Ruane expresses alarm at PSNI officers arrest over Loughinisland atrocity

South Down Assembly Member Caitríona Ruane has expressed alarm at the arrest of a serving member of the PSNI over allegations of misconduct around the investigation of the 1994 Loughinisland atrocity.
Ms Ruane said: “The long and very difficult search for truth embarked on by the families has exposed the close collusion between Loyalist paramilitaries and the British state.
“The news that an arrest was made late last week by the police ombudsman’s man office of a serving member of the PSNI is unprecedented but not surprising.
“I understand that he is suspected of withholding evidence about Loyalists involved in the killing of six men in the Height’s Bar and that he was a member of the RUC at the time of the attack. He also worked in Downpatrick when the Loughinisland murders were being investigated and I share the families concern that this officer may have been well placed to deliberately pervert the course of justice.
“The families need to be told the truth about why and how their loved ones were killed and what role the state played in assisting their killers. Sinn Féin will support their courageous efforts to find justice and a thorough investigation must be carried out into the role of individual RUC officers and state forces.
“The fact that so much evidence was lost or destroyed in the months and years that followed this terrible atrocity suggests cover-up and close collusion.”

True Colours

We were very disappointed but not surprised to read that Derrybeg Community Association has officially aligned itself to Dominic Bradley and the SDLP. After all it was Dominic's colleague Eddie McGrady who congratulted the hated RUC after the brutal execution of Derrybeg man and IRA Volunteer Colm Marks in Downpatrick. The people of Derrybeg know who is doing the work on their behalf on a daily basis. This article was an attack and an insult to all the work that Sinn Féin has done down through the years but we have no doubt that the people will continue to support Sinn Féin in the upcoming election.

Upsurge on Attacks in Community

There has been a recent upsurge in attacks on the elderly especially in the Meadow area. The first of these attacks was the cowardly attack on an elderly man from Killeavy Road before Christmas, he was badly beaten and hospitalised and had a number of legally held weapons stolen. More recently an elderly woman was attacked in her home in Clanyre Avenue and the thugs involved were looking for money, the woman was left very badly shaken and as a result has refused to return to her home. We in Sinn Féin have been working closely with the family to try and resolve the issue and get her rehoused as quickly as possible. The third attack happened last week in Clanyre Park, again an elderly man was attacked and a sum of money stolen from him and his home ransacked. Cllr Charlie Casey has been working on the man's behalf to try and get damage caused by the thugs repaired as quickly as possible.

We have actively challenged the PSNI on their response times to incidents in this area and will continue to monitor their action or inaction for that matter. We have also been working closely with the local community association and have obtained several dozen safety devices which will help to ensure that our older folk feel safe in their homes. Anyone who would contemplate attacking an older person has no place in our society and the community needs to work together to eradicate this scourge from our areas. If you know anyone that would like to avail of one of these safety devices feel free to contact any member of Sinn Féin.

Don't miss out on winter fuel payment – Mickey Brady MLA

Newry Armagh Sinn Féín MLA Mickey Brady has called upon people in Newry / Armagh to ensure that they don't miss out on the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA). People over the age of 60 are entitled to the benefit, which helps alleviate the financial strain on order citizens during the winter period.
Mickey said:
"In order to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment you must be aged 60 or over during 21 to 27 September 2009 and normally live in the north of Ireland. Those who are eligible can get up to £250 which increases to £400 if the person is aged 80 or over.
"Couples both aged 60 and over whom qualify and who are receiving Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will get one payment made to the person receiving that benefit, the other person is not entitled to the payment.

"If you're aged 60 or over by 27 September 2009 and getting a State Pension or other benefit (not including Housing Benefit or Child Benefit) there's no need to apply - Winter Fuel Payment should be paid to you automatically.

"However if you are not currently receiving benefits but are over the age of 60 years I would urge you to apply for this Winter Fuel Payment. All claims for the 2009-2010 payment must be received by 30 March 2010. People can receive these forms through the Department of Social Development website. Alternatively people can contact the helpline on 084 59 15 15 15 .
Mickey finished by stating;

"Last year over £100 million went unclaimed on benefits and one of the biggest sections that missed out was pensioners.
"Many people do not understand the complicated benefit system and are missing out on benefits that they are entitled too. That’s why I felt it was important to host several very successful benefits awareness days across the city in the past year.

New Year Message From Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams

In his New Year message Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today said:
“2009 will be remembered as difficult year economically for people across Ireland. Global circumstances may have contributed but the decisions and policies of the Fianna Fáil/Green Party government, and its predecessors, and the greed and dishonesty of some bankers and speculators, have shaped this crisis. 2010 must see a sustained effort to sort this mess out.
“In June Sinn Féin became the largest party in the North. We have continued to show leadership through trying and difficult political circumstances. The two governments have failed to deliver on commitments made. Sections of political unionism continue to resist the need for power sharing on the basis of equality and partnership impossible. Through all of this our focus has been on ensuring that the all Ireland political institutions are stable and those citizens rights and entitlements are guaranteed.
“A Westminster election will take place in 2010. In advance of this a sustained effort to see the implementation of the outstanding aspects of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements, including the transfer of powers on policing and justice will take place. Republicans will do all in our power to ensure that this is successful. It is the interests of all citizens that we have institutions which can deliver. That means institutions operated on the basis of partnership and equality and on the basis that political agreements entered into are implemented.
“Aside from politics, personally the last number of weeks has been a difficult period for my family and myself. I would like to thank people across Ireland who have been in touch to express their solidarity with us at this time.”