Irish Republican News: Archives

December 29, 2006

Sinn Féin to hold Ard Fheis on policing

Sinn Féin’s national executive has backed the motion put by party President Gerry Adams to convene a special party conference on the issue of policing today.

SINN FÉIN DEBATES POLICING CHANGE

DUP leader Ian Paisley has welcomed moves by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams which could lead the party to a once unthinkable position -- supporting a police force in Ireland while it remains under the authority of the British Crown.

'Do not underestimate the difficulties' - Adams

The full text of yesterday’s statement by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, in which he initiated a process to bring about a critical change in Sinn Féin’s policy on policing in the North of Ireland.

Inquiry move deemed illegal

The High Court in Belfast has ruled that British Direct Ruler Peter Hain acted unlawfully when he changed the nature of an inquiry to one which enables the British Crown to keep evidence secret.

Catholics quit PSNI

Some 72 Catholic recruits have quit the PSNI, citing a range of reasons for dropping out, including work difficulties and republican paramilitary threats.

Thatcher’s Congressional medal blocked

A group of Irish-American politicians has blocked the US Congress from awarding a congressional medal to former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

British Army recruitment opposed

It has emerged that in some of west Belfast’s schools the British Army is openly recruiting through distributing glossy magazines, pamphlets and leaflets in classes aimed at enhancing young people’s career prospects.

Review of the Year 2006

A look back at the major events in Irish politics and the peace process over the past twelve months.

Sinn Féin and Policing the North

Those with experience of Sinn Féin manoeuvring will have recognised recent signs that a policy change is in the air.

December 28, 2006

Adams moves to change party policy on PSNI

A meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle [leadership] to discuss policing arrangements in the North of Ireland has been called by party leader Gerry Adams in a move which could lead to Sinn Féin controversially agreeing to support the PSNI police.

December 23, 2006

TALKS GO ON DESPITE DOUBTS

A week of intense talks involving Sinn Féin, Ian Paisley’s DUP and the Dublin and London governments to find a way through the impasse over policing before the Christmas break continues unabated.

Omagh trial to continue

The non-jury trial of Armagh man Sean Hoey for the 1998 Real IRA Omagh bomb and other attacks is set to continue despite a defence attempt to have the case thrown out because of “shortcomings, lies and mysteries”.

Murdered journalist praised for stand against LVF

Journalist Martin O’Hagan was gunned down in the street for exposing the drug-dealing activities of a unionist paramilitary gang, an inquest has heard.

Portadown talks claim dismissed as spin

The Orange Order in Portadown has denied reports that it is willing to engage in direct talks with representatives of the nationalist Garvaghy Road over the issue of parade routes for the first time.

Haughey era disgraced by tribunal report

The regime of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey has been exposed as corrupt and criminal in a scathing report by the Moriarty tribunal.

Stormont attack was ‘art’ - Stone

Loyalist killer Michael Stone has written to British Direct Ruler Peter Hain stating that his recent attack at the Belfast Assembly was an exercise in performance art influenced by Pablo Picasso and Eamonn McCann.

Christmas Eve - Escape from Long Kesh

Gerry Adams recounts a Christmas Eve plan to escape Long Kesh.

DUP dissenters can afford to wait a year or so

The DUP is a victim of its own success.

December 18, 2006

AGREEMENT ON THE EDGE

Key meetings of Assembly committees are taking place in Belfast this week which will seek to bridge significant differences on the issue of the transfer of justice and policing powers from London to Belfast.

Republican grassroots discuss policing

A long-delayed meeting to discuss the direction of the peace process and republican strategy was finally held in south Derry last week.

British criminals at work

More than 1,300 members of the British Army have received a criminal conviction while stationed in Ireland in the last six years.

Murders continue in 26 Counties

A spate of gangster-style killings in the 26 Counties within a week has brought fresh criticism of the Dublin government’s approach to the growing problem of gun crime.

Hopes for Irish language in the North

The British government has begun a 12-week consultation process on an Irish language Act for the Six Counties.

Calls for investigation into 1984 attack on Adams

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has instructed his lawyer to write to the Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan following the publication of a news report in Belfast which links the RUC police Special Branch to the gun attack on him in March 1984.

Families deserve judicial inquiry into collusion

There are many files in many filing cabinets in government offices in Dublin, Belfast and London, containing reports into collusion arising from enquiries.

SF quite right to make policing a deal-breaker

Unionists like to claim that nationalists are a kind of sub-species who enjoy criminality and endorse lawlessness.

December 13, 2006

ADAMS MURDER BID ‘THWARTED’

An assassination plot against Gerry Adams by republican hardliners was defeated by security arrangements taken by the Sinn Féin president and his security advisers, Mr Adams has said.

Adams discusses PSNI support with Orde

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is holding potentially significant talks with PSNI police chief constable Hugh Orde in Belfast today [Wednesday].

High-tech British spy operation uncovered

Thousands of pounds worth of hi-tech surveillance equipment has been uncovered spying on the home of a County Down republican.

Teenager survives sectarian attack

A Catholic teenager attacked by a sectarian mob in Ballymena has said that he is “lucky to be alive”.

Bik McFarlane subjected to ‘judicial farce’

A Dublin court has insisted on going ahead with a non-jury trial of H-Block escapee and IRA prison leader Brendan “Bik” McFarlane on charges dating from 1983.

‘Ireland’s Alamo’ designated a national monument

The last headquarters of the leaders of the 1916 Rising is to be designated a national monument following a sustained campaign for its preservation.

US Action Alert

An action alert was issued by the IAUC on the issue of collusion following the publication of the report of the Cassel panel on the issue.

Time won’t change stark choice DUP faces

With Martin McGuinness as his co-equal deputy first minister, Ian Paisley is now shakily wearing the crown of transitional first minister.

December 7, 2006

ADAMS-PAISLEY CONTACT

DUP leader Ian Paisley responded to and made comments directed at Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams across the Belfast Assembly chamber this week in what is being seen as a possible shift in his party’s refusal to talk directly to Sinn Féin.

Mortar attack on PSNI base

The PSNI station in Craigavon County Armagh came under mortar attack on Tuesday in one of three incidents linked to traditionalist ‘dissident’ republicans inside 24 hours.

Crumbs for poor in Budget giveaway

The 26-County Budget 2007 presented yesterday by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has been attacked for failing to tackle the “real issues facing Irish society”.

Culling of register a blow to nationalists

The North’s latest electoral register has this year dropped 82,000 voters, with a dramatic reduction in the numbers of registered voters in nationalist areas.

US Congress urged to intervene over Drumcree death

The 1998 RUC killing of an American-born Belfast man is set to become an issue in the new US Congress that will convene in early January.

Landmark interface university project was undermined

The British government and the University of Ulster have been slammed by Sinn Féin for “strangling” plans for the proposed Springvale University in northwest Belfast.

Forensic framework unravels

There is a great deal at stake in the dock of the Belfast Diplock courtroom.

Britain being made to squirm

The truth is that the British government couldn't care less what the taoiseach says about 1974-76 any more than the Russian government cares about what John Reid says about anything

December 6, 2006

Budget 2007

The main points of the annual 26-County budget for the year 2007, announced by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen today.

December 1, 2006

PROCESS RESUMES AFTER STORMONT MAYHEM

Crazed killer Michael Stone outlined his plan to mount a Colombine-style assault against the Sinn Féin leadership in a letter to a local newspaper.

Adams to meet Blair, Orde on policing

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is to meet British prime minister Tony Blair in London later today to discuss how to overcome unionist obstacles to restoring power-sharing in the North of Ireland.

Britain ‘colluded in international terrorism’

In a significant advance for victims of collusion, a committee of the Dublin parliament has definitively announced its finding that British Crown forces colluded with unionist paramilitaries to carry out a series of gun and bomb attacks in the 26 Counties.