A verdict in the case of three Irishmen accused of training FARC guerrillas in Colombia is expected to be handed down in February, but campaigners for the three insist that they will never get a fair trial in the war-tom country.
Martin McCauley, James Monaghan and Niall Connolly have so far failed to attend the hearings, which are continuing in Bogotá.
The men have refused … [Read more...] about Verdict in Colombia
Three Trial Due in February
December January 2003 Issue
Verdict in Colombia
Omagh Suspect’s Trial Date Set
The trial of the alleged leader of the "Real IRA," Michael McKevitt, is expected to go ahead in February. McKevitt is the first man in Ireland to be charged with directing terrorist activities and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The dissident republican, who is married to Bernadette Sands, the sister of hunger striker Bobby Sands, is said to have led the gang … [Read more...] about Omagh Suspect’s Trial Date Set
Irish Catholic Church
Faces New Crisis
The Irish Government is to set up an inquiry into how sex abuse allegations were dealt with in the Dublin diocese amid ongoing allegations that Cardinal Connell and his staff failed to cooperate with police in investigating paedophiles.
Cardinal Desmond Connell has repeatedly apologized to the victims of abuse for the hurt they suffered, but his apologies, at this stage, are … [Read more...] about Irish Catholic Church
Faces New Crisis
Blood Tribunal Prosecutions Possible
The report of the Lindsay Tribunal, which investigated how almost half of Ireland's haemophiliacs were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C, has been passed on to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide if criminal proceedings are to be taken against some of the people responsible. The blood scandal has already cost the lives of 79 people, including children. … [Read more...] about Blood Tribunal Prosecutions Possible
Operation Smile Hosts World Summit in Limerick, Ireland
Operation Smile, founded by Irish-Americans, Dr. William Magee and his wife, Kathy, held its annual four-day World Summit conference in Limerick, Ireland, October 24-27. Operation Smile provides free reconstructive facial surgery to children born with birth defects in developing countries. The conference brought together the world's leading authorities in medicine, business, … [Read more...] about Operation Smile Hosts World Summit in Limerick, Ireland