Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, has reported that Ireland's population growth is likely to outstrip the rest of Europe.  The agency extrapolates that the population of the twenty-six counties is on track to reach 6.7 million by the year 2060.   The UK is projected to be the most populous member state with 77 million residents; France with 72 million would be slightly ahead of Germany with 71 million.   Many of the newly admitted countries in the former Eastern Europe are forecast to have population declines.  Overall, the population of the twenty-seven nation EU is expected to reach about a half a billion residents by 2060.  The projected Irish population of 6.7 million represents an over fifty percent growth over today's 4.4 million and is at a level not seen since before the famine.

It's reported in the British newspaper The Guardian that many hundreds of former republican prisoners plan to sue the British Government for wrongful imprisonment and to have the conviction of IRA membership overturned.   The ball could start rolling if the Court of Appeals clears Danny Morrison of charges related to activities in the IRA.    Many former H-Block residents could then be in a position to use the Morrison case as precedent and as a basis to file suit against the British government.  The Morrision suit hinges on an argument of wrongful imprisonment.

Joseph Duffy, Bishop of the Diocese of Clogher, has announced the following appointments:

• Very Rev Canon Patrick Marron, PP, Donacavey to be PE and to be CC, Donacavey.
• Rev James Moore, CC, Donacavey, to be PP, Donacavey.
• Rev Martin O’Reilly, CC, Clones (Aghadrumsee) to be CC Enniskillen.
• Rev Joseph McVeigh to be CC, Inis Muighe Samh (Garrison).
• Rev Owen Gorman, CC, Enniskillen to be CC, Clones (Aghadrumsee).
• Rev John F. McKenna to be CC Clogher (and to supply as required in Aghavea-Aghintaine).

The assignments begin in September.