the young swan.

Mr Elder said: “The thought that someone shot at the swan for fun makes me so mad.

“Kids start off shooting at tin cans and then progress onto live animals - they will shoot at anything that moves.

“Although the swan will have to live with the pellet lodged in its head for the rest of its life, we hope it will make a full recovery so we can return it to the wild - if not, it will have to be humanely destroyed.

“If it survives, you could say it has had a lucky escape but if the law isn’t changed there are going to be hundreds more birds and animals killed and seriously injured.”