“and ‘Soon’ would have known this”

Perhaps the most interesting [and least covered? – Ed] response to the release of UK National Archive files from 1981 was that of the Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, TD.  An edited version of his blog post appeared at the Guardian. The interesting part is not his declaration of “Another myth busted”.  That particular “war of words”, as Brian Rowan says, “will go on”. The interest is in Adams’ calling into question “the relationship between London and ‘Soon’” – Londonderry businessman Brendan Duddy – …

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Adams damning McGuinness with faint praise..?

IT would have been easy for Gerry Adams to be fulsome in his praise of Martin McGuinness’ presidential campaign. Instead, the intro to Gerry Adams’ latest blog entry seems both ambiguous and odd – although the former may be politically ingrained and the latter blamed on his a faux folksy writing style. And – for a party as single-mindedly obsessed with expansionism as SF – not a word about the size of the vote. Here’s the first par, the one …

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“There are sometimes occasions when frank disagreements arise between states…”

After meeting with the Finucane family to discuss the UK government’s decision “to conduct an independent review to produce a full public account of any state involvement in the murder”, rather than open an inquiry under the 2005 Inquiries Act, UTV reports Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore’s comments Speaking after a meeting with the Finucane family on Monday afternoon he said: “There are sometimes occasions when frank disagreements arise between states. “This is one on this occasion.” …… Mr …

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“He is merely behaving as an echo chamber for Sinn Fein exasperation…”

As we wait for the US court’s ruling on the release of the Boston College archive material, it’s worth noting that there have been a number of recent articles in which some interested parties have made their views known. A couple of weeks after a Boston Globe editorial called on the college to release the information requested, a joint op-ed from Ed Moloney and Anthony McIntyre appeared in the same paper.  Accompanying it was a separate article from columnist Kevin Cullen arguing the same lines.  …

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Quote of the day: “Isn’t this where you used to meet Gerry Adams?”

From David Hare’s spy drama Page Eight, broadcast tonight on BBC2.  A senior MI5 officer, Johnny Worricker, played by Bill Nighy, is investigating the sudden death of his close friend, and Director General of MI5, Benedict Baron [Michael Gambon].  In the aftermath of the death, a journalist, Rollo Maverley [Ewen Bremner], who is also an MI5 operative paid to release information into the public domain, arranges a meeting at an anonymous motorway diner.  The following exchange takes place. [Johnny Worricker]: ” A ‘Road House’?  Rather a come-down isn’t it? …

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“Which of these questions do you think are ‘silly’?”

Prime Time had two main items last night. One of the plight of the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries in the wake of UN Committee against Torture recommendation that the Irish state’s failure to protect the women should be properly investigated. Then there is a piece looking at the recovery process of those bodies of those Disappeared by the IRA in which it documents the fact that most of the investigations are being done through intermediaries rather by direct contact …

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Smithwick Tribunal: Former Provisional IRA leaders met Tribunal’s legal team “in recent weeks”

The BBC reports that, at today’s public hearing, the Smithwick Tribunal was told that its legal team had held “a face-to face meeting with three former members of the Provisional IRA in recent weeks.”  From the BBC report It was told the three former IRA leaders, one of whom had a command role in the attack, had met the tribunal. Their evidence will be presented to the inquiry shortly. The tribunal was told the IRA members gave detailed accounts and replied to questions from the inquiry …

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Murphy challenges Special Criminal Court venue for case

The latest stage in the long-running saga of the State versus Thomas Murphy got under way in Dublin’s High Court today.  Thomas Murphy faces trial in the Special Criminal Court on nine charges of failing to make tax returns between 1996 and 2004.  In October 2008, the “culmination of intensive investigations by the Irish Criminal Assets Bureau and the UK’s Serious and Organised Crime Agency” saw more than €625,000 in cash and cheques confiscated in Ireland as the proceeds of crime, while …

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“I’m sure the Queen, who must feel a bit constrained in her day job, will understand the tug.”

The Guardian’s Michael White covers a lot of ground in his post at the Big G’s Politics blog – including the crisis in the eurozone.  But here’s a, lengthy, excerpt to start with. If Gaelic had a word for chutzpah (perhaps it does?), the Sinn Féin president, now an Irish TD (MP), would win the chutzpah prize every time. He was on his best behaviour for the Queen’s trip – even he can see it has been a modest success. …

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Quote of the Day

From associate of Irish President Mary McAleese, and de facto leader of the UDA inner council, Jackie McDonald.  He was being interviewed on Talkback today following the wreath laying ceremony at the Irish War Memorial at Islandbridge – where UTV’s Ken Reid notes McDonald was introduced to Queen Elizabeth II walked past McDonald.  [Approx 1 hour 15 mins in] “I’m no more a member of the UDA than Gerry Adams was a member of the IRA.” [Jackie McDonald] Indeed… Pete Baker

“they’ve all sold out on the Irish people.”

A Newshound transcribed report of the alleged assault and attempted intimidation of former Sinn Féin member, Colm Lynagh, in Clones last weekend includes this snippet. Gerry Adams delivered the oration at Jim Lynagh’s funeral. At that time, Martin McGuiness was already engaged in secret meetings with MI6 agent Michael Oakley. Yet Adams told mourners at the graveside: “Anyone who does business with the British, the SDLP or the Free State establishment are fools as they’ve all sold out on the Irish people.” …

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“Adams and the forces of the British Crown in Ireland are entirely united…”

Whilst Malachi’s article was mostly directed at the northern incarnation of Sinn Féin, in the Scotsman Kevin Toolis focuses on the southern version. As far as the Sinn Féin leadership is concerned, Ireland’s Troubles are old news from another country that they hope everyone else will forget about. Skeletons that should remain in the closet. Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, newly minted as a deputy at the head of a substantial bloc in the new Irish parliament, is intent on …

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“the crowning moment in the peace process”?

Both Buckingham Palace and the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, have announced the itinerary for the State visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland, from Tuesday 17th to Friday 20th May.  The first by a UK monarch since 1911. The programme will include a formal welcome by President McAleese at áras an Uachtaráin, a ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, a courtesy call on the Taoiseach at Government Buildings and a State dinner in Dublin Castle, at which both The Queen and …

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Gerry asks Protestants of West Belfast to get out and vote

Having more than likely twisted the arms of direct rule ministers to put in the clause that shifted the rules over who gets to be First Minister, Gerry Adams is now chiding Unionists gently saying they “should get real about what the issues are. The (First and Deputy First Ministers) have co-equal powers in a co-equal department.” But his next pitch was much more interesting. West Belfast no longer has a Unionist seat, not because it doesn’t have enough Unionists …

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“Riddikulus!”

In the News Letter, Alex Kane calls the new TD for Louth, and still Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, Gerard Adams, on his party’s, self-declared, “ongoing reconquest of Ireland“.  From the News Letter article. Sinn Fein’s greatest skill remains its ability to bluff with a poor hand. It always talks and acts as though Irish unity were an inevitability and that everything that happens – the ballot box/armalite tactic; the IRA ceasefire and decommissioning; becoming part of …

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“Theirs is a vote for equality…”

One of the new TDs for Louth, and still Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, Gerard Adams, has thanked all those who voted for his party. “I want to thank everyone who worked for Sinn Féin and all those citizens who voted for us. “Theirs is vote is a vote for equality, a real republic and a United Ireland in which citizens are cherished.” Which might come as news to those who thought they were voting to [unilaterally] …

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Gerry Adams “considering all legal remedies open to him…”

Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness may believe that Gerry Adams’ “answer” is “the end of it” concerning questions over his party leader’s credibility, but the Herald reports that they have received a letter from the still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead‘s solicitors following the publication of an interview with Jean McConville’s daughter, Helen McKendry.  From the Herald article Adams’s solicitors McCartan & Burke claimed the article represented a “serious defamation” of their client who is “considering all legal remedies open to him”. Ms …

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“Gerry Adams has given his answer and that’s the end of it as far as I’m concerned.”

The Northern Ireland deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, has been in Dublin, wearing one of his other hats ahead of the Irish general election.  And he’s been getting outraged on behalf of the still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, his party’s president, Gerard Adams, at questions over his credibility.  Oh, and on behalf of “people in the North”. From the iol report. Mr McGuinness said: “Gerry Adams has given his answer and that’s the end of it as far as …

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Micheál Martin: “I think there is a huge problem for Gerry Adams in a credibility sense”

The Sinn Féin president, and still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, Gerard Adams has taken exception to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin raising the credibility question in relation to the SF leader’s murky past. [added final link] From the Belfast Telegraph report “There is a fundamental problem for Gerry when he continues to deny his membership of the IRA,” said Mr Martin. “Because every time he talks in this debate during the election about honesty, about being up front and transparent, it jars …

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“This position could prove a political liability…”

Via Newshound.  In the Sunday Times Liam Clarke picked up on the reaction by the Sinn Féin president, and still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, Gerard Adams to the recent reports of a possible visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II later this year.  Here’s the An Phoblacht report of that reaction I don’t think the queen should come. There are hugely unresolved matters in terms of the British still claiming jurisdiction even though in terms of the Good Friday …

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