“The Provos are giving the police information non-stop”

A Sunday Times report on efforts to counter the increasing activity of still-violent republican groups begins by noting the recent returning to prison of a man released on licence in 1992.  Pending a legal challenge, no doubt.  From the Sunday Times

The Northern Ireland Office is examining intelligence information supplied by MI5 on dissident republicans who were released early under the Good Friday agreement to check if there is evidence to seek their immediate return to prison.

Martin Corey, 60, who was released on licence in 1992 after serving a term for the murder of two policemen in 1973, was returned to prison two weeks ago. He was taken to Maghaberry jail after being informed that his licence had been revoked.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is also pursuing charges against dissidents for “ordinary” crimes that carry a custodial sentence, and they are examining cold-case files to establish if charges could be pressed for involvement in IRA attacks during the Troubles.

Gardai are in discussions with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to check if there is evidence to press IRA membership or terrorism charges against key suspects. Various convictions were secured against members of the Real and Continuity IRA in the Special Criminal Court between 1998 and 2003, which helped to bring the dissidents’ bombing campaign to an end.

This post’s title quote comes from former internee Geraldine Taylor, deputy president of Republican Sinn Fein (RSF), “the political associate of CIRA”.  Taylor is currently in the US after successfully applying for a visa waiver.

From the Sunday Times report

“I will be promoting Republican Sinn Fein and I will be looking for support for our prisoners here,” said Taylor.

John McDonagh of the Irish Freedom Committee, the dissident support group that is honouring Taylor, welcomed the fact that she had been allowed to enter the country. He sees her visit as an opportunity to counter Sinn Fein’s advocacy of the peace process. “She will be meeting people from all over the place now that she is in the country,” he said. “All we have been seeing for the past 12 years is people like Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.”

Taylor described Sinn Fein as “touts” because they support the police. “The Provos are giving the police information non-stop,” she said.