Thousands protest at Assembly polls move

THOUSANDS of republicans and nationalists joined in a series of protests across the country yesterday to mark the cancelled date for the North’s Assembly elections.

From Belfast to Dublin, Sinn Féin held protests in an estimated 30 towns and cities while the SDLP and other political parties and trade unions also added their voices to the call for immediate elections.

Despite opposition from republicans, and against the wishes of the Irish Government, British Prime Minister Tony Blair postponed the elections last month citing failure of the IRA to produce a statement declaring an end to all paramilitary activity.