SAOIRSE32

RTÉ

29 March 2006 20:13

An Oireachtas Committee considering the Barron Report on the murder of Seamus Ludlow in 1976 has been highly critical of garda treatment of the Ludlow family and the subsequent investigation into his death.

The committee has called for the setting up of a Commission of Investigation to consider whether the evidence collected at the murder scene was available in 1979 and if not why not.

The committee has also called on the Garda Commissioner to appoint a garda team to re-examine the murder investigation.

It has also recommended an investigation into whether there is any possibility of bringing any or all of the four suspects whose names were given to the gardaí in 1979 to justice.

Ludlow family says it is disappointed that an Oireachtas Committee has not recommended a public inquiry into his death.

BBC

Filming has begun in Belfast of an epic love story based around tragic events in the city during World War II.

Closing the Ring begins in 1942 when an American B-17 bomber crashed into the city’s Cavehill while returning to its Northern Ireland base.

The film concerns a B-17 gunner’s dying wish

The story centres on a gunner in the plane’s dying wish to have a gold ring returned to his girlfriend in America.

The film is being directed by Lord Attenborough and stars include Shirley MacLaine and Pete Postlethwaite.

Also in the film are Mischa Barton from TV’s OC, Brenda Fricker and Christopher Plummer.

Producer Jo Gilbert said some of the stars of the film would arrive for filming in the next three weeks, but added that those who were already in Belfast were very impressed.

“The ones who have arrived have just gone- ‘this place is just wonderful, everyone’s so friendly and it’s great we never knew it was like this’.

“Because they don’t. They don’t realise that Belfast is one of the most burgeoning, fantastic cities in north west Europe. They love it,” she said.

The film is set in Belfast and North Carolina.

The gunner’s gold ring is discovered by a young Belfast man 50 years after its owner’s death and the film follows him as he tracks the gunner’s girlfriend and the history of the ring.

The film is loosely-based on real events following the crash of an American bomber which was returning to its base in Nutts Corner near Antrim.

Lord Attenborough is directing the film

“This landmark co-production with Canada marks an incredible opportunity for the film industry of Northern Ireland,” Jo Gilbert added.

“To have a British film icon like Richard Attenborough, and actors and filmmakers the calibre of Shirley MacLaine and (cinematographer) Roger Pratt filming this movie here in Belfast with local crew and actors is a phenomenal achievement for this community.

“In addition to forging a new and strong link with Canada, it will show the rest of the world that Northern Ireland has a vibrant film industry and that we are indeed, open for business.”

Closing the Ring will be shot on location in Belfast and at the new Titanic Studios, and in Toronto in Canada.

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In this issue:

1. Finucanes call on judges to shun British inquiry
2. Dublin protest marks anniversary of invasion of Iraq
3. Message from Leonard Peltier on the third anniversary of Iraq Invasion
4. Wages rip-off of migrant workers
5. Racist attacks blamed on UVF
6. UDA shoots leading loyalist as violence fears heighten
7. Controlled explosion in Derry
8. ETA announce ceasefire

BBC

Members of the Belfast Education and Library Board have narrowly voted to accept budget cuts of £6.6m.

The board had twice refused to implement the cutbacks but they were warned a commissioner would be appointed if they failed to do so.

Board members said they hoped the cuts could be phased in over a longer period so if more funds became available, some measures could be avoided.

The motion was passed at a board meeting by 15 votes to 14.

Board member Dinah McMaster of the Holy Family School, said they all accepted cuts should not be made “but the fact is we don’t live in a utopia”.

‘Real world’

“We live in the real world, and there isn’t enough money in the system, but what we want to do as principals is make sure we have a voice,” she said.

“If we had voted against that today, we would have been burying our head in the sand - somebody else would have walked in and made the cuts. We want to stay in a position of influence.”

However, Ulster Unionist board member Fred Cobain said the cuts should not have been backed.

“I think the cuts were so deep that I don’t think anyone, educationalist or politician, could have voted for them,” he said.

“It means an increase in school meals, it means an end to patrol men and women, it means people are going to have to pay more for transport, it means a huge range of redundancies both at board centre and probably among teachers.”

Belfast Telegraph

By Chris Thornton
29 March 2006

Witnesses to the murder of Portadown man Robert Hamill who refuse to cooperate with the inquiry into his death faced increased fines and a jail sentence today.

Secretary of State Peter Hain announced that he has approved the use of the controversial Inquiries Act, which beefs up the powers to compel witnesses to testify, in the case.

The chairman of the inquiry, retired High Court judge Sir Edwin Jowitt, had asked for the change chiefly because of concerns about whether witnesses would cooperate.

Mr Hamill was fatally beaten in 1997 in Portadown centre. He was attacked by a loyalist mob and his family have complained that police saw the attack and failed to intervene.

Several people called as witnesses by the inquiry are understood to have failed to cooperate so far. If that continues, they face heavier jail sentences and stiffer fines than previously available.

The Inquiries Act has been criticised by human rights organisations because it allows the Secretary of State to keep information secret on national security grounds through restriction notices.

Mr Hain said today: “I am determined that the truth about this appalling murder must emerge.

“I have agreed to the request from Sir Edwin Jowitt to convert the Robert Hamill Inquiry to the Inquiries Act because I am clear that the inquiry must have the tools it needs to carry out its work fully and effectively.

“The Inquiries Act provides a modern, robust basis for public inquiries which are genuinely independent.”

Barra McGrory, lawyer for the Hamill family, said: “This isn’t unexpected as we had previously received notification from the Secretary of State that he was willing to grant the application to convert.”

BN.ie

29/03/2006 - 12:59:40

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was today urged to ensure the last surviving child of an executed 1916 leader is given a place of honour at the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

Labour TD Tommy Broughan said Fr Joseph Mallin, the son of Commandant Michael Mallin, had not yet received an invitation to the Easter Monday ceremonies.

The Dublin North East TD said Fr Mallin’s relatives have called for urgent action as it is less than three weeks until the event and all Oireachtas members received their invitations nearly a month ago.

“I contacted the Taoiseach’s office and have now been informed that an invitation is at last being sent to Fr Mallin,” he said.

“Fr Mallin SJ has worked in Hong Kong since 1948. He is now 92 years old and corresponds with his Dublin relatives every fortnight.

“He is in good health and on his visits home stays with the Dublin Jesuit community.

“He was an honoured guest of the Taoiseach and Government at the 50th anniversary of the Rising in 1966.

“His relatives believe that Fr Joseph is the last surviving child of the executed 1916 patriots.

“They are grateful for the Taoiseach’s interest but hope that he will now ensure that Fr Joseph is enabled to return home in good time for the commemoration.”

Commandant Michael Mallin was Chief of Staff of the Irish Citizen Army and commander of the St Stephen’s Green garrison during the Rising.

He left behind a wife and five young children, including two-year-old Joseph, when he was executed on May 8, 1916.

Daily Ireland

Adams accuses British government minister of ‘repackaging’ funds for nationalist areas and ‘New Labour spin’ ahead of massive cash injection for loyalist districts

By Jarlath Kearney
29/03/2006

The Department for Social Development (DSD) has been accused of “repackaging” funding commitments for nationalist parts of Belfast.
Sinn Féin president and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams last night criticised the DSD’s approach ahead of an imminent announcement that massive public funds will be skewed towards unionist and loyalist areas.
DSD minister David Hanson visited west Belfast yesterday where he said £737,000 (€1.07 million) would be given to the Colin area as part of his department’s neighbourhood renewal policy.
Despite the announcement, over 30 jobs in the west Belfast community sector are set to be lost.
“Efforts to regenerate deprived neighbourhoods must be based on real partnerships. An integrated approach is also essential,” Mr Hanson said.
“This involves new ways of thinking and working but is necessary to ensure that the significant resources which government makes available have a lasting impact,” the minister added.
Mr Hanson insisted that DSD funding under neighbourhood renewal will be targeted using objective indicators of social deprivation.
However, Mr Adams accused the DSD of “repackaging commitments made by the minister almost two months ago”.
Mr Adams said the west Belfast community sector “is being systematically eroded with each decision by government ministers and their appointed agencies”.
“There is little that is new within it. On the contrary this package of measures falls far short of what is necessary to tackle real disadvantage in the Colin area or in west Belfast generally,” Mr Adams said.
“The approach of the DSD and the Belfast Regeneration Office in recent times has been characterised by job cuts and a significant reduction in resources into west Belfast. The Lenadoon Community Forum, the West Belfast Féile and others have been badly affected by decisions taken by DSD and BRO, and groups like the Sally Garden project in Poleglass are now under serious threat.”
Mr Adams’ party colleague, assembly member Michael Ferguson, confronted David Hanson during yesterday’s visit. Mr Ferguson challenged yesterday’s DSD announcement as “yet another example of New Labour spin”.
“Any real money invested is of course welcome but when this allocation is looked at under the microscope it is minimal given the local need, it had to be campaigned for and those who campaigned for it are now losing their jobs,” Mr Ferguson said.
Sean Paul O’Hare, director of Féile an Phobail, revealed that five members of staff will be made redundant on Friday after the DSD refused funding. The losses put major aspects of the internationally renowned festival under threat, including the West Belfast Talks Back evening and the Féile carnival.
“David Hanson has told us that, although he supports the work of Feile, his department are unwilling to resource or fund the work of Feile, despite previous assurance to the contrary.”
In a written answer to the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Hanson revealed that a major funding announcement focused on unionist areas is imminent.
“I am currently working closely with the senior civil service officials to finalise a positive agenda for action on tackling disadvantage, with a particular emphasis on Protestant working class communities.
“A government announcement on this issue will take place in early April.
“A delivery team, lead by Nigel Hamilton, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, has been appointed to drive forward this important work,” Mr Hanson said.

Daily Ireland

by John Fallon
29/03/2006

A councillor last night refused to withdraw a derogatory remark about health minister Mary Harney.
Fine Gael councillor Austin Francis O’Malley had said she needed to “get her fat finger out” to resolve health issues in Mayo. Mr O’Malley was addressing a meeting of the Health Service Executive Western Area in Galway.
Fianna Fáil councillor Aidan Colleary, the Health Service Executive Western Area chairman, asked Mr O’Malley to withdraw the remark but the Mayo councillor refused to do so and went on to repeat the insult.
“I will withdraw nothing. We are on the hind tit for everything in Mayo, whether it is roads or jobs. The health service is pathetic and Minister Harney needs to get her fat finger out and get it sorted,” he said.
Several councillors distanced themselves from the remark and urged him to withdraw it.

Daily Ireland

Editor: Colin O’Carroll
29/03/2006

Any timetable for troop withdrawals published by the British army is welcome although this latest one is – as usual – a case of not enough and much too slow.
Currently, more than 9,000 British soldiers are garrisoned in the North of Ireland. What they’re doing there from a military point of view is anybody’s guess. What they’re doing there from an ordinary person’s point of view is disturbing the quality of life of far too many people as the British army continues the noisy and disruptive business of servicing and supplying troops and bases which simply aren’t needed any more, if indeed they ever were.
Those 9,000 troops are contained in some 40 military installations – the vast majority of them located near nationalist areas, the vast majority of them designed to observe and marshall nationalist districts. The best-known and most controversial bases and spy posts are located in nationalist border areas of Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh.
Less well-known are the large state of the art installations in the city of Belfast which loom balefully over Catholic districts. A trip around the city of Belfast would prove instructive for those outside the city not familiar with its military geography.
While loyalists have been engaged in bitter and bloody internecine feuding for years, no barracks or bases or spy towers exist to watch the districts in which they operate. The entire military apparatus of the city was designed with the republican community in mind. That’s hardly surprising as not only were the British not interested in tackling loyalist sectarian violence, we now know that they were controlling and directing it.
Right across the North nationalists are still living with the legacy of that warped policy, even though the IRA has stood down its units and the armed state nexus of the British army, the PSNI and the loyalist paramilitaries remains the only side still on the field.
Today in South Armagh and west Belfast young nationalists are constantly reminded by the huge and ludicrously expensive military and paramilitary infrastructure that the British state regards them as the enemy. The moves will be significant if far from comprehensive. The number of British army troop bases will be reduced in the next year from around 40 to 14; the number of troops will drop from 9,000 to 5,000; and the five remaining watchtowers in South Armagh will be removed.
The British government feels itself in need of 14 bases and 5,000 soldiers – none of this being deployed against still active loyalists – not because they make one iota of difference to the security environment, but because to do the right thing and remove the British army completely would upset unionist politicians.
Those bases will continue to be deployed against the republican community and those guns will continue to be pointed at nationalists.

Daily Ireland

Danny Morrison
29/03/2006

In the early days of the conflict letters would frequently pop up in the local papers from ‘Catholic Mother of Ten, Bogside’, ‘Disillusioned Republican’ and ‘True Patriot, Crossmaglen’ attacking the republican movement and overtly or implicitly praising the ‘peace-keeping’ efforts of the RUC/British army. The letters were so gauche and written in such a strange idiom that they fooled few republicans who correctly assumed that they came from the British army propaganda unit based at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn.

(Click photo to view)

Other stories appeared in the media alleging that IRA explosives officers could get cancer from handling nitro-benzine (a major component of home-made explosives) and that the nylon underwear worn by women IRA Volunteers was prematurely setting off detonators. A Sunday Mirror in 1973 headline read, ‘Danger in those frilly panties’.
Colin Wallace, a full-time public relations officer based at Lisburn, later admitted conjuring up most of the black propaganda stories of this period.
Another of his stories was one about Czechoslovakian snipers whom the IRA hired at £1,000 a hit. The subtext, of course, was that an IRA volunteer was not really a guerrilla because he/she couldn’t fire straight; that there was a connection between the IRA and east European communism; and wasn’t it both ironic and a disgrace that the money raised by republican/Catholic sympathisers in the USA was financing communists/atheists.
My favourite story was the one about those topless women in west Belfast’s Turf Lodge housing estate. The British army would be out on patrol when an upstairs bedroom curtain would suddenly be drawn back and there would stand at the window a naked woman baring her voluptuous breasts. The young, courageous squaddie (it would either be his first day of duty or his last – never in between) would understandably feast his sore eyes on this comely maiden. Having temporarily dropped his guard, the wicked plan had fallen into place and an IRA sniper’s bullet would ring out and strike down the young soldier (undoubtedly, this represented a tragic reversal of that old saying, he died and went to heaven).
Yes, the nonsense and lies and black propaganda we had to listen to was incredible. This shite, to which we were subjected throughout the conflict, actually bears an uncanny parallel to the propaganda offensive by the British during the Tan War.
A new book, written by historian Brian Murphy, titled The Origins and Organisation of British Propaganda in Ireland 1920, was launched last Friday in Dublin. It focuses on Basil Clarke, a former English journalist with the Daily Mail, and a number of his colleagues, who came to Dublin Castle to streamline the propaganda offensive against Sinn Féin and the IRA which the British felt were winning the publicity war. Furthermore, the author demonstrates how British lies and distortions of that period have been treated as credible primary sources by some contemporary historians for what he states are anti-republican purposes.
The press relied heavily on Dublin Castle’s Summaries of Official Reports of Outrages which accentuated the alleged successes of the Crown Forces against the IRA, whilst omitting British crimes against civilians and civilian property, and blackened the IRA at every opportunity through inventions, distortion and lies.
Journalists – long before the term ‘embedded’ was invented – were invited to visit and meet with Auxiliary Companies.
One story had an IRA Volunteer shoving a revolver down the blouse of an innocent woman in the seat in front of him when the omnibus is being searched by auxiliaries. He retrieves it from her cleavage after the search and commuters are either so intimidated or supportive that they say nothing.
On a more serious level, Murphy details the planting of false stories (that Terence MacSwiney, for example, had planned to kill the Bishop of Cork); the Brit use of sympathetic journalists; and the recruitment of the Catholic hierarchy to the British side.
It is impossible not to see the resonances with the recent conflict.
What happened in 1920 was repeated in the ‘70s. The British claimed that prisoners were inflicting injuries on themselves to denigrate their interrogators. They claimed that the IRA was “a bloody-minded coterie of criminals’ that intimidated the community for support. The British abolished jury courts, denied inquests, suppressed evidence, and if you think Public Interest Immunity Certificates are something new, think again. It had its precursor in the powers of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act. Divisional Inspector Colonel Smyth of the RIC correctly boasted that no “policeman will ever be held up to public odium by being pilloried before a Coroner’s Jury or other such inquiry”.
Hunger strikers were impugned: their families encouraged to induce their loved ones to end the strike.
In another episode British forces murdered John Lynch, a solicitor’s clerk (and Sinn Féin supporter), having previously attempted to kill his employer, John J Power, because he legally defended IRA volunteers.
Commenting on the propaganda work of Basil Clarke, author Brian Murphy says: “By shaping and refining the news in the British interest, Clarke not only produced a propaganda message for his time, but also laid the foundations for an historical narrative for all time.”
In particular, Murphy challenges two historians, Roy Foster and Peter Hart. He upbraids Foster for appearing to be unwilling to accept that Michael Collins (who was acting on inside information) got the right men when volunteers wiped out the ‘Cairo Squad’ – the foremost undercover British spies in Dublin – in November 1920. He also gives an example where Foster omits to use a damning quote by a brigade major about the burning of civilian homes. He takes Hart to task over his presentation of the IRA attack at Kilmichael when 16 auxiliaries and two volunteers were killed.
The British falsely alleged that their soldiers had been wounded, surrendered and then shot multiple times, and that their bodies had been hacked and mutilated and then rifled for personal valuables, including clothes. While Hart does not support the accusations of mutilation he, according to Murphy, places his confidence in the ‘official report’ in order to query IRA Commandant Tom Barry’s account of events (“lies and evasions”) and to claim that the attack “turned into a massacre”.
British and newspaper reports deceived many people at the time, not just the British public or people abroad but some people in Ireland also. However, to have modern historians and journalists regurgitate these lies – in my opinion, for contemporary political motives – is something to which we need to be alert. Murphy – one of a regrettably small number of historians who vigilantly scrutinise the way revisionists use or abuse historical documents and sources – has done us all a valuable service by publishing this work.

The Origins and Organisation of British Propaganda in Ireland 1920 by Brian P Murphy can be ordered through www.atholbooks.org.

Belfast Telegraph

By Deborah McAleese
29 March 2006

Republicans will join the Northern Ireland Policing Board within months, it was claimed last night.

The body’s outgoing vice chairman Denis Bradley said he believes that Sinn Fein will take up their seats on the board by the autumn.

However, Sinn Fein last night hit back at the comments and said that Mr Bradley has “no understanding” of the views of the republican community when it comes to the issue of policing.

Speaking after the current board’s final meeting yesterday Mr Bradley told the Belfast Telegraph: “I do think Sinn Fein will join the board by the autumn. I have been more hopeful recently than I have been for quite some time.

“That is where our politics are going, it is becoming clearer by the day. There are no political reasons anymore why Sinn Fein should not join.”

However, a Sinn Fein spokesman said: “Denis Bradley has said this sort of thing before. He has no understanding of where the republican community is with regard to policing. Republicans have made their position very clear in terms of transfer of power and policing.”

Mr Bradley also said that the next chairman of the Policing Board should be a nationalist, but added that he is looking forward to the day when that would become a “non-issue”.

He also expressed concerns about MI5 taking control of intelligence gathering, fearing it would become “a force within a force”.

Current board chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea said there is still work to be done.

“We are entering a new era, and the next Policing Board will be responsible for building on the firm foundations laid and establishing policing on an even wider community basis,” he said.

“Sinn Fein have not yet supported policing, but I hope that once the politics are sorted, they will soon join with those who have been committed to the future of policing since day one.”

The first public session of the new Policing Board will be held on May 3.

However, members will meet in private to elect a new chairman and vice chairman next week.

Sinn Féin

Published: 29 March, 2006

Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson, Michael Ferguson MLA has said that the latest report from the Auditor General into literacy and numeracy levels at our schools makes for worrying reading and shows that the department is losing its’ direction in the battle to beat literacy and numeracy problems and voiced particular concerns that only a third of boys in Belfast at Key Stage 3 achieve a standard level of English.

Mr Ferguson said:

“Some of the statistics in this report make for serious reading. Despite spending £40 million since the mid 90‚s it is clear that the department is not learning the lessons and targeting its resources effectively or efficiently.

“Nearly 25% of children (2,000 girls and 3,500 boys) are starting secondary school at a disadvantage, with underdeveloped skills. This means that they are likely to struggle with the demands of the post-primary curriculum. Every year 6,000 young people are leaving school with literacy problems and 7,000, some 41%, are leaving with maths problems (below level 5).

“These are the basic skills which young people, particularly those leaving school without qualifications, need to enable them to work or pursue further training or education.

“But perhaps the biggest concern is that where both synthetic phonics and the enriched curriculum have been identified as having a very positive impact on literacy and numeracy that these programmes both require improved pupil teacher ratios and specifically classroom assistants. Yet the short-sightedness of the Department means that the very resource that has been identified as important in the battle to tackle literacy and numeracy problems, namely classroom assistants, are going to be sacrificed in the cuts Angela Smith is trying to force through the Education Library Boards.

“It is also says much about the direction of the Department of Education that there has been little improvement since the Assembly Public Accounts Committee report of 2002.

“There is a very worrying gap between boys and girls in English that needs to be tackled with 72% of girls achieving the standard level in English at secondary school (level 5) compared with only 48% of boys. The situation in Belfast even worse, where only a third of boys at Key Stage 3 achieve a standard level of English.

“There is a clear weakness in the way the department is monitoring this that means that they are not able to improve and target their resources to where need is greatest.” ENDS

BN.ie

29/03/2006 - 07:09:33

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been removed from the federal government’s terrorist watch list, a New York congressman said yesterday.

Adams was delayed for security reasons at a Washington airport on St. Patrick’s Day on his way to Buffalo. Hours earlier, he had been a guest of President George Bush in the White House.

Buffalo congressman Brian Higgins, a Democrat, and other lawmakers complained to Transportation Security Administration officials.

Higgins said that during a private meeting with TSA officials yesterday, they informed him Adams had been removed from the list.

The lawmaker said it remains unclear which federal agency had “nominated” Adams for placement on the list, but he is determined to find out.

Because he was interned for a crime related in the early 1970s, Adams requires a special travel waiver when he travels to the US.

“There’s an agreement that in the event he travels in the future between domestic point A and B that he be given consideration, given the demands on his time and attention,” said Higgins.

The congressman is also pressing the agency to say what other Sinn Féin leaders are on the watch list to have them removed as well.

“This matter is not closed. I will persist until Sinn Féin staff, those who have become instrumental in the movement toward peace and the implementation of the Good Friday Accords, are removed as well,” Higgins said.

Irish Independent

Brendan Morley

AN ELDERLY bachelor farmer is giving away his land worth €1.6m to the local Traveller community.

Eighty-year-old Barney Kearney, from Carnaross, Kells, Co Meath, admitted his plan had caused “a damnable racket” among the local community but he is determined to press ahead regardless of local objections. Mr Kearney, who lives in a small cottage he built with his late brother, said: “I don’t need money and I don’t need land.

“The only bit of land I need is six by three.”

He did not “give two hoots” what happened to the farm.

Travellers had often worked on his farm in years gone by, said Mr Kearney, as he recalled memories of the women “coming to my door, the rain running out of their long hair, looking for water to boil over their camp fires.

“They led hard lives but I never had any bother with them. They are no different from the rest of us. Aren’t they human beings too? If people mixed more with Travellers, they would understand them better,” he said. He has instructed a local solicitor to transfer ownership of his 65 acres of prime Meath farmland to the Navan Travellers’ Workshop. Two solicitors had first tried to discourage him and then refused to represent him, before a third agreed to effect the transfer. Farmland in the area is currently fetching around €25,000 an acre.

Mr Kearney said he had first considered donating the land to either Kells Town Council or the health board. He had mentioned this idea to a local politician but nobody had come back to him. It was after he listened to a radio documentary about the Traveller community that he decided to give the land to them.

He headed into Navan and went into St Mary’s Church where he lit a candle and prayed for guidance.

He then went into the office of the Navan Travellers Workshop on the town’s Fair Green to offer them the land.

“I hope the land will do them some good,” he said, joking: “I had to do something to make up for my sins.”

Navan Travellers Workshop has been in existence for 40 years, running educational and training programmes for Travellers.

A spokesman for the group said the transfer of ownership had not yet been completed and emphasised that the land would be held in trust, so no one individual would benefit.

He denied that the land would be used for a halting site and said his organisation was considering the possibility of creating a heritage park to highlight Traveller culture.