Meath Schools To Get 1st Dáil Pack

Primary schools across Meath will be receiving a resource pack to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1st Dáil. The pack includes a commemorative 20 page illustrated brochure which details the historic events leading up to the first Dáil and will also contain reproductions of the documents adopted by TDs on January 21st 1919. Meath Sinn Féin Councillors and representatives launched the pack today at the party's Navan office.

Speaking at the launch Councillor Joe Reilly quoted the words of a young republican, Máire Comerford, who was present at the Mansion House on January 21st 1919, "'Never was the past so near, or the present so brave, or the future so full of hope.'

"Modern Ireland faces many challenges. Working families face heavy financial burdens, the vulnerable remain insufficiently protected, the economy is under developed and border counties continue to carry the economic and social burden of partition.

"Equality was the basis of the Democratic Programme adopted by the first Dáil. The Programme set out progressive social and economic goals based on the principles of the 1916 Proclamation and articulated by Pádraig Mac Piarais and James Connolly.

"Today we must continue to fight for these goals. The prospect of achieving Equality of Opportunity can inspire. It can bring people together. It gives us a common cause. Today's An Chéad Dáil events are not only a commemoration of the brave men and women of 1919, they are also a celebration of what Irish people achieved 90 years ago and their project modern Ireland has yet to complete."

Meath Dial To Stop Drug Dealing Launched

Sinn Féin local election candidate Sinéad Burke and EU Candidate Tomás Sharkey have announced details of a campaign to publicise the "Dial to Stop Drug Dealing" Freephone number 1800 220 220. This is a freephone number that is confidential and totally anonymous. Calls are free and can be made from land lines and mobiles. The caller won't be asked for name, address or phone number. All information given will be passed onto the Gardaí. When Sinn Féin carried out a Community Safety Audit during the summer months one of the most important issues which came up was that people were unwilling to call the Gardaí regarding suspected drug dealing in their areas and communities for fear of retaliation. This Freephone number has been rolled out in other parts of the country with considerable success. Over the coming weeks and months Sinn Féin will be distributing cards with the free phone number throughout the county. We will also be including it on all literature published by the party and are inviting as many people as possible to come up with ways to promote the service. The use of this number is a means for the public to keep their areas free from drugs and we encourage anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their area to use it with confidence and without fear. Said Sinead Burke at the launch, "Drug dealing is a scourge that has touched many communities in East Meath. I regularly meet residents who are afraid to get in touch with the authorities to report what they know. This phone line puts power back in ordinary decent people's hands. It's totally anonymous and the information goes straight to the Gardaí."

Duleek Road Collapsing

Sinn Féin representative for Meath East Sinéad Burke has branded the Duleek/Navan Road junction (R150/N2) as an accident waiting to happen and has called on the Council to prioritise its repair.

Burke said "The residents of Duleek have had to suffer more than most over thelast year when it comes to roads in disrepair, with many roads in the town still in a building-site condition, but the busy R150/N2 junction is very dangerous. This is a T junction and is the main road to Navan. It is difficult to manoeuvre in normal conditions with oncoming traffic but even worse now that there is a three foot pothole. It is in such a poor state of repair that when you go to move off, the ground gives way, or you find yourself stuck in the pothole! I am calling on the council and the Road Safety Officer to ensure that this is attended to immediately".