SAOIRSE32

BBC

By Kylie Morris
BBC News, Bangkok

The world wide web has become the latest frontier in the fight to combat human trafficking.

Anti-trafficking campaigners are counting on the launch of a new web portal to connect agencies trying to protect and support victims, and prosecute traffickers.

In China alone 9,000 women and children were kidnapped last year

Tipinasia.info explains trafficking laws in different Asian countries.

The multilingual site, currently in Thai, Khmer and English, lists a directory of people working in the field in different parts of Asia, and describes what it is like to be caught up in trafficking.

It highlights the case of men taken onto fishing boats in Thailand who live in appalling conditions, and receive no pay.

They live under threat of execution - anyone who complains risks being shot, or thrown overboard. They work 24 hours a day and rarely come ashore.

The website relates the story of two brothers who were sold into virtual slavery for $150 each.

While young women forced into prostitution are often the focus for anti-trafficking campaigners, the crime applies to any use of labour where people are coerced by threats or the use of force.

Net’s Asian popularity

James Klein from the organisation which set up the website, the Asia Foundation, said is designed to raise awareness of trafficking and allow for information to be shared about the problem.

“Ten years ago, this wouldn’t have been the answer. But now, throughout Asia, the internet is big - even in countries like Cambodia.

“Therefore, if you’re really trying to communicate across borders, the easiest and the least expensive way for this to happen is over the internet,” he said.

The site harnesses the web’s network power to fight trafficking

Mr Klein said there were plans to split the site into public and private fields. In this way, fieldworkers can share sensitive information over the web, without it falling into the hands of traffickers.

For example, he said, “a raid might happen here in Bangkok, and a group of Cambodian girls found. Those names could be transferred to the appropriate people, whether they be officials or non-government agencies in Cambodia, and plans made to transport them back, and return them to the general population.”

In many cases, however, it is clear that officials become complicit in trafficking.

Dr Klein said the website could help to combat that with its directory, which lists tested and trusted officials in countries which have a record of helping victims.

Finally, officials in Cambodia and Thailand are starting to recognise victims of trafficking as such, rather than as illegal migrants, says the Asia Foundation.

According to Dr Klein, “the number one issue remains changing attitudes of people, so they know what trafficking is, and apply procedures accordingly.”

The hope is that Tipinasia.info might encourage more people with power to do that.

BreakingNews.ie

06/07/2005 - 19:23:05

click to view

A collection of letters and an essay penned by one of Ireland’s greatest poets, William Butler Yeats, is to be auctioned.

The album, which includes an annotated, working manuscript of The Tragic Theatre and 18 signed letters written by Yeats, is expected to fetch between €90,000 and €120,000 at the Sotheby’s sale in London.

It is understood several Irish buyers have contacted the auctioneers eager to snap up the highly sought after personal letters and writing.

Philip Errington, literature expert with Sotheby’s, said the lot had attracted universities, institutions, and individuals as it was unusual to get work of such major importance.

“It is one of the most important groups of manuscripts to have ever appeared at auction in recent times,” he said.

“It will appeal to collectors of modern Irish literature and we have had conversations with institutions who would like to add this to collections.”

A number of Irish and American buyers are believed to have joined the race to buy the collection.

Mr Errington said the writings offered one of the best insights into the mind of Yeats since the 387 page Great Vellum Notebook was sold in 1990 for £180,000.

The album contains 18 letters from Yeats to his friend Sydney Cockerell along with several other personal letters, and a picture of Irish playwright Lady Gregory.

Yeats’s essay, The Tragic Theatre, was first published in the periodical The Mask in 1910 and discusses his conception of tragedy in theatre along with many annotations and changes.

The edition on sale next week is 25 pages in black ink, fully annotated and signed.

The collection was put together by Cockerell and maintained as part of a private collection for several decades. It will go under the hammer next Tuesday as part of the Literature and History Sale.

Sinn Féin

Published: 6 July, 2005

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was today joined by party colleagues Gerry Kelly, Martin McGuinness and Cathy Stanton for a press conference in Belfast to discuss the Parades Commission decision to force two Orange Parades through nationalist areas of North Belfast on July 12th.

Mr Adams said:

“An extremely volatile situation has been created in North Belfast by the decision of the Parades Commission to allow the July 12th marches.

” The Orange Order is insisting on marching through nationalist areas were they are unwelcome This is not simply about a march past Ardoyne shop fronts, it is a march past three nationalist areas.

” I understand, support and appreciate the right of the Orange Order to march. However they need to engage in real and meaningful dialogue with local residents in areas where concerns have been raised about their marches. In Derry such a process of dialogue was embarked upon and an accommodation was reached.

” Without dialogue no accommodation is possible. Dialogue obviously presents a problem for some Orange leaders. This is not surprising, given the history of the Order. However when compelled to do so the Orange Order have engaged in dialogue. When they can avoid this as in North Belfast they do so and are rewarded.

” Sinn Féin opposes the two marches through nationalist areas of North Belfast both on the morning and the evening of the twelfth. It has fallen on us, because we represent people in these areas, to try and marshal bad decisions taken by the Parades Commission.

” A number of factors however make this task all of the more difficult on this occasion. Former republican prisoners have in the past provided an invaluable service in these types of situations. However with the arrest of Sean Kelly I won’t put pressure on any former prisoner to provide this service, although some may well still step forward and I appreciate and welcome that but I can understand why no one released on license would want to risk incarceration.

” The Parades Commission decision has created deep anger in North Belfast.

” Sinn Féin will seek a formal review of the decision and have placed this into the hands of our solicitors. We will be engaging with a wide range of opinion in the areas most affected by these parades in the coming days.

” I am also appealing for calm and for peaceful protests against the Parades Commission decisions. Violence on the streets will not help anyone. It will serve the agenda of those opposed to change and will erode further confidence in the wider political process.” ENDS

BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Adams pledge on protest marshals

Ex-IRA prisoners will not be asked to marshal parades

Sinn Fein will not put pressure on ex-republican prisoners to steward protests to contentious marches in north Belfast on 12 July.

Earlier this week, the Parades Commission said the Orange Order could pass the flashpoint Ardoyne shops area.

Party president Gerry Adams said the re-arrest of IRA bomber Sean Kelly meant ex-prisoners would not be asked to marshal protests.

He said republicans acting as stewards had helped save lives last year.

“The arrest of Sean Kelly means that I for one, and I speak for our group, won’t put pressure on any former prisoner to provide this type of service,” he said.

“I am quite sure some will do so and I appreciate and welcome that, but I understand why no-one released on licence will want to risk going back to prison.”

Shankill bomber Sean Kelly is back in jail

Kelly, who was convicted of the 1993 Shankill bombing in which 10 died, was returned to prison last month.

His early release licence was suspended by the Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain after security information indicated Kelly had become “re-involved in terrorism”.

Kelly was one of two men who planted a bomb in a Shankill Road fish shop. Nine civilians died as did Kelly’s IRA accomplice.

He received a total of nine life sentences but was freed early from prison in July 2000 under the Good Friday Agreement.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said Kelly’s return to prison followed the terms of the Agreement.

Sir Hugh said it was one of those cases where a secretary of state had made a decision and the police had acted on it, in compliance with the law.

Daily Ireland

By Michael Brennan

Taxi drivers are installing security cameras and electronic locks to protect against an upsurge in violent attacks from passengers, it emerged yesterday.
The National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) said there had been an upsurge in attacks, with seven taking place in the last six weeks.
“We’re concerned about the level of attacks on our members who are out doing an honest day’s work, ferrying people home,” said president Tommy Gorman.
As a result of the attacks, drivers are installing security cameras in their cars to record the faces of violent passengers.
Others are installing electronic locks which allow them to safely hop out of the car, leaving their troublesome passengers trapped inside.
“If there’s any hassle, I just drive to a garda station and ask them to get out and pay up, or else I’ll go in. It works a treat,” said one driver, who did not wish to be named.
Xpert, a new taxi company which is launching in Dublin next month, will have security cameras installed in all of its 500-car fleet.
“That will be a great help. At least it will be on tape and the gardaí will be able to identify the culprits,” said Mr Gorman.
Gorman added that the move would also reassure passengers, who have been worried by ‘disreputable’ drivers who have entered the industry since deregulation in 2000.
The NTDU estimates there are between three and six serious attacks on taxi drivers every week, with most of them occurring in Dublin.
In one of the latest attacks, a 64-year-old driver was left with a burst blood vessel in his leg after two youths attacked him beside the Molly Malone statue at the foot of Grafton Street.
“He was waiting for a pre-booked fare at 1am on a Friday evening and, when he wouldn’t take them, they got out and beat him. There were a lot of people watching but no-one intervened,” said Mr Gorman.
The man was treated for his injuries in Beaumont Hospital and has not returned to work since.
In another incident last year, a woman flagged down a taxi in Dublin and then stuck a syringe in the neck of the driver, forcing him to drive to where her boyfriend was waiting.
He then threw a pitbull terrier into the cab and took the driver’s money.
Mr Gorman said: “Most people who take taxis just want to get home safe and sound but there is a small element who want to cause mayhem. They do and it is putting our members in fear of their lives.”

Daily Ireland

By Jarlath Kearney
j.kearney@dailyireland.com

Angry parents in Crumlin, Co Antrim, vowed last night to press ahead with their plans for a new-build Gaelscoil, despite a major dispute erupting with the Catholic church.
Parents of Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach told Daily Ireland that their only interest was ensuring the success of the fledgling Irish-language school.
The Gaelscoil currently serves children at both primary and nursery level. For several years, the school has been leasing land from the Catholic church as the site for a temporary mobile classroom. The Gaelscoil has also used part of the former St Joseph’s Primary School in the town.
It has emerged that the Catholic church recently served the Gaelscoil with a notice to quit its current premises. It was claimed last night that the Catholic church had formally opposed the Gaelscoil achieving registration. Registration would help secure the school’s long-term development.
A dispute over rental finances is understood to have been ongoing for several months. Gaelscoil sources said last night that any outstanding money owed to the Catholic church had been paid. Parents said the Catholic church’s objections had no basis.
Fiona Coulter, whose son attends the Gaelscoil, told Daily Ireland that she wanted the opportunity to give her children a Catholic education through Irish. However, she expressed fears that the attitude of the Catholic church to the Gaelscoil would scupper that possibility.
“This is about the children in the school having the chance to be given a Catholic education through the medium of Irish,” Ms Coulter said.
“I am very annoyed at this situation. I have been told I will have to live with the consequences of sending my child to an Irish-language school.
“I have been told that the Gaelscoil’s growth will make Catholic teachers redundant. But there are eight jobs in the Gaelscoil being put at risk by the church’s current stance.
“My concern is my child and other children not being given the right to be educated as Catholic and Irish-speaking in Crumlin,” Ms Coulter said.
Mother of three Teresa Meneary said the Gaelscoil parents were reluctant to go public on the issue. She also stressed her concern that the Catholic church’s approach could damage the Gaelscoil’s development.
“There are children already signed up for next year, both preschoolers and primary school level.
“It has been claimed that we are ‘stealing children’ from the English-speaking Catholic school. That type of attitude is totally objectionable,” Ms Meneary said.
Daily Ireland repeatedly attempted to secure a comment yesterday from the Catholic church in relation to the affair. However, the paper was told that no one was available either at parish or diocesan level because of an ongoing retreat.
A spokesperson for Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta (the Trust Fund for Irish-Medium Education) said:
“It is disgraceful that the Catholic church has once again targeted an Irish language school for eviction.
“Two years ago the Catholic church locked Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain out of its North Belfast premises forcing the school out on to the street.
“Protestant minister, the Rev Bill Shaw, came to the school’s rescue and it has since acquired new premises and is once again going from strength to strength.
“We will be doing all in our power to ensure that Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach gets through this upheaval and is able to get on with providing an Irish language education to the children of Crumlin.”

Daily Ireland

By Colin O’Carroll

South Armagh (AFP/Adrian Dennis)

All IRA members have now been consulted on Gerry Adams’ request for the organisation to take its struggle forward by “other means”.
Meetings to discuss the Sinn Féin president’s appeal of April 6 have been held in secret locations across the country.
At the meetings, senior IRA members brought volunteers up to date with political developments.
Volunteers were asked for their opinions on the progress or lack of it towards republican objectives since the first ceasefire of August 1994.
Chief among the concerns expressed by IRA members at the meetings was the slow pace of change in the North and the virtual collapse of the power-sharing and cross-Border institutions.
It is believed that members were assured there would be no move on acceptance of the PSNI as part of any new deal with the British and the Democratic Unionist Party to reinstate the executive.
There remains deep opposition to the PSNI across the republican constituency.
One Tyrone republican said: “The feeling is that we can have no truck with the PSNI until there’s a level playing field, and that would have to mean a political arrangement much closer to joint sovereignty than we have today.
“I know Sinn Féin has its shopping list in relation to the PSNI but, for many people, even obtaining all those demands wouldn’t be enough.”
At the internal consultations, there has been no suggestion of the IRA disbanding, though what future shape it would take remains undecided.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has proposed that it become “a commemorative organisation”.
Some republicans at the consultation meetings have suggested it continue to exist as a defence group for vulnerable Catholic communities in Belfast. “It’s okay for people to say the IRA should go away, but who is going to protect Ardoyne or the Short Strand if those areas come under attack?” a Belfast IRA member asked. “Ordinary people will be coming to us for protection and the last thing we want is to be caught in a Belfast ‘69 situation with no weapons to protect our people.”
Greatest unease at the meetings has centred round the issue of decommissioning. Aa part of last December’s aborted deal, the IRA had proposed decommissioning all its weapons within a month. It’s believed that in any new deal, that proposal would be back on the table. However, there are no indications that the IRA will bow to DUP demands — backed by the British and Irish governments — that this final act of decommissioning be photographed.
But there has also been a reluctance by some IRA members to accept Gerry Adams’ contention that the IRA’s aims can be achieved “by purely political and democratic activity”.
In his Conway Mill appeal, Gerry Adams said: “In the past I have defended the right of the IRA to engage in armed struggle. I did so because there was no alternative for those who would not bend the knee, or turn a blind eye to oppression, or for those who wanted a national republic. Now there is an alternative. I have clearly set out my view of what that alternative is. The way forward is by building political support for republican and democratic objectives across Ireland and by winning support for those goals internationally.
“I want to use this occasion therefore to appeal to the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann to fully embrace and accept this alternative. Can you take courageous initiatives which will achieve your aims by purely political and democratic activity?”
It’s thought unlikely that the IRA will announce its decision on the way forward before the Twelfth. Having considered feedback from the internal consultation, the organisation’s leaders are expected to consider the responses before making their next move. Any announcement on an end to the IRA campaign will be made after volunteers have been briefed.
A formal announcement would be one of the biggest media events of the peace process.

BreakingNews.ie

06/07/2005 - 12:22:08

Five men jailed for their opposition to a Shell gas pipeline in Mayo cannot rely on the quashing of the injunction against them to secure their release, a court heard today.

Micheal O’Seighin, Vincent McGrath, his brother Philip, Willie Corduff and Brandon Philbin are being held in Cloverhill prison in Dublin for refusing to obey the injunction taken out by Shell.

It prevents them from obstructing the construction of the pipeline through their land in Rosscourt, Co Mayo.

At the High Court in Dublin senior counsel Patrick Hanratty, representing Shell, said it was extremely misleading to imply that an application to quash the injunction would free the men.

He said that the impression had been created that a rabbit could be pulled out of the hat.

“The situation is sensitive because five people are in jail. Shell do not want anyone in jail, they just want to proceed with the construction of the pipeline,” he said.

The president of the high court, Judge Joseph Finnigan, said it should be made clear that the application by solicitor Greg Casey to quash the injunction was being brought on the behalf of two people who were party to the injunction granted to Shell but were not in custody.

He told senior counsel John Rogers, representing the five men, that even if the injunction was lifted the men would remain in prison because they would still be in contempt of court.

“The short answer is that their fate is in their own hands still. It’s up to them to purge their contempt,” he said.

Judge Finnigan set a date for mention for next Monday for the application against the injunction to be brought by Mr Casey, who is ill at present.

He will argue that a recent statement in the Dáil by Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey indicated that Shell did not have full consent to construct the pipeline.

The five men were put in Cloverhill prison last week and have stated publicly that they are determined to continue their opposition to the pipeline.

Shell E & P Ireland is seeking to pump gas at high pressure from the Corrib gas field along the pipe to an onshore refinery at Bellanoboy in Mayo as part of a €990m project.

The five men have agreed to respect a second injunction granted to Shell, preventing them from obstructing the road to the company’s construction depot in Rossport.

Judge Finnigan said he was aware there were ongoing difficulties, with recent reports that protesters were continuing to block the road in defiance of the injunction.

He said he wanted the order posted at both ends of the road.

“Anyone who sees fit to disobey that order, certainly if they’re brought before the court, they’ll be dealt with.”

The five men were not in court for the brief hearing.

BreakingNews.ie

06/07/2005 - 15:10:46

previously discussed stadium plan for the prison site

A £55m (€81m) stadium on the site of Northern Ireland’s Maze Prison could stage three Olympic soccer matches in 2012 if the project gets the go-ahead from the British government, it emerged today.

As Londoners celebrated the awarding of the 2012 Games to their city, sources close to a bid to build a new 30,000 seater stadium on the site of the jail, where 10 republican hunger strikers died in 1981, suggested today’s decision by the International Olympic Committee could boost funding for the project.

A source told PA: “At this stage the (British) government is in talks with the main sporting organisations in the province about a business plan for the proposed stadium.

“If the stadium is deemed viable and approved by the (British) government, it will be offered to the London organising committee as an Olympics venue.

“London made a great play about spreading the Games out to towns and cities throughout the UK and there have been indications that the province could get two or three of the soccer matches.

“Certainly, the success of London’s bid could help boost funding for the stadium, with lottery money likely to be released to Olympic venues and facilities.”

Hampden Park in Glasgow, Villa Park in Birmingham and St James’s Park in Newcastle have already been earmarked as venues for Olympics soccer matches.

Weymouth in Dorset has also been identified as a venue for the sailing events.

However, right throughout the UK cities will also be preparing to host competitors, coaches, Olympic officials and their families in the weeks leading up to the Games.

The Republic will also hope to benefit.

Welcoming the IOC’s decision, Northern Ireland Sports Minister David Hanson offered the North’s services to competitors.

“In the run up to the event, competing nations will need to acclimatise and prepare for the Games,” he said.

“We can offer competitors, coaches, administrators and friends a warm welcome, good training facilities and a unique opportunity to experience our wide and varied culture.

“During their stay, visitors will need to be accommodated and entertained. In addition, the proximity of the host city will encourage more local firms to bid for the lucrative contracts which will be up for grabs. All this can only be good news for the economy.”

Last week his Northern Ireland Office colleague Lord Rooker announced the setting up of a monitoring group to look at plans to revamp the site of the abandoned prison near Lisburn in Co Antrim where some of the province’s most infamous loyalist and republican prisoners were jailed.

As well as plans for the stadium, it is proposed the 365 acre site will house an international equestrian centre, an International Centre for Conflict Transformation, a zone for industrial development and an arts centre.

The IOC’s decision was welcomed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who offered his country’s help in providing accommodation for competitors.

“The fact that the Olympic Games are coming to London will have positive repercussions right across these islands and I would like to assure my UK colleagues of any support or assistance that we can provide here in Ireland,” he said.

“The Irish Government has invested heavily in the provision of high quality sports facilities, catering for a wide variety of sports, right across the country.

“Ireland can contribute enormously to the success of the London Games through the availability here of excellent competition and training facilities not just for our own athletes but also for competitors from countries throughout the world in the build-up to 2012.”

BBC

Paula McCartney: “Disgusted with the whole politics of the country”

One of the sisters of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney is to move out of her home because of painful memories of her brother’s death.

Paula McCartney, who is leaving her Short Strand home of 40 years, said she was “disgusted” with how the murder has been handled.

Mr McCartney, 33, was stabbed outside a Belfast pub in January.

“If I had my way and if I had the means to do so I would leave the country and that’s the truth,” said Paula.

“I just can’t stomach any longer the fact that there are still people who were allegedly involved in Robert’s murder who are still walking round the area freely.

“I’m just disgusted with the whole politics of the country and the whole way in which Robert’s murder has been dealt with.”

Robert McCartney was stabbed outside a Belfast bar on 30 January

Last month, the McCartney family requested a meeting with Sinn Fein to discuss the party’s handling of the case.

It followed the party’s decision to reinstate five out of 12 of its members, suspended after the murder.

Mr McCartney’s sisters and partner have frequently met senior politicians in their campaign for justice over the killing.

They met US President George Bush at the White House in Washington in March and have also met with US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Mitchell Reiss and the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

Two men were charged in connection with Mr McCartney’s death and remanded in custody in June.

Irish Independent

UP TO a quarter of a million visitors from all over the world are expected in Waterford over the next three days as some of the biggest sailing ships in the world drop anchor in Ireland’s oldest port.

Major traffic restrictions have been put in place as the city prepares to host a huge party, starting today, with 87 gigantic sailing vessels and over 3,000 crew members joining the crowds for a three-day festival in the run-up to the start of the Tall Ships’ Race 2005 on Saturday.

In particular, people scheduled to catch flights or ferries have been warned to expect some delays and should adjust the time of their departure accordingly.

Over the three days, spectators will have a unique opportunity to admire some of the largest and most prestigious sailing ships in the world, among them the Russian ship ‘Kruzenshtern’ and also well-known Irish vessels including ‘Dunbrody’, ‘Jeanie Johnston’ and ‘Asgard II’.

An opening ceremony will kick proceedings off later today and the fun will continue with spectacular fireworks displays, marine parades and Ireland’s biggest roller-coaster set to keep the crowds happy until the ships set sail for France on Saturday morning.

To ensure the smooth-running of the event, the following traffic plan has been put in place in the city from this morning.

- A free park and ride system will be operated by Bus Eireann with over 100 buses being used to bring visitors to and from four parking sites on the perimeter of the city centre to central drop off points.

- These parking sites will be located at Airport Road, Killure (Tramore direction), IDA Technology Park, Butlerstown (Cork direction), Purcell Lands, Newrath and Belmont Park on the Waterford-New Ross road (Rosslare direction).

- A traffic control cordon taking in Bridge Street, Summerhill, Military Road, Morrison’s Road, Cannon Street, Ashe Road, Inner Ring Road, Richardson’s Folly, Upper Grange Road and the Outer Ring Road will operate around the city centre from 6.45am-11pm daily on Wednesday to Friday with lesser restrictions in place on Saturday morning as the tall ships prepare to depart.

- Traffic will not be allowed enter this cordon area without a residents’ permit. Exceptions to this include buses, taxis, emergency vehicles and those displaying disabled person discs.

- Traffic passing through parts of the city that are not within the cordon are advised to expect delays with all inbound traffic on the Rice Bridge to be restricted to one lane while outbound traffic using the bridge may also be restricted for some periods.

- City residents who wish to attend the festival are encouraged to do so either by walking or by availing of public transport.

James Byrne

Indymedia Ireland

Photos on site

by Kevin Doyle - WSM, Cork
Wednesday, Jul 6 2005, 9:55am
corkwsm@eircom.net

Oil trucks were prevented from entering and leaving the Shell Central Oil Depot in Cork this morning in solidarity with the Rossport 5 blockade.

Oil trucks were prevented from entering and leaving the Shell Central Oil Depot in Cork this morning in solidarity with the Rossport 5 blockade.

An early morning solidarity blockade by about 20 activists prevented oil trucks from entering and leaving the Shell Central Oil Depot in Cork this morning. The action began at 7.30 and continued until 8.45 am. A total of three gates were picketed and about seven trucks in all either refrained from entering the depot or were turned back.

The action was held in solidarity with the Rossport 5 and in the context of the international blockade of the G8 Meeting in Gleneagles in Scotland. Those participating included Shell To Sea, Cork Harbour Action Group, Traveller and Settled Solidarity, Workers Solidarity Movement and Sinn Féin as well as individuals.

After about 15 minutes of picketing the Gardaí arrived, following complaints by Shell Oil, Cork. As usual the Gardaí professed to be only interested in securing the ‘free-flow of traffic’ in the industrial zone of the Central Park Road area, and in pursuit of this objective they threatened to ‘arrest and clear’ us all away. However the determined actions of the blockade meant that the Gardaí were unable to achieve their objective. Truck movements in an out of the depot were disrupted throughout.

Futher protests in the Cork area will take place on Friday – at the Shell Garages in Blackpool and Douglas (both called by Sinn Féin) at 6 pm.

BreakingNews.ie

06/07/2005 - 07:26:00

Gardaí have reportedly deported at least 40 Nigerians on a specially chartered flight that departed from Dublin Airport under cover of darkness last night.

Reports this morning said most of those flown to Lagos were arrested in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Athlone over the past few days.

The campaign group Residents Against Racism said it believed at least two pregnant women were among those returned to their home country.

Spokesperson Rosanna Flynn said their treatment was atrocious.

“Some of them have been here six years, they were very well integrated, they had letters of support from local community groups, local TDs, local priests and clergymen,” she said.

Belfast Telegraph

By Debra Douglas
06 July 2005

An Irish mother whose son was told he had an inoperable brain tumour by a London hospital last night thanked a Belfast hospital “from the bottom of her heart” for saving his life.

John Campbell (25), from Dundalk, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in August last year and was planning to go to America for treatment after a London hospital said they would not operate.

But desperate for another opinion, a chance conversation led John and his mother Anne to visit consultant neurosurgeon Kishor Choudhari at the Royal Victoria Hospital who then carried out a life-saving operation in May of this year.

Now John is on the road to recovery and his delighted mother has sung the praises of Mr Choudhari and his team.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, she said: “We had our flights and accommodation for Colorado organised because we thought it was the only option left to us but then, just by fluke, we went to see Mr Choudhari and he was able to help us here in Northern Ireland.

“You hear of people from here going across the world for treatment because they feel they can’t get the help they need here but as far as I’m concerned, the treatment on offer in Northern Ireland is second to none.

“We were told my son’s tumour could not be operated on because it was too deeply embedded in his skull but Dr Choudhari and his team worked a miracle.

“People have to realise this man saved my son’s life. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart. Dr Choudhari is an extremely gifted man.

“When I was told about him in the first place, he was described as ‘exact, precise and meticulous’ and that is exactly what he is.

“He and his team were first class and the Royal Hospital is superb.”

John is now staying with family in Belfast while he undergoes after-care treatment but he returns home at the weekend.

His mother added: “John has gone through a lot but thanks to Dr Choudhari, he is on the mend - 90% of his tumour has gone.

“Five weeks ago, he could not put his legs on the floor but now he is up and about. He was having seizures but has not had anything since the operation - he is a different person now and that’s all down to Dr Choudhari and his team, they were brilliant.”

BBC

Army experts declared the object an elaborate hoax

The Army have carried out two controlled explosions on a suspect device found in a County Armagh town.

Police had warned of an unexploded bomb at Kinelowen Street in Keady, however it was later declared an elaborate hoax.

Part of the town was cordoned off as Army bomb disposal experts examined the object.

Searches in the area started after claims that a bomb was thrown at the security forces but failed to explode.

A caller claiming to be from the dissident Continuity IRA had issued a coded warning to a Belfast newspaper.

It was claimed that a bomb had been thrown at a police vehicle on Monday.

SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said the people responsible for the alert have no place in society.

“The message that needs to go out loud and clear to them is ’stop, get off the scene’.

“The people of this area don’t need this,” Mr O’Hanlon said.

Scotsman.com

GETHIN CHAMBERLAIN AND EDWARD BLACK IN AUCHTERARDER

Key points
• Police to limit Gleneagles protest to 5000 as G8 leaders fly in for summit
• Protesters vow to close down summit by blockading hotel
• Local town centre closed for two hours following hoax bomb threat

Key quote
“We want to allow the peaceful protest of the majority to take place unhindered by any rogue elements who are set on disruption and confrontation. We will not flinch where we encounter such behaviour and will deal with it in a robust and measured way” - John Vine, Chief Constable Tayside constabulary

POLICE and protesters are today preparing themselves for a major confrontation outside Gleneagles as the world’s leaders fly in for the start of the G8 summit.

As the authorities stepped up security levels in the normally sleepy town of Auchterarder - just a few miles from the Gleneagles resort - demonstrators vowed to put the leaders under siege when they arrive.

Police insisted they would not allow more than 5,000 people to march past the five-star hotel but protesters insisted they had been given permission for thousands more to take part - raising fears of a repeat of the violent scenes which took place in Edinburgh.

At an “eco-camp” outside Stirling, activists were observed rehearsing tactics for taking on riot police, with one group of demonstrators playing the role of officers while others attempted to overcome them.

“We will be mounting blockades with the aim of closing down the G8 summit and even the G8 itself,” a veteran protester called Mark said outside.

Inside the camp there was a confrontational air. The Scotsman’s attempt to interview camp members was refused and bottles were thrown at a journalist and photographer as they departed.

Tension also built in Auchterarder with the town’s main street closed for two hours following a hoax bomb scare at a Bank of Scotland branch.

About 3,000 officers from around Britain are in the area. Many back roads have been closed and police are checking suspicious cars alongside the main highway.

Helicopters kept watch from the air but yesterday, for the first time, police admitted that they were not confident of preventing the demonstrators from breaching the five-mile steel- mesh fence around Gleneagles, which is dotted with plywood-faced watchtowers and CCTV cameras. Instead they argued that it might only give them a breathing space to regroup to repel any incursions.

“We have never said that the fence is going to be totally secure,” said Tayside Chief Constable John Vine. “What it will give us is time to react.”

Any protesters who do breach the police lines will find that commanders are prepared for serious trouble: officers armed with sub-machineguns and pistols were yesterday gathering inside the cordon. Groups of officers from a number of forces, including the Northern Constabulary, were on standby away from the public gaze.

It also emerged yesterday that an entire wing of Perth prison has been cleared in preparation for a mass arrest of G8 demonstrators.

Youth groups, peace protesters, anti-capitalists, anarchists, anti-globalisation campaigners and environmental activists are among groups determined to disrupt the three-day summit of the Group of Eight industrialised nations.

Police are anxious that the number of protesters is capped at 5,000, but with so many disparate groups determined to take part in the event - organised by the G8 Alternatives group - the numbers may be much greater. Aamer Anwar, solicitor for the G8 Alternatives group, agreed, saying he expected “thousands” more than the previously agreed figure.

Furious members of the G8 Alternatives group accused senior police officers of reneging on what they insisted was a deal to allow an unlimited number of protesters. But police were equally adamant that the protesters would be restricted to the 5,000 figure agreed after months of wrangling. Aside from the numerical limit, police say the noon march must finish by 4pm.

Mr Vine denied G8 Alternatives’ claims that a new deal had been struck: “That is not a version of events that I recognise,” he said.

The scene for confrontation was set when police warned that the infrastructure around Gleneagles and neighbouring Auchterarder could not support a protest in excess of the agreed numbers and that others who attempted to join in would be prevented from doing so. Senior officers also made it clear that the presence of any of the protesters who fought with officers in Edinburgh would be dealt with “robustly”.

Demonstrators appeared to be undeterred by the police warnings. Yesterday they continued to pour into the eco-camp outside Stirling. By mid-afternoon, numbers had swelled to an estimated 3,500, with more expected to arrive overnight. Mr Vine refused to speculate on the turnout, save to say he expected “thousands” more than the 5,000 figure.

Mr Vine insisted that the intention was to police the march “in an approachable and good-humoured manner”.

But he added: “We want to allow the peaceful protest of the majority to take place unhindered by any rogue elements who are set on disruption and confrontation. We will not flinch where we encounter such behaviour and will deal with it in a robust and measured way.”

People living in Auchterarder and along the route of today’s march yesterday had a mixed view of how things would go. Peter Saffery, whose house in East Hill Road overlooks the point at which the march will come closest to the security fence, said his five children were looking forward to it.

“We’ll be staying here. The kids think it is quite exciting - but I hope not too exciting,” he said. “I’m pleased it is an organised march, albeit there is always that unknown quantity, and the police have been great in keeping us informed.”

He said police had assured him that there would be a line of officers along the front of his garden, which looks on to the fence across a large cornfield and another field in which horses are grazing.

Pensioner Jessie Roy and three friends, caught on the wrong side of the road closure for much of the morning, were unable to get home so they stopped to have sandwiches and coffee on a bench outside the community’s school. Ms Roy wondered where the demonstrators expected today would march.

Further back towards Auchterarder, in Tullibardine Road, resident Ian Garrie said he was confident that the police would “look after them” despite Monday’s incidents, although he said the women were more concerned than the men.

“I think we all got a bit of a fright when we saw them [the demonstrators] in Edinburgh,” he said, adding that he hoped the police would restrict the number of marchers to the agreed figure.

“I don’t know what would happen if a lot more came. Maybe they will put them back on their buses and send them away again,” he said.

The weather appears to be as unpredictable as the numbers attending the march. Forecasters said the day would start dry and bright, but with the prospect of showers in the afternoon. Demonstrators hoping that the sound of their protest would carry over the fence into the summit itself are likely to be disappointed, however, with light winds from the north-east set to carry the noise away from the hotel.

Sinn Féin

Published: 5 July, 2005

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP today said that the decision of the Parades Commission to force three Orange Order parades through areas where they are not welcome is the wrong decision and has created a very difficult and dangerous situation in Belfast.

He said: “Sinn Féin will challenge the decisions on Orange Order marches in North and West Belfast.”

Mr Adams said:

Orange marches through nationalist areas are designed to cause offence to nationalist residents. If this was simply about culture then Orange lodges and their followers would choose routes throughareas where they are welcome.

Last year a similar decision by the Parades Commission in relation to the Ardoyne 12th parade resulted directly in widespread public disorder. It was only through the efforts of republicans on theground that serious injuries were prevented. The political damage has resounded to this day.

The Orange Order buoyed by the decision last year have refused to engage in genuine and meaningful dialogue with the community in Ardoyne over the past 12 months. The Parades Commission has rewarded Orange Order intransigence with parades in both Ardoyne and along the Springfield Road.

It is my view that the Parades Commission have based their decision on a false belief that republicans can once again deal with the fall out from their decision on the ground on the day. The notion thatrepublicans can simply deal with bad decisions by the Parades Commission time and again is not tenable.

Sinn Féin wants to see a peaceful summer and we will of course do all we can to achieve this. But when decisions by the Parades Commission are destined to achieve exactly the opposite result then a very difficult situation is created. This is not sensible. It is not acceptable.” ENDS

BBC

Next year’s event will take place at Customs House Square

Belfast City Council has agreed for the first time to fund the 2006 St Patrick’s Day outdoor celebration.

The council said it was aiming to address the controversy that has surrounded the event for many years.

It was determined to provide an inclusive event which could be enjoyed by everyone in the city, whatever their background, it said.

The decision was made at July’s monthly meeting of Belfast City Council. The new funding will be £70,000.

In February, councillors voted not to grant £30,000 to help fund this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade.

Councillors decided not to overturn an earlier decision to refuse grant aid to the parade organisers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the council said the outdoor event - organised previously by the St. Patrick’s Carnival Committee - had proved contentious.

However, the council said it had a series of discussions with the Carnival Committee and hoped with substantial council involvement the event would be as inclusive as possible.

Councillor Alex Maskey, chairman of the policy and resources committee, said: “This is a major step forward.

“For too many years, the council has felt unable to support the organisation of a major St Patrick’s Day event in the city centre.

“Now we look forward to working with not only the Carnival Committee but all of the people of Belfast over the months ahead to deliver an event which all can enjoy, not only in 2006 but in future years.”

However, DUP councillor Nelson McCausland said his party would be seeking assurances that there would not be Irish tricolours flying at the event.

“What the city council is hoping to have next year would be an event free from that plethora of tricolours we saw outside the City Hall this year,” he said.

“There is still quite a way to go and a lot of assurances will have to be obtained and arrangements made to ensure that we have an inclusive event rather than an Irish nationalist event.”

The council agreed the event should be held in Custom House Square and be run as a pilot and will “be evaluated independently”.