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November 05, 2005

Arrest Complaint Lodged With Ombudsman

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News about Ireland & the Irish

BT 11/05/05 Republican To Lodge Complaint With Ombudsman
IN 11/05/05 Defendant Disputes Police DNA Evidence
IN 11/05/05 Latest Setback To Hit Peace Process
BB 11/05/05 SF: Government 'Must Aid Loyalists'
BB 11/05/05 Man Arrested Over Double Murder
BT 11/05/05 Ludlow: I Was There But I Didn't Kill Him
BT 11/05/05 Ludlow Murder Witness Battles To Clear His Name
BT 11/05/05 Ludlow Murder: The Inquest
BT 11/05/05 'Get Real' Over The RIR, Sinn Fein Tells DUP
IN 11/05/05 DUP Back To Hardline Stance On Agreement
BT 11/05/05 Women Scale Down Street Protests
IN 11/05/05 Hardline Approach Led Many To Loathe Thatcher
BT 11/05/05 Paramilitary Era Drawing To A Close- Ervine
II 11/05/05 Girl Power Challenges Bertie
BT 11/05/05 Ahern Speech Is Welcomed
IO 11/05/05 Sinn Féin Marks 100th Anniversary
BT 11/05/05 Going Cheap ... Adams' New Tome
IN 11/05/05 Irish Tricolour To Fly At War Memorial Event
BG 11/05/05 Opin: Sinn Fein At The Door
BB 11/05/05 War Over But Old Battles Continue
IN 11/05/05 Man From Ireland Facing US Death Rap
BT 11/05/05 Texan Female Pastor Heading For Ulster

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668054

Top Republican To Lodge Complaint With Ombudsman

By Deric Henderson
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

A TOP republican questioned about the £26.5m Northern Bank
robbery is to lodge an official complaint with the Police
Ombudsman's Office after being released without charge.

Ex-IRA prisoner Brian Arthurs (40), from Dungannon, Co
Tyrone, one of five men detained by detectives, was the
second to be freed.

One man, 23-year-old Dominic McEvoy from Mullandra Park in
Kilcoo, Co Down, was charged yesterday with the robbery and
another two are still being held.

Arthurs, whose brother Declan, 21, was among a group of IRA
men shot dead by the SAS in Northern Ireland 18 years ago,
said he plans to lodge his complaint with the Ombudsman,
Nuala O'Loan.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement he was
released in 2000 from the Maze Prison where he had been
serving a 25-year jail sentence on explosives charges.

He said last night: "This has been terrible ordeal for my
family. I deny any involvement in the Northern Bank raid.

"Over the last six months, my name has begun appearing in
various newspapers, claiming I am a senior IRA man, even a
member of the army council and the link man with General de
Chastelain on decommissioning. All nonsense.

"I regard this as a process of police victimisation through
the media."

He added: "On the morning of my arrest, (Thursday) the
police arrived at seven (am) and within two hours reporters
were outside the door. I believe they were tipped off by
the police.

"They beat on the door, they terrified my children (aged 8,
14 and 17) and handcuffed me in front of my family.

"The police stayed in the house for five hours. They took
away 39 bags of our property, every scrap of paper in the
house, every phone, every bank statement and document
relating to my two businesses.

"They even took my daughter's GCSE coursework.

"They were very aggressive, they threatened my son Declan,
aged eight, telling him at one stage to "Get back inside
the f.....g house" or they would kill him 'like we killed
your uncle'.

"Seven jeeps arrived at my parents house, they are aged 65
and 70 - and were there for four hours.

"My children are now not sleeping at night. I am taking a
case to the Police Ombudsman.

"When I was being interrogated, they asked me briefly about
the Northern Bank robbery, accusing me of being involved in
preparing the job and of being a leading IRA man.

"They then began to ask me about the IRA's structures, how
many members it has and how they feel about the ceasefire,
it was a fishing expedition.

"When my lawyer asked what evidence they had to justify
holding me, the police could only say unspecified
intelligence information. They had nothing at all."

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http://www.irishnews.com/access/daily/current.asp?SID=506984

Defendant Disputes Police DNA Evidence

By Sharon O'Neill

A Co Down builder – the first person charged with the £26.5
million Northern Bank raid – was yesterday remanded in
custody after a court was told that his DNA was found
outside a hostage's home.

Dominic McEvoy (23), of Mullandra Park, Kilcoo, appeared
before a packed Belfast Magistrates Court, with a large
number of supporters in the gallery.

He looked straight ahead during the 40-minute hearing,
nodding once to confirm that he understood the charges,
which he denied during police interview.

As well as being charged with last December's raid in
Belfast city centre, he is also accused of falsely
imprisoning bank official Kevin McMullan and his wife Karen
and possessing a gun or imitation firearm.

The couple's home in Loughinisland, Co Down, was taken over
by the robbers before they ordered Mr McMullan and a
colleague to go into work as normal.

Both families were held captive as the gang cleared the
bank's vaults.

Mrs McMullan was later released in a forest near
Ballynahinch.

The court was told that Mr McEvoy's DNA – and that of other
unknown individuals – was found on a hat outside the
couple's home.

Detective Inspector Sean Wright confirmed that Mr McEvoy,
who was arrested in Kilcoo on Tuesday night, had been
interviewed seven times and had given police a prepared
statement during questioning.

"I have no involvement in the Northern Bank robbery or in
the kidnapping at Loughinisland Road," it read.

"I have given police during interview full details as to
the best of my recollection where I was on December 19 and
20 2004.

"In particular, I didn't leave any hat at the scene in
Loughinisland Road. There is, as I understand it, police
DNA profile of another person on the hat.

"I do not know how police can scientifically say that
person didn't leave any hat at the scene."

Mr Wright said the accused also denied membership of the
Provisional IRA.

Although the officer said he be-lieved he could connect Mr
McEvoy to the charges, defence solicitor Peter Corrigan
disputed the evidence being relied upon.

"In the remainder of the interviews the defendant declined
to comment," Mr Wright said.

Mr Corrigan challenged the officer to explain why no ident-

ification parade had been held in an attempt to establish
whe-ther any witnesses could single out his client.

"The prosecution case is not based on identification
evidence," Mr Wright said.

"It is a case based on circumstantial and forensic
evidence."

Mr Corrigan again pressed the officer to state whether the
hat was the main or exclusive element of the prosecution's
case.

He also asked why witness statements dealing with the
description of the person wearing the hat had not been
furnished by police.

"I would submit you would not be in a position to connect
the defendant with the charges until you had the
prosecution witness identifying the general description of
the person wearing the hat," Mr Corrigan said.

"The prosecution case throughout interview was that the
only admissible evidence was in relation to DNA on a hat
that included the DNA of other unknown persons.

"The officer has conceded that they are not relying on
identifica-tion evidence. Consequently the hat is
irrelevant."

However, Raymond Kitson of the Public Prosecution Service
said this was an inaccurate representation of what the
officer had told the court.

"He can connect the accused to the charges," he said.

On several occasions Mr Kitson interjected during the
defence's cross-examination, insisting that the line of
questioning was irrelevant.

Resident Magistrate Ken Nixon remanded the accused in
custody to appear again via video link on December 2.

As Mr McEvoy was led away supporters applauded, some
shouting "all right Dominic". One branded the allegations
against his friend lies.

Mr McEvoy's mother, Irene Carlin, who has publicly
protested his innocence, was not in court.

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http://www.irishnews.com/access/daily/current.asp?SID=506978

Latest Setback To Hit Peace Process

By Barry McCaffrey

The peace process has been hit by a series of break-ins,
robberies and alleged spy rings over the last five years.

On St Patrick's night in March 2002 three unmasked men
entered Special Branch offices used to coordinate informers
inside Castlereagh police station in east Belfast.

It is still unclear what was stolen but the then chief
constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, denied that informers'
identities had been compromised.

Within days six people, in-cluding senior republicans Bobby
Storey and Raymond McCartney, were arrested. All were
released without charge.

American chef Larry Zait-schek, who had previously worked
in Castlereagh and was using the station's training room
that night, was identified as a suspect. He denied
involvement and accused pol-ice of trying to "fit him up".

The British government has not yet applied for his
extradition from the US.

In October 2002 police raided Sinn Fein's Stormont offices
and the homes of a number of republicans.

Documents were removed from the home of Denis Don-aldson,
the party's head of administration at Stormont.

His son-in-law, Ciaran Kear-ney, and Stormont porter
William Mackessy were also arrested. Within days unionists
withdrew from the Stor-mont executive and power sharing
collapsed.

When the Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast was robbed
last December, Sinn Fein denied IRA involvement.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4409028.stm

Government 'Must Aid Loyalists'

The government should be doing more to "encourage loyalists
along a peaceful path", Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has
said.

Mr McGuinness said there "were progressive elements within
the UVF and UDA", but they needed more support.

The Mid-Ulster MP also said the Independent Monitoring
Commission "was wrong" to say the IRA was involved in a
recent assault.

He said he had "put questions to the secretary of state on
the matter".

Mr McGuinness, who was speaking on the BBC's Inside
Politics programme, said it was clear that others, "even
within the UDA, were seeking a role as we move forward
politically".

"That is a good thing and they should be encouraged. It is
not just the responsibility of the taoiseach or people in
Dublin to encourage them," he said.

"As an observer of all of that, I would have to be very
concerned that the British government are not really
playing their part and engaging with progressive figures
within loyalism who wish to play a constructive role as we
move forward."

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/11/05 09:10:14 GMT
© BBC MMV

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4410110.stm

Man Arrested Over Double Murder

A man has been arrested in connection with the murders of
two teenagers in County Armagh five years ago.

Andrew Robb, 19, and 18-year-old David McIlwaine, both of
whom were from Portadown, were stabbed to death on 18
February 2000.

Their bodies were found on the Druminure Road outside
Tandragee, a few hours after they had left a disco.

Police said a 54-year-old man was arrested in Craigavon on
Saturday and is being held under the Terrorism Act.

No-one has been convicted of the murders which were carried
out during a loyalist paramilitary feud in the Portadown
area.

However, police and both families said neither of the young
men had any connection with a paramilitary organisation.

Petrol bomb attack

David McIlwaine had been a graphic design student.

In the past, a number of people were arrested and one man
charged in connection with the murders, but the charges
were later withdrawn in court.

In September, Andrew Robb's mother Ann blamed loyalist
paramilitaries for a petrol bomb attack on her home in
Portadown.

She said her family had been subjected to UVF harassment
since Andrew was killed.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/11/05 14:04:35 GMT
© BBC MMV

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668062

I Was There But I Didn't Kill Him

Loyalist named in Ludlow murder inquiry admits

By Michael McHugh
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

A FORMER loyalist, named during an Irish judicial
investigation into the murder of an innocent County Louth
man, has dramatically admitted he was present when the
victim was killed.

But Paul Hosking, from County Down, has vigorously
protested his innocence of any involvement in the murder of
Seamus Ludlow in May 1976.

"These boys came down to the bar I was drinking in; I was
in the UDA at the time," Hoskin said yesterday.

"We all went out for a drink and then we took a drive. I
was in the car and we picked up this guy."

He added: "The guy got out of the car to go to the toilet
and he was shot."

The Irish Justice Committee is to investigate further
issues arising from an explosive report from Mr Justice
Henry Barron, which was published on Thursday.

His report, which is privileged in law, named four men
alleged to have been in the car which picked up Mr Ludlow
on the night of his death.

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668058

Ludlow Murder Witness Battles To Clear His Name

By Michael McHugh
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

A FORMER loyalist linked with the murder of a Co Louth man
has moved to clear his name despite admitting witnessing
the shooting.

Paul Hosking from Co Down has vigorously protested his
innocence of any involvement in the murder of Seamus Ludlow
in May 1976, and claimed he and his family have been
victimised over the incident.

The Irish Justice Committee is to investigate further
issues arising from a landmark report on the killing from
Mr Justice Henry Barron, which was published on Thursday.

His report, which is privileged in law, named four men
alleged to have been in the car which picked up Mr Ludlow
on the night of his death.

Speaking from his home in Newtownards, Mr Hosking told the
Belfast Telegraph last night: "These boys came down to the
bar I was drinking in. I was in the UDA at the time.

"We all went out for a drink and then we took a drive. I
was in the car and we picked up this guy. The guy got out
of the car to go to the toilet and he was shot."

Mr Ludlow was collected in the car in the centre of Dundalk
and shot and his body dumped close to his Thistle Cross
home north of the town.

The Barron Report described Mr Ludlow as the innocent
victim of a "random sectarian killing of a blameless
Catholic civilian".

Mr Hosking has been interviewed twice by RUC detectives, in
1986 and 1998, but has never been charged with any offence.

The loyalist said he was tired of having the finger of
blame pointed at him and added that he may make a
submission to the Irish Justice Committee, which will
consider the report in January.

"This has been going on for years and I am fed up with it,"
he said. "I feel like I am the victim, it is awful for my
family and they have gone through hell."

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668057

Ludlow Murder: The Inquest

By Michael McHugh
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

THE second inquest into Mr Ludlow's murder was held earlier
this year following a campaign by his family and raised a
series of questions about a high-level Garda decision to
quash the original investigation.

The two-day hearing before Louth County Coroner Ronan
Maguire at Dundalk courthouse, which is not covered in this
week's Barron Report, heard a number of intriguing
revelations. Among these were the following:

:: the investigating officer, then Detective Inspector John
Courtney, was told the names of the four alleged killers,
linked to the UDA by the RUC in 1979, but his request for
authority from counter-subversive chiefs in Dublin to
interview the group was not granted

:: gardai investigating the crime failed to retain crucial
evidence from the crime scene including the clothing which
the deceased was wearing

:: the RUC interviewed the suspects in 1998 and heard
admissions from two of the linking them to the killing and
yet there still have not been any convictions

:: Mr Ludlow was the victim of a "random" act by killers
from Northern Ireland who were simply looking for any
unlucky victim. He was last seen late at night in Dundalk,
where he often hailed a lift back to his home

:: IRA involvement in the killing - a long-term rumour in
the Dundalk area which would imply the victim was informing
on republicans - was ruled out within three months of the
Garda's investigation

:: the first inquest, in 1976, was not attended by any
family members as they were not given sufficient notice.

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668035

'Get Real' Over The RIR, Sinn Fein Tells DUP

By Noel McAdam, Political Correspondent
nmcadam@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

SINN Fein has told the DUP to "get real" over the
disbandment of the Royal Irish Regiment home battalions.

As the DUP prepared for further talks with Defence
Secretary John Reid over a phased financial package, Sinn
Fein said continuing unionist demands for retention of the
RIR sent nationalists a very negative signal.

Options for a locally recruited element to the garrison to
be retained, and ways soldiers wishing to go on serving in
Northern Ireland can be allowed, have been put to the
Government by the DUP.

Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy said: "They need
to get real. They seem to be oblivious to the past. The RIR
and UDR before it was little more than a unionist militia
with a long history of involvement in collusion with
unionist paramilitaries and indeed directly in the deaths
of nationalists and republicans, including public
representatives.

"Continuing demands by unionists to retain this
organisation send out a very negative signal to broad
nationalist opinion about the willingness of unionist
political leaders to embrace a future built upon peace,
democracy and equality."

And Lisburn Sinn Fein councillor Paul Butler also accused
the DUP of hypocrisy and double-speak for refusing to talk
to republicans while associating with leading loyalists.

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http://www.irishnews.com/access/daily/current.asp?SID=506974

DUP Back To Hardline Stance On Agreement

By William Graham Political Correspondent

The DUP last night appeared to have shifted back to its
hardline position of not accepting the Good Friday
Agreement or its cross-border structures.

In a significant statement, East Derry MP Gregory Campbell
told Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that the agreement could not
form the basis of the future relationship between Northern
Ireland and the Republic.

Earlier this week, during a visit to Belfast, Mr Ahern
signalled his hopes that the agreement's political
institutions could be restored as soon as practicably
possible next year.

But it appears that a long period of bargaining lies ahead
between the DUP and the British and Irish governments about
the actual content of the agreement.

This is certain to further dampen any optimism about an
early return to devolution.

Mr Campbell said: "The DUP desires a constructive
relationship on issues of shared concern with our
neighbours in the Irish Republic that is firmly built upon
the foundation of mutual respect for one another's
constitutional basis. That relationship cannot be based in
any way, shape or form upon the unaccountable cross-border
structures established by the Belfast agreement.

"Unionists did not support the agreement in 1998 and they
certainly don't support it today.

Mr Campbell described the Good Friday Agreement as "a
failed deal".

Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist assembly member Michael
McGimpsey said he still firmly believed in devolution, but
nobody seemed to be prepared to analyse a method of
restoring confidence that will permit a return to power-
sharing.

"Until the governments wake up and smell the coffee on the
problem that is the serious lack of confidence on the
ground in unionist areas, direct rule will continue to be
the safest and most comfortable option for unionists," he
said.

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668056

Women Scale Down Street Protests

Loyalists to discuss concerns with Hain

By Linda McKee
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

LOYALIST women scaled down protests they had scheduled for
Belfast yesterday after securing a meeting with the
Secretary of State.

Members of Women Raising Unionist Concerns said they would
be meeting Peter Hain at 9.15am on Tuesday.

Chairperson Jean Barnes said the group had continued with
peaceful protests in north Belfast and in the Woodvale area
of east Belfast yesterday, but scaled them down in light of
the meeting.

She said the reduced protests were an "act of good faith"
following the positive feedback they had received.

Mrs Barnes said the women had talks with the Assistant
Chief Constable, the Police Ombudsman and the Northern
Ireland Office.

"The protests would have been a lot bigger had no-one
contacted us," she said. "Any protest we would have would
be peaceful. The last thing we want to do is cause civil
unrest."

She said the women of the network across Belfast had
embarked on a journey to address social inequality,
policing issues, the heavy-handedness and aggressiveness of
the PSNI and the Parades Commission.

"We will engage positively with anyone in the best
interests of our community," Mrs Barnes said.

"We will continue peacefully protesting and highlighting
our concerns. We are willing to move forward."

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http://www.irishnews.com/access/daily/current.asp?SID=506976

Hardline Approach Led Many To Loathe Thatcher

By Marie Louise McCrory

TO Irish republicans Baroness Thatcher was – and remains –
one of the most hated British political figures.

Her time as prime minister from 1979 to 1990 proved a
particularly controversial chapter in the Troubles, most
notably during the 1981 republican hunger strike in which
10 men, including Bobby Sands, died.

Despite refusing to back down and grant the prisoners'
demands for political status, Baroness Thatcher was later
quoted as saying: "It was possible to admire the courage of
Sands and the other hunger strikers who died but not to
sympathise with their murderous cause."

The chapter was a turning point for her relationship with
republicans.

She escaped death when the IRA bombed Brighton's Grand
Hotel during the Conservative Party conference in October
1984. Five people were killed.

Baroness Thatcher lost two fellow Conservatives in
republican bomb attacks.

In 1979 shadow Northern Ireland secretary Airey Neave was
killed by an INLA car bomb at the House of Commons and in
1990 Conservative MP Ian Gow was killed in an IRA blast at
his Sussex home.

Suggestions of an official shoot-to-kill policy, alleged to
have been approved by the British government, further
fuelled republicans' hatred of Baroness Thatcher.

A failure to investigate allegations of security-force
collusion in high-profile cases such as that of Belfast
solicitor Pat Finucane, which have since been proven, also
caused a political storm for the then prime minister.

She angered unionists too during her time in Downing Street
with the signing of the Hillsborough Anglo-Irish Agreement
in 1985.

The pact was the first acknowledgement by a British
government that the Republic had a key role to play in
Northern Ireland.

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668051

Paramilitary Era Drawing To A Close, Says Ervine

By Brendan McDaid
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

LOYALIST leader David Ervine has told Catholic schoolgirls
that he believes paramilitarism in Ulster is coming to an
end.

The East Belfast MLA, whose Progressive Unionist Party is
linked to the UVF, was invited to speak to politics
students at former convent grammar school Thornhill College
situated in Londonderry.

Speaking during a weekend-long visit to the city, Mr Ervine
said: "There is all to play for now on the political front.

"I believe the political process will eventually catch up
with the peace process and that these two parallels will
converge and come of age.

"At that point the process of devolution will take place
and there will be an absolute abandonment of violence and
paramilitarism."

Mr Ervine added that he felt that more schools across
Northern Ireland should follow Thornhill's example by
inviting different politicians into schools.

He also called on young people across Northern Ireland to
take a more active interest in politics.

He said: "Exposure to each other is good. I would encourage
schools whether their ethos is Protestant or Catholic to
bring politicians of all shades in and allow the students
to question them and put them under the spotlight.

"It's better than soundbites."

He added: "Politicians are often heard through short bursts
on TV or in column inches.

"I hope more and more young people become involved in
politics. It is a stultified arena. Young voices could be
valuable voices in the future."

Jarlath Parlour, head of politics at the college, said a
range of politicians had already been invited by the
students at Thornhill.

"The objective is to expose the students to a broad range
of political opinion so they can be more accurate and
informed in their views," he said.

"The girls themselves have organised all these events."

Mr Parlour said that politics seemed to be coming a more
popular subject for students.

"It helps them make more judicious decisions."

Mr Ervine will also attend a number of First World War
remembrance events organised by the Maydown Ebrington
group.

Among the many events taking place will be a wreath-laying
ceremony on Sunday with representatives from associations
attached to the British and Irish armies taking part.

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http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1500943&issue_id=13233

Girl Power Challenges Bertie

Rising Sinn Fein star has set sights on a seat in Ahern's
constituency

SINN FEIN'S Mary Lou-McDonald is going head-to-head in a
battle with Bertie Ahern at the next election.

And the Dublin MEP strongly hinted that an official
announcement of her plans to run in the Taoiseach's Dublin
Central bailiwick is imminent.

Although Ms McDonald said she and the party had yet to make
a firm decision on the matter, she clearly indicated she
will be running in the election.

Sinn Fein's first MEP in this country said the party is
weighing up its options in the constituency.

Agreeing that there has been intense speculation over the
potential move, Ms McDonald did nothing to quell the
rumours.

She fanned the flames by saying there was no benefit in the
party keeping its candidates a secret.

The party will be making an announcement in due course, she
added.

"I haven't made a decision. The party doesn't have a
position," she said.

Ms McDonald is originally from the southside Dublin suburb
of Rathgar and ran in the Dublin West constituency in the
last general election. The constituency is high on Sinn
Fein's list of targets after the party came within 79 votes
of taking the seat of Mr Ahern's Fianna Fail running mate,
Dermot Fitzpatrick.

Sinn Fein's candidate in the last general election, Cllr
Nicky Kehoe, has recently ruled out running in the next
election.

Ms McDonald also said she had adapted better than she
expected to the travel over and back from the European
Parliament.

Yet she didn't at all rule out a return to domestic
politics at the next general election, expected to be in
2007.

Fionnan Sheahan
Political Correspondent

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668148

Ahern Speech Is Welcomed

But Empey wants Dail rights ended

By Linda McKee
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
05 November 2005

ULSTER Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has called on
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to scrap the idea of Dail speaking
rights for Northern Irish MPs.

The move would back up the Irish premier's "welcome"
comments on the constitutional question, he said.

Addressing party colleagues at a dinner in Ballymoney last
night, Sir Reg said: "Bertie Ahern's comments yesterday
that the constitutional question has been settled are
welcome when taken and put into context with other recent
positive developments.

"But he must back up his rhetoric by actions. A good place
to start and an indicator of his bona fides would be to
scrap the notion of speaking rights.

"All of these things coming together have the potential to
create amore positive environment in which political
progress can be made. However, in light of so many false
dawns and failed attempts, people are sceptical."

Unionists also remain sceptical about the results of direct
rule, Sir Reg added.

"Direct rule is imposing more taxes on us and taking
decisions on matters such as education that fly in the face
of the expressed will of the people," he said.

"Unionists have been reduced to the role of bystanders
while all this is taking place.

"There is the potential for a new agenda - one where
unionism is no longer powerless and bypassed."

The Ulster Unionist leader said parties in the Republic
were now subjecting Sinn Fein's policies to critical
analysis.

"Their continued growth can no longer be guaranteed," Sir
Reg said.

"If government, and the Prime Minister in particular,
finally stops meeting every one of Sinn Fein's insatiable
demands, takes heed of unionist distrust and frustration
and seeks to introduce measures to try and rebuild trust
and confidence in the unionist community, these positive
developments can, over time, perhaps unlock the political
process,"

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http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=161544096&p=y6y5448xz

Sinn Féin Marks 100th Anniversary

05/11/2005 - 11:25:36

More than 1,000 Sinn Féin supporters are gathering in
Dublin today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
party.

Party president Gerry Adams will deliver a keynote address
at the Céad Bliain event in the City West Hotel at 9pm.

He is expected to speak about the party's campaign for re-
unification in the wake of IRA decommissioning and the
restoration of powersharing government in the North.

Sinn Féin claims a direct link to the party that was
founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffin. Many of those original
party members took part in the 1916 Easter Rising but then
went on to join Fianna Fáil or Cumann na nGaedhael after
the foundation of the state.


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

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668050

Going Cheap ... Adams' New Tome

05 November 2005

SINN Fein is flogging signed copies of Gerry Adams much-
hyped new book The New Ireland' for a mere €9.99 on its
website.

Described by the republican party as the "ideal Christmas
gift", his feelgood tome is said to be "a unique statement
of his beliefs from a remarkable political leader who is
also a best-selling author".

But punters haven't swallowed the blurb and Sinn Fein is
struggling to shift it, even with Adams' signature.

It says that in the book Adams "outlines the challenge of
transforming Irish society through a vision of self-
determination and sovereignty, inclusiveness and equality".

The book was officially launched by the Sinn Fein leader
last month but clearly isn't selling as well as he hoped.

Other gems for sale in Sinn Fein's Christmas gift section
includes an 'Irish Freedom Wrist Band' with Saoirse written
on it and a green T-shirt with the words 'I Still Hate
Thatcher'.

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

http://www.irishnews.com/access/daily/current.asp?SID=506993

Irish Tricolour To Fly At War Memorial Event

North-West News
By Staff Reporter

THE Irish tricolour will be flown for the first time at an
armistice commemoration at Derry's cenotaph tomorrow.

While the main event for Remembrance Sunday does not take
place until next week, tomorrow's commemoration has the
full support of the Royal British Legion.

Glenn Barr of the Irish School for Peace Studies,
organisers of the event, confirmed last night that the
Irish tricolour would be flown at the city's Diamond at
11am.

Mr Barr said it would be flown alongside the Union flag and
the Belgian national flag in memory of the

thousands of Irish men who died in the First World War.

"It's being attended by the British Legion, the Royal Naval
Association, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association, the
Irish United Nations Veterans Association and the Irish
School for Peace Studies," he said.

Mr Barr said he was sure some people would object to the
flying of the tricolour at the cenotaph but he felt the
time was now right.

"Every year we take people out to the peace park in Belgium
[opened by President Mary McAleese and Queen Elizabeth], we
have the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Apprentice
Boys and they march behind the Union Jack and the
tricolour," he said.

Mr Barr said his group held its first commemoration in Co
Donegal in June, when Irish-born soldiers were commemorated
at a ceremony at the former Dunree Irish army fort.

He said those attending the event wore poppies and laid
poppy wreaths.

This weekend's commemoration events get underway tonight
with a grand variety concert at Derry's Waterside Theatre.

A large delegation from Belgium will be joined by groups
from throughout Ireland, north and south.

Among those expected to attend will be PUP leader David
Ervine, while the family of the first Irish person killed
in the Great War will also be present.

John Condron, from Waterford, was killed in Belgium one
week before his fourteenth birthday.

Among the acts taking part in the concert will be the
Hamilton Flute Band and the Houghton sisters traditional
Irish group from Inishowen.

In a separate development, it has been confirmed that
Derry's second 'day of civic remembrance' will take place
at the start of December.

Former Sinn Fein mayor Gerry O hEara held the inaugural
event at Guildhall Square last year to commemorate all
those killed through conflict from the city.

Derry City Council will be represented at next Sunday's
armistice day commemoration by UUP deputy mayor Mary
Hamilton.

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

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/11/05/sinn_fein_at_the_door/

Opin: Sinn Fein At The Door

November 5, 2005

THE BUSH administration has been steadfast in support of
peace in Northern Ireland for the last 4 1/2 years. It
needs to nudge the process a little further next week by
allowing Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader, to visit the
United States and conduct fundraising here. Adams would
help his own cause by making a gesture on one of the few
remaining obstacles to the legitimacy of his party: its
failure to support the reorganized police force.

Sinn Fein has long run sub rosa fundraising campaigns in
the United States, benefitting from Irish-American
supporters of the Irish Republican Army. In 2000, the
British government approved a special exception in law to
allow all political parties in Northern Ireland to raise
money outside the United Kingdom. None of the other parties
has a significant foreign donor base; the law was intended
to encourage Sinn Fein/IRA to turn away from violence and
embrace politics.

The strategy of slowly drawing Sinn Fein into the political
process has worked. It produced the IRA cease-fire in 1997,
Sinn Fein's embrace of the Good Friday agreement in 1998,
and the IRA decision to decommission its weapons this year.

IRA conduct has hardly been blameless, as shown most
recently in the Northern Bank robbery, masterminded by the
IRA last December, and the February murder of Robert
McCartney in Belfast by IRA members. Adams had the good
sense not to do any fundraising immediately following the
killing.

Sinn Fein needs to take one more step away from
paramilitarism and toward conventional politics. The Bush
administration, like the British and Irish governments,
wants it to fully embrace the four-year-old Police Service
of Northern Ireland and join the Policing Board that
oversees its activities. This would encourage Sinn Fein
supporters to join the force and to trust the Police
Service to keep order in their neighborhoods rather than
relying on the vigilante justice of the IRA.

Adams is taking his time on this issue, which is providing
ammunition for those in the Bush administration who, after
Sept. 11, view his past as a commander in the IRA with deep
suspicion. He denies ever having been a member of the IRA,
but it is common knowledge that he led a bombing campaign
that devastated downtown Belfast in 1972.

A couple of weeks before IRA decommissioning was confirmed,
officers of the new police force battled Protestant rioters
to protect Catholics in North Belfast. The Police Service
has proved it is a nonsectarian institution, unlike the
Royal Ulster Constabulary, its Protestant-dominated
predecessor. If Adams won't have Sinn Fein join the
Policing Board immediately, at least he could issue a
statement of support for the police in advance of his visit
to the United States.

Eventually the British government will abolish its special
fundraising exemption for Sinn Fein. Adams needs to get in
his fundraising while it is still legal. A few kind words
for the police would help to enrich Sinn Fein for its
continual progression into conventional, nonviolent
politics.

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

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4408574.stm

War Over But Old Battles Continue

By Martina Purdy

BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent

"The war is obviously over," - so says Gerry Adams. The
words - which might have transformed politics here years
ago - came too late for many unionists.

The words were, however, no sooner uttered than the LVF
announced it was standing down.

While the LVF claimed this was a direct response to recent
IRA initiatives, the cynics suggest it had more to do with
the threat from the UVF.

Whatever the motivation, there were signs this week of
peace taking root, the most potent being the taoiseach's
visit to Belfast and his address to the Institute of
Directors.

Fifteen years ago, another taoiseach, Charles Haughey, came
to the Europa Hotel to address an IoD conference.

Mr Haughey's visit was marked by massive security and an
angry loyalist protest.

Anger over the Anglo-Irish Agreement was still raw in those
days and the Irish Republic, through articles two and three
of the Irish Constitution, still laid claim to the
territory of Northern Ireland.

What a contrast this week when Bertie Ahern stepped out of
his ministerial car with a discreet security presence to
address the IoD.

There was merely a low-key protest involving disgruntled
workers demanding pension rights from Richardson's
Fertilisers.

Atmosphere

Sir Reg Empey, who was attacked by his own party for
opening the 1990 IoD conference, noted the relaxed
atmosphere which, he said, was due to the changes his party
won through the Good Friday Agreement.

Despite claims that the Agreement is dead, its legacy lives
on.

The taoiseach cited the Agreement as his government's only
agenda in a bid to calm unionist fears about the future.

He stated that the constitutional question was settled, in
the sense that Irish unity requires consent.

This was not contradicted by Martin McGuinness who agreed
with the remarks in this week's Inside Politics interview.

While the war may be over, old battles continue.

Sinn Fein has been rowing with the Bush administration over
the visa conditions for Gerry Adams' visit to the United
States next week.

Policing

Sinn Fein wants Mr Adams to be allowed to address a Sinn
Fein fund-raiser.

The problem may be that some in the administration want to
adopt a stick, rather than a carrot, approach to entice
Sinn Fein towards policing.

Mr McGuinness insisted Sinn Fein's position on policing was
dependent on moves from the government - effectively
legislation on the devolution of policing and justice.

While critical of the police following arrests linked to
the Northern Bank robbery investigation, the Sinn Fein MP,
when interviewed, did not attempt to say this had delayed
the day when his party would sign up to the new service.

Mr McGuinness instead focused on the situation within
loyalism and attempts by some in its ranks to deliver the
UVF and UDA on a peaceful path following the IRA's July 28
statement ordering an end to its campaign.

The Mid-UlsterMP said the government must do more to
encourage this.

While Mr McGuinness might have been trying to deflect
attention from the Northern Bank robbery, it is more likely
that he is aware of the significant developments that may
be about to take place within loyalism.

There are whispers of significant talks not just within the
UVF and within the UDA - but also between the two
paramilitary groups.

It is another measure of changed times when Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern is seen as more supportive of loyalist
paramilitaries and their efforts towards peace than Tony
Blair.

While loyalist moves towards peace will be welcome, it is
republican intentions which preoccupy London, Dublin and
Washington.

All await the January report from the Independent
Monitoring Commisssion as the next crucial staging post in
the peace process.

Mr McGuinness was critical of last month's IMC report,
claiming it was incorrect when it alleged Provisional IRA
involvement in an assault days after the 28 July statement
by the IRA.

He has put a series of questions to the secretary of state
on the issue.

Mr McGuinness, like the taoiseach, was optimistic about the
future.

He claimed his party will be in talks next year with the
DUP.

Such progress is not impossible - but the taoiseach's
suggestion that an end to IRA paramilitary and criminal
activity could unlock devolution in 2006 appears rather
optimistic to those who have watched this process falter so
often.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/11/05 10:06:13 GMT
© BBC MMV

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

http://www.irishnews.com/access/daily/current.asp?SID=506973

Man From Ireland Facing US Death Rap

By Margaret Canning

A MAN who grew up in Co Fermanagh has been charged with
killing an elderly taxi driver and his 21-year-old
passenger in a horrific road collision in San Francisco.

Kevin McGuinness (43), who owns a construction company in
the Californian city, was born in the US but lived in
Fermanagh as a child.

He returned to America in the late 1980s and is an active
member of San Francisco's Ulster GAA club.

He was charged with the second-degree murder of Zareh
Soghikian (76) and Tyler Brown after his truck ploughed
into Soghikian's cab on October 9.

Mr McGuinness denies the second-degree murder charges.

Two other passengers of the car were also injured. Mr
McGuinness had crashed into another car shortly beforehand
and police claim he was escaping the first accident when
the second collision happened.

To convict him of second degree murder, prosecutors must
show that McGuinness knew his actions were inherently
dangerous to human life and knowingly disregarded the high
probability of death or injury.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to 15 years to life in
prison.

A spokesman for the Irish community in San Francisco
expressed shock at the tragedy.

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

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=668023

Texan Female Pastor Heading For Ulster

US evangelist on a mission of 'healing'

05 November 2005

A US evangelist is Northern Ireland-bound this month to
bring her brand of 'miracle healing services to those in
need'.

Joan Hunter, who claims to have healed thousands of people,
will bring her 'healing explosion' and 'healing school'
services to four different venues across the province
throughout November.

The first event is at the GAA hall on Belfast's Whiterock
Road on November 17.

Joan will then go to Bangor Community Church from November
18-20, the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle on the 21st and the
Covenant Love Church on Belfast's Albertbridge Road on the
22nd.

Joan is the daughter of the Rev Charles and Frances Hunter
who pastored and ministered in the teaching, healing and
evangelistic ministry in Houston, Texas. She worked for her
parents for 36 years travelling across the US and the world
with their teachings.

Joan claims to have been personally cured from the effects
of "morbid obesity, breast cancer, co-dependency,
infidelity, financial ruin, desertion and much more".

• For further information on times and prices, contact
Brian Ashworth on 07808 361686.

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