The Government is contributing funds to a scheme in Colombia which critics say is strengthening the power of right-wing paramilitaries. This is just the latest in Ireland's increasing role in global conflict, writes Michael McCaughan
In a further twist to the case of the killing by the PSNI of 21 year old Neil McConville, at Ballinderry, Co Antrim, on 20 April 2003, members of the PSNI confiscated documents, related to the case, from the veteran civil rights campaigner, Fr Denis Faul.
The Erris region of North Mayo, where blockades of Shell's controversial Rossport gas pipeline are ongoing, is to welcome local community campaigns from around Ireland and abroad when it hosts a Grassroots Gathering in late August.
Eddie Hobbs is, by popular acclaim, the consumer's champion. He is a good-guy who is on our side. Every assertion that he makes on Rip Off Republic (RTÉ 1, Mondays, 9.30pm) has the ring of inescapable truth. As a nation, we are being fleeced and somebody should say it. So why then is Rip Off Republic among the most annoying pieces of television I've seen this year?
MEDIA: The former Irish Times editor was described in last week's Village as the 'holy fool of Irish journalism'. In fact he was one of the brilliant stars of his generation. By Conor Brady
'Some guy just tried to pick me up," I said incredulously to my friend Paul as we hurriedly left the Dublin Bookshop on Grafton Street.
It's a Lost world. We were doing fine with it but then the series started on British TV and their media went loopy and nearly did our heads in with talk of how unrealistic it is and what a crock we've been sold. Truth is, we want to be sold a crock. Unreality is where we live. Guide price, my eye, we'll give you another million for it. Lost and all its money (it spent £6m on the first episode) puts up nothing more outrageous than life does.
Over the next few days thousands of lucky Leaving Cert students will receive CAO offers of places in third level. If their experiences over coming years are anything like mine, they will have times of unprecedented freedom, meet great friends and have doors opened to them that will change their lives. While they might not be the best years of their lives, they will be the best years they have had so far.
For anyone interested in the peace process, the next few months are going to be interesting ones. In my opinion, while public attention may wane at times, the vast majority of people want the process to succeed. This is not to say that everyone sits on the edge of their seats waiting for the next twist in the developing situation. On the contrary, the process has not been like that for some time. Although certain events, such as the arrival home of the Colombia Three, have the capacity to cause some excitement, the process has become something of a slow dance.
She has been called the Rosa Parks of the anti-war movement. Cindy Sheehan has been camped outside President George Bush's Texas ranch since 7 August.