The resignation of Governor of the Women’s Prison, the Dochas Centre, Kathleen McMahon at the end of April, followed by the announcement of John Lonregan, Mountjoy Governor that he is stepping down from his position has given a glimpse of the massive problems in the Irish prison service.

There is a palpable feeling of euphoria that extends beyond Washington over the passage of what is known as the Obama Health Care bill in the House of Representatives. The US Health Care Act passed with a narrow majority of 219-212 with not a single Republican vote in favor – despite Obama’s and the Democrats’ efforts to make the bill as attractive as possible to the conservative Republican base.

"The obscene notion of people being forced to work, particularly in physically or mentally stressful jobs, until the age of 68 before they can retire is an obscenity. Mary Hanafin complains that we are living too long. Well there is no better way to shorten the lives of building workers, teachers and so on than prolonging their working lives" – Joe Higgins MEP.

It seems that open season has been declared in the Green Party, open season to grab and lust for office and privilege.

The winners of the Socialist Party Christmas raffle 2009.

Eight million people watched BNP leader Nick Griffin on Question Time, the biggest audience for the programme in its thirty year history.

Daily Mail journalist, Jan Moir, has provoked outrage with a blatantly homophobic column attacking the recently deceased Boyzone singer, Stephen Gately.

October edition of the Socialist, newspaper of the Socialist, now online.