Morrison brands O’Rawe ‘a fool’ after legal threat
by Joe Nwaz
Daily Ireland has pledged to “vigorously defend” any libel action taken by Richard O’Rawe over comments made in the paper by former Sinn Féin publicity director Danny Morrison.
Mr O’Rawe, a former H-Block prisoners’ PRO, claims in his recent book, Blanketmen, that leaders of the Republican Movement allowed hunger strikers to die to advance the electoral fortunes of Sinn Féin.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, Mr Morrison branded the claim “a disgrace” and blasted Mr O’Rawe as “a fool”.
Mr Morrison’s comments followed his disclosure last week that communications – or ‘comms’ – smuggled from the jail in 1981 and written by Mr O’Rawe made no mention of the “deal” which forms the core of his new book.
He said, “Why is Richard threatening to sue Daily Ireland for damages when it is I who is accusing him of making false claims about what happened in 1981? If it is a simple case of him clearing his name why doesn’t he sue me? He accused myself and others of allowing six hunger strikers to die and then complains when we defend ourselves.
“I produced communications from him that he can’t deny are his and which were written in July, August and September ’81.
“In relation to who made decisions he wrote that the prisoners were ‘in complete command of the hunger strike and protest…’
“In 2006 he claims that we spurned ‘a deal’ but in 1981 he makes no mention of a deal and writes: ‘At present the British are looking for what amounts to an absolute surrender. They are offering us nothing that amounts to an honourable solution.’ I think his own words speak for themselves.”
Daily Ireland publisher Máirtin Ó Muilleoir said, “We have defended Mr O’Rawe’s right to free speech and afforded him space to answer his critics, a right that he has taken up in the past. That offer to him still stands. However, he cannot hope to deny others the right to free speech over his explosive claims of treachery by the republican leadership in 1981 by threatening to sue Daily Ireland.
“This paper will not be gagged and will defend equally the right of Richard O’Rawe and his critics to have their say.”
Richard O’Rawe was unavailable for comment.
Journalist:: Joe Nawaz
