In the latest twist involving the world of intelligence agencies, RTE (amidst other agencies) are leading with a story that MI5 withheld vital information about a bomb plot from the Special Branch in the period leading up to the Omagh bomb. Cue the latest bout of Durkan-speak (No. 134): ‘Allowing MI5 to have a lead role in intelligence in Northern Ireland would be like appointing Herod as children’s commissioner.’
Here’s a great review of a fascinating book (H/T reader Rory) on how the Internet is destroying our capacity for intelligent, focused and critical thought. It opens thus: …here is the news that Ulin brings in this slim, meandering book: that reading is “an act of contemplation”; that such an act becomes more difficult in [...] read our review »
This reads as if a mad picaresque tale. Myers as first a reporter for RTÉ and then as a freelance journalist with no real experience, finds himself wandering into savagery as he hastens north as the Troubles explode. A soldier dies next to him; he witnesses an IRA ambush; he sees children shot to death [...] read our review »
Coming up to the Halloween holiday, some people might be frightened of the idea of Voices from the Grave – but for others, the chance to hear an oral history of the Troubles from the mouths of two (in)famous protagonists, PUP leader and former UVF member David Ervine, and Brendan “The Dark” Hughes, is not [...] read our review »
Yes Chris, the important thing here is to have a go at the SDLP.
On the contrary, SRR. I actually think the party would welcome the fact I carried the leader’s response.
Important point to note Chris, is that these are claims from anonymous sources.. as, despite the lead paragraph, even RTÉ acknowledge -
Interestingly, with a much shorter report, UTV gets closer to the story as it stands.
And those details, or as much as seems to be available, are in the IOL News report
Spot on, Pete.
So the tussle over Special Branch vs. Mi5 begins, too bad this is the only way the public will ever find out anything about what has gone on – some Truth and Reconciliation eh roll on more security sources do tell
Indeed, what the claim, in fact, appears to be, is that police records from the time do not confirm whether MI5 passed on that information.. that’s potential some distance from the story as presented.
Pete,
The claim is not about possible poor record keeping as your contribution infers.
The claim is the RUC have no record of being informed of an imminent attack which investigation has shown MI5 were aware of.
Your version makes it seem like a warning could have been received but the paperwork is missing. That is nowhere near the truth of the allegation as it stands, it almost seems deliberately dishonest.
Yeah Chris, I’m sure the SDLP are gald you’ve quoted Durkan. But is it my imagination or does the term ‘Durkan-speak’ imply a certain level of windbagness?
Maybe some day we’ll find out what the provo’s knew about Omagh. One can only hope
We know who bombed Omagh
“We know who bombed Omagh”
Ok,we know what grouping admitted the job but do we know who really was behind the job! Man A & B in the ombudsmans report are both Agents for “A STATE”
What we do know is the former Chief Constable lied and was chastised by the ombudsman for those lies.
In any fall out between box and the peelers there is only ever going to be one winner.
Martin.