Irish America
By Tom Kelly, Contributor
February / March 2004
As Police Commissioner Ray Kelly rolls through the streets of Manhattan in the back seat of a black SUV he is fed a steady stream of information by his detail detective who rides shotgun. On this cold fall day there is the usual assortment of New York mayhem to report; a decomposed body has been found in a Queens park, a transit cop has twisted an ankle during a chase, a … [Read more...] about America’s Top Cop
By Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief
February / March 2004
As the year winds down I cannot but reflect not just on the past year but on the past 19 years. It's hard to believe, but the coming year marks Irish America's 19th year in existence. It's been a fascinating journey into the landscape of Irish America, which often proved to be unexplored territory. Looking back at our first issue, I see the foundations of what the future was … [Read more...] about First Word: Happy and Peaceful New Year
By Mairead Carey and Louise Carroll, Contributors
February / March 2004
The bombs went off during the Dublin rush-hour, at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 1974. Three car bombs exploded on Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street in the center of Dublin. An hour and a half later another bomb exploded on North Road, in the border town of Monaghan. There had been no warnings. In all, 33 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed and … [Read more...] about Justice Time for Dublin/Monaghan Families
By Frank Shouldice, Contributor
February / March 2004
A rapid reaction force of 450 Irish soldiers landed in Liberia as part of the U.N.'s 15,000-strong military intervention in the war-torn West African country. The troops will take part in a peace enforcement mission that is expected to last between three and four years. It is the Irish Army's first U.N. engagement since the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon came to a close last … [Read more...] about Irish Troops Land in Liberia
By Irish America Staff
February / March 2004
The Court of Criminal Appeal in Dublin adjourned an application by convicted drug dealer John Gilligan. Three years ago the Special Criminal Court acquitted Gilligan of the charge of murdering journalist Veronica Guerin but sentenced him to 28 years imprisonment for drug dealing. It is the longest sentence ever handed down by an Irish court for a drug-related offense. Counsel … [Read more...] about Gilligan Case Adjourns
