SAOIRSE32

BBC

Arms and security data recovered

An AK47 assault rifle was recovered

The police have uncovered a substantial arms find and a notebook containing information about the security forces.

It is believed the haul is connected to the Continuity IRA.

The police said they carried out eight house searches over the past few days as part of an ongoing investigation by the Organised Crime Branch.

During the raids - thought to be in west Belfast - they seized three vehicles, an AK47 assault rifle and five real and replica handguns.

A shotgun and a quantity of ammunition were also recovered.

They also seized component parts of an explosive device and a notebook containing personal details of security personnel.

It is understood the find is connected to two arrests for alleged extortion in the Dargan Road area of north Belfast on Monday.

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin Launch Easter Lily Campaign

Published: 24 March, 2005

Speaking today at the launch of the annual Easter Lily campaign in Stormont, Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said that this weekend would see tens of thousands of republicans taking part in marches, commemorations and wreath laying ceremonies across the island.

Mr Kelly said:

“This year marks the 89th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. It is an important time for Irish republicans. It is a time for remembering our friends and colleagues who have given their lives in pursuit of our republican ideals and goals. It is a time for reflecting on these ideals.

“We recall the words of the 1916 Proclamation - an historic document - one of the most progressive documents ever written. The Proclamation spells out the demand for social and economic justice and democracy, of cherishing all the children of the nation equally, irrespective of colour, religion, gender, ability or race, equally.

“Easter is also a time of renewal - a time when we as Irish republicans rededicate ourselves to the legitimate and achievable goals of independence and unity for the people of this island.

“The past year has undoubtedly been both a challenging and indeed very difficult, year for republicans and the peace process. We made a massive breakthrough in the elections in the 26 counties yet ended the last year with the failure once again of unionism to agree the share power on the basis of equality and respect.

“This year Easter comes with the political establishment set once again on a course of criminalizing the republican struggle and by extension our patriot dead. This weekend provides republicans with the opportunity to send a clear message that we are rightly proud of our heritage and our struggle and will not allow it to be tarnished or criminalized.

“There are over 100 commemorations throughout the island and scores more smaller events. Internationally many Irish exiles will also take part in commemorations. I am calling on people to wear an Easter Lily and to make this years Easter Commemorations and events bigger and better than ever before.” ENDS

Note to Editors

In this the 100th anniversary of Sinn Féin, republicans throughout Ireland will gather on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday to honour and commemorate Ireland’s patriot dead.

Please see below for a list of the main commemorations - dates, locations and speakers.

Main Commemorations

Easter Sunday:

Dublin City — Assemble 1.30pm Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square and March to GPO. Main Speaker: Martin McGuinness MP

Belfast — Assemble 1pm, Beechmount Avenue. Main speaker: Martin Ferris TD

Derry City — Assemble 2.30pm at the Bogside Inn, Westland Street march to City Cemetery. Main Speaker: Gerry Adams MP

Tyrone — (Carrickmore) Assemble 3.30pm. Main Speaker: Pat Doherty MP

County Waterford — (Killrossanty) Assemble 3pm. Main Speaker Mary Lou McDonald MEP

Fermanagh — (Tempo) Assemble 2.30pm at Doon Lane. Main Speaker: Michelle Gildernew MP

Monaghan Town — Assemble 3pm, O’Hanlon Memorial, Clones Road. Main Speaker: Gerry Kelly

Galway — (Conamara) Assemble 3.30pm. Pearse’s Cottage, Rosmuck. Main Speaker: Bairbre de Brún MEP.

Armagh (Newry City) — Assemble 12.30pm at Patrick Street. Main Speaker: Conor Murphy

Armagh — (Crossmaglen) — Assemble at 10.30 am, Rangers Hall. Main Speaker: Matt Carty

Cavan — (Kilnavart) Assemble 12 noon Kilnavart Cemetery. Main Speaker: Sean McManus

Cork (Bandon) — Assemble 12.30pm, Republican Plot, St Patrick’s Cemetery. Main Speaker: Toireasa Ferris

Cork City — Assemble 2.30pm National Monument, marching to St Finbarr’s Cemetery. Main Speaker: Sean Crowe TD

Derry - (The Loup) Assemble 2.30pm, Ballyronan Road and march to grave of Brigadier Seán Larkin. Main Speaker: Arthur Morgan TD

Donegal — (Drumboe) Assemble 2pm, Johnston’s Corner, Stranorlar. Main Speaker: Alex Maskey

Down — (Castlewellan) Assemble 4pm at Lower Square march to monument. Main Speaker: Caitriona Ruane

Drogheda — Assemble 11am St Peter’s Church to the Halpin/Moran monument, Marsh Road. Main Speaker Martina Anderson

Dundalk — Assemble 3pm Market Square, march to Republican Plot, St Patrick’s Cemetery. Main Speaker: Martina Anderson

Kerry — (Tralee) Assemble 3pm, the Pike Man, Denny Street. Main Speaker: Gearoid O hEara

Limerick City — Assemble 12.30pm Munster Fair Tavern. March to Republican Plot, Mount St Laurence Cemetery. Speaker: Killian Forde

Mayo — (Achill) Assemble 10am, Dookinella. Main Speaker: Rita O’Hare

Wexford Town — Assemble 11.45am Crescent Quay, parade to Republican Plot. Main Speaker: John Dwyer

Easter Monday:

Armagh City — Assemble 2pm Irish Street. Main Speaker Conor Murphy

Down — (Downpatrick) Assemble 6pm Scotch Street, proceed to Republican Monument. Main Speakers: Caitriona Ruane/Alex Maskey

Meath — (Ashbourne) Assemble 11.30am at church and march to Republican Plot. Main Speaker: Joe Reilly

Monaghan — (Clones) Assemble 1.30pm, The Diamond. Main Speaker: Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD

Easter Tuesday

Co Antrim (North Belfast-Ardoyne) Assemble 1pm Elmfield Street. Main Speaker: Gerry Kelly

Toomebridge — Assemble 4pm. Main Speaker: Barry McElduff

Just FYI: I just recently noticed that the ‘Most popular posts’ link wasn’t working, so I went to the forum to research the problem, fixed it and it seems to be all right now.

—–

An Phoblacht

**Second message concerning Jimmy McGinley and Mark Robinson at bottom

IRA Easter message 2005

On this, the 89th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916, we remember the men and women of every generation who have given their lives in the struggle for Irish freedom.

The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann extends solidarity to the families of our comrades who have fallen during this phase of the struggle. We remember those comrades with honour and pride.

We send solidarity to our Volunteers and to our friends and supporters at home and abroad.

We think of our imprisoned comrades and their families at this time also.

Over ten years ago, the leadership of the IRA declared a complete cessation of military operations. We did so to enhance the development of the Irish Peace process.

From then until now we have, on a number of occasions, demonstrated our continuing support for this process.

At times of significant crisis or political impasse, we have taken initiatives to move the situation forward.

Our approach has been premised on the belief that the achievement of a just and lasting peace requires constant forward momentum in the Peace Process.

For the past two years, the Peace Process has been locked in stalemate and has slipped backwards into deepening crisis.

During that period, specifically in October 2003 and in December 2004, we agreed to significant initiatives as part of an agreement to break the logjam. On each occasion, other parties reneged on their commitments.

An unprecedented opportunity to transform the situation on the island of Ireland was thrown away by rejectionist unionism, aided and abetted by the two governments.

The DUP attempted to turn the initiative of December 2004 into a humiliation of the IRA. The concerted efforts of both governments since then to undermine the integrity of our cause, by seeking to criminalise the republican struggle, is clear evidence that our opponents remain fixated with the objective of defeating republicans rather than developing the Peace Process.

The sustained campaign directed against the republican people over recent months is nothing new. We have seen and heard it all before.

Those who opted to follow the Thatcher path will not succeed.

Our patriot dead are not criminals. We are not criminals.

Republican men and women suffered deprivation and torture to defeat attempts to criminalise our struggle. Ten of our comrades endured the agony of hunger strike and died defeating the criminalisation strategy.

We will not betray their courage by tolerating criminality within our own ranks. We will not allow our opponents to further their own petty self-interests by levelling false allegations against Óglaigh na hÉireann.

The IRA has spelt out its position in relation to the killing of Robert McCartney. It was wrong, it was murder, it was a crime. But it was not carried out by the IRA, nor was it carried out on behalf of the IRA.

The IRA moved quickly to deal with those involved. We have tried to assist in whatever way we can. Unfortunately, it would appear that no matter what we do it will never be enough for some.

Those in the political and media establishments who have been so quick to jump on the bandwagon have again laid bare their own hypocrisy.

This causes justifiable resentment among republicans. But it must not cloud the issue. Óglaigh na hÉireann expects the highest standards of conduct from our Volunteers.

Struggle requires sacrifice and discipline. It promises hardship and suffering. Our fallen comrades rose to those challenges and met them head on.

The discipline and commitment of our Volunteers and the wider republican base have been the backbone of our struggle. In these testing times, that steadfastness and determination are needed more and more.

We salute you and urge you to remain strong and united.

The crisis in the Peace Process and the reinvigorated attempts to criminalise us have not diminished in any way our determination to pursue and achieve our republican objectives.

Irish unity and independence provides the best context for the people of this island to live together in harmony.

The primary responsibility now rests with the two governments.

They must demonstrate their commitment to a lasting peace.

Pandering to the demands of those who are opposed change is not the way forward.

P O’Neill,

Irish Republican Publicity Bureau,

Dublin.

IRA not responsible for Derry killings

The following statement was received by An Phoblacht this week.

“Following recent allegations the IRA wish to make it clear that we were not involved in, nor responsible for, the deaths in Derry of Jimmy McGinley and Mark Robinson.”

P O’Neill,

Irish Republican Publicity Bureau,

Dublin.

BreakingNews.ie

Ex-policeman at centre of drugs cash probe

24/03/2005 - 15:07:30

A suspected drugs baron at the centre of a major investigation in Northern Ireland is a former police officer, it emerged today.

Colin Armstrong, 38, owns nearly 50 properties worth an estimated £5m (€7.2m) including an apartment on the French Riviera.

His bank accounts on both sides of the Irish border – he also has a flat in Dublin – have also been frozen as part of the inquiry which followed an 18-month long undercover probe by the Assets Recovery Agency.

Armstrong, who lives with his partner at a luxury house at Glenavy, Co.Antrim, once served as a full-time reservist with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

He was stationed in Co.Armagh at one time, it been claimed.

Investigations into his financial affairs are going back more than a decade, after it was alleged by the agency that he imported illegal drugs from Belgium into Northern Ireland in 1994 when he had links with the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force in Mid Ulster where nearly all his properties are based.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed: “He was a full time reserve officer who left in August 1991.”

However, it is understood his resignation following disciplinary action was not as a result of any criminal activity.

Although questioned several times by drugs squad officers investigating the distribution of drugs to clubs in North Down and on the North Coast, Armstrong has never been charged.

He is now under investigation by an interim receiver appointed by the High Court, but who has not been identified, and who now has control of all the properties, including an apartment on the Cote d’Azur and his home at Glenavy where his lives with his partner, Geraldine Mallon.

BBC

McCartneys will not stand in poll

Witnesses to the killing have been reluctant to come forward

Relatives of murdered man Robert McCartney have decided not to stand in the local or general elections.

Mr McCartney, 33, was killed after a bar row in Belfast on 30 January. His family has blamed IRA members for his murder and intimidating witnesses.

His sister Paula said the family had decided that their energy would be best spent on the campaign for justice.

“If we went into the elections, our attention would be distracted by other issues,” she said.

‘Momentum’

“We want to concentrate solely on resolving the issue of Robert’s murder.

“We still have the same momentum, not just as a family - I feel people are very interested in how this is resolved because they feel it affects their future as well.”

Earlier this month, Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness cautioned the family against stepping over the party political line.

“To step over that line, which I think is a very important line, into the world of party politics, can do a huge disservice to their campaign,” he said.

Last week, the family brought their campaign to Washington, meeting President Bush as well as a number of high-profile US politicians.

President Bush invited the McCartney family to the White House as part of a gesture to all those working towards peace in Northern Ireland.

Three men were expelled by the IRA after the killing, including the two main suspects in the case.

Irelandclick.com

Grieving brother: “How are cops going to investigate a 31-year-old murder? -
And I want to ask Hugh Orde that face-to-face”.

A West Belfast man whose brother was murdered by loyalists in 1974 has called on the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde to detail how the police are planning to solve the murder which has been “lying cold for over 30 years”.

The request comes after the British government announced earlier this month that a squad of 100 investigators – the Serious Crime Review Team – is to be assigned to work on the unsolved cases of 1,800 victims of the Troubles in an initiative costing £32 million.

Gerry Armstrong’s brother Paul was tortured before being shot dead by the UVF under the guise of the Protestant Action Force on November 8, 1974. He was just 18 years old.

At the time RUC detectives assured the Armstrong family that the killers would be brought to book for the horrific murder. However, 31 years on nobody has been caught or tried for the killing.

Now Gerry says he wants a “face-to-face” meeting with Chief Constable Hugh Orde to discuss the investigation into his brother’s murder.

“At the time my mother was offered £300 compensation for Paul’s 18 years on this earth. Of course, we refused. But now almost 31 years later this vast amount of money is going to be spent on 1,800-plus unsolved murders. I would like to know how,” said the Whiterock man.

Gerry went on to say that he finds it difficult to see how the PSNI are going to solve the murder now when the detectives in charge of the case at the time were incapable of doing so.
“When Paul was murdered, a team of detectives assured my late father, James, that no stone would be left unturned in the investigation. All these years later it seems quite obvious that not too many stones were overturned.”

Whilst it has been reported that new forensic techniques would be made available in the hope of achieving breakthroughs in the cases, Mr Armstrong is sceptical. “I would love to have hope in this but I honestly can’t see how these detectives are going to be able to trace forensic evidence in the case of my brother. He was killed and left lying in a derelict bakery in Byron Street.

How they would begin to search for forensics here after 31 years is beyond me.

“Perhaps they still have Paul’s clothes, I know we never got them back. But how could they find forensic evidence now when the police force at the time obviously couldn’t, or didn’t want to?”

Mr Armstrong said he is apprehensive about the move and is hoping that it is not a smokescreen for the PSNI to look as though they are doing something about unsolved murders.

“I’ve heard Hugh Orde talking on the radio about this, I’ve seen him talking on the TV and I hope it isn’t just talk. Thirty one years ago my family heard enough talking about how the killers would be caught, it didn’t lead to anything and I hope this doesn’t go the same way.”

Frustrated at the amount of time that has passed without any breakthrough, Mr Armstrong questioned the name of the new investigative team.

“They are calling themselves the Serious Crime Review Team but I don’t see why my brother’s murder wasn’t serious enough to be tackled thoroughly at the time, yet now all of a sudden it is. It seems strange and myself and my family are not sure what way we should welcome the news.”

Gerry Armstrong said he accepted that there were many similar cases to Paul’s over the years.

He says he just wants justice for his family who have since lost both parents – they died without ever really knowing what happened to their son.
The West Belfast man says that he would exhaust all options open to him. His first option is that face-to-face meeting with Hugh Orde.

“What we want are answers and while it would be nice to have American senators and people in high places to profile Paul’s case, I really just want to speak to the Chief Constable because at the end of the day, he is the only one that can give the answers that my family have been waiting 31 years for.”

Irelandclick.com

Attwood hails SDLP unity paper

SDLP West Belfast MLA, Alex Attwood, has slammed Sinn Fein’s green paper on Irish unity, saying it wouldn’t persuade a single unionist to agree to a united Ireland.

In the week that the SDLP’s ‘Better Way’ document on Irish unity was launched by party leader Mark Durkan, Mr Attwood told the Andersonstown News: “People now have very clear choices between a party that stands fully behind democracy and policing, and one that stands for injustice in their policing. The SDLP is the only party that can bring about Irish unity on an agreed basis. Only the SDLP has the ability to persuade enough unionists to vote for Irish unity.”

The SDLP councillor suggested Sinn Féin’s recently released green paper on Irish unity was unworkable. “They couldn’t persuade a single unionist to agree to it,” he said. “Sinn Féin talk about Irish unity but there’s no strategy to bring it about. Gerry Adams said that a united Ireland cannot come about unless there is unionist consent and assent. For the president of a united Ireland party, I find it bizarre that he used those words.

“Our view under the Good Friday Agreement is that if a majority in the North vote for unity, it will be brought about. We don’t give unionists a veto, but we want them to be reassured by it. If you look at our document, we shape out what Irish unity would look like. We can reassure unionists that they have nothing to fear in a united Ireland – that their rights, identity and culture will be respected and their position guaranteed.”

The ‘Better Way’ document, launched at Belfast Castle on Monday, details the party’s support for “the will of the people”.

It adds: “We are 100 per cent for the Good Friday Agreement, just as we are 100 per cent for a united Ireland.

“And that is why, in our strategy for a united Ireland, we believe the Agreement must endure.”

Cllr Attwood added: “We make no apology for working to reassure unionism that our objective is not domination but equal partnership. That’s what persuasion politics is all about. That’s what any party that is serious about achieving unity should be about.”

Responding to Cllr Attwood’s comments, Sinn Féin MLA Michael Ferguson vigorously defended his party’s green paper.

“Sinn Féin have a strategy based on demonstrating the practical benefits and the huge potential of Irish unification. The green paper is the culmination of much of that.

“But we have also a detailed strategy relating to the working relationships of councils throughout the border region that will pay practical dividends. We have a strategy for engaging with civic society on issues such as an All-Ireland Charter of Rights, as well as an agenda for business, community and other sectoral interests, as persuaders for unification.

“We have a strategy to demonstrate to the farming and rural community how their interests are best served within the All-Ireland context, from movement on lifting the beef ban to the implementation of CAP reform.

“There is no point diluting our aspirations to appeal to unionists who I believe deserve to be engaged with honestly. Sinn Féin are totally committed to Irish unification. Unionists know that. Everyone knows that. The job of work is to engage with the unionist community through many different channels – at grass roots level, in and around the community sector, through arguments about the economic potential of unification, and to farming and rural communities.

“The SDLP should appreciate that no-one, unionist or otherwise, will welcome being patronised if all they are looking for is transfers to stave off electoral decline.”

SDLP V SINN Féin: YOU DECIDE

SDLP strategy for a United Ireland

• The Assembly would continue as a regional parliament of a United Ireland with all its cross-community protections. The Irish Constitution would be changed to accommodate this.
• The Executive would be kept, bringing together all political parties.
• The right to identify oneself as British, Irish or both would endure, as would the right to hold British and Irish passports.
• Just as the Irish Government has a say in the North now, the British Government would have a say in the North as a United Ireland.
• Just as there is a northern representation in the Seanad at present, those in the North who want it should have representation in the House of Lords in a United Ireland.
• The party pledges to campaign vigorously in favour of a Yes vote on unity while assuring unionists of their guaranteed place in a United Ireland.
Sinn Fein strategy for a United Ireland

• It would require specific forms of support from popular and political opinion in Britain.
• The existing 18 Westminster MPs would be automatically accorded membership of the Dáil, with consultative and speaking rights.
• A determined number of seats would be allocated to six-county parties in proportion to their electoral representation.
• Voting rights in presidential elections and elections to the Seanad would be extended to citizens in the North.
• The British Government would have no say in the North in a United Ireland.
• The Oireachtas would open the door to those of the unionist tradition who may, in the future, wish to avail of representation. Unionist seats would be left vacant as a constant assertion of the recognition of the Irish nation that they have the right of entitlement in national institutions.

Journalist:: Staff Reporter

Irelandclick.com

Marching Season begins on Monday

The Lower Ormeau Concerned Community residents’ group (LOCC) has met with the Parades Commission to seek reassurance that the current political climate will not affect the parades ban on certain Belfast routes.

Ballynafeigh District Orange Order had applied for permission to put a feeder parade through the Lower Ormeau Road on Easter Monday, but the Parades Commission have confirmed that the restrictions on marching in that area will remain “this year”. The spokesperson added that each decision is taken on a “parade by parade” basis.

The marching season, which will officially begin on Monday, comes earlier than usual this year with the early arrival of Easter.

However, LOCC spokesperson, Gerard Rice, says that for those who live in South Belfast, the marching season “sees no beginning or end”.

He explained: “Some people have the perception that it starts on Easter Monday and ends in November, but we’ve already seen parades in 2005. They happen right through the year.”

Mr Rice says the group was concerned about the Parades Commission being influenced in their decisions by the unstable political climate.
“We were worried because in the past, we’ve seen politics affect decisions. The tendency of the Commission is to appease the unionist community, and we were fearful that the Lower Ormeau Road might be offered to the Apprentice Boys as a kind of olive branch.”

Parades on the Lower Ormeau Road were restricted in April 1999 when the Commission announced a ban on the Protestant Apprentice Boys parading along Lower Ormeau.

In that year, a group of marchers led by traditional flute and drum bands paraded through central Belfast but stopped at the Ormeau Bridge.

Mr Rice continued: “We met with the Commission to make clear that a strong opposition to parades in the area continues to exist. Nothing has happened in the intervening years since the ban to change our position.”

The LOCC spokesman commended the recent restraint of nationalist residents in Belfast during times of parades. “It’s quite clear that certain members of the Orange Order thrive on confrontation. Thankfully, though, our community showed great wisdom last year by completely ignoring the provocation.”

Journalist:: Staff Reporter

Irelandclick.com

Euro visitors learn local history
Students impressed with political tour around West Belfast

A group of international exchange students this week teamed up with local political tour provider, Coiste na-nIarchimí, to gain an important insight into the history of their temporary home, West Belfast.

The students, who have come from across the world to partake in the Erasmus project, are currently studying at St Mary’s University College on the Falls Road and, as part of their teacher training qualification, will spend time in various schools throughout West Belfast.

Availing of the services of Coiste’s Irish Political Tours Project for the first time, St Mary’s University have given the go-ahead for ex-prisoners to have an input into the teaching of the history and politics of the community to the international students. Coiste representative Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín said his group is delighted to be doing business with the local university.

Speaking of the project’s already well-established success, Caoimhín said, “Many universities from around the world have used our services. These universities either have a particular interest in Irish history, politics, and international conflicts, or indeed are studying peace processes.

“In the case of the St Mary’s students, we see this not only as a way of giving the students a background to the British/Irish conflict, it is also an attempt to make these students feel part of the West Belfast community. The community in which they are staying has been at the core of this conflict and it is important they learn about it from people have personal stories to tell.

“If we are serious about hosting international visitors to West Belfast,” continued Caoimhín, “whether they be students or back-packers, it is important that the community make them welcome. Empowering these students with such knowledge is certainly a way of giving them confidence to explore for themselves the back streets of West Belfast where many significant events occurred.”

Over a three-day period the international students, who hail from as far off as Netherlands, Flanders, Belgium, Catalunya, Spain, Greece, Italy, Lithuania and Portugal, have been watching historical videos, participating in tours and have had the opportunity to meet with representatives of all the main political parties.

Speaking during the educational visit to Milltown Cemetery, Greek student Makis Lazaridis, who will be studying at St Mary’s University College until May, said he felt that the tour was an important part of his education and added: “I didn’t have a personal opinion about the IRA, only what I saw through the media, I thought they were terrorists and nothing more, so it’s good to hear other opinions and get a better perspective on the conflict.”

Explaining its decision to join forces with Coiste, the International Office at St Mary’s University College said that the scheme is currently running as a pilot programme but that St Mary’s plan to integrate the course next year into the Learning Agreements, which they sign with their partner universities all over Europe and award ECTS credit points to the students who participate.

Head of the International Office at St Mary’s, Peter Finn, said, “One of the attractions of Belfast for international students is the opportunity to study conflict and its resolution. This course enables students to gain valuable insights through experiential learning and complements their academic reading very well.”

Journalist:: Ciara McGuigan

——————-

Irelandclick.com

Gifted and very popular
Top local student dies in a tragic skiing accident

A West Belfast student has died in a tragic skiing accident in Morganville, West Virginia.

Eugene Morrissey, a student of St Mary’s University College on the Falls Road, was in the States participating in a year long Business Education Initiative (BEI) with Davis and Elkins College and had been enjoying a spring break holiday with friends when the accident happened.

Eugene, 20, from Brenda Park in Finaghy Road North sustained severe injuries to the head and body in the accident on Sunday. He was rushed to the local hospital in Morganville but passed away in hospital on Tuesday of this week.

Eugene was studying to become a teacher at St Mary’s University College.
Last year he was a recipient of an Andersonstown News Group-sponsored Aisling Bursary, and had already completed two years of a Liberal Arts degree with Business Studies at the college.

Having been selected to participate in the BEI programme – a management development programme for undergraduate students offered by the Department of Employment and Learning in the North of Ireland – Eugene had been in regular contact with staff and students at St Mary’s by email and was said to have had many wonderful experiences during his time in the States.

A spokesperson for St Mary’s University College said, “It is with great sadness that the community at St Mary’s University College has learnt of the tragic news that our student Eugene Morrissey has died following a serious accident in the USA.

“Our sincerest sympathy is extended to Eugene’s mother and father, Mary and Eugene, to his brothers Matthew and Jonathan and sister Jennifer, and to the extended Morrissey family.

“A priest from the College community is with Eugene’s parents in the USA and is offering pastoral support.

“Eugene was a gifted and very popular student and his loss has caused great shock at the college.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Training and Learning, which facilitates the BEI scheme, said, “It was with a great sense of shock and sadness that the Department learned of the tragic death of Eugene Morrissey whilst participating on the Business Education Initiative in the United States.

“The Minister and the Department extend sincerest sympathy to Eugene’s parents and family circle at this very difficult time.”

Eugene’s body will be flown home for burial in around 10 days.

Journalist:: Ciara McGuigan

Newshound

Police ‘leaving no stone unturned’ in hunt for killers

(Sharon O’Neill, Irish News)

The SDLP last night (Tuesday) insisted that the police investigation into the murder of east Belfast man Robert McCartney has left “no stone unturned” in the hunt for his killers.

Alex Attwood’s comments came after the PSNI briefed the Policing Board on the status of the probe into the 33-year-old’s killing outside a Belfast bar on January 30.

Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid updated board members on the investigation but it is understood no major progress was reported.

Sinn Féin has accused the PSNI of failing to take immediate action when a witnesses and key suspect, allegedly involved in the ‘clean-up’ operation outside the pub, approached the police for interview.

The IRA has expelled three members following an ‘internal’ investigation into Mr McCartney’s murder.

Several Sinn Féin activists have been suspended and the party’s leadership has urged members to give a “full and frank” account of what they saw in the bar.

Despite a number of arrests no-one has been charged with Mr McCartney’s murder and his family maintain intimidation of witnesses is continuing.

Last night a Policing Board spokesman refused to disclose what police told members of the cross-community body.

“It was routine briefing. Because it is a live investigation the board doesn’t want to run the slightest risk of compromising or prejudicing any cases,” he said.

However, it is understood police confirmed, as previously reported in the media over recent weeks, that the bar was mopped down with bleach and the outside hosed down by the killers in a bid to remove forensic evidence.

Earlier, Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness reiterated his belief that the police were “dragging their heels on key elements” of the investigation into Mr McCartney’s murders – a claim denied by the police.

“The PSNI have still not put the key suspects into an identity parade despite the willingness of eyewitnesses to identify those involved and, incredibly, eyewitness testimony, which identifies some of those involved in events surrounding the attack on Robert McCartney, has not been acted on and those identified by the eyewitnesses have not been charged,” Mr McGuinness said.

“Hugh Orde’s defensive comments in Washington in response to this were totally unconvincing. This investigation is being driven by political considerations rather than justice.”

The Policing Board was also yesterday updated on the investigation into the suspected murder of Bangor woman Lisa Dorrian (25), who was last seen leaving a party in Ballyhalbert last month.

Last night Mr Attwood said of the meeting: “I was happy before the Policing Board meeting and everything we were told confirms that the police are leaving no stone unturned in respect of both murder investigations.

“This is in stark contrast to others who continue not to provide all and every assistance in order to bring about prosecution and justice for the family (of Mr McCartney).

“The police confirmed that the people who last week said that they hadn’t been contacted by the police had been contacted by the police, that the individual who wanted to sign a statement had already given a full video and audio statement and that in respect of the third person who said he wanted to be interviewed, the police are absolutely right to conduct interviews at a time when they can maximise the evidence out of those interviews.”

Mr Attwood added: “The smokescreen that others tried to construct last week has fallen down around them.”

Meanwhile, in a separate development, it was confirmed that Short Strand community worker Deborah Devenny, whose brother-in-law Patrick was seriously injured during disturbances in the area in 2002, was selected by Sinn Féin to contest the forthcoming Westminster and local government elections.

It is understood that Robert McCartney’s sister Paula Arnold is still considering whether to stand in East Belfast for the council elections.

March 24, 2005
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This article appeared first in the March 23, 2005 edition of the Irish News.

irelandforvisitors.com

**many historical photos on site

Easter 1916: The Fight for Irish Freedom

Liberty Hall - Easter 1916 (click thumbnail to view)

by Suzanne Barrett

Just before noon on Easter Monday, April 24th, a group of 150 men strode out of Liberty Hall, then marched toward Sackville Street (now O’Connell Street) a few hundred yards away. About one fourth of the marchers wore the dark-green uniform of the Irish Citizen Army, others wore the grey-green of the Irish Volunteers. Still others–perhaps most of them–wore no uniform. Armed with an odd mixture of rifles, shotguns, and handguns, they moved in step, heading straight for the General Post Office (GPO)….

>>>Read on

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Daily Ireland

Let he who is without blame cast the first stone

By Danny Morrison

Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy refused to meet Gerry Adams on St Patrick’s Day in Washington last week.
He gave Irish republicans’ ‘contempt for the rule of law’ and the failure to cooperate with the police in the murder of Robert McCartney as his reason.
Now, that set me thinking about an incident where there was a celebration, where drink was taken and, at the end of the night a young person died, and where one of those involved asked people to lie about what happened. I know it was a long time ago – 18 July 1969 - and that since then Kennedy has done much good, political work, but it was certainly rich of him to boycott meeting Gerry Adams on the grounds of Adams’ alleged contempt for the rule of law.
In July 1969 Ted Kennedy organised a party for himself and his pals to coincide with the Edgartown Regatta - a weekend of festivities around yacht races. His cousin Joseph Gargan rented Lawrence Cottage on the nearby island of Chappaquiddick near the beach.
There were six married men and six single women at the party, crowded into a small living room. Ted Kennedy’s wife Joan, who was pregnant, was at home.
Besides having drank during the day, the supply of drink for the party was three half gallons of vodka, four bottles of scotch, two bottles of rum and two cases of beer.
Kennedy left the party with 29-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne, a former campaign worker for his assassinated brother, Robert. He later claimed he was driving her back to catch the last ferry. He also claimed that he took a wrong turn - despite having been on the road twice that day. This road led to Dyke Bridge.
Kennedy, who had a record of serious traffic violations, had no current driving licence. He took the narrow bridge too quickly and the car crashed through the bridge and plunged into Poucha Pond, landing upside down under the water.
Kennedy escaped and says that he repeatedly dived under to rescue Kopechne. He said he was confused and in a state of shock. He walked past four occupied houses yet asked no one for help. He walked back to the party, climbed into the back seat of a car and asked one of the men to get him Joseph Gargan, who was also a lawyer. He didn’t tell the girls what had happened.
Kennedy, Gargan and Paul Markham, another lawyer, left the party and drove to the bridge. His two friends stripped and dived repeatedly. They fought a strong current but could not locate Kopechne. They came out, got changed and then drove to the ferry landing at Edgartown. Kennedy told them:
“Why couldn’t Mary Jo have been driving the car? Why couldn’t she have let me off, and driven to the ferry herself and made a wrong turn?”
His lawyer told him that he had to report the accident. Kennedy asked to be brought back to the cottage to establish the story that he had lent Kopechne the car. After a while he would leave, then when he got back to his hotel Gargan could ‘discover’ the accident and report to police that Mary Jo had been alone in the car.
His two friends insisted he inform the police. Kennedy said that he would and that they should go back and take care of the women at the party. Kennedy suddenly jumped into the water and swam across to the other side. It was 2.30am. Instead of informing the police he went to his hotel. His two friends didn’t tell the women what had happened – in case they went to the police before Kennedy. It wasn’t until the next morning that Gargan broke the news. He ordered that the place be tidied up to disguise evidence of a party. He then got them off the island and back to the mainland before Edgartown police even knew they were there.
At eight o’clock the following morning two fishermen noticed the submerged car and alerted the authorities. A diver gave the registration number to the police. They radioed through the details and were informed that it belonged to Edward Kennedy. On closer inspection the diver saw Mary Jo Kopechne and later testified that she was in a position that suggested she had survived the crash, and that she could have been saved if rescue personnel had been promptly called to the scene.
It wasn’t until 10am, nine hours after the accident, that Kennedy linked in with the police. During the night he had made numerous phone calls including one to Mary Jo Kopechne’s parents. The Senator, however, neglected to mention that he was the driver of the accident car when he called to report their daughter’s death. Instead, they learned that information later from a wire service story.
Kennedy gave the police a short written statement in which he made no mention of the party, the women and the drinking, nor that he and his two lawyers had gone back to the scene of the accident in the early hours of the morning, nor that they had urged him to report the accident immediately. Furthermore, they sat with him in the station when the written statement was taken.
An inspector read over the statement and thought there was something wrong with it. He said:
“I would like to know about something.”
“I have nothing more to say!” Kennedy answered brusquely. “I have no comment.” Markham said, “The Senator will make a further statement after he has contacted his [New York] lawyer,” but he never did.
Kennedy was charged with leaving the scene of an accident after causing personal injury. The hearing, eight days after Kopechne’s drowning, lasted seven minutes and smacked of a deal worked out in advance. His guilty plea precluded cross-examination and the taking of evidence. He was given a two-month suspended sentence. The police didn’t hear about the party until after the trial. Nor was there an autopsy carried out to find the exact cause of death.
So, with that example of a cover-up, the destruction of evidence, contempt for the law and failure to fully cooperate with police, I think it ill-behoves Senator Ted Kennedy to be lecturing anyone.

Danny Morrison is a regular media commentator on Irish politics. He is the author of three novels and three works of non-fiction. His play about the IRA, ‘The Wrong Man’, begins a three-week run in the Pleasance Theatre, London, from March 12.

Belfast Telegraph

Window on history opens

By Clare Weir
22 March 2005

A window on history has been unveiled in the city.

The stained glass window commemorating Women in Irish History was officially unveiled yesterday at a special cross community ceremony at Age Concern’s Malvern House facility in the Waterside.

Mayor Gearóid Ó’hÉara attended the event along with members of the Shared City Project who spearheaded the initiative, and artist, Bridget Murray.

Speaking at the launch, Jeanette Warke of the Shared City project said that the window recognises the contribution made by women in history.

“The group thoroughly enjoyed the experience and welcomed the opportunity to portray their thoughts and experiences in including them as part of their own design in the stained glass window,” she said.

She explained that Bridget Murray had facilitated workshops with the group on the design of the window as well as assisting in the production of a leaflet with details of the stained glass windows in St Augustine’s Church, St Columb’s Cathedral and St Columb’s Church, Long Tower.

Mayor of Derry, Councillor Gearóid Ó’hÉara, said that the window was of significant value to the community.

“The Age Concern building now has an impressive and beautiful piece of work which I believe will be appreciated by the community and future generations to come,” he said.

unison.ie/Irish Independent

Taoiseach pours scorn on IRA offer to co-operate

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern poured scorn on claims by the IRA and Sinn Fein that they’re offering to co-operate with the investigation into the murder of Robert McCartney.

He expressed his clear frustration at the lack of progress by police, despite the alleged offers of assistance from the republican movement.

Mr Ahern went on to voice his fears that in the current climate the marching season in summer could be particularly difficult this year, even by Northern Ireland’s standards.

Both issues were discussed during a short bilateral on the margins of the two-day EU Summit, with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Mr Ahern was clearly contemptuous of the lack of substance behind the offers of co-operation from Republicans despite the ongoing campaign of Mr McCartney’s sisters.

“Sinn Fein and the IRA say they’re still going to be helpful - and all of that - but it remains to be seen where we get,” he said.

Sinn Fein election candidates, party supporters, and IRA members were in the Belfast bar on the night of Mr McCartney’s brutal murder by IRA members last January.

None has given any meaningful information that would assist the police investigation into the killing or its subsequent cover-up by Sinn Fein and IRA members. “I just think it’s unacceptable that we haven’t got any witnesses,” he said.

Conor Sweeney
in Brussels

BBC

‘Drugs link’ man’s assets frozen

This house in Glenavy was one of the assets seized

Nearly £5m of assets belonging to a man with alleged links to drugs and loyalist terrorists have been frozen by Northern Ireland’s High Court.

The Assets Recovery Agency was granted an interim order and a receiver has taken control of assets of about £4.8m.

The assets, including property in France, belong to Colin Armstrong and Geraldine Mallon from Glenavy.

The ARA claims Mr Armstrong was linked to drug trafficking between Belgium and Northern Ireland in 1994.

ARA Assistant Director Alan McQuillan outlined their allegations.

“We are alleging he was dealing in all types of illegal drugs,” he said.

“In the case of Ms Mallon, we have simply alleged that she is Mr Armstrong’s partner, that she holds some of the assets in her own name, and that she is a director of some of the companies.”

Mr Armstrong owns 46 properties in Northern Ireland and a number of companies, including two identified as Modern Homes (NI) Ltd and Tudor Road Properties Ltd.

It is alleged that the 38-year-old had links with the UVF, and then the LVF following the split between those organisations.

Northern Ireland Office security minister Ian Pearson said it was a major operation by the agency.

“This is another significant action by the ARA and clearly indicates the agency’s commitment to deprive criminals of their profits,” he said.