News about the Irish & Irish American culture, music, news, sports. This is hosted by the Irish Aires radio show on KPFT-FM 90.1 in Houston, Texas (a Pacifica community radio station)

June 02, 2005

Bloody Sunday Rifle Found in Africa

News about Ireland & the Irish

BT 06/02/05 Bloody Sunday Rifle Found In Africa
IV 06/02/05 Reiss Says Brits Will Aid Finucane Case
BT 06/02/05 Dublin And Monaghan Bombs Group To Meet Inquiry Chiefs
IV 06/02/05 Euro Court To Investigate Bombings
IV 06/02/05 Ervine Helps Search For Catholic Killer
IV 06/02/05 Hevesi Invests Millions In North
BT 06/02/05 McCartney: Two Still Being Quizzed
4N 06/02/05 Houses Targeted In Bomb Attacks
BT 06/02/05 Store Wars: Split Over John Lewis Go-Ahead
BT 06/02/05 Ulster 'Failing To Protect Wildlife'
BB 06/02/05 One Dead After Explosion At Plant
LT 06/02/05 Roar Of Celtic Tiger: Lessons To Be Learned By Our Leaders
IO 06/02/05 Temperatures To Rise By Up To Two Degrees In Next 50 Years
DN 06/02/05 Obit: Steede Remembered As Quiet, In Charge Fire Chief
ZW 06/02/05 Obit: Kathleen (Barrett) Horvath
----

(Poster's Note: Just a note to bring you up to date on my wife's
condition & our travel plans.

Sunday will mark two months since she was involved in an
auto/pedestrian accident. She has been out of the hospital about 5
weeks. She has successfully completed her physical training regiment;
she has returned to work (part time) to prepare for next the start of
the next school year. Her stamina is slowly increasing.

We are leaving for Ireland on Sunday, June 5th and will return on
Friday, July 1st. Of course that means I won't be able to make regular
news postings. However, the trip will be over too soon and we will
return.

Again, thank you all for your kind thoughts, prayers & emails. I have
returned the thoughts & prayers, but I am afraid I am hopelessly
behind in the email department. Jay)

******************************************

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=643523

Bloody Sunday Rifle Found In Africa

Collins' claims spark call for inquiry

By Brian Hutton
02 June 2005

Shocking claims by former Army leader Tim Collins that his troops
recovered a rifle in Africa that had been used on Bloody Sunday but
was declared destroyed by the Ministry of Defence a year earlier, drew
calls today for a full investigation of the matter.

John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was one of the 13
civilians shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on the day, was
extremely startled to learn of the revelations when contacted by the
Belfast Telegraph.

Massive questions have been raised about the Ministry of Defence's
participation in the Saville Inquiry in light of the claims, according
to Mr Kelly.

In his just published book, Rules of Engagement, Belfast-born Colonel
Collins tells how his troops recovered the rifle from a terrorist
group in Sierra Leone in September 2000.

The SLR was one of two weapons the Army "deactivated as souvenirs" of
their ambush operation.

In a footnote to the incident he says: "The rifles were old British
Army self-loading rifles.

"It was only when they were back to the UK that it was discovered from
the serial numbers that one of the rifles was actually an old 1 Para
rifle.

"It was used on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972 when 13
protesters had been shot - and it had been declared destroyed when the
Saville Inquiry into the shootings had asked for it."

The Saville Inquiry in 1999 was told that 14 rifles of the 29
originally presented to the original Widgery Inquiry into Bloody
Sunday, had been destroyed, while 10 had been sold.

Colonel Collins, who was cleared of war crimes allegations two years
ago, made headlines for his rousing speech to the Royal Irish Regiment
before they entered into battle in Iraq in 2003.

The 44-year-old drew praise from Prince Charles and President George W
Bush, who was believed to have requested a copy of the speech for the
wall of the Oval Office.

John Kelly has called for the Saville Inquiry, which is currently
preparing its final report, to confront the MoD about the claims.

"If this is one of the rifles used in Bloody Sunday then it is vital
evidence. It could be one of the murder weapons," he said.

"Are the MoD lying? Somebody is lying.

"If Tim Collins has proof of this then he should make himself
available to the inquiry," he said.

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http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/news/finucanecasejune0105.asp

Reiss Says Brits Will Aid Finucane Case

By Sean O' Driscoll

U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland Mitchell Reiss has said that the
British government's spying organization, MI5, have told him that they
are prepared to hand over all their documents on the controversial
killing of human rights attorney Pat Finucane.

The announcement could be a huge boost for the Finucane family, who
have battled since 1989 for British government cooperation.

Speaking at a congressional hearing on Northern Ireland last week,
Reiss said that he had been speaking with the head of MI5 and he had
been assured that the organization would hand over all relevant
documents to an upcoming tribunal investigation the killing.

The Finucane family and campaigners have long argued that the British
government targeted Finucane for assassination because he had
successfully defended suspected IRA members on trial.

In a secretly taped conversation between a BBC journalist and a
Finucane's killer, the killer revealed that there had been police
collusion in the killing.

Reiss said that the Director General of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Butler,
personally assured him that all relevant MI5 information would be
passed on for the upcoming tribunal.

He asked her is he could tell the committee about her decision and she
said that he could. However, she expressed some concern that the
identity of agents or sources should not be compromised.

Reiss also strongly backed Sinn Fein U.S. representative Rita O'Hare
in her travel visa dispute with the government.

Reiss said he has already told government agencies that the visa
denial should be a "once off" and was "bad policy" is it was done for
political reasons.

He praised O'Hare's work in the U.S. and said he hoped that she would
be able to continue doing her job.

Reiss made his comments before the International Relations Committee,
which sat last week to hear an update on the Northern Ireland peace
process.

His statements followed a question by New York Congressman Eliot
Engel, who said that denying O'Hare a visa made no sense and that he
wanted to register his "extreme displeasure" at the decision.

Two weeks ago, it emerged that O'Hare was temporarily denied a visa
after she applied to travel to Florida to visit businessman Bill
Flynn, who has been heavily involved in the peace process.

Reiss said that there were restraints on his ability to answer a
question about an individual visa decision, but he said it was "bad
policy" to deny Ms O'Hare a visa for policy reasons.

He said he was already expressed his concern to government agencies
and he hoped it would not become a precedent.

He also warned that some Unionists could get involved in "provocative
behaviour" if the IRA makes a statement announcing that it will
disband later this year.

He said that he was concerned that any such behaviour could worsen the
political situation and drive the Republican community back towards
the IRA.

Asked by Florida Congressman Robert Wexler, about hardline statements
being made by Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley, Reiss said
that he had heard very encouraging words from Paisley when he was not
before the "cameras and microphones" of the media.

Wexler said he was concerned about quotes in the Washington Times
newspaper from a hardline Protestant politician who said it would be
generations before a settlement could be reached.

Reiss said these were Paisley's words and that they were said in front
of TV cameras outside the British prime minister's residence. He said
that Paisley seemed much more accommodating and ready to negotiate
when speaking in private.

Reiss also said that the sisters of murdered Belfast man Robert
McCartney had told him that they were threatened and told they would
be burned out of their homes.

Reiss made his comments after New York Congressman Peter King, said
that the IRA did not sanction the murder but its members may have been
involved in a cover-up afterwards.

McCartney's killing last January led to huge protests against the IRA
after it emerged that some of its members had murdered McCartney, a
Republican supporter, and that some of its members had been involved
in covering up the evidence.

Congressman King, a close ally of Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams,
added that the killing was a pub dispute that could have happened in
any city in America. He also welcomed signs that the IRA is about to
disband but expressed concern about possible Unionist provocation if
such a statement was released.

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=643443

Dublin And Monaghan Bombs Group To Meet Inquiry Chiefs

By Michael McHugh
02 June 2005

Relatives of those killed in the 1970s bombings of Dublin and Monaghan
by loyalists allegedly working for British agents are meeting the head
of a probe into the Garda investigation of the case.

Members of the Dublin-based Justice for the Forgotten pressure group
are to meet the chairman of a new commission of inquiry, Patrick
McEntee QC, later today, as questions continue to be raised about the
Garda's investigation of a string of loyalist-connected bombings
between 1972 and 1974 which left 37 people dead and hundreds injured.

Mr McEntee is to investigate why a number of sightings of British
soldiers and figures linked to the mid-Ulster UVF in Dublin did not
produce results for detectives, as well as issues surrounding the
disappearance of a number of key documents. Nobody was ever charged
with the atrocities and Margaret Urwin from the relatives' group said
she would be pushing for a full and transparent inquiry. "We have a
lot of difficulties with this because it seems that it is a private
inquiry and is limited in its terms of reference and we are talking
with Mr McEntee to see how he intends to conduct his inquiry," she
said.

"We are hoping that he is going to hold the maximum number of hearings
possible in public.

"We are also asking that he allows the families legal representation,
as the Taoiseach said in the Dail that he would look favourably on
what Mr McEntee might request.

"We will be asking if the material submitted to the inquiry will be
made public or just his conclusions.

"What we would like is for the Irish and British governments to set up
a joint inquiry to look at all the aspects."

Mr McEntee's terms of reference involve investigating the scope of the
Garda inquiry and whether more could have been done. He has been
charged with looking at three separate lines of police inquiry, into
sightings of loyalist sympathisers and British soldiers in Dublin
prior to the 1974 bombings.

******************************************

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/news/eurocourtjune0105.asp

Euro Court To Investigate Bombings

By Mairead Carey

The European Court of Human Rights is to carry out an investigation
into the Dublin Monaghan bombings in 1974 which 33 people were killed.

The court will examine claims that British agents collaborated with
Loyalist terrorists in carrying out the atrocities, the worst in the
history of the Troubles.

The inquiry into the role of British intelligence is to begin next
month, over 30 years after the bombings. The British are long
suspected of aiding those who carried out the atrocity.

Thirty-three people were killed and over 250 people were injured when
three car bombs exploded without warning in Dublin and a fourth in
Monaghan on May 17, 1974.

The bombings were blamed on a unit of the Ulster Volunteer Force known
to have links with the security forces' intelligence agents. No one
has ever been charged with the killings.

There has been ongoing concern at the failure of the British
government to come clean about the atrocity.

Earlier this year the head of the Dail (Parliament) committee
investigating the Dublin and Monaghan bombings hit out at the British
government for their refusal to cooperate with the inquiry.

The committee chairman, Fianna Fail TD Sean Ardagh, criticized the
British authorities for failing to hold a formal inquiry of their own
into allegations of British collusion in the bombings when requested
to do so by the Irish government.

He also said he was "not impressed at all" with the failure of the
British authorities to cooperate with the subcommittee or with Justice
Henry Barron, who compiled a report into the bombings which was
published last year.

The families of those who died have long campaigned for a proper
investigation into the role of British agents in the affair.

Monica Duffy-Campbell, whose husband Tommy Duffy died in the bombing,
told the Dail committee earlier this year, "I will believe until the
day I die that the British government or British agents were involved
in the death of my husband

"The British government is supposedly a friendly nation. We are not at
war with it. Why have they decided to stand totally back from this and
not give any answers? What have they got to hide?"

Monica had a young daughter and was four months pregnant when her
husband was killed.

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http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/news/ervinehelpsjune0105.asp

Ervine Helps Search For Catholic Killer

By Brendan Anderson

The distraught family of a murdered Catholic girl have met the
political spokesman for a political group linked to the proscribed
Loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

David Ervine, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, agreed to meet
Lisa Dorrian's family in a bid to help them find the body of their
missing daughter.

Despite having all the ingredients of a red-hot newspaper story — the
murder of a beautiful young woman, drug dealers, paramilitaries,
searches carried out by helicopter, airplane and police sea divers —
the killing of Lisa Dorrian has never been given the same prominence
as other killings.

Lisa, 25, disappeared three months ago after attending a party in a
mobile home at a caravan site at Ballyhalbert on the north Co. Down
coast. Police acknowledge that she was murdered, although her body has
never been found.

Shortly after the killing, graffiti appeared on several walls in the
area claiming she had been murdered by the volatile paramilitary
faction, the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).

The LVF, which broke away from the UVF over support for the Good
Friday Agreement, is claimed by police to be heavily involved in drug
dealing and racketeering.

The Dorrian family's hopes of finding Lisa's body rose following a
television current affairs program in which Ervine revealed that the
UVF was carrying out its own investigation into the killing. During
the program, Ervine said he feared Loyalists would take the law into
their own hands "unless the police caught the killers."

Ervine later said he had recently attended two meetings which had
"shed more light" on Lisa's disappearance, and offered to share any
information he received with her family and the police. The PUP leader
described the circumstances surrounding the murder as "a cesspit."

Following the meeting with Ervine, Lisa's uncle, Terry Dorrian, said
the family would meet with anyone who could help them find her body.
He asked that people should hope and pray that "this is the last time
a young girl's life is taken for no reason."

Ervine, he said, had insisted that he had no political agenda and his
involvement was a humanitarian bid to help the family.

Three men have been arrested and questioned about the killing but were
released. The Dorrian family has put up £10,000 of their savings as a
reward for information leading to the recovery of Lisa's body.

******************************************

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/news/hevesiinvestsjune0105.asp

Hevesi Invests Millions In North

By Brendan Anderson

New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who has fought for years for
fair employment practices in the North, says he is now ready to invest
capital there.

Hevesi, comptroller of New York State's $140 billion retirement fund,
has always been a strong campaigner for the abolition of
discrimination in employment practices in the North where Catholics
were often excluded from skilled jobs.

But now, Hevesi says, the gap between Protestant and Catholic
employment figures was closing and enough progress had been made
through the Irish peace process to permit him to carry out a promise
to invest in the North.

Hevesi, however, indicated on Tuesday that the $7 million for business
development was not simply based on compassionate grounds, and he
would be expecting a return on the retirement fund's investment.

While the $7 million (£3.75 million) figure is impressive by local
standards, it could result in even more investment by other U.S.
companies following the lead given by Hevesi, who was heavily involved
in Northern Irish affairs during his time as New York City
comptroller.

The cash injection will aid small technology companies and forms part
of a £22.5 million venture capital fund administered by Crescent
Capital II, a Belfast-based equity fund sponsored by Invest Northern
Ireland.

Explaining why he now felt free to launch the investment in the North
after years of seeking equality of employment there, Hevesi said, "The
investment climate in Northern Ireland is much more favorable today,
thanks to the ongoing peace process. As a result, the region now
presents an attractive opportunity for the New York pension fund to
obtain a meaningful return on investment for the fund's 971,000
members while creating jobs and prosperity in Northern Ireland."

"Northern Ireland represents tremendous opportunities for growth and
prosperity, regardless of religious, political or any other
affiliation. We are investing in Crescent Capital II because the fund
represents an excellent opportunity, with the potential to create new
jobs and economic prosperity for all communities by providing local
technology companies with much-needed capital so they can grow and
thrive here in Northern Ireland."

"I anticipate a competitive return for the New York Retirement Fund,"
he added.

Nationalist politicians from the SDLP and Sinn Fein were present for
Hevesi's announcement in Belfast on Tuesday, but no Unionists
attended. The Irish Voice, however, understands that Hevesi spoke to
Unionist representatives afterwards.

Welcoming the retirement fund investment, Sinn Fein President Gerry
Adams said, "Mr. Hevesi's goodwill investment gesture is evidence of
his continuing and long-standing interest in economic development,
equality and the peace process."

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=643520

McCartney: Two Still Being Quizzed

By Chris Thornton
02 June 2005

Police were continuing to question two men today about the murder of
Robert McCartney.

The men - arrested yesterday in Belfast and Birmingham - were facing a
second day of interviews by detectives at the PSNI holding centre in
Antrim.

The men, aged 36 and 49, can be held until early Saturday morning. By
that stage police will have to charge, release or - depending on the
legislation they are held under - apply to a court for more time to
question them.

Both men are understood to come from the Markets area of Belfast, the
district adjacent to the bar where Mr McCartney and another man,
Brendan Devine, were attacked by IRA members four months ago.

The 33-year-old father of two was stabbed outside Magennis's Whisky
Cafe on January 30. He died the next day.

The older of the two men being questioned was arrested by the PSNI in
Belfast.

The younger man was arrested by West Midlands Police in Birmingham.
Witnesses said he was wearing just his boxer shorts when armed police
burst in to his second floor bedsit in the Stechford area of the city.

He was then led barefoot to a waiting police car in Victoria Road and
flown back to Northern Ireland for questioning by a team of
detectives.

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http://www.4ni.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=41103

Houses Targeted In Bomb Attacks

Police are appealing for information following two bomb attacks at
homes in Co Armagh on Wednesday.

Detectives believe the attacks at two houses at Brooke Manor and
Milltown in Ahorey may have been racially motivated.

The devices were put through the letter boxes of the houses shortly
after midnight, however only minor damage was caused and no-one was
injured

The area was cordoned off while Army technical officers examined the
scene and a number of items were taken away.

Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy has slammed those
responsible for the attacks.

"It was only through good luck that nobody within the two houses was
seriously injured and I would extend my best wishes to the victims of
these bomb attacks," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 028 9065 0222.
(MB/SP)

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=643413

Store Wars: Business Leaders And Politicians Split Over John Lewis Go-
Ahead

Special report by Debra Douglas
02 June 2005

The Government's decision to give a controversial £200m development at
Sprucefield the green light last night caused a major rift within
Ulster's business community and political parties.

While Environment Minister Jeff Rooker hailed it as the right decision
which was "in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland",
the opinion of political and business representatives was divided.

DUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson described it as a "good news
story for Northern Ireland", but his party colleague, Belfast Lord
Mayor Wallace Browne, said: "It undermines our efforts to revitalise
the city centres of Belfast and Lisburn."

Opinion was also divided within the SDLP. Lagan Valley MLA Patricia
Lewsley welcomed the news, while Dr Alasdair McDonnell described it as
a "body blow to retail confidence in Belfast".

Within the business community, Lisburn's economic development
committee described the move as "positive" while the Belfast Chamber
of Trade and Commerce described it as a "wholly inappropriate
development".

What's in store at £200m centre

The controversial £200m development at Sprucefield which will include
the first John Lewis store in Northern Ireland was given the go-ahead
yesterday, with the promise of 2,000 jobs as well as more choice for
shoppers.

Announcing the decision to grant planning permission, Environment
Minister Jeff Rooker said it was "in the best interests of the people
of Northern Ireland".

And last night, John Lewis' director of retail operations, Gareth
Thomas, welcomed the news.

He said: "We believe that the decision represents good news for the
whole of Northern Ireland and will secure substantial economic
investment and jobs for the province.

"We are also confident that our first department store on the island
of Ireland will complement the additional major retail development
currently under way in Belfast city centre and will greatly enhance
the overall retail offering of Northern Ireland.

"We can assure all concerned that John Lewis is intending to invest
heavily in the long-term economic future of Northern Ireland as a
whole and believe our department store at Sprucefield can play an
important part in helping reverse the well-documented leakage of
retail spend out of the province.

"It also has the potential to attract significant trade from across NI
and the Republic of Ireland to the whole area.

"There is a strong tradition of customers from Northern Ireland
visiting our other department stores, so we are excited with the
prospect of providing them with a John Lewis in the province."

Proposals for the massive extension include:

a 220,000 sq ft John Lewis anchor store

29 smaller retail units on two floors for other shops.

restaurants

A five-level, multi-storey car park for 1,250 cars, plus surface-
level car parking

ancillary infrastructure and landscaping.

IS IT GOOD FOR ULSTER?

YES

'This is a good news story for Lisburn'

With the promise of social and economic benefits for Northern Ireland,
the decision to grant planning permission for the controversial
Sprucefield extension has been hailed by many as "good news for
Northern Ireland".

DUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he was "absolutely
delighted" by the move.

He said: "This is a good news story for Lisburn and a good news story
for Northern Ireland.

"Some seem to think that this was a matter of competition between
Belfast and Lisburn. Really it wasn't - there was only one location in
Northern Ireland that John Lewis were interested in and that was at
Sprucefield.

"The real competition here was with the Republic. It opens up the
prospect now of attracting significant numbers of shoppers across the
border into Northern Ireland."

The chairman of Lisburn's economic development dommittee, Councillor
Edwin Poots, described it as a "positive decision".

The DUP MLA said: "This development will turn the situation around in
Northern Ireland where consumers from the Republic and across the
United Kingdom will travel to do their shopping in Northern Ireland.

"It is a tremendous victory. Having secured this decision, I would be
hopeful that self centred parochialism would not cloud the views of
individuals on what is a good news story for Northern Ireland."

Ulster Unionist MLA for Lagan Valley Billy Bell said the decision
confirmed Lisburn's position at the heart of the Northern Ireland
economy.

He said: "It was an entirely logical decision and confirms Lisburn's
role as the enterprise capital of Northern Ireland."

Lisburn Ulster Unionist councillor Basil McCrea said: "It's fantastic
news economically for the Lisburn area and will ensure that, as a
retail centre, Sprucefield can only go from strength to strength."

The SDLP's Lagan Valley MLA Patricia Lewsley welcomed the decision but
warned of the major challenges it presents.

She said: "John Lewis will be the anchor tenant in the new retail park
and has the capacity to pull trade from all over the north and indeed
the south.

"But in order to create footfall, the development at Sprucefield is to
have 29 other retail tenants and their impact will be quite different.
These smaller retailers are likely to pull trade directly out of
Lisburn City Centre.

"There is a great challenge here for Lisburn City Council to work
closely with the traders to ensure balanced regeneration of the whole
of the city and prevent any danger of gradual decline."

Welcoming the news, Sinn Féin Lagan Valley representative Councillor
Paul Butler said there were issues which needed addressed.

He said: "Sinn Féin are aware of the clear benefits of such
developments but have also been consistent in voicing our concerns
about the impact of out-of-town shopping.

"I's vital that there is a clear framework in which decisions such as
this are made and that they're based on the need to ensure wider
economic benefits."

NO

'Decision comes when the retail sector in Belfast needs investment'

The Government's decision to give the green light to the Sprucefield
development was last night met with fierce criticism with Belfast City
Centre Management and Belfast Chamber of Trade vowing to consult with
legal teams to investigate challenging the move.

Reacting angrily to the announcement, Joanne Jennings, Belfast City
Centre manager, described Lord Rooker's decision as having "no basis
in current planning policy at a Northern Ireland or UK level".

She said: "The statement issued by the Minister is frankly
unbelievable.

"Lord Rooker, who has barely arrived in Northern Ireland, is telling
us that this development is in the best interests of the people of
Northern Ireland."

Ms Jennings said Lord Rooker has ignored Government policy and the
recently-published BMAP proposals.

Dave Pennick, senior vice president of Belfast Chamber of Trade &
Commerce, said: "This is a wholly inappropriate development which is
not in anybody's best interests, except those of John Lewis.

"It would not happen anywhere else in the UK or Ireland."

The Federation of Small Businesses also expressed disappointment at
the decision.

John Friel, FSB regional chairman, said: "Once again the Government
have ignored the views and concerns of small business owners by giving
the green light for John Lewis at Sprucefield. While we acknowledge
that it will bring jobs for some, it will also cost many more jobs and
force many small retailers to close in Belfast and other surrounding
towns.

"If the Government is serious about wanting small businesses to be the
backbone of our economy, it must call a moratorium on the building of
any more out of town shopping centres."

Belfast Lord Mayor Wallace Browne said he was deeply concerned at the
decision as it was not in keeping with regional development strategy
and BMAP.

He added: "It undermines our efforts to revitalise the city centres of
Belfast and Lisburn which are now only starting to recover after 30
years of difficult times. This decision will set us back enormously."

He said Belfast and Lisburn retailers would meet to consider what
action to take.

SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell said the decision was a "body blow" to
retail confidence in Belfast.

He said: "The Minister's decision comes at a time when the retail
sector in Belfast city centre really does need further investment from
private sector developers and support from the Government.

"High street retailers are experiencing a dip in consumer spending
meanwhile Government ministers are forcing through controversial plans
that will only serve to damage business confidence in the city."

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=643524

Ulster 'Failing To Protect Wildlife'

By David Gordon
02 June 2005

A well known environmental charity has branded Northern Ireland
"bottom of the league" for safeguarding important nature sites.

The RSPB made the claim while launching a major campaign for an
increase in the number of designated Areas of Special Scientific
Interest (ASSIs) here.

The drive is being backed by Nick Baker, television's Really Wild Show
presenter, who begins a four-day visit to the province today.

ASSIs are identified because of their wildlife and geological value.

The thrust of the RSPB's campaign is to persuade the government to
declare an additional 200 sites by 2010, helping Northern Ireland to
meet a European target to halt loss of wildlife by that date.

The organisation is also pressing for better monitoring and management
of designated sites and says 58 have already been damaged or partly
destroyed.

"Northern Ireland currently comes at the bottom of the league table
for site protection in the UK," said Dr James Robinson, RSPB's
Conservation Manager.

"We are sitting at 6% of land area protected for wildlife and geology,
when we should be at 10%.

"It is unacceptable that so little progress has been made on the
declaration and protection of ASSIs over the last 20 years."

******************************************

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4602775.stm

One Dead After Explosion At Plant

One person has been killed in an explosion at a water treatment plant
in County Londonderry.

Two other people were injured in the blast at Carmoney treatment works
in Eglinton.

It is not known if the explosion could be linked to chemicals used at
the plant. A major incident was declared over fears fumes may have
escaped.

Residents in the Eglinton and Campsie area were advised to stay
indoors before the area was declared safe.

Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry put its major emergency plan into
effect.

I looked up in the sky and saw this huge tank - it was about 150-200
ft above the factory on the hill

Geoff Ennis

Eyewitness

A spokesman for the ambulance service said two people had been taken
to the hospital, but their injuries were not life threatening.

An ambulance crew dealing with any potential infection was also sent
to the scene as a precaution, but their services were not required, a
spokesman said.

Geoff Ennis, who works at a motor dealership just a few hundred yards
from the plant, heard the explosion.

"We heard the bang and I was walking out the workshop door out to get
mileage off one of the vehicles.

"I looked up in the sky and saw this huge tank. It was about 150-200
ft above the factory on the hill.

"At first, I thought it was a hot air balloon or something that had
blown up, it was up at such a great height. I had a closer look and it
was like a storage tank, falling to the ground then."

BBC Radio Foyle reporter Enda McClafferty, who is at the scene, said a
hole had been blown in the roof of a building about 1015 BST on
Thursday.

It is believed there was a construction team on the site as well as
several Water Service employees.

Later on Thursday, police said that there was no longer a risk to
public safety following the incident at the waterworks site.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/06/02 11:29:49 GMT
© BBC MMV

******************************************

http://www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=11461

Roar Of Celtic Tiger: Lessons To Be Learned By Our Leaders

By Joan P.H. Myers, Special To LTW

Editor's note: Joan P.H. Myers is president and chief executive
officer of the North Carolina Technology Association. Myers is a 2004-
2005 Eisenhower Fellow, and studied Cyber Security and Cyber Terrorism
in Ireland.
----

RALEIGH - I recently had an opportunity to spend quite a bit of time
in Ireland. I had been awarded an Eisenhower Fellowship and went to
study cyber security and cyber terrorism.

To pursue my topic I met with a host of technology companies. In
addition, meetings with many other companies and leaders were included
to fill out the context of my topic.

But to understand cyber backbones and the various layers of cyber
security, one must delve into the growth and expansion of the
technologies industry in the country and understand the factors that
led to the accelerated change.

Joan P.H. Myers

What was the secret of the Celtic Tiger?

What had transformed this nation from a country of out migration to
now the third wealthiest nation on the globe?

As I began my studies I was enthusiastic to lay this context and delve
into the secrets of the knowledge industry explosion in Ireland.

Quality of Life? Not

Not being an economic developer, I approached this from how we herald
our strengths in North Carolina. So first I would start with quality
of life. I've really never understood how you package your greatest
selling point as "quality of life" to a corporate community. You
can't really pay your mortgage with "quality of life," but then again,
that is taking it to an extreme. I guess if I was a CEO of a major
corporation I would need to evaluate if I would be able to move a top
tier of leadership and managers to a site to begin operations. I
guess this is where quality of life fits in.

Now I was always taught that you make a move in business based on your
best opportunity for professional growth and what is in the best
interest of your family. So I looked around at quality of life and
came to the immediate conclusion that this was not the main selling
point in Ireland. Unlike many of the vacation brochures I had seen
depicting a sunny, sparkling "emerald isle" I did not see the sun in
two weeks.

Dublin and the region around it where many of the tech companies are
based, is extremely expensive. Housing costs are through the roof,
traffic is an increasing issue, and food, fuel and entertainment are
costly too. They do have some lovely golf courses, but 9 out of 10
times you would be teeing up under a nice Irish Mist or "cloud" as it
is often called. I took "quality of life" off the list.

So what was it that boomed this economy?

Next I looked at incentive packages. Where were the super -duper
mega deals carefully crafted to fit a single companies needs? I did
not come across any. Maybe I need a special clearance to learn these
secrets?

So what made the Celtic Tiger roar? What secrets fueled this economic
expansion and spread the seeds of innovation and opportunity?

Finally, I came out and asked. Over, and over the answer was given
to me in plain, straight forward English… with a lilt.

Tax rate and workforce, tax rate and workforce, tax rate and
workforce.

In the early 90"s Irish business and public sector leaders looked at
ways to stabilize and diversify their economy. They were plagued
with many of the same issues North Carolina faces. A concentrated
urban population and a significant rural population, fierce
competition from its European neighbors, jobs moving out of old line
industry. Their solution was historic. They did not consider an
incremental approach. They laid out a bold leap and courageously
implemented new policy that catapulted them into the 21st century.

What was the secret? What was the magic?

Secret Sauce, Ingredient I: Tax Policy

They dramatically cut their tax rate on foreign investment. At the
time, the corporate tax rate in Ireland was around 40 percent. They
cut their tax rate to around 12 percent for foreign investment,
essentially un-leveling the playing field significantly across all of
Europe and the British Isles.

It worked. Boy did it work.

IBM went from around 400 employees to 4,000, Symantec, Intel,
Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard all created significant operations and the
Tiger caught its stride.

Around these giants came small entrepreneurial local ventures too.
Many of the small companies that boomed at the end of the 90's
suffered or became extinct in the economic downtown of the last few
years. However, the talent was absorbed and the entrepreneurs are
gaining ground again.

The point that was drummed into me was that these initial policies
were not a "ratchet down" of tax rate, a "point or two" in percentage.
This was a bold and dramatic shift. It registered on the global radar
and the results were huge.

Becoming part of the European Union brought new challenges and
opportunities, but once again the leadership in Ireland executed a
bold approach. When faced with pressures to not allow further
reductions in outside investment tax rates, Ireland moved down their
in country corporate tax rate and the fuel of that change is now
beginning to have its affect.

More Than Tax Policy

So tax policy created the Tiger but what made it roar? What other
elements led to this transformative change?

Smart young people were and are the voice of the Tiger. A strong
emphasis on STEM education, science, technology, engineering and math
has helped create a cadre of young, digital workers that are the key
ingredient for any knowledge-based company to site, grow and expand.

Clearly, Ireland faces many of the challenges North Carolina does in
the education realm. They struggle with a high drop out rate in their
secondary education (analogous to high school) especially in their
rural areas. But there is a strong push here to pursue education and
their program offerings are significant in all areas that feed into
the economic chain. Classes for "part time learners," e-learning
initiatives, continuing education, and out reach to "school leavers"
(drop outs) are just some of the programs that complement a strong
University climate.

When asking the 20 somethings what they did now and what they studied
in school, many noted that they studied "computers or engineering even
if they did not contemplate fully at the time that area as a career
choice. Why I asked? Because that is the future, that's what you
need to know right?"

I had the special opportunity to visit a "secondary school" in
Northern Ireland and hear a lecture from the Nobel Poet Laureate,
Seamus Heaney. Interestingly, this school, a high school in our
terms, has had two Noble Prize winners. Knowing this, I was very
interested in finding out what made these young people "tick." So I
talked to the young men before the program. What made them different?

The first told me he was 16 ½ - almost 17. School was "good" he
really liked sports, had an ipod and when I asked him about computers
and technology he said it was just part of life. He did not know what
he would do career-wise yet, but would probably be in business.

Seamus Heaney spoke to the importance of the classics and the patterns
they reveal. He wove modern experiences, his poetry, The Troubles,
verse from Frost and other poets, 9/11 and opportunities for the
future into an inspiring and fascinating hour. He spoke not to the
audience of dignitaries and alumnus. He spoke to the kids.

It struck me how important it was for leaders from all walks of life
and endeavor to get into schools and share experiences. In parallel,
in almost every technology company I visited, they noted their
commitment and contributions to education. The companies were
involved in community efforts, the University and various projects and
initiatives that would help shape the next workforce generation.

The answer to the roar of the Celtic Tiger was tax policy and
education. But perhaps the biggest lesson was bold leadership and
engagement. In almost every meeting I had, leaders were focused on
the pressing issues of the day, but clearly looking at the issues on
the horizon.

How will they embrace and benefit from increasing globalization? How
do they encourage more science, technology and math education? How
do they grapple with infrastructure issues?

There seemed to be a consensus that bold ideas will need to be in play
again to stay competitive. But at the same time, boldness and desire
for change seem to be imbued qualities of the Tiger… Perhaps we can
learn a little from its roar.
----

Joan P.H. Myers is President & CEO of NCTA, the leading North Carolina
technology advocacy organization. For more information, please visit:
http://www.nc-tech.org

******************************************

http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=3080295&p=3x8x3yx&n=3080387

Temperatures To Rise By Up To Two Degrees In Next 50 Years

02/06/2005 - 12:28:22

Global warming is set to have a direct impact on Irish temperatures in
the coming 50 years, according to a study conducted by researchers
from Met Éireann and University College Dublin.

The study, published today, predicted that average temperatures would
increase by between 1.5 and two degrees by mid-century as a result of
carbon dioxide emissions.

The increase is expected to produce drier summers in the south and
east of the country and wetter winters, mainly in the north-west.

Met Éireann and UCD said the worst damage could be caused to the
agriculture sector, which thrives on Ireland's current climate and
would be particularly prone to increased flooding.

******************************************

http://www.dailynewstribune.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=56736

Obit: Steede Remembered As Quiet, In Charge Fire Chief

By Jennifer Roy / Daily News Staff
Thursday, June 2, 2005

WALTHAM -- Known for his no-nonsense ways of firefighting and his love
for Irish song, former Fire Chief Joseph Steede is remembered by
longtime friends and colleagues as a smart man who was always in
control.

Born and raised in Waltham, Steede died at home Monday. He was 78.

"He was a brilliant guy who decided to follow in his family's
profession," said Mayor Jeannette McCarthy. "He was a gentle type of
leader and will be sorely missed in the community."

Steede served as Waltham's fire chief from 1984 to 1990, following in
his late father John's footsteps. John Steede served as fire chief
from 1956 to 1964.

Steede also has two nephews on the department.

"I think people would agree with me, he was an intelligent man," said
Fire Chief Thomas Keough. "He was a silent man, but a good, hard
worker."

Steede graduated from Waltham High School in 1943 and joined the Coast
Guard soon after, serving until the end of World War II.

He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1950,
where he played on the golf team. He joined the Waltham Fire
Department in 1953.

His longtime friend Charlie McCarthy will tell you Steede spent his
freshman year at Harvard when he was just 16.

"He was very quiet, but he had a good head on his shoulders," said
McCarthy. "He was a very attentive man."

Steede was McCarthy's best man in his wedding and is godson to his
first-born son. Steede never married.

McCarthy recalled the days growing up with Steede in the Highland
section of the city. "He was a great guy," he said. "Golf was his
forte."

But it was his command at a fire scene that colleagues will remember
most.

"He was very controlled. He knew how to direct and control his men,"
said Keough. "You didn't even know he was there until he put a hand on
your shoulder and gave you an order."

Lt. Bob Sweeney said the firefighters looked up to and respected
Steede.

"He was quiet, but he got the most out of his men at a fire," Sweeney
said. "He was a good man. He was a fun man.

"He played golf, he sang Irish songs. He was one of the guys."

Steede was promoted to lieutenant in 1957, captain in 1963 and deputy
chief in 1965.

He had been a former member of the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs
Association and the International Association of Firefighters Local
866.

He had also been a member of the John M. Sullivan Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 10334 in Waltham, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in
Watertown, Woodland Golf Club in Newton and the Loyal Order of Moose
Lodge 1018 in Waltham.

Steede will be laid to rest Saturday at 9 a.m. from the Joyce Funeral
Home, 245 Main St., followed by a funeral Mass in Saint Mary's Church,
133 School St., Waltham.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Visiting hours are tomorrow from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Moose Heart c/o Moose Charities, 155
South International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 50539-1100.

(Jennifer Roy is a Daily News staff writer. She can be reached at 781-
398-8005 or jroy@cnc.com.)

******************************************

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1698&dept_id=21847&newsid=14625862&PAG=461&rfi=9

Obit: Kathleen (Barrett) Horvath

06/02/2005

A Mass of Christian Burial for Kathleen (Barrett) Horvath, 95, of
Painesville, will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church,
242 North State St., in Painesville.

Kathleen

(Barrett) Horvath

A Mass of Christian Burial for Kathleen (Barrett) Horvath, 95, of
Painesville, will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church,
242 North State St., in Painesville.

Mrs. Horvath died June 1, 2005, at her daughter's home in Painesville.

Born March 4, 1910, in County Mayo, Ireland, she settled in Lake
County at the age of 19. She had lived in Painesville since 1934.

She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Painesville, and the
Legion of Mary, Altar and Rosary Society, and Marion Club, all of St.
Mary Church. She was also a member of the Eastside Irish-American Club
in Euclid. Her hobbies included needlepoint and knitting. She was an
avid history reader and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-
grandmother, who made her family the center of her life.

Mrs. Horvath was a private gourmet chef.

Survivors are her daughters, Maureen (Laurence) Logan of Perry and
Bonnie (Craig) Artman of Painesville; grandchildren, Mark, Todd,
Sandra, Matthew, Sean, and Jennifer; great-grandchildren, Alex, Eric,
Elena, Giana, Tala, Skyler, Heather, Rachael, Lauren, Domenick,
Ashlyn, and Andrew; half-brothers, Tom, James, and Tony Barrett of
Ireland; and half-sisters, Mary and Breda Barrett of Ireland.

Her husband, Frank J. Horvath Jr., died in 1991. Her parents, Anthony
and Mary (Creane) Barrett; three brothers; and two sisters, are also
deceased.

Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Spear-Mulqueeny
Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Ave., in Painesville. Burial will be in
Riverside Cemetery in Painesville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to
Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland 44119, or
St. Mary Church.

©The News-Herald 2005
Posted by: Unknown / 7:53 AM
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