SAOIRSE32

**Posted by Peter Urban to Seven Stars Republican Socialist News

28 October 2005

Despite the various badges, buttons, and pins having been sold on eBay for a number of years, six different listing of items related to the Irish National Liberation Army on eBay were recently removed, with the explanation that eBay did not permit the posting of items that promoted hatred or violence. In response to this action, Peter Urban of the International Republican Socialist Committees wrote to eBay protesting the suspensions and arguing tha, after seven years on ceasefire, it was absurd to claim that the INLA were advocates of violence.

The response to that protest from eBay identified an ‘agency of the government’ as the party who had identified the INLA as advocates of hatred and violence. The message read:

Hello Peter,

Thanks for writing to us. I appreciate the chance to help you with your questions.

I have reviewed your listings and found that they were removed correctly. eBay does not allow the sale of items related to groups who promote violence, racial or religious intolerance, or glorify hatred. The INLA has been identified to us by a government agency as a group that fits into this category, and therefore will not be allowed on eBay.

This intervention of governmental agencies into the affairs of eBay, especially when the information they are providing appears to be inaccurate, arbitrary, and intended to censor shades of political perspective, must be condemned.

Peter Urban commented, “As was stated to eBay in the original letter of protest, eBay clearly allows the sale of a great many items related to military and paramilitary organizations, which include emblems that feature representations of weapons. eBay has not suspended these listings, accusing U.S. or other national military organizations as advocating hatred and violence, despite a good many such entities being active in the world
today, in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as elsewhere, wreaking death and destruction on innocent civilians; but the INLA, which has been on a cease-fire since August of 1998 is labled as advocates of hatred and violence.”

“This ban of items bearing the emblem of the INLA,” he concluded, “cannot be justified under the quidelines eBay quoted. Clearly, this is nothing less than an act of political censorship and part of an effort to demonise any organisation prepared to defend the interests of working class people against the armed might of the imperialist powers of the world.

Protest eBay’s Ban of the INLA

Claiming that the Irish National Liberation Army was identified to them by an ‘agency of the government’ as a group “who promote violence, racial or religious intolerance, or glorify hatred”, eBay suspended the listing of all items related to the Irish republican socialist organization.

One of the listings that was suspended did not even include the name of the INLA or any depiction of weapons, but was instead a badge in support of the Republican Socialist Prisoners of War fund, which included the group’s traditional image of a prisoner clasping the bars of a cell.

The Irish Republican Socialist Committees, and independent republican socialist organization, is asking all those who share their concerns over this act of political censorship by the on-line auction giant and the troubling intervention of government agencies in determining the content of eBay’s listings to send messages of protest to eBay’s community feedback form, which can be accessed >>HERE.

ENDS

BBC

Many pupils have left Knocknagoney primary school

There are fears that the loyalist feud could affect the education of children in east Belfast estates.

One school said pupils were also being injured as they replayed paramilitary violence.

One child has been seriously injured and others frightened and traumatised following the loyalist feud in the Knocknagoney and Garnerville estates. So many pupils have left Knocknagoney primary school, it says it is in danger of losing a teacher.

Principal Mandy White said: “I would like people to recognise what has happened.

“The effect that it has had on the school, the effect that it has had on the children and the staff.

“We need support - for people to come to us and offer support in whatever way they can.

“Not just financial support - but people coming up to inquire of the staff if they are okay and can we help.”

Children in the area had gone through a traumatic experience and the school needed extra resources, she said.

Principal Mandy White wants people to recognise what happened

The loss of pupils had meant a loss of revenue for the school, said the principal.

The school said it had not even had a phone call from the Belfast Education Board to ask how it was coping.

The board said it was in discussion with Knocknagoney but admitted a letter has only just been sent out and should arrive next week.

BBC

Army experts defused bomb found on road

A bomb has been made safe by Army experts near Armagh city.

The “small viable device” was found near the Baltarran Road on Friday afternoon.

The police carried out searches on Thursday and Friday following two telephone bomb warnings received on Thursday.

The device was in a metal box placed on the ground and police said it was capable of causing injury if it had been handled.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Baltarran Road area - a minor road off the main Killylea Road - in recent days.

They can be contacted on 028 37 523311.

BBC

“THE Greysteel massacre stands out as a horror of horrors in 30 years of bloody conflict in Northern Ireland. On Hallowe’en night, 31 October 1993, masked gunmen of the outlawed Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), the killer wing of the loyalist Ulster Defence Association (UDA), walked into the Rising Sun bar in the tiny village of Greysteel just outside Derry, shouted “Trick or treat” and mowed down six Catholics and one Protestant with an AK47 assault rifle and a Browning automatic pistol. One of their victims was 81 years old. None had any involvement in the conflict”.

The Tablet

Greysteel murderer Stephen Irwin has been jailed for four years for slashing a football supporter with a knife.

Belfast Crown Court heard Irwin’s victim needed almost 200 stitches. The attack happened during last year’s Irish Cup Final in Windsor Park.

Irwin was sentenced to eight life sentences but was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

Crown Court Judge Kevin Finnegan said the court could well have been dealing with another murder charge.

Irish Examiner

28 October 2005

By Harry McGee
THE Progressive Democrats were yesterday accused of backing down from their proposal that the so-called Colombia Three be made serve their prison sentences in Ireland.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe yesterday claimed Tánaiste Mary Harney suggested last August that the Transfer of Sentences Bill might provide a solution to allow the three republicans serve sentences in Ireland for convictions handed down in Colombia.

“But, said Mr O’Keeffe, the PDs had gone “very cold on the idea of using the new legislation.”

The claim of a PD U-turn emerged during an exchange between Mr O’Keeffe and Justice Minister Michael McDowell as the Report Stage of the Transfer of Sentence Bill was being debated in the Dáil.

Mr McDowell said the Bill was prepared long before the Colombia Three controversy arose. He said it was never the case that the Bill was “tailor made” to deal with that situation.

The Justice Minister said the State which imposed the sentence needs to sign up to the Convention and Protocol that allows sentences to be transferred from one jurisdiction to another. Colombia has not done that to date, he said.

He also pointed out that Colombia has also applied for extradition of the three men, James Monaghan, Niall Connolly and Martin McCauley. He went on to say that if extradition was not possible, then it was unlikely that sentences could be transferred if there was no equivalence between the offences in Ireland and Colombia.

However, the minister’s spokesperson later said that it would remain an option if extradition was not possible because of other reasons other that the need for equivalent offences.

However, Mr O’Keeffe contended the minister’s identification of obstacles to this solution flew in the face of a press release issued by the Tánaiste in August when she specifically identified this legislation as a means of making the men serving their 17-year sentences.

Mr O’Keeffe argued: “Tough talk at the end of the summer has wilted away to dry procedural debate. All the while the three convicted men remain at large as the solution is abandoned.”

Meanwhile, Mr McDowell also formally withdrew his threat yesterday to outsource prison escorts and other services to private contractors.

In a Senate debate on the Prisons Bill, he said the acceptance by prison officers of new work practices and pay arrangements no longer made those contingency plans necessary.

Belfast Telegraph

By Noel McAdam, Political Correspondent
nmcadam@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
28 October 2005

The DUP must also deal with the issue of decommissioning - over the issue of Ulster Resistance weapons, Sinn Fein has inisted.

Ian Paisley’s party came under fire from republicans as the prospects for early devolution talks faded further over the Governments’ plans for on-the-runs.

As it emerged meaningful talks could be postponed until after legislation on fugitives has passed through Parliament, Sinn Fein attempted to apply pressure on the DUP which has vowed to oppose the plan - including possible human rights-based legal action.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the DUP would have to take full responsibility for the continuation of direct rule and unaccountable government if it failed to grab the current opportunity.

“There will be difficult decisions for the incoming Executive and Assembly. But perhaps the biggest decisions at this time is for the DUP,” the West Belfast MP said.

“Do they have the confidence to govern this place with the rest of us or will they allow British Ministers to continue to do so in the interests of the British government instead of the people here?”

He said continuing Direct Rule would mean more cuts to public services, including education and health as well as increased rates and water charges.

The attack came as DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said there was no future for either loyalist or republican paramiltaries in Northern Ireland.

BreakingNews.ie

28/10/2005 - 13:18:42

Jailed “Real IRA” leader Michael McKevitt is to launch an appeal against his conviction for directing the activities of a terrorist organisation.

The Court of Criminal Appeal was yesterday told the case, which will run for four days, will go ahead in two weeks time.

The three-judge court will first have to read the transcripts of the 27-day trial before the Special Criminal Court two years ago.

Michael McKevitt (aged 52) Beech Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth was jailed for 20 years by the Special Criminal Court for directing the activities of a terrorist organisation between August 29, 1999 and October 23rd, 2000.

The court also imposed a concurrent six-year sentence for membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, commonly referred to as the “Real IRA”.

Passing sentence in the Special Criminal Court Mr Justice Richard Johnson presiding said McKevitt played a leading role in the organisation referred to as the Real IRA.

The court was satisfied that the offences for which McKevitt was convicted were “planned and pre-meditated “and caused serious harm to people and property.

The court said the offences for which McKevitt were convicted were outside the date of the Omagh bombing.

“The court must not be seen to seek revenge for that atrocity and would not seek to do so,” Mr Justice Johnson said. The appeal will go ahead on November 8 next.

BBC

Johnny Adair was arrested last month

Former loyalist paramilitary leader Johnny Adair has been sentenced to a 12-month supervision order after admitting assaulting his wife.

The 42-year-old, formerly of Chorley New Road, Horwich, attacked his wife in a park in the town on 26 September, hours after being released from jail.

Adair was seen kneeling on his wife and “punching her repeatedly with both arms,” Bolton magistrates court heard.

He walked free from jail but was ordered to pay her £250 compensation.

Gina Adair suffered bruising to her face and cuts but did not require hospital treatment. The couple have been married for 23 years and have four children.

The couple had been celebrating Johnny Adair’s release

Adair, a former senior member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), moved to Bolton, Greater Manchester, after an internal feud in the organisation.

He had been released from jail on the day of the attack after serving 39 days for harassment.

A group of children and their parents reported the attack to police after they saw him drag his wife by the hair as she tried to run away.

The couple had been walking home from a nearby pub after celebrating his release from prison.

‘Totally unacceptable’

The court was told the harassment charge did not relate to Mrs Adair but that he did have some history of domestic violence.

The Probation Service will supervise him one-on-one as he is not deemed suitable for group work.

Ch Supt Dave Lea said the attack was “totally unacceptable.”

“This attack took place, somewhat shamelessly, in the middle of a park in broad daylight in front of schoolchildren playing football close by.

“We are committed to reducing violent crime across Bolton and, as a result, we pursued a prosecution in this case despite the fact that the victim did not want to give evidence.”

BBC

A man accused under parliamentary privilege of being a UVF killer and police informer has been denied bail.

Mark Haddock, 36, of Mount Vernon in Belfast has been in custody since August 2003 charged with the attempted murder of a nightclub doorman.

A police inspector told the court his release would put lives in danger.

The defence argued that his length of detention prior to the start of a trial was unreasonable, but a judge said his release could lead to public disorder.

The bail application was heard at Belfast Crown Court on Friday.

A police inspector said the accused had been a “leading member of the UVF and drug dealer” for some time.

Victim beaten

Defence pointed out that his co-accused in the case - who had been in custody for the same period of time - was released on bail last week.

However, the judge denied bail, accepting that Mr Haddock’s release could lead to public disorder, and because the trial is due to start next week.

On Thursday in the Irish Parliament, the Dail, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte claimed Mr Haddock was a “UVF leader”.

He alleged the accused had been implicated in a number of murders, but had escaped punishment as he was a “police informer who enjoyed protection”.

Mr Haddock is accused of trying to murder nightclub doorman Trevor Gowdy who was found unconscious on the Monkstown estate in Newtownabbey in December, 2002.

Mr Gowdy, from Ballyclare, had been repeatedly stabbed and struck with a hatchet and baton.

BBC

A resolution to parade disputes in Derry is said to be close

A long-term resolution to parade disputes in Derry between the Apprentice Boys and the Bogside Residents’ Group may be imminent.

Derry businessman Garbhan O’Doherty said he is hopeful the two sides are nearing an understanding.

Mr O’Doherty has been mediating between the groups.

The agreement would ensure talks over feeder parades for the annual August march would involve “housekeeping” issues rather than fundamental ones.

Mr O’Doherty did not want to be drawn on the detail of the talks, but he did confirm they had intensified and there was reason to hope the decade-long dispute was reaching a long-term solution.

“All of the interested parties are working on the long-term resolution to the Apprentice Boys marching issue in the city,” Mr O’Doherty said.

“Papers have been filed by the various parties including the chamber of commerce and work is ongoing and it is hoped a resolution will follow shortly.”

A meeting involving the interested parties is scheduled for next Monday. Mr O’Doherty, a member of Derry’s chamber of commerce, has been involved in mediation between the loyal orders and residents’ groups in the city for several years.

The Apprentice Boys demonstration every August commemorates the Relief of Derry from the forces of the Catholic King James II in 1689.

It has proved contentious when marchers enter the mainly nationalist west bank of the city, and the issue of “feeder” parades to the main march has also caused controversy.

Sinn Féin

Published: 28 October, 2005

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Collusion, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has said that the decision of senior Special Branch officers to refuse to participate in to a Police Ombudsman investigation into a string of UVF murders involving a Special Branch agent will only make nationalist more determined to expose the true nature and extent of collusion between the RUC and British Army and Loyalists.

Mr Doherty said:

“The reality is that Ronnie Flanagan transferred much of the RUC Special Branch structures responsible for directing the policy of collusion into the PSNI. These people need to be weeded out of the PSNI if we are to have any chance to realising a new beginning to policing that is free from partisan political control.

“However, the evidence to date is that political policing is alive and well within the PSNI and other agencies that are contaminated by former RUC Special Branch officers.

“The refusal of senior Special Branch officers to co-operate with a Police Ombudsman investigation into UVF murders and the revelations surrounding Eric Anderson and the theft of files only further exposes the fact that many of these people know that they have something to hide because they know that what they were involved in was wrong.” ENDS

BBC

An Orange hall in west Belfast has been damaged in an arson attack, according to police.

A window of the property was broken and flammable liquid was poured in and set alight sometime between 1900 BST on Thursday and 0730 BST on Friday.

The fire caused scorch damage to the hall and kitchen of the building.

A spokesman for the Order said the attack was a “deliberate attempt to stir up inter-community tensions in north and west Belfast”.

DUP assembly member for west Belfast Dianne Dodd’s said the attack was “clearly aimed at intimidating the local Orange brethren”.

“I would urge community and political leaders in the nationalist community to come out publicly and condemn this wanton act of destruction,” she said.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP condemned the attack on the hall.

West Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Tom Hartley said: “Sectarian attacks on churches, schools, businesses and homes from whatever quarter are wrong and should be condemned.”

SDLP Upper Falls Councillor Tim Attwood said: “There can be no excuse or justification for attacks of this nature.”

Belfast Telegraph

By David Gordon
28 October 2005

Fraud Squad detectives have stepped up their probe into alleged police service corruption by launching searches of houses and PSNI offices, it can be revealed today.

The internal investigation is examining the cancellation of a contract to supply the force’s transport services wing with armour plating for police vehicles.

Police have given little away about the search operation, which was launched yesterday.

But it is understood that PSNI premises in south Belfast and Seapark, Carrickfergus were among those targeted.

A police service spokesman said: “I can confirm that searches were carried out at PSNI buildings and some houses yesterday.”

The PSNI has rejected calls to bring in police fraud investigators from across the water to conduct the investigation.

It has also faced criticism for not suspending any staff members.

The probe was ordered after a High Court judge, Sir Liam McCollum, called for a criminal investigation.

He spoke out after the PSNI paid a £400,000 settlement to Northern Ireland Sheet Metal Works, the Belfast firm that was stripped of a 2001 contract to supply vehicle armour plating.

The judge said there was a “prima facie” case that “some person or persons” within the police service had “deliberately undermined” the company and “wrongfully discredited” its delivery of the contract.

He also stated that it was “difficult to attribute an innocent motive” to anyone involved in the police service’s decision making process.

Belfast Telegraph

By Chris Thornton
28 October 2005

Two years after they were elected, all 108 members of the Northern Ireland Assembly are scheduled to meet for the first time at Stormont.

However, the gathering won’t be the long-delayed official opening of the Assembly.

Instead, MLAs have been invited to the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings on Monday for a budget briefing from direct rule Finance Minister Lord Rooker.

The meeting is expected to be the first in a series of direct discussions between the direct rule team and the Assembly as a whole.

More briefings are expected to take place before Christmas.

Those talks are likely to include the upcoming shakeup of public services under the Review of Public Administration, which is due to be released next month.

MLAs may also be consulted about water charges and other measures.

In a speech last month, Secretary of State Peter Hain set out his intention to make a series of “tough decisions” that could no longer wait for the return of power-sharing.

As part of that drive, he took the unusual step on Tuesday of announcing budget details himself, including the 19% rise in the regional rate.

The Review of Public Administration is due to be unveiled next month.

Monday’s meeting is not being held in the main Stormont chamber because the Assembly remains a long way from being formally constituted.

The first official sitting of the Assembly would trigger a six-week timetable for selecting an Executive or holding a new election.

And with the DUP and Sinn Fein still a long way from reaching an agreement over power-sharing, Ministers won’t be rushing into that scenario.

Belfast Telegraph

Labour leader accuses men in Dail

By David Gordon
28 October 2005

A leading Ulster loyalist was linked to a string of murders while working as a police Special Branch informer, a leading Dublin politician has claimed under parliamentary privilege.

Mark Haddock from north Belfast was accused in the Dail of being the UVF terrorist at the centre of a major investigation by Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan.

A Shankill-based loyalist, John ‘Bunter’ Graham, was also named during the debate as a UVF chief.

The allegations were made by Pat Rabbitte, leader of the Irish Labour Party.

Thirty-nine-year-old Haddock is currently awaiting trial on a charge of attempting to murder a Co Antrim pub doorman in December 2002.

During yesterday’s Dail debate, Mr Rabbitte alleged that the UVF murder of ex-RAF airman Raymond McCord (22), in Newtownabbey in November 1997 was carried out on Haddock’s orders.

Mr McCord’s father Raymond Snr has alleged for years that a Special Branch agent was responsible for his son’s murder.

His claims have been the subject of a long-running probe by the Police Ombudsman.

A report on the findings of this investigation is believed to be near to completion.

Mr Rabbitte said it was alleged by Mr McCord Snr that his son was killed to prevent Shankill UVF chief John “Bunter” Graham finding out about Haddock’s drug operations.

The TD also claimed that another Special Branch informer, whom he named as John Bond, was present at the murder.

Calling for an international public inquiry to be established once the Ombudsman’s report is published, Mr Rabbitte said: “The central allegation is that Haddock was not charged with any crime because he was an informer who had to be protected.

“He was able to act with impunity, while the police effectively colluded in his crimes.”

Mr Rabbitte also claimed that Haddock was associated to the murders of seven others while serving as a RUC police informer.

According to Mr Rabbitte, these murders were: Catholic builders Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in 1994; alleged informer Thomas Sheppard in 1996; Protestant clergyman, Rev David Templeton in 1997; Billy Harbison in 1997; former loyalist politician Tommy English in 2000 and David Greer in 2000. Mr McCord Snr travelled down to Dublin for the Dail session. He held talks with Mr Rabbitte last week in a meeting arranged by former Newtownabbey Labour councillor Mark Langhammer, who is now a member of the Irish Labour Party’s national executive. Mr Langhammer today said the McCord case will be the “ultimate litmus test” for establishing accountable policing here.