Minister for Justice Michael McDowell alleged that journalist Frank Connolly traveled on a bogus passport to visit Colombian FARC rebels four years ago. Referring to garda (Irish police) intelligence, the minister spoke under Dáil (parliamentary) privilege, thereby making his assertion without fear of being sued by Connolly. The journalist, whose brother Niall was one of the … [Read more...] about Minister Targets Watchdog Body
Issues
Hain’s Reform Plans Draw Fire
Northern Secretary Peter Hain drew heavy criticism when he announced wide-ranging plans to shake up local government and public services in Northern Ireland. Referring to a 5,400-square-mile territory populated by 1.7 million people, he declared the North to be "both over-governed and over-administered" with an official system in need of complete overhaul. The first target is … [Read more...] about Hain’s Reform Plans Draw Fire
Spy Revelations Rock Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin was reeling from revelations that party official Denis Donaldson worked as a British spy for the past twenty years. Donaldson, a senior figure in party president Gerry Adams' staff, issued a statement admitting to being a secret agent, causing major embarrassment to the republican leadership. Donaldson's admission came just one week after the British authorities, … [Read more...] about Spy Revelations Rock Sinn Féin
Amnesty Wants CIA Planes Inspected
Amnesty International has demanded that the garda siochána (Irish police force) inspect Shannon-bound planes chartered by the CIA. The human rights organization responded to reports that CIA planes may be transporting terrorist suspects to destinations across Europe for detention and torture. A number of CIA aircraft that frequently stop at Shannon have been sighted in … [Read more...] about Amnesty Wants CIA Planes Inspected
Decentralization Plan “Botched”
Government plans to decentralize civil service employees from Dublin have met with stiff resistance within staff. Only one in nine employees have said they are prepared to relocate with their job. Most government departments are situated in the capital, but the decentralization program aims to move 7,400 workers to a variety of locations around the country. With just 753 … [Read more...] about Decentralization Plan “Botched”