The blood is on their hands !
Illegal activity by the British State during the decades of Northern Ireland's Troubles needs to be owned up to, a body set up by the British government said today.
The Consultative Group on the Past, established last year to produce a report on how Northern Ireland dealt with the legacy of its conflict, said innocent people had been allowed to die.
The group is due to produce a report later in the year but the co-chairman, retired Church of Ireland primate Lord Eames and former Policing Board vice chairman Denis Bradley,outlined their thinking in an address in Belfast. They made it clear it was not just the actions of the republican and loyalist terrorist groups that had to be come to grips with, but those of the British state as well.
Lord Eames said what many had great difficulty in coming to terms with was that “the state not only sought to be an honest broker during the conflict but also played a combative role and, in this context, sometimes went beyond their own rules of engagement”. He said it was one of the critical issues facing the group,difficult as it may be for some in society to hear.
“Elements of the state, on some occasions, acted outside the law and through handling of intelligence it could even be said innocent people were allowed to die".
"We cannot ignore that, in fact, the state sometimes acted illegally.”
The group did not believe unionists had anything to fear from listening to and trying to understand how the state conducted itself - discovering or admitting wrong things were done could be a “liberating experience”, he said, "But admitting state wrongdoing must not take away from the work of the vast majority of the British security forces, Lord Eames added.
Having to confront the state about acknowledging its wrongdoing must not take away from the majority of men and women in the RUC and UDR/RIR who did their duty and suffered appallingly and unjustly as a result,” he said.
Mr Bradley said the gathering of intelligence and the use of informers by the state was almost inevitable and had undoubtedly saved lives and stopped atrocities. But he noted Northern Ireland was a small place with close-knit communities. “The scale of the use of informers throughout the conflict corroded the fabric of our communities and the constant pressure now exerted for information about informers to be revealed only serves to further undermine the well being of communities to a degree that could be poisonous.”
Another key challenge identified by the group was how far the justice system could deliver for victims and survivors -and it said many may have to face up to the fact no one would ever be brought to book for their actions.
Mr Bradley said a democratic criminal justice system was
vital to a civilised society, but the judicial process was a “crude instrument” to use when dealing with a conflict such as that experienced in Northern Ireland.“We must be honest with ourselves about the realities of what any court or inquiry can deliver.”
There were otherways of seeking the truth that do not include long drawn out judicial processes, he said. Lord Eames said everyone must be encouraged by developments in Northern Ireland over the last few years but warned "the reality is that we live in a society that is still divided". "There are issues from the past that must be dealt with if we are to truly ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes ofthe past." Sinn Fein boycotted today's event, saying it protested at the failure of Lord Eames and Mr Bradley to invite republican groups representing the families of those who were victims of British state violence. A spokesman for the Consultative Group said they had not invited any victims` groups to the event for fear of missing someone out. All such groups would be invited when the full report is launched later in the year, he said.
Showing posts with label eire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eire. Show all posts
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
RIP Brian Keenan - Irish Patriot
Senior IRA commander Brian Keenan has died after a battle with cancer, Sinn Fein said today.
The West Belfast-based republican was a key figure in the organisation during the peace process.
A Sinn Fein spokesman confirmed his death.
Born in 1942 in county Londonderry, the son of a member of the Royal Air Force, Keenan grew up in a family with no republic leanings, and moved to England in his teens, where he worked as a television repair man.
He returned to Ulster when the Troubles began and joined the IRA in around 1970. By the following year he was the quartermaster of the Belfast brigade, and involved in masterminding Belfast bombings.
In 1973 he took control of the IRA's bombing campaign in England and became IRA Quartermaster General. He was regarded as the right-hand man of Gerry Adams, then imprisoned in Long Kesh and attempting to influence the direction and structure of the IRA from his prison cell.
Keenan served a 12-month prison sentence in the Irish republic in 1974, and came to the attention of the English police in 1975 when his fingerprints were identified at the hideout of the Balcombe Street Siege gang.
The warrant issued for his arrest in 1975 led to his extradition to England when he was arrested in Ireland in 1979, in his pocket an address book listing his contacts. He stood trial in June 1980 for masterminding the IRA's bombing campaign in England and was jailed for 18 years.
After his release in 1993 he rose to become one of the seven members of the IRA's ruling Army Council. For a time he split from his old mentor Mr Adams after the IRA's first ceasefire in 1994, wanting to continue the armed struggle.
He was on the Army Council that authorised the 1996 Docklands bombing that killed two people and ended the IRA ceasefire.
As the peace process got under way in the late 1990s, however, he swung his authority behind the twin track strategy of talking peace while threatening to return to bloodshed if demands were not met, dubbed the Armalite and the ballot box.
Both politics and violence were "legitimate forms of revolution", he told IRA waverers in 2001, and both "have to be prosecuted to the utmost".
"The revolution can never be over until we have British imperialism where it belongs - in the dustbin of history," he said, in a message aimed at keeping up the IRA's resolve and preventing activists from defecting to the dissident Real IRA.
Keenan acted as the IRA's go-between with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, eventually playing such a key role in negotiations that Mr Adams remarked: "There wouldn't be a peace process if it wasn't for Brian Keenan."
He resigned from the Army Council in 2005 due to ill health.
The West Belfast-based republican was a key figure in the organisation during the peace process.
A Sinn Fein spokesman confirmed his death.
Born in 1942 in county Londonderry, the son of a member of the Royal Air Force, Keenan grew up in a family with no republic leanings, and moved to England in his teens, where he worked as a television repair man.
He returned to Ulster when the Troubles began and joined the IRA in around 1970. By the following year he was the quartermaster of the Belfast brigade, and involved in masterminding Belfast bombings.
In 1973 he took control of the IRA's bombing campaign in England and became IRA Quartermaster General. He was regarded as the right-hand man of Gerry Adams, then imprisoned in Long Kesh and attempting to influence the direction and structure of the IRA from his prison cell.
Keenan served a 12-month prison sentence in the Irish republic in 1974, and came to the attention of the English police in 1975 when his fingerprints were identified at the hideout of the Balcombe Street Siege gang.
The warrant issued for his arrest in 1975 led to his extradition to England when he was arrested in Ireland in 1979, in his pocket an address book listing his contacts. He stood trial in June 1980 for masterminding the IRA's bombing campaign in England and was jailed for 18 years.
After his release in 1993 he rose to become one of the seven members of the IRA's ruling Army Council. For a time he split from his old mentor Mr Adams after the IRA's first ceasefire in 1994, wanting to continue the armed struggle.
He was on the Army Council that authorised the 1996 Docklands bombing that killed two people and ended the IRA ceasefire.
As the peace process got under way in the late 1990s, however, he swung his authority behind the twin track strategy of talking peace while threatening to return to bloodshed if demands were not met, dubbed the Armalite and the ballot box.
Both politics and violence were "legitimate forms of revolution", he told IRA waverers in 2001, and both "have to be prosecuted to the utmost".
"The revolution can never be over until we have British imperialism where it belongs - in the dustbin of history," he said, in a message aimed at keeping up the IRA's resolve and preventing activists from defecting to the dissident Real IRA.
Keenan acted as the IRA's go-between with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, eventually playing such a key role in negotiations that Mr Adams remarked: "There wouldn't be a peace process if it wasn't for Brian Keenan."
He resigned from the Army Council in 2005 due to ill health.
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Press Release by Republican Sein Fein
We agree fully with the following Press release received from Republican Sein Fein:
Press Release/Preas Ráiteas
Republican SINN FÉIN Poblachtach
Republican Sinn FéinTeach Dáithí Ó Conaill,223, Parnell StreetDublin 1, IrelandSinn Féin PoblachtachTeach Dáithí Ó Conaill,223, Sráid Pharnell, BÁC 1, Éire
For immediate release
For confirmation contact:
Richard Walsh (Publicity Officer) on
07835 620 592 (Six Counties)087 261 8603 (26-Counties)
BRITISH OCCUPATION IS THE CRIME
A spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin has condemned the ending of automatic 50% remission for prisoners within the Six Occupied Counties. Richard Walsh, RSF Director of Publicity, added that British occupation was the greatest crime being committed in Ireland.
“A foreign military power does not and cannot have the right to incarcerate people on Irish soil,” he said. “And the fact that many people have been gaoled by the English for opposing the illegal occupation of our country is especially abhorrent.
“Those sentenced to ten years' or longer imprisonment will have to serve the entirety of the British-imposed sentence before being considered for parole. This means that these sentences are effectively being doubled. Automatic fifty percent remission has also been cast aside for the remainder of prisoners.
“It should always be remembered that it is the occupation of Ireland by a foreign enemy which remains the greatest crime being perpetrated against the Irish people.”
And upon that all true Celts agree !
Press Release/Preas Ráiteas
Republican SINN FÉIN Poblachtach
Republican Sinn FéinTeach Dáithí Ó Conaill,223, Parnell StreetDublin 1, IrelandSinn Féin PoblachtachTeach Dáithí Ó Conaill,223, Sráid Pharnell, BÁC 1, Éire
For immediate release
For confirmation contact:
Richard Walsh (Publicity Officer) on
07835 620 592 (Six Counties)087 261 8603 (26-Counties)
BRITISH OCCUPATION IS THE CRIME
A spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin has condemned the ending of automatic 50% remission for prisoners within the Six Occupied Counties. Richard Walsh, RSF Director of Publicity, added that British occupation was the greatest crime being committed in Ireland.
“A foreign military power does not and cannot have the right to incarcerate people on Irish soil,” he said. “And the fact that many people have been gaoled by the English for opposing the illegal occupation of our country is especially abhorrent.
“Those sentenced to ten years' or longer imprisonment will have to serve the entirety of the British-imposed sentence before being considered for parole. This means that these sentences are effectively being doubled. Automatic fifty percent remission has also been cast aside for the remainder of prisoners.
“It should always be remembered that it is the occupation of Ireland by a foreign enemy which remains the greatest crime being perpetrated against the Irish people.”
And upon that all true Celts agree !
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
A FREE & UNITED EIRE
A fully free and united Eire would doubtless resolve much discontent in that Celtic nation which has thus far been sold down the river by Blair et al:
Public disillusioned with Stormont – MLA THE NEWSLETTER
12 MAY 2008
FRUSTRATION with a lack of radical thinking and legislation coming out of the Executive is beginning to permeate Parliament Buildings.
Ulster Unionist MLA Fred Cobain has said there was a realisation that little is happening at Stormont, one year into devolution.He has blamed stagnation on the unnatural form of government which forces opposites into coalition and means decision- making is hampered by the need to always compromise.
A recent poll showed that around 60 per cent of the population is disillusioned with or not engaged by the Stormont Executive and Assembly.Mr Cobain said that, aside from Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie's social housing policies and some things Michael McGimpsey has done at health, 'little or nothing of real note is happening'.
'People in Northern Ireland are totally detached from the Assembly because of the lack of anything that impacts on their lives for the better coming out of Stormont,' said the MLA.The Assembly itself was still largely a debating chamber, he said – ignored at Executive level.'How many issues passed on the floor have seen or will see the light of day in legislation?' he asked.'Do we have a common policy on education, health; where is the legislation to tackle poverty?'I represent a constituency (north Belfast) where levels of deprivation are the worst in the UK or on the island of Ireland.'I do not see any social policies to make real changes to the constituents I represent.'
He blamed the d'Hondt style mandatory coalition for the paralysis.'The model we have at the moment does not lend itself to people coming forward with new ideas or decision-making,' he said.'Either the need to always have a consensus or the cross-party and personality jealousies and rivalries in the Cabinet, hold us all back.'And it's because of this system of having to have all the main parties forced to share power.'It doesn't work when everything has to be based on compromises.'
Mr Cobain accepted that the mandatory coalition was necessary 10 years ago, when no trust existed between parties and everyone needed to feel included and protected.He said things had changed and it was time for a normal form of majority government or voluntary coalition between agreed parties - with any safeguards eased, or adapted to suit the changed times, built in.'With all parties in the government there is no Opposition and therefore you lose that dynamic which encourages radical ideas,' he said.'We need a government in which a two-party coalition can be judged on their manifesto commitments and have to implement their manifesto to survive in government and an Opposition coming up with better ideas to try to remove them.'
Mr Cobain said that 'the most obscene thing in this Assembly is that the Alliance Party and Alliance members mean nothing'.'It's bad enough that we have a deadlocked government but we also have a dysfunctional system, that means a party whose vote literally doesn't count and the people who legitimately voted for them are having their vote wasted and their voice not heard. It is truly obscene.
'If ever there was an argument for change, and an example of democracy being subverted here, that is it.'
Public disillusioned with Stormont – MLA THE NEWSLETTER
12 MAY 2008
FRUSTRATION with a lack of radical thinking and legislation coming out of the Executive is beginning to permeate Parliament Buildings.
Ulster Unionist MLA Fred Cobain has said there was a realisation that little is happening at Stormont, one year into devolution.He has blamed stagnation on the unnatural form of government which forces opposites into coalition and means decision- making is hampered by the need to always compromise.
A recent poll showed that around 60 per cent of the population is disillusioned with or not engaged by the Stormont Executive and Assembly.Mr Cobain said that, aside from Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie's social housing policies and some things Michael McGimpsey has done at health, 'little or nothing of real note is happening'.
'People in Northern Ireland are totally detached from the Assembly because of the lack of anything that impacts on their lives for the better coming out of Stormont,' said the MLA.The Assembly itself was still largely a debating chamber, he said – ignored at Executive level.'How many issues passed on the floor have seen or will see the light of day in legislation?' he asked.'Do we have a common policy on education, health; where is the legislation to tackle poverty?'I represent a constituency (north Belfast) where levels of deprivation are the worst in the UK or on the island of Ireland.'I do not see any social policies to make real changes to the constituents I represent.'
He blamed the d'Hondt style mandatory coalition for the paralysis.'The model we have at the moment does not lend itself to people coming forward with new ideas or decision-making,' he said.'Either the need to always have a consensus or the cross-party and personality jealousies and rivalries in the Cabinet, hold us all back.'And it's because of this system of having to have all the main parties forced to share power.'It doesn't work when everything has to be based on compromises.'
Mr Cobain accepted that the mandatory coalition was necessary 10 years ago, when no trust existed between parties and everyone needed to feel included and protected.He said things had changed and it was time for a normal form of majority government or voluntary coalition between agreed parties - with any safeguards eased, or adapted to suit the changed times, built in.'With all parties in the government there is no Opposition and therefore you lose that dynamic which encourages radical ideas,' he said.'We need a government in which a two-party coalition can be judged on their manifesto commitments and have to implement their manifesto to survive in government and an Opposition coming up with better ideas to try to remove them.'
Mr Cobain said that 'the most obscene thing in this Assembly is that the Alliance Party and Alliance members mean nothing'.'It's bad enough that we have a deadlocked government but we also have a dysfunctional system, that means a party whose vote literally doesn't count and the people who legitimately voted for them are having their vote wasted and their voice not heard. It is truly obscene.
'If ever there was an argument for change, and an example of democracy being subverted here, that is it.'
Sunday, 11 May 2008
A Media release from the Celtic League:
MAGUIRE PETITION - SUPPORT NEEDED
An online petition has been created calling for the repatriation ofIrishman Noel Maguire, who is being held in a jail in England.The petition was set up by 'Political Status Ireland' and calls onthe 'Offices of the Irish Minister for Justice' in the Republic ofIreland to 'Bring Noel Maguire Home'. The petition reads:"Noel Maguire is an Irish citizen who is being held in an Englishprison. He has been the victim of a violent assault where he nearlylost his life. His family, friends, and loved ones want him repatriated.The English government have approved this but the Irish governmentare delaying the repatriation.This petition is for his repatriation and for his health, well being,and human rights."At the 2007 AGM in Caerdydd/Cardiff, the Celtic League unanimouslypassed the following resolution:"The Celtic League seeks the repatriation of Noel Maguire to a prisonin Éire, in consideration of the physical and psychological stressthat the prisoner has been under over the last year and being thelast of six co-defendants to remain in a prison in England."The League has campaigned on behalf of Maguire for over a year andhas written a number of letters to both the British and the Irishauthorities campaigning for his release.
Letters of support can be sent to Mr Maguire at the address below and the petition can be signed by following the link under it. Noel MaguireHMP Full Sutton,York. YO41 IPS.England
Online petition:http://gopetition.com/online/18560.html
Noel Maguire - a freedom fighter for one Eire - being made a scapegoat by the English Imperial System. One day, the English will be called to account for their actions. Noel, we are with you in Celtic Solidarity.
MAGUIRE PETITION - SUPPORT NEEDED
An online petition has been created calling for the repatriation ofIrishman Noel Maguire, who is being held in a jail in England.The petition was set up by 'Political Status Ireland' and calls onthe 'Offices of the Irish Minister for Justice' in the Republic ofIreland to 'Bring Noel Maguire Home'. The petition reads:"Noel Maguire is an Irish citizen who is being held in an Englishprison. He has been the victim of a violent assault where he nearlylost his life. His family, friends, and loved ones want him repatriated.The English government have approved this but the Irish governmentare delaying the repatriation.This petition is for his repatriation and for his health, well being,and human rights."At the 2007 AGM in Caerdydd/Cardiff, the Celtic League unanimouslypassed the following resolution:"The Celtic League seeks the repatriation of Noel Maguire to a prisonin Éire, in consideration of the physical and psychological stressthat the prisoner has been under over the last year and being thelast of six co-defendants to remain in a prison in England."The League has campaigned on behalf of Maguire for over a year andhas written a number of letters to both the British and the Irishauthorities campaigning for his release.
Letters of support can be sent to Mr Maguire at the address below and the petition can be signed by following the link under it. Noel MaguireHMP Full Sutton,York. YO41 IPS.England
Online petition:http://gopetition.com/online/18560.html
Noel Maguire - a freedom fighter for one Eire - being made a scapegoat by the English Imperial System. One day, the English will be called to account for their actions. Noel, we are with you in Celtic Solidarity.
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