SF event to highlight nationalists' treatment

Sinn Fein is holding a series of events in Dublin this weekend to show solidarity with what it calls 'the on-going siege' of nationalist communities in the North.

Party spokesperson Daithí Doolan said that the weekend programme has been organised in solidarity with members of the Nationalist community, who he says continue to suffer constant attack on their communities by loyalists.

He also said it is important that the attention of the Irish public is refocused on the daily reality of life on the ground for nationalists.

Attention is being drawn to the fact that there have been nearly 600 attacks on nationalists involving guns, bombs, bricks and bottles and other missiles over a six-month period.

Sinn Fein said that if the Good Friday Agreement is to have any real meaning or impact for these people, the attacks must be brought to an end.

One of the central events of the weekend will be a rally today outside the Central Bank featuring independent Deputy Finian McGrath, the Green Party's John Gormley as well as Sinn Fein's own TDs.

The weekend of action also includes an independently-made film showing incidents in the Short Strand area of Belfast and a series of demonstrations by Sinn Fein supporters.