Terrorism – Page 12 – Slugger O'Toole

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

Pete Baker on June 7, 2011, 5:12 pm

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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 …

“We are back to looking under our cars again.”

Pete Baker on June 5, 2011, 4:27 pm

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The Independent on Sunday details some statistics of concern An Independent on Sunday investigation has identified violent and growing opposition to the peace agreement. Bombing incidents are at their highest level in eight years. There were 100 incidents in 2010/11. Some 205 new personal protection weapon (PPW) licences – for people whose lives are under threat – were granted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) last year, a five-fold increase on the 42 issued in 2008. Almost a …

Legacy issues?

Pete Baker on June 4, 2011, 4:49 pm

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The suspicious object which, on its discovery yesterday, caused a security alert in the Sligo Road area of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, was, apparently, a “40-year-old mortar”. Which would date it to [circa] 1971… But whose “mortar bomb” was it? And how long had it been in place? Update The “40-year-old mortar” is now being described as a “rocket propelled grenade” which “had been in the ground for 15 to 20 years” – it was disabled on Friday by British Army technical officers in a controlled …

Thoughts on Victims, the past and the future of the past

Turgon on June 3, 2011, 11:34 am

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The furore over Mary McArdle’s appointment as special advisor to the new Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin is showing no sign of going away. As Pete mentioned below McArdle has made a comment in the Andersonstown News expressing regret that Mary Travers was killed: regret but no apology and certainly no repentance which would as Jim Allister and others have pointed out, have to mean naming the other members of her murder gang: something her oath to the overall murder …

“While it may be described as being a mistake, she was shot in the back”

Pete Baker on June 2, 2011, 3:21 pm

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Reports of ‘loyalist threats’ didn’t stem the criticism, now Sinn Féin’s Mary McArdle, special adviser to the Northern Ireland Culture Minister, Carál Ní Chilín, has broken her silence over her controversial appointment. In the Andersonstown News… Mary McArdle was convicted and jailed for her involvement in the Provisional IRA murder of 23-year-old teacher, Mary Travers, who had been working at Holy Child Primary School in Andersonstown, west Belfast, and the attempted murder of Mary Travers’ father, Catholic magistrate Tom Travers, as they left mass at St Brigid’s …

Murphy challenges Special Criminal Court venue for case

Pete Baker on June 1, 2011, 7:54 pm

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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 …

Smithwick Tribunal: “It is understood the tribunal chairman is concerned about the deadline”

Pete Baker on May 31, 2011, 9:55 pm

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According to the Irish Justice Minister, Alan Shatter, speaking to the BBC on Thursday – about the Irish Government setting the Smithwick Tribunal a ‘deadline’ of 30 November for its final report. [Irish Justice Minister Alan] Shatter said the November deadline was not set in stone. “We’ve been informed by the tribunal chairman that he believes the tribunal will be in a position to do that, but should it emerge that there’s a difficulty in that regard, of course, we’ll revisit the matter,” he …

Gerry Kelly: “and I don’t like being critical of the media…”

Pete Baker on May 26, 2011, 11:38 pm

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In the face of continued criticism of their decision to appoint Mary McArdle as a special advisor to Northern Ireland Culture Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, Sinn Féin have informed the media of ‘loyalist threats’ against Mary McCardle, Carál Ní Chuilín and Gerry Kelly, MLA. The PSNI, as usual, have neither confirmed nor denied threats against named individuals. But Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly has taken the opportunity to point a finger of blame at the media. From the BBC report Mr Kelly said his …

A calculated insult to victims

Turgon on May 25, 2011, 10:50 pm

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Anne Travers the sister of Mary Travers who was murdered by the IRA outside St. Bridget’s Church on Derryvolgie made a telling intervention in April this year. On that occasion she demolished Pat Cusick of Sinn Fein on RTE’s Liveline (covered by Mick here). Then she was polite, controlled and brilliant as an advocate for victims. Today she has again made her point in the same quiet, powerful and eloquent fashion. This time it was following the news that one …

HET to interview McGuinness over Joanne Mathers murder

Turgon on May 20, 2011, 11:07 am

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The News Letter is reporting that Martin McGuinness may be about to be interviewed by the Historical Enquiries Team regarding the 1981 murder of census worker Joanne Mathers. From the News letter: On Monday, MP Gregory Campbell referred to the fact obliquely when he raised a point of order in the assembly. Addressing assembly speaker Willie Hay, Mr Campbell (DUP) said: “If it transpires — my understanding is that it will — that the deputy first minister’s name will be …

Quote of the Day

Pete Baker on May 18, 2011, 4:15 pm

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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

Scappaticci granted legal representation at Smithwick Tribunal

Pete Baker on May 18, 2011, 1:48 pm

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The Smithwick Tribunal may have opened in 2006, but the public hearings are only to begin in June this year. The tribunal’s terms of reference are Tribunal of Inquiry into suggestions that members of An Garda Síochána or other employees of the State colluded in the fatal shootings of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan on the 20th March, 1989. And the Tribunal’s rules of procedure adds a interpretation of those terms 9. The Tribunal’s Terms …

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

Pete Baker on May 16, 2011, 3:32 pm

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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.” …

“encouraging support for an illegal organisation…”

Pete Baker on May 15, 2011, 5:31 pm

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The Belfast Telegraph report, transcribed by Newshound, has some details of the arrest of Marian Price and the subsequent search of her house. But the reports of the charge she now faces, encouraging support for an illegal organisation, link it specifically to the 32 County Sovereignty Movement’s Easter Monday rally in Londonderry – where she was the main speaker. Just as she was in 2010. As the News Letter report notes The PSNI said this morning that a 57-year-old woman, understood to be …

“At the very least, there is negligence on the part of the researchers…”

Pete Baker on May 14, 2011, 12:39 pm

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Those involved in Boston College’s Northern Ireland archive continue to mutter about the motivations behind, and potential damage to future research from, the subpoena for their source material. But as the Boston Globe report notes However, Stephen Pope, a theology professor at BC, said the guarantee of confidentiality to interview subjects is at best, naive, and at worst, manipulative, especially when conducting research like the BC project that “has such grave significance for society.’’ “It’s important to get legal advice …

Boston College NI archive materials subpoenaed

Pete Baker on May 13, 2011, 12:10 pm

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There’s been an edited version published of two of the interviews held in Boston College’s Northern Ireland archive – which now also contains the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) archive. Now the New York Times reports that Boston College has received a supoena for the source material. In exchange for candor, the people being interviewed were assured that the contents would remain sealed until they were dead. Now, however, authorities in the United Kingdom want oral histories that were given to Boston College …

“what now on those big questions on arms and on the past?”

Pete Baker on May 10, 2011, 5:17 pm

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In the Belfast Telegraph, Brian Rowan with a reminder of some unfinished business. The publication of the two reports he mentions was postponed, before the elections, until “a date to be agreed by both Governments”. From the Belfast Telegraph article At an event at Queen’s University recently, I said there won’t be a truth process here. There may be something dressed up as such a process, but it won’t be about truth and the many hidden secrets of war. Governments don’t want it, the security …

“He benefits from formidable references from the very highest echelons of our society.”

Pete Baker on May 6, 2011, 10:23 pm

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Sentenced to 20 years for the attempted murder, in 1981, of now-DUP councillor, Sammy Brush, former Provisional IRA member Gerry McGeough has been refused temporary release on compassionate bail to attend his son’s first holy communion. That’s despite his barrister, Sean Devine’s, claim that his client “benefits from formidable references from the very highest echelons of our society.” [And that would be? – Ed] The erstwhile Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister, Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew… It cut little ice with the NI Court …

“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics…”

Pete Baker on May 2, 2011, 10:30 pm

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Over a month after US President Barack Obama’s unilateral decision to authorize US forces to use missile strikes “kinetic military action” against Libya without the approval of Congress, and the UN withdraws from Tripoli as its offices, and other foreign missions, are attacked in the aftermath of a NATO air strike on one of Muammar Gadafy’s homes. In addition, “world leaders and security experts have urged renewed vigilance against retaliatory attacks” after President Obama authorised a targeted killing, of Osama bin Laden, on Pakistani soil – …

Osama Bin Laden killed in Pakistan

Turgon on May 2, 2011, 1:15 pm

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The BBC are reporting that Osama Bin Laden has been killed in a US special forces raid on a compound in Abbottabad, 60 miles north-east of Islamabad. From the BBC: After a “firefight” Bin Laden was killed and his body taken by US forces, the president said. Mr Obama said “no Americans were harmed”. US officials said Bin Laden was shot in the head after resisting. US media reports said that the body was buried at sea to conform with …