Republican News · Thursday 30 January 1997

Thursday 23 January

New York Times reports that Irish-American businessman Charles `Chuck' Feeney has donated more than $600 million to a number of charities and institutions including Irish universities. Feeney has been a key funder of the Sinn Féin office in Washington DC.

Friday 24 January

Dublin government says that its policy on meetings with Sinn Féin has not changed. This followed an Irish Independent report suggesting that contact had been ended. The government said that the official channel remained open on the basis that meetings were to explore means to achieve a new IRA ceasefire.

Saturday 25 January

Sinn Féin announces 16 candidates for the Westminster election.

1500 people take part in Bloody Sunday demonstration in London.

Sunday 26 January

Clashes between riot police and demonstrators in Tirana, capital of Albania. Parliament votes to give President Seli Berisha special powers to deploy the army.

British Labour Party says that if elected to government it will not pay £60 million in public funds for a new royal yacht.

British Home Secretary Michael Howard rejects calls for new inquiry into Whitemoor escape.

Monday 27 January

Fianna Fáil Front Bench spokesperson on Health Máire Geoghegan-Quinn announces her retirement from public life; she will not be standing in the general election. She claims media coverage of a school row involving her son led to her decision.

Stormont talks resume without any of the parties challenging the presence of the PUP and UDP.

Tuesday 28 Janaury

South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission announces that unidentified security policemen have admitted killing anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko in custody in 1977. The culprits are applying for amnesty.

Launch of third national radio station, Radio Ireland, in Dublin.

Wednesday 29 January

SIPTU announces result of ballot in which a majority of its members voted to accept the new wage agreement Partnership 2000.

John Hume tables House of Commons motion calling for new inquiry into Bloody Sunday. The motion is supported by 50 MPs.

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