The following are highlights of news focusing on Ireland and Northern, gleaned from reports by the Irish American Information Service and Irish American Post  staff.

Feb. 6, 2002

Police Board Fails to Implement O'Loan's Recommendations

Last night's decision by the Northern Ireland Police Board to leave operational control of the investigation into the 1998 Omagh bombing in the hands of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is being seen as a victory for PSNI Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.

In her scathing report into the PSNI's handling of the investigation of the bombing, Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan recommended that an Officer from outside the PSNI be brought in to lead the investigation.

But the Chief Constable has rejected the proposal that an outsider be brought in to head the investigation and said that the man who has been in charge, PSNI Superintendent Brian McArthur, will remain in charge.

The Police Board cloaked their decision to reject O'Loan's key recommendation by appointing an assistant or deputy Chief Constable from England to work with the operational commander, Superintendent Brian McArthur and Detective ChiefSuperintendent Philip Jones from Merseyside who has already been to Northern Ireland to act as an "adviser."

The two officers from Britain will report directly to the Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and the new Northern Ireland policing board.

Relatives of the Omagh bomb victims are to meet next week to study new plans for the next stage of the police investigation into the atrocity.  But with another outside officer due to be called in to "quality assure" the inquiry, some of the families today said they had reservations about its future direction.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the 29 people killed in the August, l998, outrage said, "They talk about too many cooks spoiling the broth. Nobody is going to know who is doing what. The authority of everybody involved is going to be undermined, because nobody knows who is in charge."

Gallagher added, "The board failed to address the core issues raised by the families, such as the poor quality of the original inquiry which included the full exploration of intelligence before the bomb, and the actual mechanism of dealing with the investigation."

He added, "It has been a difficult task for the board and it has mapped a course for future investigation. The test for that will be whether or not there will be convictions."

The Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O`Loan whose devastating report of the Omagh investigation sparked a full scale row with Sir Ronnie is expected to comment later on the board decisions.

Northern Ireland police chiefs have greeted the decision to leave the PSNI in overall charge of the investigation.  Sources close to the chief constable have said the new appointment should not be seen as a rejection of his proposals.

"Ultimately when you look at what powers that individual will have they are no more than the Merseyside advisor presently has," one said.

"This is not evidence in any way that we haven`t done a good job or that we are incapable of doing a good job.  The perception that we have brought in an advisor from Merseyside and it wasn`t enough and we have somehow been slapped down is misleading."

McArthur is to retain operational command of the investigation with a direct reporting line to the Chief Constable. The officer appointed by the board will have an overview of all matters without operational control.

These responsibilities will include:

• to critically examine the resource and skill levels needed to satisfactorily conclude the investigation;
• undertaking a quality assurance role, particularly regarding the internal police probe which formed the basis of  O`Loan`s report;
• monitoring progress in the investigation;
• enhancing further working practices with the Gardai in relation to the Omagh bomb inquiry;
• identifying further obstacles standing in the way of progress;
• offer strategic guidance to the board;
• report to the board at agreed intervals.

Feb. 6, 2002

North's Leaders in Washington for Key Meetings

The leaders of Northern Ireland's power-sharing Executive,  First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan, held a press conference in the National Press Club this morning on the second day of their visit to Washington, DC.

When pressed by the IAIS whether he would seek a start to loyalist decommissioning before insisting on a second act of decommissioning by the IRA, Trimble said it should not be a matter of which group disarms first. 

"Instead of having this slightly unnatural competition between paramilitaries, I think all of those who have any influence over paramilitaries should be urging them to proceed as quickly as possible towards the objectives we have set in the agreement which have been overwhelmingly endorsed by the people of Northern Ireland," he said.

The leaders' trip to the U.S. comes following the meetings yesterday of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable, Ronnie Flanagan with the PSNI Police Board to discuss the Police Ombudsman's report of his handling Omagh bomb enquiry.  The ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, also met with the PSNI Board yesterday.

Durkan appealed to everyone on the Police Board to focus on the future investigation of the Omagh bombing and not on demanding the resignations of either the chief constable or the ombudsman.

"If we reduce this to a personnel question in terms of either the chief constable`s tenure or the police ombudsman`s tenure, I think  we miss the point,"  Durkan told the National Press Club.  "We shouldn`t be treating this as either a personnel or personality issue.  We need to make sure that we are trying to answer the questions and reassure the doubts and anxieties of the Omagh relatives in particular and the public more widely, given the failure to bring people to justice for that terrible atrocity," he said.

"In particular, the focus has to be on the quality of the investigation in the future -- I think that is where the Omagh relatives are looking for confidence.  I think if we try to lash out in other ways at either the ombudsman or the chief constable, I don`t think we will be doing full service to the Omagh relatives," he said.

Further talks took place in Belfast today involving four members of the PSNI Police Board.  One source said, "No agreement has been reached.  This is poised on a pinhead and if the wrong information gets out it's going to smash these efforts.  If this goes down, the Policing Board goes down."

With apparent divisions between Ulster Unionists and the SDLP before yesterday's Board meeting, the discussions continued in small groups until after midnight. The Board will reconvene in private tomorrow morning and a public session has been canceled.

The controversy surrounding the investigation is seen as a major test for the new body. It is understood Dan Crompton from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is heavily involved in the Durkan told the National Press Club, intense negotiations aimed at resolving the bitter dispute.

The former Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire was the man who approved the RUC's internal review of the inquiry which pointed up significant shortcomings.

One source said, "The McVicker report and Crompton's review of that report are central to everything that's being discussed at the moment."

 O'Loan's report claimed Sir Ronnie had shown poor judgment and defective leadership in the inquiry into the Real IRA bomb attack which killed 29 people in August, 1998. She called for an outside officer to be brought in to head up the hunt for those behind the atrocity.

The Chief Constable rejected her recommendations, insisting De. Sup. Brian McArthur, who has been running the inquiry for the last 18 months, would remain in charge.

Following a series of meetings today on Capitol Hill,  Trimble and Durkan will officially open an office representing the Northern Ireland Executive in the U.S. capital.

The Northern Ireland Bureau, situated two blocks away from the White House, is the first office to be opened by a devolved administration in the U.K. outside of the British
Embassy.

Among those expected to attend the evening reception are President George W Bush's special advisor on Northern Ireland, Richard Haass; former Stormont talks chairman Sen. George Mitchell; and members of the House of Representatives International Relations Committee.

Feb. 6, 2002

Judicial Review for Suspected 'Shoot to Kill' Case

The family of a member of the IRA who was shot dead by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1982 has been granted leave in the High Court last Friday to apply for Judicial Review against John Reid, Northern Ireland secretary of state,  for his failure to provide an effective investigation into Gervaise McKerr's death.

McKerr was shot dead in one of a series of incidents where it has been claimed that the security forces in Northern Ireland were operating a "shoot to kill" policy against suspected republicans.

Attorney for the family, Peter Madden of Madden and Finucane said, "This case is the first of many which will test the failure of the British government to provide proper public inquiries into the deaths of hundreds of people killed by British security forces.

"The European Court of Human Rights ruled last May that the current legal process for public inquiry (the coroners inquest) was in violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to life). Even though this judgment was delivered in May of last year, so far the British government has not told any of the families how they intend to comply with the ruling.

"It is clear to us that the only chance the McKerr family have of receiving the type of effective investigation, that the European Court has said they are entitled to, is for an independent judicial public inquiry to be established immediately."

Feb. 12, 2002

Search for New PSNI  Leader Will Be Broad

The search for Northern Ireland's new Police Chief Constable could go worldwide, it emerged tonight.  Members of the Policing Board who meet next week to begin the selection process are also offering a salary of more than £GBP 130,000.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan could go at the end of the month, but he may be asked to delay his departure to give the body more time to find a replacement.

Even though three senior officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) qualify to be considered, the board is also set to look to Europe and beyond to find the right person to take on the job.

Alex Attwood, an SDLP member of the board, confirmed tonight that the scrutinizing body was prepared to cast its net wide if necessary.

"The board will look inside the organization and outside for the next permanent chief constable," said the West Belfast assemblyman.  "Candidates from outside Britain will not be disqualified."

After the damaging fall-out from the Omagh bomb inquiry, the board is determined every effort will be made to go as far as possible in search of Sir Ronnie`s successor, with the aim of finding a candidate who will have the confidence of all sides in Northern Ireland.

Although Sir Ronnie, the North's seventh chief constable, quits the post on Feb. 28, the job has yet to be advertised.  This has fueled speculation he may remain in office for a few months extra.

But sources within the 19-strong body drawn from unionists, nationalists and independents tonight indicated it was highly unlikely Sir Ronnie would be asked to extend his tenure.  "The board would have to ask him to stay on and I don`t think that will happen," one said.

When he announced in November his intention to go, Sir Ronnie indicated he would stay on until a new appointment was made if the Policing Board wanted him to.

However, the furor surrounding Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O`Loan`s scathing report on the police investigation into the Omagh atrocity has dramatically altered the situation.  A spokesman for Sir Ronnie tonight refused to comment on the speculation, pointing out it was a matter for the board.

Unionists on the scrutinizing body may push to keep Sir Ronnie for as long as possible.  But another source was confident any such efforts would be blocked.

"Any decision has been made and I think the critical mass within this board is comfortable with the situation," the source said.

The board must now decide who should lead the Police Service of Northern Ireland.  A sub-committee is due to discuss the appointment of a new chief constable next Thursday - just a week before Sir Ronnie`s retirement takes effect.

A recommendation will then be made to the full board, most likely when it next meets in March.

If Sir Ronnie is not asked to stay on a PSNI deputy chief constable could be drafted in to hold the fort while a trawl for a permanent appointment is made.

But one of those on the sub-committee, the Democratic Unionist MLA Sammy Wilson, argued Sir Ronnie should continue in charge until a successor is found.  Anybody looking at  this objectively knows continuity is important," he said. "We are only talking about having Sir Ronnie as chief constable until June because by then we should have a successor."

Feb. 13, 2002

Adams Says Unions Needs to Be Convinced

Republicans must persuade unionists that their interests would be better served in a united Ireland than they currently are in the United Kingdom, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams argued tonight. 

The West Belfast MP, who is in the Irish Republic campaigning for Sinn Fein candidates ahead of the expected general election in May, said republicans needed to ensure that what was done to them under British rule was not done to unionists in a united Ireland.

Following on from his remark 10 days ago at the World Economic Forum in New York that unionist assent and consent was needed for a united Ireland, Adams said, "I`m an Irish republican.  I want to see a united Ireland -- not from some old fashioned sense of Irish romanticism but because I genuinely believe that the reunification of Ireland is the best option for the people of this island. 

"I also believe that the British government has no right to be in our country and that all five million of us who live on this island can do a better job of governing ourselves than the British can."

Adams continued, "Republicans have got to get our heads around the need to persuade a section of unionism than its interests will be better served in a united Ireland, a new agreed Ireland.  How do we do that? By making sure that we don`t do unto others what was done unto us. That involves ensuring that the national unity fractured by British policy in Ireland is repaired. In part, this means actively seeking unionist consent and assent."

Adams, speaking in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, where he was campaigning for the party`s Dail candidate, Jim Dwyer, said republicans needed to begin persuading unionists now about the merits of a united Ireland and not leave it to "when the Brits are leaving".

He denied unionists were being given a veto over a united Ireland.  They no longer block any move towards a united Ireland, the Sinn Fein leader claimed.

What republicans were trying to do, he argued, was to "unravel centuries of conflict," and break down distrust, fear and suspicion. With the relationship between Britain and Ireland being altered by a process of change, Adams said many unionists found this "terrifying."

"Change can be frightening. Change can be seen as a threat," he said.  "Change is always difficult, even in our personal lives - even when it is for the better.  When taken in the context of a conflict, change can be traumatic.  And this can be made even more difficult when there are those, both within sections of unionism and within the British political and military establishment, which still want to hold on to the old ways.  In my view that is where the serious threat to the peace process comes from at this time, Adams continued.

"There is, therefore, an imperative for republicans to reach out to unionists and there is a particular onus on republicans to spell out to unionists what sort of united Ireland we seek - one that is inclusive, built on equality and justice and human rights.  We need to look at ways in which the unionist people can find their place in a new Ireland. We need to look at decentralization. We need to look at what they mean by their sense of Britishness," he said.

Feb. 14, 2002

Flanagan Loses Support of Omagh Relatives

Beleaguered Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Ronnie  Flanagan has lost the support of relatives of the Omagh bomb atrocity, it was revealed tonight.

With the new policing board due to meet next week to discuss his future, the families said they expect him to leave office at the end of the month.

Even though his three-month resignation notice will be completed on Feb. 28, some unionist members of the board believe he could stay on until his successor is found.

But in the aftermath of Ombudsman Nuala O`Loan`s devastating report into the police investigation, some of the families of the 29 people who were killed in the August, l998, outrage want him to go now.

A statement by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group said, "We welcome the beginning of a new future on Feb. 28, 2002 when the Chief Constable moves on."

Sir Ronnie is due back from America tomorrow.  His spokesman said the Chief Constable`s future was a matter for the policing board.

The hard-line Democratic Unionist Party would like the Chief Constable to stay on, but a majority of the 19 members believe his resignation should not be allowed to become an issue. If he does stand down, then his deputy, Englishman Colin Cramphorn will take over until the GBP£130,000-plus a year post is filled permanently. Advertising for the job will be given the go-ahead at next Thursday`s meeting of a board in Belfast.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the 29 killed by the bomb said tonight: "We considered long and hard before making this statement. We did not rush into it. It was carefully thought through."

The claims that RUC Special Branch officers did not take appropriate action following warnings about an impending attack and that the police inquiry was seriously flawed left many of the relatives bitter and disillusioned. They have now asked to address the Northern Ireland Assembly.

A statement added, "Various human rights groups and politicians across this country have never come out and supported the Omagh families in their quest for justice."

Contrary to the key recommendation in the Police Ombudsman's report, the PSNI will remain in operational control of the Omagh bomb investigation.  PSNI Superintendent Brian McArthur retains operational command of the investigation. Meanwhile representatives of the police rank and file and senior officers, including Sir Ronnie, have started legal action at the Northern Ireland High Court in an effort to have the Ombudsman's report "set aside."

The Police Association, which represents the Police Federation, the chief superintendents Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers, claim her report is "unlawful, unfair and inaccurate."

An application seeking leave to apply for a judicial review expected to be made next week.

Feb. 15, 2002

Adair Questioned over Loyalist Feud

Jailed paramilitary leader Johnny Adair is still set to be freed in three months despite facing new questions about a vicious loyalist feud, it emerged tonight.  Adair was returned to Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, in Co. Antrim, after being interviewed for several hours by officers investigating a revenge attack on a Belfast taxi depot linked to a rival loyalist grouping.

Senior security sources tonight indicated that he may not face fresh charges. He is due for release on May 15. Adair, commander of the notorious lower Shankill C Company  Ulster Defense Association unit, had been released from jail early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

But his license was revoked on the orders of the then Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson after violence erupted on the streets of Belfast in August, 2000. It was at the height a bitter feud between the UDA and Ulster Volunteer Force which claimed the lives of seven men.

Two of victims, Jackie Coulter and Bobby Mahood, were gunned down as they sat together in a jeep on the Crumlin Road on August 21, 2000.The UDA blamed the UVF for the murders. Coulter was a close associate of Adair.

They later went on the rampage on the Shankill Road, a loyalist heartland, setting fire to offices of the UVF`s political wing, the Progressive Unionist Party, and wrecking
a taxi depot linked to their loyalist rivals.

Adair was sent back to prison the day after the killings.At the time, Mandelson said all evidence pointed to Adair being heavily involved in the upsurge in violence.Security sources said Adair was questioned about the attack on the taxi firm.

It is understood he refused a request to be interviewed in Maghaberry, leaving officers with no option but to arrest him and take him for formal questioning at Lisburn police station. John White, one of Adair`s closest confidantes, insisted that the interview was little more than routine.

"I don`t think Johnny Adair has anything to worry about," he said.  "It`s unlikely this is anything more than police eliminating people from their inquiries."

Adair`s arrest came as unionist and republican political representatives continued talks to end sectarian violence in flashpoint north Belfast.

Fred Cobain, an Ulster Unionist MLA and Sinn Fein Assemblyman Gerry Kelly held discussions with community workers on both sides as part of an initiative to halt rioting in the area.

"We have had tentative meetings over the past five weeks and we`re making slow progress on reducing tensions and civil disturbances," said Cobain. "But we need to get back and talk to our communities and try to form a process that both sides feel comfortable with."

Meanwhile, British army explosives experts today defused a pipe bomb discovered close to a hospital in Ballymena, Co. Antrim. Two controlled explosions were carried out on the device discovered on a pathway between the Cushendall Road and Dunvale estate.

Feb. 17, 2002

Sinn Fein Set for Election Gains in Republic

Sinn Fein is set to make considerable gains in the Irish Republic's forthcoming general election, according to private polls, it was reported today.  Other parties in the Republic have found in private research that the three or four seats which Sinn Fein was expected to take was a cautious estimate.

Previously discounted seats are also being earmarked as possible sensational gains for Gerry Adams`s party in the election, expected to be held in early May, said Dublin`s Sunday Tribune newspaper. The private polls have shown Sinn Fein`s Dessie Ellis securing a seat in Dublin North West.

They have also suggested shock victories for the party in Meath and Wexford, where Sinn Fein did not contest the last election, and where there had been no expectations of gains. Already Sean Crowe is expected to take Dublin South West and Martin Ferris is tipped to win Kerry North.

But  Adams has so far remained cautious, saying only that he expected to have "more" members in the Dail after the election. Sinn Fein currently has only one deputy sitting in the Irish parliament -- Caoimhghin O Caolain -- who represents the Cavan and Monaghan constituency.

At the launch of his campaign last month, he predicted that the party would have four deputies in the Dail to match its four MPs in Parliament at Westminster. By securing four or more seats at the election, Sinn Fein could become an important political force south of the border.

With a small majority or a coalition government expected after the election, just a handful of votes could swing the balance of power in the chamber. Adams was shown in a recent poll to be the second most  popular party political leader in the Republic, with his 56% satisfaction rating running just behind prime minister Bertie Ahern.

Feb. 18, 2002

Ahern, Blair Meet in London

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern today discussed the appointment of a judge to probe a string of high profile murders in Northern Ireland.  The two governments have agreed an investigation is needed into six killings, including lawyers Rosemary Nelson and Pat Finucane.

Relatives of Finucane have attacked the plan to appoint a judge to oversee the investigation as a stalling tactic to prevent a full international independent inquiry. However, speaking in Downing Street after the meeting, Ahern said "an eminent international judge" was needed.

"We had some discussions about the kind of person we want but it has to be someone experienced in the area of human rights and large investigations," the Irish premier said.

He and Blair also discussed Northern Ireland and the forthcoming European Union summit during a working lunch at No 10 Downing Street.

The pair welcomed "progress" being made by the Northern Ireland executive under the leadership of the First and Deputy First Ministers, Downing Street said.

They had been expected to discuss the general political situation, including the decommissioning of paramilitary arsenals, progress towards demilitarization and the approaching political marching season.

There was no indication after today's meeting that either government sees any further decommissioning as imminent. But the Northern Secretary has stressed that an act of decommissioning by loyalists is now essential for progress.

The two leaders also considered preparations for the EU summit in Barcelona next month but No 10 refused to give details. Ahern raised Irish concerns over the nuclear waste disposal complex at Sellafield, Cumbria, a spokeswoman confirmed.

Dublin claims the site amounts to an environmental and pollution threat and a potential terrorist strike target, but No 10 refused to give details of Blair`s response. 

Feb. 19, 2002

Flanagan Appointed Inspector of Constabulary

The retiring Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan is to become one of two new HM Inspectors of Constabulary. 

As the police board in Belfast today prepared to discuss his future in the aftermath of his bitter and spectacular fall-out with Ombudsman Nuala O`Loan over the inquiry into the Omagh bomb outrage, British Home Secretary David Blunkett confirmed the appointment.

Sir Ronnie had already planned to stand down as head of the police service of Northern Ireland, but even though his three-month resignation is due to come into effect at the end of the month, he indicated he was ready to stay until his successor was chosen.

The board, however, is split on the timing of his departure.

Some believe his resignation should not be allowed to become an issue and that he should leave office as planned on Thursday week, enabling his deputy Colin Cramphorn take over.

But others -- a minority -- claim he should stay for some sort of interim period, and not be seen to be pushed out of office because of the ombudsman`s devastating report into the RUC's handling of the August 1998 outrage and in which she launched a ferocious attack on his leadership and judgment.

It is not clear when Sir Ronnie will start inspecting forces in the eastern region of England, including the Metropolitan and City of London. But with Dan Crompton, another of Her Majesty`s Inspectors of Constabulary due to retire this summer, it could be at least three months before he takes on his new job.

The Home Office tonight said no starting date had been set. A spokesman said it was a matter for the Northern Ireland policing board.

The Chief Constable of Merseyside, Norman Bettison, is also joining HMIC. The two posts arise from the appointment of Sir Keith Povey as Her Majesty`s Chief Inspector of Constabulary from last month.

The Northern Ireland policing board will begin the process of finding the next Chief Constable at a meeting on Thursday when a decision is also expected on Sir Ronnie`s immediate future.

Some of the Omagh relatives, disillusioned and angry with the failure to bring murder charges against the men responsible for the atrocity, have withdrawn their backing for the Chief Constable and are seeking a completely new investigative team to take over the inquiry.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan, 21, was among the dead, said tonight he was stunned by Sir Ronnie`s appointment.

He said, "It is obviously a political decision. The government is sending a clear message to the policing board that they have every confidence in this man. We do not share that view.  I am totally shattered. It has got to the stage where you do not know what to expect. But that it should end up like this ... Nobody seems to be listening to us, Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, nobody."

Sir Ronnie said he was extremely proud that his force had been recognized by the appointment.

He said, "This is acknowledgement of the unique expertise of the RUC, and latterly the police service of Northern Ireland, in not only the most difficult and dangerous of policing circumstances, but also of being at the forefront of policing reform."

Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid said he was delighted and claimed Sir Ronnie would bring a wealth of experience after 30 years in "the most demanding and difficult" policing circumstances in the world.

Sir Ronnie he said, had been totally committed to managing the unprecedented change process within policing in Northern Ireland. He said he would make an excellent HMIC.

He said, "He had a vision of policing in the 21st Century and a clear ability to inspire and lead others in that direction."

Alex Attwood, one of the nationalist SDLP`s representatives on Northern Ireland`s Policing Board, noted Sir Ronnie`s role in police reform but claimed he had resisted other key changes.

"It`s acknowledged that while there are legitimate and enduring concerns about his acceptance of certain policing matters, Ronnie Flanagan did make a contribution to the safe delivery of policing change and useful interventions in the Patten debate," he said.

Sir Ronnie, 52, who joined the police in 1970, was twice head of the controversial RUC Special Branch before he became Chief Constable in 1996.

Sinn Fein tonight also criticized his appointment.

Gerry Kelly, one of the party`s members at the Northern Ireland Assembly said many people in Britain would be concerned. He said: "He has presided over the RUC and its Special Branch and has been recently further discredited by the police ombudsman and is now being tasked with inspecting their police forces."

Feb. 25, 2002

Attendance Numbers Drop at Holy Cross
BBC News-Northern Ireland

Applications for places at a Catholic primary school in north Belfast which was at the center of a loyalist protest last year have dropped by half. Some worried parents have moved their children away from Holy Cross Girls Primary School in Ardoyne, which was a flashpoint for sectarian violence last September.

Loyalist residents held a protest outside the school for 12 weeks from the beginning of the school year, because of alleged attacks on their homes by the wider republican community.

During the protest by residents from the Protestant Glenbryn area, a daily security operation was put in place to enable the pupils to get to school. However, the protest was called off in December after a package of measures was agreed by local community representatives and politicians.

It has now emerged that the numbers applying to start Year One at the school in September has dropped to 17 from more than 30 last year. School principal Anne Tanney said she was disappointed at this year's intake figure. But she said she realized people had "real fears" about going to the school and hoped that eventually pupils would return to Holy Cross.

The school said it had been told it was not likely to lose staff as a result of the falling numbers. It has also been revealed that almost half of the 200 pupils are receiving counseling following the protest.

Tanney also said she was generally pleased with its 11-plus results. The loyalist street protest which was going on at the time, was suspended on the day of the examination last year. The school said as far as it was concerned, all the girls were successful "considering they did the exam under such pressure."

Tanney added, "There were some children who didn't achieve as highly as we would have expected. "For those children, we'll be making a case for special circumstances which we do every year if there's something wrong and children don't achieve the mark which we expect."

In January, fresh violence erupted in the vicinity of the school. It was forced to close during serious rioting by nationalists and loyalists in north Belfast, which left members of the security forces injured.

For more information about the Holy Cross school situation, check the following web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/northern_ireland/newsid_1839000/1839682.stm.

Feb. 26, 2002

Adams Calls for Alliance for Irish Unity

Sinn Fein today intensified its campaign for votes in this summer's Irish general election.  Party chief Gerry Adams spoke at meetings in Dublin`s three  universities as part of a bid for what he called "an alliance for Irish unity."

He told students the aim was for "a coming together of like-minded individuals and organizations who seek an end to partition and a united Ireland based on equality and justice."

Sinn Fein currently have only one member of the Dail, the 166-strong Irish parliament, but are tipped to gain seats at the next election, expected in early May. In recent weeks, though, they have been rebuffed as potential partners in coalition power by the main political parties on the southern side of the Irish border.

The most outspoken attack on Sinn Fein was launched last week by Atty. Gen. Michael McDowell, a member of the Progressive Democrats junior government party, who is to be an election candidate in Dublin.

In a speech that outraged West Belfast MP Adams and senior Sinn Fein colleagues,  McDowell said that any party that "owed a loyalty" to the IRA had no business in parliament.

 Adams described the attorney general`s remarks as "the most worrying comments I have heard in recent times." He said they were reprehensible in view of McDowell`s position as the  government`s most senior law-maker.

The opposition Fine Gael party,  which has also rejected Sinn Fein as possible partners, accused McDowell of using the attorney general`s office as a platform to advance his political career and improve the public profile of his party.

Adams maintained that the "goal of a united, free and independent Ireland is not an aspiration or a pipe-dream. It is real. It is achievable." He said Sinn Fein wanted to achieve an alliance that was free of corruption and characterized by equality and social justice.