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January 16, 2007

SF Members Receive Bullet Threats

News About Ireland & The Irish

BN 01/16/07 Sinn Féin Members Receive Bullets Threat
SF 01/16/07 SF Announce Public Meetings On Policing
BT 01/16/07 Ahern: DUP Is 'Signed Up' For New Police
BB 01/16/07 Ombudsman Probes Adams Shooting
IT 01/16/07 Closing Statements In Omagh Case
BW 01/16/07 Bloody Comedy: Lt of Inishmore

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http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/?jp=CWSNMHGBQLSN&rss=rss1

Sinn Féin Members Receive Bullets Threat

16/01/2007 - 16:09:24

Bullets were left at cemeteries in a new threat campaign
against Sinn Féin representatives in the North, the party
claimed today.

Photographs of all eight of the republican party's
councillors in Strabane, Co Tyrone were included with the
live rounds.

The discovery was made at Glenock Cemetery in neighbouring
Newtownstewart, according to one of those on the list.

Councillor Ivan Barr claimed a similar package was also
found ten miles away at Killyclogher Graveyard.

This time pictures of Omagh District councillors were
inside, along with more bullets, he said.

With republicanism gripped by tension and uncertainty over
Sinn Féin's plans to reverse generations of opposition by
finally endorsing the police in the North, dissident
factions behind earlier death threats to senior members
including Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness may have been
to blame for any new intimidation.

After spending the next fortnight holding consultations and
debates on the issue at town halls across Northern Ireland
the party is poised to put its new strategy to an historic
vote at a special conference in Dublin on January 28.

If Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams gets the required
majority backing him then it will be a major advancement
towards restoring devolution to the Stormont Assembly,
putting the onus on Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists to
pledge to share power with republicans.

But Mr Barr, who has been targeted in the past by loyalist
terrorists, refused to blame any side.

He said: "It's a fairly elaborate and theatrical approach,
leaving parcels in cemeteries.

"The package contained a photograph of each Sinn Féin
elected member in Strabane and a bullet for each one.

"The other one was found in Omagh with photos of all our
members of that district council.

"But I would keep an open mind as to whether this came from
republicans or loyalists.

"There was nothing to suggest either side - or, God forbid,
it was some lunatic that has got access to bullets.''

He refused to be intimidated by the campaign, adding: ``I'm
too long involved now for it to make a difference.”

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman said she
was unaware of any threats.

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http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/17418

Sinn Féin Announce Details Of Public Meetings On Policing

Published: 16 January, 2007

Sinn Féin National Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald was today
joined at a press conference in Belfast by party colleagues
Cllr. Caral NíChuilin and Conor Murphy MP to announce
details of the public meetings which will be held as part
of the Sinn Féin consultation in advance of the Ard Fheis
on Policing.

Ms McDonald said:

"As we outlined after our Ard Chomhairle meeting last
weekend we are committed to conducting a widespread
consultation and debate with the republican grassroots in
the run up to the special Ard Fheis on January 28th. We
also committed to holding a series of meetings with the
wider republican and nationalist community, including the
families of our patriot dead and victims of state murder
and collusion.

"Part of this will include internal party meetings, bigger
republican gatherings and six public meetings beginning
this Saturday. The public meetings will be scheduled as
follows:

Sat 20th - Arby's, Toome, at 2pm
Sat 20th - Galbally, County Tyrone at 6pm
Sun 21st - Newcastle Centre at 6.30pm
Mon 22nd - Canal Court Hotel, Newry at 7pm
Tue 23rd - Slieve Russell, Ballyconnell at 7.00pm
Wed 24th - Devinish Complex, Belfast at 8pm
Thu 25th - Millennium Centre, Derry at 7pm

"An additional public meeting will be held in North Armagh.
These meetings will provide an opportunity for ordinary
members of the public to come along and engage in this
crucial debate. Members of the party leadership and local
area representatives will take part in all of the public
meetings.

"Ending political and partisan policing and establishing a
democratically accountable policing service in the north is
a massive challenge for all nationalists and republicans.
However achieving such an outcome would be a massive
advance. We now believe that engaging in this consultation
and debate and holding a special Ard Fheis is the necessary
next step." ENDS

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/article2157610.ece

DUP Is 'Signed Up' For New Police: Ahern

[Published: Tuesday 16, January 2007 - 08:52]

DUP leader Ian Paisley has told the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
that his party is "signed up" for a new approach to
policing.

Ahern, who is leading a trade mission to Saudi Arabia, said
he had had long conversations with Dr Paisley on the issue.

"There are some people in the DUP who will find
difficulties no matter what we do. I don't think that is Dr
Paisley's position. He said to me his party was signed up."

But Mr Ahern said Sinn Fein would have to work very hard to
get the motion supporting the policing system through the
Ard Fheis and then show results on the ground in the few
weeks before the Dublin and London governments have to
decide whether to call Assembly elections for March.

"It gives exactly two months after the Ard Fheis. Gerry
Adams has said confidence-building on the ground would
start immediately, and that should help the DUP.

"We need a positive follow-up from Sinn Fein after the Ard
Fheis and the clearest possible signs of a change of
attitude on policing. It must come into effect on the
ground as soon as possible," Mr Ahern said.

"I still have some concerns about how it will all pan out.
But Tony Blair, who has talked more with the DUP, is
confident that if we see movement and action, that will
feed into the DUP attitude. Our priority is to keep to the
timetable set out in the St Andrew's agreement."

Mr Paisley yesterday acknowledged Sinn Fein's decision to
hold a special Ard Fheis on policing as a step forward.

But he continued to insist on what he called full delivery
on this issue before his party would move towards power-
sharing with republicans. He said the Sinn Fein motion to
the Ard Fheis was open to different - if not contradictory
- interpretations.

Part of the DUP demands before they will move into an
administration with Sinn Fein involves their full
acceptance of the policing and justice issues, but Mr
Paisley said if this was the case then his party would not
be found wanting.

SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan said the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis on
January 28 must agree to accept policing without any ifs or
buts.

© Belfast Telegraph

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6268817.stm

Ombudsman Probes Adams Shooting

The Police Ombudsman is investigating the police handling
of an assassination attempt on Sinn Fein President Gerry
Adams more than 20 years ago.

He has complained to the ombudsman about press reports that
the police had prior knowledge of a UDA plan to ambush him
and three colleagues in Belfast.

The four were driving off after a court appearance in March
1984 when their car was sprayed with bullets by a UDA gang.

Mr Adams was hit five times, but received emergency
hospital treatment.

UDA leader John Gregg, himself murdered in 2003, was jailed
for his part in the ambush.

Mr Adams complained to the ombudsman about possible
collusion after a report in the Andersonstown News said the
police had been tipped off by an informer inside the UDA a
week before the attack took place.

The ombudsman's office confirmed they have received a
complaint and an initial investigating officer is examining
the police handling of the matter.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2007/01/16 18:18:40 GMT
© BBC MMVII

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http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0116/breaking78.htm

Closing Statements In Omagh Case

Tue, Jan 16, 2007

It would be a travesty of justice if the man accused of the
Omagh bomb atrocity was convicted, his barrister today told
the judge who will decide his fate.

In his final submission to Mr Justice Weir in the non-jury
trial Orlando Pownall QC, said: "The Crown's case has
lurched from low point to low point as witnesses accepted
they had lied and as one expert called by the prosecution
undermined the evidence of another."

He said the defence submitted that at each and every stage
of the consideration process, the court "will be
unavoidably wracked by doubt".

Those tasked with representing Sean Hoey, he said, had been
gifted with material with which it would be impossible not
to create real and enduring doubt.

"The prosecution case cannot survive the taint of the
beefing up of evidence by witnesses and exhibits being
interfered with," he said.

Insisting his client was innocent, Mr Pownall added:
"Incontrovertible evidence showing that Sean Hoey was
involved in Omagh has always been a mirage, an unobtainable
goal."

Mr Hoey, 37, an electrician from Molly Road, Jonesborough,
south Armagh, denies a total of 56 terrorist charges
including the Omagh attack in which 29 people were
slaughtered in 1998 and hundreds more injured.

The prosecution case relied heavily on DNA and fibre
evidence said to have been taken from bomb parts which Hoey
is alleged to have made.

Mr Pownall told Mr Justice Weir, however, that there had
been demonstrable and wide ranging shortcomings in the
integrity of all the important exhibits in the case.

He said: "Unless the court is sure that the integrity of
the DNA exhibits is unassailable and remains intact, the
prosecution case must fail."

"There is not an exhibit in the case upon which it is
alleged DNA profiles matching Sean Hoey were found, in any
meaningful sense, the integrity of which is beyond
reproach," he added.

Earlier Mr Gordon Kerr QC, for the prosecution, urged the
judge to take a dim view of Mr Hoey's decision not to give
evidence at his trial.

In his final submission, he said the court was entitled to
and should draw an inference against the accused for his
failure to give evidence.

He said: "There is no suggestion in this case that the
accused is unfit in any way to give evidence. Inferences
can properly be drawn where there is a prima facie case as
has been established here.

"The accused during interview suggested that his DNA could
have been found on the relevant devices by reason of an
innocent contact due to his work as an electrician.

"We submit that his failure to give evidence to that effect
suggests that such an explanation would not bear scrutiny
and he is aware of that and it is proper to infer that such
as explanation is untrue."

Mr Kerr asked: "If there is an innocent explanation why
couldn't he get in the witness box and tell us that."

DNA evidence linked Hoey to three devices in a series of
bombs, he said.

The trial was adjourned until tomorrow.

PA
© 2007 ireland.com

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http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=15048

FST’s Stage III Series Begins With Bloody Comedy

The Lieutenant of Inishmore to Open at the Gompertz Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre’s Stage III Series is ready to begin
its third season in the Gompertz Theatre with Martin
McDonagh’s Broadway smash hit, The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
Performances begin Thursday, January 24 and play through
Friday, February 16.

Winner of London’s Olivier Award for best comedy and
nominated for five Tony Awards (including best play),
Inishmore is another dark comedy by young Irish Playwright
Martin McDonagh (The Pillowman, The Lonesome West, The
Beauty Queen of Leenane). This play takes place (as the
name suggests) on the quiet island of Inishmore off the
Southeast coast of Ireland. It presents the shockingly
funny tale of Padraic, a ruthless Irish Liberation Army
Enforcer and the one thing he loves more than anything else
in the world…his little black cat, Wee Thomas.

When Wee Thomas is mysteriously murdered, blood begins to
fly (think Quentin Tarantino meets Monty Python). Audiences
up for the gore will see an impressive spectacle of comedy
presented by eight unintelligent characters doing the best
they can think of to survive. With most of the characters
in or aspiring to be in the IRA and INLA (Irish terrorist
groups) the violence that ensues should come as no
surprise.

In spite of the violent nature of the play, and the
gunshots and blood that sail across stage throughout, it
proves to be unbearably funny. The audience cannot help but
laugh at the absurd nature with which these people conduct
their lives. After the laughter and shock, the play becomes
a true insight into the morals of humanity.

The New York Times calls it “a severely moral play,
translating into dizzy absurdism the self-perpetuating
spirals of political violence that now occur throughout the
world.”

The Lieutenant of Inishmore begins January 24 and runs
through February 16 , 2007. Warning: This play contains
adult language, loud gunshots and on-stage violence. Also
any individuals with extreme peanut allergies should be
aware that a great deal of peanut butter is used onstage
during the performance.

Victoria Holloway will be returning to FST to direct this
production having last directed Dinner with Friends at the
Keating Theatre. The cast includes returning FST actors
Dean Bowden and Amy Tribbey as well as newcomers Jerzy
Gwiazdowski (who played the role of Davey in the Broadway
production of Inishmore at the end of the run), Patrick
Jones, Edgar Landa, Eric Miller, David Ojala and David
Vining. Handling the design for this production will be FST
regular Nayna Ramey with FST’s Marcella Beckwith handling
the costume design.

All three shows in the Stage III Season – The Lieutenant of
Inishmore, The Fula From America and Measure for Pleasure –
will be presented at FST’s Gompertz Theatre. Single tickets
range from $19 for previews to $29-32 for regular
performances. A subscription to all 3 shows ranges from
$39-52. Both subscription tickets and single tickets may be
purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling
(941) 366-9000. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm
Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Website: www.fst2000.org

A complete performance schedule is below.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore
By Martin McDonagh
The Gompertz Theatre
Tickets: $19-$32

Performance Schedule

January 24 – February 16 , 2007
Wednesday, January 24 7:30 p.m. (Preview)
Thursday, January 25 7:30 p.m. (Preview)
Friday, January 26 7:30 p.m. (Opening)
Saturday, January 27 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 28 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 30 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 31 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 1 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 2 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 3 5:30 & 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 4 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 6 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 7 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 8 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 9 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 10 5:30 & 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 11 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 13 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 14 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 15 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 16 7:30 p.m.

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