Paper accused of censorship

CONRADH na Gaeilge has accused a new Irish language newspaper of "censorship" because it has declined to publish an article critical…

CONRADH na Gaeilge has accused a new Irish language newspaper of "censorship" because it has declined to publish an article critical of the Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach.

The new 24 page tabloid paper is called Foinse and goes on sale for the first time this weekend. The previous weekly paper, Anois, ceased publication earlier this year when a grant worth £3,500 per week was withdrawn.

The article was written by Mr Proinsias Mac Aonghusa, a former columnist with Anois who is also a former president of Conradh. It criticises Ms Breathnach in robust terms because of her stance in the controversy over new gaelscoileanna.

According to the editor of Foinse, Mr Breandan Delap, the article was not being used for legal reasons. He described a decision by Conradh to withdraw an advertisement from the first edition as an attempt to intimidate the newspaper.

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Conradhs general secretary, Mr Sean Mac Mathuna, confirmed that the advertisement had been withdrawn in response to the decision not to publish Mr MacAonghusa's article. He said, however, the organisation welcomed the new publication and intended to offer it for sale in Conradh's bookshop.