“a good friend of mine”
I mentioned the reaction of Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy, MP, MLA, to the operational matter of the seizure of assets and searches in south Armagh this morning – “Sean Hughes is a sound Republican.” [Is that like being a "good republican"? - Ed] Possibly. He also told BBC NI’s Martina Purdy that Sean Hughes was “a very good friend” of his “a good friend of mine and has been for very many years and I’m very proud of that.” [BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra approx 13mins in]. Here’s some more from Conor Murphy’s statement
“Sean has been charged with nothing. Neither have any members of his family. It is unacceptable. Undoubtedly many people will see a more sinister hand behind the SOCA operation this morning. SOCA is based in and run from London. As in the past when political unionism gets itself into difficulties, as the DUP have in recent weeks, the faceless opponents of Irish Republicanism who are still in prominent positions will seek to come to their rescue with operations like we have witnessed today.”
[The securocrats are back! - Ed] And on Stormont Live today Conor Murphy’s NI Executive colleague, Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, was asked by Jim Fitzpatrick, “Was [Conor Murphy] not prejudging an operational process there, and what does it say about your party’s support and desire for the devolution of policing and justice?”
[Michelle Gildernew] “Well, I think if anything it strengthens the need to have devolution of policing and justice as quickly as possible. We need decisions, we need accountability, and we need decisions to be taken by a local minister.”
More from that Stormont Live interview
[Michelle Gildernew] “I don’t know all the details of the raid, but there have been a number of things that have happened recently where decisions have been taken we’re not happy about and we will want to be asking very very serious questions to the policing board and to Matt Baggot”
When questioned, by Mark Devenport, about Conor Murphy getting involved in an operational matter
[Michelle Gildernew] “Like I say, I don’t know all the details, but I think Conor is entitled to react when a constituent has been treated in the way that his constituent was, I think it was this morning. You know, we have to stand up for the rights of our constituents, there’s no dichotomy in that, and we’ll continue to do that and we’ll continue to question where policing seems to be political or seems to be badly judged. Certainly in this case I don’t know what the justification for it was, but I think Conor was right to come out and react the way he did.
Which prompted Jim Fitzpatrick’s final question
[Jim Fitzpatrick] “If you don’t know the justification for it presumably Conor Murphy doesn’t, might it not be best to wait ’til that is clear?”
[Michelle Gildernew] “Well I don’t know what the, like I say, I don’t know what the rationale was for that, but I feel that the arrest this morning, or the raid on the home was politically motivated and, from that point of view, Conor as MP for Newry and Armagh was entitled to question that decision.”
Adds From BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra [approx 13 mins in]
[Martina Purdy] “You know this man personally and you’re vouching for him?”
[Conor Murphy] “I’m not like other people, I’ll not say I know of him. I know him very well. He’s a good friend of mine and has been for very many years and I’m very proud of that.”
What’s the old saying – you can tell a lot about a man by the friends he keeps ?
We have one thread on here about digging in south Armagh for the body of some poor soul who even if his killers were real soldiers then they would be facing war crimes in the Hague by now and now we have a Govt Minister on saying things like this in circumstances like this ?
Meanwhile we have another thread where Republicans are asking where the Jim Allisters are in Nationalism to prove they arent sectarian.
The only way the rotteness of SF can be eradicated from this island is for them to get the same treatment at the ballot box in NI as they got in the ROI – Where is the SDLP when you need them ?
So that’s why this guy had all these houses then? So those faceless Unionists could come and take them off him. Wasn’t he caught screwing his unemployment benefit not so long ago. All those properties owned on a fortnightly Giro. Amazing how far the British Half Crown stretches.
Another criminal moaning about those big bad Brits when he’s nabbed.
Gildernew tells us that “You know, we have to stand up for the rights of our constituents.”/i>
Is standing up for the rights of his constituents what Conor Murphy did after the murder of his constituent Paul Quinn; when he said that Mr. Quinn was a criminal?
Unless they were british soldiers JEB, in which case they probably get promoted.
JEB
We have one thread on here about digging in south Armagh for the body of some poor soul who even if his killers were real soldiers then they would be facing war crimes in the Hague by now
History proves you wrong JEB, when were the murderers of Bloody Sunday ever seen in the Hague?
The anti British racism and hatred is astonishing ant there for all to see. This one certainly one Republican who did well out of living in the UK…
Which is nice.
What’s the old saying – you can tell a lot about a man by the friends he keeps ?
JEB,
Whenever any serious action is taken against loyalists, you’ll often hear unionists complaining about it in much the same fashion that SF do.
The only way the rotteness of SF can be eradicated from this island is for them to get the same treatment at the ballot box in NI as they got in the ROI – Where is the SDLP when you need them ?
If you believe that the SDLP should be underpinned then why don’t you guys stand down and back them in South Belfast ?
Ah so SF want devolution so they can interfere in operational police decisions on behalf of their constituency
Every time they open their mouths they strengthen Alistair’s case
igor, how does it strengthen Alistair’s case given that SF won’t hold the justice ministry and that the minister won’t be able to interfere in operational policing decisions ? Any effort to do so would surely bring the resignation of the Chief Constable and, accordingly, the end of the assembly.
It’s academic anyway as it is not likely that the minister will have any authority over SOCA at all.
Hard to argue with that igor.
Poor Michelle. Loved all that taddle about how devolving P & J will make SOCA accountable. LOL
I’ve added the quote by Conor Murphy from Evening Extra and amended the original post accordingly.
And added links.
Sean, RS
I wasnt aware any member of the British Army made some defenceless human being kneel before his grave – the one they my have made him dig himself – then whilst ignoring his pleas for mercy they shot him in the back of the head. Please tell me when the British Army did this ?
If you dont think this was an inhuman crime then you really need to reset your moral compass.
What PIRA were up to was on a par with Bosnian Serb massacres – the perpetrators of which are now in the Hague.
There are no “good republicans” associated with PIRA.
Comrade
Take your complaints with the DUP up with them.
Also it is not for unionists to help SDLP defeat SF – that is their battle
It’s typical of Sinn Fein. They have no sense of authority above themselves. Conor Murphy shows nothing new but to emphasize the fact that Sinn Fein should be put out of government! They are fundamentally unable to rise to the occasion of governing in a democracy. Mr Murphy’s unbridled association and support for Sean Hughes serves up to Ulster what we have in store for decades unless we are soon brought to our sense.
I wasnt aware any member of the British Army made some defenceless human being kneel before his grave – the one they my have made him dig himself – then whilst ignoring his pleas for mercy they shot him in the back of the head. Please tell me when the British Army did this ?
Official member of the British Army or unofficial paid up agent of Her Majesty?
I mean like the head of the IRA’s nutting squad, for example, or countless other hoods, such as 90% of the loyalist leadership and their lackey death squads who murdered by the hundred.
Or don’t they count?
As long as they don’t wear the uniform, there is no blood on their hands, it’s all okay.
I’m sure it gets you to sleep at night.
Guys
If we could focus on the actual topic…
George
Yes all the really dispicable bits of the IRA can be blamed on the British – it wasnt their fault – the British made them do it.
I have always said anyone who breaks the law should be prosecuted
I sleep very well at night – I dont count as good friends anyone I believed was associated with PIRA/UVF/UDA et al.
Pete
One of our Govt Ministers is effectively publicly stating his pride in physical force republicanism and at the same time criticising the police without having all the facts.
When such occasions arise it is always justified to shine a light on the uglier side of PIRA and all it stood for.
People should then be able to draw conclusions on fitness for Govt let alone taking responsibility or policing and justice
“Sean has been charged with nothing. Neither have any members of his family. It is unacceptable. ”
I couldn’t agree more.
Jimmy
Except that
JEB:
If you think the British Army aren’t up to their necks in blood, you’re nuts.
Is giving an oration illegal in the North now?
“fined £1500 after pleading guilty to two charges
Though the eight years interim is a matter of concern.
It would make one wonder how Mr Murphy and his associate forces of UK law can justify such ahem expediency
“[Michelle Gildernew] “Like I say, I don’t know all the details, but I think Conor is entitled to react when a constituent has been treated in the way that his constituent was, I think it was this morning. You know, we have to stand up for the rights of our constituents, there’s no dichotomy in that, and we’ll continue to do that and we’ll continue to question where policing seems to be political or seems to be badly judged. Certainly in this case I don’t know what the justification for it was, but I think Conor was right to come out and react the way he did.”
ROFL.
Must remind Mr Pigeon Toes of that.
And the kids as they adjust to their exile…
So is SF policy now to give all families on the dole 8 houses or only some families? Can SF tell us the criteria?
Stalin
MY point is that the SF knee jerk reaction when action is taken against a member of the movement is to attack the forces of law and order, whatever the facts. They signed an oath of office to uphold the law but it only appears to apply to some people
That;’s why the unionists don’t trust them. An Nationalists should really open their eyes too.
Can someone please explain something to me? Where did this mostly unemployed man get hold of 8 houses? Has he been left them by family members or is he a crook?
Answers on the back of a stamp, to if he walks like a villain, quacks like a villain, Villainsville.
Republicans and Irony!
To all our pro Brit/SAS/British democracy friends: By waht right is South Armagh a part of your self styled United Kingdom? Were the good residents of South Armagh not shoved into your orange statelet against their democratic will and were they not systematically discriminated against, with the entire area being labelled an area of beauty by the orange overlords so that emigration would be perennially high?
Is your problem and that of yopur Sinn Fein lackeys that the PIRA hammered you in South Armagh and you cannot accept that? Put simply, the South Armagh/North Monaghan Provos were mich better that your hired killers. There are statues there to heroes, not to SAS killers. And you can never rest easy because the snipers might go back to work.
So chase the old guys, like Scipio did to Hannibal. It seems ironic that when British Army gunmen get heroes welcomes when they return in boxes from Afghanistan, you still hunt the true heroes, who laid down their arms, undefeated. Afghan resistance fighters, please note.
Poor Sean , you sound like one demented little bloke. A man who’s anti British racism and hatred of Protestants seeps and oozes from every sentence.
Let’s be honest Sean, your heroes bottles it in the end up. The Loyalists were taking you on at your own game and you thought it better to run from the fight.
That’s why your community are at odds with each other, the disgrace of calling it a day in the face of a Loyalist onslaught eats away at your very sole.
Ulster is as British as it was in 1969, your slaughter of women and children has brought you scorn from every country of the world. Allies like Gaddafi show the world for what you really are Sean…hate filled bigots and ethnic cleansers.
Nice to see bigotry alive and well among the murder gangs again Sean. Now take a chill pill son, before you burst a blood vessel.
I await the the next racist and sectarian outburst from poor Sean.
JEB:
Take your complaints with the DUP up with them.
I sleep very well at night – I dont count as good friends anyone I believed was associated with PIRA/UVF/UDA et al.
But you did try to set up a political alliance with the PUP. The Conservatives were your second choice.
igor:
MY point is that the SF knee jerk reaction when action is taken against a member of the movement is to attack the forces of law and order, whatever the facts. They signed an oath of office to uphold the law but it only appears to apply to some people
That;‘s why the unionists don’t trust them. An Nationalists should really open their eyes too.
And my point was that unionists also have a knee jerk reaction, usually against the forces of law and order, whenever the police take action against loyalists. Like our friend Nigel in the link I referred to. That’s whenever they’re not voting loyalists into positions of authority on local councils, or attempting to merge with them. How can you talk about trust ?
Our politicians (in general) need to be more supportive of the police. Local representatives should always congratulate the hard work of the police whenever they manage to lift a bunch of scumbags, like the PSNI did in Larne over the weekend. Instead we get stony silence.
Well those quotes did the DUP a nice favour this morning.
The irony being, that if Hughes had lived in the South, he would have been hailed a national hero, like all of the other property developers
“Whenever any serious action is taken against loyalists, you’ll often hear unionists complaining about it in much the same fashion that SF do.”
The context of this thread is the SF Minister for Regional Development defending a convicted (no “alleged” here) benefit fraudster and property “mogul” of no obvious means at a time when his party is hanging the future of the Assembly on the devolution of P&J.
The link to Newton Emerson’s (March 2006) Irish News piece is classic Newton and pulls no punches-politicians cannot be seen to be “soft” on illegal activities within their constituencies. Moreso they must be on the record in their condemnation of such activities. I don’t see how Conor Murphy’s recent comments follow Emerson’s assertions? All I see is spin and some pretty desperate allegations.
But then pointless whataboutery isn’t about real debate is it?
Sean was the dude known as “surgeon” in the book bandit country i take it?
As for Connor’s words.. pretty typical for him and his kind… reflected perfectly by DUP elements on similar occasions.
the brits are now doing what they do best
Dirty tricks
who kicked sinn fein out of stormont when things got close to them having any power last time
they brits said the shinners where spying , turned out it was a british agent doing the spying.
this latest looks like more of the same
whatever happened to innocent until proved guilty?????
oh wait i remember
Republicans are a lower class of people in this country,
we are constantly reminded this with the massive display of union/uda flags everywhere
i was reminded after i received a beating TWICE in coleraine, just for wearing my catholic school uniform.
ireland divided will never be at peace
“i was reminded after i received a beating TWICE in coleraine, just for wearing my catholic school uniform.”
Did you study English while you were there?
that the best you can come up with springfield?
discussion is what im after.
look like you may not be capable of that.
Yeah sorry-that was below the belt-couldn’t resist it.
Could you provide some evidence for your assertions in 11 above in order to progress the discussion?
Ta.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4537098.stm
dont play the idjit now!!
plain for anyone to see.
the brits dont want republicans to have any power
and they will use every state funded dirty trick to prevent that
Has it ever occured to the most offended people on this planet, that Republicans can be criminals? Are you seriously telling us. because of his past terrorist connections, his behaviour should be ignored?
He’s a killer, he’s a conman, he’s an extortionist and he’s surely heading for a long spell inside. Get over it guys, he’s not some sort of hero, he’s a villain.
End of….
tommy
guilty until proved innocent huh…?
he may well be a scam merchant, lets see what the british courts decide . although i have little faith in them for just reasons.
I think, I may be wrong, that you are equating Conor Murphy’s comments about an alleged British Government conspiracy to target Republicans in order to protect Unionism at a perceived (by Republicans) moment of difficulty for Unionists with the Denis Donaldson affair-an attempt, in both cases by HMG to prevent Republicans holding power? The Donaldson affair was something that Unionists at the time were deeply unhappy about IIRC.
Tha last time I checked Sean Hughes wasn’t involved in administering power in Stormont, but
if we want to get into the realms of wild conspiracy theories-what is Conor Murphy’s/SF interest in the Hughes assets and why does he think that these assets being frozen by SOCA is a direct attack by HMG on Republicanism?
Hughes is a convicted criminal. Murphy is an elected representative and Minister who’s party is pushing for the devolution of P&J. Can you not see the possible conflict there?
“who kicked sinn fein out of stormont when things got close to them having any power last time”
For avoidance of confusion-you are asserting that HMG has and is attempting to remove Sinn Fein from power?
I think that Connor Murphy should resign from his ministerial post in protest at the obvious victimisation of an innocent man and his very good friend by obviously biased crown forces.
I mean after all isn’t Stormont simply the extension of British rule and hence its laws in Ireland?
oh wait, hang on a minute, erm !!!
I see he was fined for fiddling his income support.This apparently alone makes him someone of dubious character.Ffs remind me again what the MPs expenses scandal was all about.
Skullion,
The MPs expenses scandal was about the Torygraph trying to boost sales by publishing private and confidential information regarding the lawful behavior of relatively modestly paid MPs in order to create a populist witchhunt which has harmed democracy and acheived nothing.
Brit
Really?And here was me thinking it was a bunch of tossers swindling the taxpayer just because they could.
Brit,
Elliot Morley.
well i presume (but maybe Conor could check up for us and let us know) that Sean Hughes will be supporting Argentina on saturday so maybe give him a bit of slack folks.
Brit
I do believe smoking Skunk is very popular in your household. Are you for real?
Harmed democracy???
I hope you don’t mind, please keep this a secret Brit. I’ve just screwed my company for about £40k on a second home I paid off years ago. I’m sure they won’t mind though, we don’t want to disrupt our democratic ways, now do we?
The mind boggles.