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September 17, 2006

Dire Warning Over NI Deadline

News About Ireland & The Irish

BB 09/17/06 'Dire' Warning Over NI Deadline
TO 09/17/06 Stormont To Stay In Limbo
SL 09/17/06 The Devolution Debate: Deal Will Happen Time Is Right
SL 09/17/06 PSNI Pipe Up Over Republic Anthem
TO 09/17/06 RUC Whistle-Blower Plans Life Abroad After Arrest
EX 09/18/06 A Vote For FF A Vote For SF, Warns Kenny
CB 09/18/06 6 Officers Hurt In Trouble
IT 09/17/06 Petrol Bombs Thrown At Belfast PSNI Base
SL 09/17/06 Guns Back On Streets
IM 09/17/06 Ógra Shinn Féin ‘Claim Victory’ On Demilitarisation
GU 09/17/06 Opin: Reporters 'Covered Up Truth' About Ira To Help Peace
IM 09/17/06 Opin: No One Should Play Their Propaganda Game!
VS 09/16/06 Law Of Deams Book Signing At Owl And Turtle
HD 09/17/06 Clonmacnoise: Crossroads Of Celtic Culture
BN 09/17/06 House Prices To Level Off As Interest Rates Rise
BB 09/17/06 Kerry 4-15 3-5 Mayo
IM 09/17/06 New Play To Commemorate The Hunger Strikes

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/5353766.stm

'Dire' Warning Over NI Deadline

The failure of NI's political parties to reach a deal to
restore devolution by 24 November will have "dire
consequences", the government has said.

Political Development Minister David Hanson said the
deadline was real and it was now a matter of urgency that
the parties agree on a deal.

Talks aimed at moving the process forward will be held next
month.

Mr Hanson warned that if the deadline was not met, it would
be a "long time" before the assembly was restored.

Speaking on the BBC One's Politics Show, he said: "On 24
November if the failure of the executive to be formed
happens, then what we have said will happen: allowances,
office cost allowances, staffing allowances will be lost.

"And people need to know, as the secretary of state has
said, that it will be a long time before the assembly, as
we know it in its current form, is restored."

On Friday, Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern met
to review attempts to restore devolution. They also
finalised plans for talks in October at St Andrews in
Scotland.

However, DUP leader Ian Paisley has made it clear to Mr
Blair that he does not want to go there and does not
believe the 24 November deadline will be met.

Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern has warned failure to
secure a deal by the deadline would confine the parties to
the margins of policy-making, something he described as a
"kind of virtual politics".

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said he would
give his backing to the party signing up to policing when
the British government "fulfils its promises" to them.

Mr Adams said many nationalists and republicans had huge
difficulties with the PSNI because of the history of
policing in Northern Ireland, but he said they deserved a
policing service.

"The British government have made a number of commitments
to us and it is quite public that they are going to do
certain things," he said.

"When they do those certain things, I'm going to go to the
Ard Comhairle (governing body) of our party to ask for a
special Ard Fheis (meeting), so that we can consider
whether we will support or what our attitude will be on the
foot of a leadership resolution in relation to the PSNI."

'Virtual assembly'

Devolution was suspended in October 2002 over allegations
of a republican spy ring.

The court case that followed collapsed and one of those
charged, Denis Donaldson, later admitted working as a
British agent.

Northern Ireland's parties have been back at Stormont since
May, sitting in a so-called "virtual assembly" which can
meet and debate - but not pass legislation.

The 108 MLAs have been warned that if the deadline is not
met, their salaries and benefits will stop and the assembly
will be put in mothballs.

What happens after that remains unclear, other than Dublin
and London say they remain committed to implementing the
rest of the Good Friday Agreement, with a step-change in
north-south co-operation.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2006/09/17 11:45:57 GMT
© BBC MMVI

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2361818,00.html

Stormont To Stay In Limbo

Liam Clarke

SENIOR DUP sources say the chances of the British and Irish
governments’ November 24 deadline for the restoration of
the Stormont assembly being met are “worse than slim”.

The party’s position at next month’s talks in Scotland will
be that Sinn Fein must first endorse the Police Service of
Northern Ireland (PSNI), a move that would require it to
hold a special conference. The DUP will also require Sinn
Fein to demonstrate its commitment to policing by
supporting law and order and the arrest of criminals for
several months.

Sinn Fein sources say the party has begun its internal
consultation on policing, a necessary prelude to a change
of its policy of non co-operation with the PSNI and gardai.
If it called a conference on the issue, however, that would
put any agreement off until next spring.

The DUP is likely to wait for a report from the Independent
Monitoring Commission (IMC) next March before making any
final move, though its ban on direct contact with Sinn Fein
could end before that.

The British and Irish governments continue to declare that
the deadline is a real one and can still be met. But local
parties believe that, unless it is suspended, the current
assembly will last until next May even though pay and
allowances will end after November 24.

Mark Durkan, the SDLP leader, said yesterday this led some
parties to believe there was a “hard shoulder to drive on”
after the official deadline. A period without assembly
funding would be most damaging to the smaller parties,
including the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists, who do not
have as many MPs or as much outside income as Sinn Fein and
the DUP.

The date for the governments’ “hothouse” talks with the
local parties is slipping towards mid-October to allow
Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair to free up two or three days
each to participate in person.

One venue being considered is the Fairmount St Andrews
hotel in Fife, a £190-a-night luxury hotel and conference
centre. It has 217 bedrooms, each with an en-suite sunken
bath and walk-in shower, as well as 16 conference rooms.
Advertisements boast it offers “520 acres of coastline for
team building and stunning walks” with a variety of
restaurants and state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities.

Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary-general, made the
Fairmount his base during the G8 summit at Gleneagles in
July 2005. It was recommended by Jack McConnell, Scotland’s
first minister, who’s a visitor.

Local politicians have protested at the expense and
suggested the talks should be held in Stormont, but the
government feels it will have more chance of a positive
outcome if it can cloister politicians away from the press.

Monica McWilliams, the Northern Ireland human rights
commissioner, will tomorrow call for rapid movement towards
a bill of rights for Northern Ireland. The need for such a
bill was accepted under the Good Friday agreement but the
proposals have not yet been implemented.

In a speech in Ballymena to mark the end of her first year
in office, McWilliams will say there is “a need for a round
table bringing together political parties and civic
society” to push the issue forward.

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http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=706602

The Devolution Debate: Deal Will Happen Time Is Right

In part five of our series giving key opinion shapers their
say on devolution Peter Robinson MP, MLA, deputy leader of
the DUP, insists deadlines are not important, what is
important is a 100pc solid arrangement that ensures the
Assembly lasts years, not just months...

17 September 2006

As a committed devolutionist, I want to see local decision-
making return as soon as is possible.

However, the so-called deadline of November 24 is a
distraction from the real question of when the
circumstances will be right.

While one can understand why the Government is setting
target dates, the reality remains that November 24 is an
arbitrary date with no independent significance outside the
personal timetables of Tony Blair's retirement and Bertie
Ahern's election.

Few can be in any doubt of what is required by the DUP and
the wider unionist community both from the Government and
Sinn Fein before the form of devolution proposed can be
restored.

Indeed, over the past three years since the DUP became the
largest unionist party, very considerable progress has been
made.

By any reckoning, substantial decommissioning has occurred,
as well as the most positive ever IRA statement.

The IMC has confirmed that very significant advances have
been made on the issues of paramilitary and criminal
activity by the IRA.

The Government is also in the process of drafting
legislation to make changes to the structures and
institutions of the Belfast Agreement.

It would be foolish to say there has not been progress -
but dangerous to suggest that nothing more needs to be
done.

Contrast that with the stunts, words and gestures which
satisfied the UUP during the early part of the process. If
unionists have learnt nothing else from the last 10 years,
it is that republicans will only move when they have no
choice, and they will always do the least possible.

That is why it is only the clarity that we introduced to
the process and the resolve to require completion and
finality that has brought about the progress we have seen
today.

Left to their own devices, the IRA would never have
decommissioned or dealt with the issues of paramilitary or
criminal activity.

The formula for progress we have adopted has worked so far
and, if we stick at it, I am confident that it will also
deliver the final elements to make sure that which has
undermined the community here can be dealt with once and
for all.

It is only in such an environment that devolution is likely
to survive and prosper, making a difference to the people
of Northern Ireland. History has taught us that moving too
soon leads to suspension and collapse of the institutions.

Sinn Fein has also to face up to dealing with the issue of
policing.

It is self-evident that anyone who would aspire to be in
Government must support the rule of law and encourage
others to do so.

The DUP is not the impediment to devolution - indeed, with
the strength of our representation in the Assembly and any
Executive, no one has more to benefit.

But it must be on the basis where the conditions are right.

Since taking the lead role for unionism, we have made a
significant difference and are now well on our way to
delivering the kind of arrangements and environment which
will allow devolution to return.

From our point-of-view, the sooner this happens the better.

But we will not be bullied, influenced or cajoled into
taking decisions on the basis of November 24 - or any other
date, for that matter.

We have already demonstrated the benefits of not rushing
into a deal, but of ensuring that the time is right.

In the long run, I have no doubt that not just unionists,
but the whole community will be grateful that we made sure
that the circumstances existed so that devolution could
survive for generations, rather than merely months.

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http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=706588

PSNI Pipe Up Over Republic Anthem

Police plan for Soldier's Song caused dischord

By Alan Murray
17 September 2006

Members of the PSNI's pipe band refused to play the
Republic's national anthem before this year's Ireland-
Scotland rugby international in Dublin.

The dispute over a request to participate in playing A
Soldier's Song at Lansdowne Road in March led to the
cancellation of a proposed joint medley with the Garda's
brass band.

Sources within the PSNI told Sunday Life that the
suggestion that the band play Amhrán na bhFiann was made
directly to band members during a meeting with Assistant
Chief Constable Duncan McCausland the week before the
match.

Sources said senior officers thought that the initiative
could be "ground-breaking" and would help foster
nationalist confidence in the PSNI.

But it's understood that a number of members of the pipe
band responded to the suggestion by saying that the move
could cause offence to the widows and orphans of former
colleagues murdered by republicans.

Said one officer: "One piper immediately responded by
saying that it could cause serious upset to the widows and
orphans of murdered members of the RUC and that it would be
a politically very sensitive thing to do.

"Others warned that, unless there was consultation with the
different RUC associations, it could become a major
embarrassment and lead to a row with unionist politicians."

It's understood it was suggested that policing had "moved
on considerably" since the RUC era and the rugby fixture
provided an opportunity to show that the PSNI was "breaking
new ground all the time".

Added the officer: "It got to the point where one member of
the band said that, if the band was compelled to play The
Soldier's Song, he would resign from the PSNI rather than
travel to Dublin. Others indicated they might consider
similar action."

The PSNI said yesterday: "There were some preliminary
discussions about the possible attendance of the Police
Service pipe band at the Ireland-Scotland game earlier this
year.

"However, due to lack of time, arrangements could not be
finalised in time; in particular, the Police Service band
and the Garda band [a brass band] would not have had time
to practise together in advance of the event."

Policing Board member Ian Paisley jnr said it would have
been "incredibly foolish" to think the pipe band could be
used in this way "without political consequences". He added
that the suggestion indicated "politically naive thinking".

He continued: "Given that it is considered insensitive to
play The Soldier's Song at Ravenhill [rugby ground],
equally it should be realised that it would be insensitive
to ask the PSNI's pipe band to perform that tune in Dublin
or anywhere else."

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2361813,00.html

RUC Whistle-Blower Plans Life Abroad After Arrest

Liam Clarke

AN RUC whistle-blower is planning to leave Northern Ireland
following his arrest by investigators working for Nuala
O’Loan, the police ombudsman.

Johnston “Jonty” Brown, a retired CID officer who handled
informers within loyalist and republican terror groups, has
claimed that the special branch stopped him arresting some
of these agents after they had carried out murders. He says
he is now being penalised because an investigation into
collusion between RUC special branch and loyalist killers
failed to nail down those involved in it.

Last month Brown and Trevor McIlwrath, his former partner,
were arrested along with two special-branch officers as
part of Operation Ballast, an investigation by the
ombudsman which centres on the murder of Raymond McCord Jr
by the UVF in 1997.

“I would caution any RUC officer who might be of a mind to
walk into that duplicitous regime [the ombudsman’s office]
to be very careful,” Brown said yesterday. “If they can’t
get at the people he is talking about, they will get at
him.”

Brown wants a public inquiry at which police officers can
speak freely without fear of arrest or prosecution, in the
same way that IRA members and British soldiers did at the
Bloody Sunday inquiry.

He said his wife had been in “the depths of depression” and
had been receiving treatment since his arrest and the
subsequent publicity. He says his address was exposed on
television. “I have had Provos and loyalists saying, ‘We
never knew where you lived Johnston, we must drop in’.”

He was forced to move to his present address after a bomb
attack by loyalists. Since his arrest graffiti has appeared
in loyalist areas saying “Jonty Brown — Prod Killer”. He
and his wife are now planning to leave Northern Ireland and
looking at properties in Spain, France and Greece.

McIlwrath, who is suffering from psychological trauma as a
result of a killing he witnessed, has been told not to
attend a counselling group because of the danger an attack
on him might pose to other patients.

Brown was responsible for the arrest and jailing of Johnny
“Mad Dog” Adair. He and McIlwrath also handled Ken Barrett,
who murdered Pat Finucane, the Catholic lawyer shot dead in
1989. Barrett admitted to the murder but they were
prevented from arresting him by special branch officers who
wanted the agent to continue working for them.

Brown and McIlwrath initially co-operated with the
ombudsman’s inquiry into the killing but withdrew on legal
advice after, Brown says, an investigator intimated he
might be arrested.

Speaking under privilege in the Dail last year, Pat
Rabbitte, the Labour party leader, alleged McCord Jr was
murdered on the orders of Mark Haddock, whom he described
as a police informer.

McIlwrath had recruited Haddock to work for the police some
years earlier when he told the officer he was joining the
UVF. He and Brown say they jointly handled Haddock but that
he was later passed to special branch.

Rabbitte alleged in the Dail that Haddock murdered Sharon
McKenna, a Catholic taxi driver killed by the UVF in 1997,
and several other people.

Brown said much of his questioning by the ombudsman’s
investigators concerned Haddock and the McKenna murder.

“No two officers have done more to expose the activities of
Haddock and collusion in North Belfast than McIlwrath and
myself,” Brown said. “I gave the ombudsman’s investigators
all the information I had during interviews in 2001 and
2002. I have also published a book. There is nothing new
that they could have found in my home.”

A spokesman for the police ombudsman said that it was “not
the case” that Brown had previously given “all the
information he had to us” but added there was little else
it could say about the specifics “because they relate to
the progress of the investigation”.

He added: “We hope to send a file to the Public Prosecution
Service in the very near future and intend publishing a
report of our investigation.”

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http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=13634-qqqx=1.asp

18 September 2006

A Vote For FF A Vote For SF, Warns Kenny

By Harry McGee, Political Editor

FINE GAEL will ramp up its contentious claim that a vote
for Fianna Fáil could be a vote for Sinn Féin by proxy in
the lead-in to next summer’s general election.

Party leader Enda Kenny, in an interview with the Irish
Examiner, made his most outspoken assertion to date that he
believed Fianna Fáil would be prepared to do business with
Sinn Féin if it meant retaining power.

He dismissed in equally strong terms the consistent denials
made by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that this would ever happen.

“I don’t listen to what they say, I watch what they do,” Mr
Kenny said when referring to senior Fianna Fáil figures.

“I have noticed so far that they would be quite prepared to
do business with Sinn Féin despite their statements to the
contrary, if that’s what it means to get back into power.

“The Minister for Foreign Affairs [Dermot Ahern] went up to
the North in a carefully choreographed visit and said it
would only be a matter of time before SF would be in
government.

“Gerry Adams has never denied the fact that he would do
business with Fianna Fáil. And despite the protestations of
the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice about their
antagonism towards the IRA, both of them signed up to let
the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe out of jail, despite them
saying in the Dáil that it would never happen.

“Bertie Ahern will go for a third term and he will take it
even if it meant that Sinn Féin supported him in achieving
that.”

The hardening of the Fine Gael line on this issue was
reflected by Mr Kenny’s outright rejection of reassurances
given by Mr Ahern and by senior ministers.

“I don’t believe them when they say it,” said Mr Kenny.
“Their protestations in the past have denied what their
actions were.”

Asked would his party be campaigning on the message that a
vote for Fianna Fáil was a vote for Sinn Féin by proxy, he
concurred.

“Fianna Fáil are currently stranded. They know they can’t
get back to government.

“They know they won’t make it with the PDs,” he said.

“They are set on getting a third term. They have been
rejected by all other parties except for Sinn Féin.”

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http://www.citybeat967.co.uk/dynamicnewsdetail.aspx?article_id=8712

6 Officers Hurt In Trouble

Published on 18/09/2006

There has been trouble in North Belfast.

At around 7 a stolen car collided with a police landrover
on the New Lodge road - 4 officers were injured - it's not
though seriously.

The driver was then removed from the vehicle and an
ambulance called.

It was at this time around 150 local residents attacked
police throwing the contents of a builders skip at
officers.

One female officer had her face cut by glass and one males
officer is in hospital with abdominal injuries.

The PSNI has confirmed CS spray was used and the driver of
the car has been arrested.

Sinn Fein says they intend to report the incident to the
Police Ombudsman's office.

Local councillor Caral Ni Chuilin is critical of the
operation and says upto 11 local people have been injured.

Barry Weir

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http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2006/0917/breaking23.htm

Petrol Bombs Thrown At Belfast PSNI Base

Last updated: 17-09-06, 11:01

A PSNI station in West Belfast was pelted with petrol bombs
by youths last night.

Police said several devices were hurled at the New Barnsley
base by a crowd of youths.

They also attacked police vehicles with bricks and stones.

No one was injured.

Police said "order was soon restored" and no arrests were
made.

© 2006 ireland.com

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http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=706583

Guns Back On Streets

By Ciaran McGuigan and Pauline Reynolds
17 September 2006

A teenager lies crippled in his hospital bed as republican
guns return once more to Belfast's streets.

Teenager Conor Weldon lies in the intensive care unit of
Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital after gunmen blasted his
leg off.

Conor (18) tried to commit suicide TWICE last week after
being battered senseless by a hammer-wielding gang . . .
and that was BEFORE he was shot.

A relative told Sunday Life last night: "Conor says he
can't cope anymore with all this - we really think he might
try to kill himself again.

"There aren't supposed to be any guns in west Belfast at
the minute, so we'd like to know where this one came from."

Conor was attacked at Ard Na Va on Belfast's Falls Road
around midnight on Friday.

The IRA has moved away from shooting people it claims have
been involved in "anti-social behaviour" to avoid criticism
during sensitive political negotiations.

But there were fears last night that the attack - in the
heart of a Provo stronghold - could mark the return of IRA
punishment shootings.

Conor was punched to the ground in the incident before one
of his attackers took out a gun and blasted him in the leg.

Said the family member: "There were two guys standing
across the road from him and one fired a shot, but the
bullet missed and Conor must have tried to run.

"When they caught up with him, he was pulled to the ground
and shot in the leg.

"The guys weren't wearing masks, but Conor couldn't see
their faces as they had their coats pulled up around them."

She added: "After he was shot, they started to kick his
face over and over again - he had to have stitches and
staples in his head and mouth.

"Not long after the attack, a car drove past and the men
and women inside were laughing and cheering at him as they
kept beeping the horn.

"What sort of people would behave like that, while a young
lad was lying so badly injured on the ground with his leg
almost blown off?"

It's not the first time that Conor has been assaulted and,
over recent months, he has been the victim of a string of
attacks.

He was admitted to hospital several weeks ago after being
savagely beaten with hammers.

His family says they think one of the reasons he is
targeted is that he "stands up" to gangs in the area.

Last week, Conor made two suicide attempts and relatives
fear the latest incident will push him over the edge.

Police investigating the attack have appealed for anyone
with information, to ring detectives at New Barnsley on
(0845) 600 8000 or Crimestoppers (0800) 555 111.

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http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78460

Ógra Shinn Féin ‘Claim Victory’ On Demilitarisation

Tyrone Miscellaneous Press Release
Monday September 18, 2006 00:19
By Brits Out - Ógra Shinn Féin Osfnational@Yahoo.Ie
Omagh Sinn Féin Office 028 82 253040

ÓSF to host massive Demilitarisation Weekend in Omagh

Ógra Shinn Féin will welcome delegates to Omagh in October
for their fifth annual Demilitarisation Weekend. Youth from
throughout the 32 Counties as well as International
delegations from Britain and the Basque Country will
converge to ‘claim victory’ according to local Ógra Shinn
Féin chairperson Barry McNally.

The weekend, organised from the 6th – 8th October will be
the fifth annual weekend focussing on British
demilitarisation in the County Tyrone town. In the past the
weekend has been the target of hoax bomb alerts and huge
British military and RUC surveillance.

Massive progress has been made on Demilitarisation since
last years weekend, with the last British Army Regiment
vacating the Lisanelly Barracks in August of this year. The
British Army Barracks, which occupies over 300 acres of
prime development land, will be completely vacated by the
British M.O.D in August of 2007.

The weekend will kick off on Friday night with, a ‘Women in
Struggle’ theme. Former women POWs will talk about the
prison struggle which will be followed by the screening of
a DVD detailing the role of Republican women in the freedom
struggle.

On Saturday delegates will hear a life in struggle lecture
from Tommy McKearney. This will be followed by a youth
discussion on the hunger strike with representations drawn
from a number of political parties.

Following the youth debate, delegates will then take part
in a tour of the local area. The tour will visit the spot
on the Gortin road where 3 IRA volunteers where killed in
1973, the spot of the Drumnakilly ambush, the garden of
remembrance in Carrickmore and the tour will conclude at
Cashel Bridge in Greencastle were an IRA Volunteer was
killed in the 1920’s whilst attending an IRA Training camp.

Speaking on the weekend local chairperson, Barry McNally
said,

“This year the weekend will focus on the achievements of
the Ógra Shinn Féin weekends in previous years.”

“The weekends acted as a local catalyst in raising the
issue of Demilitarisation, the formation of the Omagh
Resident’s Demilitarisation Committee soon followed, who
guided by the genuine concerns of local residents, took on
the British Government, challenging them to live up to
their commitments to dismantle the massively oppressive
military presence in Omagh.”

“To signal the Demilitarisation of Lisanelly Brit Barracks,
this year’s weekend will be titled ‘Slan Amhaile’ and it
will be a great opportunity for Ógra activists to claim
victory for what we have campaigned for in the last number
of years. We have succeeded in our campaign to Demilitarise
the British War Machine in Omagh and would like to see this
replicated throughout the 6 counties.”

For anyone interested in attending the Weekend please
contact your local ÓSF cumann or contact the email or phone
number provided.

Related Link: http://www.osf.pro.ie

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http://politics.guardian.co.uk/northernirelandassembly/story/0,,1874395,00.html

Opin: Reporters 'Covered Up Truth' About Ira To Help Peace

Henry McDonald, Ireland editor
Sunday September 17, 2006
The Observer

An award-winning author and historian of the IRA has
launched a withering attack on his fellow Irish
journalists, accusing them of covering up truth to protect
the peace process.

Ed Moloney, whose acclaimed A Secret History of the IRA is
regarded by critics as the best book ever written on the
Provisionals, claims many people in the Irish media ignored
breaches in the Provos' ceasefire because they supported
the historic moves towards peace.

In a new essay on Anglo-Irish relations, Moloney writes
that most Irish journalists fell over themselves to back
Gerry Adams's peace project even if it meant ignoring IRA
violence.

In the essay for the British Council- sponsored book
Britain and Ireland: Lives Entwined II, Moloney says
reporters and editors sympathetic to Sinn Fein's strategy
called him and others who asked awkward questions 'Japps -
Journalists Against the Peace Process'.

'The handling of two stories tell the tale. One was
decommissioning, the issue the Adams leadership used to
lever David Trimble out of power and Sinn Fein into
electoral dominance of northern nationalism. For many of
the post-Good Friday Agreement years, much of the media
accepted without question the Provo assertion that
decommissioning could never happen.

'The fact that the media gave Sinn Fein's claims such
unquestioning credence contributed significantly to
Unionist distrust of the Provos. Arguably, that is exactly
what Sinn Fein intended. The other story was the IRA's
continuing involvement in illegal activity - from robberies
and gun running to swapping arms technology for cocaine
cash in Colombia - in the years after the Good Friday
Agreement of 1998.' This 'added enormously to Unionist
distrust of the process'.

Although a majority of reporters and broadcasters agreed
with the Sinn Fein line throughout the process that the IRA
would never decommission, changing political circumstances
forced the republican movement eventually to put vast
quantities of arms beyond use and announce on 27 July last
year that the 'war' was over for good.

Moloney, a former Irish Journalist of the Year, says that
like the British and Irish governments, some reporters
'decided to turn a blind eye to IRA operations on the
ground.' In a number of cases, entire news organisations
refused to believe the IRA was responsible for crimes
including murder.

The most notable example was probably the murder of Garda
Jerry McCabe in Co Limerick 10 years ago, says Moloney. He
alleges that BBC Northern Ireland initially refused to let
one of its correspondents report that the IRA's so-called
Munster Brigade shot dead McCabe during a botched robbery.

He claims that if some uncomfortable truths had received
more publicity 'a better-informed Unionist electorate, one
made aware by the media of the huge compromises that Adams
was making, might have been more ready to temper demands
for IRA decommissioning, and more willing to believe the
war had ended on terms they [Unionists] could only have
previously dreamed about'.

In the past Moloney has argued that the media refused to
admit the Provisional IRA's project was, in effect,
defeated.

Britain and Ireland: Lives Entwined II is published by the
British Council in Ireland, price €8.95 (£5.95).

www.britishcouncil.org/ireland

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

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78459

Opin: No One Should Play Their Propaganda Game!

National Miscellaneous Opinion/Analysis
Sunday September 17, 2006 23:48
By SS RUC - Ógra Shinn Féin osfnational@yahoo.ie
By Ógra activist Barry McNally

In the concluding years of the 19th century in a room in
Thurles, Co Tipperary 7 IRB men held a meeting. The outcome
of that meeting would alter Irish History and set about the
Gaelic revival of Gaelic games and Irish culture.

It was Saturday 1st November 1884, what the men organised
that day in the room continues to entertain, fascinate and
captivate a nation. This event being the formation of the
Gaelic Athletic Association.

In the early years the formation of GAA clubs sprung up
throughout Ireland and matches were commonplace. Aimed at
reviving the Irish culture and identity, the GAA set out to
revive Irish culture through the medium of sport. This led
to increased surveillance and hostility by British forces
in Ireland. Leading in 1888 to a ban on RIC and members of
the crown forces partaking in any GAA games.

Such hostility and brutality, by the RIC and British crown
forces continued unabated in the GAA. Even playing GAA
games was enough for a person to receive the unwanted
attention of the notorious Black and Tans.

On Sunday, November 21st the Black and Tans brought carnage
to Croke Park when they opened fire in the middle of a GAA
match between Tipperary and Dublin. A young Tipperary
footballer was shot dead as he tried to take cover from the
bullets reining down in Croke Park.

His name was Michael Hogan. Many others were killed and
injured.

So right from its very formation, the GAA had become the
target of British forces in Ireland.

This as we have seen from the last 35 years of conflict in
Ireland remains the case. The dropping of Rule 21, in my
view appeased the RUC and tried to legitimise them.

When we see the names of people murdered by British forces
such Aidan McAnespie and Sean Browne, who were actively
involved in the GAA we can see the extent to which the
British forces were out to wreck havoc on our national
games and Irish identity.

The recent Gaelic football match between St. Brigids (South
Belfast) and the PSNI was, in my opinion a major propaganda
victory for the PSNI/RUC. In doing so, teams who play the
PSNI/RUC are trying to make them (PSNI/RUC) look more
acceptable- which they certainly are not.

If you look at the extent to which the British Forces and
PSNI/RUC are involved in collusion, you would certainly see
that they are not acceptable. If you look at the killing of
Michael Hogan on the football field and Aidan McAnespie as
he went to the GAA ground in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone, you
would see they are not acceptable. And if you look at the
roadside beatings, intimidation and torture given to many
people on their way to GAA fixtures you would see they are
not acceptable.

Is it any coincidence that a PSNI/RUC watchtower and base
looms large over Crossmaglen rangers pitch in Co. Armagh- I
think not.

In closing I believe that, as set out in 1884, the GAA
should be about preserving and maintaining our national
games and Irish culture. Surely British forces or the
PSNI/RUC should have no part to play in this.

No one should play their propaganda game!

Related Link: http://ograshinnfein.blogspot.com/

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

http://knox.villagesoup.com/aande/story.cfm?storyID=78615

Law Of Deams Book Signing At Owl And Turtle

By Owl and Turtle Bookshop

CAMDEN (Sep 16): Author and screenwriter Peter Behrens will
be signing and reading his new novel, The Law of Dreams, at
the Owl and Turtle Bookshop in the Knox Mill Center in
Camden on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Law of Dreams is an epic story of the Irish Potato
Famine of 1847 and the diaspora that followed, told through
the tragedies and adventures of a young boy named Fergus
O'Brien. His family starves during the Potato Famine and
the genocidal policies of the British and his parents are
murdered by their greedy landlord. Fergus is sent to the
workhouse, from which he escapes to Dublin and then to
Liverpool. He flees that misery to Wales where he works on
a railroad and falls in love with Red Molly, an older,
married woman. Fergus and Molly sail to America, to the
"Boston States," to the glories and dangers of the
Industrial Revolution.

Inspired by his own family history, Behrens has fashioned a
paean to the strength of the human spirit and illuminated a
tragic part of history. The law of dreams is to keep
moving, and that's what Fergus does, taking advantage of
opportunities even as he is haunted by dreams and hurt by
betrayal. Behrens tells this story in gorgeously written
prose that distills ideas to their essence and transports
the reader back in time for a deeply moving and resonant
experience.

A review in The Washington Post said: "The Law of Dreams
rings with a strange, hard poetry, a mingling of Behrens's
rich narrative voice and scraps of startling wisdom that
seem to emanate directly from Fergus's mind. In the life of
this determined young man, Behrens illuminates one of the
19th century's greatest tragedies and the massive migration
it launched. A novel that animates the past this vibrantly
should make volumes of mere history blush."

Irish author Malachy McCourt said: "This book is a
beautifully written, poetically inspired tale of heroism,
love, sex, and the triumph of the human spirit over
murderous greed. It's a long road that Behrens makes
shorter with many a surprising turn. The Law of Dreams is
one great book."

And finally, Clark Blaise, author of Time Lord, said: "The
Law of Dreams lowers a tape recorder into the pit of
history. All that was lost, everything we've forgotten, is
suddenly restored. The research is prodigious, the story is
epic, the structure is bold, and the ancient language is
something new and wondrous to our ears."

Peter Behrens's short stories and essays have appeared in
The Atlantic Monthly, Tin House, Saturday Night, and The
National Post. His writings have been included in Best
Canadian Stories and Best Canadian Essays. Night Driving is
a collection of his short stories. Behrens held fellowships
from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and Stanford
University. He was born in Montreal and lives on the coast
of Maine with his wife and son.

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

http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/09/17/stories/2006091700450800.htm

Crossroads Of Celtic Culture

Kishore And Smita Iyengar

The open air ruins of Celtic monastic settlement of
Clonmacnoise in Central Ireland is a spectacular heritage
site.

WE had heard one of the owners of the distinguished Cashel
House Hotel near Connemara, Kay McEvilly, mention this
rather remote and little known historic site in County
Offaly in central Ireland that we shouldn't miss visiting.
Her strong endorsement of the site with its ancient origins
and unique architectural identity convinced us to take a
slight detour from our trip to Dublin in Ireland. After a
light Irish pub lunch in the breezy town of Galway, our
friend Ronan Ganter drove us from the Irish-Atlantic west
coast towards the hinterland... a good three hours through
the rural landscape dotted with typically serene Irish
villages.

Ancient ruins

Clonmacnoise. We reach the ancient monastic site dating
back to Ireland's Celtic past. A quiet river makes its
course alongside a massive spread of stone monuments,
edifices and a vast cluster of graves and crosses on a
gruff, liberally green countryside. A lone, almost-
crumbling stone tower stands like a sentry, overlooking the
river, cruise riverboats languidly sailing past the scene.
A small crowd of keen visitors from Spain examine the
niches and turns in the Celtic ruins with oblivious
sincerity, as we stroll up the hillock to the biggest cross
on the graveyard.

The well-preserved cross at the Heritage Centre.

Clonmacnoise dates back 1500 years into Ulster (Irish)
history and owes its creation and sanctity to St. Ciaran,
son of an Ulsterman who picked this vital location by the
river Shannon. It was an important point on the old trade
routes of ancient Ireland. The site later became the burial
location for the kings of Connaught and Tara. We walked
across the partly dishevelled stonewalls around the
imposing Celtic Cross with deeply furrowed engravings on
it. History tells us that St. Ciaran was tutored in strict
disciplinarian order by St. Edna on the quiet island of
Inis Mor off the coast of Galway, perfecting the aspects of
sacred education, prayer and religious order. The first
Christian High King of Ireland, Prince Diarmuid, granted
generous help to St. Ciaran to build the first simple
wooden "church", a house of prayer on Clonmacnoise. Later
several living structures emerged, including smaller
churches and a cathedral. Yellow plague took away St.
Ciaran at an early age and soon after that Clonmacnoise was
the scene of scholarly pursuits of students and monks from
all over the world. Of the many settlements of the monks
who established the Celtic order in Christianity, nothing
remains now. The Northern and Southern Crosses, magnificent
examples of Celtic artistry are now housed in a wonderful
Heritage Centre in the same premises.

We encountered ruins that laid bare the remnants of the
basic sandstone framework, clusters of graves and
inscriptions. The site was subjected to invasions several
times between the 8th and the 12th centuries by the
Vikings, the Anglo-Normans and the Irish. After each
invasion, the monks toiled to rebuild it with undying
fervour. The silence and the gently whistling breeze
highlighted the tranquillity of the location we stood on,
its tumultuous history a witness to Clonmacnoise's
irrepressible endurance.

The flowering of creativity

But this holy spot also saw the flowering of literary
genius, as writers and philosophers quilled the immortal
Book of Kells and Durrow, craftsmen creating priceless
masterpieces of Celtic craftwork in gold, silver and
bronze, seen nowhere else. As the records tell us, after
the last British invasion in 1552 from Athlone, Ireland
ceased to have any new monasteries. But the legend and
undying saga of Celtic pride lives on at Clonmacnoise. Now,
the National Heritage Service in Ireland has taken on the
task of restoring this heritage site, to give it its
rightful place among the world's most spectacular and
endearing legacies of Celtic culture.

* * *

Factfile

The Clonmacnoise Monastic Settlement in county Offaly is
located three hours from the coastal town of Galway on the
northwestern Atlantic seaboard. It is close to Athlone town
and the village of Shannonbridge.

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

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/09/17/story277122.html

House Prices To Level Off As Interest Rates Rise

17/09/2006 - 12:32:51

With the supply of second hand homes is increasing, and
further interest rate rises expected over the next few
months, economists are predicting a levelling off of house
prices.

Sellers having been warned to adjust their expectations, as
economists predict that the level of price inflation seen
earlier in the year will not be matched this autumn.

The number of houses on sale in estate agents around Dublin
is up 25% from last September.

These houses, combined with a number of properties which
were withdrawn at auction over the summer have resulted in
an over-supply of secondhand homes in the capital.

Daft.ie currently has just less than 3,000 second hand
homes for sale in Dublin, while my home.ie has around
4,500.

However, estate agents and economists emphasised that
buyers should be preparing for a soft landing rather than a
crash.

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

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/the_championship/5354238.stm

Kerry 4-15 3-5 Mayo

Tommy Griffin (right) gets the ball away despite Pat
Harte's efforts

Kerry's overwhelmed Mayo 4-15 to 3-5 in Sunday's Bank of
Ireland All-Ireland Football Final at Croke Park.

Declan O'Sullivan and Kieran Donaghy goals helped the
Kingdom lead 2-4 to 0-0 after 12 minutes although Kevin
O'Neill then replied with a Mayo goal.

Colm Cooper slotted a third Kerry goal only for Pat Harte
and O'Neill strikes to give Mayo hope as they cut the
margin to 3-8 to 3-2 at half-time.

Eoin Brosnan's injury-time goal followed a more subdued
second half.

Kerry showed their intent from the start with Mike Frank
Russell knocking over a towering point in the opening
minute.

Then came perhaps the crucial moment of the match when
Kevin O'Neill had a glorious goal chance for Mayo but Kerry
goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy blocked the veteran's close-
range effort.

Russell added a free for Kerry in the fifth minute and
seconds later, the Mayo defence was ripped apart when
recalled Kerry captain Declan O'Sullivan stroked the ball
to the net after a one-two with Donaghy.

Two minutes later, a massacre looked on the cards when the
Donaghy easily brushed aside David Heaney to win a high
ball and hammered the ball to the net from 10 yards.

Further points from Sean O'Sullivan and Aidan O'Mahony left
Kerry 2-4 to 0-0 ahead after only 12 minutes.

The Mayo management desperately attempted to stem the tide
by bringing on substitute David Brady in an attempt to put
the shackles on Donaghy with James Nallen departing.

Brady's game-plan was clear and a dubious challenge on
Donaghy helped to set up a Mayo attack which was finished
to the net by Kevin O'Neill after a great pass by Aidan
Higgins.

But Kerry were unperturbed and further points from Galvin
and Donaghy were then followed by the third goal from Colm
Cooper who was able to finish to the net at the second
attempt in the 26th minute with the action almost taking
place in slow motion.

Kerry's lead was a massive 12 points after 30 minutes when
Seamus Moynihan pointed to extend their lead to 3-7 to 1-1.

However within five frantic minutes, Mayo were back in the
game when they hit 2-1 without reply.

After Ciaran McDonald's successful free, Pat Harte firstly
slotted to the net from close-range after an unselfish pass
by O'Neill.

Seconds later, O'Neill hammered to the net himself after
McDonald's long-range effort had fallen into his arms off
the woodwork.

Declan O'Sullivan notched the final score before half-time
to extend Kerry's lead to 3-8 to 3-2 but Mayo seemed back
in the game.

However, they needed a fast start to the second half and it
didn't come with Kerry notching the first three scores of
the relatively subdued third quarter.

Eoin Brosnan, controversially left out of the Kingdom's
starting line-up, was introduced at half-time and he looked
to proving a point as he made a lively contribution which
included a fine point.

Mayo had three good chances in the 15 minutes after the
break but they all were squandered by a woefully off-form
Ciaran McDonald.

To rub salt into McDonald's wounds, his marker Aidan
O'Mahony was able to storm up field in the 48th minute to
hammer his second point of the day and extend Kerry's lead
to nine at 3-12 to 3-3.

The game was already over and Kerry were able to introduce
five subs as they eased to a 4-15 to 3-5 win with Brosnan
slotting in the Kingdom's final goal in injury-time as they
claimed their 34th All-Ireland title.
----

Kerry: D Murphy, M O Se, M McCarthy, T O'Sullivan; T O Se,
S Moynihan (0-1), A O'Mahony (0-2), D O Se, T Griffin; S
O'Sullivan (0-1), Declan O'Sullivan capt (1-2), P Galvin
(0-1), C Cooper (1-2), K Donaghy (1-2), MF Russell (0-2).
Subs: E Brosnan (1-1)for T O Se h-t,. Darren O'Sullivan for
Sean O'Sullivan 52, Brian Sheehan (0-1) for Russell 62, E
Fitzmaurice for Griffin 67, B Guiney for O'Mahony 70.

Mayo: D Clarke, D Geraghty, D Heaney (capt), K Higgins, A
Higgins, J Nallen, P Gardiner, R Garrity, P Harte (1-0), B
J Padden (0-1), G Brady, A Dillon, K O'Neill (2-0), C
Mortimer (0-3), C McDonald (0-1). Subs: D Brady for Nallen
12 mins, B Moran for O'Neill 48, T Mortimer for Dillon 48,
A Kilcoyne for Padden 52, A Moran for Gardiner 60.

Referee: B Crowe (Cavan)

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

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78448

New Play To Commemorate The Hunger Strikes

Antrim Arts And Media Event Notice
Sunday September 17, 2006 15:38
By Sinéad Ní Bhroin
Written By Laurence McKeown

NEW PLAY TO COMMEMORATE THE HUNGER STRIKES

Dubbeljoint Theatre Company presents Laurence McKeown’s new
play

The Official Version

At The Rock Theatre, Whiterock Road, Belfast 18th – 23rd
September @ 8pm

Box Office 028 9020 222 Tickets £7

Rest of country tour dates & venues listed at the end of
this posting

Literally days after “Remnants Of Fear” is over Dubbeljoint
have launched themselves right into rehearsals for yet
another new play this year. A play that is very different
in content and style to Mitchell’s summer hit will coincide
with the 25th Anniversary commemorations of the Hunger
Strikes. The play is set in Long Kesh in 2006. Plans are
already advanced to develop the site, including part of it
as a museum to include the prison hospital where ten
prisoners died on hunger strike in 1981 and where up to 400
men were on the blanket protest. The play follows Annie and
her daughter, Theresa as they take a tour of the prison.
Annie’s son Gerard has been imprisoned in the H blocks
during the blanket protest and hunger strike and both Annie
and Theresa had been regular visitors to the prison during
that time. Two others are also visiting the prison, Robert
an NIO official attached to the Prison Department, and
Julie, a mature student researching the prison. As the four
make their way around the prison they discover that each of
them has a very different memory and knowledge of the place
and what it means to them. The play also explores the idea
that prison has any role to play in political resolutions.

Laurence McKeown – Writer

Laurence spent 70 days on the 1981 hunger strike and it is
from that perspective that he writes this new play.
Laurence looks at the personal grief and human devastation
that the hungers strikes left behind and the personal and
political gains that were created by it. As the characters
walk through the deserted prison memories are provoked and
different viewpoints are explored. The play is a moving and
thoughtful look at the hunger strikes 25 years on by one of
its participants. Laurence was imprisoned in the H Blocks
from 1976-1992 and now works with Coiste na n-larchimi, an
umbrella organization for 24 republican ex-prisoner self
help groups throughout Ireland. Laurence along with Brian
Campbell previously wrote “A Cold House” and “The Laughter
of Our Children” for Dubbeljoint.

The cast includes: Maria Connolly, Sorcha Meehan, Rosena
Brown and Gerry Doherty.

18th – 23rd September 2006

To arrange an interview with the Writer, Director or cast
please contact Anne-Marie at Dubbeljoint on 028 9020 2222
or annemarie@dubbeljoint.com
----

Tour Details

25th September Linenhall Theatre, Castlebar
26th September Town hall Theatre, Galway
27th September Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Cavan
28th September Moneyglass Community Centre, Antrim
29th September Inniskeen, Monaghan
30th September Ti Chulainn Centre, Mullaghbawn
2nd October Roddy McCorley Social Club, Belfast
3rd October Guildhall, Derry
5th October St.Kevins Hall, Belfast
6th October Bluestack Centre, Mountcharles, Donegal
7th – 8th October Craic Theatre, Coalisland
11th October Lisnaskea, Fermanagh
12th October Balor Theatre, Ballybofey
13th October Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal
14th-15th October Gulladuff Cultural Centre, Derry

----
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