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Irish Republican Information Service (no. 97)
Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: +353-1-872 9747; FAX: +353-1-872 9757; e-mail:  saoirse@iol.ie
Date: 28 Feabhra / February 2007
Internet resources maintained by SAOIRSE-Irish Freedom
 http://saoirse.info
In this issue:
1. RSF Croke Park protest
2. Seán Keenan to be commemorated in Derry
3. Upper Bann candidate launches campaign
4. Joe O'Neill challenges Pat Doherty to debate
5. Media blackout of RSF candidates
6. Michael McGonigle address to the people of East Derry
7. Former Hunger Striker condemns Provo treachery
8. Encouraging response on the campaign
9. RUC harass election workers
10. RSF candidate address public meeting in West Belfast
11. Teacher plans to appeal conviction
12. Relatives For Justice group seek US intervention on collusion
13. New delay for Hamill inquiry
14. British and UVF met 10 days after bombs killed 33
15. Polish recruits to RUC/PSNI: ‘piggy in the middle’
16. Republican graves vandalised in Belfast’s Milltown Cemetery
17. Holy Cross case ongoing
18. Shell to Sea demonstration in Dublin
1. RSF CROKE PARK PROTEST
ON February 24 Republican Sinn Féin held a very successful demonstration on Drumcondra Road prior to the Ireland/England rugby match. At 2pm Republican Sinn Féin members with their banner took part in the Shell-to-Sea protest in Parnell Square. The group of well over 100 people then made their way to Drumcondra Road, beside Quinn’s Pub where they began their protest. Heavy-handed Garda tactics were in evidence from the off and the group were followed by a large number of gardai from O’Connell St to Drumcondra Road.
At Drumcondra Road two banners were unfurled, one read, “British Royals not welcome while Britain holds Six Counties”. Placards reading:
“Some say its time to MOVE ON.
We say its time to MOVE OUT”,
“Ireland 32 England 0.
British Withdrawal now”,
“No Normalisation of British rule in Ireland”
“Bloody Sunday November 21, 1920 Tipperary V Dublin,
14 murdered by British in Croke Park.
British Rule in Ireland is not History.
RUC/PSNI Today’s Back and Tans.”
Leaflets were also distributed. The garda presence was very heavy and oppressive, but despite this the protesters managed to get their point across. The President of Republican Sinn Féin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh read the letter of protest, which was to be handed in to Croke Park to the protesters and the large number of media, which had assembled. Despite being informed by the garda that the President of the GAA was not willing to meet a Republican Sinn Féin delegation, Republican Sinn Féin insisted on delivering the letter of protest by hand into Croke Park.
Accompanied by a Garda Superintendent, RSF President Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Vice-President Des Dalton, Kerry Comhairle Ceantair PRO and life-long GAA member Pat Quirke and Ard Chomhairle member Dan Donohue walked through the barriers and down Clonliffe Road towards Croke Park followed by a throng of media. At Croke Park the delegation were brought into the main VIP entrance on Jones’ Road. Having made it clear they would not leave without handing the letter over to a GAA official, finally an official Brian Kileen received the letter. He gave an assurance it would be handed over to the President of the GAA.
Back on Jones’ Road Ruairí Ó Brádaigh addressed the media, he said that the protest was to highlight the fact that whilst British rule and British occupation remained in Ireland Republicans would resist all attempts to normalise British occupation. “Fifty miles from here British forces remain in occupation of or country. That is the reality and must be faced. The staging of this game attempts to portray that occupation as normal and acceptable. British rule in Ireland will never be either normal nor acceptable,” Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said.
At 5.pm the decision was made to end the protest and go back to Parnell Square. This was done with some difficulty due once again to oppressive and provocative tactics by the rank and file gardai. Despite this the protesters made their way back to the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square where RSF Vice-President Des Dalton told them they were a credit to themselves and the cause of a free and independent Ireland. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh congratulated the protesters “on a job well done” and said they had sent out a clear signal that there was still a section of the Irish people who would never accept British rule in Ireland.
The following is the letter of protest, which was handed in to Croke Park:
“24 Feabhra 2007
Nioclás Uasal Ó Braonáin
Uachtarán
Cumann Lúthchleas Gael
Páirc an Chrócaigh
Baile Átha Cliath
A Uachtaráin, a chara
Beatha agus sláinte!
Is cúis aifeála agus díomá dúinn-ne, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, teacht fhoireann rugbaí Shasana go Páirc an Chrócaigh. Ní féidir gnáth-ghaol agus gnáth-chaidreamh a bheith idir Éirinn agus Sasana fhaid is atá Sé Chontae de chuid na hÉireann faoi riail Shasana agus dá bhrí sin tá agóid dá chur suas againn in-aghaidh na cuairte sin inniu.
’Sí Páirc an Chrócaigh bunáit agus suíomh, baile agus tinteáin na gcluifí Gaelacha. Thairis sin, is ar an láthair sin a rinneadh ár agus sléacht ag forsaí Shasana ar shibhialaigh Éireannacha i 1920 toisc iad a bheith ag freastail ar chluife Gaelach. Is áit ar leith í an Pháirc agus is scrín náisiúnta í go fírinneach.
Níl muid-ne sásta glacadh leis an gcur i gcéill go bhfuil deire leis an gconspóid le rialtas Shasana comh fada is atá fórsaí agus riarachán Shasana i seilbh aon chuid dár dtír. Ar an ábhar sin, tá muid ag seasamh an fód taobh amuigh de Pháirc an Chrócaigh inniu. Is gníomh polaitiúil é sin le treorú agus ceannasaíocht a thúirt do mhuintir na hÉireann ar an gceist thromchúiseach seo.
We write to you to express our opposition to hosting of the England rugby team, the flying of the English national flag and the playing of God Save the Queen (English national anthem) in Páirc an Chrócaigh.
We view this event as but one in a series designed to normalise British rule in our country. The dropping of Rule 21 by the GAA, the playing of Gaelic football matches between 26-County police/army teams and teams representing British forces, British royal visits, so- called ‘courtesy’ visits by British naval vessels to 26-County ports, are all part of the agenda of normalising the continued British occupation of Ireland. This occupation can never be normal or acceptable and such events will always be opposed by Irish Republicans.
Páirc an Chrócaigh is a place of huge cultural and historical significance for the Irish people. The senior All-Ireland hurling and football finals each year are a showcase of which the Irish people are rightly proud and are a symbol of our nationhood. Indeed many of our members are also members of the GAA and rightly take pride in the association’s contribution to the sporting, cultural and social life of communities throughout Ireland and the Irish community abroad.
The events of Bloody Sunday, November 21, 1920 when British forces murdered 14 people still have a deep resonance for the Irish people. However the political context within which the events of Bloody Sunday occurred is not a matter of history. In 2007 British rule in Ireland remains a reality. As Irish Republicans we strive for a just and lasting settlement for all of the Irish people. The lesson of Irish history is that British rule must be removed before this can happen.
Our protest today is to highlight the fact that whilst the British government continues to occupy part of Ireland, the relations between England and Ireland cannot be normal.
Is sinne, le mór-mheas
Des Dalton
Leas-Uachtarán
Ruairí Ó Brádaigh
Uachtarán
Sinn Féin Poblachtach”
2. SEÁN KEENAN TO BE COMMEMORATED IN DERRY
THE annual commemoration for the life-long Derry Republican, Seán Keenan, will take place on Sunday, March 4th in the Bogside area of Derry City. Proceedings are to be chaired by Michael McGonigle, Dungiven - the Republican Sinn Féin abstentionist candidate in East Derry.
The main oration will be delivered by Michael Lavelle -- a member of the Ard-Chomhairle of Republican Sinn Féin from Co. Fermanagh, and Director of Elections in the Six Occupied Counties.
Those attending are asked to assemble outside the Bogside Inn at 2:30p.m. to march to the Seán Keenan memorial on Fahan Street.
3. UPPER BANN CANDIDATE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN
THE Republican Sinn Féin candidate in Upper Bann said on February 27 that a vote for him is a vote against acceptance of British policing and British rule in Ireland.
Barry Toman, from the Kilwilkie estate said:
“Some say it’s time to move on, but we say it is time for the British to move out. Supporting the RUC is the same thing as supporting British rule in Ireland. The RUC and Stormont are the twin pillars propping up British rule here. I am a Republican and so I am opposed to both of these institutions.
“I would not ask people to support or join the RUC/PSNI and neither, if elected, will I support or join Stormont. I am here to offer a voice to the Republican-minded people in this constituency.”
4. JOE O'NEILL CHALLENGES PAT DOHERTY TO DEBATE
ON February 23 West Tyrone RSF candidate Joe O'Neill once again challenged Pat Doherty to a debate on issues which have consistently been the main issues encountered on the campaign trail. These issues are as follows:
“1. How can the RUC/PSNI/MI5 be a separate policing force when they are paid by the same boss, namely the English government. The RUC/PSN/MI5 are the eyes and ears of the English in the Occupied Six Counties.
“2. Political status was a right won by a number of Hunger Strikes, the last of which was in 1981. From 1917-1981 twenty-two people died for this right. In 1998 the Stormont Agreement signed away this right with the stroke of a pen. The Provisionals were central in this.
“3. Stephen Daly and Alan Daly, among others, are prisoners from the West Tyrone area. They are denied political status. These prisoners are locked up 23 hours a day, have no free association and are constantly strip-searched. This is for resisting British rule. Does Pat Doherty consider these people criminals? Therefore ultimately does he consider the Provisional movement members in Maghaberry criminals also, or is there a difference.
“4. When England occupied all of this Island over 80% of the RIC (the present-day RUC/PSNI) were Catholic, 75% served the Crown loyally. These people were the eyes and ears of the English Crown. Nationalists are now being encouraged by the Provisional leadership to join the RUC/PSNI. They will ultimately become the eyes and ears of the Crown in the Occupied Six Counties.
“5. The English government can pull the plug on Stormont at anytime so therefore the real power lies with the English government not Stormont.
“Pat Doherty phoned Joe O'Neill before their recent Ard-Fheis and Gerry Adams sent a letter to Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to arrange a meeting. The last time Ruairí and Joe met members of the Provo leadership, Ruairí and Joe were given a death threat. Joe stands by this statement.
“These are just some of the issues being put to Pat Doherty for debate. We await his response.”
5. MEDIA BLACKOUT OF RSF CANDIDATES
IN A statement on February 28, Brendan Casey, PRO for Joe O’neill’s election campaign in West Tyrone said:
“As PRO of Joe O’Neill, Republican Sinn Féin candidate in the Stormont election in West Tyrone, I feel that some of the hurdles that are consistently being encountered in this campaign need to be enumerated.
“On a number of occasions statements have been sent to the news media in relation to this election. To date no statements have been carried. This is not a recent development and we in Republican Sinn Féin feel there is an unofficial policy of ignoring us in favour of the major political parties on this island.
“Recently BBC were contacted to state that as a candidate in West Tyrone Joe O’Neill felt it was important to be involved as a panellist on Noel Thompson’s political talk show.
“The main topic for debate was policing. The fact that Joe us the only anti-British policing candidate standing in West Tyrone was still not enough to secure him a place on the panel. This quite simply is astonishing considering this is the main issue being encountered on the doorsteps by his canvassers.
“Republican Sinn Féin states that this is undemocratic as it denies a sizeable amount of people in this constituency a voice. This should be seen for what it is – exclusion politics and we in Republcian Sinn Féin state we will continue to highlight this lack of democracy in the media.”
6. MICHAEL McGONIGLE ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF EAST DERRY
IN AN address to the people of East Derry Michael McGonigle, RSF candidate in the constituency, said:
“I am standing in East Derry purely in defence of Republican principles. And I hasten to add that I – like all true Republicans – will never accept the RUC, regardless of any cosmetic changes they may employ. I stand for the Republican Sinn Féin ÉIRE NUA policy to create a completely New Ireland, free from all foreign interference, and outside of the present partitionist setup. I believe a Federation of the four Provinces, with maximum decentralisation of power, provides the best opportunity for all the people of Ireland to work together for the benefit of all of the Irish people. We of Republican Sinn Féin seek a Federal Democratic Socialist Republic of All-Ireland.
“I note that Francie Brolly was quoted in the Sunday Times of London as having said that Republican candidates ‘are short of resources’ and ‘won't have the kind of money that [the Provos] would have’. Indeed he is quite correct in his analysis – however, it should be pointed out that the Provos are funded by the British Government, whose agenda they continue to serve.
“Unlike Mr. Brolly, when elected I will not take my seat in the partitionist assembly at Stormont. In line with the true principles of Republicanism – and indeed of Sinn Féin – I will abstain from Stormont and sit only in a genuine National Parliament, elected by the people of All-Ireland, once it has been re-established.
“In 1986 I stood by the principles and the Constitution of Sinn Féin, and am standing as the only true Sinn Féin abstentionist candidate in East Derry. The honourable name of Sinn Féin has never belonged in Stormont, Leinster House or Westminster.
“The calibre of Provo candidates in East Derry tells its own story. Francie Brolly – along with his wife, Ann – voted in the past for the retention of the RUC Band. Furthermore, Francie Brolly has been notably silent on the issue of political status for the Republican POWs currently on protest in Maghaberry Gaol. At a protest in Dungiven on Saturday, 17th February, members of his party filmed the protesters before the RUC arrived to take over this duty. Despite calls for them to explain the actions of their comrades they have failed to do so.
“The other Provo candidate – Billy Leonard – was, of course, himself a member of the RUC. Indeed his family have a history of involvement in the RUC, including Special Branch. He himself served on the RUC's District Policing Partnership in Coleraine whilst a member of the SDLP before defecting to the Provisionals.
“I would remind the people of East Derry that a vote for me is a vote against the RUC, Stormont, partition and all aspects of English rule in Ireland. I endeavour to do all in my power to help all of the people of East Derry without ever entering Stormont. I believe that my past record of service on Limavady Borough Council demonstrates my ability in this regard.
“People of East Derry, vote for the only Republican candidate in the Constituency. Votáil Michael McGonigle No 1 on March 7th. Vótáil Republican Sinn Féin!”
7. FORMER HUNGER STRIKER CONDEMNS PROVO TREACHERY
BRENDAN McLoughlin, former Republican POW and 1981 Hunger Striker and Republican Sinn Féin candidate in Mid-Ulster said on February 26:
“Since I joined the Republican Movement I have done everything that I can for the Movement. Others have since deviated from the Republican path. What the Provisionals are doing now has been tried by others. In every case they have failed to realise the objectives of the Movement, and have instead followed the constitutional path and engaged in reformist action.
“Michael Collins negotiated the Treaty of Surrender as de Valera wouldn't go himself. However this does not excuse Collins' actions. The Treaty was carried by just seven votes (64 pro-Treaty to 57 opposed). Collins subsequently turned the gun on his fellow countrymen in the Four Courts. During the so-called 'civil war' he was executed for his treachery.
“De Valera left Sinn Féin in 1926 to form Fianna Fáil. On entering Leinster House, he himself acknowledged that the 'right [of that Administration] to be regarded as the legitimate Government of this country is faulty, that this House itself is faulty.' Fianna Fáil took power in the 26-Counties in the 1930s – and like Collins he turned the gun on his own men in the '40s.
“The Stickies also embarked on the constitutional road in 1969/70. Adams did exactly the same in 1986. Like de Valera he was prepared to take seats in an illegitimate government operating out of Leinster House. Now the Provos hope once again to sit in Stormont administering British colonial rule in Ireland. And for the first time in Irish history the weapons belonging to the Irish people to secure the full freedom of Ireland were destroyed at the behest of the enemy. There can be no doubt that they will fulfil their role as the new Broy Harriers. Indeed they accepted into their ranks a former RUC man in Coleraine. They should drop all use of the proud and historic title Sinn Féin, as they have only dishonoured it.
“There is no comparison between what I fought for and what the Provos are doing now. It is evident that they are only interested in money and big jobs. They might as well take their seats in England – they've already done everything else. I fought for a free and united Ireland, and I support those who are prepared to continue with that struggle.
“…’The fools, the fools, the fools! – they have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.’ (Pádraig Pearse)
“I am standing in Mid-Ulster in opposition to the RUC and Stormont. Only a full British withdrawal is acceptable to me. I am standing as an abstentionist candidate in line with Republican principles. I call on the people of Mid-Ulster to reject the policies of McGuinness and the Provisional leadership. Brits Out. ÉIRE NUA in.”
Vótáil Brendan McLaughlin No 1 in Mid-Ulster. Vótáil Republican Sinn Féin!
8. ENCOURAGING RESPONSE ON THE CAMPAIGN
REPUBLICAN Sinn Féin carried out a very successful canvass across all areas of West Fermanagh from Teemore to Belleek at the weekend. Chapels across the area were leafleted and speakers addressed a number of chapel gate meetings across the constituency. Canvassers also distributed leaflets at chapels in Irvinestown and Ederney in the north of the county
Vice-President of RSF Cathleen Knowles McGuirk spent the weekend in Fermanagh and addressed chapel gate meetings in Muleek and Enniskillen. She called on the Republican people of this historic constituency to give Michael McManus their No. 1 vote on March 7. She said “A vote for Michael McManus is a vote to reject British rule in Ireland, to reject Stormont and to reject the treachery of the Provisionals. It is a vote for political status for Republican prisoners in Maghaberry gaol, for peace and justice and for ÉIRE NUA.”
Michael McManus spent Saturday on the canvass in Dungannon and Eglish and said that the response on the doorsteps was heartening. He said that the decision of the Provos to support the RUC was a major topic on the doorsteps and he was confident that the people would show their rejection of the Provos by voting McManus No.1 on March 7. He returned to Fermanagh on Saturday evening and addressed mass-goers in Belcoo, Killesher and Kinawley. Michael McManus met with massgoers in Boho, Derrygonnelly and in Enniskillen on Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning election agent Tony McPhillips addressed chapel gate meetings in Kinawley, Killesher and Wheathill, accompanied by canvassers they distributed hundreds of leaflets and received great support from the people in the areas. During his address He said that this election was not about British-imposed directives such as water rates or PPS14 or indeed roads, it was about the continued british occupation of our country and the despicable and treacherous decision of the Provos to now support the forces of occupation and seek the peoples support in becoming touts and informers on their own community. Veteran Republicans Joe McConnell and Francy Doherty accompanied Tony Mc Phillips on the canvass and they noted the weakness of the Provos on the ground particularly in the Kinawley area where they had to bring in people from outside the area, some from as far as South Armagh, to distribute their leaflets. Joe McConnell said that it was heartening to be out canvassing again for a true republican candidate.
John Joe McCusker spoke at chapel gates in Teemore and in Derrylin, he reported a very positive response from mass-goers and he was well received.
Frank Quigley addressed mass-goers in Boho and in Derrygonnely where accompanied by canvassers they distributed hundreds of leaflets. He said that RSF were in this election not to make up the numbers but to give a voice to the true republican people of this constituency.
9. RUC HARASS ELECTION WORKERS
THE Director of Elections for Republican Sinn Fein in the Six Counties, Michael Lavelle was detained by the RUC in Lisnaskea on Sunday morning.
Michael Lavelle was waiting in Lisnaskea to bring the Vice-President of RSF, Cathleen Knowles McGuirk to address after-Mass meetings in the county when he was surrounded by armed RUC personnel. He had his car thoroughly searched and election documentation was taken by the RUC and read through.
Michael Lavelle protested that he was entitled to go about his lawful electoral business without being harassed but they insisted on body searching him as well. He was allowed to go after nearly an hour but was warned by one individual cop called Millar that they would continue to stop and detain what he called “your kind”, regardless of the circumstances.
In an earlier incident election workers out putting up posters for Michael Mc Manus in the Donagh area were harassed by four car-loads of RUC men who shouted verbal abuse at them. Republican Sinn Féin now calls on the Provisionals and the SDLP to please explain what role the RUC are playing in this election, alternatively maybe Martin McGuinness might get around to “putting manners on them”.
10. RSF CANDIDATE ADDRESS PUBLIC MEETING IN WEST BELFAST
SPEAKING at an indoor public meeting on the Springfield Road on February 27 Geraldine Taylor, RSF candidate for West Belfast in the Stormont elections said she was the only candidate standing on an authentic Irish Republican platform.
She pointed out that there is an alternative to the failed Stormont Agreement, that is ÉIRE NUA and highlighted Republican Sinn Féin’s policies for a new Ireland set out in that document.
She also pointed out that British policing, British law or British courts would never be accepted in Ireland.
11. TEACHER PLANS TO APPEAL CONVICTION
AN Irish language teacher was convicted on February 26 of hurling abuse in Irish at RUC/PSNI members during a night out in Belfast.
Máire Nic An Bhaird, 25, denied shouting ‘Tiocfaidh Ár Lá’ -- our day will come -- a declaration regularly used by Republicans as part of their struggle for a free Ireland, during a confrontation in the city last May.
She claimed the RUC/PSNI held her in custody, demanding she spoke in English before they let her go.
But after hearing both sides a magistrate ruled against Máire Nic An Bhaird and ordered her to pay a £100 fine.
The decision outraged the teacher who vowed outside court to fight the ruling all the way to Europe if necessary.
She said: "I’m appalled and disgusted. After listening to the police evidence I didn’t think there was any way I would be found guilty."
The case had provoked earlier protests outside Belfast Magistrates Court by Irish language activists supporting Máire Nic An Bhaird.
At one stage her defence team applied to have all proceedings heard in Irish.
She was arrested after leaving a bar on the Malone Road in south Belfast with friends.
During the contest she gave evidence insisting what she had actually said at the time was Tiocfaidh Bhúr Lá, which translates as you’ll have your chance -- an alleged reference to her friends.
Lawyers for Máire Nic An Bhaird, from west Belfast where she teaches, confirmed that their client planned to appeal the ruling.
Outside court Máire Nic An Bhaird added: “The way I was treated in the police station was like something from the dark ages. If I have to go to the European Court of Human Rights I will go there. I don’t care how many years it takes until justice is done. I have no confidence in the British justice system.”
12. RELATIVES FOR JUSTICE GROUP SEEK US INTERVENTION ON COLLUSION
A CROSs-community delegation including North Belfast man Raymond McCord are to meet with Hillary Clinton next month in America as part of a victim’s initiative to highlight the issue of British collusion.
The delegation of four families and two Relatives For Justice (RFJ) staff will meet with the former First Lady who is running for president of the US in 2008 as well as fellow contender Barack Obama in Washington as part of a wide range of political meetings.
The group of victims includes Raymond McCord whose son Raymond was murdered by loyalists and was the subject of a recent explosive British Police Ombudsman’s report, the father of Paul McIlwaine, murder by loyalists in 2000, Pauline Davey whose father councillor John Davey shot by the UVF in 1989 and Theresa Slane whose husband Gerard was murdered by UDA/UFF gunmen in his home in 1998.
The group will meet politicians in both New York, Boston, Philadelphia and will also address the congressional house and house of senators in Washington. Raymond McCord said he was looking forward to the meeting.
“I’m looking forward to bringing the young lad’s name and the issue of collusion to America.
“Myself and others will be able to tell the Americans about collusion – something which unionist politicians have failed to do time and time again,” Raymond McCord said.
“You only have to look at Jimmy Spratt the DUP man who’s running for the assembly in South Belfast.
“He’s the former chairman of the police federation but he’s more concerned with Hugh Orde’s love life than justice for victims, and on this occasion where the majority of victims are from the unionist community, you can see that his priorities are all wrong.
“When you talk about justice, you have to have the truth. I intend to tell Hillary Clinton about collusion. She’s not just getting it from republicans or nationalists – she’s getting it from a protestant, which makes an even stronger case I think, when she’s gets it from the unionist community.”
Sandra Murphy from RFJ said they were bringing over 300 letters from families who have lost loved ones during the conflict asking for American intervention. She added it was the first time a cross-community delegation would be making the trip.
“We have these letters from families saying why they want US intervention in terms of highlighting state abuse and collusion, and they’re asking for a congressional fact-finding mission,” she said.
“There needs to be an international dimension to this. The families want to maximise international press around the issue of collusion and are using this time and momentum to do that.”
13. NEW DELAY FOR HAMILL INQUIRY
RUC/PSNI members may yet have to give evidence in public when they appear at the Robert Hamill murder inquiry; it was confirmed on February 21.
They were refused anonymity by the inquiry panel, headed by retired English judge Sir Edwin Joist, but the decision was quashed at a judicial review last November. The panel's appeal was dismissed earlier this month and the RUC/PSNI members believed they could be screened and known only by an initial.
However, solicitors Elliott Duffy Garrett, acting for the inquiry, said: "Our clients intend to appeal to the House of Lords."
It means yet more delay in the inquiry into the death of Robert Hamill, a 25 year-old nationalist who was beaten and kicked to death by a loyalist mob in Portadown in 1997.
14. BRITISH AND UVF MET 10 DAYS AFTER BOMBS KILLED 33
THE British government held secret talks with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) ten days after the May 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
The meeting took place at Laneside, MI5’s headquarters on the outskirts of Belfast, 12 days after the bombings which killed 33 people. At the time, the UVF was widely suspected of involvement in the bombings.
Since then, fresh evidence has emerged which implicates British military intelligence in the attack.
Instead, the meeting focused on the internal state of unionist and loyalist politics and the ongoing Ulster Workers Council strike, called to prevent power-sharing with nationalists. Details of the meeting were uncovered by the Derry based, Pat Finucane Centre.
The fact that no reference was made to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings during the meeting so soon after the attacks is considered unusual.
Patrick McEntee SC who is investigating the Garda investigation of the bombing, was granted a ninth extension to his report at the beginning of February.
The report is now expected to be published in mid-March.
In a separate document from April 1975, the 26-County ambassador complained to the British government over the release from internment of a number of UVF members suspected of carrying out the Dublin/Monaghan bombings.
The loyalists were interned in October 1974, but released in April 1975.The 26-County ambassador said that the British no longer had the right to hold republican detainees, ‘‘since, by the secretary of state’s own admission, the loyalists released were responsible for the Dublin/Monaghan bombings’’.
The revelation that the British failed to raise the Dublin/Monaghan bombings with the UVF, just days after the attacks took place, comes after a series of investigations in recent months which found evidence of British collusion with loyalist gangs.
Last year, a panel of international jurors found ‘‘strong and credible’’ evidence of British state collusion in dozens of murders, north and south.
In November, a joint Leinster House report found ‘‘disturbing’’ evidence of collusion with loyalists in a string of Loyalist attacks in the 26-Counties.
Alan Brecknell, of the Pat Finucane Centre, said that the latest information added ‘‘to a weight of growing evidence of state collusion. Clearly there has been mounting evidence in recent times to support long-held suspicions that the British government was actively colluding with loyalists in murders and bombings,” he said. ‘‘What is needed is for the British government to come clean on its role.”
15. POLISH RECRUITS TO RUC/PSNI: ‘PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE’
In a comment on Indymedia on February 26 Krystian 'Mackozer' Kozerawski said:
“[Polish immigrants recruited into the PSNI] would be regarded as alien mercenaries used by British government to show the world that they fulfill the obligations of the 50–50 policy. This can be devastating for the assimilation and integration of Polish people into the Irish society of Northern Ireland. This 'job opportunity' can put all Polish people of Northern Ireland as a piggy in the middle - between two sides of the conflict - and face discrimination from both of them.
“The new police force in the North is at least partly a descendant of the infamous RUC. Due to the agreement between all sides of conflict, PSNI has to consist of the same number of Protestants and Catholics, but since it's foundation the number of Catholics has been relatively low. There have been many reasons for that. I think the most important is the lack of confidence in the new force. For many nationalists the PSNI is just a continuance of Royal Ulster Constabulary, or at least it is still a British colonial force. I can understand that, especially after the famous case of RUC collusion with some criminals of UVF. There was also a question of connections and co-operation between PSNI and British intelligence MI5.
“Employing Poles due to the lack of Irish Catholic officers in the police service could actually do harm to the Polish population. We are a foreign element, not linked to the problems, memories and sensitivities of the local Catholic communities. In my opinion, Polish PSNI officers cannot be a good representatives of Irish Catholics in the North and they probably will not be a regarded as one of 'our people' by them.”
17. REPUBLICAN GRAVES VANDALISED IN BELFAST’S MILLTOWN CEMETERY
IT was reported on February 27 that the graves of nearly 40 people have been desecrated by vandals in an overnight attack on the Republican Plot at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast. Paint was thrown over the headstones, including those of hunger striker Kieran Doherty and three IRA members killed by the SAS in Gibraltar. The main memorial defaced contained a copy of the 1916 Proclamation of Irish independence and it will need special treatment to return it to its original condition. It is the fourth attack on the plot in the last six years.
18. HOLY CROSS CASE ONGOING
THE mother of a Holy Cross schoolgirl is going to the British House of Lords with her complaint about the way the RUc handled violent loyalist protests more than five years ago.
The woman has been granted leave to bring the case to the UK's highest court after senior judges in Belfast endorsed RUC handling of the incidents.
The mother - known only as 'E' to protect her from possible loyalist threats - has complained about the way the protests were policed in the autumn of 2001.
The British Lord Chief Justice, Sir Brian Kerr, described the violence as "one of the most shameful and disgraceful episodes in the recent history of Northern Ireland".
At the height of the demonstrations, scores of tearful schoolgirls and their parents walked to school through a gauntlet of screaming loyalists.
Loyalists clashed with the RUC in riot gear and on one occasion a pipe bomb was thrown at RUC lines. E's lawyer, Fearghal Shiels of Madden & Finucane solicitors, said: “The schoolgirls were subjected on a daily basis to a violent and unlawful protest and were targeted because of their religion and because, despite their age, they were perceived as nationalists.”
In cases before the Belfast High Court and the Court of Appeal, lawyers for 'E' argued that the RUC should have used firmer action against the loyalists.
19. SHELL TO SEA DEMONSTRATION IN DUBLIN
OVER 600 people took part in a Shell to Sea national demonstration in Dublin on Saturday, February 24 to highlight continued opposition to the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline and terminal in Co Mayo.
There was a strong garda presence as protesters gathered at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square at 2pm on Saturday before making their way up O'Connell Street.
The march finished at the GPO, where a number of politicians and trade union leaders addressed the crowd.
Speakers included Mícheál Ó Seighin of the Rossport Five, Michael O'Reilly, regional secretary of the ATGWU and Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins.
The protest was supported by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, the Waterford Council of Trade Unions and the Dublin Busworkers branch of the National Bus and Rail Union.
ENDS
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