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Price: 75p (IR 1.05 EURO) Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The pride of Northern Ireland

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AGRICULTURAL SHOW FOR MAZE

RUAS commits to move from Balmoral
Sharing a laugh with President Obama
US President Barack Obama shares a laugh with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in Washington yesterday. Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness earlier told US business leaders that Northern Ireland is the number one vacation hub this year. Mr Obama, who also met Taoiseach Enda Kenny, last night pledged to return to his ancestral Irish home if re-elected in November. See page 12
PICTURE: Kelvin Boyes/Presseye.com

Farming Life

Garda collusion probe suspended

BY REBECCA BLACK
r.black@newsletter.co.uk

McCallister in the dark

JOHN McCallister has said that the first he knew of talks between the UUP and DUP was when he read about them in a newspaper. The UUP leadership contender told the News Letter that despite being UUP deputy leader and chief whip he had not been informed of what had taken place. See page 9

THE only probe into claims of Garda/IRA collusion has been suspended because of a lack of cooperation from UK authorities. Judge Peter Smithwick announced yesterday that he is adjourning his tribunal with no

date fixed for resumption. He said he is totally dependent on information that the tribunal has yet to receive which is held by the UK authorities. The judge said if or when that material is received will dictate when the tribunal sits again. Last week the judge revealed in his second interim report that he was aware of intelligence held

by the UK authorities which he described as highly relevant to his probe. The Smithwick Tribunal is probing claims of collusion between the Garda and IRA in the murder of the two most senior RUC officers to be killed during the Troubles. Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob

Buchanan were returning from a meeting at Dundalk Garda Station on March 20, 1989 when they were murdered in an IRA ambush close to Jonesborough. Solicitor John McBurney, who is representing the family of Chief Supt Breen, said the delay has been frustrating and distressing for the relatives. Turn to page 4

Queens vow to the nation

THE Queen has vowed to serve as head of state now and into the future. In a speech yesterday she rededicated herself to the service of our great country. See page 7

Burney Cup hat-trick for Banbridge Academy SEE SPORT