Recently returned from the Western Saharan refugee camps in Algeria, where I was working with Donal Scannel on a documentary he’s making of the Sahrawi exile singer, Aziza Brahim. Here’s a glimpse of Aziza during some downtime on tour in Spain this summer. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12XSxS2CgP4&hl=en&fs=1&]

Published in Magill, June/July 2008 Sunday comes. There was talk of the weather turning, but it hasn’t. The wind blows cold and low, the Levante, south east across Spain, finding its way between the buildings and down the narrow streets of Tarifa, and blowing the kite surfers out to sea. We have promised ourselves an… read more +

Published in the Sunday Tribune She was a few months pregnant when the idea struck. “Let’s go to Spain.” For a holiday? “For a few months. In the spring. While it’s still cold here. While I’m on maternity leave.” “But what about my job?” I asked. And then I stopped. I don’t have a job…. read more +

Published in the Sunday Tribune, June 8, 2008 “I struggled out of the water, into the rescue boat. “After some minutes, they brought out my woman. She was already dead. “Then, after some minutes, they brought out my baby. Dead too.” Eric Onaginu paid a trafficker €2,600 to ferry himself, his wife, Pat, and their… read more +