Republican News · Thursday 30 January 1997

[An Phoblacht]

British patrol crosses border

Amid speculation that undercover British soldiers are operating on the 26-county side of the border the British army has confirmed that two British army vehicles crossed two miles into County Donegal on the old Derry-Letterkeny-Killea Road on Monday 20 January.

Derry Sinn Fein councillor Gerry O'hEara has demanded an explanation from the British and Dublin governments for the incursion, ``I want to know the purpose of this incursion and if it was done with the knowledge and consent of the Dublin government and Gardai''.

Armagh health cuts

Night time GP services in the Armagh and Dungannon areas will be cut over the coming weeks, according to local Unison representative and Sinn Fein local election candidate Sean McGirr. He described the decision as ``a disaster for local people'' as current night time provision of 7 to 10 doctors will be reduced to two.

While the decision to cut services was taken by local doctors, it appears their decision was taken in response to government cuts to the health budget, and the financial restrictions placed on GPs by the Southern Health and Social and Services Board. ``This decision is going to cause a storm of protest as local people will not only be seriously inconvenienced as a result but will incur extra travel costs'' said McGirr. ``In addition peoples' health may be put at risk''.

Noisy welcome for ambassador

``Free Roisín now'' and ``Bloody Sunday - Bloody murder'' were the chants that greeted Veronica Sutherland, the British Ambassador to the 26 Counties, at the entrance to the West Park Hotel in Ballincollig, County Cork last saturday evening as she arrived to present the ``Person of the Year'' award.

Thirty Sinn Féin members turned up to call for the immediate release of Roisín McAliskey and to pressurise for the establishment of an independent inquiry into Bloody Sunday. Leaflets were distributed to passers-by during the ninety minute protest.

Hats plea

The Felons Club in Belfast which set up a pipe band in 1995 is in buoyant mood at the response it is getting from people wishing to join.

The success of a lottery has enabled the band to buy instruments for all their members and now with the objective of being ready for the Easter Parade on the Falls Road the band is buying uniforms for the occasion. However, they are finding it difficult to get the olive green slouch hat, similiar to that worn by PH Pearse on Easter 1916, and are appealing to anyone with information about a supplier of such hats to get in touch with Padraig MacLiam at the Felons Club, Belfast 01232 619875.

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