West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Latest News

3 September, 2010

Doherty welcomes planning permission for 11.5 hectre Strabane Business Park

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed confirmation that Planning Permission has been granted for an 11.5 hectares site on lands at Melmount Road in Strabane for the development of a major Invest NI business park. The local MP is now looking forward to the speedy acquisition and development of the site. Read full article


29 August, 2010

Drumragh GFC clubrooms officially opened

Participants prepare to take part in the bike challenge in aid of Drumragh GFC.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Cllr, Glenn Campbell and the chair of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer attended the official opening of Drumragh Sarsfields GFC clubrooms on Saturday morning. Read full article


27 August, 2010

Council chairman performs official opening of newly refurbished Hospital Road Community Centre.

On Friday afternoon, the Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer performed the official re-opening of the newly refurbished Hospital Road Community Centre. The community centre is one of three council run facilities in the town and the £1 million refurbishment has provided multi purpose rooms and facilities which enable local groups to avail of a wide range of activities and services. Speaking at the launch, Cllr Mc Aleer said: Read full article


25 August, 2010

NIE Energy Contact Centre officially opened in Omagh

The Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer was among the guests who welcomed Minister Arlene Foster to the official opening of the NIE Energy Contact Centre at Bankmore Business Park, Omagh. The centre currently employs 35 people and complements the other centres in Belfast and Ballymena. Speaking at the launch, Cllr Mc Aleer said: Read full article


24 August, 2010

Dromore Main Street In bad state of disrepair - Cllr Quinn

Sinn Fein west Tyrone councillor Ann Quinn has written to Roads Service highlighting her concerns regarding the poor state of the road surface on Dromore Main Street as well as Church Street in the town. Read full article


23 August, 2010

Winter Fuel Payment reports 'worrying'.

Sinn Féin Omagh District Council Vice chairperson Anne Marie Fitzgerald has described as 'worrying' reports that the winter fuel payments may be cut for thousands people by the British Government. Read full article


19 August, 2010

Campbell Urges Students to Avail of Careers Advice and Consider All Options

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Glenn Campbell, has urged students who have received their A-Level results to consider all options available and urged those finding it difficult to decide on their next step to avail of the support available. Read full article


17 August, 2010

Large Tyrone contingent at Hunger Strike Parade.

A large number of Tyrone Republicans made their way to Bellaghy on Sunday for the annual Hunger Strike rally. The commemoration marked the 29th anniversary of the Hunger Strikes of 1981. Read full article


17 August, 2010

SF will oppose SDLP Special Branch Plans

Sinn Fein councillor Sean Clarke has said that his party will actively oppose SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie's plan for a Special Branch to operate within the PSNI. Read full article


16 August, 2010

Martin McGuinness Speaking at Hunger Strike Commemoration

Full Text of the speech delivered by Martin McGuiness at the National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Bellaghy, Co Derry on 15 August 2010. Read full article


13 August, 2010

Sinn Féin opposed to proposed bus operator licensing changes

Sinn Féin councillor Kieran Mc Guire says that proposals put out for consultation by the Department of Environment seeking to change bus operating licensing would, if implemented, have an adverse impact on the sustainability of community transport. He said, Read full article


12 August, 2010

Sinn Féin seeking One-Stop-Shop for Border Area Welfare Queries

Strabane Sinn Féin Council Chair Michaela Boyle has called for the creation of a one-stop-shop to deal with welfare rights queries from members of the public who live along the border. She said, Read full article


11 August, 2010

Republicans to mobilise for Hunger Strike Commemoration

Republicans from across Ireland and beyond will converge on the south Derry village of Bellaghy on Sunday for the annual Hunger Strike Commemoration. Read full article


10 August, 2010

Sinn Féin to co-opt new councillor on to District Council

Glenn Campbell and Barry McElduff MLA

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has stepped down from Omagh District Council after 10 years on the local government scene. Mr McElduff formally handed in a letter of resignation to the Omagh District Council offices on Monday 2nd August and was accompanied by Dromore native Glenn Campbell who will fill the vacant Sinn Féin seat on the council. Read full article


9 August, 2010

Tamlaght Road meeting 'Positive'

Sinn Fein Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has described as 'positive', a meeting with representatives of NI Water and local residents on the Tamlaght road area of Omagh. The meeting was to ally fears of further disruption in the area as work continues on the sewerage system upgrade in the area. Read full article


5 August, 2010

Mc Aleer encourages uptake of Warm Homes Scheme

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured holding application forms for the Warm Homes scheme.

The Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer has called on people to apply for the Warm Home Scheme which is funded by the Department for Social Development. Read full article


4 August, 2010

Meeting set to allay further disruption fears.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillors Sean Begley and Martin McColgan have said there will be a meeting with representatives of NI Water in the Tamlaght road of Omagh to ally fears further disruption fears as work on the sewerage system continues in the area. Read full article


3 August, 2010

Sinn Féin welcomes announcement to develop Long Kesh site

A delegation from West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin visited the H-Blocks before work commenced on the demolition of a number of building within the site

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Clarke has welcomed the news that an application is to proceed to see the development of a conflict resolution centre on the former Long Kesh Prison site, as well as the retention of the listed buildings. Read full article


29 July, 2010

£350 million development proposal for Omagh given green light

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty and the chair of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer have welcomed the decision by Planning Service to issue a 28 day notice of opinion to approve a £350 million multi use development site on the Derry Road, Omagh. Read full article


28 July, 2010

Fitzgerald Welcomes IT training for Tyrone farmers

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed a new scheme to provide IT training for low-paid workers in rural parts of Co Tyrone. The scheme was launched by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development minister, Michelle Gildernew earlier this week. Read full article


26 July, 2010

Bellaghy venue for August 15 National Hunger Strike Commemoration

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has announced that the venue for the 2010 National Hunger Strike Commemoration will be the town of Bellaghy in South Derry on Sunday 15th August Read full article


26 July, 2010

Campbell Commends Organisers of Tattyreagh 5 Mile Road Race

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative, Glenn Campbell, has commended the organisers of the first Tattyreagh 5 Mile Road Race. Read full article


25 July, 2010

Hundreds take part in 'Cairn Sunday'

Cllr Sean Clarke and Cllr Declan Mc Aleer at the summit.

The Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer and Mid Tyrone Cllr, Sean Clarke were among several hundred participants who took part in this years 'Cairn Sunday'. Read full article


22 July, 2010

Community groups urged to prepare for Council financial assistance

The chairman of the Omagh District Council's Development committee, Sean Begley has called upon local community and voluntary groups to begin preparing their applications for the Councils Community Support and Capital Grant aid. Read full article


20 July, 2010

Angling Association launched in Loughmacrory

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured with the Angling committee, representatives of Loughmacrory Community Association and Loughs Agency.

Monday the 19th of July saw the official 'launch' of the newly formed Loughmacrory and Murrrins District Angling Association (LAMDAA). Omagh District Council Chairman, Cllr Declan McAleer and the LAMDAA Committee members, along with representatives of the Loughmacrory Community Development Association (LCDA) and the Loughs Agency, celebrated the first fishing season under the new club during Angling Awareness Month 2010. Read full article


18 July, 2010

Doherty condemns Glebe shooting.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty has condemned the shooting of a taxi driver in the Glebe last night. Read full article


14 July, 2010

Tyrone's Republican dead remembered.

Caoimghin Ó Caolain TD

Hundreds of Republicans assembled on Main Street, Cappagh on Wednesday evening to mark Tyrone Volunteers Day. The annual commemoration coincides with the anniversary of the death of Tyrone Volunteer, Martin Hurson who died on hunger strike on 13th July 1981. Read full article


13 July, 2010

Battles of letter box and garden gate no joke for postal staff

Sinn Féin councillor and Chairperson of Strabane District Council Michaela Boyle has lent her support to a campaign by the Post Office to encourage dog owners to be vigilant as to the whereabouts of their pets when postmen and women call. Read full article


13 July, 2010

Twelfth can't be used to disguise hooligan actions

Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon says that the community in the Carlton Drive area are angered at the hooligan actions of small number of young people in the area yesterday. Read full article


13 July, 2010

Campbell Calls For Erection of Crash Barriers on Fintona Road

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative, Glenn Campbell, has called for crash barriers to be erected on the Dromore Road approach to Fintona town.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative, Glenn Campbell, has called upon DRD Road Service to take preventative action along a stretch of the Dromore Road on the approach to Fintona town. Read full article


12 July, 2010

Attacks on buses in Strabane roundly condemned

Sinn Féin has described stone attacks on three Donegal bound buses on the Strabane by-pass earlier today as a sickening and deplorable act. Read full article


9 July, 2010

Mc Aleer calls for additional bin collection service

SF Reps Declan Mc Aleer and Glenn Campbell graphically demonstrate the frustration felt by many traders over the proliferation of cardboard.

The chairperson of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer has called for the introduction of an additional bin collection service to cope with the proliferation of cardboard which is generated by local businesses in the town. Read full article


9 July, 2010

Dromore Barracks Demolished

Sinn Féin councillor for West Tyrone, Ann Quinn has welcomed the demolition of the former RUC and PSNI barracks in Dromore. Read full article


8 July, 2010

Decision to scrap section 44 vindicates Sinn Féin's concerns.

Sinn Fein councillor Marty McColgan has said the decision to scrap powers given to the PSNI under section 44 has vindicated Sinn Fein's stance on the issue. Read full article


8 July, 2010

Sinn Féin welcome cuts in EU mobile roaming charges

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Represenative Glenn Campbell has welcomed reduction in mobile roaming charges.

Sinn Féin west Tyrone representative Glenn Campbell has welcomed cuts in EU mobile phone roaming charges which came into effect on 1st July. Read full article


7 July, 2010

Safety First on the Farm this summer

With the summer holidays upon us Sinn Fein west Tyrone Councillor Peter Kelly has called upon those living on farms to put safety first this summer. Read full article


6 July, 2010

Drumnakilly bridge work welcomed.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed the reconstruction of Drumnakilly Bridge between Carrickmore and Omagh. Read full article


5 July, 2010

No viable alternative to Income Support will disadvantage those who are most vulnerable - Mc Guire

Derg Sinn Féin Councillor Kieran Mc Guire, has stated that the proposed phasing out of Income Support will affect those who are most in need of support and has raised concerns of the capacity of the Social Security offices to carry out such a task. Read full article


5 July, 2010

Local bank worker jobs must be protected-Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that ordinary bank workers should not have to pay the price for the reckless actions of banking institution bosses. Read full article


5 July, 2010

McElduff urges McGimpsey to announce start date for new Omagh Hospital

Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey to establish the timeframe for the new Omagh Hospital start date. Read full article


5 July, 2010

Doherty welcomes 'Stop and Search' ruling

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed this week's decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to reject the British government's final appeal over the use of Stop and Search powers under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and he has called for their immediate suspension. Read full article


2 July, 2010

Resource Pack launched to highlight dangers of alcohol abuse.

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured with some of the participants who took part in the Breakthru project.

The Chairman of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer attended the launch of a photographic resource pack which was commissioned by Breakthru to highlight the dangers posed to young people by alcohol abuse. Read full article


2 July, 2010

Tyrone Volunteers Day 2010 launched

The 4 chairs of Tyrone's Council's: Cllr John Mc Namee (Cookstown DC); Cllr Declan Mc Aleer (Omagh DC); Cllr Michelle O Neill (Dungannon Borough Council); Cllr Micheala Boyle (Strabane DC).

The 2010 Tyrone Volunteers Day was officially launched on Friday 2nd July. The launch, which took place at the Republican monument on Cappaghs Main Street was performing by the Sinn Féin chairpersons of the four District Councils in Tyrone. Read full article


1 July, 2010

Bilingual Education - The Best Possible Start In Life

Opinion piece by Councillor Declan McAleer Read full article


28 June, 2010

Pat Doherty Addressed Gaughan / Stagg Commemoration

Pat Doherty yesterday addressed the Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg commemoration in Ballina, Co Mayo. This is the full text of his speech. Read full article


24 June, 2010

British Queen not welcome in Ireland - Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Clarke has said the British Queen should not be welcomed in any part of Ireland. His comments follow the Taoiseach Brian Cowen's welcome for a visit to Ireland by the Queen of England, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. Read full article


22 June, 2010

New Play area unveiled by Education Minister in Carrickmore.

A new Play area has been unveiled by Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane during a visit to the Naíscoil Colmcille An Charraig Mhór. Read full article


21 June, 2010

COUNCIL CHAIR TO HOST BLOOMING GREAT TEA PARTY

Chairman of Omagh District Council Declan Mc Aleer has invited members of the public to attend a Blooming Great Tea Party in the Strule Arts Centre on Wednesday afternoon. The event will run from 11am until 3pm and people are free to drop in at any stage during the afternoon. Read full article


21 June, 2010

French delegation participate in Omagh Midsummer carnival

Cllr Declan Mc Aleer pictured with Mayor, Madame Annie Recoux on one of the floats at Fridays carnival.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Omagh on Friday evening to celebrate the 11th annual Mid summer carnival. This year's event was made extra special by the participation of a delegation from Pont Remy in Northern France. The delegation was in the district to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of a twinning charter with Drumquin. Speaking at the carnival, the chair of Omagh DC, Declan Mc Aleer said: Read full article


21 June, 2010

Pont Remy delegation hosted in Omagh Council

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured with Mayor, Madame Annie Recoux, Cllr Frankie Donnelly and representatives of Drumquin Development Association.

On Friday, the Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer hosted a delegation from the village of Pont Remy in Northern France to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the twinning charter between Pont Remy and Drumquin. During the reception, Cllr Mc Aleer said: Read full article


17 June, 2010

Saville vindicates Bloody Sunday families Campaign - McColgan

Sinn Féin councillor Marty McColgan has welcomed the findings of the Saville Report into Bloody Sunday in 1972; that the 14 people shot dead on the streets of Derry were unarmed, posed no threat and were completely innocent. Read full article


16 June, 2010

Marie Curie Blooming Great Tea Party launched in Omagh DC

The Chairperson of Omagh DC, Cllr Declan Mc Aleer hosted the launch of Marie Curie Blooming Great Tea Party fundraising initiative in the council chamber this morning. The event was attended by Marie Curie volunteers from throughout Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh. Speaking at the launch, Cllr Mc Aleer said: Read full article


16 June, 2010

Exhibition of Townlands Unveiled

Omagh District council vice chairperson Anne Marie Fitzgerald has commended local schools for their work and input into a local place names project which was unveiled at the Strule Arts Centre on Monday. Read full article


15 June, 2010

Gortmore Park residents mark 60th anniversary

Cllr Declan Mc Aleer

The recently elected chair of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer was one of the speakers at the launch of the 60th anniversary celebrations at Gortmore Park on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of neighbours and former residents, some of whom travelled from afar as Read full article


15 June, 2010

DUP Slammed for RPA Failure

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has slammed the DUP for voting against council reforms which would have seen 26 local government authorities being reduced to 11 in time for the next council elections scheduled for 2011. Read full article


11 June, 2010

Loughmacrory PS celebrates Green Flag award

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured with school staff and pupils in the recently completed garden.

It was a case of 'back to school' for the newly elected chair of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer when he returned to St Teresa's Primary School, Loughmacrory for his first civic engagement. Cllr Mc Aleer is a past pupil of the school. Read full article


10 June, 2010

Local Schools congratulated on health promotion success

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone Councillor Sharon O'Brien has congratulated 12 local schools who received awards at the annual Health Promoting Schools Award Ceremony, held recently in the Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane. Read full article


9 June, 2010

Omagh benefits from £2 million investment in Sewer Replacement Scheme

Local Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has welcomed the commencement of a £2 million project of sewer replacement in Omagh. Read full article


8 June, 2010

Sinn Féin takes top posts on Omagh District Council.

Declans McAleer pictured with his wife, Geraldine and children Tárlach and Rioghnach

The Sinn Féin party have secured the positions of Chair and vice chair of Omagh District Council. Read full article


7 June, 2010

Sinn Féin councillor express condolences to family of road victim.

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has extended condolences to the family of Michael Nugent (21) following the death of Mr. Nugent in a car accident early on Sunday morning. Read full article


7 June, 2010

Further Rural Development Programme Funding measures open for application

Sinn Féin has called upon as many groups and individuals as possible throughout Omagh and Strabane to apply for funding from the latest Rural Development Programme Funding Measures which open for application today Monday 7 June. Read full article


4 June, 2010

Omagh District Council Support calls for Israeli ambassador ban.

A Sinn Féin motion calling upon the Dublin government to expel the Israeli ambassador in Dublin has received cross party support in Omagh District Council when the issue came before the June meeting held on Tuesday evening. Read full article


3 June, 2010

'Outrageous' attack on family cars in Eskra.

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has hit out after attacks on cars belonging to a local Eskra family on Wednesday night. Read full article


2 June, 2010

Strabane protest in response to attacks on aid flotilla

Sinn Féin and Ógra activists took part in a well attended protest in Strabane town centre today, Wed 2nd June. Read full article


2 June, 2010

Sinn Féin expresses sympathy on the death of Donald Mc Elduff

SF have expressed sympathy with the family of Donald Mc Elduff who died on Wednesday afternoon.  Donald was the father of West Tyrone MLA, Barry Mc Elduff (above)

West Tyrone Sinn Féin constituency manager, Cllr Sean Begley has expressed his party's sympathy with the family of Donald Mc Elduff (75), who passed away in Craigavon Area hospital on Wednesday afternoon after a protracted illness. Read full article


2 June, 2010

Call for reversal on courtroom ban on Irish

Sinn Féin councillor Marty McColgan has called for the reversal of a 270 year old ban on the use of the Irish Language in courtrooms here. His comments come after a Belfast court rejected a legal bid to overturn the ban. Read full article


31 May, 2010

Doherty leads tributes to latest road traffic victim

Cathal Mc Namee who was killed in a traffic accident at Mullaghmore on Saturday afternoon.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has led tributes to the family of Omagh man, Cathal Mc Namee (31) who died tragically as a result of a car accident in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo on Saturday afternoon. Read full article


28 May, 2010

People of Trillick 'delighted' with townland signs - Cllr Kelly

Cllr Pete Kelly pictured with his neighbour, Douglas Armstrong at one of the recently erected signs in Trillick.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Pete Kelly has welcomed the erection of road and townland signs in the Trillick area. Read full article


27 May, 2010

Airtricity move good for costumers.

Sinn Fein's Declan McAleer has said the decision by energy giants, Airtricity to enter the market in the north of Ireland is 'good news for customers' Read full article


26 May, 2010

McGimpsey challenged on Omagh hospital plans.

Health minister Michael McGimpsey was today challenged on his plans for a New hospital in Omagh when the healthcare liaison committee, including members of Omagh District Council and the Western Trust met with him. Read full article


25 May, 2010

Begley welcomes Culmore improvements

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has welcomed the news that Culmore Park in Omagh will benefit from an upgrade on and additional street lighting in the area. Read full article


21 May, 2010

Condemnation following 'petty sectarian harassment'.

Sinn Féin has hit out angrily at the PSNI after the party claimed a local republican was pursued and detained by members of the PSNI in Omagh after attending a local funeral last Monday. Read full article


15 May, 2010

Tyrone Republicans in state of shock at the passing of party colleague

Committed Republican - Liam Coyle lays a wreath on behalf of Sinn Féin during the annual Easter commemoration in Carrickmore last month.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin members are coming to terms with news of the sudden death of one of their members, Liam Coyle. Read full article


12 May, 2010

Doherty welcomes advance towards all-Ireland energy prices

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed proposals by Energy Regulators North and South to harmonise energy prices through the introduction of an all-Ireland retail energy market. Read full article


2 May, 2010

Blanket denial of proxy/postal applications west of the Bann

Omagh Sinn Fein Councillor Seán Begley and the party's West Tyrone Director of Elections, has expressed deep concern about he claims to be the blanket denial of postal and proxy vote applications by the Electoral Office in areas West of the Bann. Read full article


2 May, 2010

Proposal to re-deploy Planning Staff ill-conceived-Doherty

Pat Doherty MP pictured at the DOE Planning Office, County Hall, Omagh.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Pat Doherty has described proposals by Environment Minister Edwin Poots to redeploy 269 posts within the Planning Service as an ill-conceived move. Read full article


27 April, 2010

Action call for Carrickmore Roads.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has called upon roads service to take immediate action on roads around the town of Carrickmore. Read full article


26 April, 2010

Fire starters condemned

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Clarke has condemned those behind recent gorse fires in the Mid Tyrone over the past week. A number of fires were started deliberately in Mountfield, Creggan and Greencastle. Read full article


23 April, 2010

Fahy slams Nationalist 'vote splitters'

Pat Doherty MP pictured with his Election Agent, Pat Fahy.

Veteran Civil Rights campaigner and well known human rights lawyer, Pat Fahy has issued a statement this week calling on Republicans and Nationalists to unite behind Sinn Féin in the upcoming Westminster election. Read full article


23 April, 2010

Welcome for Stormont probe on insurance

Sinn Fein councillor Frankie Donnelly has welcomed a Stormont probe into the high cost of insurance in the North. Read full article


23 April, 2010

Doherty welcomes extension of free school meals for working families

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed the decision by the Minister of Education Caitríona Ruane to extend the free school meals scheme that will make many more children eligible for a free nutritional meal during school hours. Read full article


22 April, 2010

Lisnafin Shooting condemned

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle says that so-called punishment shootings and attacks are not the way to resolve social problems within the community. She was speaking following last night's attack on a man at a flat in the Lisnafin Park area of the town in which he sustained bullet shot wounds to both legs. Read full article


21 April, 2010

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Youth Election Broadcast 2010

West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin have launched a youth election broadcast today (21/04/10) for the upcoming Westminster Election on May 6th. Read full article


20 April, 2010

Ballycolman arson attempted murder

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon says that if initial indications are correct that the fire which gutted two homes in the Ballycolman Estate in the early hours of this morning was an act of deliberate arson, then the individual or individuals involved are responsible for attempted murder Read full article


20 April, 2010

Fitzgerald welcomes Mephedrone ban.

Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed a ban on synthetic stimulant mephedrone. The ban on the substance came into effect earlier in the week and has seen the drug and its related compounds now classified as Class B substances. Read full article


17 April, 2010

Adams addresses public meeting in Omagh.

Gerry Adams MP surrounded by party activists and well wishers upon his arrival to Omagh on Friday.

Speaking at the latest of Sinn Féin's 'townhall' meetings in the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh last night the Sinn Féin President said ...... Read full article


14 April, 2010

Clarke condemns ATM raid as an 'attack on the Greencastle community'

Cllr Sean Clarke pictured at the scene of the latest ATM theft in Greencastle.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Clarke has strongly condemned the gang who robbed an ATM machine from Costcutters shop in Greencastle, Co. Tyrone at approximately 5am on Wednesday morning. Read full article


13 April, 2010

One week left to register.

West Tyrone Sinn Fein director of elections Sean Begley has called upon people who have yet registered for the election to do so before next Tuesday. Read full article


13 April, 2010

Warning after spate of robberies.

Sinn Fein councillor Sean Clarke has called upon local farmers to ensure their properties and machines are securely stored after a recent spate of robberies in the Gortin area. Read full article


13 April, 2010

Sinn Féin 'looking forward' to West Tyrone election 'battle'

Pat and Gerry finalising notes in advance of the Public meeting in the Strule Arts Centre on Friday evening.

As the Westminster election campaign moves into top gear, Sinn Féin are busily preparing for the visit to Omagh tomorrow (Friday) of Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams. Mr Adams will host a meeting with party activists in the Sinn Féin office followed by a public engagement in the Strule Arts Centre. All members of the public are invited to attend the meeting which commences at 8pm. Read full article


9 April, 2010

Adams to address public meeting in Strule Arts centre

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams will address a public meeting in the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh on Friday 16th April at 8pm. Read full article


8 April, 2010

Doherty addresses Drumboe commemoration

Senator Pearse Doherty

Republicans from Donegal and Strabane turned out in large numbers at the annual Drumboe Easter Commemoration on Sunday at which Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty delivered a rousing address in which he said that now was the time for Irish people to stand up for themselves, to stand up for each other, to stand by the Republic. Read full article


8 April, 2010

Postal/Proxy vote applications close next Thursday 15th April

Sinn Féin West Tyrone Director of Elections Councillor Seán Begley is urging all eligible voters to secure their right to vote. Cllr Begley made the appeal following today's announcement that Thursday 6th May will be the date of the Westminster Election poll. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Republican monument unveiled in Dunamore

Several hundred people gathered at Dunamore graveyard on Easter Sunday afternoon for the Easter commemoration and unveiling of the newly constructed Republican monument. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Drumnakilly Martyrs remembered at Loughmacrory Easter commemoration

In one of the biggest crowds witnessed in recent years, several hundred people attended the annual Loughmacrory commemoration at the graveside of brothers Gerard and Martin Harte. Gerard and Martin Read full article


5 April, 2010

Mc Elduff addresses Aghyaran Easter commemoration

A hundred strong crowd of local Republicans from the Aghyaran and Castlederg area assembled in Spring sunshine at 12pm in Aghyaran graveyard on Easter Sunday for the annual commemoration of the 1916 Rising. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Easter commemorations held in Dromore and Trillick

On Easter Sunday Republicans from the Dromore and Trillick area gathered at the graveside of Vol. Cathal Quinn to commemorate Ireland's Patriot Dead on Easter Sunday. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Republicans remember Vol Dan Mc Anallen at Eglish commemoration

Republicans assembled on Easter Sunday morning at the graveside of Vol Dan Mc Anallen to mark the 94th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Huge crowds mobilise for Tyrone County commemoration

In one of the largest mobilisations for many years hundreds of Republicans descended on Carrickmore for the main County commemoration. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Easter commemorations held at Edendork and Galbally

On Saturday evening, a graveside commemoration was held at the Republican plot in Edendork. Jimmy Taggart chaired the proceedings, while Dungannon- based Sinn Féin Councillor, Larry Mc Lernon read the Easter Proclamation. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Coalisland Republicans commemorate the Easter Rising

Several hundred Republicans braved the rain to take part in the County commemoration in Coalisland. A colour party made up of Ogra Sinn Féin members led the parade. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Campbell addresses Easter commemoration in Drumragh.

This years Easter commemoration was held at the graveside of Colm Grimes. Also remembered were local people Kevin Kearns, Benny Livingstone, Lawrence and Mary O' Hagan, Jimmy Hynes and all other Republicans from the area. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Republicans remember Alice Milligan

On Saturday, Republicans assembled at the graveside of poet, playwright and Republican, Alice Milligan. Read full article


5 April, 2010

Easter commemoration in Killyclogher

Approximately 60 people attended the Easter Commemoration at the graveside of veteran Republican, Charlie Ferris in Killyclogher graveyard Read full article


29 March, 2010

Easter Lily launched in Omagh

Cllr Clarke accompanied by members of the Tyrone SF Commemoration Committee at the Easter lily launch in Omagh on Wednesday.

Preparations for Easter commemorations continued apace on Wednesday when the Vice Chair of Omagh District Council, Sean Clarke hosted a local launch of the Easter lily. Read full article


24 March, 2010

Minister signs design contract for the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus

Minister Caitriona Ruane during a visit to Lisanelly in June 2008.

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, today signed a £3.2million contract with Bovis Lend Lease to begin the design of the proposed Shared Education Campus in Omagh. Read full article


23 March, 2010

Tyrone Republicans prepare for Easter

Members of the Tyrone SF Commemoration Committee busily preparing for Easter.  L-R Sean Donnelly, Barry Mc Nally and Stan Corrigan.

The Tyrone Sinn Féin Commemoration committee went online this week as Republicans prepare to embark on a robust programme of activities to mark the 94th anniversary of the Easter Rising (www.tyronecommemorations.com). Read full article


23 March, 2010

Community shocked and sickened at assault in Strabane.

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon said that the daylight assault and attempted robbery of a 67 year old woman on the Melmount Road area of the town on Saturday afternoon had shocked and sickened the entire community. Read full article


23 March, 2010

Home Help Cuts to feature prominently at Strabane Public meeting

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill believes that concerns surrounding increasing cuts to home help provision will feature prominently at a public meeting she has arranged for Strabane next week at which representatives of Patient and Client Council (PCC) will be present to listen to, and to take on board, the views of the local community about the delivery of health and social care services. Read full article


21 March, 2010

Doherty welcomes launch of Liverpool Easter Lily campaign.

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed the launch of this year's Liverpool Easter Lily Campaign, which was held on Sunday in St Michael's Irish Centre in Liverpool. Read full article


19 March, 2010

Doherty advises holiday travellers to get passports in order now

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has advised those who are planning to travel abroad on summer holidays to ensure now that their passports are in order. This warning comes at a time of growing industrial action in the public service in the 26 counties, including the Passport Office. Read full article


16 March, 2010

Doherty reiterates call for full cross border public inquiry into Omagh bomb

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has re-iterated his call for a full cross border public inquiry into the Omagh bomb. He was speaking following today's publication of a report by the NI Affairs Committee report which is calling for a new investigation to be set up to examine whether vital intelligence was withheld which could have prevented the bomb and whether enough was done to apprehend those responsible. Read full article


16 March, 2010

Home Help Cuts to feature prominently at Strabane Public meeting

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill believes that concerns surrounding increasing cuts to home help provision will feature prominently at a public meeting she has arranged for Strabane next week at which representatives of Patient and Client Council (PCC) will be present to listen to, and to take on board, the views of the local community about the delivery of health and social care services. Read full article


16 March, 2010

Mc Aleer supports call for increased mental health provision for offenders

Councillor Declan Mc Aleer

Commenting in response to a report from the Criminal Justice Inspection which highlights the inadequacy of services for people with mental health problems who are imprisoned, local Councillor Declan Mc Aleer said: Read full article


16 March, 2010

Mc Guinness to address Carrickmore Easter Commemoration

Martin Mc Guinness pictured during a visit to Omagh.

Sinn Féin's chief negotiator and Joint First Minister, Martin Mc Guinness has been confirmed as the main speaker at this years Tyrone County commemoration in Carrickmore. Speaking ahead of a robust programme of events to mark the 94th anniversary of the Easter Rising, Chairperson of the organising committee, Sean Begley said: Read full article


15 March, 2010

Comhghairdeas Chloe

Chloe with mentor, Dana after winning the All Ireland talent show.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that Chloe Coyle's triumph in Sunday night's All Ireland Talent Show was evidence that this incredible young talent had not only just captured the hearts of people of her native Tyrone but also the hearts of people the length and breadth of Ireland. Read full article


10 March, 2010

Doherty welcomes Assembly vote on policing and justice transfer

Local Sinn Féin MP, Pat Doherty has welcomed the vote in favour of the transfer of policing and justice powers from Britain to the Six Counties. Read full article


9 March, 2010

McAleer relieved as proposed merger plans shelved.

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Declan McAleer has said he is relieved that plans to merger 15 volunteer centres throughout the north have been shelved. Read full article


8 March, 2010

Mid Tyrone experiences power cuts

The loss of electricity on Sunday night has drawn an angry response from NIE costumers in Mid Tyrone. According to Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Sharon O'Brien it had been the latest interruption in electricity supply since before Christmas. She Read full article


5 March, 2010

No excuse for the retention of Diplock Courts - Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has said there is absolutely no excuse for the retention of non jury, Diplock courts. The local elected representative said that the criminal justice system needed to move forward in line with huge developments in the peace process. Read full article


5 March, 2010

Concerns raised over poor state of Kildrum Road

Ann Quinn has raised her concerns over the poor state of the Kildrum road in Dromore. He flagged her concerns following representations from local residents who live on the road. Read full article


4 March, 2010

Clarke says no one should fear Bill Of Rights

Sinn Fein's Sean Clarke has said no one has anything to fear from a Bill Of Rights as a motion on the issue came before the monthly meeting of Omagh District Council on Tuesday evening. The motion called for 'the introduction of a robust, enforceable Bill of Rights that will provide right-based protection for all the people of the North of Ireland'. Read full article


3 March, 2010

McColgan Welcomes passage of Basque motion.

An Ógra Shinn Féin protest in support of Self Determination for the Basque People in Omagh

Sinn Féin councillor Marty McColgan has welcomed the passage of a motion at Omagh District Council which 'condemns the repressive measures by the Spanish state against Basque political youth organisation, Segi' and calls for 'an end to repressive measures against the pro independence movement in the Basque country' Read full article


2 March, 2010

Kelly welcomes commitment to hill farmers in latest round of Farm Modernisation Scheme.

Trillick Hill farmer,  Cllr Pete Kelly has welcomed the Agriculture Ministers commitment to small farmers in the latest round of the Farm Modernisation Scheme.

Sinn Féin Councillor Peter Kelly has welcomed Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew's commitment to help smaller farm businesses working in challenging conditons. The commitment came as the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister announced the criteria for Tranche Two of the Farm Modernisation Scheme (FMS). Read full article


2 March, 2010

Doherty welcomes £25 boost to farmers in disadvantaged areas.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP and Assembly Agriculture Committee member Pat Doherty says that the issuing of of £25 million payments under the 2010 Less Favoured Area Compensatory Scheme will be a welcome boost to farmers in disadvantaged. He said, Read full article


2 March, 2010

Campbell Calls For Better maintenance of Housing Executive Estates

West Tyrone Sinn Fein representative Glenn Campbell has called for a joined up approach between Housing Executive, Omagh District Council and DRD Road Service to ensure the housing estates in the Omagh district are properly maintained. He was speaking after a visit to O'Brien Park in Clanabogan Read full article


1 March, 2010

ATM's are a lifeline for rural communities - Doherty

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has highlighted the importance of Automatic Telling Machines (ATM's) to small businesses and people living in rurally dispersed areas. Speaking ahead of a motion in the Assembly calling for the continued exemption of rates for ATM's located in rural areas, Mr Doherty said.... Read full article


26 February, 2010

Patients also need additional protection from behaviour of heavily intoxicated people at Altnagelvin A&E- Mc Gill

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill is pressing for additional protections to be afforded to patients at Accident & Emergency Departments to combat the disruptive and abusive behaviour they often have to endure at the hands of heavily intoxicated patients. Read full article


26 February, 2010

Doherty heralds Ministerial Planning Approval for massive Business Park in Strabane.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that confirmation from Environment Minister Edwin Poots that he is to grant planning approval for the development of an 11.5 hectre Business Park in Strabane as the removal of the last major obstacle in the way of delivering this much needed economic development project for the District. Read full article


26 February, 2010

Doherty protests to Scottish Justice Minister over commemoration detentions.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has protested to the Scottish Justice Minister Kenny Mc Askil about the two hour detention of four people at Edinburgh Airport and the similar detention of two people at Cairnryan Ferry Port as they returned home from a weekend of commemorative events to mark the 25 Anniversary of the killing of three young IRA volunteers by the SAS in Strabane Read full article


24 February, 2010

Carrickmore street theatre to re live events of Easter 1916

Dublins GPO, focal point of the Easter Rising 1916.

The Tyrone Commemoration Committee has this week announced their intention to roll out a robust programme of events to mark the 94th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising... Read full article


24 February, 2010

Anger as Shooting range approval proposed.

There is outrage in Drumquin after Planning Service have recommended an approval to a shooting range in the kirlish area of the village. The application will come before the planning meeting of Omagh District Council on Monday evening with a proposed approval for the application despite objections of local people and community representatives. Read full article


23 February, 2010

Public urged to attend Carrickmore DPP meeting

Mid Tyrone Councillor, Ann Marie Fitzgerald has called on members of the public to attend Thursday evenings meeting of Omagh DPP which will be held in the Milestone Centre, Carrickmore, commencing at 7.30pm. Read full article


23 February, 2010

Thousands commemorate deaths of Strabane IRA volunteers

Karina Carlin (nee Breslin), Antoinette Brennan (nee Devine), Pat Doherty MP and Martin Mc Guinness MP.

Several thousand people turned out at a commemoration parade in Strabane yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the deaths of local IRA Volunteers Charlie Breslin (aged 20), and brothers Michael Devine (aged 22) and David Devine (aged 16) who were summarily executed by British State Forces Read full article


20 February, 2010

Excess of 500 attend Irish Unity Conference in London

West Tyrone MP, Pat Dohertys Speech to the Irish Unity conference in London Read full article


18 February, 2010

Bill Of Rights motion to come before Omagh District Council.

A motion will come before the Omagh District Council in the coming weeks which will call for 'the introduction of a robust, enforceable Bill of Rights that will provide right-based protection for all the people of the North of Ireland'. Read full article


18 February, 2010

Ritchie needs to provide clear reassurance about Strabane Social Security Agency

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has expressed concern at the response of Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to a question he submitted seeking re-assurance that there will be no reduction in the level of front line or back office services currently being provided at the Social Security Agency office at Urney Road in Strabane. Read full article


16 February, 2010

Jobs at the heart of £20 million Irish Language investment - McElduff

Sinn Féin chair of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee Barry McElduff MLA has said that yesterdays announcement by the British Government of a £20 million investment in Irish language projects will have tangible economic benefits throughout the community. Read full article


16 February, 2010

Doherty seeks timescale from DETI Minister over acquisition of industrial land for Strabane Business Park

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has cautiously welcomed the response from DETI Minister Arlene Foster to a written question he submitted in which he sought a timescale for the completion of the acquisition of 11.5 hectres of land at Melmount Road , Strabane, for the development of a business Park. Read full article


16 February, 2010

Drumrallagh residents deserve to be left in peace.

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty has called on the small group of young people who are making life a misery for residents of Drumrallagh Estate to catch themselves on. Read full article


16 February, 2010

Doherty keynote speaker at major London Conference on Irish unity

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty will be speak at a major conference on Irish Unity being held at Congress House in London on Saturday 20 February. Read full article


15 February, 2010

Progress on Irish Language - Adams

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams in his Blog 'leargas' (www.leargas.blogsport.com) has revealed that the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure,' Nelson McCausland, has committed to bringing forward a draft strategy on minority languages to the Executive by the end of March, one element of which will be "to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language as set out in Section 28D of the 'NI (St. Andrews) Act 2006'." Read full article


15 February, 2010

Progress report from North South Ministerial Council until December 2009

There have been 14 meetings of the NSMC in Sectoral format and 1 in Institutional format since the NSMC Plenary meeting on 8 July 2009. Read full article


14 February, 2010

Arsonists target Barnardos clothes bank in Loughmacrory

Cllr Sharon O Brien pictured at the charity clothes bank which was targetted on Saturday afternoon.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Sharon O Brien has strongly condemned the arsonists who set fire to a charity clothes bank in Loughmacrory village on Saturday afternoon. According to the Loughmacrory based Councillor..... Read full article


11 February, 2010

Sinn Féin welcome decision on Long Kesh listed buildings

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone Councillor Sean Clarke has welcomed the decision to retain the listed building status of Long Kesh. Edwin Poots revealed that there will be no change to the listed buildings status to some structures in the Long Kesh site. Read full article


10 February, 2010

'Breast feeding welcome here' scheme operating in Omagh

Sinn Fein Omagh District councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed the news that 31 local businesses are currently participating in the 'Breast Feeding Welcome Here' scheme in Omagh. Read full article


9 February, 2010

Doherty welcomes Hillsborough Castle Agreement

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty in welcoming the Hillsborough Castle Agreement said.... Read full article


9 February, 2010

McColgan welcomes policing and justice powers devolution powers

Sinn Féin Omagh Council group chairperson Martin McColgan comments on the Hillsborough deal which will see the devolution of policing and Justice powers to the Assembly in April. Read full article


5 February, 2010

Mc Aleer welcomes imminent relief for Omagh NHS Dental Patients

In April 2008 Councillor Mc Aleer highlighted the plight faced by many NHS dental patients.

Omagh District Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed the announcement that a new dentist opening in Omagh will cater for NHS patients. Read full article


5 February, 2010

Big Freeze over for Strabane NHS Dental Patients

Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle is confident that no one in Strabane District will be any longer be forced to suffer in agony without access to dental treatment with the two new Oasis Dental Care Practices at John Wesley Street opening for business this week signalling the end of the Big Freeze for Strabane NHS Dental patients. Read full article


4 February, 2010

Mc Nulty praises Roads Service response to footpath/pothole damage caused by ice and snow

Bridge Street footpath under repair.

Sinn Féin Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty has praised Roads Service for moving swiftly to begin the task of repairing the substantial damage that has been caused to roads and footpaths throughout Strabane District during the prolonged period of ice and snow. He said... Read full article


4 February, 2010

Electoral Office Registration and Photo ID Clinic coming to town

Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle says that people who are not yet registered to vote or who have not yet secured an Electoral Office Photo ID Card have a golden opportunity to do both at the same time in Strabane later this month. She said... Read full article


2 February, 2010

Cllr has been lobbying for action on Drumlegagh Road School bus crash route

The Chair of Strabane District Council, Sinn Féin Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has revealed that he has been lobbying to have the Drumlegagh Road , the scene of yesterday's school bus crash, gritted for some considerable time. He said, Read full article


2 February, 2010

Mc Aleer welcomes home improvement plans

Councillor Declan Mc Aleer pictured at the entrance to Buchanan Villas, Killyclogher.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed the Housing Executive plans to commence a number of important home improvement schemes in the 2010/11 financial year. Councillor Mc Aleer was speaking following a meeting of the Public Services Liaison Committee at Omagh District Council on Monday evening. Read full article


28 January, 2010

Gortin Traffic concerns allayed

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Sean Clarke has welcomed action from Roads Service aimed at alleviating traffic concerns in Gortin on mart days. Read full article


26 January, 2010

Doherty 'still' hopeful of talk's breakthrough

Speaking from the talks at Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday afternoon, West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty said Read full article


26 January, 2010

Sinn Féin engaged with Roads Service on Spout Road subsidence

Sinn Fein representatives in are continuing to engage with Roads Service in relation to problems arising from the major subsidence of the Spout Road outside Strabane following heavy rain late last year. Read full article


26 January, 2010

Hundreds attend tribute to Charlie Love

The sun shone brightly on the "Head of the Town" in Strabane on Sunday as hundreds gathered to pay special tribute to the memory of local teenager Charlie (Cha) Love who was tragically killed while attending the 18th Anniversary Bloody Sunday commemoration on Sunday 28th January 1990. Read full article


25 January, 2010

Trillick Health Centre opens

West Tyrone Sinn Féin councillor Peter Kelly has welcomed the opening of new Trillick Health Centre. Situated in the centre of the village the long awaited state of the arts building has opened within the past number of weeks. Read full article


23 January, 2010

Campbell calls on people to have their say on Town Regeneration.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative Glenn Campbell has called upon local people from, the Carrickmore, Omagh, Dromore and Fintona areas to have their say on the regeneration of their towns. Read full article


22 January, 2010

Stop and Search deemed an 'abuse of power'

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has condemned the recent upsurge in the number of stop and searches by the PSNI under section 44 of the 'Prevention of terrorism Act'. Read full article


20 January, 2010

Proposal to redevelop St Julian's Road ground to go before council.

A proposal, which if passed would see the redevelopment of the St. Julian's road football grounds will go before the meeting of the Omagh District Councils Development Committee in February. Read full article


19 January, 2010

Doherty meets Goggins to raise concerns over British army training exercises in Tyrone.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty held a face to face meeting with British Security Minister, Paul Goggins on Tuesday to discuss the issue of British army training manoeuvres in the skies above parts of West and South Tyrone. Read full article


19 January, 2010

Platform Piece: From Pat Doherty MP MLA

Pat Doherty MP in conversation with his namesake Pat Doherty, Divisional Roads Manager, at the announcement of the A5/N2 preferred route in July.

A5 DUAL CARRIAGEWAY ESSENTIAL In recent months, some unionist politicians have been challenging the need for the announced A5 dual carriageway advocating instead that a widening of the existing single carriageway from Derry to Aughnacloy would suffice. Read full article


14 January, 2010

Stop and Search Powers 'illegal'

Omagh Sinn Féin Councillor and member of Omagh DPP, Marty McColgan, has welcomed a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that police powers to stop and search people without grounds for suspicion are illegal. Read full article


13 January, 2010

Huge investment in the water system needed - Kelly

Sinn Fein's Peter Kelly has called for a major works program to commence on the rural water network. Read full article


13 January, 2010

Thousands attend funerals of Killyclogher road crash victims.

Speaking after attending the funerals of both young men killed in a horrific road traffic accident near Omagh last Thursday, local Councillor Declan Mc Aleer said: Read full article


7 January, 2010

Fitzgerald expresses sympathy with families of Omagh crash victims.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Ann Marie Fitzgerald has expressed sympathy with the families of the North's latest road victims. Read full article


6 January, 2010

Strabane to host Republican youth weekend, 19th-21st Feb 2010

Republicans from across the island of Ireland will descend on the county Tyrone town of Strabane on Sunday 21st February, to mark the 25th anniversary of the deaths of IRA volunteers Charles Breslin, and Brothers Michael and David Devine. Read full article


5 January, 2010

Sinn Féin welcomes 'cold weather payments'

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has welcomed an announcement from the Department of Social Development that they will pay a 'cold weather payment' to low income families throughout the north. Read full article


5 January, 2010

NEW YEARS MESSAGE FROM WEST TYRONE MP MLA PAT DOHERTY

In a New Year's message, Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether or not the DUP has got the stomach for political arrangements based on partnership and equality. Speaking about the current political situation he said ..... Read full article


4 January, 2010

Emotive Ballymurphy Massacre Talk Inspires Support for Campaign

Relatives of those murdered in the Ballymurphy Massacre from the 9 - 11 August 1971, recently addressed a public meeting in the Omagh Strule Arts Centre. Read full article


2 January, 2010

Councillors commend 'Lough 5' organisers

l-r: Councillor Sharon O Brien, daughter Fiadhnait (age 8) and Cllr Declan Mc Aleer proudly display the medals they received for taking part in the inaugural 'Lough 5' community fun run/walk on New Years eve.

Mid Tyrone Councillors Sharon O Brien and Declan Mc Aleer have paid tribute to the organisers of the inaugural 'Lough 5' community fun run. The 5 mile run/walk, which took place on New Years Eve..... Read full article


1 January, 2010

New Year Message From Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams

New Year Message From Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams Read full article


31 December, 2009

Doherty highlights rural roads and water supply crisis

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has made representation to NI Water and DRD Roads Service following the cold snap which has left many householders stranded without water and blocked in by heavy snowfall and ice. Read full article


23 December, 2009

McElhills to hold talks with Housing Executive over future of blaze house

THE family of Arthur McElhill are to enter into negotiations with the Housing Executive in a bid to finally dispose of 4 Lammy Crescent. Read full article


22 December, 2009

Sinn Fein welcomes £1 million Rural Development Christmas boost for local economy-

Sinn Féin says that agreement to issue letters of offer for over £1 million in Rural Development Programme (RDP) grant assistance was made at a meeting of the Northwest Local Action group at the Fir Trees Hotel last Wednesday. Read full article


22 December, 2009

Sinn Féin urges victims and their relatives to apply to £1.8 Million Memorial Fund.

Sinn Féin MLA Claire Mc Gill has encouraged conflict victims and victim's relatives who may be eligible for financial assistance from the Memorial Fund to ensure they apply. £1.8 million has been made available to the Memorial Fund this week by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. The West Tyrone MLA said: Read full article


22 December, 2009

Don't miss out on winter fuel payment - Begley

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has called upon people to ensure that they don't miss out on the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA). Read full article


21 December, 2009

Something a little different this Christmas.

Some of the gifts available at the Abhaile Aris Siopa in Omagh

For a treasure trove for that unique Christmas gift take a trip to the Abhaile Aris Siopa on James Street, Omagh. Opening Hours: Tuesday 22 December (9.30am - 5.30pm); Wednesday 23rd December (9.30am - 5.30pm) and Christmas Eve (10am - 2pm). Read full article


20 December, 2009

Public inquiry needed to satisfy community confidence

UNCERTAINTY remains into how the Lammy fire, which wiped out a family of seven, was allowed to happen. Log on to www.ulsterherald.com/lammyinquiry/ for full story and video. Read full article


16 December, 2009

Doherty confident over establishment of Ryan Commission type inquiry in the north.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that he is confident that an appropriate inquiry and redress mechanism will be established for victims of child abuse in the north in line with the Ryan Commission in the South following a reply from Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey to representations he made to the Office of First and Deputy First Minister on the issue in October. Read full article


15 December, 2009

Beware of lottery Scam - McColgan

Sinn Féin Councillor Marty McColgan has advised people to be aware of a scam notifying people of windfall winnings in the 'El Gordo Spanish Lottery'. Read full article


15 December, 2009

Doherty pays Christmas visit to Omagh sorting office.

Pat Doherty receives a gift from Omagh Sorting Office Manager, Paul Devlin during his visit.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty dropped in with the staff of Omagh sorting office on Friday as they prepared to deal with the Christmas deluge of letters and parcels. The MP was accompanied on his visit by sorting office Manager, Paul Devlin. Read full article


14 December, 2009

Ballymurphy Massacre Families to speak in Omagh

Families of some of the 11 civilians murdered by the British Army in Ballymurphy between 9 - 11 August 1971 are set to speak in Omagh. The Public Talk will take place in the Omagh Strule Arts Centre at 7pm on Friday 18th December. Read full article


12 December, 2009

McElduff labels McCausland a 'Philistine'

To understand why Barry Mc Elduff labels DUP Minister Nelson Mc Causland a 'Philistine' over his attitude towards his portfolio of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the Assembly, click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeKVXPljesk Read full article


11 December, 2009

Campbell backs campaign to help Carers in the North

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative Glenn Cambpell has backed an ongoing campaign by Carers Northern Ireland for the financial support offered to Carers to be improved. Read full article


10 December, 2009

Questions over Omagh Fire Tragedy Demands Public Inquiry - Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has called for a full Public Inquiry into the failure of statutory agencies to recognise the danger signs that should have been apparent prior to the Omagh Fire tragedy. Read full article


7 December, 2009

Doherty welcomes inclusion of "Social Clauses" in A5 Dual carriageway contract.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has given a warm welcome to the incorporation of Social Clauses into the contracts that have been announced for the construction of the A5 Dual Carriageway between Derry and Aughnacloy which is scheduled to commence in 2010. Read full article


6 December, 2009

Clarke invites public to community engagement meeting in Gortin.

As part of a Community Engagement Initiative in West Tyrone, Sinn Féin will be holding the latest in an ongoing series of public meetings in the Owenkillew Community Centre, Gortin on Wednesday 9th December at 8pm Read full article


1 December, 2009

Doherty meets DRD Minister on Strabane pedestrian/cycle Bridges Project

Pat Doherty MP pictured with DRD Minister Conor Murphy.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed the continued commitment of DRD Minister Conor Murphy towards the "Bridges Project" in Strabane following a meeting he held with the Minister at Stormont yesterday to discuss progress on the issue. Read full article


1 December, 2009

Those behind Strabane pipe bomb attack completely misguided

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has described those who carried out the pipe bomb attack at Courtrai Park in Strabane in the early hours of yesterday morning as completely misguided individuals who are driven by a blind adherence to militarism and not the interests of Irish Republicanism. Read full article


1 December, 2009

Doherty re-selected as candidate for West Tyrone

Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty has been re-selected to contest the West Tyrone Constituency at the Westminster Election scheduled for next May. Read full article


30 November, 2009

Ógra Shinn Féin take to Omagh Streets in Basque Solidarity.

Ógra Shinn Féin took to the streets of Omagh over the weekend in solidarity with the 34 young Basque activists arrested in the past week. Read full article


26 November, 2009

Meeting to discuss needs of former political prisoners.

Republican ex Prisoners group, Abhaile Aris, has organised an information evening to discuss the legal and social obstacles which former political prisoners face in trying to re integrate into the community. Read full article


25 November, 2009

Mc Colgan welcomes 'Ringmaster' initiative.

Omagh Town Councillor Martin McColgan has called upon businesses in the Omagh district to register with a new safety initiative aimed at reducing theft in the district. Read full article


24 November, 2009

Crucial meeting with Ministers about case of Maureen Mc Ginley

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty will accompany family members of deceased Strabane pensioner Maureen Mc Ginley to a meeting with NIO Minister Paul Goggins and Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey at Stormont today Read full article


24 November, 2009

Doherty questions rationale of PAC decision

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has questioned the rationale of the decision by the Planning Appeals Commission to retain the designation of the Adria site at Beechmount Avenue for "industrial use only" in it decision to refuse an appeal lodged to develop the site for a mixed use development. Pat Doherty said... Read full article


24 November, 2009

Mc Gill deeply concerned about industrial relations at Omagh Rivers Agency

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has expressed deep concern that there has been a major deterioration in industrial relations between management and staff based at the Rivers Agency Regional Office in Omagh after figures she has obtained indicate high levels of staff leaving and out on stress related sick leave. Read full article


24 November, 2009

Councillor urges checks on electrical equipment

Sinn Féin Councillor, Anne Marie Fitzgerald, has appealed to users of life supporting electrical equipment to register immediately with NIE, to avoid experiencing difficulties during power failure or planned interruption of supply. Read full article


23 November, 2009

Tribute to Ivan Barr and Charlie Mc Hugh a memorable occasion

Photo of Terry Boyle and Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty with painted portraits of Ivan and Charlie

Over 300 people attended a tribute function in memory of deceased Strabane District Sinn Féin Councillors Ivan Barr and Charlie Mc Hugh at the Mellon Country Hotel on Saturday night. Read full article


23 November, 2009

Hundreds attend funeral of Winnie Harte.

The funeral cortege pauses at the graveside of Winnie's sons, Vol.  Gerard and Martin Harte.

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty and Deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness were among the mourners at the funeral of Winnie Harte who passed away at her Loughmacrory home on Friday. Read full article


21 November, 2009

Doherty pays tribute to Winnie Harte (1934 - 2009)

Martin Mc Guinness pictured with Winnie at the 2008 West Tyrone Sinn Féin dinnerdance

Sinn Féin MP, Pat Doherty has expressed sympathy with the Harte family on the death of their mother, Winnie who died this morning after a short illness at her home in Loughmacrory, Co. Tyrone. Read full article


19 November, 2009

New Rural Community Transport Services Available from 1st December

Transport Minister Conor Murphy and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew, announced the introduction of two new rural transport schemes. Read full article


18 November, 2009

53 seeking water mains connection in West Tyrone - Mc Gill

Map outlining location of households in West Tyrone seeking a water mains connection

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has disclosed information that 53 out of 300 residences across the six counties seeking a water mains connection are located in West Tyrone. Read full article


18 November, 2009

Rural community groups to benefit from Christmas grant aid

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Ann Quinn has welcomed Omagh District Councils allocation of almost £30,000 in grant aid towards Christmas events in the district. Read full article


17 November, 2009

Sinn Fein will block DUP gerrymander attempt.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that the attempt by DUP Environment Minister Edwin Poots to hold the entire process of local government reform to ransom by trying to gerrymander an electoral boundary affecting his own constituency will not work. Read full article


16 November, 2009

Doherty condemns British army 'war games'

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has hit out at the British army for carrying out air manoeuvres which has angered local people in Mid Tyrone. According to the MP "Between Thursday and Sunday of last week, the British Army engaged in what they referred to as 'training exercises' in the skies above Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh. Read full article


13 November, 2009

Comprehensive approach by Executive must challenge levels of child poverty - McGill

Sinn Féin MLA and spokesperson on poverty, Claire McGill, has stated that the latest report by the Joseph Rowntree foundation highlights the need for a comprehensive approach by the Assembly and the Executive to tackle child poverty. Read full article


11 November, 2009

BBC's Poppy Wearing Policy Offensive to Majority of Nationalists and Republicans

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative, Glenn Campbell, has challenged the BBC's compulsory poppy wearing policy/directive to its presenters, branding it "offensive to the majority of nationalists and republicans in the north". Read full article


11 November, 2009

Opinion Piece from Pat Doherty "An Education system where all children can realise their full potential"

"The media spotlight is presently on the plight of those pupils who will be sitting the unregulated tests. I wish them all well and hope they understand that they are unique valued individuals regardless of what their test results are. Read full article


10 November, 2009

McColgan welcomes King James' Bridge footbridge.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Martin McColgan has welcome a footbridge over the King James bridge in the town. Read full article


9 November, 2009

Doherty welcomes progress on Strathroy Link Road

Pat Doherty MP in conversation with his namesake Pat Doherty, DRD Western Divisional Roads Manager.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has welcomed news that the Strathroy Link road has been included in the draft local transport programme for the Omagh district. He described this as a 'key milestone' on an important strategic project which will connect the community of Strathroy and Gortview with their natural hinterlands on the Derry Road. Read full article


8 November, 2009

Mc Aleer highlights pedestrian safety issues in Beragh

Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has highlighted the dangers posed to pedestrians due to the absence of a footbridge linking Beragh Main Street and Cooley Road. Read full article


3 November, 2009

Sinn Féin encourages over 60s to ensure full benefits entitlement

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty is encouraging people over 60 to ensure that they are securing their full entitlement to benefits after is was revealed that people in this age group across the six counties who accessed the A2B Benefit Calculator, which was established in October last year, are now over 2million better off. Read full article


3 November, 2009

Boyle welcomes additional Roads Service proposals for Finn View/Old Trust areas

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle has welcomed the inclusion of Road Service Schemes for the Urney Road area in the Local Transport and Safety Measures Draft Programme 2010-2012. Read full article


2 November, 2009

Fitzgerald condemns Halloween 'orgy of destruction' in Carrickmore.

Cllr Fitzgerald

Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has strongly condemned the vandals who went on an orgy of destruction in Carrickmore on Halloween night. Read full article


2 November, 2009

Derg Sinn Fein councillors welcome high proportion of Roads Service Schemes proposed for area.

Councillor Mc Hugh

Sinn Féin Councillors for the Derg Electoral Area have welcomed the inclusion of a high proportion of Roads Service schemes for the area in the Local Transport and Safety Measures Draft Programme for Strabane District Council 2010-2012. Read full article


2 November, 2009

Doherty backs child abuse inquiry call

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty is lobbying for an appropriate inquiry and redress mechanism to be established for victims of child abuse in the north in line with the Ryan Commission in the South. Read full article


27 October, 2009

Tribute Dinner in memory of Ivan Barr and Charlie Mc Hugh

The memory of deceased Sinn Féin Councillors Ivan Barr and Charlie Mc Hugh will be honoured at a West Tyrone Sinn Féin Dinner to be held in the Mellon Country Hotel on Saturday 21st November. Read full article


27 October, 2009

Dairy Farmers in the North unlikely to receive any funding from the Milk Fund

Sinn Féin's Agricultural spokesperson Pat Doherty MP MLA has raised concerns that dairy farmers in the north of Ireland are very unlikely to receive anything from the recently agreed €280 million Milk Fund. Read full article


27 October, 2009

Attempted raid an attack on the whole community - Clarke

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Sean Clarke has described the attempted robbery of an ATM machine from a shop in Greencastle as an 'attack on the whole community'. Read full article


23 October, 2009

Doherty welcomes publication of devolution proposals

Speaking in response to the publication of devolution proposals contained in a letter sent to Joint First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin Mc Guinness by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said: Read full article


23 October, 2009

Sinn Fein invites public to Castlederg community engagement meeting.

As part it's Community Engagement Initiative across West Tyrone, Sinn Féin will be holding the latest in ongoing a series of public meetings in the Ard Mór Centre, Lurganbuoy Road, in Castlederg on Wednesday 28th October at 8pm. Read full article


23 October, 2009

Sinn Féin welcomes new "interagency planning approach" for young disabled adult provision

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has described the establishment of an interagency working group within the Western Health & Social Care Trust area to strategically plan the transition of young people with disabilities who are moving into adult life as an essential, albeit long overdue, step in the battle to ensure young disabled adults secure appropriate levels of care and training provision. Read full article


21 October, 2009

Kelly welcomes re-prioritisation of capital funding for Trillick Enterprise Centre.

Councillor Pete Kelly

Sinn Féin Councillor for Trillick, Pete Kelly has welcomed the approval of Omagh District Council to re-allocate capital grant funding to facilitate the purchase of sports equipment at Trillick Enterprise Centre. Read full article


20 October, 2009

Tragedy at Lammy 'forever etched' on peoples minds - Doherty

Speaking in response to the opening of the Lammy fire inquest at Omagh courthouse on Tuesday, West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty said: "The tragic event which occurred at Lammy in October 2007 will be forever etched on the minds of the people of Omagh and the opening of the inquest on Tuesday will certainly evoke some very painful memories. Read full article


18 October, 2009

Community groups urged to apply for Christmas funding

Cllr O Brien

Sinn Féin Councillor, Sharon O'Brien has urged community organisations to apply for grant aid, which has been earmarked for Christmas activities across the Omagh district. Read full article


13 October, 2009

Policing and justice transfer offer creates golden opportunity for progress on educational campus proposal - Doherty

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has welcomed the British government offer on transfer of policing and justice powers to the 6 county Executive. Part of the offer is to transfer the vacated military sites at Lisanelly and St Lucia in Omagh, along with 3 other sites in the 6 counties. Mr Doherty has been lobbying the British MoD for many years to transfer these sites to the Executive so that they can be used for community and civic purposes. Read full article


13 October, 2009

Minister under fire over public sectors job remarks .

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has hit out at finance minister, Sammy Wilson after he said that he wasn't convinced of the merits of relocating public sector jobs from Belfast to other areas of the North of Ireland as it was no longer affordable. Read full article


12 October, 2009

Asbourne set to benefit from new recreational and play facilities.

Omagh town Sinn Féin councillor Séan Begley has welcomed the renewed focus of the council on establishing a play park and recreational area in the Ashbourne area. According to councillor Begley the renewed focus has been the result of 18 months of hard graft to bring the project forward. Read full article


8 October, 2009

Extension of 30mph speed limit on Sixmilecross road.

Sinn Fein mid Tyrone councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed the extension of the 30 miles per hour speed limit on the Tullyneill road in Sixmilecross. Read full article


7 October, 2009

Council Motion aims to bring All Ireland Fleadh to Omagh

Omagh District Council have passed a council motion in its endeavours to bring the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil to Omagh. Sinn Féin Councillor Begley, who brought the motion before the council has said Omagh is ideally placed to facilitate the all Ireland music event. Read full article


30 September, 2009

Work to provide template for socio-economic regeneration of Derg area underway-Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that work on a Visioning Framework to define the socio-economic needs of the Derg area of Strabane District has now begun and anticipates that, upon completion, it will provide a template for the socio-economic regeneration of this area which encompasses the: Castlederg, Clare, Finn, Glenderg and Newtownstewart areas of the District Read full article


30 September, 2009

McCausland's bigots charter will be resisted

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff, who is the chair of the CAL Committee, has slammed Nelson McCausland, the Minster for Culture, Arts and Leisure, for questioning funding for GAA clubs that are named after republicans. Read full article


30 September, 2009

Condolences expressed to Loughmacrory road victim.

The scene of last night's fatal road accident in Loughmacrory.

Sinn Féin Councillor, Sharon O Brien has expressed sympathy with the family of Danny Hughes who was knocked down and killed while walking to a neighbour's house in Loughmacrory village at approximately 10pm last night. Read full article


29 September, 2009

MP hosts Killyclogher senior citizens in Parliament Buildings to mark age awareness week.

Members of Killyclogher Senior Citizens club meet Roads Minister, Conor Murphy during their trip to Stormont.

Killyclogher Senior Citizens club marked Age awareness Week with a fact finding visit to the Stormont Assembly hosted by West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty. The delegation left Killyclogher at 10.30am and was 'seen off' by the first citizen for Omagh District, Cllr Paddy Mc Gowan. Read full article


29 September, 2009

Doherty welcomes winter gritting policy for rural schools

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy MP, of new winter gritting arrangements for areas around rural schools. Read full article


27 September, 2009

Doherty demands immediate investigation into allegation of PSNI maltreatment of 14 year old with special needs.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has expressed his outrage and demanded an immediate investigation into reports that the PSNI detained, manhandled and threatened a 14-year-old child with Special needs in Omagh. The child, who attends Knockavoe Special Needs School in Strabane, was extremely frightened after an officer threatened him with 'a night in the cell'. Read full article


27 September, 2009

Councillor Fitzgerald expresses sympathy to the families of Omagh crash victims.

Sinn Féin Councillor, Anne Marie Fitzgerald has expressed sympathy with the families from Omagh who lost loved ones in separate crashes over the weekend. In the first incident, local woman Margaret Mc Canny died after being hit by a car on the Dromore Road in Omagh at around 11.15pm on Friday. In the second incident, 36-year-old Dermot Loughran, originally from Omagh but living in Lisnakea was killed when the motorcycle he was riding was in collision with a car on the Tummery Road close to Dromore on Saturday afternoon. Read full article


25 September, 2009

Welcome for Dooish road works.

Sinn Féin councillor for west Tyrone Frankie Donnelly has welcomed road works on the Dooish road in Drumquin. The surface of the road had been damaged recently which according to Councillor Donnelly saw one side of the road subside leaving only one lane open to traffic. Read full article


23 September, 2009

Doherty heralds major progress on acquisition of new land for economic development in Strabane District.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that he is confident that one of the long term obstacles which has stood in the way of economic regeneration in Strabane will soon be cleared after having received written confirmation from DETI Minister Arlene Foster that Invest NI has now selected a preferred site which will deliver sufficient land, circa 44 acres, to develop a new Business Park at Melmount Road to meet the need of client companies over the long term. Read full article


23 September, 2009

Applications to open for key Rural Development Programme Funding measures

Sinn Féin has called upon as many groups and individuals as possible throughout Omagh and Strabane to apply for funding from key Rural Development Programme Funding Measures which will open on Monday 28 September. Read full article


23 September, 2009

Welcome for school patrol restoration.

Sinn Fein councillor for west Tyrone, Frankie Donnelly has welcomed the restoration of a school crossing patrol at St Josephs School, on the Omagh road in Drumquin. Read full article


22 September, 2009

Harassment no substitute for bad policing - Clarke

Sinn Féin councillor for mid Tyrone and chairperson of the Omagh DPP Sean Clarke has condemned the actions of the PSNI who set up roadblocks in Greencastle on Monday evening. He questioned the need for roadblocks in the local area. Read full article


22 September, 2009

Doherty calls for clarification of "inquiry proposals" into case of Maureen Mc Ginley.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has written to British Minister of State Paul Goggins MP seeking progress on a commitment to "establish the most appropriate way to fully and independently inquire into the circumstances" of how Strabane pensioner Maureen Mc Ginley sustained 34 rib fractures following her death at Altnagelvin Hospital on 3 January 2007. Read full article


21 September, 2009

Petty Policing must be challenged - Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has condemned the harassment of a young party member from the Mid Tyrone area. Barry McNally, chairperson of West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin was held at a checkpoint in the village of Moy on Saturday past (19th September). Read full article


21 September, 2009

Sinn Fein urge community to help combat VANDALISM AT Beechmount Avenue Play park

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has urged the local community to help combat vandalism at the Children's Play Park at Beechmount Avenue in the town. . Read full article


18 September, 2009

Mc Gill welcomes commitment to improve Bridge Street footpath.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has welcomed a Roads Service commitment to carry out remedial work to different sections of the footpath at Bridge Street to make it more user friendly for wheelchair users and for all pedestrians particularly those attempting to navigate the narrow footway with prams and buggies. Read full article


17 September, 2009

Doherty calls on DSD Minister to honour heating system upgrades approved before suspension of Warm Homes Plus Scheme.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has written to DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie calling upon her to take steps to honour those heating system upgrades that had been granted approval at homes before the suspension of the Warm Homes/Warm Homes Plus Scheme last year. Read full article


14 September, 2009

Large turnout at Strabane Republican Commemoration.

Commemoration parade makes its way from Ballycolman

A sunshine baked Strabane saw hundreds of local people turn out to take part in the annual commemoration in memory of local republican dead. Read full article


14 September, 2009

Have your say on Special Educational Needs and Inclusion proposals

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry Mc Elduff is urging parents and educational professionals and people in the wider community interested an or concerned about special needs education provision in our schools to avail of the opportunity to discuss policy proposals emerging from the Department of Education's SEN Review by attending a Roadshow which to be held at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday 23 September. Read full article


11 September, 2009

Sinn Féin launches community engagement initiative

West Tyrone Sinn Féin has launched details of a series of public engagements throughout the constituency. The first of these will take place in Loughmacrory GAA clubrooms on Wednesday 16th September at 8pm. Other events have been scheduled for Castlederg, Glenelly, Strabane and Omagh. Read full article


9 September, 2009

Gildernew praises Omagh disability group at awards ceremony

Minister Gildernew

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has presented certificates to a group of volunteers who provide support services for people with disabilities in the Omagh area. Read full article


8 September, 2009

MP welcomes Health Ministers decision to fund life saving therapy for Billy Caldwell

Speaking in relation to today's announcement by Health Minister, Michael Mc Gimpsey to fund a complete care package for Billy Caldwell, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty, who accompanied Billy's mother Charlotte and Iris Robinson to a meeting with the Minister, said: Read full article


8 September, 2009

Sinn Fein welcomes launch of Rural Challenge Programme

Sinn Féin has welcomed the launch of a Rural Challenge Programme aimed at assisting in tackling poverty and social exclusion within rural communities. Read full article


7 September, 2009

No justification for Strabane attack

Sinn Féin says that there can be no justification for the vicious assault carried out on a 25year old man who suffers from epilepsy at his Carlton Drive home in Strabane at the weekend. Read full article


7 September, 2009

Mc Elduff to speak at annual Commemoration in Strabane

West Tyrone MLA Barry Mc Elduff will be the main speaker at this year's commemoration held in memory of republican dead from the West Tyrone area. The annual event will take place this Sunday (13th September) and outlining details of this year's commemorative event Sinn Fein councillor, and Chairperson of Strabane District Council, Kieran Mc Guire said, Read full article


6 September, 2009

Mc Aleer warns university students over accommodation scams

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor and member of the Western Education and Library Board, Declan Mc Aleer has appealed to local students planning to go to university and who are looking for new accommodation to fully check out the letting agencies and the track record of private landlords who advertise on the internet before they sign any tenancy agreements or hand over large deposits for rent. Read full article


6 September, 2009

Sinn Féin to hold annual Assembly 'away day'

The Sinn Féin Assembly team along with party members from across Ireland will hold an 'away day' in the Gulladuff Centre, Co Derry on Monday 5th September. Read full article


4 September, 2009

Mc Aleer welcomes announcement on Killyclogher road works.

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured with Killyclogher 'Lollypop' lady, Marie Mc Kenna

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed recent commitments from Roads Service to commence two important schemes in Killyclogher. Read full article


2 September, 2009

Doherty welcomes Newtownstewart flood victim grant assistance

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed the announcement of a £1,000 grant to aid the plight of local flood victims in Newtown. Today's announcement follows serious flooding in the town last Sunday. Read full article


1 September, 2009

Educational Mentoring scheme welcomed

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor and chairperson of the neighborhood renewal scheme Séan Begley has welcomed a scheme which will see a school mentoring schemes in various areas of Omagh. Areas covered by the neighborhood renewal project will benefit from the scheme which was unveiling recently. Read full article


27 August, 2009

Leaked PSNI report tells us absolutely nothing new - Begley

Sinn Féin councillor and Omagh DPP member Sean Begley has said that the internal PSNI report, leaked to the media, only goes to highlight what people have known for some considerable time. Read full article


26 August, 2009

Campbell Welcomes First Meeting on Fintona Action Plan

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Representative, Glenn Campbell

West Tyrone Sinn Fein representative, Glenn Campbell, has welcomed the 'first step' towards an action plan for the regeneration of Fintona. Read full article


25 August, 2009

Sinn Féin calls for 'joined up' approach to tackle Newtownstewart flooding.

Councillor Kieran Mc Guire

Sinn Féin Councillor Kieran McGuire has called for a joined up approach between the Departments of Environment, Agriculture and Regional Development to address the issue of recent flash floods in Newtownstewart. Read full article


19 August, 2009

Fintona Ram Raid Condemned

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Representative, Glenn Campbell, has condemned this morning's robbery of a cash machine during a ram raid of a pub in Fintona. Read full article


18 August, 2009

Thousands mark 28th anniversary of 1981 Hunger Strike

Thousands of people descended on the county Tyrone village of Galbally at the weekend to remember the hunger strikers of 1981. Read full article


18 August, 2009

Traffic Claming Progress for Drumnabey School-Mc Hugh

Councillor Mc Hugh

Castlederg Sinn Fein Councillor Ruairi Mc Hugh has welcomed a Roads Service response to representations he has been making about the need for appropriate traffic calming measures in the vicinity of Drumnabey Primary School. Read full article


18 August, 2009

Springhill Park attack -"There are no quick fix solutions"-Mc Nulty

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty says that there are no quick fix solutions to dealing with social problems and anti-social activity within the community following an attack on the homes of an extended family in Springhill Park in the town in the early hours of this morning. Read full article


13 August, 2009

Efforts made to preserve legacy of Alice Milligan

Cllr Barney Mc Aleer (RIP) pictured with US Congressman Peter King at the plinth dedicated to Alice Milligan at her former home in Mountfield.  Also in the picture (l-r) are Cllr Mickey Mc Anespie (RIP), Pat Doherty MP, MLA and Pat Fahy.

CALLS have been made for the legacy of one of Omagh's most famous natives, Alice Milligan, to be preserved through an exhibition of her literature at the Strule Arts Centre. Read full article


12 August, 2009

Campbell calls on ex Prisoners to apply for training and education grant

Glenn Campbell

A new bursary has been created to assist Republican ex Prisoners with training and education courses. The funding has been made available from the SEUPB Peace 3 programme and is offered through local Prisoners Support groups which are affiliated to the umbrella body, Cóiste Na n-Iarchimi. Read full article


11 August, 2009

Tyrone MPs call for big turnout to commemorate Hunger Strike

Tyrone MP's Martin Mc Guinness, Michelle Gildernew & Pat Doherty

The three MPs representing County Tyrone; Martin McGuinness, Michelle Gildernew and Pat Doherty have issued a joint call for republicans to take part in the National Hunger Strike Commemoration being held for the first time in the county on Sunday August 16th. Read full article


11 August, 2009

Final preparations as Tyrone Hunger Strike Committee goes online.

Sean Begley, Chairman of the Tyrone Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee along with Kerry McColgan, Chairperson of the Tyrone Hunger Strike Youth Committee pictured ahead of a weekend of events in Tyrone.

Tyrone republicans were busy this week in their final preparations for the National Hunger Strike rally which is due to be held on the county this coming Sunday. Several thousand people are expected for the parade which will mark the 28th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike. Read full article


7 August, 2009

Mc Aleer condemns vandalism in Killyclogher.

Killyclogher Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has strongly condemned the vandals who went on a wrecking spree in Mc Ivor Villas in the early hours of Thursday morning. Read full article


7 August, 2009

Doherty hosts Owen Paterson in Omagh.

(l-r) Chair of Omagh DC, Cllr Paddy Mc Gowan, Owen Paterson MP and Pat Doherty MP, MLA

Shadow SoS, Owen Paterson was in Omagh on Thursday where he was accompanied on a series of engagements by West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty. Speaking following the visit, Mr Doherty said: "Mr Paterson has always been a firm advocate of the Shared Educational campus in Lisanelly and during the briefing at WELB Headquarters he expressed particular satisfaction at the pace of progress during the past year. Read full article


5 August, 2009

McColgan Commends Omagh Independent advices services

Omagh Sinn Féin councillor Marty McColgan has said the Omagh Independent Advices Service provides an excellent service to the public and should continue to be funded by the council. Read full article


4 August, 2009

Campbell welcomes Corkill road works in Seskinore

Sinn Féin west Tyrone representative Glenn Campbell has welcomed recent repairs made to the Corkill road in Seskinore. Glenn Campbell had been in contact Roads Service following complaints from local residents due to poor state of the road surface, to repair the Corkill road in Seskinore. Read full article


4 August, 2009

Special effort urged for Tyrone Hunger Strike Commemoration.

Sinn Féin Councillor and Chairperson of Strabane District Council, Kieran Mc Guire is urging republicans from throughout the District to make a special effort to attend this year's National Hunger Strike Commemoration given that Tyrone will be hosting the event for the first time in Galbally on Sunday 16th August. Read full article


4 August, 2009

100th Anniversary of founding of Na Fianna to be remembered.

(Patsy McMahon (RIP) and Jimmy McElduff plant a liberty Tree in the Tyrone Garden of Rememberance in 2005 as a part of the Cead Bliain Sinn Fein programme of events in Tyrone)

A plaque is set to be unveiled in the Tyrone Garden of Remembrance in Carrickmore to mark the 100th anniversary since the foundation of Na Fianna Éireann. The launch will take place on Sunday 16th August; widely believed to be the date on which the youth movement was formed. Read full article


3 August, 2009

1981 Hunger strike Talk set for Strule Arts Centre

Ógra Shinn Féin have announced plans for a weekend of events in Tyrone from the 14th - 16th August. The weekend of events will coincide with the National Hunger Strike Commemorative Weekend being hosted in Tyrone. Read full article


31 July, 2009

Tribute to Kathleen Mc Carron (1957 - 2009)

Kathleen pictured at the Drumnakilly Martyrs 20th anniversary Commemoration last August.

It was with great sadness that the communities of Threemilehouse in Co. Monaghan; Loughmacrory in County Tyrone along with friends from much further afield, learned of the death of Kathleen McCarron of Blackraw, on the 15th July last. Kathleen, aged 51, had spent two years bravely battling a serious illness. Read full article


30 July, 2009

Doherty welcomes Broadband Investment west of the Bann

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed the announcement by DETI Minister Arlene Foster that £177.000 funding, from the £1.9 million Broadband Fund, is being allocated to two companies Net1/Simpliphone and North West Electronics to provide high quality, affordable wireless broadband access to certain rural areas west of the Bann where line broadband provision is still inaccessible. Read full article


29 July, 2009

Brother of murdered councillor welcomes McAnespie Apology

Peter Kelly, brother of Patsy Kelly who was murdered 35 years ago has welcomed the apology to the McAnespie family from the British government over the death of Aidan McAnespie in 1988. Read full article


28 July, 2009

Sinn Fein proposal to refurbish leisure centre facilities accepted.

Sinn Féin Sean Begley has welcomed the acceptance of a proposal from the Omagh town councillor to refurbish facilities at Omagh leisure. It follows on from similar refurbishment works at the centre over the past year. Read full article


28 July, 2009

Tyrone prepares to remember the 1981 Hunger Strike.

Tyrone this week continued preparations for the National Hunger Strike Commemoration weekend by formally launching the weekend of events. Read full article


27 July, 2009

Meeting with NIO Minister Goggins on Lisanelly transfer issue very constructive-Doherty

Pat Doherty MP, Education Minister Caitriona Ruane and Deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness pictured during an earlier visit to Lisanelly and St Lucia sites in June.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says has described as "very constructive" a meeting held today at Stormont with NIO Minister of State Paul Goggins at which the transfer of the former military site at Lisanelly, for the purpose of developing an Educational Village Campus in Omagh, was discussed. Read full article


27 July, 2009

August 7th last call for Rural Development Programme applications

Sinn Féin councillors in West Tyrone have issued a statement reminding people who are considering making an application for grant assistance under the Rural Development Programme under Measures 3.1 (Diversification into Non -Agricultural Activities) and 3.2 (Business Creation and Development) that the call will close at 12 noon on Friday 7th August 2009. Read full article


27 July, 2009

Doherty to meet Goggins on Lisanelly Transfer progress

West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty is to meet with NIO Minister of State Paul Goggins at Stormont later today with the transfer of the former military site at Lisanelly, for the purpose of developing an Educational Village Campus in Omagh, at the top of the talk's agenda. Read full article


23 July, 2009

Sinn Féin elect new Council Group Leader.

Sinn Féin council group have elected a new council group leader on Omagh District Council. At a recently convened meeting Marty McColgan was the chosen successor from mid Tyrone councillor Declan McAleer to take over the reins. Read full article


22 July, 2009

Sinn Féin propose council reception for title winning Hurling Team

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Sean Clarke has proposed holding a council reception for the Tyrone hurling team following recent national success in the Lory Meagher cup. Read full article


21 July, 2009

Anne Marie Fitzgerald congratulates Carrickmore Walkers.

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has congratulated the team of walkers from Carrickmore who have completed a trek from Cork to Carrickmore. Read full article


21 July, 2009

Dual Carriageway announcement pivotal turning point in re-dressing infrastructure imbalance

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty says today's announcement of the preferred route for the A5 Western Transport Corridor Dual Carriageway represents a pivotal turning point in terms of re-dressing the infrastructural imbalance west of the Bann and in the north west region of Ireland. Read full article


21 July, 2009

Have your say on proposed traffic calming measures for Castledown/Urney road area

Cllr Michaela Boyle pictured at Urney/Castletown Road mini roundabout

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle is urging residents in the Castletown Road/Urney Road Area of the town to shape a profile of traffic calming measures for the area which meets their needs by submitting their views on the scheme that has been proposed to the Road Service consultation that has now commenced. Read full article


20 July, 2009

Tyrone to host National Hunger Strike Commemoration

The Scene outside Carrickmores Patrician Hall - December 1980

Tyrone will this year host the National Hunger Strike Commemoration weekend. The annual event has previously been held in Derry and Belfast. This year will see its first visit to county Tyrone. Read full article


20 July, 2009

Sinn Fein challenges Hussey over support for loyalist paramilitary flags in Castlederg

Sinn Féin Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has challenged UUP Councillor Derek Hussey to clarify his position in relation to the erection of loyalist paramilitary flags in Castlederg after Councillor Hussey complained in the local media last week about the removal of such flags from the Killeter Road area of the town. Read full article


16 July, 2009

Sinn Fein to propose refurbishment of facilities at Omagh Leisure Centre.

Sinn Féin are to propose carrying out further refurbishment schemes at Omagh Leisure Centre. Omagh Town Councillor Sean Begley said he would make the proposals at a meeting of the Development committee of Omagh District Council on Tuesday evening. Read full article


13 July, 2009

Doherty delivers main address at Tyrone Volunteers Day

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty addressed this year's Tyrone Volunteers Day. The parade and commemoration is held annually on the anniversary of Tyrone Hunger Striker, Martin Hurson. Two bands took part in this year's mobilisation - the Martin Hurson Memorial Band and the South Derry Martyrs Memorial Band. Read full article


8 July, 2009

Why is DCAL acting as administrator for the Orange Order? - McElduff

Sinn Féin west Tyrone MLA and chair of the Assembly's Culture Arts and Leisure Committee Barry McElduff has contacted both Minister Nelson McCausland and the Permanent Secretary of his department, seeking to find out why DCAL feels the need to act as an administrator for the Orange Order. Read full article


8 July, 2009

Concern grows at non-receipt of £150 Household Fuel Payment

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Michaela Boyle says that it is unacceptable that many householders who fulfil the qualifying criteria for the £150 Household Fuel Payment Scheme announced in February are still awaiting payment five months after the announcement. Read full article


7 July, 2009

Proposals to cut ambulance provision unacceptable.

Sinn Féin Omagh District Councillor Sean Clarke has described a proposal to cut ambulance provision in the area as 'unacceptable'. Read full article


7 July, 2009

Pat Doherty Set to Address July 13th Parade.

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty is set to address the Annual Tyrone Volunteers commemoration, which will take place on Monday 13th July in Galbally. Read full article


6 July, 2009

Mc Aleer urges people to have their say on traffic calming proposals for Mountfield.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has urged local people to attend the exhibition in Mountfield on Thursday evening to discuss traffic calming proposals for the village. Read full article


6 July, 2009

Campbell calls for environmental clean up of Ashfield Gardens.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative Glenn Campbell has called for an environmental clean up of Ashfield Gardens in Fintona, following a meeting with residents of the estate on Thursday. Read full article


6 July, 2009

"Proposed ambulance cuts completely untenable" - Mc Gill

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA and Assembly Health Committee member Claire Mc Gill says has described proposed cuts to ambulance provision by 70,000 hours across the six counties completely untenable. Read full article


6 July, 2009

Doherty lobbies DSD Minister on suspension over Home Improvement Grants.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that many elderly constituents have been dealt a double blow by being not only told that Housing Executive Improvement Grants for long awaited improvements to their homes have been suspended but by also being told that they would have to reapply afresh if and when additional funding becomes available for these grants. Read full article


5 July, 2009

Minister announces more significant progress on the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has highlighted significant progress in developing a Shared Education Campus in Omagh. The Minister was speaking following the second meeting of the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus Steering Group. Read full article


1 July, 2009

Sinn Fein criticise 'incompetent' actions of PSNI.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has criticised the PSNI after it was revealed that they had raided the wrong house in the Gortmore Gardens area of Omagh on Tuesday. Read full article


30 June, 2009

Sinn Fein pressing for improved Provision for adult disabled Learning population in strabane

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill is to meet Western Health & Social Care Trust officials this Friday to discuss growing concerns about the reduction in Adult Disabled Learning Provision in Strabane District. Read full article


30 June, 2009

FINAL TRANSFER 2010 GUIDANCE PUBLISHED

Minister Ruane on a visit to Omagh last year.

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has published the final Transfer 2010 Guidance for admissions to post-primary schools in September 2010. Read full article


30 June, 2009

Sinn Féin welcome as Rural Development Fund Opens for Business

Sinn Féin representatives in West Tyrone have welcomed today's opening of applications for 2 of the principle measures of Rural Development Funding in the North West Cluster Area saying that it heralds one the most substantial ever capital investments in the rural economy and in rural communities throughout Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady council areas. Read full article


29 June, 2009

Reflections on a year as Omaghs First Citizen

Sinn Fein Omagh town councillor and outgoing chairman of Omagh District Council. Marty McColgan recently to reflected on the main events and achievements of the past year during his term in office. Read full article


27 June, 2009

Sinn Féin press for action on fly tipping issue

Local farmer Kevin Murray highlights the extent of flytipping on his land near Eskra.  Pictured with  Sinn Féin rep. Glenn Campbell and Pat Doherty MP

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has urged the Department of Environment to take urgent steps to address a serious issue of fly tipping on farmland near Eskra, Co. Tyrone. Mr Doherty visited the location on Friday along with Sinn Féin representative Glenn Campbell and landowner, Kevin Murray. Read full article


25 June, 2009

Sinn Féin condemn Omagh attacks

Omagh Town Councillor, Sean Begley has spoken out after two very serious incidents in Omagh town in the early hours of Thursday morning. Read full article


22 June, 2009

MARTIN HURSON MEMORIAL CUP 2009

Martin Hurson Memorial Cup 2009 Launched Read full article


18 June, 2009

Pilot Broadband initiative to be rolled out in Tyrone.

It has been revealed that Tyrone is to benefit from pioneering new broadband technology for areas throughout Tyrone affected by current broadband provision. Read full article


17 June, 2009

It's time for a national debate on Ireland after 2010, says PAT DOHERTY MP - 16/06/09

Published in Irish World Last weekend Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was in the United States, hosting the first of two major conferences on the issue of Irish re-unification. Alongside the party's Joint First Minister Martin McGuinness, he recently announced details of the party's 'United Ireland Task Force' initiative, which aims to open up a broad discussion, both in Ireland, and on a wider international level. Read full article


17 June, 2009

Sinn Féin welcomes Greencastle road works.

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Clarke has welcomed remedial work carried out to the Aughascribba road in Greencastle and has also voiced support for scheduled work on the Crockanboy road. Read full article


16 June, 2009

Diplock Courts must go - McAleer

Sinn Féin Councillor and DPP member, Declan McAleer has slammed the NIO announcement that they plan to extend the use of Diplock courts for another two years. Read full article


16 June, 2009

Sinn Féin thanks electorate.

Sinn Féins Sean Begley has thanked all of those who voted for Bairbre de brun in the recent european election. Read full article


15 June, 2009

West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin demand 'Don't Extradite the Basques'!

West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin representative Kerry McColgan has called upon people to sign an online petition calling for an end to extradition proceedings against two Basque nationals currently living in Belfast. Read full article


15 June, 2009

Martin McGuinness to address Bodenstown 2009

Sinn Féin Omagh Town Councillor, Martin McColgan has said a keynote address to be given by Joint First Minister Martin McGuinness at the Wolfe Tone commemoration will detail the work plan for Sinn Féin throughout Ireland during the next year. Read full article


12 June, 2009

Improvements on the way for Whitebridge / Altamuskin Roads.

Long awaited improvements are finally on the way for the Whitebridge and Altamuskin roads according to local councillor and MLA Barry McElduff. Read full article


6 June, 2009

Fitzgerald expresses sympathy with Omagh assault victim.

Omagh District Councillor Ann Marie Fitzgerald has expressed sympathy with the family of a young man who was assaulted and knocked unconscious in Omagh in the early hours of Saturday morning. Read full article


3 June, 2009

Great Escape Recalled at Public Talk

Carrickmore was the venue for a public talk on the biggest escape of republican Prisoners from a British jail on Tuesday evening. Read full article


3 June, 2009

Polling Card not necessary to vote-Mc Elduff

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry Mc Elduff says that you don't need a polling card to vote in Thursday's EU election poll. He says that he has moved to issue a clarification statement following evidence that hundreds of registered voters throughout West Tyrone have not yet received a polling card an now believe that they are not entitled to vote. Read full article


30 May, 2009

1983 Prison Escape to be recounted in Carrickmore.

British forces mounted the biggest search operation that had ever been seen in the north of Ireland in the aftermath of the escape

The biggest escape of republican Prisoners from a British jail will be recounted on Tuesday night in Carrickmore as three of the escapees will hold a public talk. Read full article


26 May, 2009

De Brún meets Omagh Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún accompanied by Cllr Declan Mc Aleer, group leader of the Sinn Féin block on Omagh District Council, met today with Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry during a visit to the town as part of a West Tyrone tour. Read full article


26 May, 2009

Hunger Strikers remembered at Dromore Commemoration

Over 300 republicans from across Tyrone gathered in Dromore on Saturday in memory of Bobby Sands and nine other republican prisoners who died on hunger strike in 1981. Read full article


26 May, 2009

Sinn Fein expresses concern at delay in RDP roll-out

Sinn Fein councillor Frankie Donnelly expressed concern that the process of opening the Rural Development programme is getting bogged down in bureaucracy between Omagh District Council officials and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Read full article


22 May, 2009

Sinn Fein hit out havoc wrecked at Springhill Park

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor and Council Chairperson Jarlath Mc Nulty says that there is a combination of disgust, anger and fear among residents of Springhill Park area of the town following havoc wrecked in the area last night as a result of what can be only be described as a re-creational riot by young people and children some of whom were as young as five years of age. Read full article


19 May, 2009

Dromore Memorial Committee Unveil plans for parade.

Republicans from Tyrone and further afield will gather in Dromore on Saturday in memory of Bobby Sands and nine other republican prisoners who died on hunger strike in Long Kesh jail, outside Belfast, in 1981. Read full article


19 May, 2009

Cllr Fitzgerald extends sympathy to the Sweeney Family following tragic death of toddler.

Speaking last night following the tragic death of 2 year old Tadhg Sweeney, Sinn Féin Councillor for the area, Ann Marie Fitzgerald extended her deepest sympathy to the family. Read full article


18 May, 2009

ROADS SERVICE TO INVEST £5.1MILLION IN OMAGH DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy announced a £5.1million investment for the Omagh Council area this year. Read full article


14 May, 2009

Cllr Fitzgerald welcomes play park for Sixmilecross.

Residents of Sixmilecross are set to benefit from a newly built play park, according to Sinn Fein Councillor for the area, Anne Marie Fitzgerald. Read full article


13 May, 2009

Hope that additional dentists will alleviate access crisis

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP MLA Pat Doherty has warmly welcomed today's announcement by Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey of a 17m investment to provide an additional 38 dentists across the north. He says that the he hopes the move will begin to address the serious crisis that has developed in terms of the many thousands, particularly people in receipt of benefits, who have unable to get access to dental treatment, even in emergency situations, for some considerable time now. Read full article


12 May, 2009

Broadband connection vital-Mc Guire

Connecting the 30% of the EU's rural population that has no high speed internet access should be a priority for achieving 'broadband for all' by 2010, the European Commission has said. Local Councillor Kieran Mc Guire, has welcomed the Commissions findings and agrees that good internet access can make farms and companies in rural areas especially Small to Medium Buisnesses less isolated and more competitive. Read full article


11 May, 2009

Call for people to get on electoral register.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin director of elections Sean Begley has urged people to register to vote in the upcoming elections, scheduled to take place on June 4th. Read full article


11 May, 2009

Derek Hussey must apologise to people of Castlederg over false sectarian assault claims

Sinn Fein councillors in the Derg Electoral Area of Strabane District Council says that Ulster Unionist Councillor Derek Hussey needs to publicly apologise for casting a cloak of suspicion over every young nationalist male in the Castlederg area and vilifying them in the process by going all out in the media over false sectarian assault claims. Read full article


7 May, 2009

Sinn Féin criticise 20% planning fee rise.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has criticised a proposal which would see a 20% hike in planning application fees. Read full article


6 May, 2009

Sinn Fein welcomes additional fire-fighter cover.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor and chairperson of the Omagh District Council Marty McColgan has welcomed an announcement that Omagh will benefit from additional emergency cover from the fire and rescue service. Read full article


5 May, 2009

Mc Aleer welcomes repair work on Drumnakilly Road

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed the decision by DRD Road Service to commence work on the Drumnakilly Road. According to Cllr Mc Aleer "The Drumnakilly Road which links Carrickmore to Omagh is one of the busiest B routes in the district. Read full article


5 May, 2009

Sinn Féin motion calls on Minister to simplify access to Employment Support Allowance

Sinn Féin MLA Claire Mc Gill has said that DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie should work to ensure that access to employment support allowance is much easier for vulnerable claimants. Read full article


4 May, 2009

Proposal to defer water charges welcomed.

Sinn Féin representative Glenn Campbell has welcomed a proposal from Regional Development minister Conor Murphy to defer water charges for another three years. Read full article


1 May, 2009

DPP Meeting 'Frank and Forthright' - Begley

Sinn Féins Sean Begley has said that there was a frank and forthright discussion at the specially convened Omagh DPP meeting. The meeting, which was held last Monday night was to discuss recent violent attacks in the Omagh area. Read full article


29 April, 2009

Tesco must not succumb to sectarian hostility - McElduff

Commenting on the news that children from St Colmghalls GAA Club, taking part in a charity 'bag packing' in the Antrim branch of Tesco, were forced to remove their club kits due to complaints, Chairman of the Assembly's Culture Arts and Leisure Committee, Barry McElduff MLA said, "I have to express my utter disgust". Read full article


28 April, 2009

Sinn Féin proposal to implement d'hondt accepted.

Omagh District Council has voted to implement the d'hondt system for the next 2 years after the further extension of the council term by two years following the review of public administration. Read full article


27 April, 2009

Only 2 weeks left to secure Proxy/Postal vote in EU Election

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Claire Mc Gill has urged everyone who, whatever reason, will be unable to vote in person on the day of the European Election Thursday 4 June to apply to vote by post or by proxy before the absent voter deadline expires on the 14th May. Read full article


22 April, 2009

Emergency DPP meeting to discuss violent crime in Omagh.

Sinn Féin Omagh councillor Sean Begley has requested an urgent meeting of Omagh DPP following a number of violent crimes in the Omagh area in the recent past. Read full article


21 April, 2009

Doherty calls upon DSD Minister to clarify DHSS Office proposals

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP MLA Pat Doherty says that DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie needs to clarify in detail her plans for the future of the Social Security Agency's local office network following her announcement yesterday that she is taking forward, in amended form, some of the proposals of the SSA Strategic Business Review to centralise DHSS benefits services under the term "Customers First." Read full article


21 April, 2009

RUANE ACHIEVES BIG STEP FORWARD IN OMAGH SHARED EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS

Caitriona Ruane pictured last year during a Ministerial visit to Omagh.

Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has announced a major investment of some £2.1 million for the design of a Shared Educational Campus at the Lisanelly former military site in Omagh. Read full article


20 April, 2009

Doherty urges DSD Minister to shelve Benefits Office centralization proposals

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty has once again called upon Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to shelve plans for the centralization of benefits office services away from frontline services and face to face contact amid speculation that she is to make an announcement on the controversial plans today (Monday). Read full article


20 April, 2009

A national conversation - SInn Fein public meetings across Ireland

West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has announced details of 10 public meetings to be held across the North in the coming weeks as part of the programme of nation building. As part of this programme public meetings are being held in the Fir Trees Hotel in Strabane on Thursday 30 April at 7.30pm and at Galbally Hall this Wednesday 22nd April at 8pm. Read full article


17 April, 2009

Electoral office move Vindicates Sinn Fein's position

Sinn Fein's Sean Begley has said a combination of pressure and lobbying from the party has paid off after the Electoral Office revealed that it will now use records from the Department of Work and Pensions database in order to verify addresses of citizens on the electoral register. Read full article


17 April, 2009

Imminent repairs for Tremoge road.

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed confirmation from DRD Roads Service that it is to undertake an inspection of Tremoge Road just outside Carrickmore. Read full article


15 April, 2009

Large attendance at Carrickmore Easter Commemoration.

Pomeroy Accordian Band

Tyrone republicans converged in Carrickmore on Easter Sunday to commemorate Irelands patriot dead. The Commemoration was the centrepiece to a weekend that had seen over 30 graveside commemorations and parades in Coalisland on Easter Saturday and Ardboe on Easter Monday. Read full article


14 April, 2009

Easter commemoration in Loughmacrory.

A section of the crowd who attended the Easter commemoration in Loughmacrory.

In one of the biggest crowds witnessed in recent years, approximately 400 people attended the annual Loughmacrory commemoration at the graveside of Brothers Gerard and Martin Harte. Read full article


14 April, 2009

Easter commemoration held in Drumragh.

Veteran Republican James Mc Elduff prepares to lay a wreath on the grave of Alice Milligan.

On Saturday Republicans assembled at the graveside of poet, playwright and Republican, Alice Milligan. The commemoration was chaired by the Cathaoirleach of the Milligan/Harte Sinn Féin Cumann, Sean Donnelly. Read full article


14 April, 2009

Vol Seamus Woods remembered.

Republicans assembled at the graveside of Vol.  Seamus Woods, Pomeroy.

A crowd of approximately 200 people attended the graveside commemoration for Vol. Seamus Woods in Pomeroy on Easter Sunday. Read full article


14 April, 2009

"Republicans engaged in Nation Building phase"-Doherty

Drumboe Easter Pagent

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty says that "republicans are now engaged in nation building - a phase of struggle described by James Connolly described as the re-conquest of Ireland by the Irish people." Read full article


14 April, 2009

Mc Gill Addresses Cranagh and Strabane Easter Commemorations

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Claire Mc Gill addressed local republicans at commemorations at Cranagh and Strabane Cemetery on Easter Sunday. Read full article


14 April, 2009

Republicans commemorate veteran Republican, Charlie Ferris.

John Smith recites the Easter Proclamation at the graveside of Charlie Ferris.

Over 70 people attended the Easter Commemoration at the graveside of veteran Republican, Charlie Ferris in Killyclogher graveyard. Read full article


10 April, 2009

Abhaile Aris Arts and Craft shop opens

On Saturday the formal opening of Abhaile Arís Arts & Crafts shop on James Street, Omagh took place. The event was attended by Republican ex Prisoners from the local area who served time in Prisons in every decade from the 1950's until the 1990's. Read full article


7 April, 2009

If In Doubt Keep Them Out - Fitzgerald

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has called upon people in the Carrickmore area to be on their guard following reports of bogus callers in the area. Read full article


6 April, 2009

Sinn Féin condemns 'provocative' march in Omagh

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has condemned what he has described as a 'provocative' march organised by Omagh True blues loyalist band in Omagh on Friday evening. Read full article


6 April, 2009

Tyrone Republicans to mobilise for Easter commemorations.

The Easter Proclamation of 1916: Still relevant to today's youth. Pictured here are Kerry McColgan and Stephen McGahan

Tyrone republicans will this weekend mobilise for Easter commemorations throughout the county. This year marks the 93rd anniversary of the 1916 Easter rising in Dublin. Read full article


1 April, 2009

Sinn Fein criticises lack of notification about Strabane Electoral Registration and Electoral ID processing event.

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle has moved to highlight the fact that there will be an Electoral Office Registration and Photographic Identification clinic in the Alley Theatre between 4pm and 7.30pm in the town today but has criticized the lack of pre-notification and pre-publicity about the event. Read full article


1 April, 2009

McElduff Confirmed as Main speaker at Tyrone Commemoration

Local MP Pat Doherty and Local MLA Barry McElduff launch the Easter lily at Stormont

The 93rd Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be remembered at a series of Commemorations and wreath-laying ceremonies in County Tyrone and throughout Ireland over the Easter weekend. Read full article


31 March, 2009

Sinn Féin launch Easter lily campaign.

Winnie Harte and Martin McColgan, Chairperson of ODC launching the Easter Lily

Sinn Féin launched the Easter campaign in the Omagh District Council offices on Tuesday Evening. Sinn Féin chairperson of the council, Marty McColgan was joined by Winnie Harte to perform the launch. Winnie's sons, Gerard and Martin Harte were shot dead by the British SAS in 1988 whilst on active service at Drumnakilly. Read full article


31 March, 2009

Republican ex Prisoner group launched

Ex Prisoners from Mid and West Tyrone will assemble on Saturday to officially launch Abhaile Aris - a support organisation for people who have served time in jails as a result of the conflict. The launch will include the official opening of an arts and craft shop on James Street, Omagh at 3pm. Read full article


31 March, 2009

ELECTORAL REGISTRATION

Sinn Féin Spokesperson, Pat Doherty MP, MLA (West Tyrone) is leading a Party delegation to meet with British Minister, Paul Goggins today to raise a number of concerns around electoral registration and also the Review of Public Administration. Read full article


30 March, 2009

Sinn Féin hails Gortmore Decision.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor and chairperson of Omagh District Council Marty McColgan has welcomed the decision to keep Gortmore residential home in Omagh open. Read full article


28 March, 2009

Greenfield decision a victory for people power

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill heralded the U-turn by the Western Trust's to keep Greenfield Residential Care Home open as a victory for people power. Read full article


24 March, 2009

Mc Hugh hits out at Castlederg Graffiti vandalism

Sinn Fein Councillor Ruairí Mc Hugh has hit out at the vandals who have blighted the Castlefin Park, Churchtown Park and Hillview Park areas of Castlederg with graffiti over this past week. Read full article


24 March, 2009

Mc Gill welcomes increase in Financial Assistance for Water Main Connections to rural dwellings

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has welcomed the announcement by DRD Minister Conor Murphy of an increase from £6,500 to £10,000 in the financial assistance being made available to householders requesting a water main extension to serve an existing property. Read full article


24 March, 2009

Rural dwellers should respond to Planning consultation before March 31st

Sinn Fein Strabane District Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has called upon people in the rural community to respond to the consultation on draft PPS21 (Planning in the Countryside) before the 31st March. Read full article


20 March, 2009

Fitzgerald welcomes breast screening extension.

Sinn Fein Mid Tyrone Councillor and chair of the Health Committee of Omagh District Council Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed the announcement that the breast-screening programme will be extended for women up to the age of 70. Read full article


19 March, 2009

Sinn Féin to host Farmers Forum in Greencastle

Sinn Féin MP and party spokesperson on rural affairs, Pat Doherty, will host a Farmers Forum in Greencastle Community Centre on Thursday 26th March at 7.30pm. The Forum will be addressed by Sinn Féin MEP, Bairbre de Brún Read full article


17 March, 2009

Doherty meets MoD Minister on Lisanelly transfer issue

West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty met with British Under Secretary of State for Defence, Kevan Jones MP in London on Monday to press the MoD Minister on the transfer of lands at the former military base at Lisanelly for the purpose of developing an Educational Village Campus in Omagh. Read full article


16 March, 2009

£150 household fuel payment to be made in April-Mc Mahon

Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon says that £150 fuel payment to low income households throughout the six counties are now scheduled to be made in the month of April and stated that this would be particularly needed given the massive hike in electricity bills during the last quarter. Read full article


13 March, 2009

Mc Aleer welcomes clarity on household fuel payments.

Sinn Féin councillor Declan McAleer has welcomed recent clarification from the Department of Social Development regarding the household fuel payment scheme. Read full article


13 March, 2009

Sinn Fein welcomes EU roaming charges ruling

Sinn Fein Councillor Kieran Mc Guire says that the decision by the European Parliament to cap the cost of roaming charges will be welcomed by frustrated mobile phone users and particularly in border areas like Strabane and Donegal. Read full article


10 March, 2009

Apply for council Grant Aid - Donnelly

Sinn Fein councillor and chairperson of Omagh District Council's development committee, Councillor Frankie Donnelly has urged community and voluntary sector organisations to apply for Council grants being made available by the Omagh District Council. Read full article


9 March, 2009

Sinn Féin welcomes Primary School Uniform Grant

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle has warmly welcomed the decision by Education Minister Caitríona Ruane to extend the uniform grant from secondary schools on to primary schools. Read full article


9 March, 2009

Sinn Fein hits out at Carrickmore Robberies.

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has condemned a number of robberies in the Carrickmore area over the weekend. Read full article


6 March, 2009

Doherty welcomes Ministers announcement on Lisanelly

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has hailed the announcement by Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane that over £1 million from her department's budget has been allocated for exemplary design work on the Educational campus project on the Lisanelly military site in Omagh. Read full article


6 March, 2009

Sinn Féin Omagh Cllrs Condemns Hijack bid.

Sinn Féin Omagh Town councillors Sean Begley and Omagh District Council Chairperson Martin McColgan has condemned the apparent attempted robbery of a car from the Fairmount Avenue /Gallows hill area of Omagh. Read full article


4 March, 2009

Tyrone All Ireland Captain to lead St. Patrick's parade.

Sinn Féin representative Glenn Campbell has welcomed the announcement that Tyrone Senior Football captain, Brian Dooher is to lead this year's St Patrick's day parade in Dublin. Read full article


4 March, 2009

Invest NI now acquiring additional land in Strabane District -Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has been told by Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster and senior officials from Invest NI of the practical steps that are in now being taken to address the shortage of economic development land in Strabane District following a meeting held at Stormont this afternoon. Read full article


3 March, 2009

Kelly elected chair of Omagh District Council's Agriculture Committee.

Councillor Pete Kelly

Sinn Féin Councillor, Peter Kelly has outlined his priorities following his election as chairperson of Omagh District Council's Agriculture Committee. Councillor Kelly has been a 'hill farmer' for all of his adult life and has an extensive knowledge of the many issues affecting the farming community. Read full article


3 March, 2009

Torchlight vigil held for victims of state violence

Ógra Shinn Féin in Strabane organised a successful torchlight vigil in the head of the town area on Saturday night (28th February). Upwards of 50 local people gathered at the Breslin/Devine monument in Fountain Street, and symbolically lit torches in memory of those killed as a result of British state-sponsored violence. Read full article


2 March, 2009

Donnelly welcomes fuel payments.

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has welcomed the executive approval of a plan which would see 150,000 homes automatically receive a £150 fuel payment. Read full article


2 March, 2009

Great sadness at Omagh Hospital Vigil-Mc Colgan

The Sinn Féin Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Cllr Marty Mc Colgan says that there was great sadness at the vigil held in Omagh last night to coincide with the decision by the Western Trust to withdraw acute services provision at the Tyrone County Hospital. Read full article


1 March, 2009

PSNI Accused of Brutality in Castlederg

Castlederg Sinn Féin Councillor Ruairí Mc Hugh, has accused the PSNI of brutality following an incident in Hillview Park in the town which resulted in two brothers being hospitalised after being beaten and attacked with CS Spray. Read full article


1 March, 2009

Daunting form deterred many groups from applying for Peace III Small Grants

Omagh Sinn Féin Cllr Seán Begley says that while there was considerable interest shown in the PEACE III Small Grants Programme before Friday's 27 February deadline, it is clear that many local groups were ultimately deterred from applying because of the daunting application form that had to be filled in. Read full article


25 February, 2009

Kelly welcomes compensation scheme for farmers affected by flooding.

Omagh district councillor Peter Kelly has welcomed the introduction of legislation to provide hardship payments to farmers who suffered loss as a result of the exceptional flooding on 16 August 2008. Read full article


24 February, 2009

Mc Nulty questions application for DHSS "front office only" in Strabane

The Sinn Féin Chair of Strabane District Council, Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty has questioned why a planning application has been lodged by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) seeking permission to demolish the existing 2 story building and porticaban DHSS facilities on the Urney Road in the town and replace it with a new 2 story facility (for a front office only service) given that DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie has went on record as saying that no decisions have been made, as of yet, about the proposal under her Social Security Agency's Strategic Business Review (SBR) to re-locate the vast majority of Strabane based DHSS staff to centralized processing centres in other areas. Read full article


24 February, 2009

Lisanelly and St Lucia motion passed at Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

Delegates at Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Dublin at the weekend unanimously backed a motion from the Omagh Sinn Féin Comhairle Ceantair calling upon the British Government to honour commitments given and to speedily engage in the process of transferring the vacated Lisanelly and St Lucia military sites to the six county Executive so that they can be used as an asset base for the regeneration of Omagh town and District. Read full article


24 February, 2009

Richie has got it wrong regarding SSA cuts.

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has called upon the social development minister Margaret Richie to halt her cuts to social security agency facilities. His call comes as the number of people signing up to social security benefits continues to grow on a daily basis. Read full article


23 February, 2009

Daunting form deterred many groups from applying for Peace III Small Grants

Omagh Sinn Féin Cllr Seán Begley says that while there was considerable interest shown in the PEACE III Small Grants Programme before Friday's 27 February deadline, it is clear that many local groups were ultimately deterred from applying because of daunting application form that had to be filled in. Read full article


23 February, 2009

Sinn Féin make detailed submission opposing closure of Greenfield Residential Home

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill says that the Western Health & Social Care Trust proposal to close Greenfield Residential Care Home for the elderly in Strabane must be withdrawn and an alternative proposal must be brought forward-one which sees the facility remaining operational until such times as alternative residential provision can be made. Read full article


18 February, 2009

Minister to be challenged over Invest NIs track record on Strabane

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty is scheduled to meet Economy Minister Arlene Foster early next month to discuss what he says is Invest NIs continued neglect of Strabane District. Read full article


18 February, 2009

Clear abuse of draconian stop and search powers by PSNI in Strabane

Strabane Sinn Féin Cllr Brian Mc Mahon says that statistics presented to the Policing Board disclosing that 625 people were subject to Section 44 Stop and Search powers by the PSNI in Strabane District in the final months of 2008 shows that when local Sinn Féin representatives asserted in November of last year that "the PSNI were reverting to some of the worst excesses of the RUC in the area during the 1980s and 1990s" that these assertions were based solid foundations and not exaggeration. Read full article


18 February, 2009

Sinn Féin welcome Farm Modernisation scheme.

Sinn Féin MP and MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed the opening of the Farm Modernisation scheme by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew. The aim of the scheme is to help boost the agricultural sector and as a result the rural economy in times of economic downturn. Read full article


18 February, 2009

Call for Traffic Calming after young man knocked down in Dromore

Sinn Féin councillor for West Tyrone, Ann Quinn, has said the acute need for traffic calming measures in Dromore has been demonstrated by a recent incident in the town where a boy was knocked down. Read full article


17 February, 2009

McAleer welcomes £1.3 Million for classroom assistants

Sinn Fein Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed the announcement by Minister Caitriona Ruane that up to 750 classroom assistants will receive a share of £1.3million as a result of the implementation of job evaluation. Read full article


17 February, 2009

Fitzgerald Condemns Carrickmore Robberies

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has urged people in the Carrickmore area to be vigilant and look out for vulnerable neighbours. Her call follows a number of robberies in the Carrickmore area. The latest spate of robberies in the area took place over the weekend. Read full article


16 February, 2009

Condemnation following attack on Community worker.

There has been condemnation following a weekend attack on an Omagh community worker. Read full article


16 February, 2009

Clarke welcomes Crockanboy road works.

Sinn Féin councillor for Mid Tyrone Sean Clarke has welcome an assurance from roads service which will see urgent road works undertaken on the Crockanboy Road. Read full article


14 February, 2009

Ógra Shinn Féin picket calls for Basque Self-determination

The local branch of Ógra Shinn Féin recently held a white-line picket in Strabane town centre calling for independence for the Basque country. Read full article


14 February, 2009

Omagh Protest in Solidarity with the People of Euskal Herria

Ógra Shinn Féin were on the streets over the weekend to demonstrate their solidarity with the people of the Basque country. One area were Ógra were active was on the streets of Omagh. Demonstrators held Basque flags and posters calling for an end to the repression in the Basque country. Read full article


13 February, 2009

O'Brien welcomes extensive resurfacing of arterial route.

Sinn Féin Omagh District councillor Sharon O'Brien has welcomed the extensive resurfacing of the Cookstown to Omagh road. Read full article


11 February, 2009

Sinn Féin presses on B-Road connectivity to A5 Dual Carriageway

Sinn Féin West Tyrone DEA representative Glenn Campbell says that his party is pressing Road Service on the need to ensure that there is proper connectivity between the planned A5 dual carriageway and towns and villages along its route Read full article


11 February, 2009

Call for Gritting of Eskra Thoroughfare

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Representative Glenn Campbell who has called for the gritting of Newtownsaville Road in Eskra.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin public representative Glenn Campbell has called on DRD Road Service to address the concerns of Eskra residents with regard to the gritting of the Newtownsaville Road which runs through Eskra. Read full article


10 February, 2009

Radical approach required to tackle underinvestment in North West

Sinn Féin Omagh District councillor and chairperson of ICBAN, Frankie Donnelly has said the report from PricewaterhouseCoopers highlights Sinn Fein's position; that a radical approach is required to tackle the underinvestment and lack of economic activity in the North West. Read full article


10 February, 2009

Proposed Shooting range would have adverse effect on rural community - Donnelly

Sinn Féin West Tyrone councillor Frankie Donnelly has said a proposed shooting range for the Kirlish area of Drumquin would have an adverse effect for the community in Drumquin. Read full article


10 February, 2009

Report vindicates Sinn Féin's vigorous pursuit of Equality Agenda in Executive

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that the report from PricewaterhouseCoopers which highlights the continuing economic disparities between east and west of the Bann (in its case study of the new council areas of Derry City and Strabane and Omagh and Fermanagh), requires an affirmative action plan from all Assembly Departments to ensure the implementation of the Executive's Programme for Government and Investment Strategy, which was underpinned by a commitment to tackle regional disparities. Read full article


9 February, 2009

DUP CULTURE MINISTER MUST BE 'UNAMBIGUOUS' ABOUT ATTACKS ON GAA

Castlederg Sinn Féin Councillor Ruairí Mc Hugh has called upon DUP 'Culture' Minister Gregory Campbell to issue a clear an unambiguous statement condemning attacks and acts of vandalism against GAA property. Read full article


9 February, 2009

Mc Nulty urges uptake of PEACE III Small Grants.

Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty, the Sinn Féin Chairperson of Strabane District Council, has welcomed the launch of the PEACE III small grants Programme. Under PEACE III, a total of 50 million Euro is being made available to local communities in the North of Ireland. Read full article


6 February, 2009

Cllr Quinn speaks of 'a new perspective on life' after charity mission to Kenya.

Councillor Ann Quinn with Brenda whose mother has died of AIDS. Brenda arrived at the orphanage with acute pneumonia & nearly died as a result.

Having spent two weeks recently helping look after abandoned and homeless orphans in Kenya, local Sinn Féin councillor Ann Quinn has returned to her home in Dromore with a new perspective on life having tended for starving children taken in by the Good Life Orphanage in Mombassa. Read full article


5 February, 2009

Welcome for Fintona Speed limit extension.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone representative on the Fintona forum and local party spokesperson Glenn Campbell has welcomed the proposal for an extension of the speed limits on all approach roads into Fintona. Read full article


5 February, 2009

Begley welcomes launch of PEACE III

Councillor Sean Begley has welcomed the launch of the PEACE III small grants Programme. Under PEACE III, a total of 50 million Euro is being made available to local communities in the North of Ireland. Read full article


3 February, 2009

Caithfidh an Aire obair ar son Foras na Gaeilge - Mac Giolla Dhuibh

Labhair Cathoirleach an Choiste Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Foillíochta, Barra Mac Giolla Dhuibh i ndiaidh ráiteas sa Tionól inniu ón chruinniú earnála deireannach den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas(CATT). Read full article


3 February, 2009

Have your say on A5 Dual Carriageway Route-Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP MLA Pat Doherty has called on the public to have their say about the preferred route of the A5 dual carriageway by attending any one of a number of consultation meetings being organised by DRD Roads Service at local venues throughout the month of February. Read full article


2 February, 2009

"An education system where all children can realise their full potential"-Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP MLA Pat Doherty says that the primary-post primary transfer guidelines set out today by Education Minister Caitríona Ruane are a crucial element in securing the delivery of a modern education system where all children can realise their full potential. Read full article


30 January, 2009

Sinn Féin condemns Culmore robbery.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has condemned a robbery at premises on the Dromore road area of the town on Thursday evening. Read full article


30 January, 2009

£4.7 Million EU funds for NW Cluster

The Special EU Programmes Body is facilitating a public meeting at The Fir Trees Hotel Strabane on Tuesday 3rd February 2009 at 2:00pm to introduce the European Union Peace and Reconciliation Programme 2007-2013 PEACE III. Read full article


29 January, 2009

Fitzgerald Condemns Play park destruction.

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has condemned what she described as 'wanton vandalism' in Carrickmore play park. Read full article


29 January, 2009

Sport and construction industry big losers in Campbell decision

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff, who chairs the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, has said that Minister Gregory Campbell's paper on the Long Kesh site will have far reaching ramifications for local sporting bodies and for the construction industry. Read full article


28 January, 2009

Adams comments on Eames Bradley report

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP MLA, accompanied by Jennifer McCann MLA and Francie Molloy MLA this morning attended the launch of the 'Report of the Consultative Group on the Past'. Read full article


27 January, 2009

MP urges farmers to apply for 'Farm Modernisation Scheme'

Councillor Peter Kelly

Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson and West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has urged members of the farming community to apply for the Farm Modernisation Scheme which opened to farmers on January 28th. The Farm Modernisation Scheme, which is a part of the Rural Development Programme amounts to £15 million and will be delivered through DARD. Read full article


27 January, 2009

Mc Elduff secures Assembly debate in opposition to Social Security Agency proposals

Mc Elduff secures Assembly debate in opposition to Social Security Agency proposals Read full article


27 January, 2009

West Tyrone representatives meet Health Minister over Tyrone County services.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty has described a meeting with Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey and local MLAs to discuss the announcement by the Western Health Trust that the admission of acute patients to the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh would cease as and from April of this year as robust and frank. Read full article


27 January, 2009

Begley raises concern following machine failure at post office.

Sinn Féin's Séan Begley has said the post office must ensure that there must a back up system in place following the failure of the computer system in the main post office in Omagh on Monday. Read full article


27 January, 2009

Clarke raises concerns over Crockanboy road.

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Séan Clarke has raised concerns with Road Service over the state of the Crockanboy road. According to the local councillor the poor road surface, including large potholes has caused a number of accidents in the past few weeks. Read full article


27 January, 2009

DSD Minister must review her decision

Sean Begley has called upon DSD minister Margaret Richie to rethink her policy of centralisation of the social security agency. Read full article


26 January, 2009

Doherty disappointed at Minister Ritchie's failure to suspend Social Security Agency Office Centralization Proposals

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP MLA Pat Doherty expressed disappointment at DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie's continued non-committal position in relation to growing calls for her to suspend proposals contained in the Social Security Agency's Strategic Business Review Read full article


25 January, 2009

People should not be intimidated or confused by the Electoral Office

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has said that no-one should feel intimidated or be left confused by the latest initiative from the Electoral Office. Read full article


23 January, 2009

Omagh to benefit from DARD Direct office.

Sinn Féin councillor Peter Kelly has welcomed confirmation that Omagh is set to benefit from a DARD Direct office. The agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew made the announcement on Friday. Read full article


23 January, 2009

Mc Guire heralds £18.5m rural development boost

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has heralded an £18.5 million boost for the area. The money will be allocated across rural communities in Strabane District Council, Derry City Council, Omagh District Council and Limavady Borough Council. The Derg Councillor, who is a member of the North West cluster of the Rural Development Programme Committee which governs the distribution of the fund locally, said: Read full article


23 January, 2009

Pressure mounting on Margaret Ritchie to shelve Social Security Agency Centralization proposals.

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed mounting pressure on DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie, this time from her own DSD Committee, to shelve proposals that would see the centralization of Social Security Agency Services away from frontline services and away from face to face contact with clients at local DHSS offices. Read full article


22 January, 2009

Sinn Fein deeply concerned at Tyrone County Hospital announcement

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has expressed his concern at news today that Tyrone County Hospital will no longer be able to care for acutely ill medical patients beyond March 2009. Read full article


22 January, 2009

Donnelly welcomes £18.5m boost for the North West

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has welcomed the announcement of £18.5 million boost for the area. Read full article


21 January, 2009

Omagh Bomb Conclusions Do Not Satisfy Demands

Commenting on the findings of the Gibson Review investigating allegations that GCHQ held back intelligence relating to the Omagh bombing, clearing the British Intelligence Agencies of any wrongdoing, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said: "The release of a highly edited version of Peter Gibson's report into the Panarama revelations about the role of GCHQ in withholding intelligence relating to the bomb in Omagh, clearing the British Intelligence Agencies of any wrongdoing, will do little to satisfy those of us who want to see the truth around this bombing revealed. Read full article


21 January, 2009

Welcome for grant for expectant mothers.

Sinn Féin councillor for Mid Tyrone, Anne Marie Fitzgerald, has welcomed the new grant to pregnant mothers of £190. The announcement means that pregnant mothers will be granted £190 regardless of family income. Read full article


21 January, 2009

Council Chairman welcomes launch of Omagh Visioning framework.

Omagh Council Chairman and Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Marty McColgan has welcomed the launch of 'Omagh Towards a City Vision for 2025' which was launched on Wednesday. Read full article


20 January, 2009

Donnelly welcomes Council rates assistance

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has welcomed an £8 million rates assistance package for local Councils. The announcement was made by Finance minister, Nigel Dodds on Monday. Read full article


20 January, 2009

Adams wishes new President well

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA arrived in Washington DC earlier today to attend tomorrow's inauguration of US President elect, Barak Obama. Read full article


19 January, 2009

'Dregs of Society' rob elderly pensioner at her Ballycolman home

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has described the two men who robbed an elderly pensioner at her home in the Ballycolman Estate in the town on Saturday morning as the 'dregs of society.' Read full article


19 January, 2009

Gortin road improvements to begin within weeks.

Councillor Sean Begley looks at the proposals for the major road works on the Gortin Road.

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has revealed that the Gortin road in Omagh will undergo extensive resurfacing and other major works that will start within weeks. Read full article


19 January, 2009

Welcone for re-introduction of export refunds for dairy farmers

Derg Sinn Fein Councillor Kieran MC Guire says that the announcement by Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA that the European Commission is to now re-introduce export refunds for the dairy industry will offer some respite to hard pressed farms who have working at loss in terms of the price they have been getting for their dairy produce since November. Read full article


18 January, 2009

Adams leaves for Obama inauguration

Sinn Féin President, along with party colleague Richard McAuley, have this morning (Sunday) left Ireland for Washington DC for the inauguration of President elect Barack Obama. Read full article


16 January, 2009

Clarke urges public to attend PPS 21 Information Days

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Sean Clarke, has welcomed the Public Information days on Draft PPS 21 to be hosted by the DoE in various locations throughout the Six Counties. Read full article


15 January, 2009

MP strongly condemns attempted robbery of security van

Scene of the attempted robbery.  The security van  can be seen on the left of the picture.

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has strongly condemned those behind the attempted robbery of a security van in Omagh Town Centre on Thursday evening. Read full article


15 January, 2009

Invest NI failure has stunted Strabane job creation

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP MLA Pat Doherty has accused Invest NI of stunting job creation in Strabane because of its continued failure to acquire additional land for industrial use within the local District. Read full article


15 January, 2009

Quinn calls for greater access to interpreters.

Sinn Féin councillor Ann Quinn has called for government agencies to facilitate greater access to interpreter's to help reduce language barriers experienced by people from non English speaking countries. Read full article


14 January, 2009

Begley raises concerns over Omagh Housing projects.

Sinn Fein Omagh councillor Sean Begley has said he is concerned for a number of housing repair projects in the Omagh area, which look in doubt. Read full article


14 January, 2009

Adams to attend President elect Obama's Inauguration

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA will attend next weeks inauguration in Washington for President elect Barak Obama and Vice President elect Senator Joe Biden. Mr. Adams said: "The United States has played a consistently significant role in the Irish peace process over the last decade. Read full article


12 January, 2009

Huge boost for farming community welcomed

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty MLA has welcomed confirmation from the Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew that the £15 million Farm Modernisation Scheme will be open to farmers from January 28th. Read full article


12 January, 2009

Strong welcome for news of Strabane Woolworth's takeover

Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty, the Sinn Féin Chairperson of Strabane District Council, says that with all available indications pointing to the former Woolworth's Store in Strabane being taken over by a discount retail company he hopes that most, if not all, of the 30 former Woolworth's employees can now secure re-employment. Read full article


12 January, 2009

Strabane ÓSF to host public talk on Israeli massacre in Gaza.

In solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza

In opposition to this latest wave of aggression, Ógra Shinn Féin in Strabane will hold a public talk on the Middle East conflict in the town library's civic room on Thursday 15th January at 7:30pm. The talk will be given by Michael Duncan, who has lived in the region for ten years, and who has witnessed first hand the brutality of the Israeli state against the Palestinian people. Read full article


9 January, 2009

Sinn Fein welcome official recognition by Irish Government of 'An Gorta Mor'

Sinn Fein MLA and chair of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, Barry McElduff, has welcomed the move by the Irish government to officially recognise the Great Hunger that saw over 1.5 million Irish people die and similar numbers emigrate to avoid starvation. Read full article


9 January, 2009

Loughmacrory and Mountfield to benefit from traffic calming schemes

Councillors  Sharon O Brien and Declan Mc Aleer

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin councillors Declan Mc Aleer and Sharon O Brien have welcomed a commitment from Roads Service that the villages of Loughmacrory and Mountfield are set to benefit from traffic calming. Read full article


8 January, 2009

Doherty to pass on Vice President role

Pat Doherty, Sinn Féin MP, MLA is to stand down as Sinn Féin Vice President after over twenty years in that office. Mr. Doherty said: "I am very proud to have held the position of Vice President of Sinn Féin since 1988 and to have been part of a republican leadership which has been responsible for so much positive change on the island. Ireland has been transformed over these years for the better. Read full article


8 January, 2009

Time is running out for parents to avail of up to £1,040 of Children's Tax Allowance - Mc Aleer

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has urged people to check whether they are eligible to claim back up to £1,040 of Children's Tax Allowance as the deadline for applying is the 31st of January 2009. Read full article


6 January, 2009

Donnelly welcomes fuel payments legislation

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has welcomed the introduction of the winter fuel payments legislation into the assembly. Read full article


5 January, 2009

ODC Chairperson supports Palestinian solidarity protest.

Sinn Fein council chairperson Martin McColgan has supported a Palestinian solidarity protest in Omagh town centre on Saturday past. Read full article


30 December, 2008

NEW YEARS MESSAGE FROM WEST TYRONE MP MLA PAT DOHERTY

In a New Year's message, Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that his priority in 2009 will be to ensure that major projects of economic and social benefit to the constituency are brought to fruition. Read full article


22 December, 2008

Clarke elected chair of Omagh DPP

Recently elected chair of omagh DPP Councillor Sean Clarke (centre) pictured with his namesake Cllr Sean Clarke (Chair of Cookstown DPP) and Cllr Peter Bateson (Magherafelt DPP member)

Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Clarke has been elected as chair of Omagh District Council Policing Partnership. Councillor Clarke explained that Sinn Féin's decision to take their seats on the Policing Board and DPP's "is the outworking of a decision taken by the party at a specially convened Ard Fhéis in January 2007". Read full article


22 December, 2008

Vigilance urged following jump in Omagh Break-Ins

Omagh town Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has called upon people in the Omagh town area to be vigilant after an increase in thefts and break-ins in the area. Read full article


22 December, 2008

Richie Accused of 'vindictive point scoring exercise'

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has said the decision by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to halt work on kitchen refurbishments in Housing Executive properties across the north has put hundreds of jobs at risk. Read full article


19 December, 2008

120 graduate jobs to help stop brain drain - Doherty

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has disclosed that he has been in very meaningful and constructive talks in with a highly regarded international company who have expressed their serious interest to locate in Omagh. Read full article


19 December, 2008

Sinn Féin call for support for apprentices'.

Sinn Féin councillor Declan McAleer has said more must be done to secure apprenticeships after it was revealed that employers shed 230 apprenticeships in the past year. Read full article


16 December, 2008

DSD Minister plans to slash Strabane Social Security Office jobs and services lambasted.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has lambasted the response by DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie to the latest series of questions he has submitted to her in relation to the future of Strabane Social Security Office jobs and services. Read full article


16 December, 2008

Ógra Shinn Féin Successful vigil in support of IRA POWs

As part of Ógra Shinn Féin's annual December weekend of action for political prisoners, the youth movement held a number of successful events locally including a town centre protest in Omagh on Saturday (13th December) and a candlelit vigil on Lifford Bridge on Friday evening (12th December). Read full article


16 December, 2008

Doherty welcomes Executive relief measures package

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed the range of relief measures announced by the Executive in response to the ongoing economic crisis and resulting hardship that is being experienced particularly amongst the most vulnerable groups in the community. Read full article


16 December, 2008

Sinn Féin welcomes executive support for low income families.

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has welcomed the executive decision which will see low income families benefiting from financial support for heating and electricity costs. Read full article


16 December, 2008

Mortgage rescue scheme needed to combat rise in home repossessions.

Councillor Frankie Donnelly is calling upon DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie to do more to help those at risk of having their homes reprocessed. The implementation a mortgage rescue scheme immediately would be a huge step forward in his opinion. Read full article


15 December, 2008

Message in a bottle scheme welcomed.

Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald with leader of Carrickmore Afternoon Club, Margaret McMahon endorsing the 'Message in a bottle' Scheme.

Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed a 'message in a bottle' initiative being rolled out across the north. Read full article


11 December, 2008

Carrickmore Post office reopens following Ram Raid.

Sinn Féin councillor for Carrickmore, Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed the re-opening of Carrickmore post office. Read full article


11 December, 2008

Winter gritting at rural schools announcement welcome News-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty, MLA has today welcomed the announcement by Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy MP, MLA that he has agreed to examine the Roads Service operational response to areas around schools, which are regularly affected by adverse weather conditions with immediate affect. Read full article


10 December, 2008

MP urges farming community to be vigilant in light of pork scare

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has urged the farming community to be vigilant after nine farms in the north have been identified as having used dioxin contaminated pig feed. Read full article


5 December, 2008

'Startling inability' of D.E.L. to tackle basic numeracy and literacy skills.

The Department of Education and Learning has been accused of having an inability to tackle the high levels of Adult numeracy and literacy skill deficiencies. Read full article


4 December, 2008

"Caithfidh muid beartas éifeachtach a fháil ón Aire Chultúir" - Mac Giolla Duibh

Dúirt an BTR Barra Mac Giolla Duibh inniu go 'beartas éifeachtach' de dhíth ó Gregory Campbell i dtaca leis an Ghaeilge agus an Straitéis Teanga do na Sé Chontae. Read full article


3 December, 2008

Proposals to further downgrade Strabane Social Security Office services must be vigorously opposed-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that proposals in the Social Security Agency's Strategic Review Consultation in regards to Strabane's Social Security Office would have far reaching and detrimental consequences not only for staff at the Urney Road office but for benefit claimants throughout the entire District. The local MP said that the proposals to further downgrade the local office must be vigorously opposed. Read full article


3 December, 2008

50 minutes to respond to Emergency call out unacceptable-Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein Councillor Kieran Mc Guire says that continuing gaps in emergency ambulance cover in the Western Board Area were exposed once again yesterday when it took 50 minutes for an ambulance crew to get to the scene of emergency call out in the Aghyaran area outside Castlederg. Read full article


2 December, 2008

NEW ROAD LINKS FOR OMAGH AND STRABANE AS PART OF A5 Dual Carriageway Development

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that new roads links will be announced for Omagh and Strabane when the preferred route for the A5 Dual Carriageway is made in June 2009. Read full article


2 December, 2008

"Lift death threats against Strabane Provident collectors now"-Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has demanded the immediate lifting of death threats made against collectors of the Provident personal credit company in Strabane. Read full article


1 December, 2008

Schools initiative masks latest election registration figures - Sinn Féin

Sinn Fein's Director of elections Sean Begley has said whilst recent additions to the electoral register must be welcomed he claimed that the increase in electors has been masked but the number of young people who signed up through the 'schools initiative.' Read full article


28 November, 2008

Sinn Féin welcome Irish Government commitment on northern passport office

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff has welcomed comments from Irish Government Minister, Micheál Martin TD, that the provision of a regional passport office in the North is "under ongoing and active review". The opening of such an office would deliver numerous benefits to those living in northern counties who are seeking an Irish passport. Read full article


27 November, 2008

Hope that buyer for Woolworths can be found-Sinn Fein

The Sinn Féin Chairperson of Strabane District Council Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty says that he hopes, even at this late stage, that a buyer can be found for Woolworths so as to safeguard 30 jobs in the border town. Read full article


25 November, 2008

Government must focus on renewable energy - Donnelly

Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has said the recent hikes in energy prices should act to make the government have a re-think on renewable energy. Read full article


25 November, 2008

Welcome for Bradley Way Bus Depot provision REVIEW

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Michaela Boyle says that Translink has committed to review current provision at its Bradley Way Bus Depot facility following a meeting held between company officials and local councillors in the town this morning. Read full article


25 November, 2008

Sinn Fein press Tourist Board over lack of focus on Sperrins region

Sinn Fein West Tyrone representatives Pat Doherty MP MLA and Claire Mc Gill MLA have met with senior NI Tourist Board officials as part of an ongoing lobby to get the body to increase its focus on promoting tourism in the Sperrins region. Read full article


25 November, 2008

Drinking Den and Anti-Community activity in Ballycolman must end-Sinn Fein

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has called upon the group of individuals who have been using a garden shed as a drinking den in the Ballycolman Estate to move out and leave local residents in peace. He has called on the local community to take a united stand against a wider problem of anti-community activity in the area which he says has got worse in recent months. Read full article


24 November, 2008

Roads Service to undertake survey of Loughmacrory and Mountfield.

Sinn Féin councillor for Loughmacrory and Mountfield Sharon O'Brien has welcomed a commitment from DRD Roads Service to undertake a survey of both villages which will look at the need for traffic calming measure in the areas. Read full article


21 November, 2008

Environment Minster agrees to social means testing under PPS21 Proposals

Sinn Fein's Sean Begley has welcomed the proposed introduction of PPS21 as a replacement to the disputed planning policy known as PPS14. Read full article


21 November, 2008

Rural planning progress, but more needed-Mc Elduff

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Barry Mc Elduff has welcomed proposals to replace PPS 14 and its 'presumption against development in the countryside', with a policy which seeks to acheive a better balance between the needs of rural dwellers and environmental imperatives. Read full article


20 November, 2008

Alternatives being considered under Warm Homes Scheme-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed the fact that consideration is now being given to providing 'alternatives' to the type of heating systems installed under the Warm Homes Scheme including the possibility of dual heating systems. Read full article


19 November, 2008

Omagh Council Chairperson 'Dismayed' at Ego Funding loss

Omagh council chairperson, Marty McColgan has expressed his dismay that the Ego Project has lost their Education and Prevention drugs and Alcohol service. Read full article


18 November, 2008

Doherty welcomes agreement

West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has described the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP on transfer of Powers and Policing and Justice as "significant". Read full article


17 November, 2008

Call for end to anti Social behaviour

Councillor Sean Begley has called for the end of rampant anti social behaviour at Shandon Flats. He was speaking after a young women's car was burnt over the on Thursday night. Read full article


13 November, 2008

Mc Gill welcomes progress on rural waters mains connection issue

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has welcomed correspondence from DRD Minister Conor Murphy in which he has outlined the steps he is taking to progress the issue of providing mains water supply to residences, mainly in rural areas, that are currently not served by the public water system. Read full article


12 November, 2008

Windows broken at OmaWest Community House.

Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has condemned what he has described 'wanton vandalism' after the Omawest Community house in Strule park had its windows broken. Read full article


12 November, 2008

Sinn Fein nominee Ruairí Mc Hugh co-opted unopposed to Strabane District Council

Sinn Fein nominee Ruairí Mc Hugh was co-opted unopposed onto Strabane District Council last night. Cllr Ruairí Mc Hugh now fills the vacancy left on Council resulting from the death of his father, veteran Sinn Fein Councillor Charlie Mc Hugh, last month. Read full article


11 November, 2008

Words Derry and Strabane must be in name of new Council-Sinn Féin

Sinn Fein wants the words Derry and Strabane to be the core components of the name of the new enlarged Council when both districts amalgamate in 2011. Sinn Féin is also pressing for the Irish language version of the name of the new Council to be officially recognised. Read full article


11 November, 2008

Begley welcomes announcement of Gortin road improvements.

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has welcomed the announcement that the Gortin road in Omagh is to undergo extensive resurfacing and other major works. Read full article


11 November, 2008

Doherty welcomes announcement of HEIFER COMPENSATION PAYMENTS

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP and Assembly Agriculture Committee member has welcomed the announcement by Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildrenew MP, that compensation payments of around £250k will be made to farmers under the 2003 Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS). Read full article


11 November, 2008

McElduff deeply upset at latest GAA Hall attack

Speaking after two GAA clubs at Edendork and Cookstown Co Tyrone were attacked by arsonists over the weekend Mr McElduff, who chairs the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee said: "It is very upsetting to see these GAA clubs vandalised and burned in this way". Read full article


10 November, 2008

Proposed closure of Greenfield Home would be devastating.

The Sinn Fein Chairperson of Strabane District Council Jarlath Mc Nulty says that news that Greenfield Residential Home in Strabane is one of four statutory care homes for elderly people in the Western Board Area that is being earmarked for closure will come as a devastating blow to residents and staff at the facility and their families. Read full article


7 November, 2008

Donnelly urges extension of Safer routes to school project.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin councillor Frankie Donnelly has urged the extension of the safer routes to school scheme to Scraghey primary school. Read full article


6 November, 2008

Sinn Fein select Ruairí Mc Hugh as co-option for Strabane District Council

Sinn Féin is proposing to co-opt Ruairí Mc Hugh to the take the seat that his late father Charlie Mc Hugh held on Strabane District Council for 23 years. Read full article


5 November, 2008

Welcome for Dooish road Traffic calming

Sinn Fein West Tyrone councillor Frankie Donnelly has said proposed traffic calming measures to the Dooish road in Drumquin will bring huge safety befits for motorists using the dangerous road. Read full article


5 November, 2008

Sinn Fein members to select replacement for Cllr Charlie Mc Hugh tonight

Sinn Fein members from the Derg Electoral area of Strabane District Council will meet in Castlederg tonight to select a candidate to replace Cllr Charlie Mc Hugh who died early last month. Read full article


5 November, 2008

Sinn Féin welcomes proposed DARD Service improvements for Omagh and Strabane hinterlands

Sinn Féin representatives in West Tyrone believe that proposals from Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew for the roll out of DARD Direct services and re-location of DARD offices in Omagh will benefit farming and rural communities throughout the District as well as in its Strabane hinterlands. Read full article


4 November, 2008

Welcome for speed limit on approach roads to Greencastle

Sinn Fein mid Tyrone councillor Sean Clarke has welcomed the introduction speed limits to the Crockanboy Road on the entrance to the village of Greencastle. Read full article


4 November, 2008

Sinn Féin welcome Health Minister's commitment to revisit Minor Ailments Scheme

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA and Assembly Health Committee member, Claire Mc Gill has welcomed the fact that the Minister of Health, Michael McGimpsey, has stated that he will revisit the Minor Ailments Scheme. However the local MLA stated that this should be a priority for the Minister. Read full article


4 November, 2008

Sinn Féin calls for proper 'Equalization Grant' for new Derry/Strabane Council

Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty, the Sinn Fein Chairperson of Strabane District Council says that with the Review of Public Administration proposals to amalgamate Strabane District and Derry City District now almost certain to proceed there is now an urgent need to ensure that a proper 'equalization grant' be made available to the new enlarged Council body given that it will be a merger of two areas with the lowest rates income base and highest levels of deprivation in the six counties. Read full article


3 November, 2008

Large Local contingent at Belfast protest against RIR.

There was a large contingent of local republicans in Belfast for a protest against the RIR 'homecoming parade' on Sunday. Read full article


3 November, 2008

Sinn Féin Councillors to honour deceased colleagues

Councillor Sean Clarke

The Sinn Féin members of Omagh District Council plan to honour four of their deceased colleagues at a special tribute dinner dance to be held in the Mellon Country Hotel on 22 November. Mid Ulster MP and senior Sinn Féin negotiator, Martin Mc Guinness will address the gathering. Read full article


1 November, 2008

Free Pól Brennan Information day in Strabane

Ógra Shinn Féin were on the streets of Strabane this weekend (Saturday 1st November) to highlight the ongoing issues surrounding the incarceration and deportation threat faced by Republican Pól Brennan in the USA. Read full article


1 November, 2008

Burdennet Cricket Club arson attack a cruel and devastating blow

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has described the suspected arson attack on Burndennet Cricket Club as a cruel and devastating blow against the local community. Read full article


29 October, 2008

Mc Aleer 'Dismayed' at Access NI backlog

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has expressed his dismay at a backlog of over 20,000 people awaiting employment screening by Access NI. Read full article


27 October, 2008

Call to Support protest against 'Homecoming' parade.

Sinn Féin Omagh District Councillor Sean Clarke has called on local people to support a peaceful protest during the 'homecoming' parade for British soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan in Belfast City centre on 2 November. Read full article


21 October, 2008

Columban Terrace residents have a right to be left in peace-Sinn Fein

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has appealed to a small group of teenagers who have been making life a misery for residents of Columban Terrace in the old Ballycolman area of the town to stop and reflect on the hardship they are causing. Read full article


20 October, 2008

Family with disabled children targeted in oil theft-Mc Nulty

Councillor Jarlath mc Nulty, the Sinn Fein Chairperson of Strabane District Council, has described a weekend oil theft from the home of a family in which there are two disabled children as a new low. Read full article


20 October, 2008

Increased safety measures for Derry Road-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP has welcomed plans by Roads Service to introduce new measures on the Derry Road to help create a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians. Read full article


17 October, 2008

Opening hours of Strabane Bus Depot facilities totally inadequate-Sinn Fein

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Michaela Boyle has called upon Translink to carry out an urgent review of the limited opening hours of the passenger facilities at Bradley Way in the town describing arrangements for the passenger facility as a being 'totally inadequate.' Read full article


15 October, 2008

Doherty welcomes Irish government 13.5 million budget commitment to A5

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed the 13.5 million Euro made available in yesterday's Irish government budget towards planning works for the A5 Dual Carriageway between Aughnacloy and Derry. Read full article


14 October, 2008

Flagpole damaged in early morning attack

Sinn Féin mid Tyrone councillor Sean Clarke has condemned vandals responsible for desecrating a flag pole in the middle of Greencastle. Read full article


14 October, 2008

Mc Gill welcomes rural community transport boost for Strabane.

Mc Gill welcomes rural community transport boost for Strabane. Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has paid tribute to the sterling work being done by the Easilift Rural Transport Partnership based in Strabane after having secured the keys to three new minibuses from DRD Transport Minister Conor Murphy last week. Read full article


14 October, 2008

Welcome for Strule park multi sports facility.

Sinn Féin Omagh councillor Sean Begley has welcomed funding being made available for the construction a new multi sports facility in Strule Park. Read full article


13 October, 2008

Begley welcomes streamline planning process.

Sinn Fein councillor Sean Begley has welcomed a decision by planning service to streamline the planning process. The process will allow decisions on non-contentious planning applications for the Omagh District Council area to be issued without formally bringing them to the Planning Committee and will be under the authority of the Divisional Planning Manager. Read full article


8 October, 2008

Sinn Féin welcomes progress on agency workers legislation

Sinn Féin Omagh District councillor and Omagh Council chairperson Martin McColgan has welcomed the Assembly's approval of draft Regulations which clarify the legislation covering agency workers' entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay. Read full article


7 October, 2008

Cllr Charlie Mc Hugh laid to rest

Large numbers of mourners gathered outside the Mc Hugh family home at Hillview Park from early morning. As the coffin of the veteran republican councillor emerged the National Flag and a Tyrone shirt were placed on it by Charlie's son Ruairí and life long friend and comrade Dave Cameron. Read full article


4 October, 2008

Council Chair pays tribute to Councillor Charlie Mc Hugh

In paying tribute to veteran Sinn Fein Councillor Charlie Mc Hugh, who died suddenly at his home in Castlederg yesterday, party colleague and Strabane Council Chairperson Councillor Jarlath Mc Nuly said, "First and foremost, Charlie was a very family orientated man and everyones thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sylvia, daughters Sara and Seodhna, son Ruairi, mother Minnie, brothers Hilary, Maoliosa and John, sisters Veronica and Mary, grandchildren and wider family circle. Read full article


3 October, 2008

Sudden death of Sinn Féin Councillor Charlie Mc Hugh

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says the sudden death of veteran Sinn Féin Councillor Charlie Mc Hugh at his home in Castlederg has left everyone numb with shock and sorrow. Read full article


3 October, 2008

WILLIE McCREA IS SIMPLY WRONG OVER DARD'S DECENTRALISATION COSTING

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson Pat Doherty MP, MLA (West Tyrone) has called Willie McCrea's comments on the costing of decentralisation costing for DARD ill conceived and ill thought out. Read full article


2 October, 2008

Sinn Fein welcomes purchase of new Ambulances

Sinn Fein's Anne Marie McAnespie has welcomed the announcement by the health minister that there is to be 60 new accident and emergency ambulances bought over the next three years. Read full article


1 October, 2008

McElduff presses for Executive action on Relocation of Public Sector Jobs to Omagh

On the very day that George Bain published his Independent Report on the location of Public Sector Jobs, I have been making direct representations at Stormont to a number of Ministers on behalf of individual civil servants who live in Tyrone but who travel to work outside the county. Read full article


30 September, 2008

Sinn Féin welcomes Fred Cobains belated support for demilitarisation position

Pat Doherty pictured in Lisanelly Barracks, Omagh in June

Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty has welcomed Fred Cobain's belated support for the position taken by Sinn Féin on the sale of land used by the British army and the proceeds being given to the British exchequer, not the Executive. Read full article


30 September, 2008

Mc Gill sees glimmer of hope on Learning Disability Payments

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill says that she believes that a commitment from Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey that he will meet with the Chief Executive of Western Health Trust to discuss the decision by the body to end the 'basic financial reward scheme of around £2 per week for people with learning disabilities in the Western Board Area provides a glimmer of hope that some kind of arrangement can still be found to retain this weekly payment. Read full article


30 September, 2008

Doherty comments on decentralization proposals.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed proposals to decentralize 5,000 public sector jobs to six locations outside of Belfast, including Omagh and Derry, but has expressed extreme disappointment that Strabane has been by-passed. Read full article


30 September, 2008

Mc Aleer expresses concern at educational and training participation rates.

Cllr Declan Mc Aleer

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has expressed his concern that more than 1 in 10 young males and 1 in 20 young females aged 16 and 17 years old are not in full time education or training. Read full article


30 September, 2008

Sinn Féin welcomes move to abolish prescription charges.

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan McAleer has welcomed the move by the Health Minister to abolish prescription charges in the north of Ireland by 2010. Read full article


29 September, 2008

Roads Service to review Traffic Calming in Loughmacrory following speeding

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor Sharon O'Brien has welcomed a review of traffic calming measures in Loughmacrory by DRD Roads Service. The commitments follow complaints by residents of speeding in the village in recent weeks. Read full article


28 September, 2008

Mac Lochlainn delivers blunt message to DUP at Strabane Commemoration

Commemoration parade makes its way from Ballycolman

Donegal Sinn Féin Councillor Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said that "if the DUP wishes to be in government then it will be in partnership and on the basis of equality for all citizens." He delivered the blunt message in an address to the Annual West Tyrone Volunteers Commemoration held in Strabane on Saturday evening. Read full article


28 September, 2008

Fury at UFU President's outburst

Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty MP has said that the President of the UFU Graham Furey should withdraw his comments attacking the Agriculture Minister and particularly comments about her pregnancy. Read full article


26 September, 2008

Call to scrap roaming charges in Ireland

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative Glenn Campbell.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin representative Glenn Campbell has called upon mobile phone operators to take immediate action over the issue roaming charges in Ireland. Read full article


24 September, 2008

MONIES RAISED FROM SALE OF BRITISH ARMY SITES NEEDS TO BE DELIVERED TO EXECUTIVE -DOHERTY

Pat Doherty MP, Education Minister Caitriona Ruane and Deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness pictured during an earlier visit to Lisanelly and St Lucia sites in June.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has stated that the British Security Minister, Paul Goggins, revelation that remaining British Army sites will be sold off to finance British soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan is unacceptable. Read full article


23 September, 2008

Dodds needs to signal intent to decentralize public sector jobs to Strabane District

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has criticised DUP Finance and Personnel Minister Nigel Dodds for refusing to give a commitment that he will pro-actively work to ensure the decentralization of public sector jobs to area Strabane District which has the smallest base of public sector jobs west of the Bann. Read full article


23 September, 2008

Republican Dead to be remembered in Strabane on Saturday

The Annual West Tyrone Volunteers Commemoration will be held in Strabane on Saturday 27th September and organisers have called for local people to turn out in large numbers to pay fitting tribute to all local republicans who have laid down their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom. Read full article


22 September, 2008

Comhghairdeas Tír Eoghain

Pat Doherty MP pictured with Tyrone supporters at the All Ireland final.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has paid tribute to all associated with the Tyrone Senior and Minor football teams saying that their combined efforts and success have brought sheer elation and joy to the hearts of Tyrone Gaels in every corner of the world. Read full article


17 September, 2008

Removal of Tyrone emblems in Castlederg

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that Sinn Fein has been contacted by constituents angry at Tyrone bunting and flags having been ripped down in the vicinity of Ferguson Crescent and High Street in Castlederg. Read full article


16 September, 2008

Quarry shovel dozes Carrickmore Post Office.

The Quarry shovel which was used to attack Carrickmore Post Office.

Thieves have used a quarry shovel to steal a cash machine and partially demolish the Post Office in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone. Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has condemned the 'ram raid' in the early hours of Tuesday morning, branding it "an attack on the entire community". Read full article


16 September, 2008

McElduff welcomes launch of Rural Sustainability Committee.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has welcomed the launch of an all-party Assembly committee focusing on rural issues. The all-party group will work closely with the Rural Community Network to address rural issues at the very heart of the Assembly. Read full article


15 September, 2008

Sinn Fein welcomes installation of automatic doors at Mourneside Health Centre

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Gerard Foley has welcomed the completion of work to install automatic doors at Mourneside Health Centre in the town. Read full article


15 September, 2008

MC Gill welcomes proposals from Deputy First Minister to tackle spiralling energy and living costs

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill says that she hopes that proposals made today by Deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness, aimed at tackling the growing burden on households arising from spiralling energy and living costs, will be agreed by all Executive Ministers in advance of tomorrow's meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Read full article


13 September, 2008

'Opportunity Omagh will create 1000 construction jobs' - MP

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has said that proposals for an ambitious development on the Derry Road will be a welcome boost for the local construction industry which is currently experiencing an economic downturn. Read full article


10 September, 2008

Mc Aleer urges young people to 'get themselves registered'

Councillor Declan Mc Aleer

Omagh District Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has given his backing to a registration drive being carried out by the electoral office to encourage young people to register to vote. Read full article


10 September, 2008

Hardship Fund must be priority of Assembly-Mc Gill

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill says that the immediate priority of the Assembly in the coming term must be the establishment of a hardship fund to ensure that relief measures are provided this winter for the ever increasing number of families on or below the breadline as a result of spiralling energy and living costs. Read full article


9 September, 2008

Omagh Chairman in walk to support Suicide Awareness 'into the light' campaign.

The Chairperson of Omagh District Council, Marty McColgan will join with Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA and other party elected representatives on the 'Walking out of darkness and into the light' campaign on Wednesday September 10th. Read full article


9 September, 2008

Carrickmore Traffic calming measures welcomed.

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed traffic calming measures introduced in Carrickmore. The councillor was speaking after the DRD Roads Service agreed to cover the Drumnakilly road entrance to the town with an extended 30 mph speed limit. Read full article


8 September, 2008

McElduff to host lobbying day for local construction industry

Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff is to host a lobbying day aimed at addressing urgent concerns of the local construction industry at Stormont next Monday 15 September. Read full article


8 September, 2008

Anger as Durkan raises spectre of unionist majority rule.

Sinn Féin Vice President and West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that there is total disbelief and much anger within the republican and nationalist community that SDLP Leader Mark Durkan's is proposing the adoption of DUP party policy in terms of ending powersharing at Stormont and replacing it with voluntary coalition and majority rule. Read full article


5 September, 2008

West Tyrone MP launches txt to join service

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP was in Omagh last week to locally launch his party's latest recruitment drive. Read full article


5 September, 2008

Council Chairman condemns cultural intolerance.

Omagh District chairman Marty McColgan has hit out at vandals after they stole and defaced a poster celebrating the progression of the Tyrone Gaelic football team to the All Ireland football final. Read full article


5 September, 2008

Doherty calls on public to view Omagh development proposals.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has welcomed the announcement by a major international investment group of over £250 million direct investment in Omagh, as a "huge vote of confidence in the area". He has urged members of the public to view the group's proposals which will be on display in the Strule Arts Centre for two weeks, commencing on Monday. Read full article


2 September, 2008

Strabane Out of Hours must be retained-Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has called upon health authorities to provide guarantees that 'Out of Hours' provision in Strabane will be retained as concern mounts that moves are afoot to transfer this vital from the local Health and Social Care Centre in the town to a new centre Altnagelvin in Derry. Read full article


1 September, 2008

Huge turnout to commemorate the Drumnakilly Martyrs.

Colm and Declan Harte present the Harte Memorial Cup to the victorious Galbally under 12 team.

"A fitting tribute" and "the lads would be proud" were two of the most frequent comments made during the weekend of events to mark the 20th anniversary of Volunteers Brian Mullin, Gerard Harte and Martin Harte. The three IRA men were killed in a SAS ambush at Drumnakilly on Tuesday 30th August 1988. Read full article


26 August, 2008

Wanton Vandalism must end - Boyle

Sinn Féin Strabane District councillor Michaela Boyle has called upon youths to refrain from the vandalism of a Water pumping station to the rear of McGirr Park in the town. According to Councillor Boyle the pumping station was vandalised over the weekend in the latest incident of vandalism of the station. Read full article


20 August, 2008

Weekend of events to mark Drumnakilly ambush

Republicans from throughout Ireland will converge in the village of Loughmacrory and in the town land of Foremass, Sixmilecross next weekend to take part in a series of events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the deaths of IRA volunteers Gerard and Martin Harte and Brian Mullin. Read full article


20 August, 2008

We won't be dragged back to the days of Shoot to Kill - Clarke

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor Sean Clarke has said we will not be dragged back to the days of Shoot to Kill after comments made by Ian Paisley Junior. Read full article


19 August, 2008

Clady Bridge damage needs urgently addressed.

Sinn Fein Councillor Gerard Foley has called upon Donegal County Council to act promptly to repair damage done to Clady Bridge over the weekend. Read full article


19 August, 2008

Farmers facing uncertain future

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson Pat Doherty MP MLA speaking after visiting a number of farms in his constituency affected by the flooding has said that the Flooding Compensation Scheme being administered by the Environment Minister Sammy Wilson will do nothing to alleviate the hardship facing many farmers. Read full article


19 August, 2008

Fitzgerald welcomes flood compensation scheme

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed the announcement by Environment Minister Sammy Wilson that householders whose homes have been damaged by the weekend floods will be able to apply for a special compensation payment from the government. Read full article


19 August, 2008

'Shared Neighbourhood Programme' Welcomed

Omagh Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has welcomed the 'Shared Neighbourhood Programme'. The scheme, which invests in mixed religion housing estates was announced on Tuesday and aims to promote better community relations in over 30 housing estates throughout the north of Ireland. Read full article


19 August, 2008

Mc Gill welcomes expansion of Sports and Language Programmes for Primary Schools

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has welcomed news that Education Minister Caitriona Ruane is to increase investment to further expand Sports and Language Programmes for primary schools across the north. Read full article


15 August, 2008

Mortgage relief proposals must be forthcoming - Sinn Féin

Sinn Fein Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has said Social Development minister Margaret Richie must bring forward and implement proposals aimed at addressing the growing mortgage crisis. Read full article


12 August, 2008

Urgency call on Miniburns Road Works

Sinn Féin West Tyrone councillor Frankie Donnelly has called upon road service to undertake vital road works on the Minburns road as a matter of urgency. Councillor Donnelly said that urgent action must be taken at the Miniburns junction of the Omagh, Dromore, Drumquin and Lack roads if serious traffic accidents are to be averted. Read full article


11 August, 2008

Sinn Féin lobbies for improvements to Adult Special Needs provision in Strabane.

Sinn Féin representatives Claire Mc Gill MLA and Cllr Michaela Boyle met with Department of Health officials in Strabane this morning to press for progress on issues of concern expressed by parents of young adults transferring from Knockavoe Special School to Glenside Adult Training Centre as well as to lobby for much needed investment to improve the physical environment at the Glenside facility itself. Read full article


11 August, 2008

Sinn Fein hits out at graffiti attack at home of young Strabane family

Strabane Sinn Fein Cllr Michaela Boyle has registered her disgust at an incident over the weekend in which graffiti was scrawled over a home in Castlegrange Park in the town in which a couple and their four young children live. Read full article


11 August, 2008

Ambulance cuts further depletion of acute health provision in Omagh - Fitzgerald

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor and chairperson of Omagh District councils healthcare committee Anne Maire Fitzgerald has said recent cuts to ambulance provision in the north will affect many throughout the Omagh District, particularly those living in rural communities. Read full article


7 August, 2008

North West Gateway Initiative must begin to deliver

Sinn Féin says that North West Gateway Initiative (NWGI), the intergovernmental initiative originally announced in May 2005 and billed as the primary vehicle which would take forward the socio-economic regeneration of this part of Ireland, must now concentrate on delivery on the ground for areas like Strabane District and its Donegal hinterlands- areas that have bourn the brunt of marginilasation and neglect down through the years. Read full article


7 August, 2008

Lack of BBC GAA Coverage Unacceptable - Begley

Sinn Fein's Sean Begley has slammed the BBC after they revealed they would not be broadcasting any of the GAA quarter final matches due to be played over the next number of weeks. Read full article


6 August, 2008

Omagh District Chairperson attended unfurling of National Flag in Belfast.

Omagh Council Chairperson and Sinn Féin councillor Martin McColgan was in Belfast last week for the unfurling of the National flag in the office of Belfast's first citizen Tom Hartley. Mr. Hartley placed the Tricolour alongside the Union flag in his office on Tuesday. The Sinn Fein lord Mayor says the gesture will give parity of esteem to both nationalists and unionists in Belfast city. Read full article


6 August, 2008

McAleer Welcomes 'Txt 2 Join' Recruitment Drive

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan McAleer has welcomed the party's 'Text to Join' initiative. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams launched the scheme which Sinn Féin say makes the party more accessible to more people. Read full article


6 August, 2008

Culture Minister urged to "be decisive" over Long Kesh site - McElduff MLA

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff, who is also chair of the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, has urged the Culture Minister to be decisive and bring a paper to the Executive over the Long Kesh site sooner rather than late. Read full article


6 August, 2008

Deadline approaching for free transport applications

Sinn Féin councillor and Omagh District Council Chairperson Martin McColgan has urged local people to apply for the 60+ smartpass, which allows free transport on the public transport system. More than 70,000 people in the North of Ireland face missing out when free public transport is introduced unless they act quickly. The application deadline is August 29th for free travel application forms. Read full article


5 August, 2008

Anger at destruction at Burn Walk

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty says that the small number of young people who took it upon themselves to destroy fixtures and fittings at the 'Burn Walk' in the Head of the Town have earned the wrath of the local community. Read full article


5 August, 2008

Need to empower local athletes to aim for Olympic Gold - McElduff

Barry McElduff MLA and Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff has called for major investment in a number of sports facilities in Co Tyrone so that local athletes can aim for Olympic Gold. Read full article


5 August, 2008

Findings in Arlene Arkinson case extremely disturbing-Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has described as "disturbing in the extreme" the findings of the Police Ombudsman's Report that the then RUC failed to properly investigate the disappearance of 15 year old Castlederg teenager Arlene Arkinson in 1994. Read full article


4 August, 2008

Support Annual National Hunger Strike Commemoration

Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has called on republicans from throughout Strabane District to support the annual National Hunger Strike Commemoration being held in Derry on Sunday 17th August. Read full article


1 August, 2008

Boyle welcomes street signage progress

Sinn Fein Cllr Michaela Boyle says that the problem of missing street signage from Carricklynn Avenue, Drumman Court and Glenfinn Park areas of Strabane town will soon be resolved following representations made by the party to the Technical Services Department of Strabane Distict Council. Read full article


1 August, 2008

RTE must ensure service in North - McElduff

West Tyrone MLA, Barry McElduff has called on RTE to ensure that its service is available throughout the 32 Counties when it converts to digital in 2012. Read full article


1 August, 2008

Fitzgerald outlines priorities as chair of Health committee.

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has taken up the reigns of Omagh District Councils health care committee. At the July meeting of the healthcare committee Councillor Fitzgerald was proposed by party colleague Councillor Sean Clarke and seconded by fellow mid Tyrone Sinn Féin councillor Sharon O'Brien. Read full article


1 August, 2008

Kelly welcomes reassurance of Omagh Rural Development jobs.

Sinn Féin councillor Peter Kelly has welcomed reassurances from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) that there will be no job losses in Omagh rural development Office. Omagh District Council wrote to the department following uncertainties surrounding the future of the office. Read full article


29 July, 2008

CONTINUING THE STRUGGLE AT NATIONAL HUNGER STRIKE COMMEMORATION.

Sinn Féin Councillor and Omagh District council chairman Martin McColgan has called on Irish Republicans in Tyrone to support the annual National Hunger Strike Commemoration being held in Derry on Sunday 17th August. Read full article


25 July, 2008

British Army parade idea insults Irish Nationalists.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has dismissed suggestions that members of the RIR should be given a so called 'homecoming parade' on return from Afghanistan . Read full article


25 July, 2008

Sinn Fein will oppose any moves to restrict freedom on movement on the island of Ireland -Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has hit out at plans by the British and Irish Government to introduce checks at the border saying that they run counter to the rights of Irish Citizens under the terms of Good Friday Agreement Read full article


23 July, 2008

Environment minister urged to 'wake up and smell the coffee'

Councillor Sean Begley has called on Environment minister Sammy Wilson to 'wake up and smell the coffee' in relation to a replacement policy for PPS14. Councillor Begley reiterated Sinn Fein's opposition to PPS14 and called for a balanced approach to planning. Furthermore Councillor Begley said Sinn Féin would like to see a sub regional approach which would see local district councils being involved with the planning process. Read full article


22 July, 2008

Firearms Seizure in Co Tyrone

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor Frankie Donnelly has said he is shocked by the seizure of firearms in the Drumquin. It is believed the seizure of the arms was on Monday and amounted to two firearms being recovered by the PSNI. Read full article


22 July, 2008

Orange parades issue in Omagh must be addressed.

Sinn Féin Omagh town councillor Sean Begley has said the issue of orange parades in Omagh must be addressed. He also said Orangefest have a long way to go if they are serious about trying to repackage the 12th of July marches following a number of incidents in Omagh over the 12th. Read full article


22 July, 2008

Mc Gill - Benefit changes will hit most vulnerable

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has said proposed changes to the Benefits system announced by the Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell yesterday will hit the most vulnerable in society. Read full article


22 July, 2008

Sinn Fein restates commitments on Water and Sewerage Services issue

Sinn Fein has re-stated its commitment that no one will have to pay twice for water and sewerage services and a return to the system where water and rates form one single bill as the recommendations of the Independent Water Review Panel, led by Professor Paddy Hillyard, are scheduled to go out to public consultation in the autumn. Read full article


22 July, 2008

Continuous registration shows marked increase in electors - Cllr Begley

Sinn Féin Director of Elections and Omagh Town councillor Sean Begley has said that the continuous registration being rolled out by the electoral office is bearing fruits. He was speaking after it was revealed there was in increase of more than 300% in the number of registration applications received compared with the same period the previous year. The figures were included in the annual report 2007/08 by the chief electoral officer, Douglas Bain. Read full article


21 July, 2008

Letters to the Editor - Lets erase Partitionism

Ireland is made up of 32 counties and this country has a population approaching six million. I do not need to tell anyone that Ireland's population is becoming increasingly diverse. I think that we should welcome people to our shores and we should realise that we are all the richer for this type of diversity. Read full article


21 July, 2008

McElduff calls on Banks to get Mortgage Market Moving again.

West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has welcomed a commitment from First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to meet with Banks and Financial Institutions 'to tackle financial hardship and to grow the economy at this difficult time.' Read full article


16 July, 2008

Woodward needs to advance Omagh Education Village Campus case now-Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that the British Secretary of State Shaun Woodward should stop using the issue of lack of progress on the Long Kesh/Maze site as an excuse to frustrate the transfer of lands at the vacated military sites at Lisanelly/St Lucia for the development of an Education Village Campus. Read full article


14 July, 2008

Thousands Remember Martin Hurson

Members of Ógra Shinn Féin with Martin Hursons brother, Brendan and Main Speaker, Barry McElduff MLA

Several thousand people descended in Galbally on Sunday for the annual Tyrone volunteers commemoration. Sunday 13 July marked the 27th Anniversary of Tyrone Hungerstriker Óglach Martin Hurson. Read full article


14 July, 2008

Mc Gill expresses sympathy to family of Niall O Hagan

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill says that the community of Greencastle as the wider Mid Tyrone area are numb with shock and sorrow at the death of young Niall O Hagan in a motorcycle accident at Mountfield at the weekend. Read full article


10 July, 2008

Councillor alarmed at University drop out rate

Sinn Féin councillor Declan McAleer has said he is 'alarmed' by the revelation that the University of Ulster is experiencing the 10th worst drop out record of 1st year students in a study of over 150 universities throughout England, Scotland, Wales and the North of Ireland. Read full article


9 July, 2008

Omagh Report 'lacks substance' - Doherty

Commenting on the publication of the Policing Board Report into the Omagh Bomb investigation, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said that the report lacked substance in a number of key areas, was published without reference to other outstanding reports and left many of the questions raised by the trial judge unanswered. Read full article


8 July, 2008

British cover up to blame for investigation costs.

Sinn Fein's Declan McAleer has said that the British government policy of concealment, cover-up and suppression of the truth is to blame for the cost of holding investigations into killings during the conflict. Read full article


8 July, 2008

3% efficiency savings in Ambulance Service would create crisis in Western Division-Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty said that the Ambulance Service in the Western Division would be in thrown into a state of crisis if 3% efficiency savings over the next 3 years are introduced. Read full article


8 July, 2008

Mc Mahon calls on Sion Mills community to support efforts to improve quality of life in the village.

Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has called on the community of Sion Mills to rally around in support of the efforts of local community activist Andy Patton and his colleagues who are making progress in improving the quality of life for everyone, both young and old, in the village despite a vicious assault on a man in the village over the weekend Read full article


7 July, 2008

Large crowd expected at Galbally Commemoration.

Memorial at Cappagh Main Street

Barry McElduff MLA set to address Tyrone Volunteers Day commemoration. Read full article


4 July, 2008

Confident that Roads Service has accepted case for Castletown/Urney Improvements-Sinn Féin

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that he now believes that Roads Service has now accepted the case for a range of traffic calming, pedestrian safety, site line readjustments and road surfacing improvements to be introduced in the densely populated Castletown/Urney Road area of Strabane following a site meeting held in the area this morning. Read full article


3 July, 2008

Rise in Irish Passport claims come as no surprise - McElduff

Sinn Féin's West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has welcomed the news that over 400,000 people in the North of Ireland have claimed or renewed Irish passports over the past ten years. Read full article


2 July, 2008

'Unacceptable behaviour' at Omagh Orange March

Sinn Féin councillor for Omagh Town, Sean Begley has said the behaviour of orange bands and the PSNI at an orange march in Omagh on Tuesday night was 'completely and utterly unacceptable'. According to Cllr Begley an Orange band stopped outside an established business on the nationalist John street area of Omagh and played 'The Sash'. He has also questioned the future of Orange parades in the John / James Street areas. Read full article


1 July, 2008

Doherty welcomes Health Minister move in Maureen Mc Ginley case

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed the move by Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey to write directly to NIO Minister Mr David Hanson MP, who has responsibility for the Coroner's Service asking him for his support in progressing efforts to establish how Strabane pensioner Maureen Mc Ginley sustained 34 rib fractures following her death at Altnagelvin hospital on the 3 January 2007. Read full article


1 July, 2008

Glenpark road works welcomed

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Clarke has welcomed recent work undertaken by Roads Service on the Glenpark road outside Gortin. Read full article


1 July, 2008

£220K Strabane Campus refurbishment to begin this month-Mc Gill

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Claire Mc Gill has received written confirmation from Department of Learning Minister Reg Empey that a £220K programme of maintenance and refurbishment works to the Strabane Campus of the North West Regional College on the Derry Road is to begin this month with a target completion date in September. Read full article


1 July, 2008

Question mark hangs over Omagh Fire Tragedy Inquiry Findings

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that a major question mark hangs over the conclusion of the Independent Review into the Omagh fire tragedy which claimed the lives of Lorraine Mc Govern, Arthur Mc Elhill and their five young children. Read full article


30 June, 2008

Planning co-operation key to progressing Rural Development Projects-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed a commitment from Environment Minister Sammy Wilson that priority will be given to planning applications dependent on grant aid and other commercial, industrial and social infrastructure proposals saying that such an 'expedited approach' will be particularly essential if the full potential of the Rural Development Programme (2007-2013) is to be realised. Read full article


27 June, 2008

Mc Aleer welcomes Taoiseach's commitment to N2 - A5 dualling project.

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed the Irish Government's renewed commitment to the N2 - A5 dual carriageway project. Read full article


27 June, 2008

Huge void in the Omagh ambulance provision - Doherty

Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has said that the additional funds secured recently for ambulance provision in the Omagh area is being diverted elsewhere inadvertently. Read full article


25 June, 2008

Disbelief at Omagh arson attack

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Barry Mc Elduff says that there is widespread disbelief and anger in the community at last night's arson attack at the adult Care Centre at Arvalee in Omagh which caters for people with learning disabilities. Read full article


24 June, 2008

Education Minister to visit schools in Omagh district.

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane pictured with members of staff an the Dean Maguirc College during her visit on Thursday.

Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane will pay a Ministerial visit to schools in the Omagh District today (Thursday). Read full article


24 June, 2008

Kelly welcomes Trillick Surgery progress

Sinn Féin Councillor Peter Kelly has welcomed the news that a planning application has now been submitted for the conversion of the building at the rear of Trillick Enterprise Centre for the village's new GP Surgery and that the premises are on schedule to become operational in early 2009. Read full article


23 June, 2008

Hope that problems with Broughderg water pressure can be resolved by September

Mid Tyrone Sinn Fein Councillor Sean Clarke says that he hopes that the problems of low water pressure to homes being encountered by residents living in the Broughderg area will be resolved by September. Read full article


23 June, 2008

DOHERTY CALLS ON HEALTH MINISTER ANNOUNCE INQUIRY IN MC GINLEY CASE

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has called upon Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey to overturn his previous decision to refuse a full Independent Public Inquiry into the circumstances by which deceased Strabane woman Maureen Mc Ginley was found, upon post mortem, to have sustained 32 rib fractures following her death at Altnagelvin hospital on 3rd January 2007. Read full article


19 June, 2008

Kelly pays tribute to staff of Trillick Primary School

Trillick Councillor Peter Kelly has expressed disappointment that Trillick Primary will close its doors at the end of August. Read full article


19 June, 2008

Shape Rural Development Programme Call

Sinn Féin Cllr Anne Marie Fitzgerald has called on local community groups to formulate proposals to shape the rural develop programme. Read full article


18 June, 2008

Sinn Féin will not support any rural planning policy that repackages PPS14

Sinn Féin Agriculture and Rural Development Spokesperson, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has warned the new Environment Minster Sammy Wilson that Sinn Fein will not support rural planning proposals that fall short of delivering a sustainable future for our rural communities or resembles the failed PPS14 policy of British Direct Rule Ministers. Read full article


17 June, 2008

MC Guire welcomes timescales for Derg roads improvements

Derg Sinn Fein Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has welcomed timescales from Roads Service for the completion of much needed improvement work to dangerous road junctions in the Aghyaran area. The local councillor is also pushing for the extension of footpaths in the Spamount area. Read full article


17 June, 2008

Water system back to normal for Co Tyrone residents

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone councillor Sean Clarke has said recent concerns of chorine levels in the water in a number of areas in Co Tyrone have been allayed. He was speaking after being in contact with NI Water who informed him that the system was now back to normal. Read full article


13 June, 2008

Deputy First Minister and Education Minister pays visit to Lisanelly and St Lucia.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA has paid a visit to the former Lisanelly Army base in Omagh to receive a briefing on the potential the 160 acre site might hold for future development. Read full article


13 June, 2008

Electricity cut causes blackout in Mid Tyrone.

Sinn Fein councillor for Mid Tyrone Sharon O'Brien has written to NIE to highlight her concern at recent blackouts of a large area of Mid Tyrone. Read full article


10 June, 2008

Education Village Campus focus of double Sinn Fein Ministerial visit to Omagh

Pat Doherty MP, Education Minister Caitriona Ruane and Deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness pictured during the visit to Lisanelly and St Lucia sites.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has welcomed confirmation that Deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness and Education Minister Caitríona Ruane will be Omagh on Friday for a series of engagements primarily concerned with continuing efforts to secure lands at the vacated Lisanelly/St Lucia military bases in the town for the Education Village Campus. Read full article


10 June, 2008

Over 60s urged to apply for free travel on public transport over summer months-

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill is encouraging everyone over 60 to ensure that they secure their entitlement to free travel on public transport, which is scheduled to be introduced as and from October, by applying for their free travel Smartpasses over the summer months Read full article


10 June, 2008

Mc Gill challenges Department of Health on Home-Help cuts in Strabane

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire McGill is challenging Department of Health denials that there has been a reduction in the allocation for home help services for the elderly in Strabane District saying that all evidence is pointing to a clear pattern of sweeping cuts being imposed on essential services to many people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our community. Read full article


10 June, 2008

Fitzgerald to address Stormont health committee

Omagh District Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald will address the Stormont health committee when it visits Omagh on Thursday. Councillor Fitzgerald will give a presentation on Ambulance care provision and a community midwifery unit. Read full article


9 June, 2008

North West Gateway officials commit to meet with Strabane District Council-Doherty

Sinn Féin says that a meeting it held with top officials from North West Gateway Initiative (NWGI) focussed on how the body could progress specific projects to in the Strabane-Lifford and Derg-Finn Valley cross border corridors as part of the North/South Intergovernmental body's wider remit of taking a strategic approach on issues of economic and infrastructural development in the North West region. Read full article


9 June, 2008

North West Rural Funds Doubled

An allocation of funding for rural development in the north west has been more than doubled following the intervention of Pat Doherty MP MLa along with Sinn Féin MLA's Martina Anderson and Francie Brolly. Read full article


8 June, 2008

McColgan elected as chair of Omagh District Council.

Cllr Marty Mc Colgan pictured with fellow SF Councillors following his election as Chairperson.

Sinn Féin has nominated Omagh town based Councillor Martin McColgan for the position of Council Chair. Read full article


6 June, 2008

Resistance to innovative Long Kesh/Maze project exposed

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff, who is the Chairperson of the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, has said that the comments of the Culture Minister Edwin Poots highlighting resistance to the Long Kesh/Maze project from the civil service confirm what republicans have been saying for some time. Read full article


6 June, 2008

ODC write to Royal Mail over mobile Post office scheme

Councillor Sean Begley has welcomed the support of Omagh District Council on a motion that he introduced to the council meeting on Tuesday night. The motion called upon the Omagh District council to write to royal mail regarding the introduction of mobile post offices. Read full article


6 June, 2008

Improvements on Drumquin Road Welcomed

Sinn Fein West Tyrone councillor Frankie Donnelly has welcomed improvements made to the Drumrawn road at the crossroads with the Omagh road in Drumquin Read full article


4 June, 2008

Sinn Fein welcomes cross border approach to Lurganbuoy/Fern Road

Sinn Fein Councillor Gerard Foley has warmly welcomed the completion of a major resurfacing scheme by Roads Service on a six mile stretch of the Lurganbuoy/Fern Road between Castlederg and Donegal. Read full article


3 June, 2008

Good news for Strathroy overshadowed by rural closures

Sinn Féin has welcomed the decision that Strathroy Post Office in Omagh has secured a reprieve but says that this good news has been overshadowed by the news that none of the rural branches throughout Tyrone that were identified for closure have received a similar reprieve. Read full article


3 June, 2008

Electoral office to undertake canvass of Coolnagard

Sinn Fein's six county director of elections, Sean Begley has welcomed an announcement from the electoral office that it will carry out a canvass of the coolnagard area of Omagh between the 9th and 18th of June. Read full article


3 June, 2008

Doherty organises major Rural Development Programme Seminar

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has organised a major seminar in the Mellon Country Hotel next Thursday 12th June at 3pm in preparation for the imminent roll out of the £500 Rural Development Programme and has invited Michelle Gildernew MP, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development to West Tyrone to meet directly with rural community groups and interested individuals who wish to access funding from the Programme. Read full article


3 June, 2008

Mc Gill keeps focus on Strabane Further Education deficit issue

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Claire Mc Gill accompanied by Pat Doherty MP met with Department for Employment & Learning (DEL) Permanent Secretary Dr Aideen Mc Ginley at Stormont last Tuesday as part of a continued lobby to have the glaring deficit in Further Education investment and provision in Strabane District addressed. Read full article


3 June, 2008

Roads issues raised in 'Constituency Issue Survey' need addressed-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty says that Roads Service needs to do much more to address major issues of concern for residents living in the densely populated Castletown Road/Urney Road area, describing its response to written representations he made on these issues as being, for the most part, unsatisfactory. Read full article


2 June, 2008

Sinn Fein propose co-option of Michaela Boyle for vacancy left by death of esteemed colleague Ivan Barr.

Cllr Brian Mc Mahon, Sinn Féin group leader on Strabane District Council, has announced that long standing party activist Michaela Boyle has been selected by local party members as the proposed co-option to fill the vacancy left on the local government body as a result of the death of esteemed party colleague Ivan Barr last month. He has also announced that the Sinn Fein grouping will be proposing Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty for the position of Council Chair when the AGM of Strabane District Council convenes on Tuesday night. Read full article


31 May, 2008

Kelly welcomes pledge to resurface Moneygar Road

West Tyrone Sinn Féin councillor, Peter Kelly has welcomed the commitment given by DRD Roads Service to resurface the Moneygar road in Trillick. Read full article


29 May, 2008

Sinn Féin to seek Stormont shake-up

Sinn Féin Assembly member Barry McElduff has said that there needs to be a shake-up in the balance of symbols in the Stormont estate after the Assembly Commission revealed the inventory of symbols and emblems in the Stormont Assembly estate. Read full article


29 May, 2008

Sinn Fein Condemns arson attack in Strabane

The Sinn Féin Chairperson of Strabane District Council, Councillor Gerard Foley has branded those responsible for an arson attack on an unoccupied house at Drumman Court in the town in the early hours of the morning as being beneath contempt. Read full article


21 May, 2008

Sinn Féin meet with BT over Broadband provision

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff has welcomed a meeting between Sinn Féin Assembly members and BT to discuss Broadband provision across the North. Read full article


21 May, 2008

Strabane being 'short changed' in Further Education provision and investment -Mc Gill

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill says that Strabane is being short changed in Further Education investment and provision and as part of the continuing lobby to have the situation addressed she will be accompanying Pat Doherty MP to a meeting with Department for Employment & Learning (DEL) Permanent Secretary Aideen Mc Ginley next Tuesday. Read full article


21 May, 2008

Doherty hails £250 million investment for Omagh.

Pat Doherty MP in conversation with Woody Kerr of the bank of new York Mellon during their recent visit to Omagh.

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has hailed the announcement by a major international investment group of £250 million direct investment in Omagh, as a "huge vote of confidence in the area". Read full article


19 May, 2008

Fitzgerald calls for state provision of childcare

Sinn Fein Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has called for the Executive to seriously consider the benefits that could accrue from State provision of childcare. Read full article


15 May, 2008

Woodward visit to Lisanelly welcomed

Omagh Sinn Fein Councillor Martin Mc Colgan welcomed today's visit by British Secretary of State Shaun Woodward to the site of the proposed secondary level Education Campus Village on at the vacated Lisanelly military site in the town. Read full article


15 May, 2008

Sinn Fein challenge North West allocation under EU Fund for Rural Development

Sinn Féin MLA's representing the NorthWest Pat Doherty, Martina Anderson, Francie Brolly and has expressed deep concern as to the method of calculation of criteria used by the Department of Agriculture to calculate the distribution of the EU Fund for Rural Development. Read full article


15 May, 2008

Begley criticises aspects of Omagh PSNI raids.

Omagh Sinn Fein Councillor Sean Begley has hit out at aspects of raids on homes in the Omagh area this morning saying that they have left a pregnant woman due to give birth next week, an elderly couple, and a young woman living alone, severely traumatized after the doors to their homes were sledge hammered by the PSNI at 6.30 am this morning. Read full article


13 May, 2008

Doherty condemns attack on off-duty PSNI officer

Read full article


12 May, 2008

Kelly urges farmers to return IACS forms by Thursday

Sinn Fein Councillor Peter Kelly has advised farmers to complete their single application returns ahead of the deadline this Thursday, 15th May. Read full article


12 May, 2008

Strabane bids a final farewell to Ivan Barr

Upwards on 2000 people attended the funeral of veteran Sinn Féin Cllr Ivan Barr in Strabane this morning. The National Flag and Starry Plough draped the coffin bearing Ivan Barr's remains left the family home at Bridge Street just after 9am. Read full article


11 May, 2008

Lisbon treaty a 'bad deal for Ireland' - McColgan

Sinn Fein Omagh Town Councillor Martin McColgan has said Irish people should vote to reject the Lisbon treaty Read full article


10 May, 2008

Death of Ivan Barr

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that the profound sense shock, sorrow and loss at the news that veteran Sinn Féin Councillor Ivan Barr passed away at his home last night will be acutely felt not only in his beloved Strabane but far beyond. Read full article


9 May, 2008

Doherty believes Melon Bank focused on merits of investing in Omagh

Pat Doherty in conversation with Woody Kerr (Bank of New York Mellon) and Denis Mc Mahon (Strategic Investment Board)

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that he believes that the visit by senior executives of the Bank of New York Mellon to the ancestral home of its founding father Thomas Mellon at the Ulster American Folk Park today has focused their minds on the many merits of investing in Omagh. Read full article


7 May, 2008

Poots criticised for delay in appointing Sports boss

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff, who is chairperson of the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee has criticised the Minster Edwin Poots over the delay in appointing the new Chairperson of the Board of Sport NI. Read full article


6 May, 2008

Doherty hopes New York Mellon Corporation will focus on Omagh investment opportunities

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that he hopes that the decision by representatives of the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation to accept an invitation to visit the ancestral home of its founding father Thomas Mellon at the Ulster American Folk Park, as part of their itinerary during this weeks major Investment Conference, will lead to them examining the many potential investment opportunities that Omagh has to offer. Read full article


6 May, 2008

Donnelly calls for cross departmental approach to combat fuel poverty.

Sinn Fein Councillor Frankie Donnelly has said that more must be done to help the increasing number of families living in fuel poverty. Read full article


5 May, 2008

MC Gill welcomes announcement of Rural Childcare Programme for Autumn 08

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill has given a warm welcome to the announcement by Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew that she intends to establish a Rural Childcare Programme to be operational by the autumn of this year. Read full article


2 May, 2008

Sinn Féin delivering on Rural White paper manifesto commitment

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has said that Sinn Féin made a Rural White Paper a manifesto commitment because it was seen as a key way to protect and promote the long term future of rural communities and that the party is delivering on that commitment. Read full article


2 May, 2008

Mc Aleer welcomes announcement on dental provision

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed a recent initiative launched by Health Minister, Michael Mc Gimpsey to help resolve the dental crisis facing NHS patients. Read full article


1 May, 2008

Sinn Féin condemn 'Anti Community behaviour'

Mid Tyrone Sinn Fein councillor Sean Clarke has condemned what he has described as 'anti community' behaviour taking place in the Greencastle area over the weekend. Read full article


28 April, 2008

McNarry 'alternative' stadium plans 'from another planet'

Sinn Féin Assembly Member and Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee Chair, Barry McElduff has said that Sinn Fein would not support any suggestion that funding set aside for the Long Kesh/Maze project could be redirected be redirected to other sporting projects that exclude the GAA. Read full article


28 April, 2008

Sinn Fein press Minister to tackle dental care crisis for new NHS patients

Sinn Fein has tabled a motion for debate in the Assembly tomorrow calling on Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey to take urgent action to address the inadequacy of dental care provision for NHS patients. Read full article


28 April, 2008

Maximize co-ordination to harness Strabane's job creation potential - Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that there is a now a palpable sense of confidence that Strabane District has turned the corner economically and has called for maximum co-operation and co-ordination amongst all stakeholders in the local community to ensure that the many potential opportunities for investment and job creation that now exist are fully harnessed. Read full article


25 April, 2008

Sinn Féin MP backs Mc Ginley family protest

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has backed a Mc Ginley family protest at Altnagelvin Hospital today in support of their mother Maureen Mc Ginley. Read full article


24 April, 2008

McElduff welcomes presentation on re-opening of Ulster Canal

The Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Culture, Arts and Leisure, Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff MLA(West Tyrone) has welcomed the presentation made to the committee by the Blackwater Regional Partnership on the potential benefits of re-opening the Ulster Canal. Read full article


24 April, 2008

Omagh Sinn Fein Office raid akin to Keystone Cops Script

Sinn Fein Councillor Sean Begley says that the comedy of errors surrounding the large scale raid by PSNI on his party's Constituency Offices at James Street in Omagh yesterday was like something you would expect to find in a script of the "Keystone Cops," and that credible answers must be forthcoming about yesterday's fiasco. Read full article


23 April, 2008

Outrage as public money used for UDR welfare scheme

Sinn Féin has hit out angrily after it was revealed a £2,000,000 welfare scheme for members of the UDR will be publicly funded. On Monday British Army chief Richard Dannett was in the north of Ireland to launch the scheme. Read full article


22 April, 2008

No room at the Inn for dental patients - Mc Aleer

Desperate times: The lack of dentists in the NHS has created a gap in provision for the most vulnerable in society.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has added his voice to the growing lobby for proper dental provision in the area. Read full article


22 April, 2008

Begley urges clarity on Woodward Statement

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Begley has called for clarity on a statement from Sean Woodward on a scheme to befit community halls. Read full article


22 April, 2008

Omagh District Council "shows leadership in pursuit of gender equality". - Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has said she is pleased that Omagh District Council has shown leadership and set examples of good practice and sent out a strong message of their intention to pursue gender equality". Read full article


22 April, 2008

Future of Strathroy Post Office raised in Assembly debate.

'Its a bad idea at best, a dumb idea at worst' this was the phrase used by West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff in the Assembly on Monday when he raised the issue about the closure of Strathroy Post office.. Read full article


22 April, 2008

NIO bid to exclude GAA from compensation scheme 'unacceptable'

The Sinn Fein Chairperson of the DCAL Committee Barry McElduff has described the proposal by the NIO to exclude GAA halls from a compensation scheme for local halls damaged in attacks as 'yet another blatantly sectarian scheme emanating from within the NIO'. Read full article


21 April, 2008

Begley welcomes traffic calming measure for Culmore and O'Kane

Sinn Fein's Sean Begley has welcomed a commitment from DRD Roads service for the introduction of traffic calming measures in Culmore and O'Kane parks. The scheme will also see traffic calming measures on the Lambrook road and Lambrook close. Read full article


21 April, 2008

Doherty urges attendance at A5 project information days

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has urged as many people as possible to attend a series of information days about the planned upgrade of the A5 road from Derry to Aughnacloy to a dual carriageway which are to be held in four towns along the proposed route in the coming weeks. Read full article


18 April, 2008

Welcome for plans to make it easier for disabled people to vote

Sinn Fein's Sean Begley has welcomed a plan by Electoral Office which will make it easier for disabled people to vote. Read full article


18 April, 2008

Mc Guire welcomes water booster plans for homes in Upper Aghyaran

Derg Sinn Fein Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has welcomed a news that plans are now in the pipeline to have a water booster station operational by the end of 2008 to service homes in the Upper Aghyaran Road area which he represents. Read full article


18 April, 2008

Inquiry refusal in case of Maureen Mc Ginley unacceptable- Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that he is deeply disappointed that the decision by Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey's refusal to initiate a public inquiry into the circumstances in which Strabane pensioner Maureen Mc Ginley sustained 34 rib fractures both prior to and following her death at Altnagelvin Hospital on 3rd January last year. Read full article


17 April, 2008

Strabane must get fair share of Public Sector jobs-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has called for Strabane District to be allocated its fair share of public sector employment in a written submission he has made to the consultation into the Public Sector Policy Review being led by George Bain. Read full article


15 April, 2008

Doherty welcomes official announcement that Altnagelvin is to be location for North West Satellite Cancer Centre

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed confirmation by Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey in the Assembly this afternoon that Altnagelvin is to be the location for a Satellite Cancer Centre in the North West part of Ireland but is once again questioning why the people on the region should have to wait until after 2015 before this Centre becomes operational. Read full article


15 April, 2008

Mc Nulty commends community effort in securing Fountain Street Traffic Calming.

Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty has praised the efforts of local people and community representatives in finally securing traffic claming measures for the Fountain St area after many years of campaigning and lobbying on the issue. Read full article


15 April, 2008

MC GILL SEEKS ANSWERS AFTER TOURIST BOARD OMITS COUNTY TYRONE

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA has called upon DETI Minister Nigel Dodds to detail the spend by the NI Tourist Board, in terms of advertising, on each of the six counties in the last year after it transpired that the statutory agency charged with promoting tourism here had completely omitted any mention of attractions in County Tyrone when it launched an expensive advertising campaign in Dublin based papers a fortnight ago as part of a major drive to attract visitors to the six counties. Read full article


15 April, 2008

Anti-skid surfacing for dangerous Urney Road/Great Northern Road junction

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed news that Roads Service is to treat all approach roads up to the Urney Road/Great Northern Road junction with high friction anti-skid surfacing in a measure designed to improve safety. Read full article


15 April, 2008

Large attendance expected at Sinn Fein Public meeting in Galbally

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has described the public meeting being organised by Sinn Fein at Galbally Community Centre at 8pm next Wednesday (23 April) as an opportunity for people to engage directly with senior Sinn Fein representatives on the full range of political, social, and economic issues be they at a local, regional or national level. Read full article


14 April, 2008

Lisanelly/St Lucia transfer issue centre stage following Assembly debate

Sinn Féin says that the proposal to develop a unique secondary level education village campus in Omagh received a major boost when the Assembly voted, earlier today, to accept an amended Sinn Fein motion calling on the British government to transfer lands at the vacated military sites at Lisanelly and St Lucia for the the development. Read full article


12 April, 2008

Mc Gill Highlights Concerns about New Housing Allowance

Sinn Féin MLA Claire Mc Gill has expressed concerns about a new Local Housing Allowance which has replaced Housing Benefit for private rented sector tenants who seek financial help fort he first time. Read full article


12 April, 2008

Sinn Fein motion on Lisanelly/St Lucia transfer to be debated by Assembly

A Sinn Fein motion, calling upon the British government to transfer lands at the vacated military sites at Lisanelly and St Lucia in Omagh to the Assembly Executive to facilitate the development of the Education Village as proposed by the Omagh Educational Campus Group, is to be debated by the full Assembly next Monday. Read full article


10 April, 2008

LISANELLY OFFERS VISION OF THE FUTURE FOR EDUCATION - RUANE

Education Minister, Caitri­ona Ruane, has said that the former military site at Lisanelly, Omagh, presents a unique opportunity for education. Read full article


9 April, 2008

Fitzgerald welcomes announcement on ambulance cover.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Fein Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed additional ambulance cover in the Omagh Area. Read full article


8 April, 2008

MC Hugh welcomes announcement of 24/7 ambulance cover for Castlederg

Derg Sinn Fein Councillor Charlie Mc Hugh has welcomed today's announcement by Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey that Castlederg is to get 24/7 ambulance service cover as a long overdue recognition that the area has not been adequately covered up until now. Read full article


8 April, 2008

Donnelly welcomes extensive resurfacing

Councillor Frankie Donnelly has said he has received assurances from DRD Roads Service that the Drumlegagh, Manse and Omagh Roads in Drumquin will undergo extensive resurfacing in the coming weeks. Read full article


8 April, 2008

Adams and Mc Guinness among platform speakers at Galbally Public Meeting

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has confirmed that both Gerry Adams and Martin Mc Guinness will be among the platform speakers at a major Sinn Féin public meeting being held at Galbally Community Centre on Wednesday 23rd April at 8pm. Read full article


8 April, 2008

Strabane Public Meeting-opportunity to engage directly with senior Sinn Fein figures

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has described the public meeting being organised by Sinn Fein at Fountain Street Community Centre at 8pm this Sunday as providing the opportunity for local people to engage directly with senior Sinn Fein representatives on the full range of political, social, and economic issues be they at a local, regional or national level. Read full article


7 April, 2008

Social Networking sites must be safe from Paedophiles- Cllr Fitzgerald

Social networking sites will remain a preying ground for sexual predators if tougher measures arent introduced according to Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald. Read full article


7 April, 2008

Mc Nulty praises Water Service for a "good job well done"

Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty has praised the Water Service for its prompt response in dealing with representations about a serious sewage overspill at Inisfree Gardens in Strabane on Thursday last. Read full article


7 April, 2008

McElduff urges people to contact Pothole Hotline

Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff is urging local people to report potholes directly to a 'Pothole Hotline' at Omagh 82 254600 Read full article


4 April, 2008

County wide 'United stand' against post office closures

Tyrone will take a county wide 'united stand' against the closure of post offices in the county according to Councillor Sean Begley. Read full article


3 April, 2008

Anger and revulsion at brutal attack on Mountfield pensioner

Sinn Fein Councillor Declan Mc Aleer said that there is massive anger and revulsion in the local community at those who subjected an elderly woman to a brutal assault and burglary at her Killyclogher Road home in Mountfield last night. Read full article


3 April, 2008

Fitzgerald welcomes Carrickmore traffic calming measures

Sinn Féin Mid Tyrone Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has welcomed further traffic calming measures to be introduced in Carrickmore. Read full article


2 April, 2008

Be alert to Aghyaran/Castlederg oil thefts-Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has called on people in the Aghyaran/Castlederg area to be alert to the fact that a spate of oil thefts have been carried out against local residents in recent days. Read full article


2 April, 2008

Adams to address Sinn Fein Public meeting in Strabane

One year on from the restoration of the political institutions and 10 years after the Good Friday Agreement Sinn Féin will be holding nine public meetings across the six counties to mark these historic events. Read full article


1 April, 2008

Mc Gill asks Ministers to explore life-line for Post Offices

West Tyrone Sinn Fein Assembly member Claire Mc Gill has submitted a written question, for an urgent response, to all Ministers in the Executive asking them to investigate the potential of enabling the public to access relevant services offered by their respective Departments at Post offices franchises so as to ensure their viability and sustainability. Read full article


1 April, 2008

Sinn Féin slams post office closures.

Sinn Fein councillor Sharon O'Brien has slammed the decision to close almost 100 post offices throughout the north of Ireland . Read full article


1 April, 2008

Post Office must be made to consider imaginative alternatives to rural closures. Begley

Omagh Sinn Fein Councillor Sean Begley says that if the Post Office proposals to close 21 branches in Tyrone are allowed to proceed the social and economic consequences for rural communities would just be as serious as the threat posed by the attempted imposition of Rural Planning Policy PPS 14 Read full article


31 March, 2008

Water Services 'no show' over sewage overspill unacceptable

Cllr Gerard Foley, the Sinn Fein Chairperson of Strabane District Council has criticized the failure of the Water Service to respond to representations about an overflow of raw sewage onto the Bellspark Road in the Glebe over the weekend. Read full article


27 March, 2008

Decision time for Maze/Long Kesh stadium - McElduff

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff MLA, who is chair of the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, has called on Finance Minister, Peter Robinson and Culture Minister Edwin Poots to act decisively and put a positive recommendation on the Maze/Long Kesh Stadium to the Executive for approval. Read full article


26 March, 2008

Several Thousand attend Carrickmore Easter Commemoration

Tyrone republicans converged in Carrickmore on Sunday 23rd March to commemorate Irelands patriot dead. Bunting, flags and posters adorned the parade route and all the approach roads. Read full article


25 March, 2008

Gerry Kelly Addresses Drumboe Commemoration

Photo of parade making its way through Ballybofey and of Platform Party at the Tírconnail Martyr's Memorial  erected to commemorate the execution of the four Drumboe martyrs, Charlie Daly, Seán Larkin, Daniel Enright and Tim O'Sullivan, by Free state forc

In bitterly cold weather conditions republicans from Donegal and Strabane turned out in large numbers at the Drumboe Easter Commemoration on Sunday at which the main speaker Gerry Kelly called on the Irish government to begin to play its role in bringing about Irish reunification. Read full article


20 March, 2008

McElduff welcomes €30 million JP McManus Scholarship Fund

Sinn Féin MLA for West Tyrone, Barry McElduff has welcomed the €30 million funding of an all-Ireland Scholarship fund by Irish racehorse owner and well known Philanthropist J P MCManus. Read full article


20 March, 2008

Fatal crash has casts dark shadow over Tyrone-Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that the news that two men have been killed following a collision between two lorries on the main A5 road between Omagh and Newtownstewart this afternoon has cast a dark shadow over the area as we commence Easter week. Read full article


20 March, 2008

Foley must continue to be subject to the most stringent of monitoring mechanisms-Doherty

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that Eamon Foley, as a convicted level 3 sex offender, must be subject to the most stringent of monitoring mechanisms Read full article


19 March, 2008

Doherty calls on MoD to make full public disclosure about profits from demilitarized sites sales

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has called on the British Ministry of Defence to make a full public disclosure about what profits it has secured from the sale of demilitarized sites across the six counties Read full article


19 March, 2008

'Arson attack' at home of Eamon Foley will solve nothing - Doherty

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that, if as suspected, the fire at home of Eamon Foley at Seegronan Road outside Killeter last night was caused by arson it will solve absolutely nothing. Read full article


19 March, 2008

Public urged to wear Easter lily and remember Irelands patriot dead.

The late Mickey McAnespie launches the Easter lily campaign in 2006. Mickey was tragically killed during the year and will be fondly remembered this weekend by his family and friends.

West Tyrone Sinn Fein Councillor, Sean Begley has called upon people in Tyrone to wear their Easter lily and remember Ireland's patriot dead this weekend. Read full article


19 March, 2008

Mc Aleer welcomes Killyclogher recreation proposals

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured at the proposed recreation area in Killyclogher.

Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed a commitment from Omagh District Council to develop recreational facilities in Killyclogher. Read full article


18 March, 2008

Automatic sliding doors for Mourneside Health Centre-Mc Gill

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire McGill has been told that work to install automatic sliding doors at Mourneside Health Centre should be completed after the Easter Holiday period and should alleviate access problems to the facility. Read full article


18 March, 2008

Mc Mahon welcomes £1.2m flood alleviation scheme at Ballycolman

Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor Brian Mc Mahon has welcomed news that a £1.2 million upgrade of the sewage pumping station at the bottom of the Ballycolman Estate in the town is to commence later this month. Read full article


17 March, 2008

Omagh DC passes motion in favour of Irish Language Act

Sinn Féin councillor, Martin McColgan has reiterated calls for the introduction of an Irish Language Act following the passage, by Omagh District Council of a motion in support of a proposed Irish Language Act for the North. Read full article


17 March, 2008

West Tyrone Sinn Féin goes online

Sinn Féin in West Tyrone brought their message into cyberspace during the week with the launch of a new website. Read full article


16 March, 2008

Local Government shake-up - progress on governance welcomed

Sinn Féin West Tyrone Constituency organiser Sean Begley has said that more important than the numbers of councils is the way they operate, what services they deliver and how they deliver for rate payers. Read full article


15 March, 2008

Lettercarn Road Water Mains to be replaced by early 2009-Mc Guire

Strabane District Sinn Féin Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has welcomed news that work is now scheduled to take place to alleviate the repeated disruption to water supply on the Lettercarn Road, in the Clare area, outside Castlederg. Read full article


15 March, 2008

GERRY KELLY TO BE MAIN SPEAKER AT DRUMBOE EASTER COMMEMORATION

Gerry Kelly will be the main speaker at the Annual Drumboe Easter Commemoration this Sunday as republicans from Strabane and throughout Donegal converge to commemorate the 1916 Rising Read full article


14 March, 2008

Doherty to represent party at London St Patrick's Day events

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty will represent the party at a series of events in London to mark St Patrick's Day. Read full article


13 March, 2008

Thousands expected to attend Carrickmore Easter commemoration

Chairperson of the Tyrone national graves, Brian Crawley has said for republicans the Easter period is one of reflection, commemoration and renewal. He was speaking ahead of the Easter commemorations marking 92 years since the Easter rising of 1916. Read full article


12 March, 2008

Mc Aleer calls for transfer of Policing and Justice powers

Sinn Féin councillor Declan McAleer has said that the transfer of Policing and Justice Powers is a fundamental aspect of the power sharing arrangements in the six counties. Read full article


12 March, 2008

Easter Commemorations

Tyrone National Graves Association Easter Commemorations 2008 Read full article


11 March, 2008

Doherty believes case for North West Cancer Centre has now been accepted in principle but 2015 timeframe is unacceptable

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that he now believes that the case for developing a Satellite Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin has now been conceded in principle by the Departments of Health North and South Read full article


11 March, 2008

Doherty disappointed that DRD Roads bid for EU funding for Tyrone/Donegal Cross border roads not matched by Donegal Roads Dept.

Pat Doherty MP in conversation with DRD Minister Conor Murphy MP.

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has welcomed news that DRD Roads Service has applied for EU funding from the INTERREG IV Cross-Border Programme to carry out improvements to the Castlefin Road, Corgary Road, Kilclean Road, Moneygal Road and Tulnashane Road on the Tyrone side of the border with Donegal. Read full article


11 March, 2008

ZEBRA CROSSING FOR STRABANE HEALTH CENTRE-SINN FEIN

Strabane Sinn Fein Cllr Jarlath Mc Nulty has welcomed confirmation that a zebra crossing is to be introduced at Strabane Health Centre Read full article


10 March, 2008

Internal DUP political concerns must not stifle stadium proposals - McElduff MLA

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff, who is the Chairperson of the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, has today restated his party's position that the project of a sports stadium at Long Kesh must be moved forward and internal DUP political concerns must not stifle this opportunity. Read full article


7 March, 2008

Torchlight Vigil marks Gibraltar killings

A section of the crowd who attended the Torchlight vigil in the Garden of Remembrance

On Friday evening, Republicans from County Tyrone assembled at the Garden of Remembrance in Carrickmore to commemorate the lives of Mairead Farrell, Sean Savage and Dan Mc Cann who were shot by the SAS in Gibraltar on 6th March 1988. Read full article


3 March, 2008

Doherty flags up importance of Omagh Education Village Campus ahead of Assembly debate

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that he hopes that proposals for a unique secondary level Education Village Campus to be located on the former British military sites of Lisanelly and St Lucia in Omagh will receive universal backing when the issue is discussed at an adjournment debate in the assembly tomorrow morning. Read full article


27 February, 2008

Doherty Welcomes Dean Maguirc New Build Announcement

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has given a warm welcome to the announcement by Education Minister Caitríona Ruane giving the go ahead for a new build for Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore. Read full article


25 February, 2008

BBC announcement on increased GAA coverage "a step in the right direction"

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff (West Tyrone) has welcomed a BBC announcement on increased GAA coverage over the next three years as a step in the right direction. Read full article


21 February, 2008

Questions need answered after acquittal of four Castlederg nationalists-Doherty

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty says that the Court acquittal of four young Castlederg nationalists on all charges relating to events following a loyalist band parade in the town last August raises serious questions about the PSNI's conduct in the case. Read full article


6 February, 2008

Cllr Fitzgerald challenges Omagh District Council on Equality

Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald has called for the re-convening of the Standing Orders Committee of Omagh District Council. Under standing orders the Chairperson of Omagh District Council must be addressed as 'Chairman'. Read full article


2 February, 2008

Doherty and Mc Elduff to accompany Omagh Educational Campus Group delegation to meet Woodward on transfer of Lisanelly/St Lucia

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty and Barry Mac Elduff MLA will accompany members of the Omagh Educational Campus Group to a meeting with British Secretary of State Shaun Woodward this Thursday. Read full article


28 January, 2008

Works to follow investigation of Knock-Na-Moe Bungalows flooding

Omagh Sinn Fein Councillor Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed news from Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew that the Rivers Agency will prioritize measures to alleviate the cause of flooding at Knock-Na-Moe Bungalows. Read full article


22 January, 2008

SDLP lambasted over farming motion hypocrisy - Doherty MLA MP

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty MP MLA has been co-opted on to the Assembly Agriculture Committee Read full article


22 January, 2008

Equality proofing needed for Irish language funding - McElduff

Sinn Féin MLA and chair of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, Barry McElduff has said that equality proofing is needed for Irish language funding. Read full article


15 January, 2008

Doherty gives cautious welcome to Independent Review of Omagh Fire tragedy.

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty has given a cautious welcome to today's announcement by Health Minister Michael Mc Gimpsey that an Independent Review is to be undertaken into the circumstances in which Arthur McElhill, Lorraine McGovern and their five children died in the blaze at Lammy Crescent in Omagh in November. Read full article


9 January, 2008

Child Poverty statistic mirrors east-west of the Bann inequality divide

Sinn Fein Anti-Poverty Spokesperson West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill says that alarming statistics into the extent of Child Poverty in the six counties unveiled today in an interim report by the Committee for the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister reinforces the need for Sinn Fein's response to the draft Programme for Budget to be taken on board in order that a meaningful impact can be made on eradicating child poverty. Read full article


15 December, 2007

MP Highlights Condition of Roads and Lack of Street lighting in Dromore

West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty has highlighted the need for urgent repairs and resurfacing on Main Street, Dromore and adjoining roads in the area. Read full article


10 December, 2007

Mc Aleer urges uptake in home improvement grants

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has urged householders to avail of improvement grants for privately owned homes. Read full article


31 December, 1969

Greenfield decision a victory for people power

Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA Claire Mc Gill heralded the U-turn by the Western Trust's to keep Greenfield Residential Care Home open as a victory for people power. Read full article