SAOIRSE32

Guardian

**Earlier today in the Guardian, Murphy was pronouncing on the IRA. I won’t include the whole article, but this part I found interesting for McGuinness’ assessment:

Murphy: IRA not preparing to go back to war

Matthew Tempest and agencies
Thursday February 3, 2005

…This morning Sinn Féin shifted the blame back to the British and Irish governments for last night’s IRA withdrawal of an arms decommissioning offer, saying the entire peace process was now in “deep crisis”.

Speaking the morning after the IRA formally withdrew its offer of allowing full inspections of arms dumps, Mr McGuinness said Mr Blair and the Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern had been too quick to buy into the “opinion” of one police officer over December’s £26m bank raid, blamed on the republican terrorists by Northern Ireland chief constable Hugh Orde.

Although Downing Street has kept its nerve in the face of the IRA move, calling it “not unexpected”, it comes just six days after Mr Blair met both Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness for face-to-face talks at Chequers.

But as the war of words escalated this morning, Mr McGuinness told the BBC: “The real difficulty here is that the two governments have opted for confrontation.

“The IRA statement is obviously a direct consequence of the retrograde stance of the two governments, and I think it is evidence of a deepening crisis.”

Refusing to accept the IRA were guilty of the December bank raid, he said the whole crisis had been created by the “opinion” voiced by Mr Orde that the IRA was responsible for the Northern Bank raid, which was then taken up by Mr Blair and Mr Ahern.

“These are opinions. Would you like to be convicted on the word of the chief of police, because that is what we are talking about here.

“We are talking about an entire process being held hostage to what is an opinion. What we have to deal with is facts. We cannot allow any situation where the justice system is set aside and effectively all decisions are taken by chiefs of police, prime ministers or international monitoring commissions made up of three spooks and a British lord.”

IrishExaminer.com

McDowell plans to recruit 1,400 volunteer gardaí

03 February 2005
By Cormac O’Keeffe

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell plans to have 1,400 volunteer reserve gardaí in place by the end of the decade.
The minister said the garda reserve will have the same powers, duties, immunities and privileges as full-time gardaí.

Garda representative associations and the State’s human rights watchdog have expressed concerns at the proposal.

Speaking yesterday, Mr McDowell said the number of volunteers will be around 10% of the full-time force, which is scheduled to reach 14,000 members by 2008.

“I would hope the reserve force would be in place within the next five years and I hope the planning would start in the relatively near future,” he says.

The reserve will be modelled on the voluntary police force in Britain, known as the ‘Special Constabulary’. It is understood the volunteers would accompany gardaí on the streets, particularly at busy periods.

They will also be used to ‘steward’ major events, such as sporting occasions and parades. In addition, the volunteers could have an involvement in processing traffic offences and other administrative functions.

Provisions enabling the establishment of the force are contained in the Garda Síochána Bill 2004, currently before the Dáil.

The garda associations have expressed concern at the establishment of a volunteer unit.

“We’ve no problem putting in enabling legislation, but we don’t believe there is a public demand for it,” said Pat Flynn, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).

“We don’t believe it’s the way to go. We believe the force should be steadily increased up to a proper number. We also believe they should carry out a proper study on An Garda Síochána to see what is the proper number of gardaí required to provide a proper service.”

The State’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) has also expressed opposition to the volunteer force.

“The HRC is seriously concerned about any proposals for the exercise of police powers by ‘non-gardaí’,” said the body.

“We believe that individuals who have not undergone any serious period of police training and education should not be granted legal power to arrest and use reasonable force.”

Speaking on RTÉ radio, Mr McDowell said he would meet the AGSI and any other representative body to discuss the matter.

He said the volunteer force was entirely separate.

“I want to make it very clear both to the representative associations and the public that in no way do I consider garda reserve an adequate substitute for an adequate professional full-time police force.”

RTE News - Paisley censured for homophobic comments

Paisley censured for homophobic comments

03 February 2005 20:15

The DUP’s Ian Paisley Junior has been formally censured by the Northern Ireland Policing Board for homophobic comments he made about an adviser to the Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble.

Mr Paisley, who is a member of the policing board, made disparaging comments about the gay marriage in Canada of Stephen King and his partner earlier this week.

Following news of the wedding in Canada, which recognises gay marriage, Mr Paisley described homosexual relationships as immoral, offensive and obnoxious.

After a meeting today, the board said it had resolved that Mr Paisley’s comments were incompatible with its policies and practises.

The censure followed a motion from independent members of the board, who cited the rising incidence of homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland

BreakingNews.ie

SF faces sanctions

03/02/2005 - 18:22:02

Sinn Féin is facing new sanctions after paramilitary watchdogs today blamed the IRA for the Northern Bank robbery.

As security chiefs insisted the Provisionals were not set to go back to war despite withdrawing a disarmament offer, the Independent Monitoring Commission delivered its report on the £26.5m (€37.8m) raid.

The specially prepared dossier, which London and Dublin are due to publish next week, has backed the North’s Chief Constable Hugh Orde’s assessment that the terrorist organisation plotted the stunning December 20 heist on the Northern’s Belfast HQ.

Even though Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government has been suspended for more than two years, the three-member IMC is believed to have suggested banning Sinn Féin from any executive cabinet for six months.

Secretary of State Paul Murphy must now decide whether to invoke the punishment should devolution be restored at Stormont, although any revival looks impossible before the British General Election.

It is the second time the Commission has recommended sanctions against Sinn Féin.

Last April the party was fined for alleged IRA violence, including the abduction of a Belfast dissident republican.

But the latest move will do nothing to improve the mood among republicans which led the Provos to take their decommissioning offer from the table.

The IRA said British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern had tried its patience to the limit by claiming its alleged criminality was the sole obstacle to peace.

And Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams warned the process was now in a deepening crisis because of the two governments’ attitude.

He said: “We have told them both that confrontation is not the way forward.

“Otherwise the peace process could be as transient as his (Mr Blair’s) time in Downing Street.”

Both Mr Murphy and Mr Orde stressed, however, the IRA was not on the verge of a renewed campaign of violence.

The Northern Ireland Secretary ratcheted up the pressure on republicans to halt all crime operations.

He said: “They (the IRA) have to accept that is what is dealing a great blow at the moment, both to the peace process and the political process in Northern Ireland.

“We told Sinn Féin that they are to go back and reflect upon the points that the governments have made to them – in many ways the ball is in their court – to stop the criminality which is associated with the IRA.”

Mr Orde was briefed by his anti-terror officers before declaring a fresh wave of terrorism was not imminent.

“We are clear the IRA has the capacity, it has the capability, but I don’t think they have the intent to go back to war or armed struggle,” he said.

In Dublin, Mr Ahern called for time to try to hammer out the political impasse threatening the Good Friday Agreement.

“I don’t read the IRA statement in a negative fashion,” he said.

“They are saying what is a fact, that negotiations have broken down.

“Everything is off the table and that’s the normal course of negotiation.”

But unionists were outraged by republicans’ tactics, with pressure growing for Sinn Féin to be blocked from attending any US St Patrick’s Day events being organised for next month by the White House.

Peter Robinson, the Democratic Unionists deputy leader, revealed he has been in talks with President George Bush’s special envoy to Northern Ireland, Mitchell Reiss.

He said: “Sinn Féin’s access to the States and fund raising should both be tackled.

“Is Gerry Adams going to be allowed to walk in and have tea with the President on St Patrick’s Day or is it going to be cancelled?”

Ulster Unionist chief David Trimble emerged from Downing Street talks with Mr Blair to hit out at any future IRA violence.

He said: “I do not believe it, and I think even if there is something coming from that direction it should be treated with contempt and disdain.”

The Upper Bann MP also claimed Mr Blair acknowledged the process had changed.

He said: “The Prime Minister is clearly saying to us we are now in a different situation to where we were before.”

Mark Durkan, leader of the nationalist SDLP, accused the IRA of arrogance in its statement.

He said: “The reality is that the IRA carried out the Northern Bank robbery.

“Instead of facing up to that fact and the huge damage they have done to the peace process, they have thrown a huff at the two governments.”

RTE News

Man remanded over Robert Holohan’s death

03 February 2005 19:47

Wayne O’Donoghue remanded in custody

A 20-year-old engineering student charged with the manslaughter of schoolboy Robert Holohan has been remanded in custody for a fortnight.

Wayne O’Donoghue, of Ballyedmond, Midleton, Co Cork, was charged with killing the 11-year-old in Midleton on 4 January last.

The case was the first to be called at Midleton District Court this morning where Inspector Martin Dorney applied for a two-week adjournment.

Robert’s body was discovered near Inch Strand in east Cork eight days after he disappeared.

A post mortem examination showed that he died of asphyxiation.

Mr O’Donoghue is being detained at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. He will appear in court again on 17 February.

RTE News

Govts playing down statement says IRA

03 February 2005 20:24

The IRA has accused the British and Irish governments of trying to play down the importance of its statement, withdrawing its offer to decommission weapons.

In a second statement issued to RTÉ News this evening, the organisation said the crisis in the peace process is serious and the situation should not be underestimated.

Speaking on RTÉ News, the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, said there is no role for paramilitaries in modern Ireland and that the essence of republicanism is to agree with the will of the people.

The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, said the latest IRA statement is ‘tantamount to a threat against the Irish people and its state’.

The Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, described the latest IRA statement as a sinister development.

The Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent, described the latest statement as hardline and said its language and tone was extremely intimidating.

The new two-line statement came as the report of the Independent Monitoring Commission into the Northern Bank raid in Belfast was delivered to the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell.

The report will be considered by the Government at a Cabinet meeting next Tuesday.

The North’s Chief Constable Hugh Orde has told the Policing Board that the IRA is not on the verge of a return to all-out violence despite withdrawing its offer to decommission.

That assessment was backed by the Northern Secretary, Paul Murphy.

Taoiseach plays down IRA statement

Earlier, the Taoiseach said he did not view last night’s statement from the IRA in a negative fashion.

Bertie Ahern said the Irish and British governments would continue to engage with all the political parties to try and find the resolution to the present crisis.

However, he repeated that there must be a firm commitment from the republican movement to an end to criminality and to deal with the issue of decommissioning in a transparent way.

The Taoiseach refused to be drawn on remarks by Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness on RTÉ Radio this morning in which Mr McGuinness accused Mr Ahern of being a poodle for Michael McDowell and the Progressive Democrats.

The Taoiseach said Mr McGuinness is a good negotiator for his party, but he added that Fianna Fáil had not robbed the Northern Bank. Issues have been raised and questions have to be answered, said Mr Ahern.

At the Order of Business in the Dáil this morning, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the IRA statement was an affront to Irish people North and South.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte described the comments from the IRA as petulant, belligerent and somewhat threatening.

IRA withdraws offer to complete disarmament

In a strongly worded statement last night, the republican paramilitary group said it was withdrawing its offer to complete the decommissioning process.

The statement, which was released to the republican newspaper, An Phoblacht, is seen as a response to criticism of the organisation in the wake of the Northern Bank raid.

The raid has been blamed on the IRA by both the British and Irish governments.

The IRA claimed that in December 2004 it was prepared to speedily resolve the issue of arms and move into a new mode where its activities would no longer endanger a comprehensive peace agreement.

However, it said its initiatives had been attacked, devalued and dismissed by pro-unionist and anti-republican elements, including the British government.

The IRA said the Irish Government has lent itself to these attacks on the republican movement.

The paramilitary organisation went on to say it does not intend to remain quiescent to what it called ‘this unacceptable situation’.

BBC

IRA warns of ’serious situation’

Last year, the IRA said it would complete decommissioning

The IRA has warned the British and Irish governments not to underestimate the seriousness of the current state of the peace process.

Irish state broadcaster RTE reported a fresh statement from the organisation on Thursday.

It follows a statement on Wednesday in which the group withdrew its offer to put its weapons beyond use.

The IRA continues to deny claims it was behind the £26.5m Northern Bank raid in Belfast.

Thursday’s statement said: “The two governments are trying to play down the importance of our statement because they are making a mess of the peace process.

“Do not underestimate the seriousness of the situation.”

It came as the Independent Monitoring Commission presented its report on the robbery to the British and Irish governments.

The report is not expected to be published until next week.

It is thought it will concur with the police assessment that the IRA was to blame for the bank raid last December and to suggest sanctions against Sinn Fein.

Earlier, the Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said the onus remained on the IRA to end criminality in order to move the political process forward.

Mr Murphy was speaking after meeting the prime minister on Thursday.

He said the issue was not about confrontation, but about ending criminality.

“They (the IRA) have to accept that is what is dealing a great blow at the moment, both to the peace process and the political process in Northern Ireland,” he said.

‘Scuttled’

“We told Sinn Fein that they are to go back and reflect upon the points that the governments have made to them - in many ways the ball is in their court - to stop the criminality which is associated with the IRA.”

Chief Constable Hugh Orde said he did not believe the first IRA statement signalled a return to violence.

“We know they have the capacity. We know they have the capability. I am currently of the view that they do not have the intent,” he said.

“I do not think the statement changes that. But I also make the point that this is an organisation that still exists, is well-organised and has not gone away.”

Martin McGuinness said there is now a “mighty responsibility” on those involved in the peace process

Speaking outside Downing Street after meeting the prime minister, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said there was unanimity in blaming republicans for the present difficulties.

However, Sinn Fein’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said that blaming the IRA for the Northern Bank raid had “scuttled” the chance of the organisation disarming.

Irish Premier Bertie Ahern said there would be no change of focus whatsoever from either the British or Irish governments.

The two governments still wanted to deal with transparency on decommissioning and an end to criminality and paramilitarism.

At a news conference on Thursday, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said: “Confrontation is not the way forward - otherwise the peace process could be as transient as Mr Blair’s time in Downing Street.”

BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: “Interestingly,….. Gerry Adams refused to respond to a number questions about whether the IRA ceasefire would remain stable in the future.”

Last year, the IRA said it would complete the decommissioning process within weeks and move into what it called a “new mode”.

DUP leader Ian Paisley said the statement proved the IRA never had any intention of decommissioning in a credible, transparent and verifiable way.

SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said the statement offered nothing new from the IRA.

An Phoblacht

Death of Billy Herity

The death has occurred in Belfast of 82-year-old Billy Herity, who lived in Dundalk for much of the past 28 years. Billy was a great supporter of the Republican Movement long before the conflict re-erupted in August 1969. In the early 1970s his family were intimidated out of their home in the Springfield area by loyalist paramilitaries and moved to Beechmount.

It was there that Billy - ‘the TV man’ as he was affectionately called (he was a TV engineer) - opened his doors to the IRA, held a dump for the local unit and became close friends with Paul Fox, Seán Bailey and Dan McCann, all of whom later lost their lives in the struggle. Billy’s house was eventually raided and he was arrested, charged and remanded to Crumlin Road Jail. There, he shared a cell with the young Mickey Devine who, in 1981, later became the tenth republican to die on hunger strike.

By then, Billy had made bail, was forced to move south of the border and lived in many towns until he settled in Dundalk. He was friends with Joe and Annie Cahill, who then lived there, and with another elderly, middle-aged Belfast man, Sonny McDermott, who also had to flee Belfast after a raid. Billy always pined for home and justifiably feared the vengefulness of the British, who would have re-arrested him on foot of a live warrant.

However, when he realised last year that he was seriously ill, he returned to the city and was nursed to the end by his good friend Teresa Burt.

Speaking at the funeral on behalf of the Beechmount Commemoration Committee, Danny Morrison praised Billy’s contribution to the struggle and for the sacrifice that he had made without once complaining or boasting. He said that had it not been for people like Billy Ferrity, the nationalist people would still be on their knees and would never have found the strength and confidence which they subsequently developed.

Danny also praised those in the hospice who had tended Billy and those who had been as his bedside vigil and were there at the end.

I measc laochra na nGael a raibh a hanam dílis.

An Phoblacht

Blair to apologise over Conlon injustice

Photo: Ailing miscarriage of justice victim Guiseppe Conlon died in an English gaol

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is reported to be on the verge of making a public apology to the family of Guiseppe Conlon. In one of the most notorious miscarriages of justice carried out by the British judiciary against Irish people, the Falls Road man was imprisoned and left to die in a British jail.

Conlon was arrested and charged, along with the Maguire family, and wrongly convicted of involvement in bombings in England in the 1970s.

His son Gerry had already been wrongfully convicted, with three others, in connection with the Guildford pub bombings. In 1991 the convictions were finally overturned, but Guiseppe had already died in 1980 at the age of 56.

It is expected that Blair will make a public apology to the Conlon family from the floor of the British Parliament. It is also understood that he will write a personal letter of apology to Conlon’s widow, Sarah.

The development comes after a high profile campaign by the Conlon family.

Although SDLP leader Mark Durkan received a private apology from the British Prime Minister, the Conlons have expressed their demand for that apology to be made public.

BY JENNIFER WILLIAMS

An Phoblacht

Motivate, Educate and Inspire

BY BARRY (Ógra Shinn Féin Six-County Organiser McCOLGAN

Ógra activists from all over Ireland converged in Derry last weekend for a packed Ógra Shinn Féin National Congress. Activists from Tyrone, Derry, Antrim, Down, Armagh, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth, Galway, Sligo, Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Kerry, and from all the main universities and collages were joined by international comrades from the Basque Country, Palestine, Catalonia, and the Socialist Labour Party from Britain.

The proceedings got under way on Saturday morning at the Gasyard Centre, with an introductory address from National Organiser Mickey Bravender, who reflected on Ógra’s successes in 2004 and urged those present to build on past achievements and to ensure further growth and activism in the youth movement.

Next up was the official launch of National Congress ‘05 by Derry City Mayor Gerry Ó hEára. Gerry spoke of the importance and the role of youth in the struggle. He spoke of his involvement in Na Fianna and of Na Fianna’s invaluable contribution in the early days of the struggle, saying “it was the motivation, determination and ingenuity of the youth that give life to the struggle for national liberation” and added, “there is no reason why young people should not aspire to the same today”.

Following the official launch, each Cúige area, Six Counties, Munster, Leinster, Dublin and Connacht/Uladh formed into their groups, prepared their annual reports, their stance on motions to Congress, and decided upon delegates they would put forward to Ógra’s National Executive.

After a short break, the Gasyard Centre filled to capacity again, to hear the annual reports from each Cúige area. From the reports it was clear that Ógra Shinn Fein is indeed an organisation on the move; each area reported a surge in recruitment, in activity, and on the increased coverage on all media outlets, climaxing in an appearance on BBC’s Give My Head Peace.

From the reports was also evident the youth’s increased resolve, determination and confidence to overcome the current onslaught to criminalise the republican struggle. As the Six-County report put it: “The republican struggle is legitimate, it is the British occupation that is criminal, Ógra’s message leaving this Congress today must be clear, we would not be criminalised in 1981, we will not be criminalised now!”

Following the inspiring Cúige reports, activists broke up into different workshops on Policing, Structure and Organisation, and on Coalition Building.

The workshops were thought provoking and sparked debate on these most topical of issues.

After the workshops finished and lunch was consumed, it was back to the Congress where Mitchel McLaughlin formally launched Ógra’s National Anti-Collusion Campaign.

This was followed by delegates voting on motions put forward to Congress. Motions ranged from calling for the demilitarisation of the British war machine in Ireland to calling for the decriminalisation of cannabis.

There was a wide range of motions, but those that caused controversy were those on policing, decriminalisation of cannabis, secular education and abortion.

On the policing issue, Ógra voted to call on Sinn Féin never to accept, join or endorse policing arrangements until we have complete British withdrawal and the establishment of a Sovereign United Ireland.

The motion calling for the decriminalisation of drugs also caused a fierce debate but in the end was defeated.

Other motions called for the release of our imprisoned comrades around the world, and for solidarity with oppressed people’s the world over.

We also dedicated ourselves to actively promote the increased sales of An Phoblacht/Republican News.

Following the very interesting debates around the motions and after the voting took place; Dr Jamal Zahalka took to the stage. Dr Zahalka, a Palestinian MP who sits in the Israeli Knesset, spoke inspirationally about the comparisons between the oppressed peoples of Ireland and Palestine, and how they learn much from the republican struggle.

Dr Zahalka has been centrally involved in the struggle for truth and justice around Israel’s own ‘Bloody Sunday’ against the Palestinian people. As Palestinians living inside Israel came out onto the streets in support of their comrades staging of a second intifada in the occupied territories, the Israeli police force opened fire, shooting 13 people dead. Since that day in October 2000, Jamal Zahalka has been working closely with the families of the dead in their efforts to take a legal case against the Israeli police force and its government.

Dr Zahalka’s speech was followed by Derry’s own Martina Anderson, who gave the leadership address. Martina spoke of how inspiring it was to see the Gasyard filled to capacity with young republicans from all over Ireland. She spoke about her own involvement in the Republican Movement, which involved her spending 13 years in jail, but as Martina put it “I would do another 13 years tomorrow, if that’s what it takes to ensure freedom”. She also spoke of the importance of the All-Ireland Agenda, the role of youth and the role of women in the struggle.

After Martina’s speech, the motivated and politicised activists in the room piled out onto the streets, where they finished the day and National Congress ‘05 with an Anti-Collusion protest at Strand Road RUC/PSNI Barracks.

Ógra launches National Anti-Collusion campaign

Ógra launched its national anti-collusion campaign at Comhdháil Náisúinta 2005. The campaign was officially launched by Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin, who outlined the importance of the campaign and the role young activists can play in the heightening of awareness of the policy of collusion between the British Government and loyalist death squads.

Ógra activist Andrea O’Kane also spoke of the immense importance of this campaign for young people to sink their teeth into, as “collusion was part of British State policy in Ireland and this State-sponsored murder was not the action of a few rogue officers but rather a formal, politically sanctioned tactic.

“The British Government has never accepted responsibility and the higher levels of the British State, the politicians and securocrats who sanctioned this policy, have never been called to account for their actions. The only way to stop this from happening ever again is to expose the culprits and secure the right for families of victims of collusion to the truth.”

“Throughout this campaign we will be working in conjunction with An Fhírinne, and the families of the victims of collusion, to ensure that the policy of collusion is ended, that there is full disclosure by the British Government of all information on its policy of collusion, and the dismantling of the structures and agencies which implemented this policy of state murder.”

The launch of the campaign was followed by a protest outside Strand Road PSNI/ RUC Barracks. The Ógra activists blocked the entrance of the barracks, and sprayed anti-collusion slogans on the wall to protest against the policy used by the British Government in Ireland over the past 30 years.

Although the protest was a success, the protesters hit out at the filming of the actions by PSNI members with handheld cameras. They said: “it is a major source of concern that this footage will be in the hands of PSNI members, given the history of State-sponsored murder in Ireland”.

An Phoblacht

**IRA statement as it appeared in An Phoblacht

IRA offer withdrawn

In August 1994, the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann announced a complete cessation of all military operations. We did so to enhance the democratic peace process and underline our definitive commitment to its success.

That cessation ended in February 1996 because the British Government acted in bad faith when the then British Prime Minister John Major and Unionist leaders squandered that unprecedented opportunity to resolve the conflict.

However, we remained ready to engage positively and in July 1997 we reinstated the cessation on the same basis as before. Subsequently, we honoured the terms of our cessation with discipline and honesty, despite numerous attempts to misrepresent those terms by others.

Since then - over a period of almost eight years - our leadership took a succession of significant and ambitious initiatives designed to develop or save the peace process. Those included:

•Engaging with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning;

•Agreeing that independent inspectors could inspect the contents of a number of IRA dumps, allowing regular re-inspections to ensure that the weapons remained secure and the reporting of what they had done both publicly and to the IICD;

•Setting out a clear context for dealing definitively with the issue of arms;

•Acknowledging past mistakes, hurt and pain the IRA has caused to others and extending our sincere apologies and condolences for the deaths and injuries of non-combatants caused by us;

•Agreeing a scheme with the IICD to put arms completely and verifiably beyond use;

•Implementing this scheme to save the peace process by putting three separate tranches of weapons beyond use on:

- 23 October 2001

- 11 April 2002

- 21 October 2003; and

•Seeking to directly and publicly address unionist concerns.

In 2004 our leadership was prepared to speedily resolve the issue of arms, by Christmas if possible, and to invite two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this. In the context of a comprehensive agreement we were also prepared to move into a new mode and to instruct our Volunteers that there could be no involvement whatsoever in activities which might endanger that agreement.

These significant and substantive initiatives were our contributions to the peace process. Others, however, did not share that agenda. Instead, they demanded the humiliation of the IRA.

Our initiatives have been attacked, devalued and dismissed by pro-unionist and anti-republican elements, including the British Government. The Irish Government have lent themselves to this. Commitments have been broken or withdrawn. The progress and change promised on political, social, economic and cultural matters, as well as on demilitarisation, prisoners, equality and policing and justice, has not materialised to the extent required, or promised.

British forces, including the PSNI, remain actively engaged in both covert and overt operations, including raids on republicans’ homes.

We are also acutely aware of the dangerous instability within militant unionism, much of it fostered by British military intelligence agencies. The British/loyalist apparatus for collusion remains intact.

The political institutions have been suspended for years now and there is an ongoing political impasse.

At this time it appears that the two governments are intent on changing the basis of the peace process. They claim that ‘the obstacle now to a lasting and durable settlement… is the continuing paramilitary and criminal activity of the IRA’.

We reject this. It also belies the fact that a possible agreement last December was squandered by both governments pandering to rejectionist unionism instead of upholding their own commitments and honouring their own obligations.

We do not intend to remain quiescent within this unacceptable and unstable situation. It has tried our patience to the limit. Consequently, on reassessment of our position and in response to the governments and others withdrawing their commitments;

•We are taking all our proposals off the table.

•It is our intention to closely monitor ongoing developments and to protect to the best of our ability the rights of republicans and our support base.

The IRA has demonstrated our commitment to the peace process again and again. We want it to succeed. We have played a key role in achieving the progress achieved so far. We are prepared, as part of a genuine and collective effort, to do so again, if and when the conditions are created for this.

But peace cannot be built on ultimatums, false and malicious accusations or bad faith. Progress will not be sustained by the reinstatment of Thatcherite criminalisation strategies, which our ten comrades died defeating on hunger strike in 1981. We will not betray the courage of the hunger strikers either by tolerating criminality within our own ranks or false allegations of criminality against our organisation by petty politicians motivated by selfish interests, instead of the national need for a successful conclusion to the peace process.

Finally, we thank all those who have supported us through decades of struggle. We freely acknowledge our responsibility to enhance genuine efforts to build peace and justice. We reiterate our commitment to achieving Irish independence and our other republican objectives. We are determined that these objectives will be secured.

P O’Neill

Irish Republican Publicity Bureau

Dublin

Belfast Telegraph

Robert ‘was an innocent bystander’
Victim’s family plan vigil

By Ashleigh Wallace
03 February 2005

The grief-stricken family of knife murder victim Robert McCartney today appealed for people to register their disgust at his killing by attending a vigil in his memory.

Robert’s sister Paula urged people from across Belfast and beyond to attend tomorrow’s vigil to “show their disgust” at the weekend murder.

Revealing the family circle has been left devastated by the killing of the 33-year-old father of two, Paula told the Belfast Telegraph: “We are gutted by what has happened.

“We, as a family, want to dispel the rumours his death was part of a knife culture or that it was a pub brawl.

“Robert was an innocent bystander. He was a peacemaker who would have tried to diffuse a row and we’ve heard that when it happened, Robert had his hands in the air.”

Speaking from her Albertbridge Road home, she said: “It’s very important the people who did this are caught or another family could lose out very quickly. They need to be taken off the streets.”

She said she didn’t want to comment on reports that republicans were linked to the murder. She said it was common knowledge who was involved.

Robert is survived by his wife Bridgeen and two sons Conlaed (4), and two-year-old Brandon. He also leaves behind 17 nieces and nephews.

Paula said: “Bridgeen is not coping well at the minute and the two boys sense there is something wrong but they don’t know what.

“What can you tell two young children when they ask where their daddy is?

“We lost another brother Gerard four years ago. We’re still trying to cope with that and now this.”

Since the fatal stabbing, outside Magennis’s bar in the city centre, a total of seven people have been arrested and questioned in connection with the murder. All have since been released.

Paula, her four sisters and other family members are planning to hold candles in memory of Robert at the vigil.

She said: “We want people to come tomorrow and show their disgust at what happened.

“People are outraged at what happened and we have received great support from the good living and thinking people in the Short Strand.”

Tomorrow’s vigil is at the shop fronts on Mountpottinger Road at 5.45pm.

Sinn Féin

Adams - Governments’ approach is damaging the process

Published: 3 February, 2005

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP speaking today at Parliament Buildings, Stormont said: “The approach of the two governments has effectively scuttled the unprecedented IRA initiatives which they publicly outlined in December. The governments have opted to attack the commitment, integrity and motivation of Sinn Fein. This is fair enough in the cut and thrust of party politics but has no place in a peace process. My remarks about the Irish government are made more in sadness than anger.

“If an Irish government will not stand up to a British government in defence of the rights of Irish citizens - then who will? The role of the British government and its agencies in Ireland has been shameful. When Mr. Blair came into government he signalled a willingness to find a way out of this. He needs to deliver on his historic and current obligations.We have acknowledged Tony Blair’s positive contribution, as we do the Taoiseach’s, but we have told them both that confrontation is not the way forward. Otherwise the peace process could be as transient as his time in Downing Street.

“The challenge now for all of us in positions of political leadership is to rescue the situation. That is the focus of the Sinn Fein leadership. But we cannot do this on our own. The two governments have a critically important contribution to make. Either they can rise to the hard and difficult challenge of peace making or they can go on making a bad situation worse.”

Mr. Adams said:

“Last nights IRA statement is obviously a direct consequence of the confrontational and damaging approach of the two governments. It is evidence of a deepening crisis and Sinn Féin regrets this.

Sinn Féin isn’t involved in this process for the good of our health or because we are some kind of conduit between the governments and the IRA. We are in this process and we are committed to it. We have the right to be involved because we are the largest pro-Agreement party in the north and the third largest party on this island. 342,000 people from every corner of Ireland vote for us - that’s nearly 300,000 more people than voted for the PDs in the last General Election - the PDs who are now driving the Irish government’s policy on the peace process.

Sinn Féin is well aware of our responsibilities and we have never shied away from these - but to listen to the governments in recent days you would think that they are observers from another planet - that they have no active role to play, that they have no responsibilities.

Bertie Ahern is Taoiseach. He has a huge responsibility in all of this, not least because he is leader of Fianna Fáil. But the tragedy is that for the first time we have an Irish government publicly acquiescing to a DUP position.

The mantra from Dublin is that: “SF won’t come within an asses roar of power, north or south, until the IRA is off the pitch.” This illustrates the flaw in the Irish government’s approach. Not everything is about getting into power. Securing the peace process should be the priority and party political politics have to come second.

“The two governments say that the only obstacle now to a lasting and durable settlement is the IRA. This is patent nonsense. Are they seriously telling us that Ian Paisley has had a road to Damascus conversion - that he is now suddenly embracing equality and powersharing? The DUP walked away from a deal in December - a deal of huge significant - because they oppose powersharing and oppose the Good Friday Agreement. There is no evidence that this has changed.

The Sinn Fein leadership stands over and is proud of the contribution we have made in the peace process and in transforming the political situation, not just in the north, but throughout the island of Ireland. That work is unfinished. It is the responsibility of all political parties and others. But the approach of the two governments has effectively scuttled the unprecedented IRA initiatives which they publicly outlined in December.

The governments have opted to attack the commitment, integrity and motivation of Sinn Fein. This is fair enough in the cut and thrust of party politics but has no place in a peace process. My remarks about the Irish government are made more in sadness than anger.

If an Irish government will not stand up to a British government in defence of the rights of Irish citizens - then who will? The role of the British government and its agencies in Ireland has been shameful. When Mr. Blair came into government he signalled a willingness to find a way out of this. He needs to deliver on his historic and current obligations.

We have acknowledged Tony Blair’s positive contribution, as we do the Taoiseach’s, but we have told them both that confrontation is not the way forward. Otherwise the peace process could be as transient as his time in Downing Street. The challenge now for all of us in positions of political leadership is to rescue the situation. That is the focus of the Sinn Fein leadership.

But we cannot do this on our own. The two governments have a critically important contribution to make. Either they can rise to the hard and difficult challenge of peace making or they can go on making a bad situation worse. The priority and focus of Sinn Fein in the time ahead is threefold:

* To defend the peace process
* To pursue the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
* To uphold the integrity of Sinn Féin and the rights of our electorate, alongside the rights of all other citizens

Guardian

**Some things never change

Seven Paras charged over Iraqi’s murder

Press Association
Thursday February 3, 2005

Seven British soldiers are to face courts martial over the murder of an Iraqi civilian, the attorney general said today.

The men, all from the 3rd battalion of the Parachute Regiment, will face charges of murder and violent disorder following the death of Nadhem Abdullah near Basra, southern Iraq, in May 2003.

In a written statement, Lord Goldsmith named three of the men to face courts martial as Corporal Scott Evans, Private William Nerney and Daniel Harding, who is now a civilian. He said the other four would be named once they had been informed of the charges against them.

No date has yet been set for the courts martial or a preliminary hearing. The decision to court martial the men was taken by the Army Prosecuting Board.

Three other British soldiers are currently facing court martial at a military court at their base in Germany. The soldiers allegedly abused Iraqi detainees at an aid camp near Basra, also in May 2003, around two weeks after Saddam Hussein’s regime was toppled by US-led forces.

BreakingNews.ie

Judgement reserved in five-man IRA membership case

03/02/2005 - 16:33:05

The Special Criminal Court has reserved judgement in a defence application in the trial of five men accused of IRA membership following their arrest in Bray, Co Wicklow.

The court has heard that gardaí recovered a large quantity of Sinn Féin posters, including election posters for Sinn Féin TD Aengus O’ Snodaigh, from a car in which they also found a stun gun and CS gas canister after the men’s arrest.

It was the nineteenth day of the trial of five men. The trial has heard that gardaí recovered a CS gas canister, a stun gun, pick axe handles, balaclavas and a fake garda jacket after five men were seen acting suspiciously around three vehicles by an off-duty Special Branch officer.

The court has heard that gardaí found four of the men seated on the floor of a transit van and two of them were dressed in fake garda uniforms.

The five Dublin men have pleaded not guilty to membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on October 11, 2002.

They are Thomas Gilson (aged 24), of Bawnlea Avenue, Jobstown, Tallaght, Patrick Brennan (aged 40), of Lindisfarne Avenue, Clondalkin, Sean O’ Donnell (aged 32), of Castle Drive, Sandymount, John Troy (aged 22), of Donard Avenue and Stephen Birney (aged 30), of Conquerhill Road, Clontarf.

Defence counsel for the five men have submitted that their arrest and detention under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act was unlawful and as a result interviews carried out with them by gardaí are not admissible in evidence.

The defence argued that the Section 30 arrests were unlawful because of “a series of prior illegalities which took place prior to the arrests.”

The court will give judgement on the defence applications next Tuesday.