SAOIRSE32

9/2/2010

Three held over death of PSNI officer Carrol

Belfast Telegraphl
Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Detectives are interviewing two men and a woman over the murder last March of a policeman in Co Armagh.

Pc Stephen Carroll, 48, was gunned down as he answered a call-out in Craigavon.

A holiday snap of Kate and Stephen Carroll together

The Continuity IRA later claimed responsibility for his death.

Detectives from the PSNI’s serious crime branch said they had detained a 40-year-old man in Lurgan, Co Armagh and a 36-year-old man and 37-year-old woman in Craigavon.

Pc Carroll was killed two days after the Real IRA shot dead two soldiers outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim.

A teenager and a 38-year-old man have previously been remanded in custody charged with the killing.

Irish police target dissident republicans in searches

BBC
9 Feb 2010

Irish police have seized cash, drugs and a number of suspected imitation guns during a major operation targeting dissident republican paramilitaries.

Since early on Tuesday morning, about 60 Garda detectives have been searching homes and business premises in Cork city and in the north of the county.

The ‘fake’ guns will be sent for examination. No arrests have been made.

The operation follows a claim from the Real IRA that it shot dead a convicted drug dealer in Cork on 20 January.

It is understood the Garda are keeping an open mind about whether the Real IRA was responsible for the murder of Gerard Stanton outside his home.

A leaflet was circulated last weekend by dissident republicans warning the Real IRA had a list of alleged drug dealers who they had “marked for execution”.

First Minister Peter Robinson lobbied for developer who funded Iris’s lover

By David Gordon
Belfast Telegraph
Tuesday, 9 February 2010

A direct lobbying link between Peter Robinson and the developer who stumped up £25,000 for his politician wife has been uncovered by the Belfast Telegraph.

Government papers show the top DUP couple became involved in 2006 over a planning application tabled by builder Ken Campbell.

A meeting with a direct rule minister was at one stage sought by the two MPs over the Comber scheme, located outside Mr Robinson’s constituency.

When the application was subsequently progressed, Iris Robinson wrote a thank-you letter to a planning official.

Two years later, she obtained £25,000 from Mr Campbell for the cafe business of her teenage lover Kirk McCambley.

New details have also emerged of Mrs Robinson’s lobbying for another of the businessman’s housing developments in 2008 — around the same as he supplied the cafe funding.

The official papers have been provided to this newspaper by the Department of the Environment (DoE) following a freedom of information request.

Mr Campbell is a friend of the DUP couple, and also sold them a property in Newtownards in 2007 that became Mrs Robinson’s constituency office base.

Land Registry documentation on this sale cited a figure of £1, but the politicians and builder have emphasised that a full price of some £200,000 was paid.

The £1 reference was explained as referring to a “trust arrangement” in place at that time. No further details of this trust have been made public to date.

The DoE documents show that in June 2006 officials deliberated over a request from Mr and Mrs Robinson for a meeting with the then direct rule Environment Minister David Cairns.

It concerned an application from one of Ken Campbell’s firms for a housing development in Comber.

Mr Cairns agreed to the meeting request, but it was then cancelled on the basis of an undertaking given to the two MPs.

The Campbell plans were brought before Ards Council for approval in July 2006, with the formal approval notice issued two months later.

In 2008, the MP was back lobbying for another of Mr Campbell’s business schemes, this time involving a proposed housing development site in Newtownards.

In May that year, she hosted a meeting in her constituency office on the proposal, attended by the developer himself. Also present were Planning and Roads Service officials.

In early July, Mrs Robinson wrote to Planning Service “as Member of Parliament for the area” to express her support for the development.

Mrs Robinson also contacted Ards Council about the scheme. It was eventually approved, despite objections from the local community.

In September 2008, the MP wrote to Planning Service again, copying notes that had been given to her by two objectors. “Perhaps you could allay some of the concerns they have,” she stated.

Mr Campbell also confirmed being a past DUP donor, involving a one-off sum of £4,000-£5,000.

Background

Lobbying on planning applications is a normal part of politics for councillors, MLAs and MPs.

The planning system here can often resemble a tug-of-war contest, and applicants large and small will naturally turn to elected representatives for support.

But it can become more complicated — and potentially risky — for politicians if they also become involved in private business transactions with the people they are lobbying for.

That’s why the £50,000 obtained by Iris Robinson from two developers in 2008 has created such controversy. Full disclosure is of vital importance in this area, as detailed in the Assembly register of interests.

Court rejects Sinn Fein MLA McCartney’s compensation claim

Belfast Telegraph
Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney, whose murder conviction was quashed, has lost his appeal for compensation.

Journalist Eamonn MacDermott also failed in the same appeal. Both men were ordered to pay the costs of bringing their latest legal challenge.

Mr McCartney and Mr MacDermott were cleared of murder in February 2007 after judges declared unease about the safety of guilty verdicts.

The men had argued that substantial compensation was due for time spent in prison.

Mr McCartney served more than 17 years for killing industrialist Jeff Agate and Special Branch detective Patrick McNulty in Derry in 1977.

Mr MacDermott, now a Derry-based journalist, spent 15 years behind bars for constable McNulty’s murder.

Both men denied involvement and said police fabricated confessions. After their cases were referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission judges ruled the convictions should be quashed.

But dismissing their appeals, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: “The new evidence was sufficient to give rise to unease about the safety of the conviction, but this is a case in which at its height it can only be said that the appellants might not have been convicted.”

He added: “Accordingly the claims for compensation cannot succeed.”

Grim history as IRA’s P O’Neill echoed down the telephone line

By Brian Rowan
Belfast Telegraphl
Tuesday, 9 February 2010

The voice on the other end of my phone was one I hadn’t heard for a while — for a number of years now.

That was the last time the IRA’s ‘P O’Neill’ called.

When that organisation left its war stage in 2005 its leadership spokesman went quiet.

That was until yesterday, when he called and asked me to meet him in west Belfast.

It was a familiar routine.

We had coffee at a quiet table, and he read a briefing note to me, which I copied onto three pages.

In the past I met this man many times.

He delivered and dictated IRA statements to me, including when that organisation formally ended its armed campaign in July 2005 and then decommissioned two months later.

The IRA has now gone — its structures dismantled.

So, the man I met yesterday no longer functions as P O’Neill, but he still speaks with all the authority of the republican leadership.

The purpose of this meeting was very specific.

It was matter-of-fact and it was about the disappearance of Joe Lynskey in 1972 — “executed and buried” by the IRA.

Like ghosts the Disappeared still haunt that organisation.

They are a reminder of an ugly, ruthless and violent past.

This particular story goes back almost four decades when the many different wars were at their height, when one killing was followed by another and people got lost as statistics in a mounting death toll.

Those wars may well now be over, but there are questions that relate to the past that still demand answers. Some of those questions were answered in that briefing yesterday — others were not.

We now know the IRA killed Joe Lynskey and disappeared his body — as other bodies were disappeared in that period.

But we don’t know anything about the unmarked grave in which he was buried.

The first time the IRA spoke to me about ‘the Disappeared’ was in 1999, when there was a different P O’Neill.

On that night the IRA leadership said: “We believe we have established the whereabouts of the graves of nine people, some of whom were members of Oglaigh na hEireann who were executed for activities which put other Oglaigh na hEireann personnel at risk, or jeopardised the struggle.”

Some bodies were found — others were not, and the searches go on.

The story of the Disappeared will not go away.

And, yesterday, another page was turned and Joe Lynskey’s name added to a chapter in this conflict that has no end.

Forty years later, IRA finally admits to man’s ‘execution’

By Brian Rowan
Belfast Telegraph
Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Almost 40 years after the disappearance of Belfast man Joe Lynskey, republicans have finally admitted he was “executed and buried” by the IRA.

Confirmation came yesterday in a briefing conducted by a man who once operated as the IRA’s ‘P O’Neill’ — the organisation’s leadership spokesman.

That man still speaks with the authority of the republican leadership.

In a detailed briefing the source revealed:

In 1972 the IRA executed and buried Joe Lynskey;

He was an IRA volunteer in Belfast at that time;

Lynskey was summoned to a meeting outside Belfast by the then leadership;

He wasn’t aware that he was under (IRA) investigation at that stage;

He was arrested by the IRA;

He was court-martialled for breaches of IRA standing orders;

He was subsequently executed and buried in an unmarked grave.

Yesterday, the senior republican who conducted the briefing told the Belfast Telegraph: “Members of Joe Lynskey’s family approached the IRA some time ago seeking information about his disappearance, and for obvious reasons there has been a prolonged investigation. These events occurred almost 40 years ago.”

He said 1972 was a period when the conflict was “at its height” — there had been “multiple operations”.

The republican investigation had been complicated because of “the passage of time, (and) the deaths of many of those directly involved”. Others approached for information had displayed “open hostility” towards republicans involved in the investigation.

“Initial inquiries following the approach by the Lynskey family uncovered a lot of rumour, but no hard information,” the senior republican told this newspaper.

But he then revealed the sequence of events — involving two shootings, which ended in Lynskey’s “execution” by the IRA.

“IRA suspicions were raised when a republican supporter was shot and seriously injured at the home of a relative in west Belfast.

“A short time after that shooting there was another incident, which arose as a direct result of the previous shooting and a man was killed,” the senior republican said. “An IRA investigation revealed that Joe Lynskey had ordered another IRA volunteer to shoot the first man.

“Joe Lynskey was having an affair with that man’s wife.”

The Lynskey “execution” dating back into the early 70s is expected to be detailed in a book written by the journalist Ed Moloney and due for publication soon.

Yesterday, the senior republican who briefed this newspaper said the IRA had not identified Lynskey’s “unmarked grave”.

Information was to be passed to the family and the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains.

Yesterday’s briefing means that Joe Lynskey’s name will now be added to the official list of ‘the Disappeared’.

8/2/2010

INLA confirms disposal of weapons

BBC
8 Feb 2010
**Video onsite

The Irish National Liberation Army has confirmed it has disposed of its weapons.

A spokesman for the republican terror group, Martin McMonagle, made the announcement at a press conference in Belfast on Monday morning.

“We make no apology for our part in the conflict,” he said.

It was also announced on Monday that two other paramilitary groups, the Official IRA and the South East Antrim UDA, have decommissioned their weapons.

Announcing the INLA move, Mr McMonagle said: “We believe conditions have now changed in such a way that other options are open to revolutionaries to pursue and ultimately achieve our objectives.

“We can also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of local, a national and an international organisation.

“This was done in a process in accordance with international standards.”

“We hope that this will further enhance the primacy of politics and that it will in time unite and advance the working class struggle in Ireland.”

The facilitation group included Irish trade union leaders and an academic, who worked with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).

The trade unionists confirmed they had witnessed the destruction of a substantial amount of weaponry.

In 1993 Mr McMonagle was sentenced to 23 years in jail for his part in an INLA plot to launch a bombing campaign in England. He was released early under the Good Friday Agreement.

Legislation

A statement is also expected by General John de Chastelain, head of the international decommissioning body (IIDC).

The legislation that enables the commission to carry out its work is due to expire on Tuesday.

Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said General de Chastelain had confirmed to him that over the last few days he and his colleagues had completed the decommissioning of INLA arms.

“These events are further positive developments as we look to finally close the last chapter of the conflict and ensure a peaceful future for all the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.

The INLA move was also welcomed by Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry Kelly, who called for “other small militarist factions” to do the same.

“There is no support for, or appetite for, armed actions within the republican community,” he said.

“The INLA has recognised this by engaging with the IICD in this action.”

Arsenal

The INLA, whose murder victims included Tory MP Airey Neave, is believed to have disposed of its arsenal in recent weeks.

A small, ruthless group which killed more than 120 people, it announced in October that it intended to pursue its aims by exclusively peaceful means.

The republican paramilitary body is believed to have been responsible for 111 murders from its formation in 1975 until its ceasefire in 1998, but it is also thought to have been involved in a number of murders since then.

In February 2009, the INLA claimed responsibility for the murder of a drug dealer in Londonderry.

It came to world prominence in 1979 with the murder of Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Airey Neave by leaving a bomb under his car in the House of Commons car park.

It was behind one of Northern Ireland’s worst atrocities when it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin’ Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry, in 1982.

The group’s political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party held a parade in Bray, County Wicklow, four months ago where it announced that the organisation had renounced violence.

At the moment, paramilitaries moving weapons can use a certificate from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) saying they are moving arms from one cache to another to facilitate decommissioning.

However, after the legislation expires any weapons found can be forensically tested.

Evidence from this could be used in future court cases and possibly help secure convictions.

Official IRA decommissions weapons

Belfast Telegraph
Monday, 8 February 2010

A second republican paramilitary group in Northern Ireland announced today that it had decommissioned its weapons.

The so-called Official IRA, a relatively small organisation most active in the 1970s, confirmed it had destroyed its guns.

The declaration was made at a Belfast press conference which came only two hours after a separate republican splinter group, the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), confirmed it had disarmed.

The timing of the separate announcements is thought to be linked to the fact that the legislation which allows illegal groups to decommission weapons without fear of prosecution runs out tomorrow

‘Conveyor belt’ that took weapons from INLA

By Brian Rowan
Belfast Telegraph
Monday, 8 February 2010

Two deadline moves on decommissioning are to be confirmed today — with just 24 hours to go before General de Chastelain and his team end their peace role in Northern Ireland.

The moves involve the INLA and an ‘Official’ republican splinter group.

Background efforts were continuing last week to push the breakaway UDA brigade in south-east Antrim over the decommissioning finish line.

It has made a start to the process but still holds weapons.

The Irish National Liberation Army is expected to reveal that it has destroyed its weapons

A number of statements will be made today with confirmation expected from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).

This is the de Chastelain team that has been in place since 1997.

According to one source INLA arms were delivered “conveyor belt” style — INLA to the IICD via witnesses. The Belfast Telegraph understands three witnesses/facilitators were involved, including Brendan Mackin, director of the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre.

A news conference is being held there this morning at which a “significant statement” by the INLA will be read.

According to a source one of the witnesses is from outside Ireland.

The decommissioning has been described as “substantial”, including rifles, handguns and explosives.

One source said: “The weapons ended up with de Chastelain but the INLA didn’t give them to him.”

The source said “the rationale” for the arms move would be explained in today’s statement.

The role of the IICD ends in Northern Ireland tomorrow.

That is when the mandate, which allows it to operate here, comes to an end.

Its major work has included the IRA decommissioning in 2005 and the destruction of loyalist arms belonging to the UVF, Red Hand Commando and UDA in recent months.

The move by the INLA comes four months after it declared its armed struggle over. There have been many fractures and feuds within the organisation and the weapons and explosives decommissioned will be those under the control of the mainstream group.

In a violent history stretching across several decades, it was behind scores of killings.

Confirmation today of its decommissioning brings to an end another of Northern Ireland’s wars. Later this month, final reports by the IICD will be made to the British and Irish governments.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams faces death threat

Belfast Telegraph
Monday, 8 February 2010

Security has been stepped up around Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams after a death threat.

The PSNI has told Mr Adams that the threat level against him is “very high”.

“We are taking these threats very seriously,” a Sinn Fein spokesman said in a statement yesterday.

“However, these death threats will not distract the party or the party president from carrying out their responsibilities and seeking to advance the peace process.”

7/2/2010

Catholics who join devolved PSNI ‘in line of fire’ says Republican Sinn Fein

Police Service of Northern Ireland there to ‘uphold British rule’, despite devolution of control, say dissident republicans

Henry McDonald
Guardian
Sunday 7 February 2010

Young Catholic recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland are “putting themselves in the line of fire,” Republican Sinn Fein has warned.

Des Dalton, the recently elected president of the anti-peace-process organisation, told the Observer yesterday that the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Stormont Assembly would make no difference to groups such as the CIRA, Real IRA and Oglaigh na hEireann in their campaigns of violence.

Dalton said the devolution of policing “had only re-arranged the furniture”; the house remained in Britain.

“The Royal Irish Constabulary became the Royal Ulster Constabulary and they ultimately became the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the PSNI. But while the cap badge might change, the essential point of these forces remain the same. They are there to uphold British rule, they are integral part of the British state forces,” Dalton said. “So it is worth remembering all the recent reports of Catholic PSNI officers being unable to live in the communities they came from.

“Our message to young nationalists is that your place is not there in the PSNI. The logic of the situation remains the same – if you join a force that upholds British rule then you are putting yourself in the line of fire.”

Last month the Real IRA set off a booby-trap bomb underneath the car of PSNI Constable Peadar Heffron. The prominent Irish-speaking policeman who was captain of the PSNI’s gaelic football team, lost a leg in the blast and suffered serious internal injuries. Constable Heffron is the cousin of Sinn Fein’s national chairman, Declan Kearney.

Ritchie announced as SDLP leader

News Letter
07 February 2010

The SDLP has today announced Stormont minister Margaret Ritchie as its new leader.

The South Down MLA beat South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell in the contest to replace outgoing Mark Durkan as the head of the party.

She is currently Minister for Social Development in the Northern Ireland Assembly Executive.

Foyle MP Mr Durkan announced four months ago that he would step down from the post after nine years.

The result of the vote to select his successor was announced at the final day of the party’s conference, today, in Newcastle, Co Down.

Mark Durkan final address as SDLP leader

BBC
6 Feb 2010

Mark Durkan has delivered his final address to the SDLP as party leader at its annual conference in Newcastle, County Down.

The conference also heard from the two leadership candidates Alasdair McDonnell and Margaret Ritchie.

Mark Durkan has delivered his final address to the SDLP

Mr Durkan will stay on as the MP for Foyle.

He attacked Sinn Fein for agreeing the appointment of a justice minister being made outside d’Hondt system of proportional representation.

“Changing the rules to deny a due outcome, to discriminate against a nationalist party and confer patronage and undue power on a pro-union party used to be called gerrymandering,” he said.

He said today Sinn Fein now called it “historic progress,” and “the best agreement of all”.

Mr Durkan’s decision to step down, after eight years as leader, has triggered a contest between the party’s only Stormont minister, Mrs Ritchie, and Mr Durkan’s deputy leader, Mr McDonnell.

Around 400 delegates are eligible to vote in the leadership election.

Voting began on Friday night and closes 1800 GMT, with the winner expected to be announced at noon on Sunday.

Northern Ireland INLA paramilitaries dump terror cache

By Vincent Kearney
BBC
6 Feb 2010
**Video onsite

The Irish National Liberation Army has decommissioned its weapons, days before the body overseeing Northern Ireland paramilitary weapons ceases to exist.

The move took place in recent weeks and is expected to be confirmed on Monday by the INLA and General John de Chastelain, head of the IICD.

The INLA has killed more than 120 people over the years

The INLA was a small, ruthless group which killed more than 120 people, including Tory MP Airey Neave in 1979.

In October, it said it would pursue its aims by exclusively peaceful means.

The republican paramilitary group is believed to have been responsible for 111 murders from its formation in 1975 until its ceasefire in 1998, but it is still thought to have been involved in a number of murders since then.

As recently as February 2009, the INLA claimed responsibility for the murder of a drug dealer in Londonderry.

It came to world prominence in 1979 with the murder of Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Airey Neave by leaving a bomb under his car in the House of Commons car park.

“The INLA is a name that harks back to the darkest days of the troubles”

It was behind one of Northern Ireland’s worst atrocities when it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin’ Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry, in 1982.

The group’s political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party held a parade in Bray, County Wicklow, four months ago and announced that the organisation had renounced violence.

At present paramilitaries moving weapons can use a certificate from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) saying they are moving arms from one cache to another to facilitate decommissioning.

On 9 February, the legislation that allows the IICD to operate ends and any weapons found after that date can be forensically tested.

Evidence from this could be used in future court cases and possibly help secure convictions.

Last month the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association also decommissioned.

The government had made it clear to the UDA that after the legislation expired that they would be treated as common criminals that the police would actively seek their weapons.

“Same old British boot with a willing Provo foot”.

R.S.F. News
saoirse@iol.ie
6 Feb 2010

On February 6, Republican Sinn Fein Vice President Geraldine Taylor said that the agreement at Hillsborough is just a further indication of the depths that Unionised Provisionals will go to uphold British rule in our country.

They have now added the administration of British policing and justice to their already full ‘portfolio’ in administering British rule on Irish people in the Occupied Six Counties.

We as Republicans know only too well the jackboot tactics they will employ against those who oppose British occupation and what we will have to endure in the future - history has show us what to expect.

We call on all Republicans opposed to continued British rule, be it from Westminster or Stormont, to join us in the continuing struggle for Irish unity and self-determination. Republicans especially will be under the eye of those who once opposed occupation and called for self-determination.

Our road will not be an easy road because we will have to endure British law enforced by the Provos, decided on with the Unionists. It’s the same old British boot but with a willing Provo foot.

We cannot forget the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who gave their lives and the many who endured years of imprisonment and torture, and although the signs may not be apparent at the moment this agreement will only extend the continued repression of Republican prisoners.

Geraldine Taylor concluded “be true to yourself, your principles and your country because history has never been kind to those who betrayed all three”.

6/2/2010

RNU Press Release: HAS DEAL OPENED ROADS FOR ORANGE PARADES?

5 Feb 2010

The REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) spokesperson, DANNY MCBREARTY, responding to the concerns of nationalist residents of areas targeted for Orange sectarian parades, asks” whether the DUP has been given ’product’ in the form of changed procedures designed to ease the way for Orange feet to march down nationalist roads.”

“Today’s deal undermines the legal procedures and mechanisms which have blocked Orange marches from trampling on nationalist victims on the Garvaghy Road and other although not all routes. The DUP, advised by the Orange Order, demanded and is apparently satisfied that the new arrangements will deliver product

“Nationalists were told that Sinn Fein was not playing poker and would not pay the price of Orange feet on the Garvaghy Road, or Ardoyne. Residents of those areas now question whether they have been played like poker chips. Has their right to be free of sectarian Orange parades in their areas been bartered away beneath the political cover of a deal that has satisfied the DUP and Orange Order? Have the DUP and Orange been told that such parades could not be granted outright, but would be delivered in the guise of new arrangements designed to yield results to their liking?

“We challenge Republicans to look at how much has been given up to achieve so little. The entitlement of the SDLP to head the ministry was given up and a DUP veto awarded in exchange for this compromised Stormont ministry. Like constabulary boards and partnerships, this watered down ministry will not make the British constabulary accountable but merely made Sinn Fein accomplices.

“RNU will continue to confer with residents in these areas and will support join with other nationalists and Republicans to support them against any attempt to facilitate Orange marches in their streets.”

Irish National Liberation Army to announce weapons decommissioning

Guardian
6 Feb 2010

The wreckage of a 1998 car bombing in Newtonhamilton, County Armagh, for which the Irish National Liberation Army claimed responsibility. (Photograph: John Giles/PA)

A republican paramilitary group which killed more than 120 people during the Troubles in Northern Ireland is set to announce it has decommissioned its weapons.

The move by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) is expected to be confirmed by the body overseeing Northern Ireland’s paramilitary weapons decomissioning.

The INLA was responsible for some of the worst attacks of the Troubles, including the killing of Conservative MP Airey Neave in 1979.

A republican source claimed the decommissioning happened in recent weeks. “The announcement is expected on Monday,” he said.

Four months ago the INLA said its “armed struggle is over” and vowed to end its 35-year campaign of violence in Northern Ireland.

The group was behind one of Northern Ireland’s worst atrocities when it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin’ Well pub in Ballykelly, County Derry, in 1982.

R.S.F. News IRIS no. 225

RSF news - Republican Sinn Fein - http://rsf.ie

Irish Republican Information Service (no. 225)
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: 6ú Feabhra/February 2010

Internet resources maintained by SAOIRSE-Irish Freedom

http://saoirse.info

In this issue:
1. Provos to enforce British Rule
2. Lisbon paves way for EU/NATO alliance
3. Nationalist couple in Banbridge targeted by MI5 & RUC/PSNI Special Branch
4. Sinister actions of 26-County Special Branch
5. 38 years waiting for answers British government
6. ‘My father was another victim of Bloody Sunday’
7. British troops on the ground in north Belfast
8. RUC/PSNI barracks attacked
9. One person shows up to first Dromore British DPP meeting
10. RSF launch re-designed International website
11. Private firm to reap Euro1.15bn bonanza from M50 toll deal
12. Political hostages have no place in a democracy
13. Shell to Sea complains about letter
14. Spy case inquest adjourned by coroner

1. Provos to enforce British Rule

ON FEBRUARY 5 the head of the 26-County administration Brian Cowen and British prime minister Gordon Brown travelled to Hillsborough Castle in the Six Counties to announce that a deal to prop up the Stormont Assembly had been eventually agreed, confirming that the regime in Stormont led by the DUP and the Provisonals will take on British policing and justice powers from April 12.

In a statement following the announcement the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton said: “With the fervour of political converts the Provos cannot wait to administer British Police and British Justice in Ireland.

“As they don the uniforms and carry the weapons of their one-time enemy, it can be truly said that the ‘poachers have become gamekeepers.’
When the new ‘Broy Harriers’ take to the streets under Provo direction history can be accurately said to be repeating itself.
“As British rule reaches into the grass-roots in the Six Counties, British Imperialism in its updated mode seeks to make itself more acceptable. However history teaches us that it will once more be resisted.” Des Dalton said.
The head of the 26-County administration Brian Cowen and British prime minister Gordon Brown published a deal to prop up the Stormont Assembly, confirming it will take on British policing and justice powers from April 12.
The deal between the Democratic Unionist Party and the Provisionals, which includes new plans on overseeing Orange parades, comes after nearly two weeks of round-the-clock negotiations.
A six-member working group is to be established to deal with Orange Order parades. Its work will begin immediately and will be completed within three weeks.
Many nationalist communities fear part of the price for securing the deal by the Provisionals involves forcing loyalist parades on their communities as it is emerged the unionist demand for an end to the Six-County parades Commission was secured by them in the agreement.
The agreement will see the devolution of British policing and justice powers from Westminster to the Stormont Assembly within weeks, while new arrangements for overseeing loyalist parades -removing the Parades Commission by the end of the year - will meet the demands of unionists.
As well as setting a devolution date in April, the 21-page Hillsborough Agreement outlines the working of the new Six-County Justice Department.
Broken into five sections, the document also contains a range of measures.
Key points include:
• While the Six-County justice minister will have the same status as all other ministers in the powersharing cabinet, he or she will have the power to make certain decisions without conferring with the Executive while issues of British ‘national security’ remain the prerogative of the British Government and its intelligence agency MI5.
• A six member ‘working group’, appointed by the Stormont First Minister and Deputy First Minister, will formulate a framework for new Orange parade management procedures.
• Its work will place emphasis on local agreements. It is this aspect which causes most fear for many nationalist communities and how the rights of local residents and the Orange Order can be squared
• The working group will complete its work within three weeks. The Stormont Executive will then transfer responsibilities for parading legislation from Westminster and table a new bill based on the group’s proposals. The current Parades Commission will continue to adjudicate on contentious marches until the new framework comes into operation - expected at the end of 2010.
• Significantly there was no commitment to an Irish Language Bill - promised with the St Andrews Agreement in 2006- or education reform.

The talks which centred on Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, are the longest set of continuous negotiations held in the near 20-year peace process.

2. Lisbon paves way for EU/NATO alliance

Comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the Lisbon Treaty provides a platform for deeper ties between the EU and NATO confirms one of the main arguments against the Lisbon Treaty according to the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton: “This bears out one of the central arguments of those who called for a rejection of Lisbon. As Republican Sinn Féin argued in both referenda held in the 26 Counties the purpose of the Lisbon Treaty was to bring the EU project to its logical next step in the construction of an undemocratic and militarised superstate
“Hillary Clinton’s comments regarding “energy security” are significant. It would appear the ground is being prepared for NATO to act as the military arm of the EU - fighting the resource wars forecast by the then President of the EU Commission Jacques Delors in 1992 - over what have been identified as the key resources of water, food and energy.
“The world vision set out by Hillary Clinton is one where the political and economic hegemony of the rich northern hemisphere over the poor south will be enforced by NATO.” Des Dalton said.
Hillary Clinton was speaking at the French military academy in Paris on January 29.
Answering a question from her audience, Hillary Clinton said EU’s energy policy in particular would benefit from closer co-ordination with NATO. “They are no longer separated. It’s hard to say that security is only about what it was when Nato was formed and the EU has no role to play in security issues,” she said.
“These, of course, are decisions for the Europeans to make with respect to the EU.”
Hillary Clinton said she recognised that national differences must be respected, “even in the time of greater European integration”.
However, the complexity of today’s world was such that the development of common policies would serve the EU and NATO. In this respect the EU would concentrate on economic, development and political issues while NATO would deal mainly with security.
“Take, for example, energy security,” she said. “It would be the EU’s responsibility to create policies that would provide more independence and protection from intimidations when it comes to energy markets for its member nation. But I can also see how, in certain cases respecting energy, there may be a role for NATO as well.”
While it was important to respect and honour “foundation institutions”, she said questions should be asked about how they could function better.
Citing moves to reform NATO, Hilary Clinton said reforms at EU level would make co-operation with the military alliance easier.
“Under the Lisbon Treaty, with more focus and specific leadership attached to foreign policy and development assistance, there will be a way to better co-ordinate,” she said.
Although “some questions” had been raised in recent months about the depth of Washington’s commitment to Europe, she said European security was “an anchor” of US foreign policy.
US military forces will remain on the European continent to “deter attacks and to respond quickly” if any occur, she said.

3. Nationalist couple in Banbridge targeted by MI5 & RUC/PSNI Special Branch

A YOUNG south Down couple are being harassed by British intelligence after refusing to spy on a prominent member of Republican Sinn Fein from Newry.
The Sinn Féin member who wanted to remain anonymous said the couple had to flee their home in January after an elaborate hoax bomb was left outside their house.
He alleged the bomb alert was the latest incident of harassment and intimidation aimed at the couple after they refused to supply information on Newry Republican Sinn Féin to MI5.
The RUC/PSNI confirmed they are investigating the incident in which a suspicious object was found outside a house in the Edenderry area of Banbridge on January 26.
The Newry Sinn Féin member claimed the couple were approached by MI5 after unknowingly being photographed with him.
“This young man was photographed with me by Special Branch,” he told the Democrat.
“When he went on holiday last year he was pulled in at the airport by MI5. They said to him that he was very close to me. When he denied it they told him that they had photographic evidence.
“They then asked him if he would be willing to work with them. They offered him money and said they would leave him alone if he did, if not they said they would make his life hell. They said if he gave me up to them in any shape or form that they would be happy.
“He refused and now they have stepped up their campaign of harassment against him.
“I believe, and the young man that has been targeted believes, that Special Branch will approach again hoping that he can give them information on Republican Sinn Fein in Newry.”
The 35-year-old man also claimed he has been subjected to harassment over the last 24 months.
And he criticised the Provisionals in their haste to administer British Policing and Justice in Ireland.
“This has happened in the backdrop of all that is happening with regard to policing in justice,” he added.
“The Provisionals seem to be bending over backwards to get this yet they will have no power in what MI5 and Special Branch does.”
In a statement Republican Sinn Féin outlined the background to the case and said it pointed to ongoing collusion between the RUC/PSNI and loyalist death-squads:
“A young nationalist couple in Banbridge have been harassed by British Intelligence agencies over the course of the past twelve months due to their friendship with a member of Republican Sinn Féin in Newry. Most recently an elaborate hoax bomb was left outside their home.
“One of the couple has been stopped by British spies whilst holidaying. They also tore apart his house and told him that they would have their fellow Loyalists intimidate him if he did not co-operate.
“Most recently his refusal to collaborate resulted in a bomb being left at his front door in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He was forced to evacuate through the back door and was kept out of his home for several hours.
“Around the same time his mother also received a phone call to say that her son was going to be burnt out of his home.
“These incidents show that British Intelligence agencies including those belonging to Gerry Adams’ RUC remain involved with Loyalist death squads.” The statement said.

4. Sinister actions of 26-County Special Branch

IN A statement on January 30, Comhairle Chúige Laighean, Sinn Féin Poblachtach criticised the actions of the Special Branch on January 30, 2010:
“Republican Sinn Féin views the actions of the Special Branch at the Bloody Sunday picket in Dublin on January 30 as grossly insulting and slightly sinister.
“After taking the names and addresses of several members and supporters, they proceeded to enter the GPO where they took pictures, through the window, of those on the picket. Comparing notes, they wrote down the names of those ‘in the [picture] frame.
“We object to the paid lackeys of Leinster House using a hallowed Republican building, the headquarters of the All-Ireland Republic proclaimed in 1916, to skulk in and gather information on Irish Republicans which they pass on to the British Colonial police and MI5 spymasters.
“Republicans know that such people will use any underhand methods to undermine the Republican struggle. We will continue to highlight the activities of the likes of Det Kevin Doherty and Det Joe Higgins.
“We say to people: do not let their tactics intimidate you but rather strengthen your resolve to highlight the injustice of British occupation in our country.” The statement said

5. 38 years waiting for answers British government

It is incomprehensible and unacceptable that after 38 years we are still waiting for answers concerning the way the British army acted during that sad day in Derry states Massimiliano Vitelli, spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin in Italy in a statement to the Italian media on January 29.

“Tomorrow is the anniversary of what became known as Bloody Sunday, the term used to describe what happened in the city of Derry on January 1972, when the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment of the British army opened fire against a crowd protesting for civil rights, wounding 26 people, 14 of whom were killed.

“On March 22, 2010 Lord Saville of Newdigate is expected to present the investigation report to the Westminster administration. However, the phrase ‘is expected to present’ has already been used dozens of times in the past, without being followed by any deeds. The public inquiry ended in November 2004 and the report was expected within 2006.

“According to the British administration, the inquiry has already cost over £189.000.000, half of which due to legal costs.

“The time for truth has come. It is time for the British administration to provide answers”, Vitelli said.

Published by Republican Sinn Féin Italy,
www.irish-solidarity.net/italia

6. ‘My father was another victim of Bloody Sunday’

THE DAUGHTER of a man grazed by a bullet on Bloody Sunday - and who later developed a life-altering brain haemorrhage - says she believes her father is another victim of that day.

Donna McElhinney, who was six years old at the time of the 1972 massacre, says her father, Pius McCarron, complained of having headaches after being grazed by the bullet and, 18 months later, developed a brain haemorrhage.

She said that, at that time, he was given six months to live but remarkably - although severely brain damaged - survived until 2004.

“He was skinned by a bullet on Bloody Sunday and collapsed,” she recalled. “Everyone thought he had been shot dead.

“The next thing he knew was when he regained consciousness in a nearby house. In the days and weeks afterwards, he told my mother that he was having headaches where the bullet grazed him. He also got arrested a few times after Bloody Sunday and was taken to Piggery Ridge where he was beaten by soldiers.

“A year and a half later, when he was 32, he took a brain haemorrhage and was taken to hospital in Belfast and the doctors told my mother it was so severe that it had to have been caused by head trauma. The place where the haemorrhage occurred was exactly where the bullet skinned him.

“My mother always talks about how healthy he was before it happened. There is no doubt in my mind that it was directly connected to what happened to him on Bloody Sunday.”

Donna McElhinney says her father was “an entirely different person” after the brain haemorrhage. He died that day

“My mother was left with eight children to raise and a husband to look after and she always said he changed beyond recognition after what happened. My mother said that, in a way, he died to her that day.

“He was another victim of Bloody Sunday. He also lost his life on Bloody Sunday, not in the same way as the others did, but to my mother.”

Donna McElhinney says she wants what happened her father to be known.

“There are probably others who suffered in later life because of what happened to them that day. Everyone was scarred by the Troubles in some way. A lot of people saw how my father was left after the brain haemorrhage but did not understand why and that is why I want to tell his story.”

7. British troops on the ground in north Belfast

HEAVILY ARMED British soldiers were on patrol in Oldpark in north
Belfast on February 2 following a large explosion which destroyed perimeter
fencing at the Oldpark RUC/PSNI barracks.

A relatively large blast bomb was hurled at the base, which is now used
mainly for surveillance purposes. While no RUC/PSNI members are based at
the station, it is understood contract security guards were present at
the time the attack took place at around 2am in the morning, but there
were no injuries.

The following day, some 40 families were evacuated by British Crown forces
as bomb disposal squads dealt with the scene.

The device used in the attack is reported to be similar to a bomb that
was thrown into a British Territorial Army base in north Belfast in
October.

8. RUC/PSNI barracks attacked

Bessbrook RUC/PSNI barracks came under gunfire on January 31.A car pulled up outside the station in Bessbrook village on evening at about 9.00pm and opened fire.
No-one was injured. The British Colonial Police barracks in Crossmaglen has been attacked twice in recent weeks. The group styling itself the ‘Real IRA’ claimed both attacks.

9. One person shows up to first Dromore British DPP meeting

THE FIRST EVER Omagh British District policing Partnership meeting may have been held in Dromore last week, but there was a notable absence from the local community.

When the local DPP planned a previous meeting in Dromore almost four years ago, it had to be cancelled after protests were organised by republicans.

Whilst welcoming the opportunity to meet in Dromore, the new Chair of Omagh DPP, Charlie Chittick, expressed his disappointment at the lack of community participation on January 29.

Approximately 100 seats had been set out for the public to air their thoughts and views about local British policing issues, but only one was needed as Drumquin Parish Priest, Fr Kevin Mullan was the only person in the public gallery.

10. RSF launch re-designed International website

The Republican Sinn Féin International Relations Bureau is proud to announce the re-launch of its re-designed German website. Following a major refurbishment over the last two months, the website is now available under the known domain-name www.irish-solidarity.net!

The website currently contains material in three languages, English, German and Italian.

The hearts of the new website are three columns. The main column provides the latest, most relevant information and reports. The right column gives information on the current campaigns and the work of Republican Sinn Féin and its supporters in Continental Europe plus the latest issue of the republican paper Saoirse. The left column provides the menu tree as well as contact information, republican links and further permanent information.

On the top of the website, directly beneath the header you find external links to the most important documents of the Republican Movement like Éire Nua and Saol Nua as well as a History of Sinn Féin.

Note that not all articles are shown in the main section. Hence one may find two further sections in the top right corner of the website. These contain the six most current articles as well as the six most read articles.

Part of the website is in Italian language. This section contains material published by the Republican Sinn Féin activists and supporters in Italy. You can directly access to this material by using the link www.irish-solidarity.net/italia. For four years the supporters of Republican Sinn Féin in Italy distribute a monthly news sheet in the Greater Rome area named Ireland Free. A full archive of all issues is available on www.irish-solidarity.net/irelandfree.

At present there is merely a selection of Republican Sinn Féin statements and reports from the years 2007 to 2009 available online. We will upload these articles in the coming weeks.

The re-launch of the website is an important step in promoting the Irish national liberation struggle in Continental Europe. Republican Sinn Féin could establish a lively structure in Germany, Austria and Italy in the last years. The new website will give us the opportunity to further spread the message of the Republican Movement in Continental Europe.

On the other hand it gives the readers and supporters easier navigation and full access to our archived material.

We hope you enjoy the new re-designed website and we appreciate comments!

Beir bua!

11. Private firm to reap Euro1.15bn bonanza from M50 toll deal

A PRIVATE company is set to reap a massive 1.15bn Euro windfall from the M50 West-Link toll bridges it built for just Euro 58m .

National Toll Roads (NTR) almost recouped the entire construction costs in 2007 alone, when it took in 46m Euro in tolls from motorists.

And it is going to get up to Euro50m per year for the next decade in compensation from the 26-County State, which bought out the notorious tolled link in 2008.

NTR made Euro2.3m from the toll bridge during the first year of its operation in 1990.

But as traffic volumes on the M50 increased, this figure rapidly rose to Euro4m the next year, Euro8.2m in 1995, Euro17m in 1997 and peaked at Euro46m in 2007.

According to the 26-County State’s National Roads Authority (NRA), NTR’s total earnings from the link, from 1990 to 2020, will be a staggering Euro1,155,786,122.

Labour transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said the deal signed with NTR in 1987 was a “grotesque rip-off of the State”.

He added: “I really think it should be investigated again how that contract came about.”

At the 26-County Assembly’s Public Accounts committee in December, Tommy Broughan questioned whether the contract, which was signed by former Fianna Fail 26-County Environment Minister Padraig Flynn and former Dublin assistant city and county manager George Redmond, was a result of a “grotesquely incompetent or corrupt agreement”.

The Flood Tribunal has heard evidence that Flynn was given a political donation of £8,000 in 1992 by NTR.

It also heard evidence that former NTR head Tom Roche Snr gave a IR£10,000 donation to Redmond for his help in acquiring land to build the toll bridge on.

There was no termination clause in the West-Link contract, which left the 26-County State in a weak position when it wanted to buy out NTR to introduce barrier-free tolling on the M50.

National Roads Authority (NRA) chief executive Fred Barry said he was not provided with any evidence of corruption in the awarding of the contract. But he agreed it had led to a “windfall situation” for NTR, while the 26-County Department of Transport said it was like “winning the lotto”.

According to a consultants’ report commissioned by NTR, the cost of building the original West-Link bridge in 1990 was IR£27.6m (Euro35m). The building of a second span in 2003 to expand the number of lanes cost Euro23m — bringing the total cost of the West-Link to Euro58m.

The NRA has confirmed that NTR will earn Euro1.15bn from the link. But this does not include the toll income it had to pay to the 26-County State until 2008 under a revenue-sharing agreement.

In that year, the 26-County State agreed to buy out NTR’s contract to operate the tolls, which was due to run until 2020. Barrier-free tolling was introduced and the State is now making annual payments to compensate NTR for lost toll revenue.

A spokesman for NTR defended the deal it signed with the 26-County Administration to buy out its interest in the West-Link.

“While the company might have liked to continue operating the West-Link, fair agreement was reached and since the agreement was reached, there appear not to have been any complaints by the NRA, the Government (sic) or the Comptroller and Auditor General,” he said.

The spokesman was asked about the appropriateness of NTR’s company slogan “securing a greener future” — given that it is still earning up to Euro50m annually from cars using the West-Link toll bridge.

“What you’re demonstrating is a misunderstanding of NTR as a company. Most of their business is now in North America investing in solar, wind and ethanol production, and waste management,” he said.

National Toll Roads (NTR) began as a humble operator of toll bridges.

It was founded in 1978 to build the first tolled facility in the country — the East Link Toll Bridge in Dublin, which proved an enormous success for the company.

It then went on to build the West Link Toll Bridge on the M50. But it has used the massive revenues from motorists to expand into several new business areas, including waste, energy and telecommunications.

It now describes itself as an international renewable energy group, with businesses in Ireland, the UK and North America. Its companies include Arizona-based solar energy firm Stirling Energy Systems (SES), Wind Capital Group in Missouri, and Nebraska’s Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE), an ethanol producer. NTR’s businesses here include Greenstar Waste and Irish Broadband.

Its chairman is Tom Roche Jnr, who co-founded the company with his father, the late Tom Roche Snr.

Tom Roche Jnr said last year that the 26-County State’s buy-out of the West Link Toll Bridge had decimated the company’s toll business in Ireland “albeit at a good price”.

“However, despite that, I can’t really complain. The family is not poor and NTR is great fun,” he told a breakfast briefing at UCD’s Smurfit Business School.

In 2009, NTR posted an operating loss of Euro64.9m for its half-year to the end of September due to lower activity levels in the waste sector and its disposal of the West Link toll.

12. Political hostages have no place in a democracy

MARKING THE 34th year of imprisonment for Native American Rights activist Leonard Peltier, on February 5 political activist Michael Rooney of Mayo Greenpeace e-mailed a letter to the US Dept of Justice.

Michael Rooney
65 McHale Road
Castlebar
County Mayo
Ireland
Phone: 094 9060921
Mobile: 087 7934982
February 5th, 2010

For the Attention of the Attorney General
Re: Leonard Peltier

A Chara,

Today is the anniversary of 34 year of injustice for Leonard Peltier.

This man has been a political prisoner of the US government for all this time and I am demanding that his case be brought up for an Executive Review immediately.

Political hostages have no place in a democracy.

Every person has the right to freedom until they commit a crime against humanity. The right to speak out against a government is not a crime.

By keeping this man imprisoned, you are guilty of the crime of apartheid.

Is mise,
Michael Rooney

13. Shell to Sea complains about letter

Corrib gas protesters have been told by 26-County Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan that there was no intention to interfere in the planning process with a letter sent by a Department of Energy official to An Bord Pleanála.

The letter was criticised by by representatives of Shell to Sea, who met Ryan at 26-County Administration Buildings.

On November 2 the planning board determined almost half the proposed route for the project was “unacceptable”.

A spokesman for Eamon Ryan said the official’s letter was a restatement in writing of testimony given at An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing.
Shell EP Ireland was given a three-month extension on February 2 to submit a revised application to An Bord Pleanála for the controversial Corrib gas pipeline route in Co Mayo.
On November 3 the planning board determined almost half the proposed route was “unacceptable” on safety grounds, and directed Shell to examine an alternative partial route up Sruwaddacon Bay, away from housing.
The 26-County Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources challenged parts of An Bord Pleanála’s handling of the issue in a letter on January 20. In it, aspects of the November decision are criticised, particularly the “risk assessment methodology espoused in the Board’s letter” to Shell. The department’s chief technical officer Bob Hanna said this is based “solely on consequence”.
“To illustrate by way of example, a ‘consequence only’ approach means that one would have to design and build an aircraft which would protect its passengers from harm when it crashes,” the letter stated.
Rossport resident Monica Muller questioned Shell’s intention of bringing the pipe up the bay. “In the board’s decision of November 2nd last, they directed Shell to examine the possibility of redirecting part of the high-pressure pipeline route up Sruwaddacon Bay, thus bringing it away from houses in Glengad, Aughoose and Rossport. But Shell has not referred to this in any of the correspondence since to the board,” Monica Muller said.

14. Spy case inquest adjourned by coroner

CORONER DR Denis McCauley on February 4 warned that he must see progress in the 26-County Police inquiry into the murder of Provo/British double agent Denis Donaldson within six months.
He agreed to further adjourn the inquest. But he would not go as far as gardaí sought – a minimum of nine months.
Dr McCauley said as it was the fourth occasion on which the Donaldson inquest was being adjourned he would expect an indication as to whether a prosecution is pending or if there was serious progress in investigations.
Donaldson was murdered in his remote home at Classey, Cloghercor, near Doochary, Glenties, Co Donegal, on April 4, 2006.
At the inquest in Letterkenny Supt Michael Finan said he would be requesting an adjournment and that continuing investigations had uncovered several important matters.
He was asked by the coroner: “You are acting with vigourEuro” Supt Finan replied: “Very much so.” The coroner then said: “I would adjourn for six months, but at six months I would need an update. You would have to give me a very good reason as to why you will not go forward at that stage.”
The inquest was adjourned until August 26.

Ends/Críoch

SDLP 50/50 call branded ‘legalised discrimination’

News Letter
05 February 2010

DEMANDS by the SDLP for the Government to extend the 50/50 recruitment process for the PSNI for up to 15 years has been slammed as “a call for legalised discrimination”.

North Antrim MLA Ian Paisley Jnr hit out after SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood said the 50/50 process needed to run for another 15 years if the PSNI is to be truly representative of the community it serves.

He said: “Patten said one of the key tests of confidence in the police was having a balance of community representation in the police.

“We need to get to 44 per cent to have overall balance on the Catholic side.

“Fifty-fifty would be a key mechanism to bringing that about.”

But Mr Paisley said “no matter how it is spun, support for the extension of a policy which would deny people employment simply because of their religion is sectarianism”.

He said: “People deserve to be employed on the basis of merit and their ability to do a job.

“If that principle is correct in one field then it must be correct everywhere, including the employment of police officers.”

The DUP MLA added: “Anyone who would support this kind of policy abdicates any claim to support equality.

“They can now be clearly seen to support a sectarian and discriminatory policy yet they would seek to impose it upon Northern Ireland for another decade and a half.”

Earlier this week, Security Minister Paul Goggins announced the 50/50 system would end in 2011, when around 30 per cent of police officers will be Catholics.

When it was introduced in 2001, Catholics made up about eight per cent of the PSNI. That has now risen to just over 27 per cent.

Mr Goggins said the 50/50 recruitment process had delivered “significant change”.

He said: “It has been necessary to introduce these temporary provisions in order to deal with the historic imbalance, but of course it is important that as we move forward with confidence in policing we expect applications to come from all communities, continuing to attract people of the highest calibre.

“The record number of applications for the latest recruitment competition to the PSNI underlines the growing support for the PSNI from young men and women across the community.”

5/2/2010

The Hillsborough Castle Agreement

Belfast Telegraph
Friday, 5 February 2010

In full, the devolution saving deal on the transfer of policing and justice powers to Stormont in April.

Section 1 - Policing and Justice

Section 2 – Parades

Section 3 – Improving Executive Functions

Section 4 – Outstanding Executive Business

Section 5 – Outstanding St Andrews Review

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