THE chief executive of the American Ireland Fund confirmed yesterday that the fund had the most successful year in its entire history last year by raising $40 million (€28m) for Irish charities.

Irish Americans are still focused on the demand that the IRA ends all its involvement in criminality and recognises the rule of law, a nationalist member of Northern Ireland’s Policing Board said today.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has started a four-day visit to the US today aimed at informing Irish Americans on efforts being made to revive the peace process.

CONSIDERING the week that was in it, it was nice to see Dublin organising a series of special events to honour the courage of victims of September 11.