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Breaking News.ie
12/07/2008 - 17:57:13

Up to 50 prisoners have barricaded themselves into the recreation area in the D wing of Mountjoy prison in Dublin.

It is understood that the inmates forced prison officers to withdraw from the basement following a disturbance in the afternoon.

A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Officer’s Association says the inmates threw snooker balls and tables at staff.

He also says there are reports that the prisoners have broken into the workshop area of the prison and may have armed themselves.

Staff at the prison are on alert and senior management is said to be trying to negotiate with the prisoners involved.

Gardaí say they are aware of the situation.

The IPOA says the cause of the stand-off is unknown at this stage but that overcrowding may be a reason.

Irish Times
12 July 2008

The leader of the Orange Order launched a stinging attack on Sinn Féin today, saying it was sickening to see them in government.

Grand Master Robert Saulters was addressing thousands of Orangemen gathered in Dromara, Co Down for one of the Orange Order’s Flagship demonstration.

“It is sickening to us, following such dastardly attacks on our people for 35 years, to see the commanders of that enemy sitting in government today acting as politicians who care for the peaceful existence of the people,” he said.

In a direct reference to Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Mr Saulters added: “They are even accepted as diplomats to foreign countries and advise on peace talks.”

He added: “Well, there is no-one better experienced than those who were at the helm during that time of murder and mayhem. It is like the poacher turned gamekeeper. They know the ropes and they know the strings to pull on the parliament of the United Kingdom.”

The theme was followed by senior Orangemen and Ulster Unionist Assembly member David McNarry when addressing the demonstration at Broughshane, Co Antrim.

He said the order, in its Twelfth resolutions, continued to express reservation over the sharing of power in government with those who had a contrasting concept of democracy.

“Name another democracy constituted like ours in which a private army can hold positions in Government,” he asked the crowds.

“Sharing power with the Provos’ political wing is hard. But what causes extra resentment and anger is knowing that it entails also sharing power with their army council.”

So long as there was an army council, so long would there be an uneasy peace, he said.

“By maintaining the veiled threat of the Army Council, republicans intimidate the political process in Northern Ireland by administering a political threat — a subtle threat which operates daily in the Assembly,” said Mr McNarry.

However, he said unionists had to sit at the table of government with Sinn Fein to dilute, if not remove, the republican agenda — walk-outs and boycotts were not the way forward.

“Staying away, sitting on the sidelines, conceding more ground, leaving our people at the mercy of Dublin and London, these are no longer choices for unionists,” said Mr McNarry.

“We have been there, done that and it is ourselves who have suffered from the consequences of dirty double dealing.”

UK Reuters
12 July 2008

HOUSTON, July 12 (Reuters) - Surgeon Michael DeBakey, whose ground-breaking heart transplants and coronary bypass operations made him one of the giants of 20th century medicine, has died at age 99.

The Baylor College of Medicine and Methodist Hospital said DeBakey died on Friday of natural causes. Methodist Hospital in Houston was his primary surgical hospital for many years.

In a career that spanned more than seven decades, DeBakey developed a number of new surgical procedures that now are standard in treating heart ailments and led many to consider him the father of modern cardiovascular surgery.

His best known innovation was the now-common coronary bypass operation for clogged arteries, which he first performed in 1964, using leg veins to bypass blocked or damaged areas between the aorta and coronary arteries.

“He has improved the human condition and touched the lives of generations to come,” said Ron Girotto, president of the Methodist Hospital system.

DeBakey, the Louisiana-born son of Lebanese immigrants, was still a student at Tulane University in New Orleans in 1932 when he created the roller pump, which would be a critical component of the heart-lung machine that helped make open-heart surgery possible.

During World War Two, DeBakey served in the Surgeon General’s office and was credited with developing the mobile Army surgical hospitals — MASH units — that moved medical care closer to the battle lines and hastened treatment of wounded soldiers.

In 1953, using his wife’s sewing machine, he fashioned out of Dacron the first artificial artery for repairing damaged arteries in a surgery he pioneered. (more…)

BBC
12 July 2008

Firefighters were called out to deal with 49 incidents as hundreds of eleventh-night bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland.

Revellers celebrate alongside a bonfire in Roden Street, Belfast

Four derelict properties caught fire in Ballymacarret, east Belfast.

Heat from bonfires damaged Woodstock Library in east Belfast and a house in Glengormley.

Fire crews came under attack in counties Antrim and Derry. Stones were thrown in four incidents but no injuries were reported.

Every year bonfires are lit on the night before the Twelfth of July Orange parades, which mark the anniversary of the 1690 battle of the Boyne in which William of Orange defeated King James.

The number of incidents dealt with by firefighters was down on last year.

Meanwhile, an Orange hall was scorch-damaged in an arson attack in Rasharkin, County Antrim.

Paint was also thrown at the front of the hall.

Later on Saturday, a bomb alert in the town delayed local Orangemen’s parade for several hours.

Independent.ie
12 July 2008

At least 12 police officers were injured last night in Belfast and Portadown.

Four officers and five civilians were treated in hospital after a loyalist incursion in Belfast.

The violence, the worst for several years associated with the Orange 12th of July marches, began around loyalist “Eleventh Night” celebrations.

The fire brigade dealt with over 110 call-outs as bonfires got out of control.

In Portadown, 13 police officers were injured in the Catholic Obins Street area as crowds gathered on each side of the peaceline near a loyalist bonfire.

The violence continued for over four hours. Police made two arrests.

In the New Lodge Road area of north Belfast, petrol bombs and stones were thrown by about 50 people.

In the Broadway area of west Belfast, a group of about 200 loyalists surged across the motorway towards Catholic homes, according to republican Sean Murray, a member of the Strategic Parades Review Group.

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GERRY MORIARTY, Northern Editor
Irish Times
12 July 2008

ORANGE ORDER leaders, police and politicians are hoping that as thousands of Orangemen prepare to march at numerous parades in Northern Ireland today, there will be a marked lessening of tensions at and around all events from previous years.

First Minister Peter Robinson helped to get the Twelfth of July events under way in Belfast by attending an Eleventh Night “Orangefest” cultural reception in east Belfast last night.

Shortly before the traditional Eleventh Night bonfires were lit around Northern Ireland last night, Mr Robinson joined a number of senior Orangemen, community leaders, Lambeg drummers and musicians in the Park Avenue Hotel for the pre-Twelfth gathering.

Last year was one of the most peaceful Twelfths of recent decades, with the most contentious parade – the return of Orangemen past the Ardoyne shops on the Twelfth night – concluding without serious incident.

There is an expectation that tonight’s return parade will conclude in similar fashion following recent agreement at local level between Orangemen and nationalist groups.

The chairman of the Parades Commission Roger Poole has acknowledged the improving atmosphere and called on everyone to ensure the Twelfth is calm and trouble-free. He said dialogue remained the way forward.

“The commission urges all of those taking part in the Twelfth this weekend to ensure that all marches pass off peacefully and without incident. This is vital if this year’s successful local engagement is to continue and be replicated elsewhere,” he said.

The PSNI said it was hopeful that this Twelfth and the rest of the marching season would be peaceful. The Orange Order has been attempting to place greater focus on the cultural nature of the parades, and also wants to develop the tourist and commercial potential of the Twelfth.

This has resulted in some general success. Normally on the Twelfth city and town centres close down, but this year it is expected that some stores and shopping centres will stay open.

There will be 18 Orange Order Twelfth parades today, plus a parade by the Independent Orange Order of which former first minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, is a member. The Order has designated four of the events as flagship parades – in Belfast, Tandragee, Co Armagh, Dromara, Co Down and Coleraine, Co Derry.

These parades are receiving special promotional support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland, explained Dr David Hume, the Order’s director of services.

“We know that nearly half a million people enjoy the Twelfth and there is hard evidence that more and more tourists are planning trips to Northern Ireland at that time, to coincide with the parades,” Dr Hume said.

Derry Journal
11 July 2008

The INLA in Derry have claimed that a number of people have received death threats and an 86 year-old woman has been forced to leave her home since the murder of Emmett Shiels last month.

In a statement to the ‘Journal,’ last night, the Derry Brigade of the INLA claimed a well known drug dealer is behind the alleged threats and will face “severe consequences”

The INLA claim that a number of people have been targeted in both the Bogside and Gobnascale areas of the city and that a number of individuals have been warned by the PSNI about threats to their lives.

A spokesperson for the organisation said; “The Derry brigade of the INLA, with great reluctance and in the absence of a community response wish to put on public record the following; since the killing of Emmett Shiels a number of families are being systematically threatened and intimidated in the Bogside and Gobnascale areas. This intimidation includes graffiti, breaking of windows and death threats and this is being orchestrated by a well known drug dealer based in the Bogside.

“An 86 year-old pensioner, who is a member of a strong republican family, has already been forced to move home and other families have received death threats and their homes have been attacked.

“This drug dealer knows who he is and what he is doing and we demand that he immediately cease these activities or face severe consequences,” the spokesperson said.

Derry Journal
12 July 2008

AN EAGERLY-awaited report into claims that there was a high-level cover-up of a Catholic priest’s alleged involvement in the 1972 Claudy bombings will be published later this month, it’s been revealed.

Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan’s report will come four years after the PSNI revealed that re-discovered documents revealed details of talks over a Co. Derry priest’s alleged involvement in the Claudy atrocity in which nine people died.
While he was never questioned about the bombings, Fr. James Chesney was transferred from a south Derry parish to Donegal - where he died in 1980 - after the case was reportedly discussed privately by the-then Secretary of State William Whitelaw and the late Catholic Primate, Cardinal William Conway.
The Ombudsman’s office this week confirmed that its report will be released this month.
“The finishing touches are being put to this report,” said a spokesman. “It will be released on a date in November but the process is still ongoing and we cannot comment further.”
However, sources have indicated that the document may include details that “could cause embarrassment” for the Catholic Church, British government and police.
“Basically, the report will confirm a lot of what (PSNI Assistant Chief Constable] Sam Kincaid said in his announcement a few years ago,” said a source.
A police review was triggered when an anonymous letter - allegedly written by a priest but which has never been authenticated - materialised. Following this, the Ombudsman began preparing a report.
In December 2002, PSNI ACC Sam Kinkaid informed relatives of the nine people killed of the concerns expressed over the priest’s alleged involvement.
He said material from 1972 indicated that an unnamed priest - identified elsewhere as Fr. Chesney - “was a member of the Provisional IRA and was actively involved in terrorism”.
He said RUC intelligence linked him to the Claudy bombs and that records showed he provided an alibi for a person suspected of playing a prominent role in the no-warning blasts.

‘Spirited away’

“There was talk at the time of (the priest) being ’spirited away’ and that issue will be clarified.”
Billy Eakin, father of the youngest victim of the bombings, nine-year-old Kathryn, said he is looking forward to reading the report.
“I hope this will shed some light on what happened. I look forward very much to reading it,” he said.
Earlier this week, the ‘Journal’ revealed that Father Chesney told a former IRA Chief of Staff that he had no involvement in the Claudy outrage.
Ruari O’Bradaigh, president of Republican Sinn Fein, said the priest told him in the late 1970s that he had “nothing whatever to do with the bombings”.

Chris Thornton
Belfast Telegraph
10 July 2008

The Omagh bomb killed and maimed, but also cracked the foundations of policing.

FIRST there were the dead, the maimed, and the devastated. Then the Omagh bomb reverberated back on the dissidents who set it off, with the security and public opinion backlash that followed effectively disabling them and robbing them of all but the most hardcore support.

But perhaps the slowest effects of that decade-old atrocity have told in damage to the police.

Omagh has been an enduring thorn that many officers fear has scraped away at public confidence — not just because of the failure to capture the killers, but also due to the very public exposure of shortcomings in the inquiry.

These have been sticky times for the PSNI. While not portrayed as some sort of society for moral betterment, PSNI officers have been embroiled in a series of damaging legal cases and headlines concerning drink driving, possession of drugs with intent to supply, adultery, allegations of brothel keeping, and the employment of killers as agents.

But last December’s judgment in the trial of Sean Hoey, the south Armagh electrician cleared of the 29 Omagh murders, was perhaps the most penetrating blow.

Mr Justice Weir’s ruling was critical, but withering on one point in particular — that two officers had lied about aspects of that handling. Those officers remain on duty with the force.

The judgment was delivered just before Christmas, but the holidays did not diminish its impact.

In January, the Policing Board met to discuss the outcome and ordered its own report. It was released by the Board yesterday.

That report, put together by two former English police officers, assisted by a third, looked at the handling of evidence, the situation regarding the two officers and the prospects for any further prosecutions. Those are remote.

The Board’s report may have put to bed the concerns about the handling of evidence. Much of what concerned the judge happened years earlier, when the evidence was gathered at bomb sites and potentially tainted, because there was little awareness or concerns about future developments in DNA gathering.

But the report has reignited a row about the officers accused of lying and the PSNI’s approach to the judge’s criticism.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Marshall and Fiona Cooper, a civilian scene of crime officer who later became a policewoman, both told the court that they had taken forensic precautions — namely wearing protective suits — at the scene of a bomb Hoey was accused of making. Subsequently, Hoey’s defence team produced photographs showing both officers were not wearing the protection they claimed.

Mr Justice Weir said the two had taken part in a “deliberate and calculated deception”, adding — crucially — that “others concerned in the investigation and preparation of this case for trial beyond these two witnesses may also have played a part”.

What he described as the officers’ lies played a role in the senior judge’s decision to acquit.

The authors of the Board’s report said they initially agreed with calls for the PSNI to suspend the two officers while Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson investigates their testimony. But they concluded the PSNI was right to move them to other duties rather than suspend.

The authors may know more than is publicly available (a draft of the Ombudsman’s report is believed to be completed and undergoing legal review), because the Board report refers “attendant circumstances” that the Ombudsman will consider, beyond the obvious conflict between the police officers’ testimony and photographs.

The Board report also argues that to suspend the officers would cause them ignominy if they are later reinstated and might infringe their human rights.

That comes across as an argument for not suspending anyone — or at least only suspending those you’re certain are guilty.

The report also queries why the judge referred to the possibility of others being involved in the “deliberate deception”.

Like Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, the authors say they are “left uninformed” about what they describe as the judge’s speculation. The Lord Chief Justice’s office denied the comments amounted to speculation.

It seems clear that Mr Justice Weir was concerned that two officers may not have acted alone.

Consider that staple of every cop show on TV: if they lied, what was their motive?

Personal dislike of Sean Hoey? Embarrassment at not wearing protective clothing? Or was there a conspiracy to “beef up” evidence, as Hoey’s defence claimed?

That would cause the kind of damage to public confidence that the Board and the PSNI would not like to contemplate.

So a sharper spotlight turns on the Ombudsman’s report into the matter, and the Public Prosecutions Service’s decision on whether the officers should face charges. And the chances of catching the Omagh bombers slip further down the cracks.