The BBC reports from the pre-sentencing hearing of Gerry McGeough – who was found guilty in February of the attempted murder of an off-duty UDR soldier, then working as a postman, now DUP councillor Sammy Brush, in 1981.
From the BBC report
An unnamed member of the Northern Ireland Executive has supplied a reference for Gerry McGeough ahead of his sentencing.
The former IRA member was found guilty in February of the attempted murder of an off-duty UDR soldier 30 years ago.
Sammy Brush, a former postman, was shot while delivering letters in 1981.
At Belfast Crown Court, a defence barrister said the executive member had written to say that McGeough posed no threat whatsoever to the peace process.
I’d like to know which particular hat that “unnamed member of the Northern Ireland Executive” was wearing when they wrote that reference.
And, whilst it may or may not be true that Gerry McGeough poses “no threat whatsoever to the peace process”, they’re not in a position to make that call. Neither is it particularly relevant at this stage.
But I think we can narrow down the list of likely suspects…
Update A Belfast Telegraph report confirms the “unnamed member of the Northern Ireland Executive” to be Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gildernew, who was wearing her Member of [the UK] Parliament ‘hat’ at the time. [Adds – edited post title]
And According to the updated BBC report, “A Sinn Fein spokesman said Ms Gildernew’s reference was first given at a bail hearing more than three years ago.”
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