SAOIRSE32

BreakingNews.ie

21/10/2005 - 17:40:51

Nobel Prize-winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu made a flying visit to Dublin today to back an housebuilding scheme which aims to transform lives in a township in South Africa.

The third Niall Mellon Township Challenge will see 700 Irish volunteers heading out to Cape Town from next week to build at least 100 brick houses for shack dwellers in Imizamo Yethu.

Click to view

Archbishop Tutu said the generosity of the Irish people involved in the charity who have each raised €4,000 to take part in the two-week project left him breathless.

“This is a fantastic initiative which will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of ordinary South Africans in Cape Town,” he said.

“I am so proud of the Irish volunteers who are giving their time and money to help my people.”

Property developer Niall Mellon, who founded the project, thanked Archbishop Tutu for his continuing support of the township challenge.

“The speech which Archbishop Tutu made at our gala dinner last year to mark the end of the township challenge was extremely moving,” he said.

“It played a major role in motivating many of our volunteers into signing up again for this year’s challenge.

“In the last 10 years, more than one-and-a-half million homes have been built by the South African government.

“I see the Township Challenge as lending a hand in admiration of the great effort and struggle that South Africa faces in housing almost 10 million shack dwellers.

“I am confident they will do it,” Mr Mellon added.

The first township challenge in 2003 saw 150 builders travel to Imizamo Yethu to build 25 houses.

In 2004, 350 volunteers built 50 homes, and the response this year was so large the trip had to be staggered over two weeks.

While most of the volunteers have a background in the building industry, around 20% of them has never laid a brick before.

The first group of 200 builders leaves Dublin on Friday, October 28 followed by a second team of 450 leaving on November 4, with around 50 who will be working for the entire fortnight.

They have set themselves the daunting task of constructing between 100 and 120 homes over the two weeks, but Mr Mellon said he was confident they could pull it off.

“Our volunteers will be working flat out for the two weeks that they are in Cape Town,” he said.

“It won’t be a holiday for them, but if they achieve their target they will have changed the lives of 1,000 residents of the township for the better forever.”

BBC

Paula McCartney is moving out of the area

A sister of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney is moving out of her home in disgust at the way her family has been treated since the killing.

Paula McCartney, who has lived in the nationalist Short Strand for 40 years, said she felt “disillusioned, disgusted and betrayed” since the murder.

Mr McCartney, 33, was stabbed to death outside a Belfast bar in January. Two men have been charged over his murder.

Paula is the last of Mr McCartney’s four sisters to leave the area.

She has spent the last few days with her husband, Jim and their five children, preparing to leave an area where their family ties date back 100 years.

“We’ve had very happy times in this house but now it’s just all been soiled,” she told BBC Radio Ulster.

“The urge to not be here is getting stronger by the hour. The fact that there’s still people allegedly involved in Robert’s murder walking around, getting on with their lives here in the Short Strand, and we don’t believe that we can.

“We have suffered an injustice by having our brother brutally taken from us, that’s only a further injustice.”

The Short Strand area has been home to five generations of the McCartney family.

However, their high-profile campaign for justice for their brother’s murder brought them into conflict with the IRA and Sinn Fein in the past nine months.

Some republicans saw the campaign as treachery.

The family claimed there was an IRA campaign of intimidation against them and said republicans were trying to drive them out.

However, Paula said that even though they were moving out of the area, they were as determined as ever to continue with their justice campaign.

“We’re still having to fight as strong as we fought a month after Robert died,” she said.

Robert McCartney was stabbed outside a Belfast bar on 30 January

“The fact I am moving out of the Short Strand may indicate to some people defeat, it certainly isn’t.

“Those people who played a part in any way in Robert’s murder should be under no illusion that they will be held to account at some stage.”

In September, a crowd picketed the home where Mr McCartney’s partner Bridgeen Hagans and her children live.

Sinn Fein called for an end to all intimidation of the family and the party insisted no members of the IRA were involved.

Both the IRA and Sinn Fein have said they support the family’s calls for justice.

In the course of the past nine months, the McCartney sisters and his partner have met senior politicians.

Their campaign has taken them from east Belfast to the White House - meeting US President George Bush in Washington in March and the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

But despite their heartache since January, it was not an easy decision for Paula to leave the Short Strand.

“I am going to be leaving good friends and neighbours which saddens me,” she said.

“I will always be proud to say that I come from the Short Strand.”

BreakingNews.ie

21/10/2005 - 18:04:15

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain was tonight accused of being overtly pro-nationalist.

In a hard-hitting attack on the minister, Democratic Unionist MEP Jim Allister claimed Mr Hain found it impossible to wean himself off a nationalist agenda.

And as nationalist SDLP deputy leader Dr Alastair McDonnell challenged the DUP to publish their 64-page dossier of demands to Downing Street, Mr Allister accused the British government of embarking on a strategy to demoralise unionists.

The MEP told party colleagues in Newtownstewart, West Tyrone: “Peter Hain among unionists is fast becoming as distrusted and despised as Mo Mowlam, who was the last Secretary of State so overtly pro-nationalist.

“In the end unionists could not and would not work with her.

“Hain looks like he may be heading the same way.”

Mr Allister said the Northern Ireland Secretary had a lamentably blank scorecard in his efforts to win the confidence of unionists.

“Indeed, all the signs are that he finds it impossible to wean himself away from a nationalist agenda,” the DUP MEP claimed.

Mr Allister cited the release of Shankill bomber Sean Kelly from prison on the eve of the IRA’s statement declaring an end to its armed struggle in July as one example of the minister’s move to appease nationalists.

He also condemned the tearing down of British army watchtowers in the wake of the IRA statement, further plans to scale down the military presence including the scrapping of three Northern Ireland-based battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, the appointment of former Women’s Coalition Assembly member Monica McWilliams as Chief Human Rights Commissioner and moves to ensure that if Sinn Féin turns down Policing Board seats next April that they will remain in nationalist hands.

The MEP continued: “I see at work at least two government purposes.

“First, they hope that by heaping upon us increasingly unacceptable manifestations of Direct Rule they will soften us up to the point where we will meekly accept the failed Belfast Agreement structures as being better than Green Direct Rule.

“We must not fall for that ploy.

“Second, making unionist politicians appear impotent in the face of unpalatable concessions spreads disillusionment, diminishes the unionist vote and thereby serves the government’s purpose of facilitating the nationalist solution.

“Remember this government is pledged to legislate for a unified Ireland if only the majority would acquiesce.

“Demoralising unionism is a key factor in their strategy. It behoves us all to redouble our determination not to play their game.”

Mr Allister and his colleagues were tonight challenged to publish their list of demands to the government as efforts continue to persuade the Reverend Ian Paisley’s party to revive power sharing with nationalists following the completion three weeks ago of IRA disarmament.

South Belfast MP Dr Alastair McDonnell said: “The SDLP has always urged the two governments to engage with all parties, rather than going the way of side deals which just encourage the parties to seek concessions against each other.

“We can now see where the flawed policy of side deals leads – to the DUP presenting a 64-page list of demands to the British government.

“I challenge the DUP to publish their list so that we can see just who they are negotiating for. Is it just for themselves or for the whole unionist community?

“Is it perhaps for the Orange Order? Might there be a single demand on the list which actually represents the interests of all the people of the North?

“These are things we need to know if we are to build confidence in the DUP’s political intentions.”

Derry Journal

Friday 21st October 2005

A Derry man who is heavily involved in doing charity work for various groups around the city has claimed that the PSNI subjected him to ‘a terrifying ordeal’ in an attempt to get him to act as an informer. David Houston said that his ordeal took place on a lonely country road outside Claudy on Wednesday night and said he is still in a state of shock after what happened.

He told the ‘Journal’ what occurred: “I go to Jordanstown every week as part of the course I am doing and I take it in turns with a fellah from Claudy to share cars. This week I left my car in Claudy and we went up in his so later I collected my car from Claudy and began my journey home at around 8.30 or so. “Just outside Claudy there was a PSNI checkpoint and I was flagged down and pulled into a side road. They asked me for my documents and while I had no licence with me I had insurance details which they said was fine. Then while one of them was at my window talking another one got into the car and sat in the passenger seat and said they wanted a word with me. “As you can imagine this was very frightening for me as there were six of them and only me on this road with not another car in sight. Then they asked me about a fellah (a well known dissident republican) and I said I didn’t know him and they asked me had I fallen out with the ‘boys’.

“I told them I did not know what they were on about. Then they started talking about the various charity work I had done and saying things like ‘we saw you in the paper’ and the like. They even went so far as to pull out a pile of notes and offer them to me for my charity work.” Mr. Houston added: “I told them that I wanted nothing to do with them or their money and they said that they just wanted me to give them a wee hand. They referred to me collecting for republican prisoners which I have done on some occasions and they said they were interested in who attended the meetings about the prisoners.

“I again told them I wanted nothing to do with them but they kept repeating that they only wanted 10 minutes of my time. They then mentioned three republicans by name and said they were interested in finding out about them and would I keep an eye on them.” Mr. Houston went on: “At this stage I was terrified because I was thinking that I was alone on a dark road with six cops and not another being around. The policemen then said that they wanted to have a chat with me at Jordanstown the next week and they asked had I a mobile. I said no but one of them said I did and they took it off me and took down the number. One of them then said that I would receive a call on Tuesday night from ‘John’ and they would arrange to meet me on Wednesday. “I am still in shock over what happened and I am terrified they could be waiting for me next week when I go to Jordanstown again.” Michael Gallagher of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association hit out at the actions of the PSNI and said that everyone who called for support for the PSNI had to take some responsibility for what had happened to Mr. Houston.

He said: “Those advocating support for the PSNI/RUC cannot escape responsibility for incidents like this when a man going about his business was subjected to a terrifying ordeal at the hands of these armed thugs. “If you support the PSNI then inevitably you support this sort of activity where people are being forced to become informers. It was pressure like this that probably resulted in Gareth O’Connor becoming an informer and eventually he was found at the bottom of Newry canal.

“I would call on everyone who comes under this sort of pressure to go public immediately as not everyone is as strong as David Houston in resisting this sort of pressure.” Repeated attempts to contact the PSNI press office yesterday proved unsuccessful.

Derry Journal

Friday 21st October 2005

An Independent report into the allocation of an EU peace grants in the North has discredited DUP claims that Protestant community groups are more likely to be refused money than Catholic groups. The DUP demanded a review of the uptake of Peace II funding - designed to boost local community projects and infrastructure - after insisting groups in Protestant areas were being disenfranchised.

Now an independent report compiled by PriceWaterHouseCoopers on behalf of the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB) - obtained by the ‘Journal’ - appears to show this is not the case. The report, published in January 2005, has found that funding applications from Protestant groups were more likely to be approved that those from groups in predominately Catholic areas in the last round of Peace II handouts. Large and small grants given to Protestant groups amounted to £2,930, 490 - more than half a million pounds more than what Catholic community groups received.

The report also found Catholic projects, which received £236,7002, were cross community while Protestant projects tended to be single identity. It concluded that 57 per cent of the value of all grants went to beneficiaries located in Protestant areas.

Despite the report, the DUP continues to claim that Protestant groups are missing out on Peace II money which has just been extended. The party also refuses to recognise that areas in Northern Ireland which suffer community infrastructure deficit are more likely to be home to the North’s Catholics population. One representative linked to the Peace II Programme said yesterday: “This is the report the DUP did not want people to see. “They demanded a review after insisting Protestant groups were getting less EU money than Catholic projects. “But the independent report proves this is not the case. The distribution of EU funding is far from the cold house for Protestants that the DUP would have people believe.” The DUP’s Foyle MLA, Willie Hay yesterday challenged the report which, he said, does not mirror the findings of the EU’s own investigation into the issue.

He said there was no doubt that Protestant areas in Northern Ireland were losing out. “I accept Protestant groups in this city have not done too badly out of Peace II because their community leaders have a proactive working relationship with the local strategy partnership which distributes Peace II funding.

“But that is not reflected across the whole of Northern Ireland. The problem is that some Protestant community groups have found it difficult to apply for the money in the first place. “They have found it difficult to draw the money and manage it because they do not have the same expertise as those in the nationalist community. “I will challenge this report until I see its terms of reference and explore how it arrived at its conclusions.”

Guardian

Fresh hope for Charlotte Wyatt’s parents

Staff and agencies
Friday October 21, 2005

Charlotte Wyatt with her mother Debbie at St Mary’s hospital in Portsmouth earlier this year. Photograph: Solent News and Photos

A high court judge today ruled that profoundly disabled girl Charlotte Wyatt can be resuscitated if she suffers an emergency health problem.

Mr Justice Hedley previously said doctors could be allowed not to revive the girl, a decision which angered Charlotte’s parents.

Darren and Debbie Wyatt said they were “very happy that the order which has been hanging over Charlotte for over a year now has been lifted”.

Both the doctors and the parents now agree that Charlotte should not be resuscitated if she suffers major heart failure, but will be revived if she suffers something less serious.

Charlotte, who is two today, has been very ill since she was born with heart and lung problems, needing a constant supply of oxygen. She has never left St Mary’s hospital in Portsmouth where she has been treated.

The judge formally lifted the existing declarations, but he stressed that the doctors could not be compelled to act against their conscience.

David Wolfe, counsel for the couple, told the judge: “The parents are most grateful for the opportunity to restore the normal parent-doctor relationship in this case.

“I am formally instructed to say on behalf of Charlotte ‘thank you’, remembering that it is Charlotte’s second birthday today.”

The judge replied: “Indeed, I am aware that people are heading off to the birthday party and I was going to ask them to convey whatever they can to say other people are thinking of her.”

Afterwards, a statement issued on the couple’s behalf, said they “are so happy that they can now get on with their lives and look forward to the future and look forward to Charlotte’s homecoming and the birth of their other child”.

It continued: “They would like to thank all the public for all their support and prayers and would like to thank the judge for lifting the order, especially on her birthday as they believe this is the best present that Charlotte could have.

“Now she can continue to get on with her life and progress and come home.”

Reading out a detailed ruling in the case, the judge said he had come to the view that “at least at present no further declaratory relief is required”.

“I hope that the trust and confidence of which both Dr K (Charlotte’s consultant, who cannot be named for legal reasons) and the parents spoke can now develop with a view to securing the best for Charlotte, whether in life or death.

“It is said that cases like this have no winners, but here there is a chance that Charlotte may be the winner if her parents seize this opportunity constructively to build upon their trust and confidence in Dr K and the staff who have committed themselves in such exemplary fashion to her case,” the judge said.

RTE

21 October 2005 18:21

Paula McCartney, the sister of the murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney, is this weekend preparing to leave her home in the Short Strand with her husband and son.

Paula is the last of the McCartneys to leave east Belfast following the murder of her brother by IRA members outside Maginnis’s Bar in the city last January.

The family will leave the area where they have lived for 40 years over the course of the weekend.

She has said leaving the area should not be seen as a sign of defeat and the family’s campaign for justice regarding their brother’s death will continue.

Posted by Mike Costello via Lew Thorne:

It’s Here!

They Put The Flag a-Flyin’ The Roscommon Volunteers 1916-1923

After twelve years in the making, the book by Kathleen Hegarty Thorne about the Roscommon Volunteers has finally been born.

Vital Statistics: 540 pages long, on an 8 1/2 by 11″ format, 342 pictures, quality paper throughout, graced by an original watercolour of the Shankill Monument on its cover. The book begins with a 200 page story of the War for Independence and Civil War in and around County Roscommon, followed by a 30 page Chronology of the week-by-week, sometimes day-by-day happenings of the time period. The next and largest section of the book includes an alphabetical listing of Volunteers in Roscommon. The entries include the war activities of the various individuals, information which was derived from the North and South Roscommon commanders’ papers, as well as from intelligence papers in the Military Archives in Dublin. Several hundred Volunteers’ photos are also included. The next section of the book, the Surrounding Volunteers, lists the command structure of the Irish Republican Army in the neighbouring counties of Galway, Mayo, Longford, Leitrim, Sligo, and Westmeath. In order to facilitate the reader in locating specific people and places, the book concludes with a 36 page index (triple column) which includes all Volunteers’ names in Roscommon and many in surrounding counties, place names, and themes addressed in the story section of the book.

Where to Get it: The initial launch in Ireland will take place on Sunday, 30 October, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Abbey Hotel ballroom in Roscommon town. Very few speeches will be given, but music, food, and friendship will abound. The afternoon’s entertainment will include tunes by local musicians, and an on-going slide show of the people who helped put this book together. After the initial launch, satellite launches are planned for Boyle, Castlerea, and perhaps Athlone in the first weeks of November.

Cost: The book will retail for 45 Euro, with discounts available for multiple purchases. The cost in the US will be $49.95 plus $6 shipping in the continental United States. The book can be shipped Air Post internationally, but the book weighs 4.5 lbs and Air Post shipping costs from the USA for one book to the Republic of Ireland is US$ 24.00 and to all other International destinations the cost is US$32.00. More information regarding shipping costs can be obtained by clicking on the “Order Button” on the generationpublishing web site that corresponds to the shipping destination.

Where to buy the book after November 1: They Put the Flag a Flyin’ The Roscommon Volunteers 1916-1923 will be distributed by Easons in Ireland and available in local bookstores. In the United States the book will be available after September 15, 2005 on the Internet. Simply type in www.generationpublishing.com and specifics about the book will be presented. Generation Publishing will accept credit cards, and shipping will take place within days of the order.

News Letter

Gemma Murray, Security Correspondent
Thursday 20th October 2005

Loyalist women have threatened to bring Northern Ireland to a standstill on November 4 if they do not get the face-to-face meetings they are demanding with the Secretary of State. Women Raising Unionist Concerns (WRUC), who formed last month in the aftermath of the Whiterock parade and subsequent rioting, said they are not going away and claimed it is time for Prime Minister Tony Blair to “wake up and smell the coffee”.
Chairwoman of the group Jean Barnes, from east Belfast, said their movement had “nothing to do with paramilitaries and everything to do with saving our culture, schools, traditions and Ulster”. She said Ulster’s men had their chance, and now it is time for them to “get out of the way”. “It is our turn to sort the problems out a different way - through peaceful protest and dialogue,” she said.

Earlier this week, the WRUC delivered a letter outlining their concerns to representatives at Stormont. They gave the letter to UUP, PUP and SDLP politicians.
“We then hand-delivered the letter to the offices of Sinn Fein, the DUP and Alliance,” said Jean. “The Secretary of State, Peter Hain, told us his door would always be open to hear our concerns but that has not been the case. “We want the Government to know that we are aware of what they are doing - how they are trying to erode the unionist people by conquering and dividing them and then driving them into the ground. “The Government are always one step ahead - but we want everyone to know what they are trying to do.” Last month, loyalist women blocked main roads throughout Belfast for more than six consecutive days in protest at police brutality towards Protestants.

“The strength of emotion coming from women in Protestant areas really hit home last month after Whiterock,” said Ms Barnes. “We got together for a couple of meetings in the Spectrum Centre in the Shankill and WRUC got off the ground. “Peter Hain and Tony Blair had better sit up and take notice because we proved a couple of weeks ago that we could bring Ulster to a standstill through road protests.
“And if we have not heard back from the politicians by November 4 we will take to the streets again. “We will bring Ulster to a standstill. We will go where we have to go and do what we have to do. “On November 4, if we have nothing, every road in Belfast will be closed at 3pm. “We do not just want a letter back from the parties, we want face-to-face meetings and accountability.”

g.murray@newsletter.co.uk

Sinn Féin

Published: 21 October, 2005

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Policing issues Gerry Kelly has accused the SDLP of “being part of a new policing establishment opposing necessary progressive changes to the current arrangements”. Mr Kelly’s remarks come after the SDLP and Policing Board launched another attack on Community Restorative Justice Programmes.

Mr Kelly said:

“Community Restorative Justice does not pretend to be an alternative to an acceptable and accountable policing service. Such projects are additional to a policing service and are now common place across the world. Indeed the Oversight Commissioner has praised the work of the schemes currently operating here.

“The SDLP’s opposition to Community Restorative Justice has nothing at all to do with these schemes or the way they operate. It is built upon a need to prevent further necessary policing changes to justify their flawed decision to jump too early onto policing. The SDLP have in effect become part of a new policing establishment determined to prevent the sort of changes necessary to deliver Patten and deliver an accountable policing service.

“When the SDLP joined the Policing Board they claimed that they would work for further changes from within. In effect they are doing exactly the opposite. They are on one hand trying to prevent further change while on the other supporting the sort of political policing which sees the PSNI deem the anti Catholic campaign in North Antrim as neighbourly disputes or fails to act when former Special Branchman Eric Anderson admits on television to the theft of files in order to frustrate the work of the Police Ombudsman’s office.

“If the SDLP want to have a genuine debate on Community Restorative Justice then lets have it. But they should stop attacking what is regarded as a progressive and valued community facility in an attempt to justify their own flawed position on policing.” ENDS

Sinn Féin

Published: 21 October, 2005

Sinn Féin’s Education spokesperson Michael Ferguson has said that the decision by the DUP to defer the Motion to reinstate the School Transport for thousand of children in rural areas for two weeks is unacceptable.

The DUP are seeking the deferment to allow the Board Accountant to bring forward proposals to cut other services, which is equally unacceptable.

Commenting on the Proposal Michael Ferguson,

“The DUP have deferred the Motion to reinstate the School Bus Service rather that support a Cross Community lobby which is not only opposed to cuts to the Bus Service but to all cuts.

“The DUP decision is immoral and could result in cuts to other school services. Sinn Fein has made its position clear and like those campaigning for a return of the School Bus Service will not police a bad budget.

“All political parties should join with us not only in opposing any further cuts but demand the British Government provide a real budget to support Education and Learning.

“If we are to manage change then there must be flexibility in spending. Quite often, as with other boards, this has resulted in additional spend.

“I am calling upon the DUP to join us in a new Assembly and take responsibility for the budget with us so that locally accountable Ministers can deliver the educational entitlement our children deserve.” ENDS

RTE

21 October 2005 15:14

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 35-year-old inmate in Portlaoise Prison.

The man, who was a member of the Continuity IRA, was found in a wardrobe in his cell just after 10.30am this morning.

He was serving five years for possession of firearms and was due out in 2008. He was found dead by another prisoner.

The body was found in a metal wardrobe in his single cell, which is in the E4 Wing of the prison, which houses dissident republicans.

His cell had been unlocked by officers this morning and he appeared to be still asleep. But subversive inmates at Portlaoise have a certain freedom of movement and control of their own affairs so the man would not have been ordered out of bed.

Gardaí have sealed off the landing and forensic teams are carrying out an investigation at the scene.

The man was arrested at a Continuity IRA camp where firearms, ammunition, balaclavas and a makeshift firing range were found.

The Prison Service has said the Governor will carry out an inquiry into the circumstances of the man’s death.

Irelandclick.com

Relatives of those killed in the McGurk’s bombing are planning to meet families of those killed in the Dublin and Monaghan explosions after it was revealed there could be a link.

The news came after a meeting between the McGurk’s bombing victim support group and an Irish Department of Foreign Affairs official.
It is believed that the same UVF team may be linked to both atrocities – a link that was discovered after the McGurk’s relatives handed over names of suspects to the Foreign affairs official.
On seeing the names, the official advised the Belfast relatives to get in touch with the Relatives of the Forgotten group in Dublin, which is made up of relatives of those killed in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
Cars used in the no-warning Dublin and Monaghan bombings came from North Belfast – including Torrens as well as a Agnes Street and a third coming from the Docks.
Like McGurk’s there has been long-standing allegations of security force collusion over the bombings.
The North Belfast News can reveal that a meeting between some of the families with the relatives of the Dublin and Monaghan outrages is scheduled to take place before Christmas.
Alex McLoughlin, whose father Thomas was murdered in the McGurk’s bombing and who will be part of a delegation to meet the Relatives of the Forgotten, said the truth had to be told about the killings.
Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are to meet with the Police Ombudsman in November.
Pat Irvine, who was a teenager when her mother Kathleen was killed in the McGurk’s attack, said she was encouraged by this week’s meeting with the representative from the Irish government and looked forward to meeting with the Relatives of the Forgotten group in Dublin.
“I have met with many types of officials and could tell they were not interested, but I would say I was struck by her genuine interest in our great concerns over the bombing,” she said.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said the official was pleased to meet members of the McGurk’s bombing victim support group earlier this week.
“She described the meeting as good and productive,” the spokeswoman said.
Margaret Urwin of the Dublin group Relatives of the Forgotten said names of some suspects in the McGurk’s atrocity could possibly be linked with identities of those who are believed to have carried out the Dublin and particularly the Monaghan outrages.
“I look forward to meeting with the relatives of McGurk’s,” she said.
info@irelandclick.com

Journalist:: Staff Reporter

Irelandclick.com

The Holy Cross blockade was discussed in court this week when a second judicial review took place, brought by a parent whose child was caught up in the violence.
The original proceedings were brought by a child’s mother at the height of the blockade. In an affidavit said she said the then Chief Constable and Secretary of State had “Failed to identify, arrest or prosecute those protestors breaking the law in full public view”.
The original hearing found in favour of the Chief Constable and Secretary of State, rejecting the proceedings and finding that the state had done “everything possible” to maintain the safety of the children.
This decision was appealed and a second judicial review began on Monday.
Speaking after the second day in court, Father Aidan Troy, who attended proceedings, said it was important that this issue was resolved.
“The original action failed and it took a lot of effort to achieve this judicial review. It is important we do not revive memories of the incident but we must make sure that this can never happen again.
“It is important we learn from what happened – the police, the government, the school – all of us, and try to bring closure to what went on.
“The judicial review is an important part of dealing with what happened four years ago and finding out what went wrong and we all hope it will ensure we never have to experience something like that again.”

Journalist:: Evan Short

Belfast Telegraph

By Eddie McIlwaine
21 October 2005

The main watchtower overlooking RAF Aldergrove is to be demolished.

The observation post at the camp’s checkpoint will come down this weekend.

And the task of removing the unsightly look-out block will begin 16 years, almost to the day, since it was built.

This is the latest development in the plan to demilitarise the province in the wake of the IRA decommissioning of arms.

The tower at Killead Road, Aldergrove, was erected on October 27, 1989, just as the Berlin Wall was being knocked down.

Station Commander Baz North has been negotiating for weeks the removal of all look-out towers around the base.

He has held a meeting with local residents to make them aware of what is going on at the camp, which accommodates more than 4,000.

A local farmer said today: “It is good news that this ugly tower is being removed. I don’t think it has been occupied for the past three or four years.”

Along with the tower, other barriers at the checkpoint will go, including a huge grid, erected to protect the tower from rocket launchers.

And look-out posts around the camp’s perimeter will also come down in due course.

Killead Road leading to the base will be closed this weekend to facilitate the work and homes in the area will be without electricity on Saturday.