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News Items
High profile Deeny backer switches sides
By Mark McKelvey
The re-election campaign of Independent Assembly candidate Dr Kieran
Deeny was hit with a further blow last week as another well known backer
during his 2003 crusade, Dr John Maginness shifted his support to SDLP
runner Dr Jo Deehan. Dr Maginness who is a Consultant Anaesthetist at
the Tyrone County Hospital and high profile, respected figure in the
campaign to save the hospital stated last week that Dr Deehan "deserves
your support". This news comes following last weeks revelation that Cllr
Johnny McLaughlin changed allegiances to the SDLP's Seamus Shields.
Stating his support for the SDLP GP, Dr Maginness said, "Cllr Josephine
Deehan has a proven record of working hard for everyone in her role as
their representative on Omagh District Council. "She has dedicated her
working life to helping all without any fear – families struggling to
rear young children, the elderly living alone, those ill with long-term
sickness including those with mental illness. "She has voiced her
opposition to removal of vital services from the local Tyrone County
Hospital. She deserves your support, your vote as your MLA
representative so she can support all the people of Omagh into the
future. "Jo Deehan is a fearless, dedicated, honest worker who will act
for all the people as MLA."
Expressing her delight at receiving such strong backing for her
capabilities, Dr Deehan outlined why she feels Dr Maginness has given
her his support.
"I welcome and value the support of Dr John Maginness because he is a
highly respected member of the medical profession in Omagh and it is
good to know that he has confidence in my ability to deliver," said Dr
Deehan. "I believe he has given me his support because he feels that I
am able, and best placed with the strong support of my party to deliver
the best healthcare services for Omagh and West Tyrone.
"At present I am a district councillor and will remain so until 2009,
and am also currently chair of the council's Health Committee. With
statutory bodies such as the WHSSB and Sperrin Lakeland Trust having an
obligation to consult with the district councils, I am in a very strong
position to negotiate with those organisations. If I am elected to the
Assembly I will have to reduce my role as a GP but I will not withdraw
completely from general practice because I want to continue to provide a
service to my patients and it gives me a unique insight into the health
care difficulties that people are experiencing, so I wouldn't want to
cut myself off from that contact."
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Deehan is the SDLP candidate for Omagh town
The SDLP has moved to clarify confusion arising from a story in last
week's UH, where an SDLP Assembly election candidate was claiming
endorsement from an Omagh Town councillor. In a statement from Cllr Pat
McDonnell, leader of the SDLP group in Omagh District Council, it was
pointed out that the party's nominee in Omagh Town is Dr Josephine
Deehan.
"Dr Deehan's decision to seek a nomination was strongly endorsed at the
party's selection convention and I can confirm that she is our No. 1
candidate in all wards in Omagh Town as well as in Dromore, Drumquin,
Trillick, Fairy Water, Newtownstewart. and Castlederg," said Cllr
McDonnell. "The hospital issue is still alive and Dr Deehan is in a
strong position to force the issue onto the cabinet table."
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Women challenge in a male domain
By Michele Canning Smith
West Tyrone has never been represented by a female. In fact, until 2007
the constituency has only ever had one female contender, Alliance's Anne
Gormley and that was back in 1998, and she was one of 15 contenders.
Jo Deehan is an Omagh GP who has been actively involved with the SDLP
for the past 14 years. She also is a councillor in her second term, who
is keen to see more women get involved in political life. Jo Deehan
first came into the public eye, politically, some six years ago when she
decided to run as an SDLP candidate for Omagh District Council. A
virtual unknown, she scraped in with a handful of votes and there began
a steep learning curve for the family doctor.
Second time around as an enthused politico, Jo topped the poll in Omagh
and was elected on the first count and so much does politics invigorate
her that standing for the Assembly was an opportunity to be grasped.
Social justice and naturally healthcare are what spurs the Omagh GP on
but what is it that inspires her entry into the bigger political arena.
"I was initially drawn into politics because I was very inspired by John
Hume. I had the privilege of meeting him and was impressed by his
approach to humanity, and his efforts to improve the lot of people. "His
subsequent discussions with Gerry Adams and encouraging Republicans to
give up the armed struggle was such an unselfish thing to do, to put the
needs of people ahead of the political party.
"I was very inspired by that. As a doctor my vocation is caring and I
have had very many privileges and advantages and many others have not
and do not enjoy the same advantages so I wanted to improve the lot of
people. "For instance young mums struggling to bring up their children,
well after I was elected to Omagh Council I helped to encourage the
Council to give up land for Surestart which has turned out to be a very
good project.
"When I was first elected in 2001 no-one knew who I was and it was a
steep learning curve. But you come into contact with so many different
people and situations, like planning, waste disposal and economic
development and I just find it all fascinating. "Now as a first-time
runner for the Assembly I am just so enthusiastic. I am just working so
hard to get to the Assembly, there are so many things I want to achieve.
"I believe it's important that women have a voice, we need that gender
balance. The SDLP is fielding a very strong slate of candidates, 14 in
all, I think. It's a very exciting time. As a woman I am very much in
tune with issues relating to women but also in tune with all the other
issues that affects everyone. "I am disappointed that not more women are
standing from the Unionist tradition in this election.
"We need political women and they should have the opportunity to go
forward, they are well positioned to compete with men. The top women
need to go forward. We need to be nurturing young women, schoolgirls and
those at university, to become involved in local politics. We need to
let young women know that they can determine the future lot for their
community, and on issues that they are passionate about.
"Women can get to the emotional issues and engage with people in an
emotional way. Men approach things in a more pragmatic way. Women are
very perceptive, they think laterally and have good communication
skills."
Dr Deehan believes that emerging onto the political scene complements
her profession as a GP. "I am very strongly committed to the SDLP as the
party ethos is very much person focused, having the utmost respect for
human life and that's something I aspire to as a doctor and a human
being. "I feel my role is to break don socio-economic barriers and the
barriers between communities. I see myself as a bridge builder."
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Deehan posters torn down in Drumquin
By Ulster Herald
SDLP candidate Dr Josephine Deehan has warned the people responsible for
tearing down 20 of her election posters in Drumquin that they will not
stop her getting her message across. She said that the message she had
been getting on doorsteps throughout the constituency had been extremely
positive. Dr Deehan went on to say that those responsible for this
action were clearly feeling very challenged. However, she said that
neither she nor her election team had encountered the slightest hint of
negativity on their canvass in Omagh, Newtownstewart, and Dromore, and
added that the reception in her home town of Dromore had been
exceptionally welcoming.
She said that nothing would stop her getting her message across that the
people of the constituency needed representation on all fronts not least
of which was the health front. She added, "The Hospital is still an
extremely important issue for the people here, our message is strong and
our support is very strong. "Those posters that have been removed will
be replaced and those people trying to prevent the message getting out
will not succeed." She did not speculate as to who might be the behind
the removal of the posters." At almost every election there have been
complaints of posters being torn down, the victims of such tactics,
paradoxically, often benefit for support from the community.
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Last seats to provide West Tyrone drama
By Ulster Herald
With just 13 days left for candidates to canvass in the Assembly
election, the pace of vote gathering has intensified considerably,
rather like horses in the Grand National, some early leads are seeming
to open up between candidates. However, just as Beeher's Brook, the
Canal, and the Chair make a mockery of apparent leads, the foibles of
the electorate can make nonsense of an analyst's attempts to call an
election. In West Tyrone, there are some near certainties, Sinn Féin
will take two seats and unionists of some shade will take two seats. The
other two are are up for grabs.
The SDLP have fielded three candidates in Josephine Deehan, Eugene
McMenamin and Seamus Shields, despite the fact that in 2003, its
representation fell from two to one with the collapse of the Byrne vote
in light of the Dr Deeny campaign. The arithmetic is clear enough, two
seats, eight candidates chasing them, there are must be several fallers.
There are clear outsiders, such as Robert McCartney of the UK Unionist
Party and Joe O'Neill of Republican Sinn Féin, but to rule them out
would be to ignore the Grand National triumph of Foinavon at 100-1 in
1967, and whereas party politics scooped the prize in 1992, party
rancour could score a win in West Tyrone 2007.
No one would dare rule Dr Deeny out, though it seeems there has been a
diminishing of the dynamic that carried him through to top the polls in
2003. A third unionist is highly unlikely to triumph; however, a third
seat passing to Sinn Féin is a significant possibility - that would have
to be at the expense of either Deeny or McMenamin. It is well known that
infighting in the SDLP prior to the Westminister election two years ago
led to the party performing poorly, and there is little to suggest that
wounds have been healed and the fact that the incumbant MLA was not
nominated by the constituency association and had to be imposed by
headquarters would suggest that the party's internal diffuclties have
not yet passed.
Moreover, in awarding Josephine Deehan half of the Castlederg district
(traditionally McMenamin's stomping ground) in which to campaign, it
would seem to the outsider that she has been annointed as the party's
chosen candidate. Seamus Shields also remains in the field and, with the
backing of former Deeny supporter and Omagh councillor Johnny McLoughlin,
must figure to poll well. There are just over 1,000 fewer votes
available for the candidates to chase than was the case two years ago
and, in what will almost certainly be a photo finish, it is the filling
of the last two seats that will provide all the drama.
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Deehan or Deeny – Dr Who?
By Ulster Herald
WITH the demise of acute services in the Tyrone area, the health
situation is clearly still high on the agenda forlocal Assembly
candidates, particularly two local GPs; the SDLP Jo Deehan and
Independent MLA Kieran Deeny. With two such high profile local health
workers campaigning for an Assembly seat, is there room for both?
According to both, the answer is yes. However, the SDLP has set out
their stall that they are aiming to increase their electoral mandate in
West Tyrone, implying this could perhaps be at the expense of Dr Deeny's
Assembly seat. "There is certainly room for two doctors from West Tyrone
in the assembly, but the SDLP is confident that we are going to return
two MLAs for West Tyrone at this election," declared Dr Deehan.
Dr Deeny however has suggested that his election rival could only make
an impact at Stormont as a supporter of his strong independent position,
free of the shackles of her party headquarters' policy. "I have a lot of
respect for my GP colleague Dr Josephine Deehan," stated Dr Deeny. "I
think she would certainly be of great assistance in the hospital
campaign if she is elected to the assembly, but only with me on board
also.
"If I am not there she will be dictated too by her party and very little
will be done. If I get in as an independent really pushing for a
solution to our health crisis in Tyrone it would be good to have a party
candidate supporting me. "Otherwise, just as in the Westminster Election
of less than 2 years ago, her wishes and those of the West Tyrone SDLP
Association will again be dismissed, ignored and over ruled by her party
leadership which is primarily Derry and Belfast focused and has done
relatively little for Tyrone down the years."
SDLP candidate Dr Deehan refuted this suggestion, instead intimating
that she has the advantage because as a member of a strong party she
will have the necessary support to make a serious impact. "The
independent candidate, Dr Kieran Deeny is my GP colleague and also a
personal friend of mine. I have admired greatly the stance that he has
taken on the hospital issue," said Dr Deehan. "I would see the
advantages of myself running as a doctor, as I am very familiar with the
issues surrounding the removal of acute services from the Tyrone County
Hospital, also having the added advantage of bringing a strong SDLP
assembly team to this issue, which I feel gives me a great advantage.
"The SDLP pride ourselves on listening and responding to all the issues.
The SDLP locally and centrally have invested a great deal of effort in
examining fully the issue of acute hospital services in West Tyrone and
in Fermanagh. They have given quite detailed consideration and there is
a great deal of support within the party for the predicament that we
find ourselves in.
"The SDLP has strength in that it is a major political party, it will be
key hopefully in the new assembly determining future policy and decision
making and I feel I could be a part of that which would be an advantage
to the Tyrone County Hospital.
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SDLP's Deehan takes issue with police chief
SDLP Assembly candidate Dr Josephine Deehan has slammed PSNI Chief
Constable Hugh Orde for comments he made about the SDLP and Sinn Féin in
an e-mail which found its way to the media.
"I would reject very strongly the accusation that the SDLP and Sinn Féin
were using policing as a political football," said the Omagh councillor.
"The SDLP worked very hard to secure a new beginning for policing and
the implementation of the Patten recommendations, and we took a great
many risks both politically and members of the Policing Board and
members of the District Policing Partnerships put themselves very much
at risk.
"We sought to bring in Hugh Orde because we realised that he would be
without any baggage. In relation to his comments that the Ombudsman's
report made 'uncomfortable reading,' I would say that the report made
shocking reading. However, I do note that he has accepted the contents
and recommendations of the report."
Dr Deehan said Sinn Féin leadership's usage of terms such as, 'We'll put
manners on the PSNI," and "We'll be their bosses," was disrespectful and
sent out the wrong message. Equally, she was critical of Orde's language
in claiming that the Sinn Féin leadership was 'on the run'.
"It's a snide remark harking back to their previous political position,"
she said. "The psychology of that is all wrong; all parties should show
mutual respect in the interest of developing healthy working
relationships. Parties which care about people, care about policing."
Dr Deehan added: "I welcome the Sinn Féin decision to endorse
policing."
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Ombudsman’s Report
Former chairperson of the DPP and SDLP councillor Josephine Deehan found
the police Ombudsman’s Report confirming collusion between RUC special
branch officers and UVF killers profoundly shocking and deeply
disturbing. The facts represent the ultimate betrayal of duty of care
and protection of the people by the RUC.
It also represents the betrayal of the vast majority of RUC officers who
sought to discharge their duties ethically and with integrity. It is
imperative that no RUC/PSNI officer either past or present should be
allowed to prevent the course of justice and it is unacceptable that
senior RUC officers were unwilling to assist the Police Ombudsman in her
enquiries.
The New Beginning to policing must ensure that such a situation can
never happen again.
Through accountability and transparency mechanisms public confidence in
policing must be fully restored and those police officers complicit in
the UVF killings must answer before the courts.
PSNI officers currently serving who are implicated in this damming
report must be immediately suspended until full investigations have been
completed.
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