Labour MEP Proinsias de Rossa is calling on the Government to initiate legal action against Israel in light of the attack on the aid convoy last Monday and the boarding of the MV Rachel Corrie.

One of the last ships on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza is to be intercepted by the Israeli navy today.

One of the last ships on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy today.

A GOVERNMENT-brokered compromise deal with Israel to safely bring an Irish aid vessel ashore with its cargo and onto Gaza was yesterday rejected by the ship’s crew, just hours before the boat’s expected arrival off the Palestinian coast.

The Irish aid boat the MV Rachel Corrie has called on the UN to help ensure its safe passage to Gaza after Monday's deadly Israeli raid on a flotilla of six ships.

AN Irish-owned aid vessel was sailing closer to Gaza’s shores last night amid threats by Israel that it was standing firm over its blockade ofthe war-torn Palestinian territory.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin today repeated calls for Israel to allow aid boat the MV Rachel Corrie through its military blockade of Gaza.

ANXIOUS peace activists aboard an Irish-owned ship bound for Gaza have vowed not to give up their humanitarian aid cargo to Israel but have said they are prepared to surrender peacefully if Israeli commandos decide to board their boat.

The Dáil has this evening passed a unanimous motion condemning the attack by Israel on an aid flotilla en-route to Gaza.

High-profile humanitarian activists tonight pleaded with EU chiefs to use sanctions to force an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Israel is being warned to act with "absolute restraint" when the MV Rachel Corrie approaches Gaza.

Sinn Féin's Dáil leader Caoimhghin O Caolain has called on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to initiate a trade boycott of Israel at national and EU level.

A massive security operation was under way in Co Mayo today as work on the final stages of energy giant Shell’s bitterly disputed gas refinery began.

A small Irish coastal community was gripped in a massive security operation tonight to allow final offshore work to begin on energy giant Shell’s bitterly disputed gas refinery.

The AFRI is holding its annual conference in Co. Kildare today.

JAMES McGRATH (Letters, December 1) accuses me of misquoting the Lancet report on deaths in Iraq, and says that the medical journal’s figure of 100,000 was a “projection” of what the figures might be if the war were to continue indefinitely.

The Dublin born former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations has told a jury that he holds the UN responsible for killing many thousands of people, including children, in Iraq through the imposition of sanctions.

Peace activist Denis Halliday has reportedly announced his intention not to contest the presidential election on October 22.

A DOCTOR and former political prisoner yesterday appealed to the Government to allow Iraqi torture victims to travel to Ireland for treatment.

IRISH neutrality was not founded out of cowardice, nor a denial of international obligation.

PEACE campaigners are planning a series of vigils and demonstrations to coincide with attacks on Iraq if war goes ahead.

Denis Halliday, a former assistant secretary-general of the United Nations, has described the Government as "gutless" for its failure to oppose the planned US/British war against Iraq.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin will host a major meeting on the Iraqi crisis in Dublin tomorrow.

Anti-war protestors have finished their march at Shannon Airport.

AMERICAN President George W Bush may not be taking much notice of either the United Nations or anyone else these days, but Irish schoolchildren are hoping their own political leaders will be different.