SAOIRSE32

Derry Journal
5 July 2008

A public petition urging an end to all dissident republican activity in Derry is to be launched in the city next week, the ‘Journal’ can reveal.

It’s also emerged that moves are in the offing to engage the leaderships of various dissident groups in talks aimed at convincing them to end their armed campaigns.

The move is in direct response to the recent murder of Emmett Sheils, the 22 year-old pizza delivery man gunned down in the Creggan Estate last week.

Among those signing up to the petition is Bogside/Brandywell community worker Tony Doherty who says the appeal has already received the support of a number of local republicans, including Seamus Heaney, whose brother, Denis, an IRA volunteer, was shot dead by the SAS in 1978, and Michael English, who lost two sons, both IRA members, during the Troubles. The three men are just part of a larger group drawn from across the city.

Mr. Doherty - whose father Patrick was among those murdered on Bloody Sunday - told the ‘Journal’ last night: “It is clear from events surrounding the murder of Emmett Sheils last week that the city has been plunged to a very low point. It is also clear to many in Derry that there is a need for people to work together to respond creatively to ensure that these tragic and futile events are never repeated.”

Mr Doherty says it’s crucial that young people across Derry don’t get caught up in what he branded a “phoney” war.

“We cannot, as a society, stand idly by and allow young people to be manipulated, to get injured, killed or to end up in prison with families torn apart. The people of this city have come through several decades of terrible loss, hurt and hardship and, because of this, we must not allow our young people to engage in a phoney ‘war of liberation’ which has no support, focus, structure or direction and, as a result, will only cause pointless hardship and a further descent into criminality and gang warfare.”

The Bogside community worker says the murder of Emmett Sheils has focused people’s minds on finding a way to bring the campaigns of armed groups to an end.

Time for cool heads

“This is a time for cool heads and careful thinking,” he added. “We are genuinely at a fork in the road. Several people in the city, some of whom have suffered personal loss during the conflict, are actively considering how the legacy of the Emmett Sheils murder can turn everyone on to the road of dialogue, respect, and social justice regardless of ideology or political perspective,” he said.

Derry Journal
04 July 2008

A alleged Real IRA man from Derry has accused the British authorities of “pulling the strings” in Ireland, when he appeared in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in Tuesday.

Gary Donnelly from Kildrum Gardens in Creggan made the comment as counsel revealed the book of evidence against Donnelly and three other Derry men charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, is still not ready.

Speaking during the brief court appearance, Donnelly claimed his continuing detention is unfair. “I believe that this is nothing more than a form of internment.

“The British in this country are pulling the strings. Any word we have is from Gardaí in Donegal who are not known for their integrity or honesty,” he said.

Donnelly and his co-accused, Michael Gallagher, of Sackville Court, Martin Francis O’Neill, of Colmcille Court, and Patrick John McDaid, of Marlborough Street, are charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on 16 March. They were arrested during an operation into the activities of dissident republicans in Donegal.

Peter Mullen, a solicitor acting for the four men, asked investigating officers if the book of evidence will be ready for the trial, which is due to start in December.

Mr. Mullen said the 42 day timescale for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to serve the documents has already passed and asked the presiding judge, Mr Justice Paul Butler to fix a date for the completion of the book.

The State solicitor, Michael O’Donovan, said he expects the Garda report within two to three weeks.

The judge remanded the men in custody to appear before the court again on 22nd July.

Meanwhile, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement in Derry will stage a protest against the detention of the four Derry men in Waterloo Place at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Belfast Telegraph
Saturday 5, July 2008

Thousands of Orangemen were gathering at the coastal beach resort town of Rossnowlagh in Co Donegal today for the annual pre-Twelfth parade.

UP to 60 lodges and bands from all over Northern Ireland and the Republic will march in the annual demonstration, due to get under way at 1pm.

The parade, which traditionally attracts several thousand every year, is expected to depart from St John’s Church before making its way to a gathering where Orange Order members will be addressed by guest speaker Worshipful Brother Perry Reid.

The Grand Secretary of the Co Tyrone Grand Orange Lodge, who will celebrate 50 years with the institution next year, is expected to give a stirring speech to the thousands who are expected to brave the cold and wet conditions.

The annual gathering at Rossnowlagh in Co Donegal is the biggest event for Orangemen in the Republic and is always held the weekend before the Twelfth.

RSF news - Republican Sinn Fein - http://rsf.ie
Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: +353-1-872 9747; FAX: +353-1-872 9757; e-mail: saoirse@iol.ie
Date: 3 Iúil/July 2008

Internet resources maintained by SAOIRSE-Irish Freedom

In this issue:

1. RSF picket British embassy
2. Provos ‘counter-revolutionary force’
3. Lurgan five released
4. Comdt-Gen Tom Maguire commemoration
5. Mother claims son was unarmed
6. RSF oppose Garvaghy road negotiations
7. Irish prisoner is refused repatriation from British jail
8. Provo councillor resigns
9. 26-County state using court delays as internment
10. Sinnott says German TV report ‘unfair’
11. Groups join forces to campaign for retention of post office network
12. Archaeologists ‘used to destroy heritage’
13. Young nationalists back targeted church

1. RSF picket British embassy

BETWEEN 12.45pm and about 2.30pm on June 28, approximately 50 Irish republican protestors held a noisy, colourful and peaceful picket outside the British Embassy in Merrion Road, Dublin. The protest was held to highlight the fact that Republican prisoners are again being criminalised by the British Government and in support of the five demands made by the prisoners themselves -

1) Right to free association
2) End to controlled movement
3) Right to full-time education
4) Separate visiting facility
5) Right to organise their own landings.

The protestors were closely monitored by the 26-County Special Branch and seven uniformed Garda, as well as having at least four CCTV cameras, controlled by Embassy staff within the building, trained on their every move. Leaflets were handed out to members of the public in the vicinity and countless car drivers sounded their horns in support as they slowed down to take a look Speeches were given by Republican Sinn Féin Vice President Des Dalton and National Publicity Officer Richard Walsh and a union jack was burned in the closing minutes…

2. Provos ‘counter-revolutionary force’

MARTIN MCGUINNESS’ claims that those opposed to English rule in Ireland wish to force the Provos’ former military wing back onto a military footing are laughable, said a spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin.
“Republicans have no desire to see the Provisionals resume hostilities, as these would undoubtedly be conducted against those who have remained faithful to the Republican ideal. The Provos retained their military capacity through the adoption of the RUC as their armed wing. There is absolutely no useful purpose for the continued existence of the so-called ‘Provisional Army Council’”, said RSF Director of Publicity, Richard Walsh in a statement on June 30.
“We already know that statements purporting to emanate from that body in fact originated from 10, Downing Street. They exist merely as a counter-revolutionary force.” He said

3. Lurgan five released

FOLLOWING RAIDS on June 27, during which four Republicans were arrested in the Lurgan area of County Armagh, a fifth man was held after being stopped on his journey from work. All were subsequently released from Antrim interrogation centre on the evening of June 28 without charge.
A spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin said: “We have since discovered that SDLP Stormont member Dolores Kelly had arrived at the scene of one of the addresses raided several minutes prior to the raid commencing. This is a clear indication that she is held in sufficient esteem by her British masters to be informed in advance of operations being conducted against the people of North Armagh. For our part we call upon the people of Ireland to join with the Republican Movement in ridding Ireland of the illegal and morally bankrupt British presence.” (more…)

BBC
4 July 2008

An 18-year-old man is to be charged with the murder of Emmett Shiels at Derry Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Emmett Shiels was shot in the Bligh’s Lane area of Creggan

Mr Shiels, from Tyrconnell Street in the Bogside, was shot in the Bligh’s Lane area of Derry on 24 June.

The 18-year-old is also charged with possession of a firearm and a number of related offences.

Two other males, aged 16 and 17, who were questioned about the murder have been released without charge.

Mr Sheils was driving a pizza delivery van when he was caught up in a confrontation with a group of masked gunmen.

Earlier on Friday, officers working on the case carried out searches in the Fanad Drive area of Creggan.

A 16-year-old girl arrested in relation to Mr Shiels’ murder has been released pending the preparation of reports for the Public Prosecution Service.