Wednesday, June 20, 2007
“I didn`t actually see the programme..”
The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, has commented on last night’s BBC Spotlight investigation into the murder of Capt Robert Nairac, which he declined to be interviewed for - the programme can now be viewed at the BBC site
The Sinn Fein MP told the Assembly`s Committee of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister: “In relation to last night`s Spotlight programme, I didn`t actually see the programme but I am told - and I do not know if this is accurate or not - two people on the programme who indicated they had some involvement in the killing of Captain Nairac. I don`t know who these people are. I do not know if they are bona fide people who were actually there. I do not know if they were Walter Mittys. I do not know whether or not there is any validity to the case that was actually made by them on the programme.”
Pete Baker @ 03:21 PM
I didn’t see the program, but have read a news article describing it. From what I’ve read, there was nothing that wasn’t in the book “Bandit Country”, aside from the fact that Mr. McCormick confirms his role and how it happened is the way described in the book.
My heart goes out to Nairac’s family.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 03:34 PMSome people think they’ve gotten away with their crimes, even, indeed, been rewarded for (supposedly stopping doing) them. But they haven’t. Justice draws closer, even for those who don’t watch tv.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 04:48 PMHence the problem with having a political system that gives out premier executive offices to those who had previously championed and instigated tactics of terror moves over that of democratic measures and redress.
Such new law abiding democrats prefer to bluster over the past with a defence statement of ‘no evidence then no concerns’.
The GFA was a political agreement involving tweaks to the constitution but crimes are crimes as per municipal and international law, be they conducted by paramilitaries or former members of the state police system, and all should be looked into in order to put victims’ families concerns at rest by getting justice for them, however late in the day.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 05:04 PMDon’t they look a picture, just now on the telly, with their baby-love-in aides beside them.
All-together now: aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 05:12 PMThe mills of God.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 05:46 PMHi,
Lets see if C2 turn up at the front door of those who admitted involvement in this murder on national TV, like they did at other high profile individuals who may or may not have wrote a book.
Ding Ding
Marty
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 06:22 PMDoes anyone find them less convincing than the Walter Mitty’s that said SF would win 15 seats in the Dail elections?
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 06:50 PMAs I said in the other thread McGuinness’ shifty stance didn’t do him any good. How can these be walter mittys if they are on the run from justice because they are wanted in relation to the crime. This has been all over radio ulster all day, they even tried to contact the office of the DFM this morning, but no joy.
Why would the claimed commander of the IRA in the area at the time say on tv in relation to this murder ask Mr Adams and McGuinness unless they knew something. This answer is even worse than he gave on the programme.
The IRA should give up the remains to his family. This man did not get his just deserts, the troubles were not worth one drop of blood Irish or English - they achieved nothing. I prefered what we had in stormont in 1969 to what we have now, a bunch of static oligarchs who have made their money on the backs of the dead.Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 06:57 PMwhere are the establishment figures who want to leave the past in the past.
Sorry that only applys to actions by the state!!!
MickHall is right we need a truth commission to look at ALL killings--including state ones.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 07:48 PMheck, as you may have noticed there have been major enquiries into state crimes - does the word Saville ring a bell?
I totally agree that a truth commission would be the best solution, but the vested interests of the political establishment (Brit and Irish governments, DUP/Sinn Fein) will probably put the brakes on that one.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 08:49 PMI don’t believe the story put across last night by the BBC. I think the programme was an attempt by the BBC to undermine the heroic bravery and discipline of the IRA’s South Armagh Brigade. Any fool would know that the chain of events put forward last night is ‘Alice in Wonderland’ stuff.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 09:08 PM“I didn`t actually see the programme..”
Really, would Sky+ be that difficult for him to afford on the average industrial wage?
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 09:25 PMSurely even by the IRAs warped logic disposing of Nairac’s body is morally wrong. IF the IRA claim to be an “army “fighting” “a war”, surely in war one allows the other side to bury their own dead. Once they had murdered Captain Nairac they could at least have allowed the army or RoI officials to find the body and give Captain Nairac’s family the opportunity to have a decent burial. What actually happened is of course entirly typical behaviour by the IRA and akin to Pinochet’s death squads.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 09:32 PMPersonally, I’m more interested in Nairac’s life than his death. What was his role? Who did he report to? What was his relationship with the UVF? Why did he think he was untouchable in the republican heartland?
An enigmatic character.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:09 PMTurgon, you obviously missed the many Nationalist funerals that were batton charged by the paramilitary RUC during the troubles. The actions of the state in not allowing the IRA to bury their dead in a dignified way may have something to do with them not returning Nairac.
I believe it was always said that he was fed to the pigs and that that information was passed to the SAS and if it is true they will have some job getting him back!
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:19 PMBelfast Gonzo
“What was his relationship with the UVF?”
A pertinent question indeed. I have no time for violence from any quarter. I certainly don’t agree with the murder of Nairac or the fact that his family have been denied the chance to give him a decent burial.
However, I find the fact that certain people treat him as a hero and/or an innocent victim sickening. He colluded with the UVF/UDR in murdering innocent Catholics i.e the Miami Showband massacre.
As I said, I completely condemn his murder and I truly hope that his family get the opportunity to bury him properly.
However, I have more sympathy for the genuine innocent victims in both communities than for someone who lived by the sword and died by the sword.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:39 PMBilly
I am unsure that he is regarded by anyone as a hero per se. I think he was a colourful and eccentric character but to claim that he was personally involved in sectarian murder is simply a reflection of the fact that people know his name and not the names of the other tens of thousands of soldiers that were in NI.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 10:44 PMI wonder
There are many claims that Nairac colluded with the UVF in specific operations that resulted in the murder of innocent Catholics.
This is not the work of one or two people with a particular agenda. There are “loyalists” (including convicted UVF members who were involved in these assasinations), nationalists and British security sources who independently support these allegations.
I don’t expect the truth will ever come out about the real extent of British Army/UDR/UVF collusion in South Armagh particularly during the mid 70’s.
However, in my opinion, the number of detailed allegations against Nairac from opposing sides of the “conflict” is convincing enough.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:02 PMBilly
Unsure what loyalists you’re talking about and I am aware of Peter Taylor’s work.
No better man to name to Nairac as a Loyalist assasssin/agent. He didnt. I doubt that Nairac was the liaison. I think it a pity that David Ervine predeceased certain members of the DUP. Equally, Fr Murray isnt necessarily an authority on such matters. He has an agenda. :)
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:07 PM“An enigmatic character”
As enigmatic as perhaps as Maxwell Knight, who had a love for exotic animals, birds and indeed same sex relationships, a truly puzzling MI5 character; the underworld is not just a place for enigmatic people but also for subtle eccentrics who seem to provide the State with the brains in order to manipulate to out-do the terror boys at their own game.
When it comes to spooks and subterfuge the papers love to print any stories which seem only too keen to, unusually, mix a lot of fact with fiction, as it is, on occasions, more fascinating than well thought out make-believe red-top nonsense.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:23 PM“Personally, I’m more interested in Nairac’s life than his death”
Very subtle deflection, it reminds me of similar retorts from unfavourable nationalists to the murder of Billy Wright, many a joke did the rounds along the line of “there should be an inquiry into his life”.
Nice try.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:30 PMI think it a reflection of a life involved with either alcohol, drugs or bravado that he was in that bar that night. Was it something as inane as a bet?
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:33 PMDC
Have you read “The Billy Boy”? On reading it and it alone, one wonders what all the fuss was about and indeed why Billy was ever imprisoned…Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:35 PMI think the key word to use to describe Nairac is “naive”.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:38 PM“Naive” - quite possibly. Just think back to the two British soldiers who thought it would be good to get an adrenalin rush by conspicuously visiting the republican funerals of those loved ones killed by Michael Stone.
Ultimately it ended up in other loved ones burying other loved ones and so on and so forth.
However, no need for such antics nowadays, as the ‘RA and ‘DA are dishing out the ice, coke and E’s to suppress the need to go that far again for your rush.
Posted by on Jun 20, 2007 @ 11:44 PM
