SAOIRSE32

Daily Ireland

No bullet wounds on body in canal

Ciarán Barnes c.barnes@dailyireland.com

The body of a man found in a car recovered from Newry Canal on Sunday, believed to be that of Real IRA member Gareth O’Connor, did not appear to have any bullet wounds, security sources said last night.
The PSNI have yet to establish if the badly decomposed body is that of Mr O’Connor, who disappeared in May 2003.
A post mortem examination failed to identify the body or determine the cause of death.
Dental records and DNA will now be used.
The PSNI have confirmed that the Volkswagen Golf the body was discovered in belonged to Mr O’Connor.
Following the 24-year-old’s disappearance, both the PSNI and Mr O’Connor’s family said he had been murdered by the IRA, a claim denied by republicans.
However, the apparent lack of bullet wounds to the body and the fact that it was found in the seating section of the car casts fresh doubts on these assertions.
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said that, despite this, detectives were still treating Mr O’Connor’s disappearance as murder.
She also said that it could take some time to confirm that the body is that of the Armagh man.
Mr O’Connor’s father, Mark O’Connor, told Daily Ireland that the PSNI had been in touch with him regarding the body find.
He said: “The post mortem is inconclusive. The family has spoken to the police and until they can tell us for sure it is Gareth we cannot comment.
“We don’t want to speculate before we are certain.”
Mr O’Connor was reported missing after he failed to report to Dundalk Gardai station as part of his bail conditions on a charge of being a member of the Real IRA.
He was last spotted on closed circuit television pictures driving through the Co Armagh village of Newtownhamilton.
In a court case last year involving four Co Tyrone men who were cleared of trying to kill police and British soldiers, it was revealed that Mr O’Connor had been working as a PSNI informer.
The men claimed they were engaged in a burglary planned by Mr O’Connor when they were ambushed and captured in an undercover operation carried out by the PSNI.
During the incident, a rocket launcher was produced and the men were accused of being about to take part in a Real IRA attack.
During the trial, it emerged that Mr O’Connor had been in possession of two mobile telephones shown to have been used to contact police officers.
As the trial continued, suspicion for the father-of-two’s disappearance switched towards dissident republicans.
Acquitting the four men, the judge said: “The role of Gareth O’Connor remains enigmatic as an informer playing an active role in liaison with the police.”
There were, he continued, unanswered questions “as to his involvement and as to the pressures and inducement that may have been exerted on him to bring about the capturing of the defendants.”

online.ie

Munster Real IRA leadership jailed

online.ie
2005-06-13 13:20:05+01

The leader of the Real IRA in Munster was jailed for five years and nine months, his second in command was jailed for four years and three other members of a Real IRA active service unit were given sentence ranging from three years to four years at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today.

The court jailed Ciaran ‘’Kiwi ‘’ O’ Dwyer for five years and nine months, his second in command Ultan Larkin for four years, Gerard Varian for three years, John Murphy for four years and Aidan O’ Driscoll for three years for membership of an illegal organisation.

The men were convicted of the charges last week after a 20 day trial.

Jailing the men Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding, said: “The court is satisfied that each of the accused was an active member of the Real IRA, a dissident organisation that is not on ceasefire. The court views these charges very seriously.'’

Superintendent James Browne told the court last week that Ciaran ‘’Kiwi'’ O’ Dwyer was the officer commanding the Real IRA in Munster and in charge of operations in Cork and Limerick.

The Superintendent said that Ultan Larkin was O’ Dwyer’s second in command and he added: “He is not a foot soldier.

The five men are Ciaran O’ Dwyer (aged 50), of Castletroy View, Limerick; John Murphy (aged 25), of Ashburton House, Kilbarry, Old Mallow Road, Cork; Ultan Larkin (aged 34), of The Bungalow, Farranshone, Limerick; Gerard Varian (aged 46), of Bride Valley View, Fairhill, Cork and Aidan O’ Driscoll (aged 26) of Glenheights Park, Ballyvolane, Cork.
They were all convicted of membership of an illegal organisation styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on December 15, 2003.

Last week Detective Superintendent Tony Quilter, Anglesea St, Cork told the court that men belonged to the group know as the Real IRA and that Varian, O’ Driscoll and Murphy were an active service unit of that organisation based in Cork city.

Superintendent James Browne said that Ciaran O’ Dwyer was convicted of IRA membership in 1973 and was jailed for a year then. He was also jailed in 1990 for twelve years for possession of 40,000 rounds of ammunition, seven AK 47 assault rifles, a handgun and Semtex and was released in 1995 as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

“Since then he has been a leading light in the Real IRA in the Munster area and is in charge of operations in Limerick and Cork,” he added.

Assistant Commissioner Jerry Kelly gave evidence during the trial that he believed the accused Larkin and O’ Dwyer were members of an illegal organisation. Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Mc Andrew gave evidence that he believed Varian, Murphy and O’ Driscoll were each members of an illegal organisation.

BreakingNews.ie

Sinn Féin meet British government to discuss marching

13/06/2005 - 16:49:29

Sinn Féin are meeting the British government this evening to discuss possible tensions during the next few weeks of the loyalist marching season.

Areas where Orange parades are being opposed by nationalist residents such as Derry, Portadown and north and east Belfast are potential flashpoints.

The first test could come as early as this Friday when the Orange Order attempts to march past the Ardoyne flashpoint in North Belfast.

Former lord mayor and Sinn Féin assembly member, Alex Maskey, is calling for dialogue.

“On Friday we have what’s known as the ‘tour of the north’ which is a massive Orange Order demonstration throughout all of north Belfast,” said Mr Maskey.

“The Orange Order once again has refused to engage in any dialogue with any of the local communities.

“We hope to have a peaceful summer which is all the more difficult, and we are calling on the British government here to make appropriate steps to make sure these people are given the permission to walk through without having the least bit of regard for the local communities.”

Belfast Telegraph

**Prayers needed for little baby Erin

Parents in new hope for liver op tot Erin

By Nigel Gould
13 June 2005

The father of a baby Ulster girl, who is recovering after a 10-hour life-saving transplant op, said today he was hopeful his little daughter would be breathing on her own within the next few days.

Simon Nicks said he was “cautiously optimistic” after baby Erin’s liver surgery.

Speaking from Birmingham Children’s Hospital where the 10-month-old underwent her operation on Saturday, he said: “We are taking each day as it comes.

“At the moment doctors are making sure her blood is right and generally keeping an eye on things.

“The big worry is rejection of her new organ.

“The operation went well and hopefully we will get her off the ventilator some time this week.”

She will remain in intensive care while doctors monitor her condition.

The little girl from Whitecross in Co Armagh was critically ill with many complications from liver disease.

Last week, Simon said he and wife Orla desperately hoped a donor could be found, as she had stopped breathing a few days before that.

Mr Nicks said his daughter was born healthy but, after six weeks, blood tests picked up a problem.

“Since then, it has been a constant stream of hospitals and medicine and speaking to consultants and doctors,” he said.

Both parents have been keeping a daily vigil at Erin’s bedside.

He said the news that a donor had been found had come out of the blue.

“There’s a long way to go but this is just what we’ve been waiting for,” he said.

Irelandclick.com

Residents to oppose mast

• EXCLUSIVE: 60 mobile phone masts in West Belfast alone

Riverdale residents have vowed to fight tooth and nail to stop the proposed erection of a mobile phone mast in the area.

On behalf of the network giant Vodafone UK Ltd, Belfast’s Mono Consultants Limited have delivered notice of the proposals to homes in the Riverdale Park North area whose rear gardens back on to the proposed site.

The notice read: “Vodafone UK Ltd have identified the need for a potential Vodafone cell site to the north-west of 186 Andersonstown Road in order to improve the existing coverage within the area.” The letter then went on to invite local residents to enter into discussions before the submission of a formal planning application.

Chairman of the Riverdale Residents’ Association, Paul Lavery, said the community are firmly against the erection of another mobile phone mast in the area.

And the Andersonstown News can reveal that there are over 60 mobile phone masts in West Belfast already.

“Apparently the network are only obligated to notify residents living within 90 metres of the mast,” said Mr Lavery. “Therefore only seven homes in Riverdale Park North were informed as well as two in Slievegallion and two in Slieveban,” he said.

“Considering the much publicised relationship between these masts and cancer-related illnesses, we are not happy about this proposal.”

Mr Lavery contacted the network to voice his concerns and was forwarded literature regarding health and safety issues from Vodafone.
“They sent this literature in an attempt to persuade residents to accept the phone mast. Vodafone are obviously an interested party and I don’t accept their health and safety information. I have been doing my own research into this issue and can confirm that we are going to fight this to the end.”

Sinn Féin MLA Michael Ferguson, who famously blocked a similar proposal in West Belfast two years ago by standing in the hole dug out for the mast, has given his support to the residents.

“My position on this is clear. I have blocked previous applications for similar proposals and I will be supporting Councillor Michael Browne and the Riverdale residents in whatever course of action they decide to take to oppose this proposal,” he said.

The Riverdale Residents’ Association are convening a meeting to gather further support for their campaign and get a delegation together to meet with agents from Vodafone to discuss the issue.

An official British government website lists details of over 60 mobile phone masts located in and around the greater West Belfast area.

Sitefinder, the official website of the Office of Communications, Ofcom, lists the network provider and location of every mobile phone base station across Britain and the North of Ireland.

A huge number of the 60 registered masts are dotted along the length of Andersonstown Road, four of which are within a 500-metre distance stretching between the site of the Andersonstown Barracks and The Kennedy Way roundabout, close to the proposed new site.

The largest number of these masts, however, are clustered in and around the Millfield area of West Belfast, with at least 20 masts located within metres of the Divis area of the lower Falls.

The Ofcom website emphasises that it is not, however, responsible for planning or health issues relating to mobile phone base stations and masts. The site was last updated in March of this year.

Journalist:: Francesca Ryan

Irelandclick.com

New suicide mural unites local youth

Local young people have come together to paint a spectacular mural to heighten awareness of the issues surrounding suicide.

The colourful, Glasgow Celtic-themed, artwork spans four large placards and is sure to turn heads when it is erected at the bottom of Beechmount Avenue next week.

Kathleen Creaney from St James’ is one of a group of 10 young people who work voluntarily as peer educators in the Beechmount Community Project.

The group of 18-year-olds were involved in a suicide awareness course in March of this year. The training was provided to help them identify the signs of a person who may be considering taking their own life and what advice to provide. When the training concluded the youths decided to actively participate in the mural project to try to further assist local people who may be feeling depressed.

“We decided on Celtic Football Club,” said Kathleen “because it would appeal to a lot of young people, and catch people’s eyes. That is why we intentionally made it bright and colourful. It is meant to make people stop and think.

“We have also included contact numbers of help lines such as the Lenadoon Helpline, Women’s Aid and the NSPCC.

Kathleen, who is hoping to study social work in Queen’s University next year, believes that the positive message of the mural will make a contribution to the lives of local people.

“If one person looks at the mural and rings one of the numbers, then it has been a success. That was one of our aims, to create awareness about suicide because it is a subject that people don’t like to talk about.”

A unique quality is added to this mural by its very personal content. “We have left space around the border for the families of people who have taken their own life to write messages. Some of the families have already written in it. My uncle Michael Burns committed suicide in 1998, so my family wrote a message, ‘This is for my uncle Michael who is always in our thoughts. Love you always.’
”
Kathleen is not the only one of the 10 peer volunteers to have endured the painful experience of losing a family member to suicide – two of her friends working on the project have similar experiences. And if this seems a high number of people from one small group, the harsh reality that this is the rule rather than the exception is graphically illustrated by the shocking statistic that one person in Ireland makes an attempt to take their own life every 45 minutes.

Statistics such as these have led families who have lost relatives to suicide in West and North Belfast to unite under the group Families Affected Through Suicide. Evelyn Gilroy is a member of the campaign group, and is also the Vice-Chair on the management committee of the Beechmount Community Project. She was clearly moved by the work that the youths put into the mural.

“This is wonderful,” said Evelyn as she admired the mural. “They have covered every issue, and are really getting the message across. This is helping to remove the stigma of suicide, raising awareness of the issues and encouraging people to talk about it. This group of teens have been a credit to this community. Not only have they painted this beautiful mural, but they have printed up cards with the helpline numbers on them. They will also be participating in a drama about the issues behind suicide which will be held in BIFHE on the Whiterock in August.”

Evelyn herself has been personally touched by suicide with her daughter, Denise Gilroy, taking her own life four years ago. Denise’s daughter Lindsay (14) has already graced the mural by penning a message to her mother which says simply: “Denise Dee Dee Gilroy. Missed and never forgotten. Lots of love, your daughter Lindsay and family. xoxo.”

Evelyn was amongst the group of family members who stormed the North and West Health and Social Services Trust in April of this year to demand a national strategy in line with that already in existence in Scotland. The group are now seeking a meeting with Shaun Woodward, having sent him an invitation to meet to discuss the issue.

“That was five weeks ago now and he still hasn’t responded, and if he doesn’t respond we will be marching to Stormont,” she said adamantly.
The official unveiling of the mural will take place at lower Beechmount Avenue at 11am this Wednesday, and everyone is welcome to come along.

Journalist:: Ciaran Barnes

RTE

EU agreement reached over Irish language

13 June 2005 12:32

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD, has welcomed today’s decision by EU Foreign Ministers unanimously to approve the Irish Government’s proposal to accord official and working status in the EU to the Irish language.

He said: ‘I am very pleased that the Irish language has been accorded official and working status in the European Union. This affirms at European level the dignity and status of our first official language. This represents a particularly significant practical step for the Irish language, and complements the Government’s wider policy of strong support for the language at home.’

The proposal results in a major enhancement of the status of the Irish language in the EU. It becomes the twenty-first official and working language of the Union.
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The Government tabled a proposal in Brussels last November seeking official and working status in the EU for the Irish language.

To date, Irish has been accorded the status of a Treaty language. This derives from the fact that the Treaties are in Irish and that in the Treaties Irish is listed as one of the languages in which the text is authentic.

The Government’s proposal required the unanimous support of member states. The formal adoption of the proposal by the General Affairs and External Relations Council changes the status of Irish to that of an official and working language of the Union.

RTE

Archaeological work to begin at Tara

13 June 2005 12:01

Preliminary archaeological work will begin today at Tara in advance of the construction of the planned M3 motorway through Co Meath’s Tara-Skryne Valley.

The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, cleared the way for the motorway last month by issuing directions to Meath County Council on how archaeological work was to be conducted.

The project was approved by An Bord Pleanála two years ago, but was delayed until the minister issued licences for archaeological excavations along the controversial route.

Sunday Business Post

IRA grassroots resist leaders on disbanding

12 June 2005
By Paul T Colgan and Barry O’Kelly

The IRA leadership is facing resistance among its grassroots members about plans to wind down the organisation and decommission weaponry, republican sources have said.

An unprecedented consultation with rank-and-file IRA members has been carried out in recent weeks following the invitation by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams on April 6 for the IRA to embrace a completely political strategy.

The rumblings of discontent are believed to centre on the east Tyrone and border brigades of the IRA. However, sources said the leadership should still be able to push through the effective disbandment of the organisation.

Republican sources said that the IRA would not allow photographs to be taken of the decommissioned weapons, despite calls for this by the Taoiseach and Tony Blair. It is expected that the organisation will allow two clergymen, one Catholic and one Protestant, to verify that decommissioning had taken place.

Unlike previous occasions, the final decision to stand down will not be made at an IRA army convention, the sources said.

A number of changes were made to the IRA constitution in 1997 that may allow the leadership to take a decision without putting it to a vote.

“Changes were made in 1997, which could allow them to do that,” said a republican source.

Republicans are thought to be concerned that a formal meeting of the IRA army council and executive could provide a platform for those opposed to standing down.

In 1997, former IRA quartermaster Michael McKevitt walked out on an army convention, and later went on to form the Real IRA.

Government sources believe an IRA statement will happen before July 10 -Drumcree Sunday. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said last week that he did not expect to have to wait much longer for the statement.

“Last year we had a lot of tensions, so I would hope that we will be able to manage that to get it into a positive context,” he said. Ahern has met senior Sinn Féin members on three occasions in recent weeks, prompting speculation that a move by the IRA is imminent.

BBC

**In my opinion, this is not a ‘corporate’ failure; this was some one person’s responsibility to make sure that this gate was either made safe or replaced–and this was not done. It was let to just remain the way it was. This verdict of O’Loan’s is a cop-out.

Police ‘failed’ over gates death

Mr Connolly died after being crushed in the gate