Monday, March 12, 2007
McGeough and McAnespie charged with attempted murder
Independent republican candidate in the recent election, Gerry McGeough, has appeared in Enniskillen Magistrates Court charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to murder and possession of weapons and ammunition - relating to an attack on a part-time UDR soldier in 1981. According to reports his response to the charges was, ‘No comment’. Also charged with the same offences was Vincent McAnespie, husband of a Sinn Féin councillor and, as described by SF MP Michelle Gildernew when she claimed the arrests were an example of “political policing”, an “active member of [the] party”. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Adds Both were remanded in custody. And They are to appear at Dungannon Magistrates Court on April 4th.
Pete Baker @ 01:03 PM
There’s something a bit odd about this but I’m not sure what.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:25 PMThanks by the way for providing that link to UTV. I notice at the bottom it mentions a film called Sleeping Dogss, directed by a Bob Goldthwait
I wonder if thats Bobcat Goldthwait of Police Academy fame?
Got me thinking anyway…
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:27 PMThis is to remove McGeough. right up front this guy said he would keep trying, if he failed in this election then he’d stand in the forthcoming council elections. He intended to be a thorn in the side of Provisional Sinn Fein - he had to be removed.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:28 PMgerry
This is to remove McGeough.
How can it? Let’s assume for arguments sake they get a conviction. Both men would qualify for release under the Good Friday Agreement.
If as we can assume it was an IRA operation then they are IRA prisoners and will be released.
McGeough made it clear during his election campaign that he does not advocate a return to violence.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:31 PMGerry - he has been charged with a serious offence that comes under the GFA’s provisions for early release (if he was to be convicted). Will he be opposing the GFA if convicted?
If he wants to persue his political career he may have the GFA to thank for it. I agree, it wouldn’t be the best platform for him - as the recent votes dissidents got seem to suggest.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:32 PMThe PSNI/UVF brough down the first assembly with a raid on stormont which gave cover to Trimble to withdraw. Could this be an attempt to bring down the st andrews agreement by giving cover to the DUP to break the SAA?
SF should not have supported the police as they are currently constituted.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:34 PMSF must not over-react, and give Ian Paisley the excuse he needs to take the pressure off himself and his Party.
peteb dya know if either got bail?Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:39 PMThere’s something a bit odd about this but I’m not sure what.
I imagine it’s the timing of the whole thing (ie after the last votes had been cast). Clearly somebody didn’t want the anti-agreement candidates’ campaign bolstered before polling day to the detriment of SF. Show’s how far we’ve come since the days of the Broadcasting Ban. Political policing, it hasn’t gone away you know.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:42 PMHeck, they could probably do better than lifting these two if they really wanted to cause a stir.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:43 PMparcifal
SF must not over-react
I think all shades of nationalist opinion must keep a very close eye on this case. A legal process is underway now and we’ll have to see what evidence is produced.
I assume both men will get bail.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 01:55 PMHenry,
If he goes before the courts and is convicted, he would be removed from the scene for a considerable period of time, even were he to qualify under the GFA for release, and say what you will about Gerry, he is undoubtedly a very articulate guy who has come across well in the media. [despite the low number of votes he got.]
I doubt any of us are party to what motivated his and Vincie McAnespie arrest, but in all probability there are far more prominent Republicans who the security services could have arrested for past deeds. This being so it is not unreasonable to question what made the RUC/PSNI move against these two men.
I still have no doubt that it was a shot across the bows of all republicans who refuse to dance to the UK States GFA tune. The fact that Gerry McGeough, and all those who signed the letter to the Irish News, made it perfectly clear they were against the further use of violence to achieve their political aims, clearly means nothing to the UK State. Once again it looks like in this new Orange State, the Irish Republicans aim of a thirty two county socialist republic, is in itself enough to be placed on the wrong side of the law by the powers that be, especially if one is unwilling to jump through the Viceroy and Mr Paisleys mirage of carefully constructed hoops.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:00 PMProvisional Sinn Fein will not over react, infact its hard to see them react at all. It is only when they close in on Adams for his dabs being on a car involved in some incident or other that we’ll see a hue and cry over this sort of thing.
As for policing. Anyone one in nationalist areas see any difference, seems things have gotten worse. Drove by that incident this morning, where the body was found in west belfast on my way to work- its obvious, how he died. He was shot, at least that is what the word is on the street. And this is peace delivered?
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:02 PMA tabloid either The Sun or Mirror mentioned Adams prints and also some kind of attack on a guy over the border. can’t remember the details as I was sneaking a look over a blokes shoulder.
There is always the possibility that somethong very serious could emerge in the next couple of weeks to upset the apple cart. There are a lot of people who know a lot of information.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:06 PMmickhall
I wouldn’t argue with any of that. But a campaign to free McGeogh would generate more support that anything he could have done otherwise.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:07 PMBut who shot him Gerry, was it good people or bad ones?
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:07 PMWhether good or bad,lets hope Mr Adams et al pass the test of helping the police and urging people to talk to them. Will he do that yokel or will it depend upon who shot him and why? Shootings in North Belfast, and now two dead bodies one in each area, something is not right. Time for SF to clean up dodge. If they don’t who could possibly sit in govt with them???? Or is the only hope we have Big Ian??
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:15 PMGerry
“its obvious, how he died. He was shot, at least that is what the word is on the street. And this is peace delivered?”
UTV had a brief word on the murder, which made it sound as though the body was dumped there for full affect, possibly by loayalist paras.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:17 PMLoyalist Paramiltaries eh
Want to have a bet on that?
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:18 PMYokel
“Want to have a bet on that?”
Not a gambling man, especially on any outcome in NI!
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:20 PMI haven’t seen utv yet, but the young lad who was with him is known to some of my family, I don’t think I am allowed to name names on this site so I won’t. It’s hard to see how loyalist paramilitaries dumped a body there, if you are not from the area its a difficult spot to find. Even more difficult in the dark, considering the body was found at 4am.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:22 PMI wonder will other dissident candidates be answering the front door with a little more hesitation these days…
And another thing - I haven’t been near a computer since the election. Congratulations to the Shinners on a very strong result. I can’t say I was very pleased with it, but fair’s fair.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:22 PMURQUHART
I think that is very civil of you.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:26 PMDec :
I imagine it’s the timing of the whole thing (ie after the last votes had been cast). Clearly somebody didn’t want the anti-agreement candidates’ campaign bolstered before polling day to the detriment of SF. Show’s how far we’ve come since the days of the Broadcasting Ban. Political policing, it hasn’t gone away you know.
The BBC a few days ago (seems to be missing now) quoted the PSNI as saying that McGeogh had “re-entered the jurisdiction some time ago”. How long has McGeogh been living outside of NI ? How do we know that the PSNI were not preparing an extradition request ahead of McGeogh’s announcement to stand ?
mickhall:
The fact that Gerry McGeough, and all those who signed the letter to the Irish News, made it perfectly clear they were against the further use of violence to achieve their political aims, clearly means nothing to the UK State.
Mick, give me a straight answer to a simple question. Should there be an amnesty on all activities related to the 30-year conflict ? You seem to be surprised by the fact that there isn’t one at the minute.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:27 PMWest Belfast MP and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said his thoughts were with the bereaved families.
“While the circumstances surrounding the two deaths is not yet clear, if they were killed, then anyone with any information should bring that information to the police and should co-operate to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:29 PMUTV had a brief word on the murder, which made it sound as though the body was dumped there for full affect, possibly by loayalist paras.
Harris,
Some people will twist the facts in any way. Why are you trying to deny that the IRA shot what it considered to be a legitimate target ?
Posted by on Mar 12, 2007 @ 02:29 PM
