This is Steve Ember with In the New in VOA Special English.

This year is the 100th anniversary of Sinn Fein，the main political party for Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland. But these days there is little to celebrate. Sinn Fein serves as the political organization of the Irish Republican Army. And IRA is being widely condemned over recent cases of robbery and murder. The Irish Republican Army began in 1919. This week the American diplomat for Northern Ireland said it's time to go out of business.

On Thursday the British House of Common voted to take away the right of Parliamentary pay for Sinn Fein members. The party holds four seats in the British parliament. The European parliament is considering similar action.

Next Thursday is St. Patrick's Day, an Irish celebration. Gerry Adams the leader of Sinn Fein was not invited this year to join in President Bush for the traditional observance at the White House. The heads of other political parties in Northern Ireland were not invited either.

But White House officials have invited the five sisters of a trunk driver killed in January by the IRA. In the Gaelic language, Sinn Fein means we are selves or ourselves alone. The group started in 1905 as a loose correlation of labor organizations. At that time Britain ruled all of the Ireland. Sinn Fein supporters wanted at least some independence from the British.

Today the territory is separated into the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. Most Irish citizens are Roman Catholic, but Northern Ireland is a British province, and the population is mostly Protestant.

Years of violence between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland began in 1969. Bombings were common. In 1997, the Irish Republic Army declared a cease-fire. Peace talks lead to a power sharing agreement in April of the following year on the Christian observance of Good Friday.

But political troubles continued. In October of 2002, British Prime Minister Tony Blair suspended the Administration of Roman Catholics and Protestants. Sinn Fein wants a place in any renewed government. But political observers say its efforts are hurt by evidence against the Irish Republican Army.

In December, Robbers stole up to 15 million dollars from a Belfast Bank. Hostages were taken. Investigators found IRA responsible, which the group denies. The IRA was ordered to pay a large fine. Then in January of this year IRA members killed a Roman Catholic truck driver. His name was Robert Macatli. It happened after a dispute at a drinking place in Belfast.

In reaction the IRA expelled some of their members. It also offered to shoot the man who killed Robert Macatni. But his family wants the killers to face justice. In the words of a family member, only in a court will the truth come out.

In the News in VOA Special English was written Jerilyn Watson, I am Steve Ember.