SAOIRSE32

Belfast Telegraph
Friday 11, April 2008 - 16:36]
By Chris Thornton
cthornton@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

POLICE have finished questioning the double murder defendant who could become Northern Ireland’s first supergrass-style witness in a murder trial for two decades.

Mark Burcombe (27), was re-interviewed in detail about the cut-throat murders of Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine in February 2000.

But there have been no new arrests in the aftermath of those interviews.

A new team of detectives was required to question Burcombe again after the Crown accepted his offer to give evidence against his co-accused, Steven Leslie Brown, also known as Steven Revels, in exchange for a lighter sentence.

The supergrass trials of the Eighties saw scores of terror suspects jailed, but ever since the system collapsed prosecutors have been reluctant to use the evidence of one accused person against another in the Northern Ireland courts.

However the law was changed in 2005 to make it easier for defendants to turn Queen’s evidence in exchange for lighter sentences. It was first used last year, when two men testified that a number of loyalists were drug dealers.

One of the new law’s requirement is that the potential supergrass must be re-questioned, but by officers who did not conduct the initial interviews.

Burcombe’s interviews began in early March. They were completed four weeks later.

Paul McIlwaine, David’s father, said he was concerned that there have been no new arrests.

“I would be totally opposed to any reduction in sentence if this has only been about strengthening the case that’s already there,” he said.

“I think there should be the basis to bring more people before the court.

“If everything about this case is being told, then they should know who gave alibis, who washed the cars, and most importantly who gave the orders.”

Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine were abducted and stabbed to death in February 2000. Their bodies were left by a remote country road near Tandragee, Co Armagh. UVF members were blamed.

Brown, 27 from Castle Place, Castlecaulfield, was arrested and charged with the murders in 2000. But those charges were dropped later in the year.

Burcombe, from Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn, came forward in 2005. He was charged with the murders and Brown was re-arrested and charged. Another man suspected of involvement, Noel Dillon, took his own life earlier in 2005.

The trial of Brown and Burcombe is due to begin in June.

His role in the introduction of free education, equal pay for women and his contribution to the creation of the Celtic Tiger are significant milestones

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Belfast Telegraph

Former president of Ireland, Dr Patrick Hillery, died today. He passed away in Dublin this morning following a short illness. He was 84-years-of age.

Hillery served two terms as president from 1976 until 1990. He was in good health until a recent short illness, and died a month before his 85th birthday.

Tributes have been flooding in from around the country. The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has expressed his deepest sympathy to Dr. Hillery’s family.

Speaking on national radio, President McAleese said his contributions to the education system laid the ground work for Ireland’s economic success.

While Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has said Dr Hillery played a crucial role in ensuring the stability of the state after the 70’s arms crisis in Northern Ireland.

Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny TD, also paid tribute to former president.

Mr Kenny said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Paddy Hillery today. Former President Hillery was a great Statesman, an accomplished politician and a true patriot.

“His role in the introduction of free education, equal pay for women and his contribution to the creation of the Celtic Tiger are significant milestones in a proud and impressive record which includes his period as Ireland’s first European Commissioner and two terms as President of Ireland.

“Paddy Hillery embodied all that was best about Irish public life over his long political career. He was a warm and engaging personality and of all things in life he loved his wife and his native Clare most.

“On a personal level I had formed a deep relationship with Paddy through the Oireachtas Golf Society where he was a loyal and consistent participant. We shall miss him greatly.

“I send my deepest sympathies to Paddy’s wife Maeve and his family on this sad day.”

Belfast Telegraph
Saturday 12, April 2008

Without Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair there would have been no Good Friday Agreement, the chairman of the historic talks said last night.

US Senator George Mitchell said the enormous contribution and leadership of the Taoiseach and the former British Prime Minister was “beyond any doubt and dispute”.

“They came to Belfast at a critical juncture. They didn’t just supervise, they conducted the negotiations. Line by line, word by word, they put together the agreement that led to the events that now exist in Northern Ireland,” he said.

Senator Mitchell was speaking at an event in Dublin Castle to mark the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Ahern and Mr Blair were guests of honour at a dinner organised by the Turn the Tide of Suicide (the 3Ts charity).

Senator Mitchell said many people collaborated and contributed to making peace.

“But I can say with absolute certainty, without the personal effort and leadership provided by Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, there would not have been a Good Friday Agreement,” he added.

“Certainly there would not have been an agreement in the form that eventually was reached and the events of the past 10 years would have been very much different.”

Mr Ahern paid tribute to Mr Blair saying it was entirely fitting he be honoured.

The Taoiseach said Britain is a big country with a lot of problems but “Tony gave so much of his time”.

“We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for the time and commitment he gave,” he said.

Mr Blair said there were times he thought the peace process “wasn’t really going to work out”.

“You know, when we look back over the 10 years, I think it’s easy right at this moment to forget that at many points in time, the whole thing hung in the balance. Indeed, occasionally, I thought it wasn’t really going to work out, but it did,” he added.

Mr Blair said he hadn’t offered any advice to Mr Ahern on what he should do after he steps down as Taoiseach.

“I don’t presume I would offer the Taoiseach any advice,” he said.

Bob Geldof, who has reportedly offered the Taoiseach a role in Third World development, was also at last night’s gathering.

Pointing out that May 6 is his birthday, Mr Blair said the pair could go to a Manchester United versus Newcastle United match together — albeit they would be on opposite sides of the fence for 90 minutes.

Mr Blair declined to be drawn on the prospects of going head to head with Mr Ahern for the job of European Union Commission President.

“No, I don’t think I’ll get into that one except to say that there is absolutely no job that this man could not do well,” he said.

Derry Journal
By Michael McMonagle
11 April 2008

A quilt which references dead IRA members was recently removed from a public exhibition organised by Derry City Council, the ‘Journal’ has learned.

The quilt was part of the “Art of Survival” exhibition which comprises 71 Irish and Chilean-made quilts depicting themes of conflict, struggle and survival. The exhibition is currently on display at nine venues across the city.

The ‘Remembering Quilt’ was made by families of those killed during the Troubles as part of a project organised by victims group, Relatives for Justice. Work on the quilt began in 2001 and anyone who lost a loved one in the Troubles was invited to make a nine inch square dedicated to their memory. It was designed to commemorate all those who died in the Troubles including IRA volunteers, members of the security forces, and civilians killed by state forces or paramilitaries. While the quilt was on display at the Junction at Bishop Street, it is understood a complaint was made by someone who took offence at the references to IRA volunteers.

Following the complaint, the Junction asked Derry City Council to remove the quilt which was subsequently moved to the Verbal Arts Centre on Stable Lane where it is currently on display.

A spokesperson for Relatives for Justice said the quilt was meant to be inclusive. “This quilt has toured widely and been exhibited in many venues and this was the first time that anyone said it was offensive and asked for it to be removed. The whole principle of the quilt is to include everybody. The quilt is intended to help families to come to terms with their grief. It is meant to be a positive thing,” she said.

The curator of the exhibition, Roberta Bacic, said she would not comment on the complaint or why the quilt was moved and said that all quilts were currently on public display.

A spokesperson for Derry City Council’s Museum and Heritage Service explained that the quilt was removed at the request of the Junction and is currently on display at a new venue in the city. The spokesperson added that the Junction continues to exhibit a range of quilts as part of this “internationally acclaimed” exhibition.