2024 was always going to be a challenging year for Sinn Féin. Not just because of the potential of a new era for the island as Michelle O’Neill took office as a First Minister for all, but add in elections for the European Parliament, Westminster, and the 26-County local councils and the agenda is packed. There are also two referendums in the 26 Counties and the possibility of an early Leinster House election. It is a busy time for Sinn Féin as the only all Ireland party. An Phoblacht got the chance to sit down with Sinn Féin Uachtarán Mary Lou McDonald and talked about all of this as well as a United Ireland, the housing crisis, immigration, emigration, and leading the opposition in Leinster House. Free article

Jim Gibney takes us through the momentous day that saw Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill take office as First Minister. Jim was in Stormont on 3 February with a cast of old and young republican activists. And here he charts the historical journey republicans have made over the past 50 plus years. Free article

In June 2024 voters will go to the polls to elect councillors across the 26 Counties and also to choose members of the European Parliament. These elections are vitally important for the future of all of us on this island. They are particularly important in Sinn Féin’s strategy to bring about progressive political change by strengthening its mandate and preparing for government. Free article

I have been active in tackling the drugs crisis for 27 years. From protesting to policy development and now as a practitioner in a community-based drug project in Dublin’s south inner city. It has provided me an insight into addiction and the complexities of a growing, deepening and expanding drug trade. Over the years, I have witnessed the negative and destructive aspects of drug culture become more embedded in some of our communities. Free article

Historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara writes about his time in Palestine in light of Israel's current horrific attack on Gaza Free article

Diarmaid Pléimionn gives a personal reflection on the Palestinian writer and activist who was killed by a targeted Israeli missile on 7 December Free article

An Phoblacht’s Peadar Whelan looks at the British Government’s agenda in passing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, whose purpose is to conceal the role of not only Britain’s armed forces in the conflict in Ireland, but also the brutal and deadly counter-insurgency war waged against the nationalist community during those years. Free article

The recent death of former British Army officer General Frank Kitson prompted a series of obituaries, and in some cases eulogies. Two words cross these accounts of Kitson’s life – ‘controversial’ and ‘notorious’. Free article

Ní bheidh smacht iomlán ag muintir an tuaiscirt ar ár dtodhchaí socheacnamaíoch féin agus muid fós faoi thoil pé rialtas atá i gcumhacht i Westminster. Free article

At the heart of a global struggle for women’s rights and justice, a Kurdish Free Women’s Movement (TJA) Conference held in the Kurdish city of Amed, titled ‘Breaking the Chains of Silence’, emerged as a beacon, shedding light on the plight of women political prisoners in jails worldwide. Free article