State colluded with IRA to cover-up attack
(Irish News)
A veteran Derry IRA man who was vocal in his criticism of the Sinn Féin leadership has accused republicans of colluding with the state to silence him.
Mickey Donnelly, one of the original ‘hooded men’ who successfully sued the British government on torture charges, claims a gang who beat him and his family in 1998 were assisted by police.
Mr Donnelly’s allegations follow last week’s conviction of 38-year-old Hugh Sheerin from Marlborough Road in Derry for his part in the assault.
Sheerin was given a three-year suspended sentence at Belfast Crown Court after being found guilty of hijacking a taxi, detaining a person against his will, causing grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon and five counts of assault.
No-one else has been convicted of any charges relating to the assault on Mr Donnelly, in which he suffered a broken leg, fractured hand and serious head and body injuries.
He said the gang burst into his home and used a CS spray on his wife and assaulted his daughters, one of whom was only 11.
At the time he accused a Provisional IRA punishment gang of carrying out the attack.
But in a letter to The Irish News Mr Donnelly went further and accused the RUC – and latterly the PSNI – of colluding with republicans to “cover up of the actions of the Provisional IRA’s armed gangs”.
He alleged that the police knew of the attack on his home beforehand, that they “facilitated” the perpetrators and “hampered” the investigation into the assault.
Mr Donnelly said he was beaten up because of his opposition to the Good Friday Agreement.
In his detailed allegations, the Derry republican said that on the night of the attack he was stopped at a police checkpoint minutes from his home.
“The patrol’s only question to me was whether I was returning directly home,” he said.
“I refused to answer this question and was threatened with arrest. After persistent repetition of this one question I was only let go after I answered in the affirmative.”
He said that five minutes later a gang of six armed men entered his home and assaulted him and his family.
Mr Donnelly alleged that police officers arrived at the house moments later – even though the incident had not been reported.
He listed a further series of allegations which include the police’s failure to take forensic evidence from the getaway car, losing vital clues and failing to interview suspects.
The former Long Kesh internee alleged charges were only brought against Sheerin after the assault was raised with the Police Ombudsman’s office.
Mr Donnelly claimed that Sheerin pleaded guilty to the charges in order to prevent damaging revelations for Sinn Féin and the PSNI.
“We can only ask who are they protecting and why?,” he said.
“Why has no action been taken against the other members of the gang?”
A Sinn Féin spokesman last night (Sunday) dismissed Mr Donnelly’s allegations, adding that Hugh Sheerin had not been charged with IRA membership.
A police spokesperson said that if Mr Donnelly was not satisfied with the police investigation then he should contact the Police Ombudsman’s office.
Mr Donnelly did not direct any of his criticism at the judge in the case who handed down a suspended sentence to Sheerin.
In his judgement Judge Weatherup cited a number of reason for the suspended sentence including the time which had lapsed since the events, Sheerin’s “stable family relationship, dependent children, mature years, ill health” and the absence of a paramilitary background.
The judge also took into account his guilty plea and accepted the police opinion that he had had “a periphery role” in the attack.
Sheerin’s employment history also had merit as did his “settled family circumstances” and “good background”.
The judge said Sheerin was “regarded as a quietly spoken, articulate, thoughtful individual” who a Probation Service report declared to be “of low risk to the public and low likelihood of reoffending”.
Sheerin’s record was at least 13 to 15 years old and “concerns a number of minor motoring indiscretions relating to R plates, driving licences and one incidence of careless driving”, he added.
June 28, 2005
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This article appeared first in the June 27, 2005 edition of the Irish News.
