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Daily Ireland

Powerful Irish-American groups launch fierce attack on British Prime Minister

Irish-America’s most senior political leaders have strongly criticised the British government’s handling of the peace process.
In an open letter to prime minister Tony Blair yesterday, the Irish-American lobby, which represents a number of powerful organisations, called for the immediate reinstatement of the North’s devolved political institutions.
Irish-American leaders also insisted “an open and transparent inquiry” must now be established “into how and why Britain’s intelligence services brought the Assembly down”.
The North’s power-sharing Assembly was unilaterally collapsed by the British government in October 2002 following allegations of a so-called ‘republican spy-ring’.
The ‘spy-ring’ allegations fell apart earlier this month when three Belfast men – including senior Sinn Féin member Denis Donaldson – were found not guilty after the Public Prosecution Service decided not to proceed to trial. Mr Donaldson has since admitted he was a paid agent for PSNI Special Branch and MI5 at the time of his arrest in October 2002.
“The Assembly, despite its limitations, provided the people of the North of Ireland with their first opportunity for democratic debate and self-government on a genuinely representative basis since the partition of Ireland 85 years ago,” the Irish American leaders said.
“It was a remarkable achievement for tolerance and fairness by all the parties involved in reaching the Good Friday Agreement.
“However, successive British Secretaries of State have twice acted unilaterally to shutter the gates of Stormont and shatter the aspirations of people of all political and religious persuasions in the North of Ireland. In this latest debacle, the only ‘spy-ring’ at Stormont was that orchestrated by the British security services themselves.”
Describing the implications as “serious in the extreme”, the Irish American leaders accused the British government of having “betrayed” the people of Ireland and Britain.
“British officials promised devolved government: British officials have violated that promise and manipulated the fragile institutions of power-sharing. The result is that, nearly eight years after the Good Friday Agreement, those institutions have been in operation for only 20 months, with direct rule from Britain for the overwhelming majority of the time.
“Your government bears the responsibility for bringing down the freely and democratically elected Assembly. If this happened in any other part of the world, a British Prime Minister would be first in line to condemn such police state misconduct. The peoples of Ireland and Britain are all stakeholders in the peace process. The United States, through President Clinton and his special envoy, Senator Mitchell, played a vital role in building cross-community confidence and securing the Good Friday Agreement.
“That confidence has been betrayed and all concerned have the right to demand a thorough and transparent investigation into the conduct of those responsible.
“Unless British security services are operating without control and accountability, senior persons in your government must have known throughout that ‘Stormontgate’ was a fraud and that Donaldson was working for your own security services.
“With cross-community confidence now at an all-time low, your government bears the responsibility for restoring hope and breathing new life into a moribund peace process.
“At the very least, all stakeholders in the peace process have the right to an open and transparent inquiry into how and why Britain’s intelligence services brought the Assembly down three years ago.
“Just as importantly, the British government has to show the resolve necessary by immediately reinstating the political institutions and make the Good Friday Agreement work,” the Irish American leaders said.

Daily Ireland

US lawyer and colleague says solicitor was a victim of agents of the state

EDMUND LYNCH

The remains of Solicitor Rosemary Nelson’s BMW car after she was fatally injured in an under-car booby trap bomb attack outside her home in Lurgan - Photo: William Cherry/PACEMAKER 15/3/99

In the law, there is a time-honoured axiom that justice delayed is justice denied.
In the case of Rosemary Nelson justice was denied during her lifetime and has been delayed after her death.

Of course, readers of Daily Ireland are familiar with Rosemary, her work, her courage and her assassination in a case marked by overwhelming evidence of collusion by state agents.
She distinguished herself as a legal champion of those citizens unfortunate enough to have become objects of government prosecution, harassment, false accusation and intimidation.
Because of her success within the British legal system, cowards masquerading as patriots killed her on March 15, 1999. As Daily Ireland readers also well know, Ms Nelson was the subject of brutish and obscene threats by members of the RUC for at least three years prior to her killing.
Thus we should not be surprised that an inquiry established by the British government to investigate collusion by its own agents has once again delayed the day of reckoning.
As a lawyer and colleague of Rosemary, I find the recent announcement by the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry of a delay in public hearings until January 2007 to be contrary to the interests of justice.

Under threat from RUC

I learned of Rosemary’s death as I was en route to a White House reception hosted by Bill and Hillary Clinton to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and the ongoing peace process in Ireland.
Obviously some in Ireland and Britain had not yet accepted the dream of an Ireland of shared dignity and respect for the law. I, and many others, were in shock that Rosemary was killed when for two years we had been sounding the alarm that her life was in danger and she was in need of protection.
Space does not allow me to set forth a complete chronology of the warnings and appeals sent to British and Irish officials on Rosemary’s behalf. But let me highlight several of the most significant communications.
March 13, 1997: Correspondence to Sir Louis Blom-Cooper, Independent Commissioner for Holding Centres reporting death threats against Ms Nelson by RUC detectives stationed at Gough Barracks.
April 14, 1997: Attorney Lynch reports to Ms Nelson that the RUC threats against her were raised by US Senator Robert Torricelli with British ambassador to Washington John Kerr.
June 30, 1997: Correspondence from Lynch to RUC Chief Inspector Day of continuing threats against Ms Nelson by members of the RUC.
June 30,1997: Correspondence from Lynch to Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) chairman Donnelly reporting threats against Ms Nelson, requesting referral of matter to the Attorney General of Great Britain and stating: “I am concerned that if prompt and responsible action is not taken, Ms Nelson will meet the same fate as that of Patrick Finucane.”
July 17, 1997: Lynch corresponds to Jack Straw, British home secretary, reporting continuing threats against Ms Nelson and requests prompt action “to get to the bottom of the matter”. Lynch concludes: “My immediate concern is the safety of Ms Nelson.” Straw does not respond.
July 17, 1997: Lynch writes to Mrs P Russell, ICPC deputy executive, and requests appointment of an investigator to promptly conduct a “thorough and unfettered investigation of the threats against Ms Nelson”.
July 24, 1997: British Ambassador Kerr advises US Senator Torricelli that the ICPC is having “great difficulty” in pursuing the Nelson investigation because of her ignoring “suggestions” that she meet with RUC investigators. He suggests that she contact the Gough Barracks, the source of threats against her.
July 25,1997: RUC Chief Inspector Day writes to Lynch to advise that “this matter continues to receive my urgent attention”.
July 27,1998: Jerome Shestack, president of the American Bar Association, writes to Secretary of State Mowlan urging the British government to take all necessary steps to end the harassment of defence lawyers in Northern Ireland.
September 9,1997: Simon Rogers, NIO Police Division, advises that Ms Nelson’s complaint is to be closed down because of her “failure to cooperate”.
November 5 and December 1, 1997: Submission of statements of witnesses to RUC Chief Inspector Day and ICPC detailing threats by identified RUC officers against Ms Nelson.
January 5, April 20, July 20,
July 21, August 10,
September 10, September 14, September 16,1998: Lynch in correspondence with RUC, ICPC and Commander Mulvihill of the London Metropolitan Police citing ongoing harassment and threats against Ms Nelson by RUC members.
September 21 and 22, 1998: Lynch and Ms Nelson participate in personal presentation in Belfast of witnesses and statements to Commander Mulvihill and three investigators from London Metropolitan Police documenting dates, places and details of threats against Ms Nelson. Names and descriptions of RUC officers engaged in misconduct and obscene threat are provided. Assurances given of full and vigorous investigation and punishment of offenders. No discipline enforced against any identified RUC officer engaged in threats.
November 12, 1998 and January 25, 1999: Lynch communicates to Mulvihill requesting action and status of investigation.
February 27, 1999: Lynch and five US colleagues meet with Chief Ronnie Flanagan at RUC Headquarters, Belfast and urge him to deal with the ongoing threats from his force against Ms Nelson. He assures the delegation that the matter is “under investigation”.
March 15,1999: Rosemary Nelson is killed in Lurgan
March 15,1999: Lynch telephones Flanagan and is advised in return message that. “No stone will be left unturned” in the investigation of the killing of Ms Nelson.

British arrogance

On April 19, 2005 the inquiry into the death of Rosemary Nelson by the British-appointed inquiry team opened with great ceremony at the Lurgan Community Centre. The chairman, Sir Michael Morland, emphasised the independence of the inquiry and stated that decisions as to the work of the Inquiry would be “ours and ours alone”.
Sadly, this attitude of all-knowing superiority has been the hallmark of British conduct in Ireland throughout the relationship of Ireland and Britain.
Sir Michael anticipated that public hearings would commence in the spring of 2006. That date has now been pushed back to January, 2007.
Justice delayed truly is justice denied. While living, Rosemary and her friends and colleagues diligently sought justice from the British state. She was denied.
For almost seven years since Rosemary’s death, truth and justice have been delayed, avoided and obfuscated in the search for the perpetrators of the threats and collusion which took the life of a courageous defender of the rights of all the citizens of Ireland.
Now we are told that we must wait another year for justice to be delivered to Rosemary, her beloved family and the many clients and ordinary people who Rosemary helped along the way in a life of service to her fellow men and women.
In the view of this lawyer and admirer of Ms Nelson, the case has not been made for additional delay. The hearings should commence before witnesses disappear, memories fade and the wrongdoers enjoy another day of tranquility.
I close with the comments of Martin Luther King Junior delivered in Memphis a few days before he was cut down by gunmen. When I hear Dr King’s words, I picture Rosemary.
Perhaps you will also.
“Every now and then I guess we all think realistically about that day when we will be victimised with what is life’s final common denominator – that something we call death. We all think about it. And every now and then I think about my own death, and I think about my own funeral. And I don’t think of it in a morbid sense. Every now and then ask myself, ‘What is it that I would want said?’ And I leave the word to you this morning.
“I’d like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King Junior tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question.
“I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try to feed the hungry. And I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try, in my life, to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say, on that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.
“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won’t have any money to leave behind. I won’t have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind.
“But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that’s all I wanted to say. If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain.
“If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, if I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, if I can spread the message as the master taught , then my living will not be in vain.”
Yes, Rosemary Nelson was a drum major for righteousness and all of the other shallow things don’t matter.
And her living was truly not in vain for all who she cheered with word or deed. We miss her each day. We must honour her sacrifice by bringing to light the truth behind her death and resolve that never again will the state be allowed eliminate one of its most courageous champions of the rights of the people.

Edmund Lynch is a US attorney who has won a number of awards for his work in the field of human rights.

Belfast Telegraph

Parades body to rule on January 28 request

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

NORTHERN Ireland’s new Parades Commission holds its first meeting next week - to decide on the flashpoint Sunday Drumcree parade.

The outgoing commission meets for the last time tomorrow, having already made determinations on Portadown district’s weekly application to parade for each Sunday until January 21.

Then the new commission, including former Portadown Orange district master David Burrows, will next week make a decision in relation to Sunday, January 28.

Mr Burrows, who is also joined on the new commission by fellow Orangeman Donald Mackay, who is a member of the DUP, was not immediately available for comment today.

But Portadown lodge spokesman David Jones said: “I have received determinations from the commission for every Sunday in January up until the 21st and there is no change.

“It’s really a question of wait and see now. The new commission is still operating under the same legislation.

“Yes, there are new personnel involved but we are just watching and waiting to see if there will be a change and the key date should be January 28.”

A commission spokesman today confirmed the new members are due to hold their first meeting next Thursday and the outgoing commission its final session this week.

“They can make decisions up to 28 days ahead but are unlikely to go beyond the 21st,” the spokesman added.

Outgoing commission chairman Sir Anthony Holland said he has already met Mr Burrows, who resigned as district master earlier this year for personal reasons, as part of what he called “unofficial contacts with the Orange”.

RTE

28 December 2005 09:53

The supermarket chain Tesco has recalled two types of Christmas lights which they fear may be faulty.

Customers are asked to return the Tesco 100 indoor multi-function Red Berry lights, model number TS 100 4R/FW and the indoor multi-function clear lights, TS 5611 GC.

A Tesco spokesperson said no complaints had been received in Ireland, but there had been a number in the UK.
Advertisement

The problem centres on a capacitor which if faulty could lead to overheating.

Belfast Telegraph

Life could have been saved: group

By Michael McHugh
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
28 December 2005

THE PSNI team probing the alleged activities of IRA mole Stakeknife is being urged to re-investigate another brutal murder of a republican by the IRA.

The killing of Portadown man John Dignam in June 1992 comes under the spotlight as the row over British informers and Stormontgate rumbles on.

The PSNI’s Historic Enquiries Team (HET) is understood to be probing the murder as part of the Stakeknife investigation into allegations surrounding west Belfast man Freddie ‘Stakeknife’ Scappaticci.

Mr Dignam, Aidan Starrs and Gregory Burns were murdered by an IRA team after being dubbed informers despite Stakeknife, himself a British agent, allegedly being in a position to save him.

They were found shot dead in a remote field in south Armagh.

The British/Irish Rights Group has sent a dossier on Mr Dignam’s murder to the Historic Enquiries Team and director Jane Winter said there were a number of questions which needed to be answered.

“We have sent a file on one alleged victim, John Dignam, and we have put in everything which we have been able to discover about that case and the HET have confirmed that they will be looking into that,” she said.

In addition to being alleged informers, the trio were accused by the IRA of having killed Portadown woman Margaret Perry.

“The allegation is that some of the people involved were working for the FRU and working for Special Branch and if that is true it is possible that all four murders, of Mr Dignam, Aidan Starrs, Gregory Burns and Margaret Perry, could have been avoided,” Ms Winter added.

“After what the Perry family went through the thought that her death could have been prevented is a terrible thought. If that is true then whoever is responsible should be brought to book.”

Relatives of Mr Dignam have demanded a public inquiry into the matter and have called for Scappaticci to be summoned to give evidence.

The HET was handed the files on Stakeknife. The team was also given files on the murders of the trio by the Stevens team which had been investigating the killings.

“I think the HET is better placed to look not just at Stakeknife but at all the issues which Stakeknife has thrown up,” Ms Winter said.

“People have had to live with the stigma of having their relatives labelled informers and this may not have been true.

“The HET is quite interested in looking at a pattern of crimes. They have more information at their disposal than the Stevens 3 team would be in a position to get as to which killings were carried out by the IRA’s so-call internal discipline unit and who was involved and the real truth behind those killings.”

A PSNI spokesman said they were not commenting on the matter.

Examiner

28/12/05

With an authority worthy of the Progressive Democrats, if not superior to it, Minister John O’Donoghue declares in an interview with this newspaper today that Sinn Féin still retains a private army.

His assertion is predicated on the fact that the IRA has not gone away, and that Fianna Fáil would not be entering any government arrangement, formal or informal, with the other republican party.

It is an intriguing, and rather perplexing, proposition for a number of reasons.

The minister, who is responsible for arts, sports and tourism, has declared this country would take on the aspect of a “banana republic” should Sinn Féin assume a governmental role.

This, despite the fact that the imprimatur of legitimacy has been conferred by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Sinn Féin in the aftermath of the IRA having decommissioned its arsenal.

Mr Ahern said at the time that the “standing down” of IRA units and its decommissioning of all weapons had given Sinn Féin the status of a legitimate, democratic and constitutional party.

The latter end of that description is an endorsement of the standing of the party, which would not be considered out of context in the curriculum vitae of Fianna Fáil itself.

Mr O’Donoghue’s sentiments would appear to be at odds with those of his leader, who would scarcely have ratified Sinn Féin as a democratic and constitutional party if he also believed they retained a private army.

Certainly, the Taoiseach had previously ruled out Fianna Fáil entering a coalition with SF after the next election, even if the IRA fulfilled its pledge to decommission, which it has.

But his opposition to sharing power with them is on the grounds of differences of policy. He has stated that Sinn Féin had opposed the Government on major European issues, including the Nice Treaty, but apart from Europe there is also a different fiscal philosophy.

Although decommissioning by the IRA has occurred, it is hardly a popular misconception that they have gone away.

They were never to disappear, but rather the organisation was understood to transform itself into something resembling a merely commemorative body.

What is needed now is that the Independent Monitoring Commission write practically a clear bill of health for them next month, and at the moment that looks likely. It may very well take the view that more time is required reach an assessment of the IRA’s structure and intentions.

The Government will reach the end of its five-year term in 2007 if nothing happens in the interim to precipitate its capitulation.

It will not escape a questioning electorate that Mr O’Donoghue’s opinion about Sinn Féin and private armies may be related to that occasion, given the standing of that party in the polls.

It should not and obviously does not escape his attention that there is a restless electorate out there actively pondering an alternative government.

Irish Examiner

By Harry McGee, Political Editor
28/12/05

A SENIOR Fianna Fáil minister has claimed that Ireland would be a ‘banana republic’ if Sinn Féin was in Government because it still retains a private army.

Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism John O’Donoghue is the first Fianna Fáil member of Cabinet to state publicly that the IRA still has the status of an army or military force despite the very public standing down of its units and the decommissioning of its entire arsenal.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr O’Donoghue contends that Sinn Féin can never participate in Government when there is a possibility of republican paramilitaries robbing a bank again. He is also adamant that the IRA is “still there”.

The minister’s criticisms are the hardest-hitting from a Fianna Fáil Cabinet minister and seem to run counter to comments by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern earlier this autumn. Mr Ahern said the ’standing down’ of IRA units and its decommissioning of all weapons had given Sinn Féin the status of a legitimate democratic and constitutional party.

But the Taoiseach firmly ruled out any electoral agreement between his party and Sinn Féin on the grounds of irreconcilable ideological positions on the economy and Europe.

Mr O’Donoghue, however, went further than any of his Cabinet colleagues other than the Progressive Democrats. He based his opposition to entering an agreement with Sinn Féin on their alleged continuing paramilitary connections rather than domestic political considerations.

“The truth is that Sinn Féin has a private army and there can only be one army in the State under the Constitution. You can’t have two” he said.

“What kind of a scenario would you have if you were inside in Government with Sinn Féin and all of a sudden the IRA decided they’d rob the Northern Bank again? You would have a banana republic. You could not have that.”

When asked whether he believed the IRA had gone out of existence, he said: “No, they are not, you see. They are decommissioned.

“The IRA has not been disbanded. It hasn’t. As long as the IRA is there (there will be no arrangement with FF),” he said.

Turning to the point that Northern unionist parties were being asked to share Government with Sinn Féin, he argued it was a vastly different situation and described the Northern state as a “failed entity”.

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris said yesterday that Mr O’Donoghue’s views were contrary to what the Taoiseach has said.

“The Taoiseach has said we were the same as any other political party (after the July 28 statement and decommissioning).

“What he is saying is totally and absolutely false and he knows it,” he said.