SAOIRSE32

BBC

A specialist team set up to review unsolved murders committed during the Northern Ireland Troubles say their task may be almost impossible.

The Historical Enquiries Team, which has a budget of £34m, is re-examining 3,268 killings between 1969 and the 1998 peace accord.

The team has another five years to complete its work, with a target of 40 cases a month.

However, investigators now say they will need more time for their work.

Retired Metropolitan Police Commander Dave Cox, who is heading the team, said there was a lot of work ahead.

“We have met a lot of families and have been able to answer individual concerns in some cases,” he said.

“But in terms of us being able to say hand on heart that we’ve completely finished this process, I don’t think we’re there with any of the cases we’ve looked at yet.”

The Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan, said she agreed. The ombudman’s office investigates cases where there is evidence or allegations of police involvement.

To date, 78 such cases have emerged, including some of the Troubles’ most controversial incidents, such as the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

Forensic

Ms O’Loan said it was “unrealistic” to deal with 30 years of history in the time allotted by the government.

“What we’re trying to do effectively here is come to terms with everything that has happened in the past,” she said.

“It’s not realistic to think that we’ll do it in six years, that we will re-investigate all those murders and deaths. It’s just not realistic I think.

“I think that we’re talking at least a decade, probably, to do all those cases, possibly more. I think that the historical enquiries team will have the same problem.”

The Northern Ireland Office, which funds the initiative, would not be drawn on whether more resources would be made available.

The review team uses the latest forensic science and intelligence analysing technology. The team is comprised of about 100 detectives and support staff.

The team is operationally independent from the PSNI, but reports to the chief constable.

The Northern Ireland Secretary, Peter Hain, has said it is possible that people would serve jail terms as a result of the new murder investigations.

Northern Ireland’s Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, has said he hoped the review team would bring closure to many families.

Daily Ireland

By Connla Young
23/05/2006

A republican prisoner at Maghaberry has lodged an application for a judicial review into the use of drugs dog by prison bosses.
The application is expected to be heard at the High Court in Belfast later this week.
Republican inmates at the jail have complained that prison officers use the dogs to “harass prisoners and their families”.
The prisoner at the centre of the judicial review application, Stiofan O’Dalaigh, says he was recently stopped on two occasions returning from temporary release by prison officers who claimed a sniffer dog indicated he had been in contact with drugs.
On both occasions, he was locked up in the prison’s punishment unit for up to 48 hours and says he was subjected to sectarian abuse and had all privileges removed.
Strip searches carried out on the prisoner later failed to reveal any drugs.
A solicitor acting for the prisoner, Richie MacRitchie, said the Prison Service couldn’t justify the continued use of the drugs dog.
“The legal case follows mounting pressure against the prison in relation to their treatment of republican prisoners.
“Last year visits to the prison by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and veteran prison campaigner Monsignor Dennis Faul raised serious concerns about the misuse of the drugs dog against republican prisoners and their visitors despite the established fact that republican prisoners are known not to be involved in the use of drugs.”
“The Prison Service’s own review into the regime published earlier this year confirmed that no drugs had been found in the republican separated areas and the prison authorities have confirmed that they do not believe republicans to be involved in using drugs.”
Richie Walsh, from the Republican Prisoners Action Group, said: “The case also follows concerns raised by the British Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers who earlier this month published her report into conditions at the jail.
“The report was highly critical of the regime imposed on republican prisoners and was particularly scathing of the prison search team who were described as “disrespectful” and “intimidating”.?The report also described the separation of prisoners following an indication by the dog as “an entirely disproportionate response” and considered that it was “inappropriate” and “unacceptable”.
The High Court will now be asked to declare that the practice is unlawful and a breach of the European Convention.”
A spokesman for the Prison Service declined to comment when contacted.

Daily Ireland

By Ciarán Barnes
23/05/2006

A Co Antrim council has been criticised after it emerged it has paid a British army band more than £12,000 (€17,600) to perform at ceremonies during the past year.
The soon-to-be-disbanded Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) band played outside Lisburn City Council offices for the final time last Friday.
Council payments to the band during the last year total £12,788 (€18,776).
Sinn Féin councillor Paul Butler has criticised the spend.
He said ratepayers are relieved that this is the final time public cash will be used to pay the band to perform.
“This event is insensitive and insults the nationalist population of Lisburn,” said Mr Butler.
“The band should not be playing outside the council offices. Lisburn should be inclusive and the council offices should be a site all sections of the community can identify with.”
Mr Butler said the RIR is considered a sectarian force by nationalists.
He added: “Lisburn council’s endorsement of this display by the RIR will do nothing to promote good relations in the Lisburn area.
“Nationalists in Lisburn are being asked to pay rates for to allow a discredited force to perform what is essentially a sectarian ceremony.”
A spokeswoman for Lisburn city council said it offers a diverse programme of events and activities across the city to suit a wide range of tastes. “The Beating Retreat Ceremony, undertaken by freemen of the city and the RIR, has become a firm favourite of many in recent years,” said the spokeswoman.
“This was borne out by the large audiences that came to Lagan Valley Island to watch the proceedings despite the inclement weather last Friday evening.”

Daily Ireland

By Connla Young
23/05/2006

The British government has come under fresh pressure to throw out soldiers found guilty of murder, rape or torture.
Currently British soldiers found guilty of serious criminal offences are allowed to continue serving in the army.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan is pressing for the Armed Forces Bill, now going through Westminster, to be amended so that anyone found guilty of serious crime is given the boot.
The SDLP leader has long backed a campaign to have the killers of the Belfast teenager Peter McBride dismissed from the British army.
The 18-year-old was shot in the back near his New Lodge home in north Belfast in 1992 by Scots Guardsmen James Fisher and Mark Wright. The pair were released from prison in 1998 and allowed to rejoin the British army, in which both continue to serve.
The SDLP leader has also proposed an early-day motion outlining his concerns. It has received the support of more than 50 MPs already.
Mr Durkan said: “This is a matter of public confidence. People need to know that those they pay will uphold the law. It is a matter of public safety.
“The public should be protected by soldiers, not petrified of them. It is a matter of professional standards.
“The army’s own interest demands that soldiers adhere to basic rules. It is also a question of respect for the rule of law. If the courts find that somebody is fit for prison, they must be unfit for service. Above all, it is a question of respect for victims.
“How would any victim feel who finds that the killers of his or her loved one are thought good enough to serve in the armed forces?
“What message does that send? How does that devalue the life of the victim?”
The SDLP leader said the current regulations must be changed.
“Since Peter’s murder, over 2,000 soldiers have been discharged from the British army for offences right down to smoking cannabis.
“One major was dismissed for cheating on the gameshow Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Yet those convicted of the greatest crime of all — the deliberate and unjustified taking of life — are allowed to stay.
“And let’s be clear. This is not a Northern Ireland issue. It is an issue that affects us all.”

Daily Ireland

By Eamonn Houston
23/05/2006

Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper has agreed to pay substantial damages and costs to some families of those killed on Bloody Sunday in an out-of-court settlement.
The Bloody Sunday Campaign launched a seven-year legal battle after the newspaper printed certain articles in June 1999.
The families of the dead said the articles amounted to “grave slurs” on their character.
The Daily Telegraph said in a statement yesterday that it had settled four claims out of court but without making any admission of liability.
Michael McKinney, whose 26-year-old brother William was one of those killed, said it was a matter of regret that the newspaper had not apologised to the families at the time and had chosen to defend the publication of the articles.
Mr McKinney said the families had been vindicated by the paper’s climb-down.
“The Daily Telegraph articles, whatever their intentions, were widely perceived to be a grave slur on our reputations,” said Mr McKinney.
“They provided ammunition to persons who have sought to stigmatise our families since 1972.
“It is a matter of great regret that The Daily Telegraph did not take up the early opportunity to make an immediate apology and instead attempted to defend the action.”
Mr McKinney said the families had tirelessly campaigned for justice over the Bloody Sunday killings, in which 14 unarmed civilians died as a result of British paratroop gunfire in the Bogside area of Derry on January 30, 1972.
“We took the campaign for a proper public inquiry, backed by overwhelming community support, to political leaders and governments in Dublin, London, Europe and the US.
“We actively lobbied with all we met in an open and honest fashion.
“Both publicly and privately, we have stated that we have no desire for revenge or to see any family suffer as our families have,” Mr McKinney said.
“It is a matter of public record that The Daily Telegraph implacably opposed the Bloody Sunday inquiry and sought every opportunity to criticise it,” he said.
The Bloody Sunday relatives are awaiting an indication of when the long-awaited report of the Saville inquiry will be published.
The families have called for the inquiry to make clear a timetable for the publication of Lord Saville of Newdigate’s findings.

Sinn Féin

Published: 23 May, 2006

Commenting on the release from prison today of British Agent Ken Barrett the man convicted of the murder of Pat Finucane, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice issues Gerry Kelly said that the only way the truth can be uncovered about the murder of Pat Finucane is through the sort of independent inquiry demanded by the family.

Mr Kelly said:

“The Finucane family demand for the truth about the circumstances surrounding the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989 was never satisfied with the conviction of British Agent Ken Barrett. Indeed the British government used the case of Ken Barrett to stall further the demand for a fully independent, international inquiry into the entire circumstances surrounding this killing.

“Nobody believes that the murder of Pat Finucane was planned, organised and carried out by loyalists from the Shankill acting alone. Ken Barrett was himself a self confessed British Agent, so was William Stobie the man who supplied the weapon, along with Brian Nelson the man who supplied the intelligence. The UDA leader in West Belfast at that time Tommy Lyttle was also a paid British agent.

“The case of Pat Finucane goes to the very heart of the British State policy of collusion with unionist paramilitaries. That is why successive British governments have sought to conceal the truth by continuing to stall the sort of investigation demanded by the Finucane family.

“Tony Blair made public commitments on this issue after Weston Park. He has yet to deliver on them. Sinn Féín will continue to support the Finucane family in their search for the truth and we will continue to lobby the British government to act on this issue.” ENDS

:::u.tv:::

TUESDAY 23/05/2006 17:29:53

The Security Service, MI5, has been ordered to increase its resources in Northern Ireland.

This is to help the counter intelligence agency combat dissident republicans.

MI5 has been waging a war of wits against republican terrorists since the early 1970s.

In March 2005 it was announced that the Security Service would take charge of all intelligence work in Northern Ireland, from next year.

Both the Police Ombudsman, and the Oversight Commissioner of the PSNI have expressed their reservations about these plans.

While the Provisional IRA has disarmed, there is a continuing danger from republican terrorists.

Following a recent bomb find in Lurgan in April, there were reports that the Continuity IRA was planning a renewed campaign however loyalist terrorists have not gone away either.

MI5 is now preparing to take over prime responsibility for these threats.

More than a fifth of its total resources will be devoted to Irish counter terrorism.

Its estimated budget is £200 million and over £40 million of that will be spent in Northern Ireland.

Times Online

By David Sharrock, Ireland Correspondent
May 23, 2006

A loyalist terrorist convicted of murdering one of Belfast’s most high-profile Catholic solicitors was released from prison today after serving less than two years of his sentence.

Ken Barrett, a member of the Ulster Freedom Fighters, was given a life sentence in September 2004 and was told he would spend at least 22 years in jail for his role in the 1989 murder of Patrick Finucane.

Mr Finucane, 39, was murdered during a Sunday lunch in front of his wife and children at their north Belfast home. He was shot 14 times and his wife Geraldine was also hit.

Patrick Finucane

Barrett’s release will fuel demands by the murdered solicitor’s family for a full independent inquiry which would examine claims of collusion between security agencies and loyalists.

Barrett was released early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement - which allowed for the release of hundreds of killers as part of the peace process - after successfully applying to the Sentence Review Commission.

The Commission conducted a hearing in Maghaberry Prison, County Antrim, this month into Barrett’s application. Initially he was held in a prison in England where he had been living.

He was transferred to Maghaberry in February last year and was eligible for early release under the Agreement which allowed anyone convicted of a terrorist crime before its signing in 1989 to qualify for early release.

Barrett’s solicitor, Joe Rice, tonight said that his client was no longer in Northern Ireland. “His only reaction is one of immense relief.

“As far as he is concerned he has served his time. He wants to be allowed to get on with his life and be reunited with his family outside of Northern Ireland.” Mr Rice said he did not know where Barrett was and could only confirm he was no longer in the province.

The murder of Mr Finucane was one of the most controversial in the history of Northern Ireland because of the allegations of security force collusion. Among his clients were people accused of IRA activities and three of his brothers were provisional IRA members.

The Government’s efforts to avoid holding an inquiry on the Finucane family’s terms are under intense pressure after it called on judges around the world to snub any approach made to them to preside over a lesser probe.

The Finucanes believe the decision to hold an investigation under the terms of the controversial Inquiries Act will lead to a cover up and enable the Government to control what can be disclosed - in particular sensitive information about how its security agencies ran agents within paramilitary groups.

Lord Saville, the head of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry which is expected to have cost £200 million by the time its report is published next year, and Peter Cory, a retired Canadian judge who recommended the inquiry in the first place to the British and Irish governments, have both condemned the Act.

Last week United States politicians called on the Government to hold an independent inquiry into Mr Finucane’s murder.

Members of the House of Representatives passed legislation urging Tony Blair to widen its scope. The Republican congressman Chris Smith, from New Jersey, said the granting of a full public inquiry which was acceptable to the Finucane family could pave the way for republican acceptance of policing reforms in Northern Ireland.

“A key stumbling block to that greater acceptance of the police by the nationalist community has been the lack of resolution of charges of official collusion in the murder of Pat Finucane and others,” he argued.

“If the population of Northern Ireland is to fully transfer its trust to the police, it must have confidence that the police and Government authorities will be held accountable.”

Mr Finucane’s murder was one of the most controversial of the Troubles, coming three weeks after Douglas Hogg, a Conservative government minister, told Parliament that there were solicitors in Northern Ireland who were “known to be sympathetic to the cause of the IRA”.

At his Belfast trial Barrett pleaded guilty after having earlier withdrawn a previous confession to the murder.

Mr Justice Weir told Barrett: “I have searched in vain for any semblance of genuine remorse in your various accounts of your participation in this crime contained in the court papers and have found, on the contrary, only boastful expressions of self satisfaction.”

Alban Maginnis of the nationalist SDLP said: “Whatever Barrett’s role in the murder of Pat Finucane, it remains essential that the full truth behind the murder, the activities of the Forces Research Unit (FRU) and the approval for the FRU in and around government must be made public and acknowledged.

“The failure of Downing Street to honour its commitment to a public independent inquiry must be challenged, exposed and overturned. The family deserve and justice demands nothing less.”

BN.ie

23/05/2006 - 17:16:27

The loyalist who admitted shooting Belfast lawyer Pat Finucane dead was secretly released from jail early this morning and has already left the North.

Ken Barrett had admitted his involvement in the murder and made claims to a BBC undercover film crew that the police had instigated the shooting.

Neither Pat Finucane’s widow, Geraldine, nor his two sons and daughter were informed in advance that Ken Barrett was to be released.

He was sentenced to 22 years in jail for the murder but served less than three years as he successfully appealed for early release under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

In the past, Geraldine Finucane has said she is more concerned about holding responsible those who planned and instigated the murder rather than those who pulled the trigger.

The dead man’s family wants a full public inquiry into collusion between the police and British military intelligence in the killing.

They, leading judges and groups such as Amnesty International have rejected London proposals to hold a partially independent inquiry.

:::u.tv:::

**The PFC states that the Finucane family received no advance warning of Barrett’s release

The man convicted of murdering Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane has been freed from prison in Northern Ireland.

Ken Barrett was released from Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim today.

In September 2004, he was given a life sentence for the murder of Mr Finucane in his north Belfast home in February 1989.

The murder was carried out by the loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters but claims that there was collusion with members of the security forces have resulted in the British Government announcing a public inquiry.

Mr Barrett was released early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement after applying to the Sentence Review Commission.

The Commission conducted a hearing in Maghaberry Prison earlier this month into his application.

Initially he was held in a prison in England where he had been living.

He was transferred to Maghaberry in February last year and was eligible for early release under the Agreement which allowed anyone convicted of a terrorist crime before its signing in 1989 to qualify for early release.

The murder of Mr Finucane was one of the most controversial in the history of Northern Ireland because of the allegations of security force collusion.

The government is currently searching for a judge to head the public inquiry which it has called into the killing.

Mr Finucane`s family have been highly critical of the terms under which the inquiry will be held.

The Finucanes believe the decision to hold it under the terms of the controversial Inquiries Act will lead to a cover up and enable the Government to control what can be disclosed.

They have urged judges around the world to snub any approach to head the inquiry and have also said the family will have nothing to do with it.

Bloody Sunday Inquiry chief Lord Saville and retired Canadian judge Peter Cory, who recommended the inquiry in the first place to the British and Irish governments, have condemned the Act.

Last Friday, United States politicians called on the Government to hold an independent inquiry into Mr Finucane`s murder.

Members of the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation urging Prime Minister Tony Blair to widen its scope.

Republican congressman Chris Smith, from New Jersey, said the granting of a full public inquiry which was acceptable to the Finucane family could pave the way for republican acceptance of policing reforms in Northern Ireland.

“A key stumbling block to that greater acceptance of the police by the nationalist community has been the lack of resolution of charges of official collusion in the murder of Pat Finucane and others,” he argued.

“If the population of Northern Ireland is to fully transfer its trust to the police, it must have confidence that the police and government authorities will be held accountable.”

Nationalist SDLP justice spokesman Alban Maginness said the release of Ken Barrett would be difficult for the Finucane family.

The North Belfast Assembly member said it by no means ended the controversy over the murder.

“Whatever Barrett`s role in the murder of Pat Finucane, it remains essential that the full truth behind the murder, the activities of the Forces Research Unit (FRU) and the approval for the FRU in and around government must be made public and acknowledged,” he said.

“The failure of Downing Street to honour its commitment to a public independent inquiry must be challenged, exposed and overturned. The family deserve and justice demands nothing less.”

BBC

**Maybe Barrett can hang out with Scap now. Why not? Maybe they can all write a book together with Stone and Adair. Maybe Gerry and Martin can have a tea party for them.

Ken Barrett was told he would spend at least 22 years in jail

The man convicted of murdering Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989 has been released from Maghaberry prison.

Ken Barrett was given a life sentence in September 2004 and was told he would spend at least 22 years in jail. He has served almost three years.

It is understood Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain opposed his release, but the Sentence Review Commission found in his favour.

He qualified for early release after transferring from an English jail.

Pat Finucane was shot dead by the UDA at his north Belfast home in front of his wife and family.

It is one of the most controversial murders of the Troubles, with allegations that members of the security forces colluded with loyalists.

A three-day Sentence Review Commission hearing took place at Maghaberry last week to decide whether Barrett should be freed.

Pat Finucane was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries

The commissioners had to assess whether he still had any connection to loyalist paramilitaries, and whether he posed a threat to the public.

Barrett has been held mostly in solitary confinement since his transfer to Maghaberry, kept away from other prisoners because of fears for his safety.

As a prisoner in England, he did not qualify for early release under the Good Friday Agreement.

This changed when he was transferred to Maghaberry prison in February 2005, and he became eligible for early release.

Revelations that loyalists who were security force agents had been involved in the killing led to allegations of collusion.

Barrett featured in a BBC Panorama investigation into the killing, during which he was secretly filmed talking about his role in the murder.

Daily Ireland

22/05/2006

Thousands defied wet conditions yesterday to attend hunger-strike commemorations for Camlough-born IRA man Raymond McCreesh and the Derry Irish National Liberation Army hunger striker Patsy O’Hara.
Both men died after 61 days on hunger strike on May 21, 1981. McCreesh was 24 and O’Hara was 23.
The crowds at the commemorations included former hunger strikers, members of the McCreesh and O’Hara families, Sinn Féin elected representatives and members of GAA clubs.
There was a march from Newry to St Malachy’s church in Camlough, Co Armagh, where McCreesh is buried. Fr Brian McCreesh, Raymond’s brother, celebrated a Mass in Camlough.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams gave the graveside oration.
He paid tribute to the family of Raymond McCreesh for their dignity and integrity as they carried the very personal pain of losing a son.
In Derry city, thousands of republicans remembered Patsy O’Hara.
His family watched as a monument and mural dedicated to the Derry man were unveiled near the original family home in the city’s Bishop Street.

Belfast Telegraph

By Marie Foy
23 May 2006

The Press have been barred for a second time from events in Parliament Buildings.

Reporters were not allowed to attend an address to the Assembly by Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell yesterday - even though the proceedings were televised.

Arrangements for the “private address” were made by the Speaker of the Assembly Eileen Bell’s office and Mr McConnell’s office.

A week ago Mrs Bell’s office came under fire for refusing to allow press photographers into the debating chamber of the Assembly for its historic opening.

Newspapers from around the world were forced to lift images from TV footage in a decree which contradicted previous rulings by the former Speaker Lord Alderdice.

Yesterday’s session was held in the Senate and was recorded by the permanently installed cameras.

A Stormont spokesman said: “This was a private address by the First Minister of Scotland to MLAs.

“Arrangements for the media were made between the Speaker’s office and Mr McConnell’s office.

“It does not mean that press will be excluded from any future meetings. Each event is dealt with separately.”

The spokesman also pointed out that the Senate was a small room with limited space.

Mr McConnell told MLAs of the benefits he believes devolution has brought to Scotland.

Belfast Telegraph

By Jonathan McCambridge and Claire Regan
23 May 2006

The devastated mother of a UDA murder victim has spoken of her disgust after sick vandals desecrated his grave.

Up to 30 plots were attacked in a weekend wrecking spree in Carnmoney Cemetery in Newtownabbey - many of them the graves of children and babies.

Trinkets, vases, ornaments and flower displays were destroyed in the cemetery. Security patrols are now set to be stepped up by Newtownabbey council.

Carnmoney Cemetery has been the focus of simmering sectarian tensions in Newtownabbey in recent years. The annual Catholic Blessing of the Graves service has sparked loyalist rioting in the past and previous years have also seen headstones smashed.

One of the graves targeted on Saturday was that of Daniel McColgan. The 20-year-old Catholic postman was shot dead by the UDA as he arrived for work in January 2002.

His mother Marie told the Belfast Telegraph that his grave had now been violated on at least three occasions.

In 2002 his headstone had to be replaced after it was completely destroyed.

“To be honest it is just so much to take in at the minute,” said Ms McColgan

“I went up to the grave on Saturday night and noticed that all the wee trinkets and flowers had been smashed against the headstone. I looked around and saw that there was stuff scattered around the ground from lots of other graves.

“The people who did this have no respect for people whether they are dead or living. When we were kids we would not have gone anywhere near a grave.”

“We just have to tidy up once more and try to move on. It is heartbreaking everytime this happens because it is such an insult to Daniel.”

Local SDLP councillor Noreen McClelland said: “I visited the grave and it is fair to say that people there are just absolutely devastated. Quite a number of the graves which were targeted were of babies.

Newtownabbey council confirmed yesterday that a private security firm which has been patrolling the graveyard after earlier incidents of vandalism is to be asked to increase its watch.

Local parish priest Rev Fr Dan Whyte described the weekend’s incident as “straightforward vandalism” which did not target any particular religion.

Irelandclick

This week’s ruling on a parade by the Upper Falls Protestant Boys band will be strongly opposed in light of the recent controversy over the unlawful appointment of two Orangemen onto the Parades Commission.
The June 4 parade, which has heightened sectarian tensions in the past, will be discussed at a meeting of the Parades Commission on Wednesday.
But Sinn Féin Councillor Michael Browne said that the appointment of two Orangemen to the commission - an action which was last week deemed unlawful by the High Court - shows that the body is “not best qualified to deal with parade disputes”.
“The Parades Commission has been tarnished by recent developments and the ruling of the High Court suggests that they are not in the best position to be ruling on contested parades.”
Sinn Féin councillors plan to contest any decision to allow the June 4 parade to travel down the Blacks Road, although Cllr Browne conceded that objections are unlikely to be taken on board.
“Unfortunately I expect that Wednesday’s meeting will merely serve to formalise a decision which has already been made.”
Cllr Browne said he believes that neither the Protestant community living in the Suffolk estate, nor the Catholic community living in its vicinity want the parade to go ahead.
“Protestant people don’t want the march because they know it heightens tensions, and for the same reason nationalist parades are re-routed away from that area, to be sensitive to the people who live in the Suffolk estate.
“This was meant to be a one-off parade four years ago. It’s blatantly sectarian and it shouldn’t be happening,” he added.
In 2004, controversial band, Ulster First Flute, attended the parade in paramilitary-style outfits and the day ended in a street fight between two rival bands.
Nationalists in adjoining areas were trapped in their homes for over four hours as up to 30 bands paraded through the small Suffolk estate.
One band strapped a teddy bear wearing a balaclava and holding an automatic rifle to a large bass drum.
Cllr Browne said that recent controversy surrounding the Parades Commission should make it doubly conscientious about breaches of commission rules this year.
At the weekend, Brendán Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Association said the commission has been “contaminated” by the ruling of the High Court.
“I think what we have now is a completely contaminated commission – starting again from a clean slate would be a good idea.”
Yesterday, the author of a report reviewing the Parades Commission says it needs to be reconstituted.
Sir George Quigley said those directly involved in the parades dispute should not be on the decision-making body.
“My feeling is, and certainly this was the conclusion of my report, that one should not have on the body those who are involved in the parades issue itself.
“You don’t get over the difficulty by saying they will not be involved in their own area. I think you simply have got to get people of independence, common-sense, able to analyse the case.”

Journalist:: Laura McDaid

Irelandclick

Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has accused British Direct Rule Social Development Minister David Hanson of creating a ‘city of two halves’.

The allegation comes after Mr Hanson announced a £26 million Belfast city centre regeneration package last week that bypassed significant parts of North and West Belfast city centre.
Fra McCann described the announcement as “extremely disappointing”.
“This package will not end the dereliction in the north and west sectors of the city centre and fails to reconnect North and West Belfast to the city centre.
“Some weeks ago I told the Minister that he was creating a city of two halves by concentrating all the future development on the eastern side of Royal Avenue and Riverside.
“No amount of camouflage can hide the dereliction that exists in the Castle Street, Upper North Street and Upper Donegall Street areas of Belfast city centre, areas that are recognised as the gateways to West and North Belfast.
“The decision to waste a half million pounds on a piece of public art in this area, to stimulate pride, is an insult.
“Every week thousands of people from North and West Belfast use North Street and Castle Street to shop in the city centre.
“They leave the most socially deprived areas of this city to do so, passing areas which have been neglected to the point of dereliction only to find that government has bought into the concept of moving the city centre eastwards.
“It is pointless spending £14 million on street furniture or fancy paving stones when the basic problems are being ignored.”
Cllr McCann added that a proper strategy delivering investment to all parts of Belfast city centre equally was urgently needed.
“We need to redesign the streetscape to draw in economic activity to those parts that are being ignored and left derelict.
“Recent decisions made by David Hanson and his advisers have put back the regeneration of these parts of Belfast ten or twenty years. It is a slap in the face to the residents of North and West Belfast.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Social Development said the DSD’s Public Realm strategy was subject to extensive public consultation.
“This is the first stage in the Department’s plans to achieve world class standards in the design of the streets at the heart of Belfast city centre.
“The areas being upgraded were selected due to their high footfall and proximity to major shopping developments,” he said.
“This includes plans to upgrade the full length of Castle Street which links West Belfast to the city centre.
“It is hoped that the significant investment made by the government will help to attract further investment by the private sector.
“The Department remains committed to regenerating all areas of Belfast city centre and will be publishing Phase 2 of the North West Quarter Masterplan this summer. This area is bounded by Millfield, Divis Street, North Street, Donegall Street/Clifton Street and the Westlink.”

Journalist:: Laura McDaid

BN.ie

23/05/2006 - 10:18:00

The British government is planning to establish a cross-party committee in the North’s Assembly to discuss how to restore devolution, it was confirmed today.

The announcement came after a debate on the appointment of such a committee - proposed by the Ulster Unionist Party – was pulled from the Order Paper for today’s session of the restored Assembly.

Northern Secretary Peter Hain said he agreed with UUP leader Reg Empey that the key function of the recalled assembly was the restoration of devolution.

“That is why later this week I will be announcing a Preparation for the Restoration of Devolution Committee,” he said.

He said it was supported by all the parties despite questions about how it should operate and who will chair it.

“Once I have satisfied myself on those matters, we will be announcing it,” said Mr Hain.

He said he was confident such a committee could make a difference and help to end the political stalemate.

“I think we can find a way around the various concerns that have been put to me by all the parties. All their leadership figures ought to be sitting on this committee and ought to be putting on the table the way forward.”

The Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party has expressed reservations about such a committee and concerns that it will be used as the main vehicle for negotiating a future deal.

The DUP has also refused to talk directly to Sinn Féin at leadership level.

In the old Assembly, DUP members did take their place on committees with Sinn Féin members and the British government believes they will again.

BBC

The government is to challenge a High Court ruling that its appointment of two members of the Orange Order to the Parades Commission was unlawful.

Last week the court said NI Secretary Peter Hain’s appointment of David Burrows and Don MacKay did not ensure the body represented both communities.

Mr Hain said he would be appealing the decision within days.

“I will defend to the end the Northern Ireland Office appointments procedure,” he said.

“It is impartial, subjective and follows all the rules.

“That is the reason why I will be announcing shortly that we will be appealing the judgment.”

Last Friday, the High Court ruled that the appointments did not ensure membership of the body represented both sides of the community.

The case was brought to court by Joe Duffy, a resident of the nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown, who sought to overturn the appointment of Mr Burrows and Mr MacKay.

Orange Order

Both Mr Burrows and Mr MacKay were members of the Portadown Lodge of the Orange Order which has been at the centre of the decade-long dispute surrounding what has become known as the Drumcree parade.

Mr MacKay resigned from the commission earlier this month after it emerged he had listed DUP MP David Simpson and SDLP assembly member Dolores Kelly as referees on his application form without asking their permission.

The Parades Commission was set up in by the government in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted.

BBC ON THIS DAY

**Keep in mind this is the BBC

23 May 1998

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has welcomed the resounding “yes” vote in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland, calling it “a day for joy”.

Copies of the Northern Ireland Agreement were sent to every home in Ireland

The referendum, held yesterday on both sides of the border, returned a resounding “yes” vote with 71% of voters from Northern Ireland and 94% of those in the Irish Republic showing their support for the Good Friday peace agreement.

“This is the result we have worked for and wanted,” said Mr Blair. “It’s another giant stride along the path to peace, hope and the future.”

“Three to one have supported the referendum. That is a resounding victory for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
Mo Mowlam, Northern Ireland Secretary

The agreement signed last Easter seeks to resolve relationships within Northern Ireland - between Northern Ireland and the Republic and between both parts of Ireland and England, Scotland and Wales - and pave the way for devolution from Westminster with a new all-inclusive Assembly.

It was signed on 10 April - Good Friday - by all interested parties except Rev Dr Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party and Bob McCartney’s United Kingdom Unionist Party. They objected to the presence of the IRA’s political wing Sinn Fein in the multi-party talks leading up to the agreement.

The Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, told reporters she was delighted with the two nations’ endorsement of the agreement.

“An important step forward”

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble said: “It is quite clear that a majority of unionists - not as big a majority of unionists as I would have liked - but a clear majority - have endorsed this agreement. We have taken an important step forward.”

John Hume, leader of the nationalist SDLP, said that for the first time the people of both sides of the Irish border were speaking as one.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said he was prepared to sit down with David Trimble in a new Northern Ireland assembly “now”.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said the overwhelming result was the true “voice of the people”.

The British Government will press ahead next month with elections for a Northern Ireland Assembly.

In Context

After the euphoria of the positive vote for a peaceful solution to the problems of Northern Ireland came the reality.

The first three years of the agreement’s implementation saw accusations and counter-accusation from both sides of the divide.

Unionists said the republicans had not complied with the spirit of the agreement’s requirement for the decommissioning of arms.

And Sinn Fein accused the British government of failing to demilitarise quickly enough. It added that it could not force anyone to give up arms and that the agreement only stated that the parties should use all their power to influence the process.

Disagreement over decommissioning and policing led to the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly twice in 18 months - in February-May 2000 and in August 2001.

The issue has remained the major stumbling block in talks between all parties seeking to restore devolution since the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended in October 2002 over alleged intelligence gathering by republicans.