Status of the Irish language Northern Ireland, including Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, learned Irish while in prison, a development known as the "Jailtacht". Although the language was taught in Catholic secondary schools (especially by the Christian Brothers), it was not taught at all in the controlled sector, which is mostly attended by Protestant pupils. Irish-medium schools, however, known as "Gaelscoileanna", were founded in Belfast and Derry and the Gaelscoileanna movement has since expanded to across much of Northern Ireland similar to its expansion in the Republic of Ireland. An Irish-language newspaper called "Lá" (later called "Lá Nua") produced by The Andersonstown News Group (later
Seán Mackin (Irish republican) Seán Mackin (Irish republican) Seán Mackin is an Irish republican from Belfast, Northern Ireland and a fundraiser for the Friends of Sinn Féin (FOSF). Mackin, who had been a member of the Irish National Liberation Army, left Belfast with his family and applied for political asylum in the United States, alleging harassment and threats from the security forces. Mackin was also under threat from a murderous internal feud within the INLA. Immigration Judge Annette Elstein granted Mackin's wife and daughter Philomena and Jennifer political asylum in 1991. Seán Mackin was not granted asylum (as is sometimes misreported) but was granted